Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8888
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T12:16:13Z
AI-Generated Summary
## Purpose This legislation, titled the "Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act," aims to prevent Amtrak from requiring customers to resolve disputes through mandatory arbitration. It seeks to preserve the right of passengers to pursue claims in court for consumer and civil rights matters.
## Key Provisions
- Adds a new section (24324) to Chapter 243 of Title 49, United States Code, prohibiting predispute arbitration agreements and predispute joint-action waivers in consumer or civil rights disputes between Amtrak and its customers.
- Defines key terms, including:
- Consumer dispute: Any claim involving services, accommodations, or carriage on Amtrak trains, including personal injury claims.
- Civil rights dispute: Claims alleging violations of constitutional or statutory protections against discrimination based on race, sex, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, or other protected statuses.
- Customer: Any individual (excluding Amtrak employees) seeking Amtrak services or transportation.
- States that such agreements are invalid and unenforceable for covered disputes.
- Requires courts (not arbitrators) to decide whether the prohibition applies, even if the contract attempts to delegate this decision.
- Excludes disputes covered by the Railway Labor Act.
- Applies to disputes arising on or after the date of enactment.
## Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill amends Title 49 by introducing explicit restrictions on arbitration clauses in Amtrak contracts, overriding any existing predispute agreements for consumer and civil rights claims. It shifts resolution authority from private arbitration to judicial forums and prevents waivers of class or collective actions.
## Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Amtrak, as a federally chartered corporation, would face changes in contract practices and potential increases in court cases.
- On citizens: Passengers gain the ability to litigate disputes in court rather than through arbitration, which may affect access to remedies for injuries or discrimination claims.
- No direct effects on international relations are specified in the legislation.
## Main Stakeholders Affected
- Amtrak and its operations as a rail passenger carrier.
- Individual customers and passengers using Amtrak services.
- Federal courts responsible for interpreting and enforcing the new rules.
- Congress, through its oversight of transportation policy.
## Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure reinforces judicial oversight over arbitration agreements and protects rights to class actions in specific disputes. It does not alter constitutional protections but limits private contract terms in the passenger rail sector. The effective date ensures immediate application to new claims without retroactive effect.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (7 pages)