Summary: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Department of Transportation - Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Department of Transportation, including: (1) the Office of the Secretary; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); (3) the Federal Highway Administration; (4) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; (5) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); (6) the Federal Railroad Administration; (7) the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); (8) the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; (9) the Maritime Administration; (10) the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; (11) the Research and Innovative Technology Administration; (12) the Office of Inspector General; and (13) the Surface Transportation Board. ((Sec. 103) Prohibits any funds made available under this Act from being obligated or expended to establish or implement a program under which essential air service communities are required to assume subsidy costs commonly referred to as the EAS local participation program. (Sec. 110) Prohibits the use of funds to compensate more than 375 technical staff-years under the federally funded research and development center contract between the FAA and the Center for Advanced Aviation Systems Development during FY2008. (Sec. 111) Prohibits the use of funds to pursue or adopt guidelines or regulations requiring airport sponsors to provide to the FAA without cost building construction, maintenance, utilities and expenses, or space in airport sponsor-owned buildings for services relating to air traffic control, air navigation, or weather reporting. Exempts from this prohibition any negotiations between the agency and airport sponsors to achieve agreement on "below-market" rates for these items or to grant assurances that require airport sponsors to provide land without cost to the FAA for air traffic control facilities. (Sec. 112) Authorizes the FAA Administrator to reimburse amounts made available to credit a certain account to carry out the essential air service program from fees credited to the FAA. Makes inapplicable to FY2008 certain requirements for the use of fee proceeds for funding for small community air service, especially rural air safety improvement and rural airport projects. (Sec. 113) Requires that amounts collected for safety-related training and operational services to foreign aviation authorities be credited to the appropriation current at the time of collection, to be merged with and available for the same purposes of such appropriation. (Sec. 114) Extends through certain dates in 2008: (1) any aircraft insurance policy; and (2) waiver of air carrier liability for third party claims arising out of acts of terrorism. (Sec. 115) Allows a pilot who has attained 60 years of age to serve as a passenger airline pilot until the age of 65 years old, provided that a pilot who has attained age 60 may serve as pilot-in-command on international flights if there is another pilot in the flight crew who has not yet attained 60 years of age. Prohibits subjecting pilots to different medical examinations and standards on account of age unless to ensure an adequate level of safety in flight, except that no person who has attained 60 years of age may serve as a pilot unless such person has a first-class medical certificate. Requires air carriers to: (1) continue to provide FAA-approved training to pilots, with specific emphasis on initial and recurring training and qualification of pilots who have attained 60 years of age; and (2) evaluate, every six months, the performance of pilots who have attained 60 years of age through a line check of such pilot. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effect of the modification of pilot age requirements, if any, on aviation safety. (Sec. 116) Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct a study on the efficacy of strategies employed by the FAA Administrator and the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to address flight delays at U.S. airports; and (2) to report the results of the study to Congress, with recommendations on strategies that most effectively reduce such delays when employed for six months or less. (Sec. 120) Prohibits for FY2008 distribution from the obligation limitation for federal-aid highways amounts authorized for specified administrative expenses and programs. Prescribes a formula for determining certain distributions of the obligation limitation. Specifies exceptions from the limitation, as well as its applicability to transportation research programs. Requires redistribution of certain authorized funds. Authorizes the obligation for any other listed project in the same state of obligation authority distributed for specified projects listed in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). (Sec. 121) Allows crediting to the federal-aid highways account of funds received by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics from the sale of data products, in order to reimburse the Bureau for necessary expenses incurred. (Sec. 122) Rescinds specified funds made available for administrative expenses of the Federal Highway Administration and for infrastructure finance. (Sec. 124) Designates certain authorized FY2008 federal-aid highway funds for projects and competitive initiatives as listed in the report accompanying this Act. (Sec. 125) Requires the Secretary to make an informal public notice and comment opportunity before waiving any Buy America requirement for federal-aid highway projects. (Sec. 126) Permits certain funds amounts made available for a project for construction of and improvements to North Shore Road in Swain County, North Carolina, that remain unobligated and unexpended after issuance of the record of decision for that project, to be used to implement the selected alternative included in the record of decision. (Sec. 130) Subjects funds appropriated or limited in this Act to certain safety examination and other requirements of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 and the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 relating to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers involved in cross-border trucking between the United States and Mexico, including an annual report on the subject by the Secretary to the congressional appropriations committees. (Sec. 140) Makes certain additional funds available to NHTSA to pay for: (1) travel and related expenses for state management reviews; and (2) core competency development training and related expenses for highway safety staff. (Sec. 141) Rescinds specified funds made available in prior appropriations Acts for: (1) operations and research; (2) the National Driver Register; (3) Highway Traffic Safety Grants. (Sec. 150) Declares that funds provided in this Act for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation shall immediately cease to be available to the Corporation in the event that the Corporation contracts to have services provided at or from any location outside the United States. Defines any such service as one that was, as of July 1, 2006, performed by a full-time or part-time Amtrak employee whose base of employment is located within the United States. (Sec. 151) Requires the Federal Railroad Administrator to report to the congressional appropriations committees on efforts at improving the on-time performance of Amtrak intercity rail service operating on non-Amtrak owned property. (Sec. 152) Authorizes the Secretary to purchase promotional items of nominal value for use in public outreach activities to carry out solutions to the