Summary:
Election Infrastructure and Security Promotion Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) designate voting systems used in the United States as critical infrastructure; (2) include threats of compromise, disruption, or destruction of voting systems in national planning scenarios; and (3) conduct a campaign to proactively educate local election officials about the designation of voting systems as critical infrastructure and election officials at all levels of government of voting system threats.

In furtherance of local election official preparedness and response, DHS shall conduct research and development to mitigate the consequences of voting systems threats.

DHS shall prepare and submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to protect and prepare the critical infrastructure of the voting systems used in the United States against threats, including from acts of terrorism.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shall develop standards for ensuring the operational security of the voting systems used in elections for federal office.

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require a state, in operating the voting system, to comply with applicable standards for ensuring the operational security of voting systems.

The testing and certification of voting systems hardware and software shall test whether voting systems are in compliance with applicable standards developed by NIST for ensuring the operational security of voting systems.

NIST shall develop standards for ensuring that the process by which ballots are counted in elections for federal office is transparent and permits voters to verify that votes in such elections are counted correctly.

States shall comply with applicable standards, in operating the voting system, for ensuring that the process by which ballots are counted in elections for federal office is transparent and permits voters to verify that votes in such elections are counted correctly.

The National Science Foundation shall establish an election technology innovation research and development program.

election infrastructure security promotion act bill directs department_of_homeland_security dhs designate voting systems united_states critical infrastructure include threats compromise disruption destruction voting systems national planning scenarios conduct campaign proactively educate local election officials designation voting systems critical infrastructure election officials levels government voting system threats furtherance local election official preparedness response dhs shall conduct research development mitigate consequences voting systems threats dhs shall prepare submit congress comprehensive plan protect prepare critical infrastructure voting systems united_states threats including acts terrorism national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist shall develop standards ensuring operational security voting systems elections federal office bill amends help_america_vote_act require state operating voting system comply applicable standards ensuring operational security voting systems testing certification voting systems hardware software shall test voting systems compliance applicable standards developed nist ensuring operational security voting systems nist shall develop standards ensuring process ballots counted elections federal office transparent permits voters verify votes elections counted correctly states shall comply applicable standards operating voting system ensuring process ballots counted elections federal office transparent permits voters verify votes elections counted correctly national_science_foundation shall establish election technology innovation research development program


Summary:
All Ballots Count Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit an election official from enforcing any requirement that an individual produce a photo identification as a condition of registering to vote, or of voting, in an election for federal office, except to the extent that the requirement was in effect as of June 25, 2013.

ballots count act bill amends national voter registration act help_america_vote_act prohibit election official enforcing requirement individual produce photo identification condition registering vote voting election federal office extent requirement effect june


Summary:
Postage Free Ballot Act

Any absentee ballot for any election shall be carried through the mail expeditiously and free of charge.

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to direct a state to use a requirements payment to reimburse the U.S. Postal Service for revenue it would have obtained from the mailing of absentee ballots but for the requirement that such ballots be mailed for free.

postage free ballot act absentee ballot election shall carried mail expeditiously free charge bill amends help_america_vote_act direct state use requirements payment reimburse postal_service revenue obtained mailing absentee ballots requirement ballots mailed free


Summary:
Voter Integrity Protection Act

 Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make voting in a federal election (unless otherwise provided for under the federal criminal code) by an alien who is unlawfully in the United States an aggravated felony and a deportable offense.

voter integrity protection act amends immigration_and_nationality_act voting federal election provided federal criminal code alien unlawfully united_states aggravated felony deportable offense


Summary:
Lines Interfere with National Elections Act of 2015 or the LINE Act of 2015

 Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each jurisdiction where a substantial number of voters waited more than 30 minutes to cast a vote in the federal election held on November 6, 2012, or any federal election held after that date, to comply with a state remedial plan to minimize voter waiting times.

lines interfere national elections act line act amends help_america_vote_act require jurisdiction substantial number voters minutes cast vote federal election held november federal election held date comply state remedial plan minimize voter waiting times


Summary:
Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act of 2015

 Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because the individual has been convicted of a non-violent criminal offense, unless, at the time of the election, the individual is serving a sentence in a correctional facility or a term of probation.

Restores the right to vote of an individual on probation: (1) on the date the term of probation ends, if such term is less than one year; or (2) one year after the date the individual begins serving the term of probation, if such term is one year or longer.

Directs the Attorney General to determine and establish a list of the criminal offenses under federal and state law that are non-violent criminal offenses.

Provides for enforcement of, and remedies for violations of, this Act.

Sets forth requirements for state and federal notification of individuals of their voting rights pursuant to this Act.

Prohibits a state, local government, or other person from receiving or using federal grant amounts to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program under which each incarcerated individual is notified, upon release, of his or her rights under this Act.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

civil rights voting restoration act declares right citizen vote election federal office shall denied individual convicted non violent criminal offense time election individual serving sentence correctional facility term probation restores right vote individual probation date term probation ends term year year date individual begins serving term probation term year longer directs attorney general determine establish list criminal offenses federal state law non violent criminal offenses provides enforcement remedies violations act sets forth requirements state federal notification individuals voting rights pursuant act prohibits state local government person receiving federal grant amounts construct improve place incarceration person effect program incarcerated individual notified release rights act


Summary:
Democracy Restoration Act of 2015

 Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution or facility. Provides for enforcement of, and remedies for violations of, this Act.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to prohibit a state from enacting any state law that affords the right to vote in any election for federal office on terms less restrictive than those terms established by this Act. Declares that the rights and remedies established by this Act shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies provided by law and shall not supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or the National Voter Registration Act. Sets forth requirements for state and federal notification of individuals of the restoration of their voting rights. Prohibits any state, local government, or other person from receiving or using any federal funds to construct or improve a place of incarceration unless that person has in effect a program to notify each U.S. citizen incarcerated in that person's jurisdiction, upon release from such incarceration, of that individual's rights under this Act.

democracy restoration act declares right citizen vote election federal office shall denied individual convicted criminal offense time election individual serving felony sentence correctional institution facility provides enforcement remedies violations act prohibits act construed prohibit state enacting state law affords right vote election federal office terms restrictive terms established act declares rights remedies established act shall addition rights remedies provided law shall supersede restrict limit application voting rights act national voter registration act sets forth requirements state federal notification individuals restoration voting rights prohibits state local government person receiving federal funds construct improve place incarceration person effect program notify citizen incarcerated person jurisdiction release incarceration individual rights act


Summary:
Voter Registration Modernization Act

 Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require each state to make available official public websites for online voter registration.

Directs the appropriate state or local election official to ensure that information on the computerized statewide voter registration list may be updated through the official public website.

Directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study best practices for implementing the requirements for Internet registration and the online updating of voter registration information.

Authorizes the provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote who have requested to receive it.

Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make an implementation payment each year to enable each state to meet the requirements of this Act and to carry out activities to improve the administration of federal elections.

voter registration modernization act amends national voter registration act require state available official public websites online voter registration directs appropriate state local election official ensure information computerized statewide voter registration list updated official public website directs director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology study best practices implementing requirements internet registration online updating voter registration information authorizes provision election information electronic mail individuals registered vote requested receive directs election_assistance_commission implementation payment year enable state meet requirements act carry activities improve administration federal elections


Summary:
Same Day Registration Act

 Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states with a voter registration requirement to make same-day voter registration available at the polling place on the date of election itself (or on the day of voting under early voting).

day registration act amends help_america_vote_act require states voter registration requirement day voter registration available polling place date election day voting early voting


Summary:
Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to allow a representative official of an Indian tribe, with authorization from the governing body of the tribe, to request one or more polling places to be located on tribal lands. The state or political subdivision shall provide each requested polling place at no expense to the Indian tribe if certain criteria are met.

A federal court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce constitutional voting guarantees, but also certain violations of the Act as well as of any federal prohibition against discrimination on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group, for an appropriate period to prevent commencement of new devices to deny or abridge the right to vote.

Requirements are revised for determining which states and political subdivisions are or are not covered by criteria for declaratory judgments that they have not used devices to deny or abridge the right to vote.

