PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 11, 2024
The Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act
This bill directs Amtrak to comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act (i.e., the Sunshine Act), with exceptions.
Under the bill, certain open meeting requirements do not apply when a majority of the members of the Amtrak Board of Directors meet to discuss official business and (1) no formal or informal vote or other official action is taken at the meeting, and (2) those present at the meeting are board members or board employees.
Under these circumstances, Amtrak must make publicly available a (1) list of the individuals present at the meeting; and (2) summary of the matters discussed at the meeting, including the key issues.
The bill includes an exclusion from these requirements for any matter the board properly determines may be withheld from the public under provisions of the Sunshine Act. If the board properly determines a matter may be withheld from the public, the board must provide a public summary of the matter that includes as much general information as possible.
Further, Amtrak must brief Congress annually on the board's activities.
People & committees
Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22] · R–TX
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6579)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6579)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8692.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6578-6579)
Ms. Maloy moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 656.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-795.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-795.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Discharged
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.8692 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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