railroad grade crossing problem and measures to protect pedestrians in densely populated areas along railroad rights-of-way (Operation Lifesaver). Requires the Secretary to prescribe guidelines for the administration of such purchases and use. (Sec. 153) Declares that any lease or contract entered into between the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and the state of Maryland or any of its departments or agencies shall be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia. (Sec. 160) The limitations on obligations for the programs of the FTA shall not apply to any grant authority previously made available for obligation, or to any other authority previously made available for obligation. (Sec. 161) Declares that funds made available by this Act for specified FTA capital investment grants and bus and bus facilities projects which are not obligated by September 30, 2010, and other recoveries, shall be made available for other capital investment grant projects. (Sec. 162) Authorizes certain transfers of any public transportation funds appropriated before October 1, 2007, that remain available for expenditure. (Sec. 163) Authorizes the use of unobligated FTA capital investment grants funds for new fixed guideway systems projects. (Sec. 164) Directs the Secretary to amend the Full Funding Grant Agreement for the Central Link Initial Segment Project to allow the use of any funds remaining in the current budget to support completion of the Airport Link extension. (Sec. 165) Makes available for bus and bus facilities certain funds provided for a high capacity fixed guideway light rail and mass transit project for the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Sec. 166) Makes available for public transportation buses (and related equipment and facilities) and intermodal terminals in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, any unobligated FTA capital investment grant funds available for the Commuter Rail, Albuquerque to Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Sec. 167) Declares that certain funds made available for the Las Vegas Resort Corridor Fixed Guideway Project, the CATRAIL RTC Rail Project, and the Las Vegas, Nevada Monorail Project in Nevada may be made available to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada for specified bus or bus facilities projects. (Sec. 168) Authorizes the FTA Administrator to conduct a study, and report the results to Congress, on public transportation agencies located in specified urbanized areas. (Sec. 169) Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1986, with respect an Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) contract with the Southern California Rapid Transit District for a study of the potential methane gas risks related to a proposed alignment of the Metro Rail project beyond the Minimum Operable Segment, MOS-1. Repeals the prohibition against the availability of certain related funds for any segment of the downtown Los Angeles to San Francisco Valley Metro Transit Rail project until the Southern California Rapid Transit District commits to UMTA that no part of the Metro Rail project will tunnel into or through any designated potential or high potential risk zone (for a methane gas explosion and fire in the Fairfax area). (Sec. 170) Prohibits the use of funds provided or limited under this Act to issue regulations establishing an evaluation and rating process for certain proposed new fixed guideway capital projects based on the results of project justification and local financial commitment. (Sec. 171) Prohibits obligations incurred during the current year from maritime construction funds in excess of the appropriations and limitations contained in this or any prior appropriations Act. (Sec. 182) Prohibits the availability of the funds in this Act for salaries and expenses of more than 110 political and Presidential appointees in the Department of Transportation. Prohibits any assignment on temporary detail outside the Department of any of such appointees. (Sec. 183) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to implement establishment in the Department of Transportation of a National Highway Safety Advisory Committee. (Sec. 184) Prohibits any recipient of funds made available in this Act from disseminating personal information obtained by a state department of motor vehicles in connection with a motor vehicle record, except as permitted under specified federal criminal law. Prohibits the Secretary, however, from withholding funds provided in this Act for any grantee if a state fails to comply with this prohibition. (Sec. 186) Authorizes the Secretary to allow the issuer of any preferred stock heretofore sold to the Department to redeem or repurchase it upon the payment to the Department of an amount the Secretary determines. (Sec. 187) Requires the Secretary to notify the congressional appropriations committees at least three full business days before announcing any discretionary grant award, letter of intent, or full funding grant agreement totaling $1,000,000 or more from certain grant programs, including the federal highway emergency relief program, the FAA airport improvement program, or any FTA program other than the formula grants and fixed guideway modernization programs. (Sec. 189) Provides for the use of funds that the Secretary determines represent improper payments by the Department to a third party contractor under a financial assistance award, which are recovered pursuant to law. (Sec. 191) Declares that when the Surface Transportation Board is considering cases, matters, or declaratory orders involving a railroad, or an entity claiming or seeking authority to operate as a railroad, and the transportation of solid waste, it shall consider any activity involving the receipt, delivery, sorting, handling or transfer in-transit outside of a sealed container, storage other than inside a sealed container, or other processing of solid waste to be an activity over which the Board does not have jurisdiction. (Sec. 192) Prohibits the use of funds by the Surface Transportation Board to charge or collect any filing fee for rate complaints filed with the Board in an amount in excess of that authorized for district court civil suit filing fees under the federal judicial code. (Sec. 193) Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation to investigate and report to specified congressional committees on rail service disruptions and incidents since 2004 in which rail carriers failed to timely deliver various commodities, such as coal, wheat, ethanol, and lumber. (Sec. 194) Prohibits the use of funds made available under this Act to establish a cross-border motor carrier demonstration program to allow Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the commercial zones along the international border between the United States and Mexico. (Sec. 195) Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain on the homepage of the Department of Transportation's website: (1) a direct link to the website of the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Transportation; and (2) a mechanism by which individuals may anonymously report cases of waste, fraud, or abuse with respect to the Department of Transportation. (Sec. 196) Prohibits, with a specified exception, the use of funds made available by this Act to approve a permit application to collect a toll on any portion of a federal highway facility in the state of Texas: (1) that is in existence upon enactment of this Act and on which no toll is collected under a tolling provision on such enactment; or (2) that would result in the federal highway facility having fewer non-toll lanes than before the date on which the toll was first collected. (Sec. 197) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study of the use of non-hazardous recycled aggregates and other materials, including reused concrete and asphalt, in highway projects. