Committee Marks Up National Capital Transportation Amendments Act of 2007

H.R. 401, the National Capital Transportation Amendments Act of 2007, authorizes federal funding for capital improvements and critical preventive maintenance needs for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and improves accountability at WMATA.

H.R. 401 allows WMATA to make needed improvements by authorizing $1.5 billion for capital and renewal projects for WMATA. This represents a 50% federal share of the cost of these projects with state and local funds covering the remaining share. H.R. 401 will also allow WMATA to add new rail cars and buses to ease congestion during peak hours.

The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the use of the authorized funds and to report to Congress within three years.

The bill improves accountability and transparency by establishing an Inspector General for WMATA and adds four directors to the WMATA Board of Directors, two voting and two nonvoting, with one of the voting members to be a regular WMATA rail or bus passenger.