II
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1087
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 27, 2015
Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Kirk) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To require Amtrak to propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats and dogs on certain Amtrak trains, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Pets on Trains Act of 2015
.
Amtrak policy for passengers transporting domesticated cats and dogs
In general
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, Amtrak shall propose a pet policy that allows passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain trains operated by Amtrak.
Pet policy
In the proposal required under subsection (a), Amtrak shall—
designate, where feasible, at least one car of each passenger train that is comprised of more than one car in which a ticketed passenger may transport a domesticated cat or dog in the same manner as carry-on baggage if—
the cat or dog is contained in a pet kennel;
the pet kennel can be stowed in accordance with Amtrak size requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage;
the passenger is ticketed for traveling a distance less than 750 miles; and
the passenger pays a fee described in subsection (c); and
allow ticketed passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs in the same manner as cargo if—
the cat or dog is contained in a pet kennel;
the pet kennel can be stowed in accordance with Amtrak requirements for cargo stowage;
the passenger is ticketed for traveling a distance less than 750 miles;
the cargo area is temperature controlled in a manner protective of dog and cat health; and
the passenger pays a fee described in subsection (c).
Fee collection
Under the pet policy described in subsection (b), Amtrak shall collect a fee for each cat or dog transported by a ticketed passenger in an amount that, at a minimum, covers the costs of administration of the policy.
Limitation on statutory construction
Service animals
The proposal required under subsection (a) shall be separate from and in addition to the policy governing Amtrak passengers traveling with service animals. Nothing in this section may be interpreted to limit or waive the rights of passengers to transport service animals.
Additional train cars
Nothing in this section may be interpreted to require Amtrak to add additional train cars or modify existing train cars.
