94 STAT. 1946
49 USC 1654. Appropriation authorization.
Work force reduction.
Ante, p. 1945.
45 USC 231t. Financial assistance. 45 USC 825.
Ante, p. 1939. Ante, p. 1945.
Ante, p. 1945.
PUBLIC LAW 96-448—OCT. 14, 1980
tion of such a railroad line unless such purchase or rehabilitation is consistent with the rail plan (as defined under section 5 of the Department of Transportation Act) of the State in which such line is located. "(3) Of the funds authorized to be appropriated under this section (other than funds described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection) not more than $180,000,000 are authorized to be appropriated in fiscal year 1981.". (2) Section 216(b) of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 (45 U.S.C. 726(b)) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: "(3)(A) Amounts transferred to the Association pursuant to section 5090t))(l) of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 may be used to purchase series A preferred stock of the Corporation to provide for the implementation by the Corporation of a program to reduce the Corporation's work force, if the Finance Committee finds that the implementation of such program will result in substantial savings to the United States. "(B) An employee who ceases to be an employee as a result of the reduction of work force under a program implemented pursuant to this paragraph shall not, by reason of so ceasing to be an employee, or by reason of any work or employment entered into after so ceasing to be an employee, lose such employee's current connection with the railroad industry for the purposes of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974.". (c)(1) Section 505(a) of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 725(a)) is amended— (A) by inserting "(1)" immediately before "Any railroad"; and (B) by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraphs: "(2) An employee or employee-shipper group may apply to the Secretary for financial assistance pursuant to subsection (b)(3) of this section. "(3) A financially responsible person (as defined in section 10910(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code) may apply to the Secretary for financial assistance from funds made available pursuant to section 509(b)(2) of this title.". (2) Section 505(b) of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 825(b)) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: "(3) The Secretary may approve applications to provide financial assistance to any employee or employee-shipper ownership group formed pursuant to a plan for the purchase or rehabilitation of a line or lines of railroad or of rail facilities which are considered to be in the public interest. The Secretary shall not use more than 20 percent of the total funds available under this section for such financial assistance. In considering the allocation of available funds and priority of eligible projects under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider the availability of viable alternatives to the ownership or rehabilitation by the eligible employee-shipper group for the continuation of rail service. Projects with no such alternative shall receive highest priority.". (3) Sections 506 through 509 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 826 through 829) are amended by— (A) inserting "employee or employer-shipper group" immediately after "railroad wherever it appears; (B) inserting "employee or employee-shipper groups" immediately after "railroads" wherever it appears; and
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