Any state (and all of its political subdivisions) shall be subject to such requirements for a 10-year period if:

 15 or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years; or 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least one of which was committed by the state itself (as opposed to a political subdivision within it). Any specific political subdivision of a state shall also be subject to those requirements for a 10-year period if 3 or more violations occurred in it during the previous 25 calendar years.

A state or political subdivision that obtains a declaratory judgment that it has not used a device to deny or abridge the right to vote shall be exempt from such requirements unless new violations occur after the declaratory judgment was issued.

Each state and each political subdivision shall: (1) identify any newly enacted or adopted law, regulation, or policy that includes a voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or a voting-related standard, practice, or procedure (covered practice); and (2) ensure that no such covered practice is implemented unless or until the state or political subdivision complies with certain preclearance requirements.

This bill prescribes transparency requirements, including reasonable public notice, regarding any changes to: (1) voting prerequisites, standards, or procedures; (2) polling place resources; or (3) demographics and electoral districts. Department of Justice authority to assign observers receives new extensions, including authority to assign observers to enforce bilingual election requirements.

Courts shall grant preliminary injunctive relief if a complainant raises a serious question whether the challenged covered practice violates the Act or the Constitution and, on balance, the hardship imposed upon the defendant by the relief will be less than the hardship on the plaintiff if the relief were not granted.

voting rights advancement act bill amends voting rights act allow representative official indian tribe authorization governing body tribe request polling places located tribal lands state political subdivision shall provide requested polling place expense indian tribe certain criteria met federal court shall retain jurisdiction enforce constitutional voting guarantees certain violations act federal prohibition discrimination basis race color membership language minority group appropriate period prevent commencement new devices deny right vote requirements revised determining states political subdivisions covered criteria declaratory judgments devices deny right vote state political subdivisions shall subject requirements year period voting rights violations occurred previous years violations occurred previous years committed state opposed political subdivision specific political subdivision state shall subject requirements year period violations occurred previous calendar years state political subdivision obtains declaratory judgment device deny right vote shall exempt requirements new violations occur declaratory judgment issued state political subdivision shall identify newly enacted adopted law regulation policy includes voting qualification prerequisite voting voting related standard practice procedure covered practice ensure covered practice implemented state political subdivision complies certain preclearance requirements bill prescribes transparency requirements including reasonable public notice changes voting prerequisites standards procedures polling place resources demographics electoral districts department_of_justice authority assign observers receives new extensions including authority assign observers enforce bilingual election requirements courts shall grant preliminary injunctive relief complainant raises question challenged covered practice violates act constitution balance hardship imposed defendant relief hardship plaintiff relief granted


Summary:
This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to direct the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to: (1) develop an online voter registration application platform; and (2) forward automatically completed online voter registration application forms and cancellation requests to the appropriate chief state election officials and, acting through such officials, to appropriate state and local election officials in the state.

The EAC shall automatically connect registration applicants to the state platform in lieu of the federal platform in any state that has developed one meeting the requirements of this Act.

A state may require a first-time voter registered online to vote in person.

The Postmaster General shall ensure that the U.S. Postal Service Online Change of Address process incorporates the online voter registration platform and allows individuals to register to vote during the process.

The Act is amended with respect to administration of voter registration to change the voter registration application deadline from the lesser of 30 days or the period provided by state law before the date of election to the lesser of 28 days or the period provided by state law.

bill amends national voter registration act direct election_assistance_commission eac develop online voter registration application platform forward automatically completed online voter registration application forms cancellation requests appropriate chief state election officials acting officials appropriate state local election officials state eac shall automatically connect registration applicants state platform lieu federal platform state developed meeting requirements act state require time voter registered online vote person postmaster_general shall ensure postal_service online change address process incorporates online voter registration platform allows individuals register vote process act amended respect administration voter registration change voter registration application deadline lesser days period provided state law date election lesser days period provided state law


Summary: This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require each state to: (1) allow individuals to vote in a federal election before the date of the election through early voting or voting by mail, and (2) publicize the details of such voting.

bill amends help_america_vote_act require state allow individuals vote federal election date election early voting voting mail publicize details voting


Summary:
This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to revise requirements for notifying a voting registrar of a change of address before the date of an election.

If a registrant has failed to notify the registrar of a change of address within a state before an election day, the registrant shall nevertheless, upon an oral or written affirmation before an election official, be permitted to vote at either the polling place of the registrant's current address or a central location within the same registrar's jurisdiction.

bill amends national voter registration act revise requirements notifying voting registrar change address date election registrant failed notify registrar change address state election day registrant shall oral written affirmation election official permitted vote polling place registrant current address central location registrar jurisdiction


Summary:
Raising Enrollment with a Government Initiated System for Timely Electoral Registration (REGISTER) Act of 2015

This bill requires each state to designate agencies (including motor vehicle authorities) to transfer electronically to state or local election officials source information on individuals for automatic voter registration for federal elections, unless an individual disclosing information to the agency opts out of automatic registration.

Such information must be transferred in a format that can be reviewed by state or local election officials and uploaded into a computerized statewide voter registration database.

Registration of eligible voters not previously registered, and who have not opted out, is mandatory.

A state must publish and enforce privacy and information security standards meeting specified requirements.

raising enrollment government initiated system timely electoral registration register act bill requires state designate agencies including motor vehicle authorities transfer electronically state local election officials source information individuals automatic voter registration federal elections individual disclosing information agency automatic registration information transferred format reviewed state local election officials computerized statewide voter registration database registration eligible voters previously registered opted mandatory state publish enforce privacy information security standards meeting specified requirements


Summary:
Vote by Mail Act of 2017

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require states to allow voting in federal elections to be by mail without additional conditions or requirements, except a deadline for returning the ballot.

States must mail ballots to individuals registered to vote in a federal election not later than two weeks before the election. The U.S. Postal Service must carry ballots mailed by a state expeditiously and free of postage.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 is amended to authorize automatic voter registration of individuals through state motor vehicle authorities.

vote mail act bill amends help_america_vote_act require states allow voting federal elections mail additional conditions requirements deadline returning ballot states mail ballots individuals registered vote federal election later weeks election postal_service carry ballots mailed state expeditiously free postage national voter registration act amended authorize automatic voter registration individuals state motor vehicle authorities


Summary:
Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2016

This bill requires the chief state election official of each state to establish and operate a system of automatic registration for the registration of eligible individuals to vote for elections for federal office in the state.

The chief state election official shall ensure that all individuals who are eligible to be, but are not currently, registered to vote in federal elections in the state is promptly registered to vote, unless the individual declines registration by providing appropriate notice.

Each contributing agency in a state, including the state motor vehicle authority, shall assist the state's chief election official in registering to vote all eligible individuals the agency serves.

For each individual already listed in a contributing agency's records, and for whom the agency retains specified personal information, the agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate state election official.

 No individual shall be prosecuted under any federal law, or adversely affected in any civil adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization, or by an allegation in any legal proceeding that an individual who is not a U.S. citizen is removable or inadmissible: for notifying an election official of the individual's automatic registration; on the grounds that the individual is not an eligible voter and has been automatically registered to vote under this bill; or because the individual has been automatically registered to vote at the incorrect address. The bill allows correction of registration information at the polling place.

Each state shall ensure that application for or any update to voter registration can be done online.

The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to each eligible state to assist it in implementing this bill.

automatic voter registration act bill requires chief state election official state establish operate system automatic registration registration eligible individuals vote elections federal office state chief state election official shall ensure individuals eligible currently registered vote federal elections state promptly registered vote individual declines registration providing appropriate notice contributing agency state including state motor vehicle authority shall assist state chief election official registering vote eligible individuals agency serves individual listed contributing agency records agency retains specified personal information agency shall promptly transmit information appropriate state election official individual shall prosecuted federal law adversely affected civil adjudication concerning immigration status naturalization allegation legal proceeding individual citizen removable inadmissible notifying election official individual automatic registration grounds individual eligible voter automatically registered vote bill individual automatically registered vote incorrect address bill allows correction registration information polling place state shall ensure application update voter registration online election_assistance_commission shall grants eligible state assist implementing bill


Summary:
Voter Empowerment Act of 2015

Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2015

Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to require states to make available websites for online voter registration.

