26–351 PDF 

Calendar No. 185 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 1st Session 115–138 

TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 

2018 

JULY 27, 2017.—Ordered to be printed 

Ms. COLLINS, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted 

the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 1655] 

The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 1655) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and 

Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes, reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass. 

Amounts of new budget (obligational) authority for fiscal year 2018 

Total of bill as reported to the Senate .................... $60,058,000,000 

Amount of 2017 appropriations ............................... 61,437,017,000 

Amount of 2018 budget estimate ............................ 47,928,180,000 

Bill as recommended to Senate compared to— 

2017 appropriations .......................................... ¥1,379,017,000 

2018 budget estimate ........................................ ∂12,129,820,000 
(2) 

C O N T E N T S 

Page 

Overview and Summary of the Bill ........................................................................ 3 

Program, Project, and Activity ............................................................................... 3 

Reprogramming Guidelines .................................................................................... 4 

Congressional Budget Justifications ...................................................................... 5 

Guidance Documents ............................................................................................... 6 

Transparency Requirement ..................................................................................... 6 

Federally Funded Research .................................................................................... 7 

Title I: Department of Transportation: 

Office of the Secretary ...................................................................................... 9 

Federal Aviation Administration .................................................................... 26 

Federal Highway Administration .................................................................... 50 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ............................................... 56 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration .......................................... 62 

Federal Railroad Administration .................................................................... 67 

Federal Transit Administration ...................................................................... 75 

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation ....................................... 81 

Maritime Administration ................................................................................. 82 

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration ........................... 88 

Office of Inspector General .............................................................................. 90 

General Provisions—Department of Transportation ..................................... 91 

Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development: 

Management and Administration ................................................................... 93 

Administrative Support Offices ....................................................................... 97 

Program Offices Salaries and Expenses ......................................................... 98 

Public and Indian Housing .............................................................................. 103 

Community Planning and Development ......................................................... 114 

Housing Programs ............................................................................................ 123 

Federal Housing Administration ..................................................................... 130 

Government National Mortgage Association .................................................. 131 

Policy Development and Research .................................................................. 132 

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity ............................................................. 134 

Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes ...................................... 135 

Information Technology Fund ......................................................................... 137 

Office of Inspector General .............................................................................. 138 

General Provisions—Department of Housing and Urban Development ...... 138 

Title III: Independent Agencies: 

Access Board ..................................................................................................... 141 

Federal Maritime Commission ........................................................................ 142 

National Railroad Passenger Corporation: Office of Inspector General ...... 142 

National Transportation Safety Board ........................................................... 143 

Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation ....................................................... 144 

Surface Transportation Board ......................................................................... 145 

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness ................................... 146 

Title IV: General Provisions—This Act .................................................................. 148 

Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI, of the Standing Rules of the Senate 149 

Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI, of the Standing Rules of the 

Senate ................................................................................................................... 150 

Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the 

Senate ................................................................................................................... 151 

Budgetary Impact of Bill ......................................................................................... 163 

Comparative Statement of Budget Authority ........................................................ 164 
(3) 

OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE BILL 

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill provides funding for a wide array 

of Federal programs, mostly in the Departments of Transportation 

[DOT] and Housing and Urban Development [HUD]. These programs include investments in road, transit, rail, maritime, pipeline, 

aviation and airport infrastructure; the operation of the Nation’s 

air traffic control system; resources to support community and economic development activities; and housing assistance for those in 

need, including the homeless, elderly, and disabled. The bill also 

provides funding for the Federal Housing Administration and Government National Mortgage Association to continue their traditional roles of providing access to affordable homeownership in the 

United States. 

The programs and activities supported by this bill include significant responsibilities entrusted to the Federal Government and its 

partners to protect human health and safety, support a vibrant 

economy, and achieve policy objectives strongly supported by the 

American people. The funding provided in this bill supports the investments necessary for a vibrant and economically competitive 

Nation. 

This bill makes possible the operation of the interstate highway 

system, as well as the world’s safest, most complex air transportation system. This bill also includes funding for competitive grants 

to communities to support transformative transportation infrastructure projects of national or regional importance. It ensures 

safe and sanitary housing for nearly 5 million low and extremely 

low-income families and individuals, over half of whom are elderly 

and/or disabled. It provides funding that is leading to the gradual 

elimination of homelessness among veterans, youth, victims of domestic violence, individuals and families. 

The bill, as reported, provides the proper balance of transportation, housing, and community development programs and activities. It is consistent with the subcommittee’s allocation for fiscal 

year 2018. All accounts in the bill have been closely examined to 

ensure that a sufficient level of funding is provided to carry out the 

programs of DOT, HUD, and related agencies. Details on each of 

the accounts, and the Committee’s justifications for the funding 

levels are included in the report. 

PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY 

During fiscal year 2018, for the purposes of the Balanced Budget 

and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–177), as 

amended, with respect to appropriations contained in the accompanying bill, the terms ‘‘program, project, and activity’’ [PPA] shall 

mean any item for which a dollar amount is contained in appropriations acts (including joint resolutions providing continuing ap-
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propriations), accompanying reports of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, or accompanying conference reports and 

joint explanatory statements of the committee of conference. This 

definition shall apply to all programs for which new budget 

(obligational) authority is provided, as well as to discretionary 

grants and discretionary grant allocations made through either bill 

or report language. 

REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES 

The Committee includes a provision (section 405) establishing 

the authority by which funding available to the agencies funded by 

this act may be reprogrammed for other purposes. The provision 

specifically requires the advanced approval of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations of any proposal to reprogram 

funds that: 

—creates a new program; 

—eliminates a program, project, or activity [PPA]; 

—increases funds or personnel for any PPA for which funds have 

been denied or restricted by the Congress; 

—proposes to redirect funds that were directed in such reports 

for a specific activity to a different purpose; —augments an existing PPA in excess of $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; —reduces an existing PPA by $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; or 

—creates, reorganizes, or restructures offices different from the 

congressional budget justifications or the table at the end of 

the Committee report, whichever is more detailed. 

