Rail Safety, Amtrak Funding Approved Two rail-related pieces of legislation - the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 – were passed by the U.S. Senate by a 74-24 margin as a single package. Earlier approved by the House of Representatives, President Bush is expected to sign both pieces of legislation. The Rail Safety Improvement Act will provide more vigorous rail worker training, require conductor certification and mandate installation of positive train control on lines used for passenger trains and to move hazardous materials no later than 2015. Many of the provisions were in response to the recent Metrolink train crash in California that killed 25 people. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act will provide funding for Amtrak for five years at a cost of $13.1 billion. Amtrak’s previous authorization expired in 2002, which required Congress to provide funding on a single year basis. The funds will be used for operating subsidies, new capital projects and developing new passenger-rail corridors throughout the country. Senator Barack Obama voted for the legislation. Senator John McCain voted against it. Source: Railway Age
	The Soy Transportation Coalition is comprised of seven state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association, and the United Soybean Board. The National Grain and Feed Association and the National Oilseed Processors Association serve as ex-officio members of the organization.