In Simple Terms: H.J. Res. 76 (115th Congress)

This bill is about creating and approving a special safety commission to oversee the Washington Metro rail system (WMATA) which serves the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

What is the purpose?

The bill allows the three jurisdictions—DC, Maryland, and Virginia—to form a Washington Metrorail Safety Commission that will be responsible for keeping the Metro rail system safe. This is required by federal law to have an independent group making sure the rail system follows safety rules.

Why is this important?

• Metrorail transports millions of people every year, and their safety is very important.
• An effective and safe Metro helps the economy and daily life in the capital region.
• Federal law requires an independent safety oversight body for rail transit systems like WMATA.

How will the Commission work?

• It will be a separate and independent public agency, not controlled by WMATA itself.
• A board with 6 members (2 each appointed by DC, Maryland, and Virginia) will lead the Commission.
• The Board members must have experience in transit safety or related fields and cannot be WMATA employees or elected officials.
• The Commission will have the authority to review, approve, and enforce safety plans, investigate accidents, and require WMATA to fix safety problems.
• It can even force WMATA to stop train service if serious safety issues are found.

Key powers and responsibilities

• Set safety standards and enforce federal rail safety laws.
• Inspect trains, tracks, and operations to find safety risks.
• Investigate accidents or safety hazards occurring on the Metro system.
• Make WMATA follow safety improvement plans.
• Report annually on Metro safety and the Commission’s activities to government officials.
• Manage its own budget, staff, and operations independently.

Financing and legal aspects

• The three jurisdictions will share the costs of running the Commission, with possible federal funding support.
• The Commission will be tax-exempt and operate as a government entity.
• The Commission and its members have legal protections from lawsuits related to their official duties, except in cases of intentional wrongdoing.
• There are clear rules about how the Commission can amend its rules or be dissolved, requiring agreement from all three jurisdictions and Congress.

Summary

This law sets up a dedicated, independent safety watchdog for the Washington Metro rail system to ensure it operates safely for the millions of daily riders. It gives the Safety Commission authority to oversee WMATA’s safety efforts, enforce rules, investigate problems, and hold the system accountable, all while sharing the responsibility across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.