Summary:
Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act or the DRIVE Act

TITLE I--FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

Subtitle A--Authorizations and Programs (Sec. 1001) Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY2016-FY2021 for:

 certain core Federal-aid highway programs; the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program; the federal lands, tribal transportation, and lands access programs; the territorial and Puerto Rico highway program; the major projects program; the highway research and development program; the technology and innovation deployment program; training and education; the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) program; and the university transportation centers program. Authorizes appropriations out of the general fund of the Treasury for the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Requires the expenditure of 10% of amounts made available for federal-aid highways and public transportation programs on small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Requires states to compile annual lists of small disadvantaged business enterprises according to minimum uniform criteria established by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

(Sec. 1002) Prescribes obligation ceilings for certain federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, with specified exceptions.

Prescribes requirements, including a formula, and restrictions for certain FY2016-FY2021 distributions from the obligation limitation for federal-aid highways. Requires DOT to redistribute to the states any federal-aid highway program funds that, because of any obligation limitation imposed, will not be allocated or otherwise made available to them for obligation for surface transportation program projects.

(Sec. 1003) Authorizes appropriations for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrative expenses.

(Sec. 1004) Revises formulae for the allocation of surface transportation program (STP) funds to states in urbanized areas with populations of over 200,000 and other areas of 5,000 or more.

Requires states to obligate a specified portion of their STP apportionments for projects for the replacement or rehabilitation of off-National Highway System (NHS) bridges.

(Sec. 1005) Revises requirements for metropolitan transportation planning.

Prescribes requirements for selection of metropolitan planning organization (MPO) officials or representatives.

Treats the Lake Tahoe Region as:

 an MPO, a transportation management area, and an urbanized area (comprised of a population of 145,000 in California and a population of 65,000 in Nevada). Prescribes formulae for the suballocation of STP and transportation alternatives program funds for a fiscal year for those areas.

(Sec. 1006) Revises requirements for statewide and nonmetropolitan transportation planning.

(Sec. 1007) Reduces the amount of FHWA administrative funds DOT must deduct each fiscal year for highway use tax evasion projects.

(Sec. 1008) Prescribes requirements for the bundling of two or more similar projects for the replacement or repair of structurally deficient bridges.

(Sec. 1009) Authorizes DOT, upon state request, to exercise all existing flexibilities and exceptions to federal-aid highway requirements for certain rural road and rural bridge projects.

(Sec. 1010) Revises formulae for certain allocations of funds to states for construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2021.

Makes certain funds available for the National Ferry Database.

(Sec. 1011) Revises the highway safety improvement program. Makes eligible as highway safety improvement projects any installation of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication equipment, pedestrian hybrid beacons, roadway improvements that provide separation between pedestrians and motor vehicles, and other types of infrastructure safety projects.

(Sec. 1012) Authorizes a state to elect not to collect fundamental data elements for the model inventory of roadway elements on public roads that are gravel roads or otherwise unpaved if certain circumstances prevail.

(Sec. 1013) Revises congestion mitigation and air quality improvement (CMAQ) program requirements. Requires states and MPOs to use PM2.5 priority funding on the most cost-effective CMAQ projects and programs proven to reduce directly emitted fine particulate matter.

Authorizes a state or MPO also to elect to obligate PM2.5 priority funds to the most cost-effective CMAQ projects to reduce emissions from port-related landside nonroad or on-road equipment that operates within a PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance area.

(Sec. 1014) Revises national freight network requirements.

Directs DOT to establish a national freight program to improve the efficient movement of freight on the national highway freight network, consisting of the primary highway freight system, critical rural and urban freight corridors, and portions of the Interstate System (IS). Requires states to obligate the state apportionment of metropolitan planning funds for projects to improve the movement of freight on the network.

Prohibits a state from obligating such funds unless it has:

 established a freight advisory committee, and developed a ten-year freight plan. Requires states not meeting or making significant progress toward meeting certain performance targets related to freight movement to submit biennially a freight performance improvement plan.

Directs the FHWA to determine the need for establishing operating standards for intelligent freight transportation systems.

(Sec. 1015) Requires the FHWA to establish a competitive grant program for major surface transportation infrastructure projects.

(Sec.1016) Revises and makes permanent the reservation of $850 million of program funds for transportation enhancements apportioned to a state for each fiscal year for surface transportation alternatives, recreational trails program, and safe routes to school program projects.

Directs DOT to develop regulations and guidance that encourages the use of programmatic approaches to environmental reviews, expedited procurement techniques, and other best practices for small, low-impact infrastructure projects.

(Sec. 1017) Amends the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) to extend through FY2021 the availability of a specified amount of FHWA administrative funds for:

 certain safety-related activities, and operation of certain safety-related clearinghouses. (Sec. 1018) Directs DOT to issue guidance on working with state departments of transportation that request assistance from FHWA division offices to:

 review principal arterials within a state that were added to the NHS as of October 1, 2012, and identify any necessary functional classification changes to rural and urban principal arterials. Directs DOT to:

 review the NHS modification process, and ensure that a state may submit requests to modify the NHS by withdrawing a road from it. (Sec. 1019) Revises the toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and ferries program.

Requires private motorcoaches that serve the public to have access to toll facilities equal to that of public transportation buses.

(Sec. 1020) Revises certain exceptions to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facility requirements.

Authorizes a state agency that levies a toll on vehicles for use of HOV facilities to:

 designate classes of vehicles exempt from the toll, and charge different toll rates for different classes of vehicles. Permits state agencies to allow alternative fuel vehicles and new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles to use HOV facilities provided certain requirements are met.

Adds a requirement that a state agency submit to DOT for approval a plan to bring a degraded facility back into compliance with the minimum average operating speed within 180 days after a HOV facility is considered degraded. ("Degraded" means failure of vehicles operating on HOV lanes to maintain minimum average operating speed 90% of the time over a consecutive 180-day period during morning and/or evening weekday peak hour periods.)

(Sec. 1021) Amends the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to revise Interstate System (IS) reconstruction and rehabilitation pilot program eligibility requirements.

Limits to maintenance of toll facilities the use, during the pilot program, of a state's apportionment of national highway performance program funds.

(Sec. 1022) Revises the emergency relief fund program.

Treats as an eligible expense for emergency relief program funding the costs of disaster debris removal for projects for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways on tribal transportation facilities, federal lands transportation facilities, or other federally-owned roads that are open to public travel.

(Sec. 1023) Prescribes requirements for DOT to close or restrict loads on bridges owned by federal agencies or tribal governments.

(Sec. 1024) Directs DOT to designate national electric vehicle charging and natural gas fueling corridors that identify the need for electric vehicle infrastructure and natural gas fueling infrastructure at strategic locations along major national highways.

(Sec. 1026) Revises funding requirements for the tribal transportation program to:

 reduce from 6% to 5% of authorized program funds the maximum amount that either DOT or the Department of the Interior may use for certain administrative expenses, and increase from 2% to 3% of such funds the allocation for specified bridge projects. (Sec. 1027) Directs DOT to establish a nationally significant federal lands and tribal projects program to fund construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of nationally significant federal lands and tribal transportation projects.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2021.

(Sec. 1028) Revises requirements for federal lands and tribal transportation programs.

Authorizes DOT to conduct cooperative research and technology deployment in coordination with federal land management agencies for transportation planning of federal lands and tribal transportation facilities projects.

Requires DOT to combine and use no more than 5% of federal lands transportation program and federal lands access program funds for transportation planning activities for federal lands transportation facilities, federal lands access transportation facilities, and other federally-owned roads open to public travel.

Authorizes use of such funds also for:

 inspections on federally-owned bridges even if not included in the national federal lands transportation facility inventory, and transportation planning activities carried out by federal land management agencies. Subtitle B--Acceleration of Project Delivery

(Sec. 1101) Amends MAP-21 to require specified inflationary adjustments to certain dollar amount limitations in federal-aid highway projects of limited federal assistance categorical excluded from the requirements relating to environmental assessments or environmental impact statements.

(A "categorical exclusion" under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [NEPA] is a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency in implementing environmental regulations and for which, therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is required.)

(Sec. 1102) Directs DOT to develop a template programmatic agreement with states that provides for efficient procedures for evaluating categorical exclusion determinations that normally do not require any further NEPA approvals by the FHWA.

