The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing a final rule eliminating 46 regulations on traffic signs to provide more flexibility for state and local governments, including allowing communities to replace traffic signs when they are worn out rather than requiring signs to be replaced by a specific date.

The regulations establishing deadlines for street sign replacement came from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is a compilation of national standards for all pavement markings, street signs and traffic signals. FHWA, which has published the manual since 1971, updates it periodically to accommodate changing transportation needs and address new safety technologies, traffic control tools and traffic management techniques.

In August 2011 FHWA issued a Notice of Proposed Amendments to eliminate the 46 deadlines, and a final rule has been sent to the Federal Register for publication. The deadlines requiring that certain street name signs be replaced by 2018 to meet minimum retroreflectivity standards and requiring larger lettering on those street name signs are among the deadlines that will be eliminated.

The final rule also eliminates deadlines for increasing the size of various traffic signs, such as ‘Pass With Care’ and ‘Low Clearance.’ Instead, communities will be able to replace and upgrade these signs when they reach the end of their useful life. In addition to eliminating the deadlines, FHWA will allow communities to retain historic street-name signs in historic districts.

FHWA has retained 12 deadlines for sign upgrades that are critical to public safety. These safety-critical sign upgrades include installing ONE WAY signs at intersections with divided highways or one-way streets and requiring STOP or YIELD signs to be added at all railroad crossings that do not have train-activated automatic gates or flashing lights.

The final rule will be available in the docket, FHWA-2010-0159, at http://www.regulations.gov. A table showing the proposed revisions from the August 2011 rulemaking is available at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knowledge/09mutcdproposedrev/compliance_dates/index.htm.


...[read full article]

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing a final rule eliminating 46 regulations on traffic signs to provide more flexibility for state and local governments, including allowing communities to replace traffic signs when they are worn out rather than requiring signs to be replaced by a specific date.

The regulations establishing deadlines for street sign replacement came from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is a compilation of national standards for all pavement markings, street signs and traffic signals. FHWA, which has published the manual since 1971, updates it periodically to accommodate changing transportation needs and address new safety technologies, traffic control tools and traffic management techniques.

In August 2011 FHWA issued a Notice of Proposed Amendments to eliminate the 46 deadlines, and a final rule has been sent to the Federal Register for publication. The deadlines requiring that certain street name signs be replaced by 2018 to meet minimum retroreflectivity standards and requiring larger lettering on those street name signs are among the deadlines that will be eliminated.

The final rule also eliminates deadlines for increasing the size of various traffic signs, such as ‘Pass With Care’ and ‘Low Clearance.’ Instead, communities will be able to replace and upgrade these signs when they reach the end of their useful life. In addition to eliminating the deadlines, FHWA will allow communities to retain historic street-name signs in historic districts.

FHWA has retained 12 deadlines for sign upgrades that are critical to public safety. These safety-critical sign upgrades include installing ONE WAY signs at intersections with divided highways or one-way streets and requiring STOP or YIELD signs to be added at all railroad crossings that do not have train-activated automatic gates or flashing lights.

The final rule will be available in the docket, FHWA-2010-0159, at http://www.regulations.gov. A table showing the proposed revisions from the August 2011 rulemaking is available at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knowledge/09mutcdproposedrev/compliance_dates/index.htm.


...[close]

A conference committee formed to negotiate a House-Senate agreement on a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill met for the first time May 8. The meeting was devoted to opening statements by each of the 47 conferees. Committee chairmen were given five minutes each, other members three minutes to lay out priorities and positions.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in her opening statement laid out the issues for conferees as highways, bridges, roads and routes; financing; transit and safety. While conferees expressed the importance of reaching an agreement and they expected one would be reached, several issues divide conferees, including the House bill’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, funding and financing of the Senate bill and some provisions to expedite project delivery. Boxer indicated an agreement would need to be reached by early June in order to provide enough time for the House and Senate to approve conference agreement and the President to sign a bill into law by June 30, when the latest extension expires.

