The Amtrak Transparency Act increases transparency by requiring Amtrak to disclose meeting information, bonus payouts, and vendor agreements. It also mandates an annual meeting with state transportation departments for states with Amtrak routes.
Deb Fischer
Senator
NE
The Amtrak Transparency Act amends Title 49 of the U.S. Code, modifying requirements for Amtrak's Board of Directors meetings, including quorum rules, public notice for meetings, and annual meetings with state transportation heads. It mandates public disclosure of discretionary bonuses paid to officers and non-bargaining unit employees. Additionally, Amtrak must disclose vendor agreements over $250,000 to states or State-Amtrak Committees for state-supported route services upon request.
Amtrak Transparency Act: Board Meetings Go Behind Closed Doors, But Bonuses and Vendor Deals Get Spotlighted
The Amtrak Transparency Act makes some significant changes to how Amtrak operates, and it's a mixed bag for transparency. The core purpose is to shift some rules around Amtrak's Board of Directors meetings, bonus disclosures, and vendor agreements, particularly those impacting state-supported routes.
Boardroom Shuffle
The biggest change is that Amtrak's Board of Directors no longer has to meet "in an open meeting" (SEC. 2). While the Board still needs a majority to make decisions and must post meeting announcements and agendas online 30 days in advance, removing the "open meeting" requirement raises eyebrows. All meetings still have to comply with federal transparency law (section 552b of title 5). Plus, there's a new requirement for an annual meeting between Amtrak's Board and the heads of state Departments of Transportation for states with long-distance or state-supported routes. Think of it like this: your state's transportation chief gets a yearly sit-down with Amtrak's top brass to discuss routes and services impacting your area.
Show Me the Money (and the Contracts)
On the transparency plus side, Amtrak now must publicly disclose any discretionary bonuses paid to officers or non-union employees (SEC. 3). This means we get to see who's getting extra cash and how much. It's like finding out about those surprise bonuses at your company, but on a national scale. This could affect anyone from high-level executives down to non-unionized management.
Another win for transparency: States now have the right to see vendor agreements worth $250,000 or more if those agreements relate to services on state-supported routes (SEC. 4). If your state is contributing to an Amtrak route, they can now demand to see the contracts with vendors providing services for that route. This gives states more oversight on how their money, and by extension your tax dollars, is being spent.
The Bottom Line
This bill is a mixed bag. The change to Board meeting rules could be a step back for open governance. While the required postings and adherence to 5 U.S.C. 552b offer some transparency, the removal of the 'open meeting' language is concerning. However, the increased scrutiny of bonuses and vendor contracts is a definite step forward. It adds a layer of accountability, letting taxpayers and state governments keep a closer eye on Amtrak's financial dealings. Whether the increased transparency in spending outweighs the potential decrease in Board meeting openness is the key question.