The Committee retains the requirement that each agency submit 

an operating plan to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations not later than 60 days after enactment of this act to establish the baseline for application of reprogramming and transfer 

authorities provided in this act. Specifically, each agency should 

provide a table for each appropriation with columns displaying the 

prior year enacted level; budget request; adjustments made by Congress; adjustments for rescissions, if appropriate; and the fiscal 

year enacted level. The table shall delineate the appropriation and 

prior year enacted level both by object class and by PPA, as well 

as identify balances available for use under section 406 of the bill. 

The report must also identify items of special congressional interest. 

The Committee expects the agencies and bureaus to submit reprogramming requests in a timely manner and to provide a thorough explanation of the proposed reallocations, including a detailed 

justification of increases and reductions and the specific impact the 

proposed changes will have on the budget request for the following 

fiscal year. Except in emergency situations, reprogramming requests should be submitted no later than June 30. 

The Committee expects each agency to manage its programs and 

activities within the amounts appropriated by Congress. The Committee reminds agencies that reprogramming requests should be 

submitted only in the case of an unforeseeable emergency or a situation that could not have been anticipated when formulating the 

budget request for the current fiscal year. Further, the Committee 
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notes that when a Department or agency submits a reprogramming 

or transfer request to the Committees on Appropriations and does 

not receive identical responses from the House and Senate, it is the 

responsibility of the Department to reconcile the House and Senate 

differences before proceeding, and if reconciliation is not possible, 

to consider the request to reprogram funds unapproved. 

The Committee would also like to clarify that this section applies 

to the Department of Transportation’s Working Capital Fund, and 

that no funds may be obligated from such funds to augment programs, projects or activities for which appropriations have been 

specifically rejected by the Congress, or to increase funds or personnel for any PPA above the amounts appropriated by this act. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET JUSTIFICATIONS 

Budget justifications are the primary tool used by the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations to evaluate the resource requirements and fiscal needs of agencies. The Committee is aware 

that the format and presentation of budget materials is largely left 

to the agency within presentation objectives set forth by the Office 

of Management and Budget [OMB]. In fact, OMB Circular A–11, 

part 6 specifically states that the ‘‘agency should consult with your 

congressional committees beforehand to ensure their awareness of 

your plans to modify the format of agency budget documents.’’ The 

Committee expects that all agencies funded under this act will 

heed this directive. The Committee expects all of the budget justifications to provide the data needed to make appropriate and 

meaningful funding decisions. 

While the Committee values the inclusion of performance data 

and presentations, it is important to ensure vital budget information that the Committee needs is not lost. Therefore, the Committee directs that justifications submitted with the fiscal year 

2019 budget request by agencies funded under this act contain the 

customary level of detailed data and explanatory statements to 

support the appropriations requests at the level of detail contained 

in the funding table included at the end of the report. Among other 

items, agencies shall provide a detailed discussion of proposed new 

initiatives, proposed changes in the agency’s financial plan from 

prior year enactment, and detailed data on all programs and comprehensive information on any office or agency restructurings. At 

a minimum, each agency must also provide adequate justification 

for funding and staffing changes for each individual office and materials that compare programs, projects, and activities that are proposed for fiscal year 2019 to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 

The Committee is aware that the analytical materials required 

for review by the Committee are unique to each agency in this act. 

Therefore, the Committee expects that each agency will coordinate 

with the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations in advance on its planned presentation for its budget justification materials in support of the fiscal year 2019 budget request. 

The Committee directs each agency to include within its budget 

justification a report on all efforts made to address the duplication 

identified by the annual GAO reports along with legal barriers preventing the agency’s ability to further reduce duplication and legislative recommendations, if applicable. 
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GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS 

The Committee remains concerned about the use of guidance documents, or interpretive rules, to impose new requirements on regulated entities even though such documents are not legally binding. 

The Supreme Court has recognized there can be a fine line between 

what should be issued as a regulation for purposes of notice and 

comment rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act and 

what can be issued as guidance. The Supreme Court has also recognized that Federal agencies may sometimes issue guidance to circumvent the notice and comment rulemaking process. Legal scholars and multiple members of Congress have also expressed concern 

about the use of guidance to avoid rulemaking. Finally, the GAO 

found that if an agency periodically reviews its guidance it can significantly reduce unnecessary guidance. For example, after a subagency in the Department of Labor reviewed its guidance to determine if it was relevant and current, the sub-agency was able to reduce its guidance by 85 percent. GAO also found that the dissemination of guidance to the public can be improved. 

The Committee recommends the Departments of Transportation 

and Housing and Urban Development clearly label in a plain, 

prominent, and permanent manner that the agency’s guidance documents are not legally binding and may not be relied upon by the 

agency as grounds for agency action. The Committee also recommends this include a thorough explanation on an agency’s guidance document about why the agency believes it is appropriate to 

issue guidance about a matter instead of proposing a regulation 

and what specific statutory provisions or regulation(s) the guidance 

is interpreting. The Committee further recommends this guidance 

be updated every 2 years, with input solicited from the public, to 

determine if any of its guidance is duplicative, outdated, ineffective, 

insufficient, or excessively burdensome and needs to be modified, 

streamlined, or repealed and place all guidance documents in one 

place on its Web site as well as on the relevant sub-agency Web 

page. This information should be easily accessible for the public to 

comment on guidance and should be sent to the Office of Management and Budget to determine if the guidance is significant. 

TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENT 

The Committee is aware that agencies funded in this act use resources for advertising purposes. The Committee directs the agencies in this act to state within the text, audio, or video used for new 

advertising purposes, including advertising/posting on the Internet, 

that the advertisements are printed, published, or produced and 

disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense. The agencies may exempt 

any such advertisements from this requirement if it creates an adverse impact on safety or impedes the ability of these agencies to 

carry out their statutory authority. 

The Committee is also concerned about the number of advisory 

and rulemaking Committees and the resources that are being redirected to accomplish tasks. In an effort to ensure proper oversight, 

within 30 days of enactment of this act, the Departments are directed to provide to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations: (1) a complete list of rulemaking and advisory commit-
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tees and their underlying authorization; (2) costs to the Departments associated with each advisory committee, including travel 

reimbursements; and (3) a complete list and copy of all reports and 

recommendations produced since January 1, 2016. 

FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH 

The Committee urges the Department of Transportation and the 

Department of Housing and Urban Development to affirmatively 

determine, justified in writing made available on a publically accessible website, that research grants or agreements promote the 

progress of science in the United States or will advance a national 

security or economic interest. 
(8) 

TITLE I 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

The Committee routinely conducts oversight of annual spending, 

the implementation of appropriation’s directives, and the execution 

of authorization acts to ensure the Department is meeting the 

mandates of Congress and the effective and efficient use of limited 

taxpayer resources. The Committee also regularly receives technical assistance from the Department in order to ensure that Appropriations bills are implemented as intended by Congress. Any 

attempt to limit the Committee’s oversight role of the Chairman or 

Ranking Member is unacceptable. The Secretary, any appointee or 

staff shall respond to any Committee inquiry in a timely manner. 

While the vast majority of technical assistance from the Department is accurate and timely, the Committee is disappointed in certain instances of poor technical assistance in recent years. Specifically, the Department has withheld information from the Committee regarding idle funding that could have been more appropriately spent and has made inaccurate statements regarding the 

availability of resources the Committee intended to provide. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to report to the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 30 days of any 

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related 

Agencies appropriations bill passing the House or Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding any concerns or challenges with 

implementation of funding levels or policy directives contained in 

each bill or report. 

Infrastructure Initiative.—The President’s request includes 

$200,000,000,000 to leverage $1,000,000,000,000 in new investment 

in the Nation’s physical infrastructure. This proposal is expected to 

include policy, regulatory, and legislative proposals, ranging from 

changes to existing programs, to the creation of new programs and 

initiatives to reshape how the Federal government invests, permits, 

and collaborates on infrastructure. To date, no such proposal has 

been submitted to the Committee. While the Committee fully supports additional spending for our Nation’s infrastructure, it strongly disagrees with the Administration’s assertion that providing 

Federal dollars for infrastructure has created, ‘‘an unhealthy dynamic in which State and local governments delay projects in the 

hope of receiving Federal funds.’’ Without Federal investment in infrastructure, particularly in our Nation’s highway network and 

transit systems, the ability to move freight across the country and 

the free movement of people between States with vastly differing 

abilities to fund infrastructure would be compromised. The Committee is also concerned that the Administration does not realize 

that State and local governments, through the statewide transportation improvement program planning process, already determine 
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the ‘‘right level—and type—of infrastructure investment needed for 

their communities.’’ More troubling is the fact that the budget request assumes that after fiscal year 2020, highway trust fund outlays will be at levels that are supported with existing tax receipts, 

resulting in an outlay reduction of $95,000,000,000 over fiscal years 

2021–2027. The Administration’s approach is dangerously close to 

support for devolution of Federal funding provided by the Highway 

Trust Fund, an idea the Committee strongly opposes. 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Section 3 of the Department of Transportation Act of October 15, 

1966 (Public Law 89–670) provides for the establishment of the Office of the Secretary of Transportation [OST]. OST is comprised of 

the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary immediate and support offices; the Office of the General Counsel; the Office of the Under 

Secretary of Transportation for Policy, including the offices of the 

Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs and the 

Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy; four Assistant Secretarial offices for Budget and Programs, Governmental Affairs, Research and Technology, and Administration; and the Offices of Public Affairs, the Executive Secretariat, Intelligence, Security and 

Emergency Response, and the Chief Information Officer. OST also 

includes the Department’s Office of Civil Rights and the Department’s Working Capital Fund. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $114,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 111,898,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 112,813,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This appropriation finances the costs of policy development and 

central supervisory and coordinating functions necessary for the 

overall planning and direction of the Department. It covers the immediate secretarial offices as well as those of the assistant secretaries, and the general counsel. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total of $112,813,000 for salaries 

and expenses of OST, including $60,000 for reception and representation expenses. The recommendation is $915,000 more than the 

budget request and $1,187,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The accompanying bill stipulates that none of the funding provided may be used for the position of Assistant Secretary for 

Public Affairs. 

The accompanying bill authorizes the Secretary to transfer up to 

5 percent of the funds from any office within the Office of the Secretary to another. The Committee recommendation also continues 

language that permits up to $2,500,000 of fees to be credited to the 

Office of the Secretary for salaries and expenses. 
10 

The following table summarizes the Committee’s recommendation in comparison to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the 

budget request: 

Fiscal year— Committee recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Office of the Secretary ................................................................... $2,758,000 ............................ $3,001,000 

Office of the Deputy Secretary ...................................................... 1,040,000 ............................ 1,040,000 

Office of the General Counsel ....................................................... 20,772,000 ............................ 20,555,0000 

Office of the Under Secretary for Policy ........................................ 10,033,000 ............................ 10,331,000 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs ........ 14,019,000 ............................ 14,019,000 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs ......... 2,546,000 ............................ 2,546,000 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration .................... 29,356,000 ............................ 29,356,000 

Office of Public Affairs .................................................................. 2,142,000 ............................ 2,142,000 

Office of the Executive Secretariat ................................................ 1,760,000 ............................ 1,760,000 

Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response ........... 11,089,000 ............................ 11,318,000 

Office of the Chief Information Officer ......................................... 18,485,000 ............................ 16,745,000 

Total .................................................................................. 114,000,000 1 111,898,000 112,813,000 

1 The fiscal year 2018 budget request did not include amounts for each office within the Office of the Secretary. 

IMMEDIATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Secretary of Transportation provides leadership and has the 

primary responsibility to provide overall planning, direction, and 

control of the Department. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $3,001,000 for fiscal year 2018 for 

the Immediate Office of the Secretary. The recommendation is 

$243,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Preclearance.—Improving the flow of passengers and traffic between the United States and Canada is essential to the economy 

of both our nations. The Committee expects the FAA, FRA and Amtrak to comply with the U.S.-Canada Agreement on Land, Rail, 

Marine, and Air Transport Preclearance to facilitate air travel and 

passenger rail service between United States and Canadian cities. 