(Sec. 1103) Grants DOT, as federal lead agency in the environmental review process for a highway project, public transportation capital project, or multimodal project, authority and responsibility to consider and respond to comments received from participating federal and non-federal agencies on matters within the special expertise or jurisdiction of those agencies.

(Sec. 1104) Prescribes procedures for accelerating the project delivery decisionmaking process with respect to:

 environmental review of highway, public transportation, or multimodal projects; coordination among relevant agencies in meeting project deadlines; public availability of the status of reviews, approvals, and permits for projects; integration of planning and environmental review of projects between the lead agency (DOT) and participating federal and non-federal agencies; and adoption of departmental environmental assessments or impact statements or other NEPA documents. (Sec. 1111) Requires DOT, upon state request, to provide technical assistance to a state assuming responsibility for making categorical exclusion determinations for highway or related projects.

(Sec. 1112) Revises requirements for termination of a state from the surface transportation project delivery program.

(Sec. 1113) Revises requirements for application of categorical exclusions for multimodal projects.

(Sec. 1114) Directs DOT to examine ways to modernize and improve the NEPA environmental review process for federal-aid highway projects.

(Sec. 1115) Authorizes states to allow the erection of service club, charitable association, or religious service signs of a certain size on the Interstate System (IS), provided the state notifies the FHWA.

(Sec. 1116) Prescribes requirements for DOT to preserve certain historic sites, especially by aligning, to the maximum extent practicable, specified preservation requirements with NEPA and any avoidance alternative analysis it requires.

(Sec. 1117) Exempts from consideration for parkland, wildlife and waterfowl refuge, and historic site preservation purposes any common post-1945 concrete or steel bridge or culvert already exempt from individual review of its effect on any historic property.

(Sec. 1118) Authorizes the take of nesting swallows, between April 1 and August 31 of any year, without individual permit requirements to facilitate bridge construction or repair projects, provided the Department of the Interior promulgates a regulation under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to allow it.

(Sec. 1119) Authorizes a recipient or subrecipient of federal-aid highway funds to: (1) incur preliminary preconstruction development and engineering costs for an eligible project before receiving project authorization from the state, and (2) request reimbursement of federal funds after the project authorization is received.

Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

(Sec. 1201) Permits an increase in the federal share of costs for federal-aid highway projects of up to 5% of what a state has contributed in qualified revenues for such project costs, if the state has contributed at least 5% of total project costs.

Defines "qualified revenues" to mean any amounts:

 collected by a state for the registration of a passenger vehicle operating solely on fuels not subject to federal tax; and that do not exceed, for such a vehicle, an annual amount paid for federal motor fuels taxes on fuel used by an average car fueled solely by gasoline. Requires a DOT report to Congress on the most efficient and equitable means of taxing motor vehicle fuels not subject to a federal tax.

(Sec. 1203) Exempts from federal vehicle weight limitations on the IS, by an amount determined according to a specified formula, the operation of natural gas vehicles (maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds) and emergency vehicles (maximum gross vehicle weight of 86,000 pounds).

Permits the continued operation on any IS-designated segment of U.S. Route 63 between the exits for highways 14 and 75 in Arkansas of any trucks that could operate legally on the segment at the posted speed limit before that designation. Permits the continued operation during daylight hours of any truck that can only travel on the segment below the posted speed limit if it that could operate legally on the segment before IS designation.

(Sec. 1204) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to revise the high priority Raleigh-Norfolk Corridor of the NHS between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia, to include Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Designates as a high priority corridor on the NHS, as part of Interstate Route I-11, the Intermountain West Corridor from the vicinity of Las Vegas, Nevada, extending north along U.S. Route 95, terminating at Interstate Route 80.

Declares as high priority corridors on the NHS as well as segments of the IS: (1) U.S. Route 117/Interstate Route 795 from U.S. Route 70 in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, to Interstate Route 40 west of Faison, Sampson County, North Carolina; and (2) U.S. Route 70 from its intersection with Interstate Route 40 in Garner, Wake County, North Carolina, to the Port at Morehead City, Carteret County, North Carolina.

(Sec. 1205) Declares that "state repeat intoxicated driver law," with respect to federal requirements for minimum state penalties for repeat offenders for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence, means any combination of state laws.

(Sec. 1206) Makes eligible for funding under the National Highway Performance Program and the Surface Transportation Program any projects for the installation of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication equipment.

(Sec. 1207) Authorizes a state to use any earmarked amount and any associated obligation limitation for any surface transportation program or territorial and Puerto Rico highway program project.

Defines "earmarked amount" to mean congressionally directed spending or a congressional earmark in a prior law, report, or joint explanatory statement that was authorized to be appropriated or appropriated more than 10 fiscal years before the fiscal year in which this Act becomes effective.

(Sec. 1208) Allows a state transportation agency to relinquish park-and-ride lot facilities, or portions of them, to a local government agency for highway purposes if authorized to do so under state law.

(Sec. 1209) Directs DOT to:

 establish a nationwide toll credit monitoring and tracking system, and a toll credit marketplace pilot program in which eligible states may use proceeds from the transfer or sale of credits to fund the nonfederal share of surface transportation projects. (Sec. 1210) Directs DOT to establish a regional infrastructure demonstration program to assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for accelerated development of projects funded under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program.

Authorizes appropriations.

TITLE II--TRANSPORTATION INNOVATION

Subtitle A--Research

(Sec. 2001) Revises requirements for the highway and bridge infrastructure research and development program and the Technology and Innovation Deployment Program.

Directs DOT to use at least 50% of program funds to make competitive innovative grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with, states, other federal agencies, local governments, MPOs, institutions of higher education, private sector, and nonprofit organizations to carry out demonstration programs to accelerate the deployment and adoption of transportation research activities. (Sec. 2002) Directs DOT to establish a competitive grant program to accelerate the deployment of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) program and ITS-enabled operational strategies to enhance mobility of people and goods on the surface transportation system. (Sec. 2003) Directs DOT to enter into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies to study actions needed to upgrade and restore the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways to its role as a premier system network that meets the growing and shifting demands of the 21st century and for the next 50 years. (Sec. 2004) Directs DOT to: promote the research of user-based alternative revenue mechanisms that preserve a user fee structure to maintain the long-term solvency of the HTF, and establish a Surface Transportation Revenue Alternatives Advisory Council. Authorizes DOT to provide grants to states or other appropriate entities to conduct such research. Subtitle B--Data (Sec. 2101) Requires any entity carrying out a project under the tribal transportation program to report annually to DOT and to Interior specified project data. (Sec. 2102) Directs the FHWA to develop data sets and analysis tools to assist MPOs, states, and the FHWA in carrying out performance management analyses of federal-aid highways. Subtitle C--Transparency and Best Practices (Sec. 2201) Directs the FHWA to continue the Every Day Counts initiative to work with states, local transportation agencies, and industry stakeholders to identify and deploy proven innovative best practices and products that accelerate transportation innovation deployment and project delivery as well as improve the environment and roadway safety. (Sec. 2202) Directs DOT, in coordination with the heads of federal agencies responsible for the review and approval of federal-aid highway projects, to measure and report on progress toward aligning federal reviews of such projects and improvement of project delivery. (Sec. 2203) Directs DOT establish a competitive grant program to reward states, local governments, tribal organizations, and MPOs for implementation of policies and procedures that support performance-based management or use innovative technologies and best practices that improve the performance of the surface transportation system. Authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2021. (Sec. 2204) Directs DOT to compile and make available on the DOT public website any data on the amounts of federal-aid highway program funds made available under this Act for each fiscal year. (Sec. 2205) Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to make updated reports to Congressevery five years on FHWA administrative expenses funded from the HTF during the three most recent fiscal years. (Sec. 2206) Directs DOT to make every required report available on its public website. (Sec. 2208) Requires the design for new construction or rehabilitation of NHS highways to take into account, in addition to other specified criteria, the environment and safety for other modes of transportation. TITLE III--TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AND INNOVATION ACT OF 1998 AMENDMENTS (Sec. 3001) Amends the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) of 1998 to authorize as an eligible project cost the capitalizing of a rural projects fund using proceeds of secured loans made to state infrastructure banks to make loans for rural infrastructure projects. Revises TIFIA program eligibility requirements, adding projects for public infrastructure near a fixed guideway transit facility, acquisition of plant and wildlife habitat, and capitalization of a rural projects fund by a state infrastructure bank. Requires the reservation of $2 million of TIFIA program funds for highway infrastructure projects not exceeding $75 million. Revises and makes permanent the state infrastructure bank program. TITLE IV--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS (Sec. 4001) Makes various technical corrections to federal transportation laws. TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS (Sec. 5001) Amends MAP-21 to require that the federal share, through FY2050, of the cost of constructing highways and access roads on the Appalachian development highway system may be lower than 100% (under current law shall be 100%). (Sec. 5002) Revises and reauthorizes through FY2021 the Appalachian Regional Development Program. Authorizes the Appalachian Regional Commission to provide technical assistance, make grants, and enter into contracts in the Appalachian region for projects to increase affordable access to broadband networks throughout the Appalachian region and for related projects and activities. (Sec. 5003) Amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act to repeal the prohibition against the direct or indirect financing of water resources infrastructure projects receiving federal credit assistance with proceeds of any: obligation the interest on which is tax exempt, or with respect to which credit is allowable under a qualified tax credit bond or a Build America Bond. (Sec. 5004) Authorizes as an eligible project cost for the construction of a federal-aid highway theenhancement of habitat and forage for pollinators (i.e., bees, birds, bats, Monarch and other butterflies) on rights-of-way adjacent to such highways.