In April the House of Representatives approved a 90-day extension of the current surface transportation programs as a vehicle to establish a conference committee to negotiate a final bill with the Senate. The bill includes several policy riders including the Keystone XL pipeline approval, a provision to create a trust fund to contribute to gulf coast restoration, a provision to increase funding for port and harbor maintenance, a provision to prohibit the US Environmental Protection Agency from designating coal ash a hazardous substance and various provisions to expedite transportation project delivery.

The Senate approved its two-year, $109 billion reauthorization bill, MAP-21, in March. Because the House did not approve its own reauthorization bill, MAP-21 will be the basis for negotiating a final bill. House leaders, however, say they will negotiate for their priorities.

The House has 33 conferees, 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats; the Senate named 14, eight Democrats and six Republicans

Appointed to the conference committee are House members: John Mica (FL); Don Young (AK); John Duncan (TN); Bill Shuster (PA); Shelley Moore Capito (WV); Rick Crawford (AR); Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA); Larry Bucshon (IN); Richard Hanna (NY); Steve Southerland (FL); James Lankford (OK); Reid Ribble (WI); Fred Upton (MI); Ed Whitfield (KY); Doc Hastings (WA); Rob Bishop (UT); Ralph Hall (TX); Chip Cravaack (MN); Dave Camp (MI); Patrick Tiberi (OH); Nick Rahall (WV); Peter DeFazio (OR); Jerry Costello (IL); Jerrold Nadler (NY); Corrine Brown (FL); Elijah Cummings (MD); Leonard Boswell (IA); Tim Bishop (NY); Henry Waxman (CA); Ed Markey (MA); Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX); Earl Blumenauer (OR); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).

Senate Conferees include Sens. Barbara Boxer (CA), Max Baucus (MT), John Rockefeller (WV), Richard Durbin (IL), Tim Johnson (SD), Charles Schumer (NY), Bill Nelson (FL), Robert Menendez (NJ), James Inhofe (OK), David Vitter (LA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Richard Shelby (AL), Kaye Bailey Hutchison (TX) and John Hoeven (R-ND).

...[read full article]

A conference committee formed to negotiate a House-Senate agreement on a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill met for the first time May 8. The meeting was devoted to opening statements by each of the 47 conferees. Committee chairmen were given five minutes each, other members three minutes to lay out priorities and positions.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in her opening statement laid out the issues for conferees as highways, bridges, roads and routes; financing; transit and safety. While conferees expressed the importance of reaching an agreement and they expected one would be reached, several issues divide conferees, including the House bill’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, funding and financing of the Senate bill and some provisions to expedite project delivery. Boxer indicated an agreement would need to be reached by early June in order to provide enough time for the House and Senate to approve conference agreement and the President to sign a bill into law by June 30, when the latest extension expires.

In April the House of Representatives approved a 90-day extension of the current surface transportation programs as a vehicle to establish a conference committee to negotiate a final bill with the Senate. The bill includes several policy riders including the Keystone XL pipeline approval, a provision to create a trust fund to contribute to gulf coast restoration, a provision to increase funding for port and harbor maintenance, a provision to prohibit the US Environmental Protection Agency from designating coal ash a hazardous substance and various provisions to expedite transportation project delivery.

The Senate approved its two-year, $109 billion reauthorization bill, MAP-21, in March. Because the House did not approve its own reauthorization bill, MAP-21 will be the basis for negotiating a final bill. House leaders, however, say they will negotiate for their priorities.

The House has 33 conferees, 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats; the Senate named 14, eight Democrats and six Republicans

Appointed to the conference committee are House members: John Mica (FL); Don Young (AK); John Duncan (TN); Bill Shuster (PA); Shelley Moore Capito (WV); Rick Crawford (AR); Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA); Larry Bucshon (IN); Richard Hanna (NY); Steve Southerland (FL); James Lankford (OK); Reid Ribble (WI); Fred Upton (MI); Ed Whitfield (KY); Doc Hastings (WA); Rob Bishop (UT); Ralph Hall (TX); Chip Cravaack (MN); Dave Camp (MI); Patrick Tiberi (OH); Nick Rahall (WV); Peter DeFazio (OR); Jerry Costello (IL); Jerrold Nadler (NY); Corrine Brown (FL); Elijah Cummings (MD); Leonard Boswell (IA); Tim Bishop (NY); Henry Waxman (CA); Ed Markey (MA); Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX); Earl Blumenauer (OR); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).