Authorizes automated voter registration of certain individuals and establishes other initiatives to promote voter registration, such as same-day registration and voter registration of individuals under 18 years of age.

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter registration.

Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to establish requirements for states to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities, including a single office for providing related information.

Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to make grants for pilot programs enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote and vote privately and independently at their own residences.

Reauthorizes the program of grants to state and local governments to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities.

Prohibits state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any federal election (voter caging), or from permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote.

Prohibits a person from knowingly and willfully attempting to or depriving or defrauding the residents of a state of the right to vote by the communication of election-related information that is known to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent. Increases the penalty for voter intimidation.

Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because of a criminal conviction unless he or she is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution at the time of the election.

Requires each state to notify an individual convicted of a criminal offense under state law, upon release from state custody or upon sentence to probation, of the right to vote in a federal election.

 Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2015

Revises requirements for the audit capacity of voting systems, particularly those for a permanent paper record.

Requires the voting system to require the use of an individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballot of the voter's vote that shall be marked and made available for inspection by the voter before the vote is cast and counted, and which shall be counted by hand or read by an optical character recognition device or other counting device. Requires the system to provide an opportunity to correct any system-made error in the voter-verified paper ballot before it is permanently preserved.

Requires the National Science Foundation to make grants for the study and development of accessible ballot voting, verification, and casting mechanisms and devices and best practices to enhance the accessibility of paper ballot voting and verification mechanisms for individuals with disabilities, those whose primary language is not English, and those with difficulties in literacy.

Requires each state, except when the winning candidate had no opponent or received 80% or more of the votes, to administer audits of federal election results, without advance notice, consisting of random hand counts of the voter-verified paper ballots.

Prohibits certification of election results until completion of audits.

Adds requirements for counting provisional ballots. Requires each state to allow early voting and facilitate voting by mail.

Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the guarantee of voting residency to family members of absent military personnel.

Revises absentee ballot procedures concerning applications, transmission, and overseas voters.

Entitles to leave a federal employee who serves as a poll worker.

Directs the EAC to make grants for poll-worker recruitment and training and develop materials for a model program.

Makes available to any person aggrieved by a violation of uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements the option to file a complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) or pursue a private right of action.

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful for a chief state election administration official, unless he or she or a family member is a candidate, to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign for federal office over which such official has supervisory authority.

Treats universities as voter registration agencies.

Establishes minimum notification requirements regarding voters affected by polling place changes.

Directs DOJ to: (1) coordinate the establishment of a state-based response system for responding to questions and complaints from individuals voting or seeking to vote, or registering to vote or seeking to, in federal elections; (2) establish and operate a toll-free telephone service to connect directly to such response system; and (3) appoint a Voter Hotline Task Force.

Makes NVRA and HAVA requirements applicable to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Reauthorizes and extends the EAC and repeals its exemption from certain contracting requirements.

voter empowerment act voter registration modernization act amends national voter registration act require states available websites online voter registration authorizes automated voter registration certain individuals establishes initiatives promote voter registration day registration voter registration individuals years age amends federal criminal code prohibit hindering interfering preventing voter registration amends help_america_vote_act hava establish requirements states promote access voter registration voting individuals disabilities including single office providing related information directs election_assistance_commission eac grants pilot programs enabling individuals disabilities register vote vote privately independently residences reauthorizes program grants state local governments assure voting access individuals disabilities prohibits state local election officials preventing individual registering voting federal election voter permitting formal challenge state law individual registration status eligibility vote prohibits person knowingly willfully attempting residents state right vote communication election related information known materially false fictitious fraudulent increases penalty voter intimidation declares right citizen vote federal election shall denied criminal conviction serving felony sentence correctional institution time election requires state notify individual convicted criminal offense state law release state custody sentence probation right vote federal election voter confidence increased accessibility act revises requirements audit capacity voting systems particularly permanent paper record requires voting system require use individual durable voter verified paper ballot voter vote shall marked available inspection voter vote cast counted shall counted hand read optical character recognition device counting device requires system provide opportunity correct system error voter verified paper ballot permanently preserved requires national_science_foundation grants study development accessible ballot voting verification casting mechanisms devices best practices enhance accessibility paper ballot voting verification mechanisms individuals disabilities primary language english difficulties literacy requires state winning candidate opponent received votes administer audits federal election results advance notice consisting random hand counts voter verified paper ballots prohibits certification election results completion audits adds requirements counting provisional ballots requires state allow early voting facilitate voting mail amends servicemembers_civil_relief_act extend guarantee voting residency family members absent military personnel revises absentee ballot procedures concerning applications transmission overseas voters entitles leave federal employee serves poll worker directs eac grants poll worker recruitment training develop materials model program makes available person aggrieved violation uniform nondiscriminatory election technology administration requirements option file complaint department_of_justice doj pursue private right action amends federal_election_campaign_act unlawful chief state election administration official family member candidate active political management political campaign federal office official supervisory authority treats universities voter registration agencies establishes minimum notification requirements voters affected polling place changes directs doj coordinate establishment state based response system responding questions complaints individuals voting seeking vote registering vote seeking federal elections establish operate toll free telephone service connect directly response system appoint voter hotline task_force makes hava requirements applicable commonwealth_of_the_northern_mariana_islands reauthorizes extends eac repeals exemption certain contracting requirements


Summary:
Louis L. Redding Fair, Accurate, Secure, and Timely Voting Act of 2016 or the FAST Voting Act of 2016

 This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants, on a competitive basis, to enable states to: (1) invest in practices and technology designed to expedite voting at the polls, and (2) simplify voter registration.

 The grant application shall include a comprehensive and coherent plan for using funds to improve the applicant's performance on specified measures with respect to: (1) flexible registration opportunities, (2) early and absentee voting, (3) assistance to non-English speaking and disabled voters, and (4) other related matters. Each grantee shall establish performance measures and targets, approved by DOJ , that track its progress in implementing its plan and expediting voting at the polls or simplifying voter registration, as applicable.

fair accurate secure timely voting act fast voting act bill directs department_of_justice doj award grants competitive basis enable states invest practices technology designed expedite voting polls simplify voter registration grant application shall include comprehensive coherent plan funds improve applicant performance specified measures respect flexible registration opportunities early absentee voting assistance non-english speaking disabled voters related matters grantee shall establish performance measures targets approved doj track progress implementing plan expediting voting polls simplifying voter registration applicable


Summary: R.S. 2477 Rights-Of-Way Recognition Act - Expresses congressional intent with respect to the nature of authorized rights-of-way granted and accepted for the construction of highways (routes over which the public has a right of passage, including routes used for travel, such as roads for motorized vehicles, carriage ways, navigable rivers, trails, and footpaths) over public lands not reserved for public uses under former section 2477 of the Revised Statutes. Describes the protocols that shall apply with respect to maintenance, repairs, and improvements of R.S. 2477 highways. Acknowledges and recognizes public rights-of-way over federal land (or any federal-land portion of a public right-of-way over both federal and non-federal land) for highways shown in certain official governmental maps and aerial photographs as having validly vested under R.S. 2477 and disclaims all right, title, and interest with respect thereto.

rights way recognition_act expresses congressional intent respect nature authorized rights way granted accepted construction highways routes public right passage including routes travel roads motorized vehicles carriage ways navigable rivers trails public lands reserved public uses section revised_statutes describes protocols shall apply respect maintenance repairs improvements highways acknowledges recognizes public rights way federal land federal land portion public right way federal non federal land highways shown certain official governmental maps aerial photographs having validly vested right title interest respect thereto


Summary: Amends federal highway law to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to establish: (1) a national highway tunnel inspection program, including standards for the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway tunnels; (2) a training and certification program for highway tunnel inspectors; and (3) a national inventory of highway tunnels. Provides for funding. Includes tunnel construction, rehabilitation, and operational improvements (including safety inspection of such tunnels) as eligible projects under the federal surface transportation program.