Directs DOT, in conjunction with willing states, to carry out programs that encourage:

 integrated vegetation management practices on roadsides and other transportation rights-of-way, including reduced mowing; and the development of habitat and forage for pollinators through planting of native forbs and grasses, including noninvasive, native milkweed species. Authorizes federal funds for the provision of habitat, forage, and migratory way stations for Monarch butterflies, other native pollinators, and honey bees that is related to a federally-funded highway project.

(Sec. 5005) Directs the FHWA to commission the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to study the performance of bridges receiving funding under the innovative bridge research and construction program in meeting that program's goals.

TITLE VI--EXTENSION OF FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAMS

(Sec. 6001) Amends the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 to continue from July 31, 2015, through FY2015, and authorizes appropriations through that period for, specified federal-aid highway programs under:

 the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Technical Corrections Act of 2008, SAFETEA-LU, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), and other specified law. Subjects funding for such programs generally to the same manner of distribution, administration, limitation, and availability for obligation, but at a specified pro rata of the total amount, as funds authorized for appropriation out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for such programs and activities for FY2014.

Amends the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) to authorize appropriations out of the general fund of the Treasury for the Tribal High Priority Projects program for the same period.

Prescribes an obligation ceiling of $40,256,000,000 for federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for the same period.

(Sec. 6002) Authorizes appropriations from the HTF (other than the Mass Transit Account) for administrative expenses of the federal-aid highway program for the same period.