Senate Conferees include Sens. Barbara Boxer (CA), Max Baucus (MT), John Rockefeller (WV), Richard Durbin (IL), Tim Johnson (SD), Charles Schumer (NY), Bill Nelson (FL), Robert Menendez (NJ), James Inhofe (OK), David Vitter (LA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Richard Shelby (AL), Kaye Bailey Hutchison (TX) and John Hoeven (R-ND).

...[close]

A conference committee formed to negotiate a House-Senate agreement on a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill met for the first time May 8. The meeting was devoted to opening statements by each of the 47 conferees. Committee chairmen were given five minutes each, other members three minutes to lay out priorities and positions.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in her opening statement laid out the issues for conferees as highways, bridges, roads and routes; financing; transit and safety. While conferees expressed the importance of reaching an agreement and they expected one would be reached, several issues divide conferees, including the House bill’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, funding and financing of the Senate bill and some provisions to expedite project delivery. Boxer indicated an agreement would need to be reached by early June in order to provide enough time for the House and Senate to approve conference agreement and the President to sign a bill into law by June 30, when the latest extension expires.

In April the House of Representatives approved a 90-day extension of the current surface transportation programs as a vehicle to establish a conference committee to negotiate a final bill with the Senate. The bill includes several policy riders including the Keystone XL pipeline approval, a provision to create a trust fund to contribute to gulf coast restoration, a provision to increase funding for port and harbor maintenance, a provision to prohibit the US Environmental Protection Agency from designating coal ash a hazardous substance and various provisions to expedite transportation project delivery.

The Senate approved its two-year, $109 billion reauthorization bill, MAP-21, in March. Because the House did not approve its own reauthorization bill, MAP-21 will be the basis for negotiating a final bill. House leaders, however, say they will negotiate for their priorities.

The House has 33 conferees, 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats; the Senate named 14, eight Democrats and six Republicans

Appointed to the conference committee are House members: John Mica (FL); Don Young (AK); John Duncan (TN); Bill Shuster (PA); Shelley Moore Capito (WV); Rick Crawford (AR); Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA); Larry Bucshon (IN); Richard Hanna (NY); Steve Southerland (FL); James Lankford (OK); Reid Ribble (WI); Fred Upton (MI); Ed Whitfield (KY); Doc Hastings (WA); Rob Bishop (UT); Ralph Hall (TX); Chip Cravaack (MN); Dave Camp (MI); Patrick Tiberi (OH); Nick Rahall (WV); Peter DeFazio (OR); Jerry Costello (IL); Jerrold Nadler (NY); Corrine Brown (FL); Elijah Cummings (MD); Leonard Boswell (IA); Tim Bishop (NY); Henry Waxman (CA); Ed Markey (MA); Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX); Earl Blumenauer (OR); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).

Senate Conferees include Sens. Barbara Boxer (CA), Max Baucus (MT), John Rockefeller (WV), Richard Durbin (IL), Tim Johnson (SD), Charles Schumer (NY), Bill Nelson (FL), Robert Menendez (NJ), James Inhofe (OK), David Vitter (LA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Richard Shelby (AL), Kaye Bailey Hutchison (TX) and John Hoeven (R-ND).

...[read full article]

A conference committee formed to negotiate a House-Senate agreement on a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill met for the first time May 8. The meeting was devoted to opening statements by each of the 47 conferees. Committee chairmen were given five minutes each, other members three minutes to lay out priorities and positions.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in her opening statement laid out the issues for conferees as highways, bridges, roads and routes; financing; transit and safety. While conferees expressed the importance of reaching an agreement and they expected one would be reached, several issues divide conferees, including the House bill’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, funding and financing of the Senate bill and some provisions to expedite project delivery. Boxer indicated an agreement would need to be reached by early June in order to provide enough time for the House and Senate to approve conference agreement and the President to sign a bill into law by June 30, when the latest extension expires.