amends federal highway law direct secretary transportation secretary establish national highway tunnel inspection program including standards proper safety inspection evaluation highway tunnels training certification program highway tunnel inspectors national inventory highway tunnels provides funding includes tunnel construction rehabilitation operational improvements including safety inspection tunnels eligible projects federal surface_transportation program


Summary: Authorizes states to place supplemental guide signs relating to veterans cemeteries on federal-aid highways.

authorizes states place supplemental guide signs relating veterans cemeteries federal aid highways


Summary: States that for the purpose of constructing, operating, and maintaining a connector road known as the Lemay Connector Road (St. Louis County Arterial Road 1151) in the city and county of St. Louis, Missouri, no provision of federal law that requires a deed restriction shall apply to parcels of real property depicted on a specified map filed with the St. Louis County department of highways and traffic and available for public inspection.

states purpose constructing operating maintaining road known road county road city county missouri provision federal law requires deed restriction shall apply parcels real property depicted specified map filed county department highways traffic available public inspection


Summary: Damaged Vehicle Information Act - Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue a regulation to require persons who terminate a motor vehicle contract due to flood or water damage, collision, fire damage, theft and recovery, or any circumstance that adversely affects the fair market value of the vehicle to disclose information of such vehicle damage to the public.

damaged vehicle information act_-_amends federal transportation law direct secretary transportation issue regulation require persons terminate motor vehicle contract flood water damage collision fire damage theft recovery circumstance adversely affects fair market value vehicle disclose information vehicle damage public


Summary: California State Route 91 Congestion Relief Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out certain transportation projects to relieve congestion on State Route 91, California. Sets the federal share of project costs at 80%.

california state route congestion relief act_-_authorizes secretary transportation carry certain transportation projects relieve congestion state route california sets federal share project costs


Summary: Professional Driver Background Check Efficiency Act of 2007 - Amends federal transportation law to revise background records check requirements with respect to the issuance of a motor vehicle license for the transportation of hazardous materials to: (1) impose a fee of not more than $50 upon the applicant to cover the costs of the background check; and (2) authorize the costs for such background checks be reimbursed to the state.

professional driver background check efficiency_act amends federal transportation law revise background records check requirements respect issuance motor vehicle license transportation hazardous materials impose fee applicant cover costs background check authorize costs background checks reimbursed state


Summary: Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 or the K.T. Safety Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a rulemaking for motor vehicles to require: (1) automatic reversal of direction by power windows and panels when they detect an obstruction; (2) an expanded rearward field of view to prevent backing incidents; and (3) automatic transmissions to have an anti-rollaway system that requires the service brake to be depressed before the transmission can be shifted out of park, which shall function in any starting system key position in which the transmission can be shifted out of park. Requires the Secretary, if it is determined that no additional safety standards are reasonable and appropriate, to: (1) report to Congress the reason such standards were not prescribed; and (2) make available to the public information on which vehicles are or are not equipped with automatic reversal of direction by power windows and panels when they detect an obstruction. Provides a phase-in period for the power window and rearward visibility provisions. Requires: (1) motor vehicle manufacturers for each year through 2010 to transmit to the Secretary the make and model of motor vehicles with automatic transmissions that do not have an anti-rollaway system; and (2) the Secretary to make such information available to the public. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain a database of injuries and deaths in nontraffic, noncrash motor vehicle events; (2) supplement an existing consumer information program on child safety or create a new program with information about hazards to children in nontraffic, noncrash incident situations; and (3) make such information available to the public.

kids transportation safety act safety act directs secretary transportation initiate rulemaking motor vehicles require automatic reversal direction power windows panels detect obstruction expanded field view prevent backing incidents automatic transmissions anti system requires service brake depressed transmission park shall function starting system key position transmission park requires secretary determined additional safety standards reasonable appropriate report congress reason standards prescribed available public information vehicles equipped automatic reversal direction power windows panels detect obstruction provides phase period power window visibility provisions requires motor vehicle manufacturers year transmit secretary model motor vehicles automatic transmissions anti system secretary information available public requires secretary establish maintain database injuries deaths motor vehicle events supplement existing consumer information program child safety create new program information hazards children incident situations information available public


Summary: NAFTA Trucking Safety Act of 2007 - Prohibits a Mexico-domiciled motor carrier from being granted authority to operate beyond U.S. municipalities and commercial zones on the U.S.-Mexico border until one or more of the following officials as specified (the Secretaries of Transportation and of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation Inspector General) certify to Congress that they have met conditions pertaining to: (1) the identification of federal motor carrier safety regulations and acceptance of compliance with Mexican safety regulations; (2) safety enforcement tools; (3) effective and regular monitoring and enforcement of immigration and customs regulations regarding international traffic under the North American Free Trade Agreement; (4) penalties for violation of immigration and customs laws or regulations concerning transportation by Mexico-domiciled carriers; (5) driver records databases used in Mexico; (6) compliance with conditions listed in the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 concerning cross-border trucking safety; and (7) English language proficiency requirements applicable to drivers.

nafta safety act prohibits mexico domiciled motor carrier granted authority operate municipalities commercial zones border following officials specified secretaries transportation homeland_security department_of_transportation inspector_general certify congress met conditions pertaining identification federal motor carrier safety regulations acceptance compliance mexican safety regulations safety enforcement tools effective regular monitoring enforcement immigration customs regulations international traffic north_american_free_trade_agreement penalties violation immigration customs laws regulations concerning transportation mexico domiciled carriers driver records databases mexico compliance conditions listed department_of_transportation related agencies appropriations act concerning cross border safety english language proficiency requirements applicable drivers


Summary: Revises weight limits of commercial motor vehicles with respect to federal commercial motor vehicle safety laws to apply such laws to vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds, whichever is greater (currently, applies to such vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds, whichever is greater, or a lesser gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, but in any event not less than a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds).

revises weight limits commercial motor vehicles respect federal commercial motor vehicle safety laws apply laws vehicles having gross vehicle weight rating gross vehicle weight pounds whichever greater currently applies vehicles having gross vehicle weight rating gross vehicle weight pounds whichever greater lesser gross vehicle weight rating gross vehicle weight event gross vehicle weight rating pounds


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to allow the commonwealth of Virginia to remove the high occupancy vehicle designation for one or more of Interstate Routes I-64, I-264, and I-564 in the Hampton Roads area. Requires the Secretary to waive the repayment of federal highway funds expended by the commonwealth of Virginia on the construction of any high occupancy lane or auxiliary lane on such routes due to the removal of the high occupancy designation on such lane.

directs secretary transportation allow commonwealth_of_virginia remove high occupancy vehicle designation interstate routes roads area requires secretary waive repayment federal highway funds expended commonwealth_of_virginia construction high occupancy lane auxiliary lane routes removal high occupancy designation lane


Summary: Commercial Truck Highway Safety Demonstration Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to carry out a program to demonstrate the effects on the safety of the highway network in Maine of permitting operation on the Interstate System highways within the state of a vehicle that weighs over 80,000 pounds, that consists of a three-axle tractor unit hauling a single trailer or semitrailer, and that does not exceed any vehicle weight limitation applicable under Maine law. Waives highway funding reduction relating to weight of vehicles using Interstate System highways with respect to vehicles allowed pursuant to this program. Provides for program termination and for the responsibilities of the state of Maine, including: (1) submitting a plan to the Secretary; (2) establishing a highway safety committee; and (3) collecting data on the net effects of the operation of such vehicles on safety.

commercial truck highway safety demonstration program act directs secretary transportation secretary carry program demonstrate effects safety highway network maine permitting operation interstate system highways state vehicle pounds consists unit hauling single trailer exceed vehicle weight limitation applicable maine law waives highway funding reduction relating weight vehicles interstate system highways respect vehicles allowed pursuant program provides program termination responsibilities state maine including submitting plan secretary establishing highway safety committee collecting data net effects operation vehicles safety