developing reliable innovative vision economy act drive act title federal aid highways subtitle authorizations programs sec authorizes appropriations highway_trust_fund htf mass transit account fy2016 fy2021 certain core federal aid highway programs transportation infrastructure finance innovation program federal lands tribal transportation lands access programs territorial puerto_rico highway program major projects program highway research development program technology innovation deployment program training education transportation systems program university transportation centers program authorizes appropriations general_fund_of_the_treasury bureau transportation statistics requires expenditure amounts available federal aid highways public transportation programs small business concerns owned controlled socially economically disadvantaged individuals requires states compile annual lists small disadvantaged business enterprises according minimum uniform criteria established department_of_transportation dot sec prescribes obligation ceilings certain federal aid highway highway safety construction programs specified exceptions prescribes requirements including formula restrictions certain fy2016 fy2021 distributions obligation limitation federal aid highways requires dot redistribute states federal aid highway program funds obligation limitation imposed allocated available obligation surface_transportation program projects sec authorizes appropriations federal_highway_administration fhwa administrative expenses sec revises formulae allocation surface_transportation program funds states urbanized areas populations areas requires states obligate specified portion apportionments projects replacement rehabilitation national highway system bridges sec revises requirements metropolitan transportation planning prescribes requirements selection metropolitan planning organization mpo officials representatives treats lake tahoe region mpo transportation management area urbanized area comprised population california population nevada prescribes formulae transportation alternatives program funds fiscal year areas sec revises requirements statewide nonmetropolitan transportation planning sec reduces fhwa administrative funds dot deduct fiscal year highway use tax evasion projects sec prescribes requirements bundling similar projects replacement repair deficient bridges sec authorizes dot state request exercise existing exceptions federal aid highway requirements certain rural road rural bridge projects sec revises formulae certain allocations funds states construction ferry boats ferry terminal facilities authorizes appropriations fy2016 fy2021 makes certain funds available national ferry database sec revises highway safety improvement program makes eligible highway safety improvement projects installation vehicle infrastructure communication equipment pedestrian hybrid roadway improvements provide separation pedestrians motor vehicles types infrastructure safety projects sec authorizes state elect collect fundamental data elements model inventory roadway elements public roads gravel roads certain circumstances prevail sec revises congestion mitigation air quality improvement program requirements requires states mpos use priority funding cost effective projects programs proven reduce directly emitted fine particulate matter authorizes state mpo elect obligate priority funds cost effective projects reduce emissions port related nonroad road equipment operates nonattainment maintenance area sec revises national freight network requirements directs dot establish national freight program improve efficient movement freight national highway freight network consisting primary highway freight system critical rural urban freight corridors portions interstate system requires states obligate state apportionment metropolitan planning funds projects improve movement freight network prohibits state obligating funds established freight advisory_committee developed year freight plan requires states meeting making significant progress meeting certain performance targets related freight movement submit biennially freight performance improvement plan directs fhwa determine need establishing operating standards freight transportation systems sec requires fhwa establish competitive grant program major surface_transportation infrastructure projects revises makes permanent reservation million program funds transportation enhancements apportioned state fiscal year surface_transportation alternatives recreational trails program safe routes school program projects directs dot develop regulations guidance encourages use programmatic approaches environmental reviews expedited procurement techniques best practices small low impact infrastructure projects sec amends moving ahead progress 21st century act extend fy2021 availability specified fhwa administrative funds certain safety related activities operation certain safety related clearinghouses sec directs dot issue guidance working state departments transportation request assistance fhwa division offices review principal state added october identify necessary functional classification changes rural urban principal directs dot review modification process ensure state submit requests modify withdrawing road sec revises toll roads bridges tunnels ferries program requires private serve public access toll facilities equal public transportation buses sec revises certain exceptions high occupancy vehicle hov facility requirements authorizes state agency levies toll vehicles use hov facilities designate classes vehicles exempt toll charge different toll rates different classes vehicles permits state agencies allow alternative fuel vehicles new qualified plug electric drive motor vehicles use hov facilities provided certain requirements met adds requirement state agency submit dot approval plan bring degraded facility compliance minimum average operating speed days hov facility considered degraded degraded means failure vehicles operating hov lanes maintain minimum average operating speed time consecutive day period peak hour periods sec amends transportation equity act 21st century revise interstate system reconstruction rehabilitation pilot program eligibility requirements limits maintenance toll facilities use pilot program state apportionment national highway performance program funds sec revises emergency relief fund program treats eligible expense emergency relief program funding costs disaster debris removal projects repair reconstruction federal aid highways tribal transportation facilities federal lands transportation facilities federally owned roads open public travel sec prescribes requirements dot close restrict loads bridges owned federal agencies tribal governments sec directs dot designate national electric vehicle charging natural gas fueling corridors identify need electric vehicle infrastructure natural gas fueling infrastructure strategic locations major national highways sec revises funding requirements tribal transportation program reduce authorized program funds maximum dot department_of_the_interior use certain administrative expenses increase funds allocation specified bridge projects sec directs dot establish nationally significant federal lands tribal projects program fund construction reconstruction rehabilitation nationally significant federal lands tribal transportation projects authorizes appropriations fy2016 fy2021 sec revises requirements federal lands tribal transportation programs authorizes dot conduct cooperative research technology deployment coordination federal land management agencies transportation planning federal lands tribal transportation facilities projects requires dot combine use federal lands transportation program federal lands access program funds transportation planning activities federal lands transportation facilities federal lands access transportation facilities federally owned roads open public travel authorizes use funds inspections federally owned bridges included national federal lands transportation facility inventory transportation planning activities carried federal land management agencies subtitle acceleration project delivery sec amends require specified adjustments certain dollar limitations federal aid highway projects limited federal assistance categorical excluded requirements relating environmental assessments environmental impact statements categorical exclusion national_environmental_policy_act nepa category actions individually cumulatively significant effect human environment found effect procedures adopted federal agency implementing environmental regulations environmental assessment environmental impact statement required sec directs dot develop template programmatic agreement states provides efficient procedures evaluating categorical exclusion determinations normally require nepa approvals fhwa sec grants dot federal lead agency environmental review process highway project public transportation capital project multimodal project authority responsibility consider respond comments received participating federal non federal agencies matters special expertise jurisdiction agencies sec prescribes procedures accelerating project delivery decisionmaking process respect environmental review highway public transportation multimodal projects coordination relevant agencies meeting project deadlines public availability status reviews approvals permits projects integration planning environmental review projects lead agency dot participating federal non federal agencies adoption departmental environmental assessments impact statements nepa documents sec requires dot state request provide technical assistance state assuming responsibility making categorical exclusion determinations highway related projects sec revises requirements termination state surface_transportation project delivery program sec revises requirements application categorical exclusions multimodal projects sec directs dot examine ways modernize improve nepa environmental review process federal aid highway projects sec authorizes states allow service club charitable association religious service signs certain size interstate system provided state notifies fhwa sec prescribes requirements dot preserve certain historic sites especially aligning maximum extent practicable specified preservation requirements nepa avoidance alternative analysis requires sec exempts consideration wildlife waterfowl refuge historic site preservation purposes common concrete steel bridge exempt individual review effect historic property sec authorizes april august year individual permit requirements facilitate bridge construction repair projects provided department_of_the_interior promulgates regulation migratory bird treaty act allow sec authorizes recipient federal aid highway funds incur preliminary preconstruction development engineering costs eligible project receiving project authorization state request reimbursement federal funds project authorization received subtitle miscellaneous sec permits increase federal share costs federal aid highway projects state contributed qualified revenues project costs state contributed total project costs defines qualified revenues mean amounts collected state registration passenger vehicle operating solely fuels subject federal tax exceed vehicle annual paid federal motor fuels taxes fuel average car fueled solely gasoline requires dot report congress efficient equitable means taxing motor vehicle fuels subject federal tax sec exempts federal vehicle weight limitations determined according specified formula operation natural gas vehicles maximum gross vehicle weight pounds emergency vehicles maximum gross vehicle weight pounds permits continued operation designated segment route highways arkansas trucks operate legally segment posted speed limit designation permits continued operation daylight hours truck travel segment posted speed limit operate legally segment designation sec amends intermodal surface_transportation efficiency_act revise high priority norfolk corridor north_carolina norfolk virginia include rocky mount city north_carolina designates high priority corridor interstate_route west corridor vicinity las_vegas nevada extending north route terminating interstate_route declares high priority corridors segments route interstate_route route wayne county north_carolina interstate_route west county north_carolina route interstate_route wake county north_carolina port city county north_carolina sec declares state repeat intoxicated driver law respect federal requirements minimum state penalties repeat offenders driving intoxicated driving influence means combination state laws sec makes eligible funding national highway performance program surface_transportation program projects installation vehicle infrastructure communication equipment sec authorizes state use earmarked associated obligation limitation surface_transportation program territorial puerto_rico highway program project defines earmarked mean congressionally directed spending congressional earmark prior law report joint explanatory statement authorized appropriated appropriated fiscal years fiscal year act effective sec allows state transportation agency relinquish park ride lot facilities portions local government agency highway purposes authorized state law sec directs dot establish nationwide toll credit monitoring tracking system toll credit marketplace pilot program eligible states use proceeds transfer sale credits fund nonfederal share surface_transportation projects sec directs dot establish regional infrastructure demonstration program assist entities developing improved infrastructure priorities financing strategies accelerated development projects funded transportation infrastructure finance innovation_act program authorizes appropriations title transportation innovation subtitle research sec revises requirements highway bridge infrastructure research development program technology innovation deployment program directs dot use program funds competitive innovative grants enter cooperative agreements contracts states federal agencies local governments mpos institutions higher education private sector nonprofit organizations carry demonstration programs accelerate deployment adoption transportation research activities sec directs dot establish competitive grant program accelerate deployment transportation system program enabled operational strategies enhance mobility people goods surface_transportation system sec directs dot enter agreement transportation_research_board national academies study actions needed upgrade restore national system interstate defense highways role premier system network meets growing demands 21st century years sec directs dot promote research user based alternative revenue mechanisms preserve user fee structure maintain long term solvency htf establish surface_transportation revenue alternatives advisory_council authorizes dot provide grants states appropriate entities conduct research subtitle data sec requires entity carrying project tribal transportation program report annually dot interior specified project data sec directs fhwa develop data sets analysis tools assist mpos states fhwa carrying performance management analyses federal aid highways subtitle transparency best practices sec directs fhwa continue day counts initiative work states local transportation agencies industry stakeholders identify deploy proven innovative best practices products accelerate transportation innovation deployment project delivery improve environment roadway safety sec directs dot coordination heads federal agencies responsible review approval federal aid highway projects measure report progress aligning federal reviews projects improvement project delivery sec directs dot establish competitive grant program reward states local governments tribal organizations mpos implementation policies procedures support performance based management use innovative technologies best practices improve performance surface_transportation system authorizes appropriations fy2016 fy2021 sec directs dot compile available dot public website data amounts federal aid highway program funds available act fiscal year sec directs government_accountability_office gao updated reports years fhwa administrative expenses funded htf recent fiscal years sec directs dot required report available public website sec requires design new construction rehabilitation highways account addition specified criteria environment safety modes transportation title iii transportation infrastructure finance innovation_act amendments sec amends transportation infrastructure finance innovation_act tifia authorize eligible project cost rural projects fund proceeds secured loans state infrastructure banks loans rural infrastructure projects revises tifia program eligibility requirements adding projects public infrastructure near fixed guideway transit facility acquisition plant wildlife habitat capitalization rural projects fund state infrastructure bank requires reservation million tifia program funds highway infrastructure projects exceeding million revises makes permanent state infrastructure bank program title technical corrections sec makes technical corrections federal transportation laws title miscellaneous sec amends require federal share cost constructing highways access roads appalachian development highway system lower current law shall sec revises reauthorizes fy2021 appalachian regional development program authorizes appalachian_regional_commission provide technical assistance grants enter contracts appalachian region projects increase affordable access broadband networks appalachian region related projects activities sec amends water_infrastructure_finance innovation_act repeal prohibition direct indirect financing water resources infrastructure projects receiving federal credit assistance proceeds obligation interest tax exempt respect credit allowable qualified tax credit bond build_america_bond sec authorizes eligible project cost construction federal aid highway habitat forage pollinators bees birds rights way adjacent highways directs dot conjunction willing states carry programs encourage integrated vegetation management practices transportation rights way including reduced mowing development habitat forage pollinators planting native grasses including native species authorizes federal funds provision habitat forage migratory way stations native pollinators honey bees related federally funded highway project sec directs fhwa commission transportation_research_board national_academy_of_sciences study performance bridges receiving funding innovative bridge research construction program meeting program goals title extension federal aid highway programs sec amends highway transportation funding act continue july fy2015 authorizes appropriations period specified federal aid highway programs moving ahead progress 21st century act safe accountable flexible efficient transportation equity act legacy users safetea technical corrections act safetea transportation equity act 21st century national highway system designation act intermodal surface_transportation efficiency_act specified law subjects funding programs generally manner distribution administration limitation availability obligation specified pro rata total funds authorized appropriation highway_trust_fund htf programs activities fy2014 amends moving ahead progress 21st century act authorize appropriations general_fund_of_the_treasury tribal high priority projects program period prescribes obligation ceiling federal aid highway highway safety construction programs period sec authorizes appropriations htf mass transit account administrative expenses federal aid highway program period


Summary:
Sonoran Corridor Interstate Development Act of 2015

This bill amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to designate the State Route 410, the Sonoran Corridor connecting Interstate 19 to Interstate 10 south of the Tucson International Airport in Arizona, as a high priority corridor on the National Highway System and a future part of the Interstate System.

corridor interstate development act bill amends intermodal surface_transportation efficiency_act designate state route corridor connecting interstate interstate south tucson international airport arizona high priority corridor national highway system future interstate system


Summary:
Trucking Rules Updated by Comprehensive and Key Safety Reform Act or the TRUCK Safety Reform Act

This bill requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): (1) at least every five years, to conduct a comprehensive review of its rules, regulations, regulatory guidance, and enforcement policies; and (2) within 24 months after completion of each review, to amend its regulations and enforcement policies to ensure that they are consistent and uniform. If the FMCSA determines that guidance it has issued has not been incorporated into a regulation, such guidance shall cease to be effective 24 months after the conclusion of such review unless FMCSA reissues it.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall publish in the Federal Register on the date of issuance all newly issued or reissued regulatory guidance and interpretations regarding commercial motor vehicle safety regulations.