The Committee directs DOT agencies that have a role in implementing preclearance operations on the four specific sites announced by the United States and Canada on March 10, 2016, to 

facilitate their preclearance facilities development as expeditiously 

as possible. DOT will coordinate efforts between the FAA, FRA, 

Amtrak, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs 

and Border Protection to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 days of enactment of this act on 

their progress implementing the U.S.-Canada Preclearance Agreement. 

IMMEDIATE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARY

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Deputy Secretary has the primary responsibility of assisting 

the Secretary in the overall planning and direction of the Department. 
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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $1,040,000 for the Immediate Office 

of the Deputy Secretary, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of the General Counsel provides legal services to the 

Office of the Secretary, including the conduct of aviation regulatory 

proceedings and aviation consumer activities, and coordinates and 

reviews the legal work in the chief counsels’ offices of the operating 

administrations. The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of 

the Department and the final authority on all legal questions. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $20,555,000 for expenses of the Office of the General Counsel for fiscal year 2018. The recommended 

funding level is $217,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted 

level. 

Sexual Assault Rules and Guidelines.—The Committee remains 

concerned about the adequacy of response to incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment that take place onboard commercial 

aircraft. All passengers should be able to travel without the worry 

of being sexually assaulted. However, there is limited data on the 

prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment committed on 

commercial aircraft and a lack of guidance and training for airline 

personnel to respond to such incidents. 

The Committee directs the Office of Aviation Enforcement and 

Proceedings, in conjunction with the FAA, to establish Federal 

rules and guidelines, based on best practices, for air carriers to respond to and address sexual assault and sexual harassment onboard commercial aircraft within 1 year of enactment of this act. 

The Federal rules and guidelines shall include: (1) initial and annual recurrent training for flight attendants, pilots, and other individuals who are employees or contractors of the air carrier that respond to or address sexual assault and sexual harassment of passengers, employees, and contractors of the air carrier onboard commercial aircraft; (2) timely reporting by air carriers of sexual assault and sexual harassment onboard commercial aircraft, which 

incorporates privacy protections for victims; and (3) a program to 

collect, maintain, and make publically available data from air carriers on the incidence of sexual assault and sexual harassment onboard commercial aircraft in a manner that maintains privacy protections for individuals and allows for confidential reporting. 

To develop these Federal rules and guidelines, the Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings shall establish the National InFlight Sexual Assault Task Force [Task Force] to provide recommendations to the Secretary on best practices and protocols for 

air carriers relating to training, reporting, and data collection. The 

task force shall include the Department of Justice, including the 

Office on Violence Against Women; the Department of Health and 

Human Services; national organizations which specialize in pro-
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viding services to sexual assault victims and responding to and addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment; national consumer 

protection organizations; national travel organizations; labor organizations which represent flight attendants and pilots; State and 

local law enforcement agencies; airports; and air carriers. Within 

180 days of enactment of this act, the Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings shall submit an initial report to the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the Task Force’s recommendations. 

Consumer Protections.—The Department has the authority and 

duty to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive practices and to 

ensure safe and adequate service related to air transportation. To 

that end, the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act Authorization bill of 2016 directed the Department to promulgate regulations 

to require air carriers to refund fees for delayed baggage, as well 

as to address adjoining seats for children and their parents within 

1 year of the date of enactment. There has been no action taken 

to address these consumer fairness issues, which were due to be finalized by July 16, 2017. The failure to address these Congressional mandates in a timely manner is unacceptable and allows airlines to continue to take advantage of the traveling public with unreasonable fees on baggage, and on parent’s ability to sit with and 

care for their children in flight. Therefore, the Committee directs 

the Secretary to take immediate action to implement these two regulatory actions. 

Further, there have been recent high-profile incidents in which 

commercial airline employees have allowed conflicts to escalate into 

violent acts against customers. These incidents have led to increased demand for additional consumer protection measures, particularly with regard to overbooked flights. DOT’s regulations require airlines to inform and compensate passengers who are 

bumped from their flights involuntarily. Air carriers are also required to provide boarding priority rules and criteria for determining which passengers will be denied boarding on oversold 

flights, and airlines must provide compensation to customers who 

are involuntarily bumped from their flights. The Secretary testified 

that she is evaluating commercial airline policies on this issue and 

whether additional limitations should be placed on overbooking by 

commercial airlines. The Committee is interested to know these 

findings and conclusions and directs the Secretary to report to the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations once such assessment is completed. 

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLICY

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Under Secretary for Policy is the chief policy officer of the 

Department and is responsible for the analysis, development, and 

review of policies and plans for domestic and international transportation matters. The Office administers the economic regulatory 

functions regarding the airline industry and is responsible for 

international aviation programs, the essential air service program, 

airline fitness licensing, acquisitions, international route awards, 
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computerized reservation systems, and special investigations, such 

as airline delays. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $10,331,000 for the Office of the 

Under Secretary for Policy. The recommended funding level is 

$298,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Rural Infrastructure.—Congress cannot ignore the country’s infrastructure needs by supporting the Administration’s proposed 13 

percent cut to the Department’s programs. Deteriorating infrastructure already costs the economy close to $200,000,000,000 a 

year. To simply catch up, our infrastructure needs require direct 

Federal investments in our transportation networks and communities because we cannot fix a problem of this magnitude with private-public partnerships alone. In particular, investments in infrastructure in rural America are vital for growing the economy, increasing exports, and expanding markets. 

The Committee believes that our Federal infrastructure programs must benefit communities across the country and recognizes 

the importance of providing set-asides when possible for small 

towns, rural communities, Tribal lands, and underserved populations is necessary to balance the needs of all communities across 

the country. For this reason, the Committee continues to require 

the Secretary to award grants and credit assistance in a manner 

that ensures an equitable geographic distribution of funds and an 

appropriate balance in addressing the needs of urban and rural 

communities. 