In April the House of Representatives approved a 90-day extension of the current surface transportation programs as a vehicle to establish a conference committee to negotiate a final bill with the Senate. The bill includes several policy riders including the Keystone XL pipeline approval, a provision to create a trust fund to contribute to gulf coast restoration, a provision to increase funding for port and harbor maintenance, a provision to prohibit the US Environmental Protection Agency from designating coal ash a hazardous substance and various provisions to expedite transportation project delivery.

The Senate approved its two-year, $109 billion reauthorization bill, MAP-21, in March. Because the House did not approve its own reauthorization bill, MAP-21 will be the basis for negotiating a final bill. House leaders, however, say they will negotiate for their priorities.

The House has 33 conferees, 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats; the Senate named 14, eight Democrats and six Republicans

Appointed to the conference committee are House members: John Mica (FL); Don Young (AK); John Duncan (TN); Bill Shuster (PA); Shelley Moore Capito (WV); Rick Crawford (AR); Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA); Larry Bucshon (IN); Richard Hanna (NY); Steve Southerland (FL); James Lankford (OK); Reid Ribble (WI); Fred Upton (MI); Ed Whitfield (KY); Doc Hastings (WA); Rob Bishop (UT); Ralph Hall (TX); Chip Cravaack (MN); Dave Camp (MI); Patrick Tiberi (OH); Nick Rahall (WV); Peter DeFazio (OR); Jerry Costello (IL); Jerrold Nadler (NY); Corrine Brown (FL); Elijah Cummings (MD); Leonard Boswell (IA); Tim Bishop (NY); Henry Waxman (CA); Ed Markey (MA); Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX); Earl Blumenauer (OR); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).

Senate Conferees include Sens. Barbara Boxer (CA), Max Baucus (MT), John Rockefeller (WV), Richard Durbin (IL), Tim Johnson (SD), Charles Schumer (NY), Bill Nelson (FL), Robert Menendez (NJ), James Inhofe (OK), David Vitter (LA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Richard Shelby (AL), Kaye Bailey Hutchison (TX) and John Hoeven (R-ND).

...[close]

The House of Representatives April 26 named 33 conferees, 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats, to a transportation reauthorization conference with the Senate. A conference committee is being formed to negotiate a House-Senate agreement on a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill.

Appointed to the conference committee are, Republicans: John Mica (FL); Don Young (AK); John Duncan (TN); Bill Shuster (PA); Shelley Moore Capito (WV); Rick Crawford (AR); Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA); Larry Bucshon (IN); Richard Hanna (NY); Steve Southerland (FL); James Lankford (OK); Reid Ribble (WI); Fred Upton (MI); Ed Whitfield (KY); Doc Hastings (WA); Rob Bishop (UT); Ralph Hall (TX); Chip Cravaack (MN); Dave Camp (MI); Patrick Tiberi (OH). Democrats: Nick Rahall (WV); Peter DeFazio (OR); Jerry Costello (IL); Jerrold Nadler (NY); Corrine Brown (FL); Elijah Cummings (MD); Leonard Boswell (IA); Tim Bishop (NY); Henry Waxman (CA); Ed Markey (MA); Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX); Earl Blumenauer (OR); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).
The Senate April 24 named 14 conferees, eight Democrats and six Republicans: Sens. Boxer (D-CA), Baucus (D-MT), Rockefeller (D-WV), Durbin (D-IL), Johnson (D-SD), Schumer (D-NY), Nelson (D-FL), Menendez (D-NJ), Inhofe (R-OK), Vitter (R-LA), Hatch (R-UT), Shelby (R-AL), Hutchison (R-TX) and Hoeven (R-ND).

A meeting is not likely to occur before the week of May 6th following a recess next week. An issue that could slow negotiations is a provision that would approve the Keystone XL pipeline project, which was included in the House bill (HR 4348) that opened the way for the conference committee.