The FMCSA shall conduct a formal notice and comment process when issuing medical guidance but may use informal rulemaking when issuing medical guidance that is directly related to a public health emergency.

The FMCSA: (1) when analyzing the impact of regulations and enforcement policies, shall specify how it will evaluate future rules and shall allow stakeholders to comment on why performance-based targets would be preferable to a proposed regulation; and (2) before promulgating any new regulation, shall include within its cost-benefit analysis a wider selection and scope of motor carriers.

The FMCSA, before promulgating a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that is reasonably likely to lead to the promulgation of a major rule, shall:

 issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that identifies the compelling public concern for a potential regulatory action and requests public comment on alternatives; determine whether a negotiated rulemaking is necessary; or otherwise publish a request for comment in the Federal Register. The FMCSA shall:

 respond to all statutory requirements for rulemaking; prioritize stakeholder petitions based on the likelihood of safety improvements; formally respond to a petition within six months after it is submitted; and post and maintain an inventory of all petitions received, including information about their disposition, on a publicly accessible website.

rules updated comprehensive key safety reform_act truck safety reform_act bill requires federal_motor_carrier_safety_administration fmcsa years conduct comprehensive review rules regulations regulatory guidance enforcement policies months completion review amend regulations enforcement policies ensure consistent uniform fmcsa determines guidance issued incorporated regulation guidance shall cease effective months conclusion review fmcsa department_of_transportation dot shall publish federal_register date issuance newly issued reissued regulatory guidance interpretations commercial motor vehicle safety regulations fmcsa shall conduct formal notice comment process issuing medical guidance use informal rulemaking issuing medical guidance directly related public health emergency fmcsa analyzing impact regulations enforcement policies shall specify evaluate future rules shall allow stakeholders comment performance based targets preferable proposed regulation promulgating new regulation shall include cost benefit analysis selection scope motor carriers fmcsa promulgating notice_of_proposed_rulemaking reasonably likely lead promulgation major rule shall issue advance notice_of_proposed_rulemaking identifies compelling public concern potential regulatory action requests public comment alternatives determine negotiated rulemaking necessary publish request comment federal_register fmcsa shall respond statutory requirements rulemaking prioritize stakeholder petitions based likelihood safety improvements formally respond petition months submitted post maintain inventory petitions received including information disposition publicly accessible website


Summary:
Commercial Driver Act

This bill directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to establish a test program to allow states to enter into interstate compacts with contiguous states, approved by the governor of each state, to standardize the requirements for drivers operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.

A commercial driver's license issued by one state participating in a compact shall be recognized as valid in every state participating in the compact.

Nothing in this Act may be construed to limit or change the authority to operate in interstate commerce for drivers over age 21, including by setting the minimum age requirement to receive a Class A commercial driver's license at age 18.

commercial driver act bill directs federal_motor_carrier_safety_administration establish test program allow states enter interstate compacts contiguous states approved governor state standardize requirements drivers operating commercial motor vehicles interstate commerce commercial driver license issued state participating compact shall recognized valid state participating compact act construed limit change authority operate interstate commerce drivers age including setting minimum age requirement receive class commercial driver license age


Summary:
This bill revises federal vehicle length limitations to prohibit states from prescribing or enforcing a regulation that imposes an overall length limitation of less than 82 feet on a towaway trailer transporter combination operating on any segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways and qualifying federal-aid primary system highways.

The bill defines "trailer transporter towing unit" as a power unit not used to carry property when operating in a towaway trailer transporter combination.

The bill defines "towaway trailer transporter combination" as a combination of vehicles consisting of a trailer transporter towing unit and two trailers or semitrailers:

 with a total combined weight not exceeding 26,000 pounds; and which carry no property and constitute inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor or dealer of such trailers or semitrailers.

bill revises federal vehicle length limitations prohibit states prescribing enforcing regulation imposes overall length limitation feet trailer combination operating segment system interstate defense highways qualifying federal aid primary system highways bill defines trailer towing unit power unit carry property operating trailer combination bill defines trailer combination combination vehicles consisting trailer towing unit trailers total combined weight exceeding pounds carry property constitute inventory property manufacturer distributor dealer trailers


Summary:
Research of Alcohol Detection Systems for Stopping Alcohol-Related Fatalities Everywhere Act of 2015 or the ROADS SAFE Act of 2015

This bill directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to: (1) carry out a collaborative research effort to continue to explore the feasibility and the potential benefits of, and public policy challenges associated with, more widespread deployment of in-vehicle technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving; and (2) report annually to Congress.

research alcohol detection systems stopping alcohol related fatalities act roads safe act bill directs national_highway_traffic_safety_administration carry collaborative research effort continue explore feasibility potential benefits public policy challenges associated widespread deployment vehicle technology prevent alcohol impaired driving report annually congress


Summary:
Tire Efficiency, Safety, and Registration Act of 2015 or the TESR Act

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish tire fuel efficiency minimum performance standards, tire registration requirements, and a tire recall database.

DOT must establish:

 tire fuel efficiency minimum performance standards for passenger car tires that meet specified requirements, and tire wet traction minimum performance standards to ensure that passenger tire wet traction capability is not reduced to achieve improved tire fuel efficiency. DOT must require tire distributors or dealers that are not owned or controlled by a tire manufacturer to maintain records that include the names and addresses of customers and the tires that are leased or purchased. The distributors or dealers must electronically transmit the records to the tire manufacturers at no cost to the customers.

DOT must also establish a publicly available and searchable electronic database of tire recall information that is reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The database must be searchable by Tire Identification Number and any other criteria that assist consumers in determining whether a tire is subject to a recall.

tire efficiency safety registration act act bill requires department_of_transportation dot establish tire fuel efficiency minimum performance standards tire registration requirements tire recall database dot establish tire fuel efficiency minimum performance standards passenger car tires meet specified requirements tire wet minimum performance standards ensure passenger tire wet capability reduced achieve improved tire fuel efficiency dot require tire distributors dealers owned controlled tire manufacturer maintain records include names addresses customers tires leased purchased distributors dealers electronically transmit records tire manufacturers cost customers dot establish publicly available searchable electronic database tire recall information reported national_highway_traffic_safety_administration database searchable tire identification number criteria assist consumers determining tire subject recall


Summary: This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to permit a state transportation department to approve a justification report for a project to build or modify a freeway-to-crossroad interchange on the Interstate Highway System within a transportation management area in such state.

bill authorizes department_of_transportation permit state transportation department approve justification report project build modify interchange interstate highway system transportation management area state


Summary:
Security and Privacy in Your Car Act of 2015 or the SPY Car Act of 2015

This bill directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct a rulemaking to issue motor vehicle cybersecurity regulations that require motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States to protect against unauthorized access to: (1) electronic controls or driving data, including information about the vehicle's location, speed, owner, driver, or passengers; or (2) driving data collected by electronic systems built into a vehicle while that data is stored onboard the vehicle, in transit from the vehicle to another location, or subsequently stored or used off-board the vehicle. The regulations must require vehicles with accessible data or control signals to be capable of detecting, reporting, and stopping attempts to intercept such driving data or control the vehicle.

A violator is liable to the U.S. government for a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation.

 NHTSA must also conduct a rulemaking to require the fuel economy labeling that manufacturers attach to motor vehicles to display a "cyber dashboard" with a standardized graphic to inform consumers about the extent to which the vehicle protects individuals' cybersecurity and privacy beyond the minimum requirements.