Agreements.—In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided the 

Department $130,000 in requested funds to conduct studies and 

regulatory analysis to ensure U.S. airlines and consumers realize 

the full benefits of Open Skies agreements. For 25 years, these 

agreements have significantly benefited consumers, communities 

and the U.S. economy and allowed America’s passenger airlines to 

achieve profitability and on which America’s all-cargo airlines have 

established a world-leading position in the global market for express delivery services. Additionally, the Department began an 

interagency process to solicit public comments and evaluate whether alleged foreign government subsidies received by some international carriers violate the agreements. While the previous Administration initiated informal discussions with some foreign governments to address these alleged subsidies, no conclusion was 

reached prior to the end of the Administration. The Committee requests that the Department consider whether it is necessary and 

appropriate to continue those informal discussions. If it decides to 

do so, the Committee strongly urges the Department to carefully 

consider the interests of all the stakeholders, including consumers, 

communities, both passenger and all-cargo carriers, the travel and 

tourism industry, U.S. aerospace manufacturers and the national 

economy. The Committee directs the Department to provide regular 

updates to the Committee. 
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OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR BUDGET AND PROGRAMS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs serves as the 

Chief Financial Officer for the Department and provides leadership 

on all financial management matters. The primary responsibilities 

of this office include ensuring the development and justification of 

the Department’s annual budget submissions for consideration by 

the Office of Management and Budget and the Congress. The Office 

is also responsible for the proper execution and accountability of 

these resources. In addition, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer for the Office of the Secretary is located within the Office of the 

Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $14,019,000 for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs. The recommended level 

is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs advises the 

Secretary on all congressional and intergovernmental activities and 

on all departmental legislative initiatives and other relationships 

with Members of Congress. The Assistant Secretary promotes effective communication with other Federal agencies and regional Department officials, and with State and local governments and national organizations for development of departmental programs; 

and ensures that consumer preferences, awareness, and needs are 

brought into the decisionmaking process. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total of $2,546,000 for the Office 

of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs. The recommended level is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Secretary for Administration is responsible for establishing policies and procedures, setting guidelines, working with 

the operating administrations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department in human resource management, security 

and administrative management, real and personal property management, and acquisition and grants management. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $29,356,000 for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. The recommended funding 

level is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 
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OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Director of Public Affairs is the principal advisor to the Secretary and other senior departmental officials on public affairs 

questions. The Office is responsible for managing the Secretary’s 

presence in the media, writing speeches and press releases, and 

preparing the Secretary for public appearances. The Office arranges media events and news conferences, and responds to media 

inquiries on the Department’s programs and other transportationrelated issues. It also provides information to the Secretary on the 

opinions and reactions of the public and news media on these programs and issues. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $2,142,000 for the Office of Public 

Affairs, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Executive Secretariat assists the Secretary and the Deputy 

Secretary in carrying out their management functions and responsibilities by controlling and coordinating internal and external written materials. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $1,760,000 for the Executive Secretariat. The recommendation is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted 

level. 

OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE, SECURITY, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response ensures the development, coordination, and execution of plans and 

procedures for the Department to balance transportation security 

requirements with the safety, mobility, and economic needs of the 

Nation. The Office keeps the Secretary and her advisors apprised 

of current developments and long-range trends in international 

issues, including terrorism, aviation, trade, transportation markets, 

and trade agreements. The Office also advises the Department’s 

leaders on policy issues related to intelligence, threat information 

sharing, national security strategies and national preparedness and 

response planning. 

To ensure the Department is able to respond to disasters, the Office prepares for and coordinates the Department’s participation in 

national and regional exercises and training for emergency personnel. The Office also administers the Department’s Continuity of 

Government and Continuity of Operations programs and initiatives. Additionally, the Office provides direct emergency response 

and recovery support through the National Response Framework 

and operates the Department’s Crisis Management Center. The 

center monitors the Nation’s transportation system 24 hours a day, 
16 

7 days a week, and is the Department’s focal point during emergencies. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $11,318,000 for the Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response. The recommendation is 

$229,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of the Chief Information Officer serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary on matters involving information 

technology, cybersecurity, privacy, and records management. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $16,745,000 for the Office of the 

Chief Information Officer, which is $1,740,000 less than the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level. 

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $13,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 8,465,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 8,465,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology has taken over the responsibilities previously held by the 

Research and Innovative Technology Administration. The responsibilities include coordinating, facilitating, and reviewing the Department’s research and development programs and activities; and 

overseeing and providing direction to the Bureau of Transportation 

Statistics, the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program 

Office, the University Transportation Centers program, the Volpe 

National Transportation Systems Center and the Transportation 

Safety Institute. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $8,465,000 for 

the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, 

of which $2,618,000 shall be available through September 30, 2020. 

This amount is equal to the budget request and $4,535,000 less 

than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The following table summarizes the Committee’s recommendation in comparison to the budget 

request and the fiscal year 2017 enacted level: 

Fiscal year— Committee recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Salaries and Administrative Expenses .......................................... $4,826,000 $5,847,000 $5,847,000 

Research & Technology Programs ................................................. ............................ 2,618,000 2,618,000 

Research, Development and Technology Coordination .................. 509,000 ............................ ............................

Alternative Energy Research and Development ............................. 499,000 ............................ ............................

Positioning, Navigation and Timing .............................................. 1,610,000 ............................ ............................

Civil Signal Monitoring—Air Force—GPS ..................................... ............................ ............................ ............................
17 

Fiscal year— Committee recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System ....................... 5,600,000 ............................ ............................

Total .................................................................................. 13,000,000 8,465,000 8,465,000 

University Transportation Centers.—The Committee continues to 

support University Transportation Centers, which are funded 

through the Federal Highway Administration. Under the Committee recommendation, University Transportation Centers will 

continue to receive the levels authorized under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act [FAST Act]. 

Autonomous Vehicle Research in Rural Areas.—The Committee 

believes that autonomous vehicles have the potential to enhance 

roadway safety and increase mobility options for all Americans, but 

have additional challenges to overcome in order to bring these benefits to rural Americans. Of the funds provided for the University 

Transportation Centers, no less than $3,000,000 is for rural autonomous vehicle and connected vehicle research to be conducted by 

existing University Transportation Center universities. Further, research should take into account variations in rural infrastructure: 

such as unmapped, gravel, and snow-covered roads; wildlife encounters; and other situations unique to rural roads. 