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including: (1) the Office of the Secretary; (2) specified executive operations and administrative activities; (3) public and Indian housing; (4) community planning and development; (5) housing programs; (6) the Federal Housing Administration (FHA); (7) the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae); (8) policy development and research; (9) fair housing and equal opportunity; (10) the Office of Lead Hazard Control; and (11) the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. (Sec. 201) Requires rescission of 50% of the amounts of budget authority (or in lieu thereof remittance to the Treasury of 50% of the associated cash amounts) that are recaptured from certain state-, local-government, or local housing agency-financed projects under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1988. Requires the use of such recaptured budget authority or funds, as well as any budget authority or cash recaptured and not rescinded or remitted to the Treasury, by state housing finance agencies or local governments or local housing agencies with projects approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (the Secretary in this title) for which settlement occurred after January 1, 1992. Authorizes the Secretary, all the same, to award up to 15% of the budget authority or cash recaptured and not rescinded or remitted to the Treasury to provide project owners with incentives to refinance their projects at a lower interest rate. (Sec. 202) Prohibits the use of funds during FY2008 to investigate or prosecute under the Fair Housing Act any otherwise lawful activity engaged in by one or more persons, including the filing or maintaining of a non-frivolous legal action, that is engaged in solely for the purpose of achieving or preventing action by a government official or entity, or a court of competent jurisdiction. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to make a grant under certain authority of the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act for any state that: (1) received an allocation in a prior fiscal year; but (2) is not otherwise eligible for an FY2008 allocation because the areas in the State outside of qualifying metropolitan statistical areas do not have the number of cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) otherwise required. Prescribes a formula for the allocation of such grants to Jersey City and Paterson, New Jersey. (Sec. 204) Requires any grant, cooperative agreement, or other assistance made pursuant to this title to be made on a competitive basis and in accordance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989. (Sec. 205) Makes certain funds available, without regard to limitations on administrative expenses, for: (1) legal services on a contract or fee basis; and (2) payment for services and facilities of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), the Federal Financing Bank, Federal Reserve banks, Federal Home Loan banks, and any bank insured under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act. (Sec. 207) Authorizes any HUD corporations and agencies subject to the Government Corporation Control Act, as amended, to make expenditures, contracts, and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as may be necessary in carrying out the programs set forth in their FY 2008 budgets. Limits the use of collections of these corporations and agencies for new loan or mortgage purchase commitments only to the extent expressly provided for in this Act, except for their the mortgage insurance or guaranty operations, or where loans or mortgage purchases are necessary to protect the financial interest of the U.S. government. (Sec. 208) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of the funds provided in this title for technical assistance, training, or management improvements unless HUD describes for the congressional appropriations committees each proposed activity and a detailed budget estimate of the associated program, project or activity costs as part of the Budget Justifications. (Sec. 209) Directs the HUD Secretary to report quarterly to the congressional appropriations committees regarding all uncommitted, unobligated, recaptured and excess funds in each program and activity within HUD jurisdiction, along with additional, updated budget information upon request. (Sec. 210) Requires the HUD Secretary to: (1) adjust the funds allocated for FY2008 under the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act to Wilmington, Delaware, on behalf of the Wilmington, Delaware-Maryland-New Jersey Metropolitan Division; and allocate a portion to the state of New Jersey according to a specified formula. Directs the HUD Secretary to allocate to Wake County, North Carolina, certain funds that otherwise would be allocated for FY2008 under such Act to Raleigh, North Carolina, on behalf of the Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Authorizes the HUD Secretary to: (1) adjust FY2008 allocations under such Act, upon the written request of a grant applicant for a formula allocation on behalf of a metropolitan statistical area; and (2) designate the state or states in which the metropolitan statistical area is located as the eligible grantee(s) of the allocation. (Sec. 211) Requires the HUD Secretary to report annually no later than August 30, 2008 and annually to the congressional appropriations committees on the number of federally assisted units under lease and their per unit cost to HUD. (Sec. 213) Requires that incremental vouchers previously made available under the heading, "Housing Certificate Fund," or renewed under the heading, "Tenant-Based Rental Assistance," for non-elderly disabled families continue to be provided to non-elderly disabled families upon turnover. (Sec. 214) Declares that a public housing agency (or other entity) that administers federal housing assistance for the Housing Authority of the county of Los Angeles, California, or the states of Alaska, Iowa, or Mississippi shall not be required to include a resident of public housing or a recipient of section 8 rental assistance (under the United States Housing Act of 1937) on the agency or entity board of directors (or similar governing board), as otherwise required by such Act. Requires each such public housing agency (or other entity) to establish an advisory board, which shall meet at least quarterly, consisting of at least than six residents of public housing or section 8 rental assistance recipients to provide advice and comment on related issues. (Sec. 215) Authorizes the Secretary for FY2008-FY2009, subject to specified conditions, to authorize the transfer of some or all project-based assistance, debt and statutorily required low-income and very low-income use restrictions, associated with one or more multifamily housing project to another multifamily housing project or projects. (Sec. 216) Requires that the funds made available for Native American Housing Block Grants in title III of this Act be allocated to the same recipients that received funds in FY2005. (Sec. 217) Requires that incremental vouchers made available under this Act, and previously, under the heading, "Housing Certificate Fund," or renewed under the heading, "Tenant-Based Rental Assistance," for family unification continue to be provided for family unification. (Sec. 218) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to