The Federal Trade Commission is required to conduct a rulemaking to: (1) require motor vehicles to notify owners or lessees about the collection, transmission, retention, and use of driving data; (2) provide owners or lessees with the option to terminate such data collection and retention (except onboard safety systems required for post-incident investigations, emissions, crash avoidance, and other regulatory compliance programs) without losing navigation tools or other features; and (3) prohibit manufacturers from using collected information for advertising or marketing purposes without the owner's or lessee's consent. Violations are to be treated as unfair and deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

security privacy car act car act bill directs national_highway_traffic_safety_administration nhtsa conduct rulemaking issue motor vehicle cybersecurity regulations require motor vehicles manufactured sale united_states protect unauthorized access electronic controls driving data including information vehicle location speed owner driver passengers driving data collected electronic systems built vehicle data stored onboard vehicle transit vehicle location subsequently stored board vehicle regulations require vehicles accessible data control signals capable detecting reporting stopping attempts intercept driving data control vehicle violator liable government civil penalty violation nhtsa conduct rulemaking require fuel economy labeling manufacturers attach motor vehicles display cyber dashboard standardized inform consumers extent vehicle protects individuals cybersecurity privacy minimum requirements federal_trade_commission required conduct rulemaking require motor vehicles notify owners lessees collection transmission retention use driving data provide owners lessees option terminate data collection retention onboard safety systems required post incident investigations emissions crash avoidance regulatory compliance programs losing navigation tools features prohibit manufacturers collected information advertising marketing purposes owner lessee consent violations treated unfair deceptive acts practices federal_trade_commission_act


Summary:
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to make grants to assist eligible recipients in financing capital projects to maintain bus and bus facilities systems in a state of good repair, including projects to: (1) replace, rehabilitate, and purchase buses and related equipment; and (2) construct bus-related facilities.

Eligible recipients are designated recipients that operate bus service or that allocate funding to bus operators. Grant recipients may: (1) allocate amounts to subrecipients that are public agencies or private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation, and (2) obligate funds for three fiscal years after the fiscal year in which the amount is appropriated.

The bill limits to 4% the percentage of funding made available for this Act in a fiscal year that may be provided to a single recipient.

bill requires department_of_transportation grants assist eligible recipients financing capital projects maintain bus bus facilities systems state good repair including projects replace rehabilitate purchase buses related equipment construct bus related facilities eligible recipients designated recipients operate bus service allocate funding bus operators grant recipients allocate amounts public agencies private nonprofit organizations engaged public transportation obligate funds fiscal years fiscal year appropriated bill limits percentage funding available act fiscal year provided single recipient


Summary: This bill modifies the formula that the Department of Transportation uses to apportion federal highway funds among the states for the national highway performance program, the surface transportation program, the highway safety improvement program, the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, and metropolitan transportation planning.

bill modifies formula department_of_transportation uses apportion federal highway funds states national highway performance program surface_transportation program highway safety improvement program congestion mitigation air quality improvement program metropolitan transportation planning


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill modifies the existing authority for the Starr-Camargo Bridge Company to maintain and operate a toll bridge across the Rio Grande River near Rio Grande City, Texas.

The authority, which currently expires 66 years after completion of the bridge (in 1966), is made permanent and expanded to include the successors or assigns of the company. The bridge must not consist of more than 14 lanes.

The company and its successors and assigns shall have the rights and privileges granted by federal law to the B and P Bridge Company, and may use eminent domain to acquire certain land needed for the bridge, subject to Texas laws and requirements for just compensation and public proceedings.

The company's successors and assigns may fix and charge tolls for transit over the bridge.

Those successors and assigns may also sell, assign, transfer, or mortgage the rights, powers, and privileges conferred on the company by the enacting law, to any public agency, to an international bridge authority or commission, or to a corporation.

Any such corporation may exercise such rights, powers, and privileges (including acquisition by mortgage foreclosure) as if they had been granted by the enacting law directly to the corporation.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated sec bill modifies existing authority bridge company maintain operate toll bridge rio_grande river near rio_grande city texas authority currently expires years completion bridge permanent expanded include successors assigns company bridge consist lanes company successors assigns shall rights privileges granted federal law bridge company use eminent domain acquire certain land needed bridge subject texas laws requirements compensation public proceedings company successors assigns fix charge tolls transit bridge successors assigns sell assign transfer mortgage rights powers privileges conferred company enacting law public agency international bridge authority commission corporation corporation exercise rights powers privileges including acquisition mortgage foreclosure granted enacting law directly corporation


Summary:
Strengthen And Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2015 or the SAFE Bridges Act of 2015

 This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a program to assist states to rehabilitate or replace bridges found to be structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, or fracture critical.

States shall use apportioned program funds for projects to rehabilitate and replace such bridges.

The federal share of project costs is 100%.

strengthen existing bridges act safe bridges act bill directs department_of_transportation establish program assist states rehabilitate replace bridges found deficient functionally obsolete fracture critical states shall use apportioned program funds projects rehabilitate replace bridges federal share project costs


Summary:
Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program Improvement Act

This bill revises requirements for any written agreement under the surface transportation project delivery program that a state makes with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to assume responsibilities assigned by DOT with respect to one or more highway projects within the state under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Such an agreement shall emphasize that the state is solely responsible and liable for carrying out DOT responsibilities, including the defense of any civil action, without further DOT approval, under the program.

DOT shall:

 audit a participating state annually (currently, semiannually) for the first two as well as the last two years of the first four years of a state's particiaption; meet with the state to review implementation of its assignment agreement, and discuss plans for the first annual audit, within 180 days after execution of the agreement; and ensure that the time period for completing an annual audit, from initiation to completion (including public comment and responses to those comments), does not exceed 180 days. DOT shall also determine the team to carry out an audit, which shall include at least one member the state designates (who may have relevant expertise and experience and not be an employee of either the state or DOT).

 In cooperation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, DOT shall carry out education, training, peer exchange, and other initiatives to:

 assist states in developing the capacity to participate in the assignment program, and promote information sharing and collaboration among states participating in the program.

surface_transportation project delivery program improvement act bill revises requirements written agreement surface_transportation project delivery program state makes department_of_transportation dot assume responsibilities assigned dot respect highway projects state national_environmental_policy_act agreement shall emphasize state solely responsible liable carrying dot responsibilities including defense civil action dot approval program dot shall audit participating state annually currently semiannually years years state meet state review implementation assignment agreement discuss plans annual audit days execution agreement ensure time period completing annual audit initiation completion including public comment responses comments exceed days dot shall determine team carry audit shall include member state designates relevant expertise experience employee state dot cooperation american association state highway transportation officials dot shall carry education training peer exchange initiatives assist states developing capacity participate assignment program promote information sharing collaboration states participating program


Summary:
Eastern North Carolina Gateway Act of 2016

This bill amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, as amended, to declare as high priority corridors on the National Highway System as well as segments of the Interstate System:

 U.S. Route 264 from its intersection with U.S. Route 64 (High Priority Corridor 13) near Zebulon, North Carolina, to Greenville, North Carolina; and the Eastern North Carolina Gateway Corridor from U.S. Route 70 (High Priority Corridor 82) in the vicinity of Kinston, North Carolina, passing in the vicinity of Greenville, North Carolina, to U.S. 64 (High Priority Corridor 13) in the vicinity of Bethel, North Carolina, and generally along the routes of U.S. Route 13 and North Carolina Highway 11.

eastern north_carolina gateway act bill amends intermodal surface_transportation efficiency_act amended declare high priority corridors national highway system segments interstate system route route high priority corridor near north_carolina north_carolina eastern north_carolina gateway corridor route high priority corridor vicinity north_carolina passing vicinity north_carolina high priority corridor vicinity north_carolina generally routes route north_carolina highway


Summary: Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to change the country of origin labeling implementation date from September 30, 2008, to September 30, 2007.

amends agricultural_marketing_act change country origin labeling implementation date september september


Summary: Agricultural Export Facilitation Act of 2007 - Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSREEA of 2000) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to authorize, under a general license, certain travel-related transactions for travel to, from, or within Cuba in connection with: (1) sales and marketing activities, including organization and participation in product exhibitions; and (2) sea or air transportation of products. Authorizes a consular official to issue a temporary tourist/business visa for a Cuban national (who is not otherwise inadmissible) whose itinerary documents an intent to conduct activities, including phytosanitary inspections, related to purchasing U.S. agricultural goods under the provisions of TSREEA of 2000. Defines "payment in cash" with respect to certain prohibitions on financing of U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba. Prohibits the President from restricting direct transfers from a Cuban financial institution to a U.S. financial institution executed in payment for a product authorized for sale under TSREEA of 2000.