Summary: Emergency Gas Price Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce highway motor fuel excise taxes by 10 cents per gallon, beginning on the date when the retail price for gasoline is greater than $3.00 per gallon and ending when such price is less than $2.50 per gallon (reduction period). Allows a tax credit or refund of such excise tax to a taxpayer for floor stocks of highway motor fuels held by dealers prior to the reduction period.

emergency gas price relief_act amends_the_internal_revenue_code reduce highway motor fuel excise taxes cents gallon beginning date retail price gasoline greater gallon ending price gallon reduction period allows tax credit refund excise tax taxpayer floor stocks highway motor fuels held dealers prior reduction period


Summary: End Discriminatory State Taxes for Automobile Renters Act of 2007 - Prohibits states or local governments from levying or collecting a discriminatory tax (as defined by this Act) on the rental of motor vehicles, motor vehicle rental businesses, or motor vehicle rental property.

end discriminatory state taxes automobile act prohibits states local governments levying collecting discriminatory tax defined act rental motor vehicles motor vehicle rental businesses motor vehicle rental property


Summary: Promoting the Use of Mixed Petroleum Act or the E-85 PUMP Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the rate of the tax credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property from 30 to 50%; (2) increase the limit on such credit for commercial properties to $50,000; and (3) extend such credit through 2014.Amends the Clayton Antitrust Act to make it an unlawful restriction of trade to prohibit a service station franchisee from installing alternative fuel vehicle refueling property.

promoting use mixed petroleum act e-85 pump act amends_the_internal_revenue_code increase rate tax credit alternative fuel vehicle refueling property increase limit credit commercial properties extend credit clayton antitrust act unlawful restriction trade prohibit service station franchisee installing alternative fuel vehicle refueling property


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in providing assistance for projects to eliminate hazards of railway-highway crossings, to give priority consideration to emergency grade crossing safety improvements at railroad grade crossings where there have been multiple serious collisions.

directs secretary transportation providing assistance projects eliminate hazards railway highway crossings priority consideration emergency grade crossing safety improvements railroad grade crossings multiple collisions


Summary: Amends commercial motor vehicle safety requirements to exempt drivers of intrastate commercial vehicles engaged in agricultural-related activities from certain federal commercial motor vehicle and operator regulations.Revises the definition of the term "commercial motor vehicle" with respect to federal commercial motor vehicle laws, including to mean a motor vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property that has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds (under current law, a motor vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property that has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds, whichever is greater, or a lesser gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight the Secretary of Transportation prescribes by regulation, but not less than a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds).

amends commercial motor vehicle safety requirements exempt drivers intrastate commercial vehicles engaged agricultural related activities certain federal commercial motor vehicle operator regulations revises definition term commercial motor vehicle respect federal commercial motor vehicle laws including mean motor vehicle commerce transport passengers property gross vehicle weight rating gross vehicle weight pounds current law motor vehicle commerce transport passengers property gross vehicle weight rating gross vehicle weight pounds whichever greater lesser gross vehicle weight rating gross vehicle weight secretary transportation prescribes regulation gross vehicle weight rating pounds


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax on state revenues from tolls first imposed during 2009 for the use of any federal-aid interstate highway. Makes such tax revenues available to the Secretary of Labor for use in carrying out the trade adjustment assistance program under the Trade Act of 1974.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code impose excise tax state revenues tolls imposed use federal aid interstate highway makes tax revenues available secretary labor use carrying trade adjustment assistance program trade act


Summary: Prohibits, with a specified exception, the imposition or collection of a toll on any portion of a federal highway facility: (1) that is in existence upon enactment of this Act; and (2) on which no toll is imposed or collected under a tolling provision on such enactment.

prohibits specified exception imposition collection toll portion federal highway facility existence enactment act toll imposed collected tolling provision enactment


Summary: Insular Rate for Cellular Customers Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to declare that, for purposes of rate integration for wireless interstate telecommunications services, a provider of a commercial mobile radio service shall, with respect to any interstate services, be treated as a provider of interstate, interexchange telecommunications services.

insular rate cellular customers act_-_amends communications act declare purposes rate integration wireless interstate telecommunications services provider commercial mobile radio service shall respect interstate services treated provider interstate interexchange telecommunications services


Summary: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish programs to provide grants to states and units of local government for projects that implement continuous bridge monitoring technology.

directs secretary transportation establish programs provide grants states units local government projects implement continuous bridge monitoring technology


Summary: Toll Road Prohibition Act of 2007 - Prohibits a toll from being collected on highways, bridges, or tunnels that have been constructed with federal funds unless such funds (including reasonable interest) are repaid to the United States from non-federal sources.

toll road prohibition act prohibits toll collected highways bridges tunnels constructed federal funds funds including reasonable interest repaid united_states non federal sources


Summary: Commercial Motor Vehicle Advanced Safety Technology Tax Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit for 50% of the cost of placing in service any qualified commercial vehicle advanced safety system. Defines "qualified commercial vehicle advanced safety system" as a manufacturer-certified brake stroke monitoring system, lane departure warning system, collision warning system, or vehicle stability system identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as significantly enhancing the safety or security of commercial drivers, vehicles, or passengers. Terminates such credit after 2012.

commercial motor vehicle advanced safety technology tax act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow general business tax credit cost placing service qualified commercial vehicle advanced safety system defines qualified commercial vehicle advanced safety system manufacturer certified brake stroke monitoring system lane departure warning system collision warning system vehicle stability system identified federal_motor_carrier_safety_administration national_highway_traffic_safety_administration significantly enhancing safety security commercial drivers vehicles passengers terminates credit


Summary: Minnesota Bridge Repair Act - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Transportation for emergency repairs and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35W bridge located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007. Rescinds the total amount required to offset the new discretionary budget authority provided in this Act.

minnesota bridge repair act_-_authorizes appropriations secretary transportation emergency repairs reconstruction interstate bridge located minnesota august rescinds total required offset new discretionary budget authority provided act


Summary: Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act - Amends federal transportation law to prohibit a state from prescribing or enforcing any regulation that allows a restricted property-carrying unit (any trailer, semi-trailer, container, or other property-carrying unit longer than 53 feet, except for a fire-fighting unit) to operate on the National Highway System (NHS) (including the Interstate System), unless the operation of such unit is authorized by the state on June 1, 2007, and in actual and lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including seasonal operations) on or before that date. Prohibits a state from allowing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle combination on the NHS (except a vehicle or load that cannot be dismantled or divided easily, and that has been issued a special permit under state law) with more than one property-carrying unit (excluding the truck tractor) whose property-carrying units are more than: (1) the maximum combination trailer, semi-trailer, or other type of length limitation allowed by state law on June 1, 2007; or (2) the length of the property-carrying units of those commercial motor vehicle combinations, by specific configuration, in actual and lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including continual seasonal operation) in such state on or before June 1, 2007. Amends federal highway law to prohibit a state from allowing the operation of a vehicle or combination (other than a longer combination vehicle) exceeding Interstate weight limits on the Interstate System unless its operation was lawful: (1) on July 1, 1956; (2) in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles, on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974; or (3) under a special permit pursuant to state (grandfather) law. Declares that Interstate weight limitations on vehicles and combinations (other than longer combination vehicles) that operate on the Interstate System shall also apply to such vehicles and combinations that operate on non-Interstate segments of the NHS, unless: (1) such segments are subject to lower state weight limits; or (2) a state allows the operation of any vehicle or combination on an existing non-Interstate segment of the NHS that could be so operated lawfully on June 1, 2007.