receive and expend cash, or receive and utilize spare parts and similar items, from non-U.S. Government sources to repair damages to or replace U.S. Government-owned automated track inspection cars and equipment as a result of third party liability for such damages. Requires any amounts so collected to be credited directly to the Safety and Operations account of the Federal Railroad Administration, and remain available until expended for the repair, operation and maintenance of automated track inspection cars and equipment in connection with the automated track inspection program. Appropriates an additional $1 billion in the amount of obligation limitation for distribution under the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program. (Sec. 219) Prohibits any section 8 rental assistance to any individual who: (1) is enrolled as a student at an institution of higher education; (2) is under age 24; (3) is not a veteran; (4) is unmarried; (5) does not have a dependent child; (6) is not a person with disabilities, and was not receiving section 8 assistance of November 30, 2005; and (7) is not otherwise individually eligible, or has parents who, individually or jointly, are not eligible, to receive such assistance. Declares that, for section 8 rental assistance eligibility purposes, any financial assistance (in excess of amounts received for tuition) that an individual receives under the Higher Education Act of 1965, from private sources, or an institution of higher education shall be considered income to that individual, except for a person over age 23 with dependent children. (Sec. 220) Requires the Secretary during FY2008, in managing and disposing of any multifamily property that is owned or held by HUD, to maintain any section 8 rental assistance payments attached to any dwelling units in the property. Authorizes the Secretary, however, to the extent that such a multifamily property is not feasible for continued section 8 payments, based on consideration of the costs of rehabilitating and operating the property and environmental conditions that cannot be remedied in a cost-effective fashion, to contract, in consultation with the property tenants, for project-based rental assistance payments with an owner or owners of other existing housing properties, or provide other rental assistance. Requires the Secretary also to take steps to ensure that project-based contracts remain in effect before foreclosure, subject to the exercise of contractual abatement remedies to assist relocation of tenants for imminent major threats to health and safety. (Sec. 221) Amends the National Housing Act with respect to non-Ginnie Mae-related mortgage insurance eligibility purposes, including insurance for cooperative housing, rehabilitation and neighborhood conservation housing, housing for elderly persons, and condominiums. Increases from 140% to 170% in most areas, and from 170% to 215% in high cost areas, the percentage increase the Secretary may make in the dollar limitations on the estimated value per family unit of the dwelling use portion of a property or project covered by a mortgage for which insurance is sought. (Sec. 222) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend through FY2008 the authorization of appropriations for demolition, site revitalization, replacement housing, and tenant-based assistance project grants to public housing agencies. (Sec. 223) Authorizes public housing agencies owning and operating 500 or fewer public housing units to elect to be exempt from any asset management requirement imposed by the Secretary in connection with the operating fund rule. Provides, however, that an agency seeking a discontinuance of a reduction of subsidy under the operating fund formula shall not be exempt from asset management requirements. (Sec. 224) Prohibits the Secretary, with respect to the use of funds for the operation, capital improvement, and management of public housing authorized by the United States Housing Act of 1937, from imposing any asset management requirement or guideline that restricts or limits in any way the use of capital funds for central office costs. (Sec. 225) Requires the Secretary to report quarterly to congressional appropriations committees on: (1) the status of all section 8 project-based housing, including the number of all project-based units by region as well as an analysis of all federally subsidized housing being refinanced under the Mark-to-Market program; and (2) HUD's use of all sole source contracts, including terms of the contracts, cost and a substantive rationale for using a sole source contract. (Sec. 227) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 with respect to the treatment of utility and waste management costs under the formula for determining the amount of assistance to public housing agencies from the Public Housing Operating Fund for the operation and management of public housing. Modifies the requirement that a public housing agency receive the full financial benefit from any reduction in the cost of utilities or waste management (savings) resulting from any contract with a third party to undertake energy conservation improvements in one or more of its public housing projects. Authorizes extension to up to 20 years of the term of a contract currently in repayment whose term is 12 years or less, in order to permit additional energy conservation improvements without requiring the reprocurement of energy performance contractors. (Sec. 228) Directs the Secretary to increase the number of Moving-to-Work agencies authorized under the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 by making the Alaska Public Housing Agency a Moving-to-Work Agency. (Sec. 229) Deems to be amended with respect to specified projects the referenced statement of managers under the "Community Development Fund" heading in title II of Public Law 108-447 Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005 (Division I of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2006 (title III of Division A of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006). (Sec. 230) Authorizes the Secretary through FY2008 to insure, and enter into commitments to insure, home equity conversion mortgages for elderly homeowners. (Sec. 231) Prohibits the Secretary from rescinding or taking any adverse action with respect to the Moving-to-Work program designation for the Housing Authority of Baltimore City based on any alleged administrative or procedural errors in making such designation. (Sec. 232) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to allow the cities of Alton and Granite City, Illinois, to be considered metropolitan cities for purposes of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) purposes. (Sec. 233) Authorizes the use of certain funds to guarantee, or make commitments to guarantee, notes or other obligations issued by any state on behalf of non-entitlement communities subject to the requirements of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 with respect to: (1) acquisition or rehabilitation of real property owned by the eligible public entity; (2) housing rehabilitation; (3) specified economic development activities; (4) construction of housing by nonprofit organizations for homeownership; (5) the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or installation of public facilities; or (6) public works and site or other improvements in the case of colonias. (Sec. 234) Directs the HUD Secretary to establish on the homepage of the HUD Internet website: (1) a direct link to the Internet website of the HUD Office of Inspector General; and (2) a mechanism by which