Small Business Innovation Research.—The Committee recognizes 

the importance of the Small Business Innovation Research program 

and its previous success in commercialization from federally funded 

research and development projects. The SBIR program encourages 

domestic small business to engage in Federal research and development and creates jobs in the smallest firms. The Committee therefore directs the Department to place an increased focus on awarding SBIR awards to firms with fewer than 50 people. 

Technology Solutions.—The Committee encourages the Department to review and test nanotechnology solutions that may provide 

a benefit to Federal, State and local governments by extending the 

life and utility of materials such as cement, asphalt and steel. 

Increasing Public Access to Federally-funded Research.—The 

Committee commends the Department on issuing its Plan to Increase Public Access to the Results of Federally-funded Scientific 

Research Results on December 16, 2015. The Committee urges the 

Department to continue its efforts towards full implementation of 

the plan, and expects an update on progress to be included in its 

fiscal year 2019 budget request. 

Transportation Data Hub.—The Committee encourages the Department to assess establishing a surface transportation and maritime analytics partnership hub that focuses on making available 

large-scale data and visualization tools related to transportation on 

infrastructure, systems, and networks accessible to humans and 

machines through the Internet of things [IoT], in order to enable 

improved resilience, planning, investment and operational decisions. 
18 

NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $500,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 550,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This program provides grants and credit assistance to State and 

local governments, transit agencies, or a collaboration of such entities for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure 

that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan 

area or a region. Eligible projects include highways and bridges, 

public transportation, freight and passenger rail, and port infrastructure. The Department awards grants on a competitive basis; 

however, the Department must ensure an equitable geographic distribution of funds and an appropriate balance in addressing the 

needs of urban and rural communities and within the timeframes 

outlined in the bill. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation includes $550,000,000 for grants 

and credit assistance for investment in significant transportation 

projects, which is $50,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee continues to believe that the National 

Infrastructure Investments program is integral to the economic 

success of communities throughout the country. The criteria to be 

used for these grants shall be the criteria from the fiscal year 2016 

Notice of Funding Opportunity. 

Protections for Rural Areas.—The Committee continues to believe 

that our Federal infrastructure programs must benefit communities across the country. For this reason, the Committee continues 

to require the Secretary to award grants and credit assistance in 

a manner that ensures an equitable geographic distribution of 

funds and an appropriate balance in addressing the needs of urban 

and rural communities. 

Investing in infrastructure in rural America is extremely important for growing the economy, increasing exports, and expanding 

markets. For this reason, the Committee has set aside no less than 

30 percent of the program’s funding for projects located in rural 

areas, and included specific provisions to match grant requirements 

with the needs of rural areas. Specifically, the Committee has lowered the minimum size of a grant awarded to a rural area and increased the Federal share of the total project cost. 

Port Infrastructure.—The Committee recognizes the important 

role that ports play in our Nation’s transportation network. With 

the prediction that the volume of trade through our Nation’s ports 

will substantially increase in the next decade, our Nation’s infrastructure will be challenged to accommodate the increase in the 

movement of freight. Growth at our Nation’s ports simultaneously 

increases demand on our transportation systems. Therefore, the 

Committee continues to identify inland and land based ports as eligible recipients of this program and directs the Secretary to take 

into consideration, when selecting recipients, the annual tonnage, 
19 

existing terminal capacity, and potential economic benefits of improvements to, or expansion of, ports. 

NATIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND INNOVATIVE FINANCE

BUREAU

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $3,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 3,000,000 

Committee Recommendation ................................................................ 3,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau [Bureau] will administer and coordinate or consolidate aspects 

of the Department’s existing surface transportation innovative finance programs as authorized in section 9001 of the FAST Act, 

contingent upon advance approval by the Committee. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $3,000,000 to establish and fulfill 

the duties of the Bureau, as authorized in section 9001 of the FAST 

Act, which is equal to the budget request and the fiscal year 2017 

enacted level. The Committee directs the Bureau to report to the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on streamlining 

the application approval processes as required under 49 U.S.C. 

116(d)(5). 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CAPITAL

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $4,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 3,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 3,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Financial Management Capital program is a multi-year business transformation initiative to streamline and standardize the financial systems and business processes across the Department. 

The initiative includes upgrading and enhancing the commercial 

software used for DOT’s financial systems, improving the cost and 

performance data provided to managers, and instituting new accounting standards and mandates. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee is recommending $3,000,000 to complete the Secretary’s Financial Management Capital initiative, which is equal to 

the budget request and $1,000,000 less than fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

CYBER SECURITY INITIATIVE

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $15,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 10,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 15,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Cyber Security Initiative is an effort to close performance 

gaps in the Department’s cybersecurity. The initiative includes support for essential program enhancements, infrastructure improve-
20 

ments and contractual resources to enhance the security of the Department’s computer network and reduce the risk of security 

breaches. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation includes $15,000,000 to support 

the Secretary’s Cyber Security Initiative, which is $5,000,000 more 

than the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted 

level. The increase is for full execution of phase 2 of the DOT Network Assessment Risk Mitigation initiative. 

OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $9,751,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 9,500,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 9,500,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of Civil Rights is responsible for advising the Secretary on civil rights and equal employment opportunity matters, 

formulating civil rights policies and procedures for the operating 

administrations, investigating claims that small businesses were 

denied certification or improperly certified as disadvantaged business enterprises, overseeing the Department’s conduct of its civil 

rights responsibilities, and making final determinations on civil 

rights complaints. In addition, the Civil Rights Office is responsible 

for enforcing laws and regulations which prohibit discrimination in 

federally operated and federally assisted transportation programs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a funding level of $9,500,000 for the 

Office of Civil Rights. The recommendation is equal to the budget 

request and $251,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $12,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 8,500,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 8,500,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of the Secretary performs those research activities and 

studies which can more effectively or appropriately be conducted at 

the departmental level. This research effort supports the planning, 

research, and development activities needed to assist the Secretary 

in the formulation of national transportation policies. The program 

is carried out primarily through contracts with other Federal agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit research organizations, and 

private firms. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $8,500,000 for Transportation Planning, Research, and Development, which is equal to the budget request and $3,500,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The Committee directs the Secretary to dedicate $1,500,000 to sup-
21 

port the Interagency Infrastructure Permitting Improvement Center. 