agricultural export facilitation act amends trade sanctions reform export enhancement_act require secretary treasury authorize general license certain travel related transactions travel cuba connection sales marketing activities including organization participation product exhibitions sea air transportation products authorizes consular official issue temporary tourist business visa cuban national inadmissible itinerary documents intent conduct activities including inspections related purchasing agricultural goods provisions defines payment cash respect certain prohibitions financing agricultural sales cuba prohibits president restricting direct transfers cuban financial institution financial institution executed payment product authorized sale


Summary: Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act or EAT Healthy America Act - Amends provisions with respect to: (1) specialty crops; (2) the tree assistance program; (3) the conservation reserve program; (4) the wetlands reserve program; (5) the farmland protection program; (6) the grassland reserve program; (7) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (8) the environmental qualities incentives program; (9) air quality improvement; (10) integrated pest management initiative; (11) the conservation loan guarantee program; (12) agricultural trade; (13) invasive pests and diseases; (14) nutrition; (15) agricultural research; (16) renewable energy, including crop biomass waste; and (17) farm labor housing.

equitable agriculture today healthy america act eat healthy america act_-_amends provisions respect specialty crops tree assistance program conservation reserve program wetlands reserve program farmland protection program grassland reserve program wildlife habitat incentive program environmental qualities incentives program air quality improvement integrated pest management initiative conservation loan guarantee program agricultural trade invasive pests diseases nutrition agricultural research renewable energy including crop biomass waste farm labor housing


Summary: United States Specialty Crop Export Opportunities Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate plants, plant products, biological control organisms, and noxious weeds for export purposes. Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate fruit and vegetable market analyses with the private sector and the Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service; and (2) make publicly available on an Internet website the status of all export petitions and an explanation of the sanitary or phytosanitary issues associated with each pending export petition, and information on the import requirements of foreign countries for fruits and vegetables. Amends the Homeland Security Act to repeal the transfer of agricultural import and entry inspection functions from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service the international agricultural inspection program to carry out import and entry agricultural inspections; (2) a federal-state agricultural inspection communications system; (3) the International Trade Inspection Advisory Committee; and (4) a special export credit guarantee program. Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend: (1) the promotion of agricultural exports to emerging markets program; and (2) the E. (Kika) de la Garza Agricultural Fellowship program.

united_states specialty crop export opportunities act amends agricultural_risk_protection_act authorize secretary agriculture regulate plants plant products biological control organisms noxious weeds export purposes directs secretary coordinate fruit vegetable market analyses private sector administrator foreign agricultural service publicly available internet website status export petitions explanation sanitary issues associated pending export petition information import requirements foreign countries fruits vegetables amends homeland_security act repeal transfer agricultural import entry inspection functions department_of_agriculture department_of_homeland_security dhs directs secretary establish animal plant_health_inspection_service international agricultural inspection program carry import entry agricultural inspections federal state agricultural inspection communications system international_trade inspection advisory_committee special export credit guarantee program amends food agriculture conservation trade act extend promotion agricultural exports emerging markets program agricultural fellowship program


Summary: Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to define specified terms. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Special Counsel for Competition Matters, which shall be headed by a Special Counsel for Competition Matters. States that the Office shall: (1) investigate and prosecute violations of this Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921; (2) serve as a liaison between the Department and the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector; and (3) maintain a staff of attorneys and other appropriate professionals. Prohibits unfair or deceptive agricultural commerce acts or practices respecting: (1) crops; (2) producer associations; and (3) agricultural production and marketing contracts. Sets forth agricultural and production contract and enforcement provisions. Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to eliminate the "slaughter" requirement from the definitions of "poultry grower," "poultry growing arrangement," and "live poultry dealer." States that the term "poultry grower" does not include an employee of such grower. Extends: (1) administrative enforcement authority to live poultry dealers; and (2) temporary injunction or restraining order authority to instances of poultry care. Increases the maximum civil penalty for violations by live poultry dealers. States that it shall be an unlawful practice to engage in an unfair or discriminatory practice or device or to control or manipulate prices regardless of whether the practice, device, or course of business causes a competitive injury or otherwise adversely effects competition, and regardless of any alleged business justification.

competitive fair agricultural markets act amends agricultural fair practices act define specified terms establishes department_of_agriculture office_of_special_counsel competition matters shall headed special_counsel competition matters states office shall investigate prosecute violations act packers stockyards_act serve liaison department department_of_justice federal_trade_commission ftc respect competition trade practices food agricultural sector maintain staff attorneys appropriate professionals prohibits unfair deceptive agricultural commerce acts practices respecting crops producer associations agricultural production marketing contracts sets forth agricultural production contract enforcement provisions amends packers stockyards_act eliminate slaughter requirement definitions poultry poultry growing arrangement live poultry dealer states term poultry include employee extends administrative enforcement authority live poultry dealers temporary injunction restraining order authority instances poultry care increases maximum civil penalty violations live poultry dealers states shall unlawful practice engage unfair discriminatory practice device control prices regardless practice device course business causes competitive injury adversely effects competition regardless alleged business justification


Summary: Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to subject imported clementines to applicable domestic grade, size, quality, or maturity requirements.

amends agricultural adjustment act reenacted amendments agricultural_marketing_agreement_act subject imported applicable domestic grade size quality maturity requirements


Summary: Livestock Identification and Marketing Opportunities Act - Establishes the Livestock Identification Board which shall: (1) establish an electronic livestock identification system (livestock system) that is capable of tracing all U.S. livestock from the time of first movement from its original premise to the time of slaughter in less than 48 hours, and tracking all relevant livestock information (identification number, species, date of birth); (2) maintain a centralized livestock data system; and (3) determine the official livestock system identification technology. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a U.S. premise identification system. Authorizes the owner of an animal or group of animals that is not subject to the livestock livestock system to voluntarily subject such animal, or group of animals, to system tracking. Exempts information obtained through the livestock or premise systems from Freedom of Information Act disclosure. States that information obtained through the livestock or premise systems: (1) may not be released; (2) shall not be considered public domain information; and (3) shall be considered privileged and confidential commercial information. Authorizes the Board to release livestock or premise system information for reasons of public health or disease or pest control. Requires the Board to release livestock or premise system information to: (1) a livestock owner upon request; (2) the Secretary, a state, or a tribal agency for animal disease surveillance; (3) the Attorney General for criminal investigation or prosecution; (4) the Secretary of Homeland Security for national security; (5) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for public health protection; and (6) a foreign government if necessary to trace livestock threatened by disease or pest, as determined by the Secretary. Defines "livestock" as cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and poultry.

livestock identification marketing opportunities act establishes livestock identification board shall establish electronic livestock identification system livestock system capable tracing livestock time movement original time slaughter hours tracking relevant livestock information identification number species date birth maintain centralized livestock data system determine official livestock system identification technology directs secretary agriculture establish identification system authorizes owner animal group animals subject livestock livestock system voluntarily subject animal group animals system tracking exempts information obtained livestock systems freedom information act disclosure states information obtained livestock systems released shall considered public domain information shall considered privileged confidential commercial information authorizes board release livestock system information reasons public health disease pest control requires board release livestock system information livestock owner request secretary state tribal agency animal disease surveillance attorney general criminal investigation prosecution secretary homeland_security national security secretary health_and_human_services public health protection foreign government necessary trace livestock threatened disease pest determined secretary defines livestock cattle swine sheep goats poultry


Summary: Agricultural Border Safeguard Protection Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act to repeal the transfer of agricultural import and entry inspection functions from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) develop agricultural import and entry procedures for inspections, monitoring, and auditing; (2) ensure that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has an electronic system with real-time tracking capability for monitoring, tracking, and reporting inspection activities; (3) develop and maintain an integrated, real-time communication system with respect to import and entry agricultural inspections to alert state agriculture departments about significant Service findings; and (4) establish the International Trade Inspection Advisory Committee.

agricultural border safeguard protection act_-_amends homeland_security act repeal transfer agricultural import entry inspection functions department_of_agriculture department_of_homeland_security dhs directs secretary agriculture develop agricultural import entry procedures inspections monitoring auditing ensure animal plant_health_inspection_service electronic system real time tracking capability monitoring tracking reporting inspection activities develop maintain integrated real time communication system respect import entry agricultural inspections alert state agriculture departments significant service findings establish international_trade inspection advisory_committee