individuals may anonymously report cases of waste, fraud, or abuse with respect to HUD. (Sec. 235) Authorizes the Secretary to develop and submit to the congressional appropriations committees a formal, structured, and written plan that HUD shall use when monitoring for compliance with the specific relocation restrictions in: (1) the CDBG entitlement program; and (2) the CDBG state program that receives economic development funds from HUD. (Sec. 236) Authorizes the Secretary to submit to the relevant authorizing committees and the congressional appropriations committees for FY2007 and FY 2008: (1) a complete and accurate accounting of the actual project-based renewal costs for project-based assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937; (2) revised estimates of the funding needed to fully fund all 12 months of all section 8 project-based contracts, including those that expire in FY2007 and FY2008; and (3) all sources of funding that will be used to fully fund all 12 months of the project-based contracts for such fiscal years. Requires the Secretary, as part of the HUD budget request for FY2009, to submit to all such committees complete and detailed information, including a project-by-project analysis, that verifies that the budget request will fully fund all section 8 project-based contracts in FY2009, including expiring project-based contracts. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY2008 to: (1) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board; (2) the Federal Maritime Commission; (3) the National Transportation Safety Board; (4) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (5) the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Title IV: General Provisions (This Act) - Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 401) Requires any sums necessary for FY2008 pay raises for programs funded in this Act to be absorbed within the levels appropriated in this or previous appropriations Acts. (Sec. 402) Prohibits the use of funds for the planning or execution of any program to pay the expenses of, or otherwise compensate, nonfederal parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings funded in this Act. (Sec. 407) Requires all federal agencies and departments funded by this Act to report by July 31, 2008, to the congressional appropriations committees on all sole source contracts. (Sec. 409) Prohibits the use of funds to support any federal, state, or local projects that seek to use the power of eminent domain, unless eminent domain is employed only for a public use. (Sec. 410) Prohibits the transfer of funds to any federal department, agency, or instrumentality, except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act or any other appropriations Act. (Sec. 411) Prohibits payment of the salary from any appropriation under this Act for any person filling a position (other than temporary) formerly held by an employee who has: (1) left to enter the U.S. Armed Forces; (2) satisfactorily completed his or her period of active military or naval service; (3) within 90 days after release from such service, or from hospitalization continuing after discharge for up to one year, applied for restoration to his former position; and (4) been certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as still qualified to perform the duties of his or her former position, but not been restored to it. (Sec. 412) Prohibits the expenditure of funds by an entity unless it agrees that such expenditure will comply with the Buy American Act. (Sec. 413) Prohibits the availability of funds to any person or entity that has been convicted of violating the Buy American Act. (Sec. 414) Prohibits the use of funds to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5 million or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee: (1) has filed all federal tax returns required during the three years preceding the certification; (2) has not been convicted of a criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code; and (3) has not been notified of any unpaid federal tax assessment for which the liability remains unsatisfied, unless the assessment is the subject of an installment agreement or offer in compromise approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and not in default, or the assessment is the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial appeal. (Sec. 415) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to report to specified congressional committees detailing how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to alleviate air congestion and flight delays in the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Airspace by August 31, 2008. (Sec. 416) Prohibits the obligation or expenditure by the FAA Administrator to transfer the design and development functions of the FAA Academy in their entirety or to implement the Air Traffic Control Optimum Training Solution proposed by the Administrator in its entirety before September 30, 2008.

transportation housing_and_urban_development related agencies appropriations act title department_of_transportation department_of_transportation appropriations act makes appropriations fy2008 department_of_transportation including office_of_the_secretary federal_aviation_administration faa federal_highway_administration federal_motor_carrier_safety_administration national_highway_traffic_safety_administration nhtsa federal_railroad_administration federal_transit_administration fta saint lawrence seaway development corporation maritime_administration pipeline_and_hazardous_materials_safety_administration research innovative technology_administration office_of_inspector_general surface_transportation_board sec prohibits funds available act obligated expended establish implement program essential_air_service communities required assume subsidy costs commonly referred eas local participation program sec prohibits use funds compensate technical staff years federally funded research development center contract faa center advanced aviation systems development fy2008 sec prohibits use funds pursue adopt guidelines regulations requiring airport sponsors provide faa cost building construction maintenance utilities expenses space airport sponsor owned buildings services relating air traffic control air navigation weather reporting exempts prohibition negotiations agency airport sponsors achieve agreement market rates items grant assurances require airport sponsors provide land cost faa air traffic control facilities sec authorizes faa_administrator reimburse amounts available credit certain account carry essential_air_service program fees credited faa makes inapplicable fy2008 certain requirements use fee proceeds funding small community air service especially rural air safety improvement rural airport projects sec requires amounts collected safety related training operational services foreign aviation authorities credited appropriation current time collection merged available purposes appropriation sec extends certain dates aircraft insurance policy waiver air carrier liability party claims arising acts terrorism sec allows pilot attained years age serve passenger airline pilot age years old provided pilot attained age serve pilot command international flights pilot flight crew attained years age prohibits subjecting pilots different medical examinations standards account age ensure adequate level safety flight person attained years age serve pilot person class medical certificate requires air carriers continue provide faa approved training pilots specific emphasis initial recurring training qualification pilots attained years age evaluate months performance