safe highways infrastructure preservation act_-_amends federal transportation law prohibit state prescribing enforcing regulation allows restricted property carrying unit trailer semi trailer container property carrying unit longer feet fire fighting unit operate national highway system including interstate system operation unit authorized state june actual lawful operation regular periodic basis including seasonal operations date prohibits state allowing operation commercial motor vehicle combination vehicle load dismantled divided easily issued special permit state law property carrying unit excluding truck property carrying units maximum combination trailer semi trailer type length limitation allowed state law june length property carrying units commercial motor vehicle combinations specific configuration actual lawful operation regular periodic basis including continual seasonal operation state june amends federal highway law prohibit state allowing operation vehicle combination longer combination vehicle exceeding interstate weight limits interstate system operation lawful july case overall gross weight group consecutive date enactment federal aid highway amendments special permit pursuant state grandfather law declares interstate weight limitations vehicles combinations longer combination vehicles operate interstate system shall apply vehicles combinations operate non interstate segments segments subject lower state weight limits state allows operation vehicle combination existing non interstate segment operated lawfully june


Summary: Bridge Spending Accountability, Flexibility, and Efficiency Act of 2007 - Authorizes a state to obligate certain apportioned high priority project funds for projects to improve structurally deficient bridges located within the state.

bridge spending accountability flexibility efficiency_act authorizes state obligate certain apportioned high priority project funds projects improve deficient bridges located state


Summary: Over-the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007 - Amends federal transportation law to add as a registration condition for motor carriers of passengers that a carrier be willing and able to comply with specified accessibility requirements for transportation provided by an over-the-road bus (characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment). Directs the Secretary of Transportation and the Attorney General to enter into a memorandum of understanding to delineate the specific roles and responsibilities of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice, respectively, in enforcing carrier compliance with such requirements.

road bus transportation accessibility act amends federal transportation law add registration condition motor carriers passengers carrier willing able comply specified accessibility requirements transportation provided road bus characterized elevated passenger deck located baggage compartment directs secretary transportation attorney general enter memorandum understanding delineate specific roles responsibilities department_of_transportation department_of_justice respectively enforcing carrier compliance requirements


Summary: National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends federal transportation law to revise the national highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program to direct the Secretary of Transportation to develop a risk-based priority process for states to assign priority for the replacement or rehabilitation of all federal-aid highways bridges, public roads bridges, and Indian reservation and park bridges found to be structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Requires the Secretary to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences for an independent review of, and report to Congress on, the risk-based priority assignment process. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009. Directs the Secretary to require states, as a condition for receiving federal assistance, to: (1) inspect all bridges in the state biennially; (2) calculate biennially the load rating for all highway bridges with a structural deficiency, and ensure that the safe load-carrying capacities for such bridges are properly posted; and (3) develop, update annually, and implement an approved five-year performance plan for highway bridge inspection and rehabilitation and replacement. Authorizes such plan to provide for more frequent, in-depth inspection of historic bridges in lieu of replacement, provided it will increase the overall safety of such bridges. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on projects, including the priority assigned them on a national basis and by state, for the replacement and rehabilitation of each federal-aid highway bridge, public road bridge, and Indian reservation and park bridge found to be structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Authorizes a state to transfer funds apportioned under the highway bridge program for a fiscal year to other apportioned state transportation programs provided the state demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that it has no structurally deficient bridges. Requires the Secretary to make information in the national bridge inventory more readily available to the public. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009. (Sec. 3) Requires national bridge inspection standards to be designed to ensure uniformity among the states in the conduct of such inspections and evaluations. Requires such standards to: (1) establish procedures for conducting annual compliance reviews of state inspections, quality control and quality assurance procedures, load ratings, and weight limit postings of structurally deficient highway bridges; (2) establish procedures for states to follow in reporting to the Secretary critical findings regarding structural or safety-related deficiencies of highway bridges and subsequent monitoring activities and corrective actions taken in response to such finding; and (3) provide for testing with state-of-the-art technology that detects growth activity of fatigue cracks on steel bridges exhibiting fatigue damage or bridges with fatigue susceptible members. Requires such standards also to provide for: (1) annual inspections of structurally deficient highway bridges, including in depth inspections of fracture critical members; and (2) biennial inspections of those bridges that have not been determined to be structurally deficient. Authorizes the Secretary, under certain conditions, to extend, to a maximum period of four years, the time between required inspections of a highway bridge that has not been determined to be structurally deficient. Directs the Secretary to: (1) expand the national training program for bridge inspectors to ensure that all bridge inspectors are appropriately trained and certified; and (2) revise regulations for the qualification of state highway bridge inspection personnel to require program managers and team leaders to be licensed professional engineers. Requires the Secretary, after a state makes a critical finding determination which results in a bridge closure, to report to Congress on the impact of bridge closures on regional transportation due to critical determinations made by a state and recommend solutions to mitigate such impact. (Sec. 4) Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to the Secretary on factors that contribute to construction delays of bridge rehabilitation, including any recommendations for expediting the rehabilitation of such bridges. (Sec. 5) Revises certain requirements for coordinated activities eligible to receive surface transportation research program funds. Requires that nondestructive evaluation equipment developed with such funds assess the structural integrity of existing infrastructure facilities and next-generation infrastructure facilities (i.e., bridges) that use advanced materials. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to establish a two-year pilot grant program to evaluate the effectiveness, accuracy, and reliability of the use of advanced condition assessment inspection processes and technologies to monitor and evaluate the structural health of highway bridges meeting certain criteria. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 8) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the Federal Highway Administration's bridge rating system, including recommendations on how to incorporate successful aspects of state bridge rating systems into the Administration's system. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on the cost benefits of using carbon fiber composite materials in bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects instead of traditional construction materials. (Sec. 10) Expresses the sense of Congress that states should prepare bridge corrosion mitigation and prevention plans, containing specified features, for bridge construction, replacement, or rehabilitation projects (Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on risks posed by floods to federal-aid highway bridges, public roads bridges, and Indian reservation and park bridges that are located in a 500-year floodplain. (Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a national highway tunnel inspection program, including standards for the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway tunnels; (2) a training and certification program for highway tunnel inspectors; and (3) a national inventory of highway tunnels. Provides for funding. Makes projects for tunnel construction, rehabilitation, and operational improvements (including safety inspection of such tunnels) eligible for the federal surface transportation program.

national highway bridge reconstruction inspection act sec amends federal transportation law revise national highway bridge replacement rehabilitation program direct secretary transportation develop risk based priority process states assign priority replacement rehabilitation federal aid highways bridges public roads bridges indian reservation park bridges found deficient functionally obsolete requires secretary arrange national_academy_of_sciences independent review report congress risk based priority assignment process authorizes appropriations fy2009 directs secretary require states condition receiving federal assistance inspect bridges state biennially calculate biennially load rating highway bridges structural deficiency ensure safe load carrying capacities bridges properly posted develop update annually implement approved year performance plan highway bridge inspection rehabilitation replacement authorizes plan provide frequent depth inspection historic bridges lieu replacement provided increase overall safety bridges requires secretary report annually congress projects including priority assigned national basis state replacement rehabilitation federal aid highway bridge public road bridge indian reservation park bridge found deficient functionally obsolete authorizes state transfer funds apportioned highway bridge program fiscal year apportioned state transportation programs provided state demonstrates satisfaction secretary deficient bridges requires secretary information national bridge inventory readily available public authorizes appropriations fy2009 sec requires national bridge inspection standards designed ensure uniformity states conduct inspections evaluations requires standards establish procedures conducting annual compliance reviews state inspections quality control quality assurance procedures load ratings weight limit deficient highway bridges establish procedures states follow reporting secretary critical findings structural safety related deficiencies highway bridges subsequent monitoring activities corrective actions taken response finding provide testing state art technology detects growth activity fatigue steel bridges exhibiting fatigue damage bridges fatigue susceptible members requires standards provide annual inspections deficient highway bridges including depth inspections fracture critical members biennial inspections bridges determined deficient authorizes secretary certain conditions extend maximum period years time required inspections highway bridge determined deficient directs secretary expand national training program bridge inspectors ensure bridge inspectors appropriately trained certified revise regulations qualification state highway bridge inspection personnel require program managers team leaders licensed professional engineers requires secretary state makes critical finding determination results bridge closure report congress impact bridge closures regional transportation critical determinations state recommend solutions mitigate impact sec directs comptroller_general_of_the_united_states study report secretary factors contribute construction delays bridge rehabilitation including recommendations expediting rehabilitation bridges sec revises certain requirements coordinated activities eligible receive surface_transportation research program funds requires evaluation equipment developed funds assess structural integrity existing infrastructure facilities generation infrastructure facilities bridges use advanced materials sec authorizes appropriations fy2009 sec directs secretary establish year pilot grant program evaluate effectiveness accuracy reliability use advanced condition assessment inspection processes technologies monitor evaluate structural health highway bridges meeting certain criteria authorizes appropriations sec directs comptroller_general study report specified congressional committees effectiveness federal_highway_administration bridge rating system including recommendations incorporate successful aspects state bridge rating systems administration system sec directs secretary study report specified congressional committees cost benefits carbon fiber composite materials bridge replacement rehabilitation projects instead traditional construction materials sec expresses sense congress states prepare bridge corrosion mitigation prevention plans containing specified features bridge construction replacement rehabilitation projects sec directs secretary study report specified congressional committees risks posed floods federal aid highway bridges public roads bridges indian reservation park bridges located year floodplain sec directs secretary establish national highway tunnel inspection program including standards proper safety inspection evaluation highway tunnels training certification program highway tunnel inspectors national inventory highway tunnels provides funding makes projects tunnel construction rehabilitation operational improvements including safety inspection tunnels eligible federal surface_transportation program


