← Back to Civic Storm
Infrastructure & Land
Sign in to follow

H.R. 188

Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act

In Plain Language

This bill requires Amtrak to hold open meetings that the public can attend, following the same sunshine rules as other federal agencies. Amtrak can close meetings only when discussing contract negotiations, union agreements, or personnel matters—but must open those discussions if the employee or contractor involved asks them to in writing.

Official 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 involvecontract negotiations, including negotiations for contract procurements and agreements, the disclosure of which would imperil or compromise Amtrak’s competitive position;collective bargaining agreements or any terms and conditions that are proposed for inclusion in an agreement; andmatters 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).

Sponsor

Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

Cosponsors

Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

Latest action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.

Jun 6, 2025

Official source

View on Congress.gov ↗

Action history

Jun 6, 2025 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.

Write to this bill’s sponsor

Draft a constituent message about this bill in your own words -- grounded in the actual summary, not a form letter.

Don’t worry — we’ll help you form the message.

Compose a message