pilots attained years age line check pilot requires comptroller_general report congress effect modification pilot age requirements aviation safety sec directs comptroller_general conduct study efficacy strategies employed faa_administrator secretary transportation secretary address flight delays airports report results study congress recommendations strategies effectively reduce delays employed months sec prohibits fy2008 distribution obligation limitation federal aid highways amounts authorized specified administrative expenses programs prescribes formula determining certain distributions obligation limitation specifies exceptions limitation applicability transportation research programs requires redistribution certain authorized funds authorizes obligation listed project state obligation authority distributed specified projects listed safe accountable flexible efficient transportation equity act legacy users safetea sec allows crediting federal aid highways account funds received bureau transportation statistics sale data products order reimburse bureau necessary expenses incurred sec rescinds specified funds available administrative expenses federal_highway_administration infrastructure finance sec designates certain authorized fy2008 federal aid highway funds projects competitive initiatives listed report accompanying act sec requires secretary informal public notice comment opportunity waiving buy america requirement federal aid highway projects sec permits certain funds amounts available project construction improvements north shore road county north_carolina remain unobligated unexpended issuance record decision project implement selected alternative included record decision sec subjects funds appropriated limited act certain safety examination requirements department_of_transportation related agencies appropriations act troop readiness veterans care katrina_recovery iraq_accountability_appropriations_act relating mexico domiciled motor carriers involved cross border united_states mexico including annual report subject secretary congressional appropriations committees sec makes certain additional funds available nhtsa pay travel related expenses state management reviews core competency development training related expenses highway safety staff sec rescinds specified funds available prior appropriations acts operations research national_driver_register highway traffic safety grants sec declares funds provided act national_railroad_passenger_corporation shall immediately cease available corporation event corporation contracts services provided location outside united_states defines service july performed time time amtrak employee base employment located united_states sec requires federal railroad administrator report congressional appropriations committees efforts improving time performance amtrak intercity rail service operating non amtrak owned property sec authorizes secretary purchase promotional items nominal value use public outreach activities carry solutions railroad grade crossing problem measures protect pedestrians populated areas railroad rights way operation requires secretary prescribe guidelines administration purchases use sec declares lease contract entered national_railroad_passenger_corporation amtrak state maryland departments agencies shall governed laws district_of_columbia sec limitations obligations programs fta shall apply grant authority previously available obligation authority previously available obligation sec declares funds available act specified fta capital investment grants bus bus facilities projects obligated september recoveries shall available capital investment grant projects sec authorizes certain transfers public transportation funds appropriated october remain available expenditure sec authorizes use unobligated fta capital investment grants funds new fixed guideway systems projects sec directs secretary amend funding grant agreement central link initial segment project allow use funds remaining current budget support completion airport link extension sec makes available bus bus facilities certain funds provided high capacity fixed guideway light rail mass transit project city albuquerque new_mexico sec makes available public transportation buses related equipment facilities intermodal terminals albuquerque santa_fe new_mexico unobligated fta capital investment grant funds available commuter rail albuquerque santa_fe new_mexico sec declares certain funds available las_vegas resort corridor fixed guideway project rail project las_vegas nevada project nevada available regional transportation commission southern nevada specified bus bus facilities projects sec authorizes fta administrator conduct study report results congress public transportation agencies located specified urbanized areas sec amends department_of_transportation related agencies appropriations act respect urban mass transportation administration contract southern_california rapid transit district study potential methane gas risks related proposed alignment metro rail project minimum operable segment repeals prohibition availability certain related funds segment los_angeles san_francisco valley metro transit rail project southern_california rapid transit district commits metro rail project tunnel designated potential high potential risk zone methane gas explosion fire area sec prohibits use funds provided limited act issue regulations establishing evaluation rating process certain proposed new fixed guideway capital projects based results project justification local financial commitment sec prohibits obligations incurred current year maritime construction funds excess appropriations limitations contained prior appropriations act sec prohibits availability funds act salaries expenses political presidential appointees department_of_transportation prohibits assignment temporary detail outside department appointees sec prohibits use funds act implement establishment department_of_transportation national highway safety advisory_committee sec prohibits recipient funds available act disseminating personal information obtained state_department motor vehicles connection motor vehicle record permitted specified federal criminal law prohibits secretary withholding funds provided act grantee state fails comply prohibition sec authorizes secretary allow issuer preferred stock sold department redeem repurchase payment department secretary determines sec requires secretary notify congressional appropriations committees business days announcing discretionary grant award letter intent funding grant agreement totaling certain grant programs including federal highway emergency relief program faa airport improvement program fta program formula_grants fixed guideway modernization programs sec provides use funds secretary determines represent improper payments department party contractor financial assistance award recovered pursuant law sec declares surface_transportation_board considering cases matters declaratory orders involving railroad entity claiming seeking authority operate railroad transportation solid_waste shall consider activity involving receipt delivery handling transfer transit outside sealed container storage inside sealed container processing solid_waste activity board jurisdiction sec prohibits use funds surface_transportation_board charge collect filing fee rate complaints filed board excess authorized district_court civil suit filing fees federal judicial code sec directs inspector_general department_of_transportation investigate report specified congressional committees rail service disruptions incidents rail carriers failed timely deliver commodities