Because the House did not approve its own transportation reauthorization bill, the Senate-passed two-year, $109 billion bill, MAP-21, will be the basis for negotiating a final bill. House leaders, however, say they will negotiate House priorities contained in the House bill, a five-year, $260 billion measure that was not debated by the full House. One such priority, the bill’s section on expediting project delivery, has already been included in HR 4348.
...[read full article]

The House of Representatives April 26 named 33 conferees, 20 Republicans and 13 Democrats, to a transportation reauthorization conference with the Senate. A conference committee is being formed to negotiate a House-Senate agreement on a long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill.

Appointed to the conference committee are, Republicans: John Mica (FL); Don Young (AK); John Duncan (TN); Bill Shuster (PA); Shelley Moore Capito (WV); Rick Crawford (AR); Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA); Larry Bucshon (IN); Richard Hanna (NY); Steve Southerland (FL); James Lankford (OK); Reid Ribble (WI); Fred Upton (MI); Ed Whitfield (KY); Doc Hastings (WA); Rob Bishop (UT); Ralph Hall (TX); Chip Cravaack (MN); Dave Camp (MI); Patrick Tiberi (OH). Democrats: Nick Rahall (WV); Peter DeFazio (OR); Jerry Costello (IL); Jerrold Nadler (NY); Corrine Brown (FL); Elijah Cummings (MD); Leonard Boswell (IA); Tim Bishop (NY); Henry Waxman (CA); Ed Markey (MA); Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX); Earl Blumenauer (OR); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).
The Senate April 24 named 14 conferees, eight Democrats and six Republicans: Sens. Boxer (D-CA), Baucus (D-MT), Rockefeller (D-WV), Durbin (D-IL), Johnson (D-SD), Schumer (D-NY), Nelson (D-FL), Menendez (D-NJ), Inhofe (R-OK), Vitter (R-LA), Hatch (R-UT), Shelby (R-AL), Hutchison (R-TX) and Hoeven (R-ND).

A meeting is not likely to occur before the week of May 6th following a recess next week. An issue that could slow negotiations is a provision that would approve the Keystone XL pipeline project, which was included in the House bill (HR 4348) that opened the way for the conference committee.

Because the House did not approve its own transportation reauthorization bill, the Senate-passed two-year, $109 billion bill, MAP-21, will be the basis for negotiating a final bill. House leaders, however, say they will negotiate House priorities contained in the House bill, a five-year, $260 billion measure that was not debated by the full House. One such priority, the bill’s section on expediting project delivery, has already been included in HR 4348.
...[close]

The House of Representatives April 18 passed another 90 day extension of the federal surface transportation law, SAFETEA-LU. The extension, HR 4348, runs from July 1 through September 30 and is intended to serve as a legislative vehicle to initiate the process of forming a House-Senate conference committee to negotiate a multi-year bill. The vote was 293-127. At the end of March, the House and Senate approved a 90-day extension expiring June 30th.

The bill is a “clean” extension of current surface transportation law. However, it includes a provision to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and one to create a trust fund to contribute to gulf coast restoration work resulting from the gulf oil spill. The bill also was amended and as passed includes: the environmental streamlining title of the House transportation reauthorization proposal, HR 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act; an amendment to increase funding for port and harbor maintenance; and an amendment preventing the US Environmental Protection Agency from designating coal ash a hazardous material. The environmental streamlining title of HR 7 includes a number of provisions aimed at expediting transportation project delivery.

Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said the Senate would name conferees as quickly as Senate rules allowed. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) said he expected the House to act soon to name its conferees.

The Senate approved a bipartisan two-year, $109 billion transportation reauthorization in March. The House will be negotiating a final bill without having passed its own bill. HR 7, a five year, $260 billion measure, was not brought to the floor for a vote due to insufficient support for passage.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood yesterday said he did not think a multi-year bill would be approved before the November elections.

...[read full article]

The House of Representatives April 18 passed another 90 day extension of the federal surface transportation law, SAFETEA-LU. The extension, HR 4348, runs from July 1 through September 30 and is intended to serve as a legislative vehicle to initiate the process of forming a House-Senate conference committee to negotiate a multi-year bill. The vote was 293-127. At the end of March, the House and Senate approved a 90-day extension expiring June 30th.

