Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act

House Bill

H.R. 188

119th Congress

Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.

Introduced:Jan 3, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Marcy Kaptur

Representative

Democratic

OH-9

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Summary

This bill requires Amtrak to comply with the Government in the Sunshine Act open meeting requirements, with specific exceptions. Closed meeting portions are allowed for contract negotiations affecting Amtraks competitive position, collective bargaining discussions, and personnel matters involving officers, employees, or contractors unless affected individuals request public discussion. The bill aims to increase transparency of Amtrak board deliberations while protecting sensitive business and employment information.

Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.

SponsorMarcy Kaptur (D-OH)

Introduced1/3/2025

StatusPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.

ChamberHouse

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Vote Prediction

Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act

This bill requires Amtrak to comply with the Government in the Sunshine Act open meeting requirements, with specific exceptions. Closed meeting portions are allowed for contract negotiations affecting Amtraks competitive position, collective bargaining discuss

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill requires Amtrak to comply with the Government in the Sunshine Act open meeting requirements, with specific exceptions. Closed meeting portions are allowed for contract negotiations affecting Amtraks competitive position, collective bargaining discussions, and personnel matters involving officers, employees, or contractors unless affected individuals request public discussion. The bill aims to increase transparency of Amtrak board deliberations while protecting sensitive business and employment information.

Bill Number: 188
Sponsor: Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
Introduced: 1/3/2025
Status: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act
Bill Number: 188
Sponsor: Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
Status: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.
Introduced: 1/3/2025
Summary: This bill requires Amtrak to comply with the Government in the Sunshine Act open meeting requirements, with specific exceptions. Closed meeting portions are allowed for contract negotiations affecting Amtraks competitive position, collective bargaining discussions, and personnel matters involving of

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires Amtrak to comply with the Government in the Sunshine Act open meeting requirements, with specific exceptions. Closed meeting portions are allowed for contract negotiations affecting Amtraks competitive position, collective bargaining discussions, and personnel matters involving officers, employees, or contractors unless affected individuals request public discussion. The bill aims to increase transparency of Amtrak board deliberations while protecting sensitive business and employment information.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers ActThis bill directs Amtrak to comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act, with exceptions.Under the bill, certain open meeting requirements do not apply to any portion or portions of a meeting that Amtrak properly determines are likely to involve<ul><li>contract negotiations, including negotiations for contract procurements and agreements, the disclosure of which would imperil or compromise Amtrak’s competitive position;</li><li>collective bargaining agreements or any terms and conditions that are proposed for inclusion in an agreement; and</li><li>matters involving the employment, appointment, termination, terms and conditions of employment, performance evaluation, promotion, or disciplining of a current or prospective Amtrak officer, employee, or contractor (unless all affected individuals request in writing that the matter or matters be discussed at a public meeting).</li></ul>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires Amtrak compliance with Government in Sunshine Act
Mandates open meetings with specific exceptions
Allows closed sessions for contract negotiations
Exempts collective bargaining agreement discussions
Protects personnel matters unless public discussion requested

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For Amtrak passengers: Greater transparency in rail service governance. For taxpayers: Improved oversight of federally-subsidized rail. For Amtrak board: Open meeting requirements with business protections. For Amtrak employees: Privacy protection for personnel matters. For government accountability: Standard sunshine requirements for Amtrak.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Related Subjects

Congressional oversight

Government ethics and transparency, public corruption

Government information and archives

National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)

Railroads

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

188, 119th Congress (2025). "Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-188