coal wheat ethanol lumber sec prohibits use funds available act establish cross border motor carrier demonstration program allow mexico domiciled motor carriers operate commercial zones international border united_states mexico sec directs secretary establish maintain homepage department_of_transportation website direct link website office_of_inspector_general department_of_transportation mechanism individuals anonymously report cases waste fraud abuse respect department_of_transportation sec prohibits specified exception use funds available act approve permit application collect toll portion federal highway facility state texas existence enactment act toll collected tolling provision enactment result federal highway facility having fewer non toll lanes date toll collected sec authorizes secretary conduct study use non hazardous recycled aggregates materials including concrete highway projects title department_of_housing_and_urban_development department_of_housing_and_urban_development appropriations act makes appropriations fy2008 housing_and_urban_development hud including office_of_the_secretary specified executive operations administrative activities public indian housing community planning development housing programs federal_housing_administration fha government_national_mortgage_association ginnie_mae policy development research fair housing equal opportunity office lead hazard control office_of_federal_housing_enterprise_oversight sec requires rescission amounts budget authority lieu thereof remittance treasury associated cash amounts certain state- local government local housing agency financed projects mckinney homeless assistance amendments act requires use budget authority funds budget authority cash rescinded remitted treasury state housing finance agencies local governments local housing agencies projects approved secretary housing_and_urban_development secretary title settlement occurred january authorizes secretary award budget authority cash rescinded remitted treasury provide project owners incentives refinance projects lower interest rate sec prohibits use funds fy2008 investigate prosecute fair housing act lawful activity engaged persons including filing maintaining non frivolous legal action engaged solely purpose achieving preventing action government official entity court competent jurisdiction sec directs secretary grant certain authority aids housing opportunity act state received allocation prior fiscal year eligible fy2008 allocation areas state outside qualifying metropolitan statistical areas number cases acquired immunodeficiency syndrome aids required prescribes formula allocation grants city new_jersey sec requires grant cooperative agreement assistance pursuant title competitive basis accordance department_of_housing_and_urban_development reform_act sec makes certain funds available regard limitations administrative expenses legal services contract fee basis payment services facilities federal_national_mortgage_association fannie_mae government_national_mortgage_association ginnie_mae federal_home_loan_mortgage_corporation freddie_mac federal financing bank federal_reserve_banks federal_home_loan_banks bank insured federal_deposit_insurance_corporation act sec authorizes hud corporations agencies subject government corporation control act amended expenditures contracts commitments regard fiscal year limitations necessary carrying programs set forth budgets limits use collections corporations agencies new loan mortgage purchase commitments extent expressly provided act mortgage insurance guaranty operations loans mortgage purchases necessary protect financial interest government sec prohibits obligation expenditure funds provided title technical assistance training management improvements hud describes congressional appropriations committees proposed activity detailed budget estimate associated program project activity costs budget justifications sec directs hud secretary report quarterly congressional appropriations committees unobligated excess funds program activity hud jurisdiction additional updated budget information request sec requires hud secretary adjust funds allocated fy2008 aids housing opportunity act wilmington delaware behalf wilmington delaware maryland new_jersey metropolitan division allocate portion state new_jersey according specified formula directs hud secretary allocate wake county north_carolina certain funds allocated fy2008 act north_carolina behalf north_carolina metropolitan_statistical_area authorizes hud secretary adjust fy2008 allocations act written request grant applicant formula allocation behalf metropolitan_statistical_area designate state states metropolitan_statistical_area located eligible allocation sec requires hud secretary report annually later august annually congressional appropriations committees number federally assisted units lease unit cost hud sec requires incremental vouchers previously available heading housing certificate fund renewed heading tenant based rental assistance non elderly disabled families continue provided non elderly disabled families turnover sec declares public housing agency entity administers federal_housing assistance housing authority county los_angeles california states alaska iowa mississippi shall required include resident public housing recipient section rental assistance united_states_housing_act agency entity board_of_directors similar governing_board required act requires public housing agency entity establish advisory_board shall meet quarterly consisting residents public housing section rental assistance recipients provide advice comment related issues sec authorizes secretary fy2008 fy2009 subject specified conditions authorize transfer project based assistance debt statutorily required low income low income use restrictions associated multifamily housing project multifamily housing project projects sec requires funds available native american housing block grants title iii act allocated recipients received funds sec requires incremental vouchers available act previously heading housing certificate fund renewed heading tenant based rental assistance family continue provided family sec authorizes secretary transportation receive expend cash receive utilize spare parts similar items non government sources repair damages replace government owned automated track inspection cars equipment result party liability damages requires amounts collected credited directly safety operations account federal_railroad_administration remain available expended repair operation maintenance automated track inspection cars equipment connection automated track inspection program appropriates additional billion obligation limitation distribution highway bridge replacement rehabilitation program sec prohibits section rental assistance individual enrolled student institution higher education age veteran unmarried dependent child person disabilities receiving section assistance november individually eligible parents individually jointly eligible receive assistance declares section rental assistance eligibility purposes financial assistance excess amounts received tuition individual receives higher education act private sources institution higher education shall considered income individual person age dependent children sec requires secretary fy2008 managing disposing multifamily property owned held hud maintain section rental assistance payments attached dwelling units property authorizes secretary extent multifamily property feasible continued section payments based consideration costs rehabilitating operating property environmental conditions remedied cost effective