,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #afhj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #ah1 #bjba,ms4 ,duckworth 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,brown1 and ,mr4 ,casey7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to amend chapter #ec of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 to provide competitive grants to assist ,state and local governmental authorities in addressing accessibility needs of legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,all ,station ,accessibility ,program ,act of #bjba or the ,,asap ,act4 #b4 ,competitive grants for accessibility upgrades to legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems 7a7 ,in general ,chapter #ec of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after section #ecae the following3 #ecaf4 ,accessibility grants for legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term center for independent living has the meaning given the term in section #gjb of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gif;a72 7#b7 the term disability has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb72 7#c7 the term eligible entity means a ,state or local governmental authority2 7#d7 the term legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation system-- 7,a7 means a rail fixed guideway public transportation system that was in operation before ,july #bf1 #aiij2 and 7,b7 includes a commuter rail system that uses stations or facilities for passenger use constructed before the date described in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7#e7 the term protection and advocacy system means such a system established in accordance with section #adc of the ,developmental ,disabilities ,assistance and ,bill of ,rights ,act of #bjjj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aejdc74 7b7 ,grants ,the ,secretary may make grants under this section to assist eligible entities in financing capital projects to upgrade the accessibility of legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems for persons with disabilities1 including those who use wheelchairs1 by increasing the number of existing 7as of the date of enactment of the ,,asap ,act7 stations or facilities for passenger use that meet 7including exceeding7 the new construction standards of title ,,ii of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abaca et seq474 7c7 ,eligible costs 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 an eligible entity may use a grant awarded under this section-- 7,a7 for a project to repair1 improve1 or relocate infrastructure of stations or facilities for passenger use1 including load-bearing members that are an essential part of the structural frame2 7,b7 to develop or modify a plan for pursuing public transportation accessibility projects1 including-- 7i7 assessments of accessibility or assessments of planned modifications to stations or facilities for passenger use1 performed by the protection and advocacy system for persons with disabilities in the applicable ,state1 a center for independent living1 or a similar nonprofit organization focused on ensuring people with disabilities are able to live in and participate in their communities2 or 7ii7 coordination by the recipient with such protection and advocacy system1 center for independent living1 or similar nonprofit organization2 or 7,c7 to carry out other projects that meet 7including exceeding7 the new construction standards of title ,,ii of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij4 7#b7 ,limitation ,eligible costs for a project funded with a grant awarded under this section shall be limited to the costs associated with carrying out the purpose authorized under subsection 7b74 7d7 ,eligible stations or facilities for passenger use ,an eligible entity-- 7#a7 may not use a grant awarded under this section to upgrade a station or facility for passenger use that is accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities1 including individuals who use wheelchairs1 consistent with current 7as of the date of the upgrade7 new construction standards under title ,,ii of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abaca et seq472 and 7#b7 may use the grant to upgrade a station or facility for passenger use that is not accessible and usable as described in paragraph 7#a71 even if the related service1 program1 or activity1 when viewed in its entirely1 is readily accessible and usable as so described4 7e7 ,accessibility commitment ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall adopt a plan under which the entity commits to pursuing public transportation accessibility projects that-- 7#a7 enhance the customer experience and maximize accessibility of rolling stock and stations or facilities for passenger use for individuals with disabilities1 including-- 7,a7 accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities1 including those who use wheelchairs2 7,b7 accessibility for individuals with sensory disabilities2 and 7,c7 accessibility for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities2 7#b7 improve the operations of1 provide efficiencies of service to1 and enhance the public transportation system for individuals with disabilities2 and 7#c7 address equity of service to all riders regardless of income1 age1 race1 or ability1 taking into account historical and current service gaps for low-income riders1 older individuals1 riders from communities of color1 and riders with disabilities4 7f7 ,coordination with disability advocacy entities ,in administering grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall encourage-- 7#a7 coordination between recipients and disability advocacy entities such as the protection and advocacy system for persons with disabilities in the applicable ,state1 a center for independent living1 or a similar nonprofit organization focused on ensuring people with disabilities are able to live in and participate in their communities2 and 7#b7 assessments of accessibility or assessments of planned modifications to stations or facilities for passenger use1 performed by such an advocacy entity1 to the extent merited by the scope of the capital project of the recipient proposed to be assisted under this section4 7g7 ,government share of costs ,a grant for a project under this section shall be for #ij percent of the net project cost of the project4 ,the recipient may provide additional local matching amounts4 4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #ecch of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7g7 and 7h7 as subsections 7h7 and 7i71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7f7 the following3 7g7 ,accessibility grants for legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section #ecaf1 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb and each fiscal year thereafter4 4 7c7 ,technical and conforming amendment ,the table of sections for chapter #ec of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #ecae the following3 #ecaf4 ,accessibility grants for legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems4 4