Nonmotorized User Safety.—The Committee is aware that adults 

65 and over make up a disproportionate share of pedestrian fatalities and that pedestrian fatalities continue to rise. Consistent with 

section 1442 of the FAST Act, the Secretary should conduct rigorous outreach to States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations 

for the purpose of creating safe communities and reducing traffic 

fatalities among nonmotorized users. Specifically through the Safer 

People, Safer Streets initiative, the Secretary should expand the 

availability of technical assistance and training workshops to help 

States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations revise their practices, standards and performance measurements in all phases of 

project planning, development, and operation with the goal of reducing fatalities among non-motorized users. In fulfilling the report 

required in section 1442, the Secretary should include guidance to 

States on how to identify the design and accommodation needs for 

each class of roadway user, separated by categories of age and ability, as well as actions that could be taken by State and local partners to improve safe and adequate accommodations for all users of 

the transportation network, including recommendations on changing policies and procedures; practical steps to modify planned and 

existing infrastructure; a list of common barriers to implementation and recommendations to overcome such barriers; guidance on 

evaluating the costs and benefits of safe and adequate accommodations; and recommendations for maximizing State and local cooperation. 

WORKING CAPITAL FUND

Limitation, 2017 ..................................................................................... $190,389,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 202,245,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 202,245,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Working Capital Fund provides technical and administrative 

services to the Department’s operating administrations and other 

Federal entities. The services are centrally performed in the interest of economy and efficiency, are funded through negotiated agreements with Department operating administrations and other Federal customers, and are billed on a fee-for-service basis to the maximum extent possible. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation of $202,245,000 on activities financed through the Working Capital Fund. The recommended limit is $11,856,000 more than the limit enacted for fiscal year 2017, and equal to the budget request. 

As in past years, the bill specifies that the limitation on the 

Working Capital Fund shall apply only to the Department and not 

to services provided for other entities. The Committee directs services to be provided on a competitive basis to the maximum extent 

possible. 

The Committee notes that the ‘‘transparency paper’’ included in 

the justifications for fiscal year 2018 provides essential information 
22 

on total budgetary resources for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and the Office of the Chief Information 

Officer, including the balance of resources provided through the 

Working Capital Fund and direct appropriations. Therefore, the 

Committee directs the Department to update this ‘‘transparency 

paper’’ and include it in the budget justifications for fiscal year 

2019. 

MINORITY BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM

Appropriations Limitation on 

guaranteed loans 

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................................................... $941,000 $18,367,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................................................... 500,000 ........................

Committee recommendation ................................................................................................... 941,000 18,367,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Minority Business Resource Center of the Office of Small 

and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and Outreach provides assistance in obtaining short-term working capital for disadvantaged, 

minority, and women-owned businesses. The program enables 

qualified businesses to obtain loans at prime interest rates for 

transportation-related projects. As required by the Federal Credit 

Reform Act of 1990, this account records the subsidy costs associated with guaranteed loans for this program as well as administrative expenses of this program. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $339,000 to 

cover the subsidy costs for guaranteed loans and $602,000 for administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed loan program. 

These recommended levels provide a total funding level of $941,000 

for the Minority Business Resource Center. This total funding level 

is $441,000 more than the budget request and equal to the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level. The Committee also recommends a limitation on guaranteed loans of $18,367,000, equal to the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level. 

OFFICE OF SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION AND

OUTREACH

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $4,646,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 3,999,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 4,646,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This appropriation provides contractual support to assist small, 

women-owned, Native American, and other disadvantaged business 

firms in securing contracts and subcontracts for transportation-related projects that involve Federal spending. Separate funding is 

provided for these activities since this program provides grants and 

contract assistance that serve Department-wide goals and not just 

OST purposes. 
23 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $4,646,000 for grants and contractual support, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 

and $647,000 more than the budget request. 

PAYMENTS TO AIR CARRIERS

(AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This appropriation provides funding for the Essential Air Service 

[EAS] program, which was created to continue air service to communities that had received federally mandated air service prior to 

deregulation of commercial aviation in 1978. The program currently provides subsidies to air carriers serving small communities 

that meet certain criteria. 

The Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] collects user fees 

that cover the air traffic control services the agency provides to aircraft that neither take off from, nor land in, the United States. 

These fees are commonly referred to as ‘‘overflight fees’’ and the receipts from the fees are used to help finance the EAS program. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

Appropriations Mandatory Total 

Appropriation, 2017 ................................................................................... $150,000,000 $100,000,000 $250,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 .............................................................................. ........................ 119,129,000 119,129,000 

Committee recommendation ...................................................................... 155,000,000 119,129,000 274,129,000 

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $155,000,000 for 

the EAS program. This appropriation would be in addition to an estimated $119,129,000 from overflight fees collected by the FAA, allowing the Department to support a total program level for EAS of 

$274,129,000. The Committee’s recommendation for the appropriation is $155,000,000 more than the budget request and equal to the 

request for the overflight fees. The total program level under the 

Committee’s recommendation is $8,000,000 less than the total program level enacted for fiscal year 2017. 

Proximity to the Nearest Hub Airport.—The Committee continues 

to include a provision that prohibits the Department from entering 

into a new contract with an EAS community located less than 40 

miles from the nearest hub airport before the Secretary has negotiated with the community over a local cost share. 

Aircraft Size Requirement.—The Committee continues to include 

a provision that removes the requirement for 15-passenger seat aircraft. This requirement adds to the cost of the EAS program because the fleet of 15-passenger seat aircraft continues to age and 

grow more difficult for airlines to maintain. The Committee, however, expects that the Department will use this flexibility judiciously. The Department should use it for communities where historical passenger levels indicate that smaller aircraft would still accommodate the great majority of passengers, or for communities 

where viable proposals for service are not available. The Committee 

does not expect the Department to use this flexibility simply to 
24 

lower costs if a community can show regular enplanement levels 

that would justify larger aircraft. 