Summary: Aspheric Outside Rearview Mirror Timely Assessment Act of 2007 - Directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct a rulemaking to amend federal regulations pertaining to rearview mirrors to determine whether to permit the use of aspheric mirrors as outside rearview mirrors on passenger cars.

outside timely assessment act directs national_highway_traffic_safety_administration nhtsa conduct rulemaking amend federal regulations pertaining determine permit use outside passenger cars


Summary: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold specified graduated percentages of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highways funds for FY2010 and thereafter if driver licenses or personal identification cards issued by the state do not meet with certain minimum federal standards to be accepted by a federal agency.

requires secretary transportation withhold specified graduated percentages state apportionment certain federal aid highways funds fy2010 driver licenses personal identification cards issued state meet certain minimum federal standards accepted federal agency


Summary: Border Wait Times Study Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on the traffic patterns of commercial and passenger vehicles that enter and exit U.S. international land ports of entry along the northern and southern borders. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to study and report to Congress on the negative economic impact, if any, on the United States of wait times at such ports of entry.

border wait times study act_-_directs secretary transportation study report congress traffic patterns commercial passenger vehicles enter exit international land ports entry northern southern borders directs secretary commerce study report congress negative economic impact united_states wait times ports entry


Summary: Bluffton University Safety Act of 2007 - Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to prescribe federal motor vehicle safety standards for occupant protection systems for new and existing motorcoaches. Directs the Secretary to carry out, and submit to Congress, an independent study on the passenger safety benefits of three-point passenger safety restraints and compartmentalization in motorcoaches and whether the use of one methodology reduces or enhances passenger safety benefits of the other methodology. Expresses the sense of Congress that it is in the public interest for states to adopt and enforce mandatory seat belt use laws that require the use of seat belts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a qualified motorcoach safety credit to a taxpayer for the costs of new and existing motorcoaches to comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standards. Requires the Secretary to provide grants (not to exceed $20,000) to motorcoach operators to assist with the cost of retrofitting motorcoaches in order to comply with such federal standards. Amends the Small Business Act to grant the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) the authority to make SBA loans and loan guarantees to motorcoach operators to retrofit their buses and motorcoaches for occupant protection.

university safety act amends federal transportation law direct secretary transportation secretary prescribe federal motor vehicle safety standards occupant protection systems new existing directs secretary carry submit congress independent study passenger safety benefits point passenger safety use methodology reduces enhances passenger safety benefits methodology expresses sense congress public interest states adopt enforce mandatory seat belt use laws require use seat belts amends_the_internal_revenue_code provide qualified safety credit taxpayer costs new existing comply federal motor vehicle safety standards requires secretary provide grants exceed operators assist cost retrofitting order comply federal standards amends small_business_act grant administrator small_business_administration sba authority sba loans loan guarantees operators retrofit buses occupant protection


Summary: Designates a segment from Interstate Route 68 to Corridor H as an addition to Corridor O of the Appalachian Development Highway System in Maryland and West Virginia.

designates segment interstate_route corridor addition corridor appalachian development highway system maryland west_virginia


Summary: Our Nation's Trade, Infrastructure, Mobility, and Efficiency Act of 2007 or the ON TIME Act of 2007 - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to: (1) address major transportation investment needs in national trade gateway corridors; (2) reduce freight congestion along current and future trade corridors along surface transportation routes that are or will be congested as a result of current or future growth in international trade; and (3) develop corridors that will increase freight transportation system reliability. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to assess and collect a national trade gateway corridor fee on each article imported into, and exported from, the United States. Requires collected fees to be deposited in the National Trade Gateway Corridor Fund for projects in the transportation trade corridors for the Customs port of unloading of imported, or loading of exported, articles. Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the allocation of Fund amounts in the form of grants to state departments of transportation to carry out eligible projects in the corridors for the Customs ports of entry; and (2) project selection and eligibility. Requires the Secretary to establish a transportation trade corridor for each Customs port of entry where fees are collected.

nation trade infrastructure mobility efficiency_act time act declares purpose act address major transportation investment needs national trade gateway corridors reduce freight congestion current future trade corridors surface_transportation routes result current future growth international_trade develop corridors increase freight transportation system reliability directs secretary transportation secretary assess collect national trade gateway corridor fee article imported exported united_states requires collected fees deposited national trade gateway corridor fund projects transportation trade corridors customs port imported loading exported articles sets forth requirements respect allocation fund amounts form grants state departments transportation carry eligible projects corridors customs ports entry project selection eligibility requires secretary establish transportation trade corridor customs port entry fees collected


Summary: Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to include a western passage in the State of Arizona from San Luis as part of the identification of the CANAMEX Corridor in Arizona as a high priority corridor.

amends intermodal surface_transportation efficiency_act include western passage state arizona san identification corridor arizona high priority corridor


Summary: Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and report to Congress on the minimum level of sound that is necessary to be emitted from a motor vehicle, or some other method, to alert blind and other pedestrians of the presence of operating motor vehicles while traveling.

pedestrian safety enhancement_act directs secretary transportation study report congress minimum level sound necessary emitted motor vehicle method alert blind pedestrians presence operating motor vehicles traveling


Summary: Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008 - Requires each state to have in effect within two years a law, or each state department of transportation or metropolitan planning organization an explicit policy statement, that requires all federally-funded transportation projects to accommodate the safety and convenience of all users in accordance with certain complete streets principles. Defines "complete streets principles" as federal, state, local, or regional level transportation laws, policies, or principles which ensure that the safety and convenience of all users of a transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users as well as children, older people, motorists, and those with disabilities, are accommodated in all phases of project planning and development. Allows such law or policy to make exemptions from such principles only if: (1) affected roadways prohibit specified users by law from using them, the cost of a compliance project would be excessively disproportionate to the need, or the population and employment densities or level of transit service around a roadway is low enough that there is no need to implement such principles; and (2) all project-specific exemptions are properly approved. Requires states to ensure that every agency responsible for a project within an approved transportation improvement program reviews and certifies that the project incorporates complete streets principles. Requires the U.S. Access Board to issue final standards for accessibility of new construction and alterations of pedestrian facilities for public rights-of-way.

safe complete streets act requires state effect years law state department_of_transportation metropolitan planning organization explicit policy statement requires federally funded transportation projects accommodate safety convenience users accordance certain complete streets principles defines complete streets principles federal state local regional level transportation laws policies principles ensure safety convenience users transportation system including pedestrians transit users children older people disabilities accommodated phases project planning development allows law policy exemptions principles affected prohibit specified users law cost compliance project excessively disproportionate need population employment level transit service roadway low need implement principles project specific exemptions properly approved requires states ensure agency responsible project approved transportation improvement program reviews certifies project incorporates complete streets principles requires access board issue final standards accessibility new construction alterations pedestrian facilities public rights way