fashion contract consultation property tenants project based rental assistance payments owner owners existing housing properties provide rental assistance requires secretary steps ensure project based contracts remain effect foreclosure subject exercise contractual abatement remedies assist relocation tenants imminent major threats health safety sec amends national housing act respect non ginnie_mae related mortgage insurance eligibility purposes including insurance cooperative housing rehabilitation neighborhood conservation housing housing elderly persons increases areas high cost areas percentage increase secretary dollar limitations estimated value family unit dwelling use portion property project covered mortgage insurance sought sec amends united_states_housing_act extend fy2008 authorization appropriations demolition site revitalization replacement housing tenant based assistance project grants public housing agencies sec authorizes public housing agencies owning operating fewer public housing units elect exempt asset management requirement imposed secretary connection operating fund rule provides agency seeking discontinuance reduction subsidy operating fund formula shall exempt asset management requirements sec prohibits secretary respect use funds operation capital improvement management public housing authorized united_states_housing_act imposing asset management requirement guideline restricts limits way use capital funds central office costs sec requires secretary report quarterly congressional appropriations committees status section project based housing including number project based units region analysis federally subsidized housing refinanced mark market program hud use sole source contracts including terms contracts cost substantive rationale sole source contract sec amends united_states_housing_act respect treatment utility waste management costs formula determining assistance public housing agencies public housing operating fund operation management public housing modifies requirement public housing agency receive financial benefit reduction cost utilities waste management savings resulting contract party undertake energy conservation improvements public housing projects authorizes extension years term contract currently repayment term years order permit additional energy conservation improvements requiring energy performance contractors sec directs secretary increase number moving work agencies authorized departments_of_veterans_affairs housing_and_urban_development independent_agencies_appropriations_act making alaska public housing agency moving work agency sec deems amended respect specified projects referenced statement managers community development fund heading title public law departments_of_veterans_affairs housing_and_urban_development independent_agencies_appropriations_act division consolidated_appropriations_act department_of_housing_and_urban_development appropriations act title iii division transportation treasury housing_and_urban_development judiciary district_of_columbia independent_agencies_appropriations_act sec authorizes secretary fy2008 insure enter commitments insure home equity conversion mortgages elderly homeowners sec prohibits secretary rescinding taking adverse action respect moving work program designation housing authority baltimore city based alleged administrative procedural errors making designation sec amends housing_and_community_development_act allow cities granite city illinois considered metropolitan cities purposes community development block grant cdbg purposes sec authorizes use certain funds guarantee commitments guarantee notes obligations issued state behalf non entitlement communities subject requirements housing_and_community_development_act respect acquisition rehabilitation real property owned eligible public entity housing rehabilitation specified economic development activities construction housing nonprofit organizations homeownership acquisition construction reconstruction installation public facilities public works site improvements case sec directs hud secretary establish homepage hud internet website direct link internet website hud office_of_inspector_general mechanism individuals anonymously report cases waste fraud abuse respect hud sec authorizes secretary develop submit congressional appropriations committees formal structured written plan hud shall use monitoring compliance specific relocation restrictions cdbg entitlement program cdbg state program receives economic development funds hud sec authorizes secretary submit relevant authorizing committees congressional appropriations committees fy2007 complete accurate accounting actual project based renewal costs project based assistance section united_states_housing_act revised estimates funding needed fully fund months section project based contracts including expire fy2007 fy2008 sources funding fully fund months project based contracts fiscal years requires secretary hud budget request fy2009 submit committees complete detailed information including project project analysis verifies budget request fully fund section project based contracts fy2009 including expiring project based contracts title iii independent agencies makes appropriations fy2008 architectural_and_transportation_barriers_compliance_board federal_maritime_commission national_transportation_safety_board neighborhood_reinvestment_corporation interagency council homelessness title general_provisions act specifies certain uses limits prohibitions use funds appropriated act sec requires sums necessary fy2008 pay raises programs funded act levels appropriated previous appropriations acts sec prohibits use funds planning execution program pay expenses compensate nonfederal parties intervening regulatory adjudicatory proceedings funded act sec requires federal agencies departments funded act report july congressional appropriations committees sole source contracts sec prohibits use funds support federal state local projects seek use power eminent domain eminent domain employed public use sec prohibits transfer funds federal department agency instrumentality pursuant transfer transfer authority provided act appropriations act sec prohibits payment salary appropriation act person filling position temporary held employee left enter armed_forces satisfactorily completed period active military naval service days release service hospitalization continuing discharge year applied restoration position certified office_of_personnel_management opm qualified perform duties position restored sec prohibits expenditure funds entity agrees expenditure comply buy_american_act sec prohibits availability funds person entity convicted violating buy_american_act sec prohibits use funds enter contract greater million award grant excess prospective contractor grantee certifies writing agency awarding contract grant contractor grantee filed federal tax returns required years preceding certification convicted criminal offense internal_revenue_code notified unpaid federal tax assessment liability remains assessment subject installment agreement offer compromise approved internal_revenue_service irs default assessment subject non frivolous administrative judicial appeal sec requires secretary transportation report specified congressional committees detailing federal_aviation_administration faa plans alleviate air congestion flight delays new_york new_jersey philadelphia airspace august sec prohibits obligation expenditure faa_administrator transfer design development functions faa academy entirety implement air traffic control optimum training solution proposed administrator entirety september