The bill is a “clean” extension of current surface transportation law. However, it includes a provision to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and one to create a trust fund to contribute to gulf coast restoration work resulting from the gulf oil spill. The bill also was amended and as passed includes: the environmental streamlining title of the House transportation reauthorization proposal, HR 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act; an amendment to increase funding for port and harbor maintenance; and an amendment preventing the US Environmental Protection Agency from designating coal ash a hazardous material. The environmental streamlining title of HR 7 includes a number of provisions aimed at expediting transportation project delivery.

Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said the Senate would name conferees as quickly as Senate rules allowed. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) said he expected the House to act soon to name its conferees.

The Senate approved a bipartisan two-year, $109 billion transportation reauthorization in March. The House will be negotiating a final bill without having passed its own bill. HR 7, a five year, $260 billion measure, was not brought to the floor for a vote due to insufficient support for passage.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood yesterday said he did not think a multi-year bill would be approved before the November elections.

...[close]

The Senate gave final approval March 14 to a bipartisan two-year, $109 billion federal surface transportation reauthorization bill that had stalled for weeks as Senate leaders attempted to reach agreement on what amendments would be brought to the floor. The vote was 74-22.

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, MAP-21 (S.1813), maintains current levels of funding plus inflation for federal highway and transit programs. It contains no earmarks, consolidates many federal programs and includes new provisions to expedite project delivery. The legislation also provides for a five year exemption from the state private activity bond (PAB) volume cap for water and wastewater projects and provides for a one year AMT extension for tax exempt bonds. In addition, the legislation contains a number of budgetary offsets and transfers necessary to close a $12 billion gap to pay for the bill’s funding levels.

Prior to passage, the legislation had stalled for weeks over disagreement on whether or not to allow non-germane amendments on issues ranging from approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and air quality standards for boilers to energy-related tax provisions. An agreement to allow 12 non-germane amendments a week ago gave new life to the legislation and opened the way for a final vote to be taken March 14.

The Senate considered 30 amendments over three days before the final vote. An APWA-supported amendment restoring dedicated funding for off-system bridges was approved by voice vote. The Senate also approved an amendment removing privatized highways from consideration in apportioning highway funding among states, and also passed amendments strengthening Buy America provisions and clarifying exemptions relating to transportation of agricultural commodities and farm supplies. An amendment to modify the apportionment formula to ensure the percentage of apportioned funds received by a state equaled the percentage of gas taxes paid by a state failed.

Members of the House of Representatives return from a week-long recess the week of March 19 and are expected to consider a retooled House version soon. House leaders suspended consideration of a five-year, $260 billion bill because it did not have sufficient support to pass. A shorter, 18-month version also lacked votes for passage. House leaders are considering taking up the two-year Senate bill or something similar to it if they cannot generate support for a revised five year bill. It is unclear how or whether the House will include PAB in its bill. Last month, supporters of PAB, including APWA, were successful in generating support for a lifting of state volume caps on PAB for water and wastewater projects from House Transportation and Infrastructure leaders.

The eighth extension of federal surface transportation programs expires March 31.
...[read full article]

The Senate gave final approval March 14 to a bipartisan two-year, $109 billion federal surface transportation reauthorization bill that had stalled for weeks as Senate leaders attempted to reach agreement on what amendments would be brought to the floor. The vote was 74-22.

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, MAP-21 (S.1813), maintains current levels of funding plus inflation for federal highway and transit programs. It contains no earmarks, consolidates many federal programs and includes new provisions to expedite project delivery. The legislation also provides for a five year exemption from the state private activity bond (PAB) volume cap for water and wastewater projects and provides for a one year AMT extension for tax exempt bonds. In addition, the legislation contains a number of budgetary offsets and transfers necessary to close a $12 billion gap to pay for the bill’s funding levels.

Prior to passage, the legislation had stalled for weeks over disagreement on whether or not to allow non-germane amendments on issues ranging from approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and air quality standards for boilers to energy-related tax provisions. An agreement to allow 12 non-germane amendments a week ago gave new life to the legislation and opened the way for a final vote to be taken March 14.

