US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB192

Introduced
1/3/25  
Refer
1/3/25  
Refer
1/4/25  

Caption

Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure ActThis bill requires Amtrak to publicly disclose the annual base pay and bonus compensation paid to an Amtrak executive in a required annual report to Congress.Specifically, Amtrak must incorporate into the annual report the annual base pay and any bonus compensation paid to a member of the executive leadership team. This must include the criteria and metrics used to determine any bonus compensation.Further, Amtrak must make the annual report available on Amtrak's public website.

Impact

If enacted, HB192 will amend Title 49 of the United States Code, specifically section 24315(a), under which Amtrak is required to submit reports and audits. This amendment will require Amtrak to make their compensation reports available on their website, thus allowing for greater scrutiny by the public and stakeholders. The focus on executive pay transparency aligns with broader efforts in various sectors to hold organizations accountable for executive compensation practices, particularly those that involve public funding.

Summary

House Bill 192, known as the Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act, aims to enhance transparency regarding executive compensation at Amtrak. The bill mandates that Amtrak publicly disclose the base pay and bonus compensation of its executive leadership team, including the criteria used to determine any bonuses. This move is intended to provide the public and Congress with clear insights into how Amtrak compensates its top executives, thereby fostering accountability in how federal funds are managed by the railroad service.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB192 appears to be generally positive among advocates for transparency and accountability, who view the bill as a necessary step in ensuring that public agencies like Amtrak are responsible stewards of taxpayer resources. However, there may be some contention among those who believe that disclosing such information could undermine executive privacy or deter capable leadership from joining Amtrak due to public scrutiny.

Contention

Notable points of contention may include debates around the balance between transparency and privacy. Some lawmakers and stakeholders might argue that revealing detailed compensation structures could lead to unnecessary pressure on executives, thereby hindering the ability to attract and retain top talent. The discussions could also center on the efficacy of such measures in improving Amtrak's operational accountability and addressing ongoing operational challenges faced by the agency.

Congress_id

119-HR-192

Policy_area

Transportation and Public Works

Introduced_date

2025-01-03

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB174

Amtrak Transparency ActThis bill increases Amtrak's open meeting and public disclosure requirements.Specifically, the Amtrak Board of Directors must comply with federal open meeting requirements under the Government in the Sunshine Act.In addition, at least 30 days prior to the board convening, the board must publicly post an announcement of the meeting and the anticipated meeting agenda.The board must also annually convene a meeting to which state departments of transportation with long-distance routes or state-supported routes are invited to participate.Further, Amtrak must publicly disclose the discretionary bonus compensation paid to an Amtrak officer or non-bargaining unit employee.Upon request, Amtrak must also disclose to a state or the State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee vendor agreements of $250,000 or more for certain services on state-supported routes.

US HB265

Train Furtherance of Outstanding Onboard Dining Act or the Train FOOD ActThis bill directs Amtrak to establish an advisory committee to provide internal review for Amtrak's implementation of the Amtrak Food and Beverage Working Group (FBWG) recommendations to improve onboard food and beverage service.The Amtrak advisory committee must submit an annual report to Congress on the status of Amtrak's implementation of each of the FBWG recommendations. The advisory committee's annual reports must be publicly available on an Amtrak website.In addition, the Government Accountability Office must submit a report to Congress describing Amtrak's progress in implementing each FBWG report recommendation.

US HB264

Train Establishment of Appetizing Table Service Act or the Train EATS Act This bill requires Amtrak to provide a range of dining services to passengers on overnight routes.Specifically, Amtrak must make available (1) traditional dining (i.e., table service), to the extent practicable; and (2) an alternative food and beverage service that is more affordable than traditional dining.On each overnight route, Amtrak must offer any traditional dining capacity not otherwise used by first-class or business-class passengers to passengers in coach class for a fee. In addition, Amtrak must ensure that traditional dining on overnight routes includes (1) a healthy meal option, and (2) the option for passengers to preorder meals that satisfy their dietary restrictions.The Department of Transportation must issue any necessary regulations.

US S10082

Prohibits foreign ownership of gas and electric corporations; requires that any foreign owned gas and electric corporations execute a divestiture plan; regulates executive compensation by limiting annual bonuses and incentive-based compensation for executive officers.

US HB6590

No Bonuses for Utility Executives Act

US HB66

Federal Employee Student Debt Transparency ActThis bill requires certain executive branch employees to disclose their federal student loan debt in an annual report.The bill's requirement applies to an employee serving in a Senior Executive Service position or a position of a confidential or policy-determining nature (i.e., a Schedule C position). Covered employees must file a report detailing the principal and interest owed on loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and the Federal Perkins Loan Program. The bill also requires the Office of Government Ethics to submit an annual report to Congress that contains (1) the total amount owed by all covered employees, and (2) the name of any covered employee who failed to report the required information. 

US S2738

Requires DOC to report certain information annually.

US HB236

Federal Employee Return to Work ActThis bill prohibits providing certain annual or locality-based pay increases to teleworking federal employees.Currently, federal law mandates annual adjustments to General Schedule (GS) pay rates according to (1) a formula based on the annual percentage change in the Employment Cost Index (a measure of labor costs in the private sector); and (2) the difference between public and private sector pay rates in an employee's locality, if that difference exceeds 5%. For example, in 2025, the default annual rate of pay for a GS-7 (step 1) employee is $49,960; the adjusted annual rate of pay for a GS-7 (step 1) employee in the locality pay area that includes Washington, DC, is $57,164. The bill makes executive agency employees who telework at least one day each week (or, in the case of an alternative work schedule, 20% or more each week) ineligible for these payments.The bill is effective on the first day of the fiscal year beginning after the bill's enactment.  

US S00707

Requires certain data to be included in reports on the administration of managed long term care plans; changes reporting period to annually.

US HF3186

Public water supplies and publicly owned treatment works required to annually report on water access policies.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.