---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 1163"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "1163"
heading: "Railroad security assistance"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/1163"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — Transportation Security"
  - "Subchapter IV — Surface Transportation Security"
  - "Part B — Railroad Security"
---

# §1163. Railroad security assistance

- (a) **Security improvement grants—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2), in consultation with the [Administrator](/usc/6/701.md?p=1) of the Transportation Security Administration and other appropriate [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) or officials, is authorized to make grants to railroad carriers, the Alaska Railroad, security-sensitive materials offerors who ship by railroad, owners of railroad cars used in the transportation of security-sensitive materials, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17) and [local governments](/usc/6/101.md?p=13) (for railroad passenger facilities and infrastructure not owned by Amtrak), and Amtrak for intercity passenger railroad and freight railroad security improvements described in [subsection (b)](#b) as approved by the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2).
  - (2) A railroad carrier is eligible for a grant under this section if the carrier has completed a vulnerability assessment and developed a security plan that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) has approved in accordance with [section 1162 of this title](/usc/6/1162.md).
  - (3) A recipient of a grant under this section may use grant [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) only for permissible uses under [subsection (b)](#b) to further a railroad security plan that meets the requirements of [paragraph (2)](#a-2).
  - (4) Notwithstanding the requirement for eligibility and uses of [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) in paragraphs [(2)](#a-2) and [(3)](#a-3), a railroad carrier is eligible for a grant under this section if the applicant uses the [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) solely for the development of assessments or security plans under [section 1162 of this title](/usc/6/1162.md).
  - (5) Notwithstanding the requirements for eligibility and uses of [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) in paragraphs [(2)](#a-2) and [(3)](#a-3), prior to the earlier of 1 year after the date of issuance of final regulations requiring vulnerability assessments and security plans under [section 1162 of this title](/usc/6/1162.md) or 3 years after August 3, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) may award grants under this section for rail security improvements listed under [subsection (b)](#b) based upon railroad carrier vulnerability assessments and security plans that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) determines are sufficient for the purposes of this section but have not been approved by the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) in accordance with [section 1162 of this title](/usc/6/1162.md).
- (b) **Uses of funds—** A recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) for one or more of the following:
  - (1) Security and redundancy for critical communications, computer, and train control systems essential for secure railroad operations, including communications interoperability where appropriate with relevant outside [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) and [entities](/usc/6/301c.md?p=2).
  - (2) Accommodation of railroad cargo or passenger security inspection facilities, related infrastructure, and operations at or near [United States](/usc/6/101.md?p=19-A) international borders or other ports of entry.
  - (3) The security of security-sensitive materials transportation by railroad.
  - (4) Chemical, biological, radiological, or explosive detection, including canine patrols for such detection.
  - (5) The security and preparedness of intercity passenger railroad stations, trains, and infrastructure, including security capital improvement projects that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) determines enhance railroad station security.
  - (6) Technologies to reduce the vulnerabilities of railroad cars, including structural modification of railroad cars transporting security-sensitive materials to improve their resistance to acts of [terrorism](/usc/6/101.md?p=18).
  - (7) The sharing of intelligence and information about security threats and preparedness, including connectivity to the National Terrorist Screening [Center](/usc/6/681.md?p=1).
  - (8) To obtain train tracking and communications equipment, including equipment that is interoperable with Federal, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), and local [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1) and [tribal governments](/usc/6/701.md?p=16).
  - (9) To hire, train, and employ police, security, and preparedness officers, including canine units, assigned to full-time security or counterterrorism duties related to railroad transportation.
  - (10) Overtime reimbursement, including reimbursement of [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), local, and [tribal governments](/usc/6/701.md?p=16) for costs, for enhanced security [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15) assigned to duties related to railroad security during periods of high or severe threat levels and National Special Security Events or other periods of heightened security as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2).
  - (11) Perimeter protection systems, including access control, installation of improved lighting, fencing, and barricades at railroad facilities.
  - (12) Tunnel protection systems.
  - (13) Passenger evacuation and evacuation-related capital improvements.