The Senate considered 30 amendments over three days before the final vote. An APWA-supported amendment restoring dedicated funding for off-system bridges was approved by voice vote. The Senate also approved an amendment removing privatized highways from consideration in apportioning highway funding among states, and also passed amendments strengthening Buy America provisions and clarifying exemptions relating to transportation of agricultural commodities and farm supplies. An amendment to modify the apportionment formula to ensure the percentage of apportioned funds received by a state equaled the percentage of gas taxes paid by a state failed.

Members of the House of Representatives return from a week-long recess the week of March 19 and are expected to consider a retooled House version soon. House leaders suspended consideration of a five-year, $260 billion bill because it did not have sufficient support to pass. A shorter, 18-month version also lacked votes for passage. House leaders are considering taking up the two-year Senate bill or something similar to it if they cannot generate support for a revised five year bill. It is unclear how or whether the House will include PAB in its bill. Last month, supporters of PAB, including APWA, were successful in generating support for a lifting of state volume caps on PAB for water and wastewater projects from House Transportation and Infrastructure leaders.

The eighth extension of federal surface transportation programs expires March 31.
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House and Senate Debate Transportation Bills
The Senate and House of Representatives this week are debating separate versions of bills to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs. The Senate bill, S1813, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), is a two-year, $109 billion bill. The House measure, HR 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, is a five-year, $260 billion authorization.

The highway provisions of the Senate bill, approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, are the underlying measure for debate of the Senate bill. Finance, transit and motor carrier provisions drafted by separate Senate Committees will be added as amendments to make up a complete reauthorization package as the Senate considers the legislation. The Senate bill’s finance provisions include a number of offsets and transfers to close a $12 billion funding shortfall to pay for the bill, including $3 billion from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund and $4.7 billion from a change in tax law governing distribution of inherited IRA accounts.

The House and Senate bills differ in many details, but both bills contain no earmarks, consolidate or eliminate as many as 60-70 federal programs and include provisions to expedite project delivery. The House bill, however, includes provisions directing certain revenues from expanded oil and gas drilling and offsets from changes to federal pensions to help pay for the bill. It also includes provisions to eliminate the Highway Trust Fund’s mass transit account and direct funding transit receives from a portion of the gas tax, instead funding transit through a new Alternative Transportation Account with $40 billion from the general fund.

The House transportation portion of the bill emerged out of a contentious Committee markup that lasted 18 hours and addressed nearly 100 amendments. The transportation provisions, energy production provisions and the federal pension provisions will be voted on separately on the House floor and then combined as one package before being sent to the Senate.

House and Senate leaders intend to hold final votes on their respective bills before the end of the week, when Congress is scheduled to begin a week-long recess. Once approved in the House and Senate, differences between the two bills will need to be reconciled in a conference committee and signed into law before March 31 to avoid another extension of the expired SAFETEA-LU.

...[read full article]

House and Senate Debate Transportation Bills
The Senate and House of Representatives this week are debating separate versions of bills to reauthorize federal surface transportation programs. The Senate bill, S1813, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), is a two-year, $109 billion bill. The House measure, HR 7, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, is a five-year, $260 billion authorization.

The highway provisions of the Senate bill, approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, are the underlying measure for debate of the Senate bill. Finance, transit and motor carrier provisions drafted by separate Senate Committees will be added as amendments to make up a complete reauthorization package as the Senate considers the legislation. The Senate bill’s finance provisions include a number of offsets and transfers to close a $12 billion funding shortfall to pay for the bill, including $3 billion from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund and $4.7 billion from a change in tax law governing distribution of inherited IRA accounts.

The House and Senate bills differ in many details, but both bills contain no earmarks, consolidate or eliminate as many as 60-70 federal programs and include provisions to expedite project delivery. The House bill, however, includes provisions directing certain revenues from expanded oil and gas drilling and offsets from changes to federal pensions to help pay for the bill. It also includes provisions to eliminate the Highway Trust Fund’s mass transit account and direct funding transit receives from a portion of the gas tax, instead funding transit through a new Alternative Transportation Account with $40 billion from the general fund.

