Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Metro Efficiency, Transparency, Reliability, Oversight, Accountability and Reform Act” or the “METRO Accountability and Reform Act”.
Metro Efficiency, Transparency, Reliability, Oversight, Accountability and Reform Act
A BILL
To amend the interstate Compact governing the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Act:
Academy— The term “Academy” means the National Academy of Public Adminstration.
Appropriate Congressional Committees— The term “appropriate congressional committees” means—
the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, and Appropriations; and
the Senate Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Banking, Housing, and Urban Development; the Judiciary; and Appropriations.
Authority— The term “Authority” means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority established under article III of the compact (Public Law 89–774; 80 Stat. 1324).
Board— The term “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Commission— The term “Commission” means the Metro Reform Commission.
Compact— The term “Compact” means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact.
Director— The term “Director” means a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Secretary— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Transportation.
Signatory— The term “Signatory” means the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the District of Columbia.
State— The term “State” includes the District of Columbia.
WMATA— The term “WMATA” means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Zone— The term “Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Zone” means the zone created by and described in section 3 of the Compact, as well as any additional area that may be added pursuant to section 83(a) of such Compact.
Sec. 3 Findings
Congress finds the following:
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is the public transit system of the Washington metropolitan area and is essential for the continued and effective performance of the functions of the Federal Government, and for the orderly movement of people during major events and times of regional or national emergency.
WMATA, through Metrorail and Metrobus, serve a population of 4 million within a 1,500 square-mile area.
Thirty-five Metrorail stations serve Federal facilities and 40 percent of Metrorail’s peak period commuters are Federal employees.
The governments of Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, as well as the Federal Government, have invested substantially in WMATA, which operates and maintains approximately $40,000,000,000 in physical assets.
In addition to regional commuters and local residents, WMATA serves millions of individuals from around the world visiting Washington for business or tourism.
It is a vital interest of the Federal Government to support WMATA and work constructively with Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to ensure the long-term viability of “America’s Subway”.