  - (14) Railroad security inspection technologies, including verified visual inspection technologies using hand-held readers.
  - (15) Surveillance equipment.
  - (16) Cargo or passenger screening equipment.
  - (17) [Emergency](/usc/6/701.md?p=6) response equipment, including fire suppression and decontamination equipment, personal protective equipment, and defibrillators.
  - (18) Operating and capital costs associated with security awareness, preparedness, and response training, including training under [section 1167 of this title](/usc/6/1167.md), and training developed by universities, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit employee labor organizations, for railroad employees, including frontline employees.
  - (19) Live or simulated exercises, including exercises described in [section 1166 of this title](/usc/6/1166.md).
  - (20) Public awareness campaigns for enhanced railroad security.
  - (21) Development of assessments or security plans under [section 1162 of this title](/usc/6/1162.md).
  - (22) Other security improvements—
    - (A) identified, required, or recommended under sections [1161](/usc/6/1161.md) and [1162](/usc/6/1162.md) of this title, including infrastructure, facilities, and equipment upgrades; or
    - (B) that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) considers appropriate.
- (c) **Department of Homeland Security responsibilities—** In carrying out the responsibilities under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall—
  - (1) determine the requirements for recipients of grants;
  - (2) establish priorities for uses of [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) for grant recipients;
  - (3) award the [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) authorized by this section based on risk, as identified by the plans required under sections [1161](/usc/6/1161.md) and [1162](/usc/6/1162.md) of this title, or assessment or plan described in [subsection (a)(5)](#a-5);
  - (4) take into account whether stations or facilities are used by commuter railroad passengers as well as intercity railroad passengers in reviewing grant applications;
  - (5) encourage non-Federal financial participation in projects funded by grants; and
  - (6) not later than 5 business days after awarding a grant to Amtrak under this section, transfer grant [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) of Transportation to be disbursed to Amtrak.
- (d) **Multiyear awards—** Grant [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) awarded under this section may be awarded for projects that span multiple years.
- (e) **Limitation on uses of funds—** A grant made under this section may not be used to make any [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17) or [local government](/usc/6/101.md?p=13) cost-sharing contribution under any other Federal law.
- (f) **Annual reports—** Each recipient of a grant under this section shall report annually to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) on the use of grant [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5).
- (g) **Non-Federal match study—** Not later than 240 days after August 3, 2007, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall provide a report to the [appropriate congressional committees](/usc/6/101.md?p=2) on the feasibility and appropriateness of requiring a non-Federal match for grants awarded to freight railroad carriers and other private [entities](/usc/6/301c.md?p=2) under this section.
- (h) **Subject to certain standards—** A recipient of a grant under this section and sections [1164](/usc/6/1164.md) and [1165](/usc/6/1165.md) of this title shall be required to comply with the standards of [section 24312 of title 49](/usc/49/24312.md), as in effect on January 1, 2007, with respect to the project in the same manner as Amtrak is required to comply with such standards for construction work financed under an agreement made under [section 24308(a)](/usc/49/24308.md?p=a) of that title.
- (i) **Authorization of appropriations—**
  - (1) **In general—** Out of [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) appropriated pursuant to [section 114(w)](/usc/6/114.md)[^1] of title 49, there shall be made available to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) to carry out this section—
    - (A) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
    - (B) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
    - (C) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
    - (D) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
  - (2) **Period of availability—** Sums appropriated to carry out this section shall remain available until expended.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–53, title XV, § 1513, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 433; Pub. L. 115–254, div. K, title I, § 1973(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3614.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 114(w) of title 49, referred to in subsec. (i)(1), was redesignated section 114(v) of title 49 by Pub. L. 115–254, div. K, § 1904(b)(1)(I), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3545.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1973(a)(1), substituted “, including communications interoperability where appropriate with relevant outside agencies and entities.” for period at end.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1973(a)(2), substituted “security and preparedness of” for “security of”.

Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1973(a)(3), substituted “security threats and preparedness, including connectivity to the National Terrorist Screening Center” for “security threats”.

Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 115–254, § 1973(a)(4), substituted “, security, and preparedness officers” for “and security officers”.