The House transportation portion of the bill emerged out of a contentious Committee markup that lasted 18 hours and addressed nearly 100 amendments. The transportation provisions, energy production provisions and the federal pension provisions will be voted on separately on the House floor and then combined as one package before being sent to the Senate.

House and Senate leaders intend to hold final votes on their respective bills before the end of the week, when Congress is scheduled to begin a week-long recess. Once approved in the House and Senate, differences between the two bills will need to be reconciled in a conference committee and signed into law before March 31 to avoid another extension of the expired SAFETEA-LU.

...[close]

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) today unveiled the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, which includes a five-year, $260 billion surface transportation reauthorization funding federal highway, transit and safety programs consistent with current funding levels. The bill will be combined with several other bills aimed at promoting domestic energy production. The Committee is scheduled to begin consideration of the transportation reauthorization portion on Thursday. Legislative text will be available at www.transportation.house.gov.

 
In summary, the transportation reauthorization provisions include:

• Provide long-term stability for states to undertake major infrastructure projects
• Contain no earmarks, compared to the previous transportation law which contained over 6,300 earmarks
• Consolidate or eliminate nearly 70 federal programs
• Eliminate mandates that states spend highway funding on non-highway activities
• Allow states to set their own transportation priorities
• Delegate more project approval authority to states
• Condense deadlines for federal agency project approvals
• Accelerate the approval process for projects in an existing right-of-way
• Encourage states to partner with the private sector to finance and build projects
• Streamline the project delivery process and reduces regulatory burdens for rail projects
• Call for the funds collected for the improvement of the nation’s harbors to be invested for that purpose
• Ensure the safe, efficient transportation of hazardous materials in a manner that does not impose unnecessary burdens on the flow of commerce

The financing provisions have not yet been released. They will be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee which is expected to mark up a bill soon.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in November last year approved the highway portion of the Senate’s two-year $109 billion surface transportation reauthorization, known as MAP-21, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the motor carrier provisions last year, and the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee this week will mark up the transit portion. The Senate Finance Committee recently announced that an agreement had been reached on closing a $12 billion funding gap in MAP-21 and would hold a markup of the Senate financing provisions this week.

The latest extension of SAFETEA-LU expires March 31. The House and Senate will need to pass their bills and reconcile differences before then to avoid another extension.

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House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL) today unveiled the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, which includes a five-year, $260 billion surface transportation reauthorization funding federal highway, transit and safety programs consistent with current funding levels. The bill will be combined with several other bills aimed at promoting domestic energy production. The Committee is scheduled to begin consideration of the transportation reauthorization portion on Thursday. Legislative text will be available at www.transportation.house.gov.

In summary, the transportation reauthorization provisions include:
• Provide long-term stability for states to undertake major infrastructure projects
• Contain no earmarks, compared to the previous transportation law which contained over 6,300 earmarks
• Consolidate or eliminate nearly 70 federal programs
• Eliminate mandates that states spend highway funding on non-highway activities
• Allow states to set their own transportation priorities
• Delegate more project approval authority to states
• Condense deadlines for federal agency project approvals
• Accelerate the approval process for projects in an existing right-of-way
• Encourage states to partner with the private sector to finance and build projects
• Streamline the project delivery process and reduces regulatory burdens for rail projects
• Call for the funds collected for the improvement of the nation’s harbors to be invested for that purpose
• Ensure the safe, efficient transportation of hazardous materials in a manner that does not impose unnecessary burdens on the flow of commerce

The financing provisions have not yet been released. They will be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee which is expected to mark up a bill soon.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in November last year approved the highway portion of the Senate’s two-year $109 billion surface transportation reauthorization, known as MAP-21, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the motor carrier provisions last year, and the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee this week will mark up the transit portion. The Senate Finance Committee recently announced that an agreement had been reached on closing a $12 billion funding gap in MAP-21 and would hold a markup of the Senate financing provisions this week.

The latest extension of SAFETEA-LU expires March 31. The House and Senate will need to pass their bills and reconcile differences before then to avoid another extension.

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