Summary: Food Security and Agricultural Development Act of 2007 - Title I: United States Emergency and Non-Emergency Food and Other Assistance Programs - Subtitle A: Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 - (Sec. 103) Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase funds available to eligible organizations for agricultural commodity distribution. (Sec. 105) Extends minimum assistance and minimum non-emergency assistance authority through FY2012. (Sec. 106) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Food Aid Consultative Group should develop a strategy to achieve a more integrated and effective food assistance program. Extends authority for the Group through December 31, 2012. Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees respecting United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Department of Agriculture efforts to develop a strategy to achieve an integrated and effective food assistance program. (Sec. 107) Directs the Administrator to: (1) improve the monitoring of emergency and development food assistance effectiveness under title II of such Act; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting such actions. Authorizes the Administrator to make contributions to the World Food Program for indirect support costs that are in accordance with the World Food Program's rules and regulations for indirect cost rates. Directs the Administrator, before making a contribution, to report to the appropriate committees respecting such proposed contribution level. (Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriations through FY2012 for stockpiling and rapid transportation, delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable prepackaged foods. (Sec. 109) Extends authority to use funds through FY2012 to preposition agricultural commodities in foreign countries. Removes the $2 million limitation on funds that can be used for prepositioning. Authorizes creation of additional prepositioning sites. Revises annual reporting provisions. Authorizes appropriations through FY2012 for prepositioning activities. (Sec. 110) Extends authority to finance sales or provide assistance under this Act through December 31, 2012. (Sec. 111) Extends authorization of appropriations through FY2012 for: (1) the concessional credit sales program under title I of such Act; (2) the emergency and non-emergency food assistance programs under title II of such Act; and (3) the government-to-government grant program for supporting economic development needs of least developed countries under title III of such Act. Obligates funds for each of FY2008-FY2012 for non-emergency food assistance. Authorizes FY2008-FY2012 appropriations for Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) reimbursement. (Sec. 112) Provides for the coordination and integration of title III assistance with other U.S. development assistance for a country. (Sec. 113) Extends micronutrient fortification program authority through September 30, 2012. (Sec. 114) Extends authorization of appropriations, and minimum funding requirements, through FY2012 for the John Ognowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program. Subtitle B: Related Statutes and Other Provisions - (Sec. 121) Extends authority for the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust through September 30, 2012. Increases the amount of reimbursed funds that can be held in the Trust to $60 million per fiscal year. (Sec. 122) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize appropriations through FY2012 for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, rather than the President, to carry out the Program. (Sec. 123) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, through USAID, should exercise specified authority to purchase and distribute to a recipient country agricultural commodities produced in such country, or in developing countries in the region of the recipient country, for famine prevention and relief. Obligates FY2008-FY2012 funds for famine prevention and relief. (Sec. 124) Directs the Administrator and the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting efforts taken to improve planning for food and transportation procurement, including efforts to eliminate bunching of food purchases. Title II: United States Agricultural Export Programs - (Sec. 201) Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to eliminate the supplier credit guarantee program and the intermediate export credit guarantee program. Extends funding through FY2012 for: (1) processed and high-value products; and (2) export credit guarantee programs. (Sec. 202) Extends additional funding through FY2012 for the market access program. Includes organic products in the program. (Sec. 203) Extends funding through FY2012 for the export enhancement program. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with technical experts and scientists or provide grants to appropriate entities to address sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers to U.S. agricultural exports (including meat, poultry, and specialty crops). Provides FY2008-FY2012 funding. (Sec. 205) Extends funding through FY2012 for the foreign market development cooperator program. (Sec. 206) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend through FY2012: (1) the E (Kika) de la Garza Agricultural Fellowship Program; and (2) funding for promotion of agricultural exports to emerging markets. Revises the facility guarantee loan program to: (1) authorize the Secretary to require an initial down payment by the recipient; (2) limit CCC liability to 98% of principle and interest; and (3) provide that the guarantee term shall be the lesser of the depreciation term or a maximum period determined by the Secretary. (Sec. 207) Amends the Food for Progress Act of 1985 to extend the food for progress program through December 31, 2012 (extends funding through FY2012). Increases minimum program tonnage to 500,000 metric tons per fiscal year. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 301) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend funding for technical assistance specialty crop exports through FY2015. Establishes a $500,000 project assistance cap. Authorizes project extensions. (Sec. 302) Authorizes the Secretary to enhance U.S. support for specified international organizations that establish international standards regarding food, food safety, plants, and animals to address U.S. sanitary and phytosanitary priorities within the applicable organizations. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Secretary to provide monitoring and other technical assistance to limited-resource persons and organizations associated with agricultural trade to address unfair foreign trade practices (including intellectual property right violations) and to reduce trade barriers. Authorizes FY2008-FY2012 appropriations. (Sec. 304) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should provide significant U.S. financial resources to the Global Crop Diversity Trust to ensure conservation of crop diversity which can yield significant benefits to U.S. farmers. (Sec. 306) States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede the provisions of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.

food security agricultural development act title united_states emergency non emergency food assistance programs subtitle agricultural trade development assistance_act sec amends agricultural trade development assistance_act increase funds available eligible organizations agricultural commodity distribution sec extends minimum assistance minimum non emergency assistance authority fy2012 sec expresses sense congress food_aid_consultative_group develop strategy achieve integrated effective food assistance program extends authority group december directs administrator united_states_agency international_development report annually appropriate congressional committees respecting united_states_agency international_development usaid department_of_agriculture efforts develop strategy achieve integrated effective food assistance program sec directs administrator improve monitoring emergency development food assistance effectiveness title act report appropriate congressional committees respecting actions authorizes administrator contributions world food program indirect support costs accordance world food program rules regulations indirect cost rates directs administrator making contribution report appropriate committees respecting proposed contribution level sec authorizes appropriations fy2012 stockpiling rapid transportation delivery distribution shelf stable foods sec extends authority use funds fy2012 agricultural commodities foreign countries removes million limitation funds authorizes creation additional sites revises annual reporting provisions authorizes appropriations fy2012 activities sec extends authority finance sales provide assistance act december sec extends authorization appropriations fy2012 credit sales program title act emergency non emergency food assistance programs title act government government grant program supporting economic development needs developed countries title iii act obligates funds fy2008 fy2012 non emergency food assistance authorizes fy2008 fy2012 appropriations commodity_credit_corporation ccc reimbursement sec provides coordination integration title iii assistance development assistance country sec extends fortification program authority september sec extends authorization appropriations minimum funding requirements fy2012 john doug bereuter farmer farmer program subtitle related statutes provisions sec extends authority bill emerson humanitarian trust september increases reimbursed funds held trust million fiscal year sec amends farm_security rural investment act authorize appropriations fy2012 mcgovern dole international food education child nutrition program authorizes secretary agriculture president carry program sec expresses sense congress president usaid exercise specified authority purchase distribute recipient country agricultural commodities produced country developing countries region recipient country prevention relief obligates fy2008 fy2012 funds prevention relief sec directs administrator secretary report appropriate congressional committees respecting efforts taken improve planning food transportation procurement including efforts eliminate food purchases title united_states agricultural export programs sec amends agricultural trade act eliminate supplier credit guarantee program intermediate export credit guarantee program extends funding fy2012 processed high value products export credit guarantee programs sec extends additional funding fy2012 market access program includes organic products program sec extends funding fy2012 export enhancement program sec authorizes secretary enter contracts technical experts scientists provide grants appropriate entities address sanitary technical barriers agricultural exports including meat poultry specialty crops provides fy2008 fy2012 funding sec extends funding fy2012 foreign market development cooperator program sec amends food agriculture conservation trade act extend fy2012 agricultural fellowship program funding promotion agricultural exports emerging markets revises facility guarantee loan program authorize secretary require initial payment recipient limit ccc liability principle interest provide guarantee term shall lesser depreciation term maximum period determined secretary sec amends food progress act extend food progress program december extends funding fy2012 increases minimum program tonnage metric tons fiscal year title iii miscellaneous provisions sec amends farm_security rural investment act extend funding technical assistance specialty crop exports fy2015 establishes project assistance cap authorizes project extensions sec authorizes secretary enhance support specified international organizations establish international standards food food safety plants animals address sanitary priorities applicable organizations sec authorizes secretary provide monitoring technical assistance limited resource persons organizations associated agricultural trade address unfair foreign trade practices including intellectual property right violations reduce trade barriers authorizes fy2008 fy2012 appropriations sec expresses sense congress president provide significant financial resources global crop diversity trust ensure conservation crop diversity yield significant benefits farmers sec states act shall construed supersede provisions trade sanctions reform export enhancement_act