Summary: Fairness in Trucking Transactions Act - Amends federal transportation law to require certain fuel cost reimbursements by a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder providing or arranging truckload transportation or service using fuel for which it does not bear the cost. Requires such a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder to reimburse persons (truckers) that do bear fuel costs for any such costs they have paid. Prohibits any person from causing a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder to present false or misleading information on a document or in an oral representation about the actual rate, charge, or allowance to any party to the transaction or transportation. Sets forth additional civil penalties (including the award of treble damages by a court) for a motor carrier, broker, or freight forwarder that fails to make a fuel cost payment to the cost bearer. Provides for the confidentiality of information obtained by the Secretary of Transportation or the Surface Transportation Board in investigations of alleged violations of the payment of fuel costs.

fairness transactions act_-_amends federal transportation law require certain fuel cost reimbursements motor carrier broker freight providing arranging transportation service fuel bear cost requires motor carrier broker freight reimburse persons truckers bear fuel costs costs paid prohibits person causing motor carrier broker freight present false misleading information document oral representation actual rate charge allowance party transaction transportation sets forth additional civil penalties including award treble damages court motor carrier broker freight fails fuel cost payment cost bearer provides confidentiality information obtained secretary transportation surface_transportation_board investigations alleged violations payment fuel costs


Summary: Bridge Life Extension Act of 2008 - Allows the Secretary of Transportation to approve federal-aid highway funding for states for bridge reconstruction, replacement, or rehabilitation projects only if the state submits, and the Secretary approves, a corrosion mitigation and prevention plan.

bridge life extension act allows secretary transportation approve federal aid highway funding states bridge reconstruction replacement rehabilitation projects state submits secretary approves corrosion mitigation prevention plan


Summary: Responsible Highway Investment Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the requirement that obligations held by the Highway Trust Fund be U.S. obligations that are not interest-bearing.

responsible highway investment act amends_the_internal_revenue_code terminate requirement obligations held highway_trust_fund obligations interest bearing


Summary: Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2008 - Prohibits a person from transporting a horse in interstate commerce in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another. Sets forth civil penalties for persons who knowingly violate such prohibition.

horse transportation safety act prohibits person transporting horse interstate commerce motor vehicle containing levels sets forth civil penalties persons knowingly violate prohibition


Summary: Designates the portion of U.S. Route 20A located in Orchard Park, New York, between Abbot Road and California Road, as the "Timothy J. Russert Highway."

designates portion route located park new_york road california road highway


Summary: National Highway Chokepoint Congestion Relief Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) issue regulations to establish a chokepoint congestion relief program; and (2) develop criteria for designating national chokepoint regions in a state. Authorizes the Secretary to make capital improvement grants to states in order to carry out eligible projects that reduce traffic congestion in the national chokepoint regions. Sets forth a formula for the apportioning of grant funds. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) states should adopt both interim and long-term objectives for significantly reducing traffic congestion at chokepoint areas; (2) establishment of performance measures and quantitative goals will allow states to make efficient use of available resources on projects that have the maximum impact in reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility at chokepoint areas; and (3) alleviation of traffic congestion requires Congress to commit to authorizing and funding nonautomotive travel modes as well as travel demand management, growth management, and land use strategies. Requires the Administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), through the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, to study and report to specified congressional committees on the extent to which congestion pricing can encourage travelers to drive during off-peak hours, or change their mode of transportation, and can also generate revenue and thus require less tax-based funding.

national highway congestion relief act_-_directs secretary transportation issue regulations establish congestion relief program develop criteria designating national regions state authorizes secretary capital improvement grants states order carry eligible projects reduce traffic congestion national regions sets forth formula apportioning grant funds expresses sense congress states adopt interim long term objectives significantly reducing traffic congestion areas establishment performance measures quantitative goals allow states efficient use available resources projects maximum impact reducing traffic congestion improving mobility areas traffic congestion requires congress commit authorizing funding travel modes travel demand management growth management land use strategies requires administrator research innovative technology_administration rita national transportation systems center study report specified congressional committees extent congestion pricing encourage travelers drive peak hours change mode transportation generate revenue require tax based funding


Summary: Gasoline Savings and Speed Limit Reduction Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving a federal-aid highway project for a state: (1) with a maximum speed limit in excess of 60 miles per hour on any state highway (other than a highway on the National Highway System (NHS) located outside of an urbanized area), or in excess of 65 miles per hour on any such NHS highway; and (2) that has failed to certify to the Secretary that it is enforcing such national maximum speed limits. Prohibits the Secretary from approving a federal-aid highway project also for a state with a speed limit on any portion of a public highway within its jurisdiction which is not uniformly applicable to all types of motor vehicles using such portion of highway, if on July 1, 2008, such highway portion had a speed limit which was uniformly applicable to all types of motor vehicles using it. Allows a lower speed limit, however, for a vehicle under a special permit based on the weight or dimension of such vehicle. Makes the requirement inapplicable, also, during any time that the condition of the highway, weather, or an accident creates a temporary hazard to the safety of traffic. Requires the Secretary to transfer up to a specified annual percentage of the aggregate amount of federal-aid highway funds to state safety projects in states that fail to enforce the national maximum speed limits. Directs the Secretary to arrange with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to study, and report to the Secretary and Congress on, the benefits of the national maximum speed limits program and the effectiveness of state enforcement of such limits.

gasoline savings speed limit reduction act prohibits secretary transportation approving federal aid highway project state maximum speed limit excess miles hour state highway highway national highway system located outside urbanized area excess miles hour highway failed certify secretary enforcing national maximum speed limits prohibits secretary approving federal aid highway project state speed limit portion public highway jurisdiction uniformly applicable types motor vehicles portion highway july highway portion speed limit uniformly applicable types motor vehicles allows lower speed limit vehicle special permit based weight dimension vehicle makes requirement inapplicable time condition highway weather accident creates temporary hazard safety traffic requires secretary transfer specified annual percentage aggregate federal aid highway funds state safety projects states fail enforce national maximum speed limits directs secretary arrange transportation_research_board national_academy_of_sciences study report secretary congress benefits national maximum speed limits program effectiveness state enforcement limits


Summary: Putting the Brakes on Human Smuggling Act - Disqualifies from operating a commercial motor vehicle any individual who uses a commercial motor vehicle to assist in the entry of illegal aliens into the United States. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to impose a lifetime disqualification from operating such a vehicle on any individual convicted under federal criminal law of assisting in such entry or in the harboring of illegal aliens. Revises content requirements of the commercial driver's license information system to include whether a commercial motor vehicle operator has been temporarily or permanently disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for violation of this Act. Requires a state to notify the Secretary of Transportation or the operator of the information system of disqualifications, revocations, suspensions, or cancellations of licenses to operate a commercial motor vehicle because of such a violation.

putting brakes human smuggling act disqualifies operating commercial motor vehicle individual uses commercial motor vehicle assist entry illegal aliens united_states requires secretary transportation impose lifetime disqualification operating vehicle individual convicted federal criminal law assisting entry harboring illegal aliens revises content requirements commercial driver license information system include commercial motor vehicle operator temporarily permanently disqualified operating commercial motor vehicle violation act requires state notify secretary transportation operator information system disqualifications revocations suspensions cancellations licenses operate commercial motor vehicle violation


Summary: Resist Offsetting with Additional Debt Act or the ROAD Act - Rescinds unobligated balances of certain earmark surface transportation projects under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (in order to eliminate the shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund (HTF)). Prohibits the transfer of funds from the General Fund of the Treasury to the HTF. Expresses the sense of Congress that state transportation departments should consider implementing certain projects under the highway bridge program and the surface transportation program that improve transportation safety.

resist offsetting additional debt act road act rescinds unobligated balances certain earmark surface_transportation projects safe accountable flexible efficient transportation equity act legacy users safetea order eliminate shortfall highway_trust_fund htf prohibits transfer funds general_fund_of_the_treasury htf expresses sense congress state transportation departments consider implementing certain projects highway bridge program surface_transportation program improve transportation safety