EAS Airports.—The Committee recognizes that seasonal airports 

may need to operate beyond current dates and therefore recommends that the FAA utilize existing budget authorities to ensure seasonal EAS airports are able to operate when airport resources and weather permit. 

Passenger Levels and Subsidy Rates.—The following table reflects the points in the continental United States currently receiving EAS service, their annual subsidy rates, and their level of subsidy per passenger. 

ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE SUBSIDY PER PASSENGER 

State EAS communities 

Est. miles to 

nearest hub 

(S, M, or L) 

Passenger 

totals at 

9/30/16 

Annual subsidy 

rates at 

9/30/16 

Subsidy per 

passenger at 

9/30/16 

Average 

enplanements 

per day 

AL Muscle Shoals* ............................... 60 7,164 1,739,712 $243 17.2 

AR El Dorado/Camden ........................... 272 6,643 1,398,475 211 10.9 

AR Harrison ........................................... 263 4,192 1,827,409 436 6.9 

AR Hot Springs ...................................... 300 4,296 1,377,628 321 7.1 

AR Jonesboro ......................................... 239 8,761 1,937,497 221 14.0 

AZ Page ................................................. 282 6,926 2,135,446 308 11.1 

AZ Prescott ............................................ 102 6,244 2,568,486 411 10.0 

AZ Show Low ......................................... 173 7,138 1,244,628 174 11.4 

CA Crescent City ................................... 314 17,616 3,480,340 198 28.1 

CA El Centro* ........................................ 114 5,687 1,311,518 231 14.0 

CA Merced ............................................. 107 16,113 2,940,435 182 26.0 

CO Alamosa ........................................... 205 6,764 2,005,395 296 10.8 

CO Cortez ............................................... 255 6,640 1,708,769 257 10.6 

CO Pueblo* ............................................ 121 1,786 925,980 518 3.3 

GA Macon* ............................................ 82 n/a n/a n/a n/a 

IA Burlington ........................................ 188 12,801 2,218,424 173 20.4 

IA Fort Dodge ....................................... 156 13,240 3,724,020 281 21.2 

IA Mason City ....................................... 133 15,186 3,658,230 241 24.3 

IA Waterloo ........................................... 189 50,456 1,317,334 26 80.6 

IL Decatur ............................................ 126 15,518 2,852,426 184 24.8 

IL Marion/Herrin ................................... 123 18,112 2,562,819 141 28.9 

IL Quincy/Hannibal, MO ....................... 111 15,722 2,431,286 155 25.1 

KS Dodge City ....................................... 345 3,592 1,686,570 470 5.7 

KS Garden City ...................................... 300 52,302 1,357,800 26 83.5 

KS Hays ................................................. 284 15,601 2,431,497 156 24.9 

KS Liberal/Guymon, OK ......................... 356 4,119 1,629,380 396 6.6 

KS Salina* ............................................ 186 3,227 762,982 236 8.8 

KY Owensboro ....................................... 138 7,815 1,867,985 239 12.5 

KY Paducah ........................................... 146 40,728 2,084,285 51 65.1 

MD Hagerstown ...................................... 78 7,469 1,797,260 241 11.9 

ME Augusta/Waterville ........................... 168 9,936 1,880,045 189 15.9 

ME Bar Harbor ....................................... 256 16,070 1,987,057 124 25.7 

ME Presque Isle/Houlton ........................ 358 24,325 4,738,805 195 38.9 

ME Rockland .......................................... 177 14,097 1,967,434 140 22.5 

MI Alpena .............................................. 236 17,615 2,157,184 122 28.1 

MI Escanaba ......................................... 227 30,849 3,524,772 114 49.3 

MI Hancock/Houghton ........................... 334 49,101 1,279,498 26 78.4 

MI Iron Mountain/Kingsford .................. 223 22,621 2,966,166 131 36.1 

MI Ironwood/Ashland, WI ...................... 213 9,697 3,551,742 366 15.5 

MI Manistee/Ludington ......................... 233 5,777 1,844,547 319 9.2 

MI Muskegon ......................................... 165 33,491 2,054,099 61 53.5 

MI Pellston ............................................ 267 52,731 1,225,363 23 84.2 

MI Sault Ste. Marie .............................. 347 41,631 1,905,822 46 66.5 

MN Bemidji ............................................ 213 47,919 1,217,620 25 76.5 

MN Brainerd ........................................... 123 33,519 1,697,814 51 53.5 

MN Chisholm/Hibbing ............................ 199 25,127 2,671,234 106 40.1 

MN International Falls ........................... 298 23,598 2,189,324 93 37.7 

MN Thief River Falls .............................. 305 4,321 2,176,866 504 7.3 
25 

ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE SUBSIDY PER PASSENGER—Continued 

State EAS communities 

Est. miles to 

nearest hub 

(S, M, or L) 

Passenger 

totals at 

9/30/16 

Annual subsidy rates at 

9/30/16 

Subsidy per 

passenger at 

9/30/16 

Average 

enplanements 

per day 

MO Cape Girardeau/Sikeston ................. 127 10,524 1,975,944 188 16.8 

MO Fort Leonard Wood ........................... 136 15,353 2,752,753 179 24.5 

MO Joplin ............................................... 167 57,079 516,880 9 91.2 

MO Kirksville .......................................... 154 9,583 1,623,392 169 15.3 

MS Greenville ......................................... 279 7,943 1,896,237 239 14.2 

MS Laurel/Hattiesburg ........................... 135 23,390 3,981,510 170 37.4 

MS Meridian ........................................... 185 52,186 4,000,698 77 83.4 

MS Tupelo* ............................................ 204 5,576 2,158,222 387 16.3 

MT Butte ................................................ 415 50,609 867,213 17 80.8 

MT Glasgow ........................................... 709 6,471 2,030,855 314 10.3 

MT Glendive ........................................... 607 5,212 1,871,294 359 8.3 

MT Havre ............................................... 668 4,609 1,965,803 427 7.4 

MT Sidney .............................................. 658 16,326 3,445,646 211 26.1 

MT West Yellowstone ............................. 332 17,019 500,764 29 69.8 

MT Wolf Point ........................................ 686 7,090 2,171,235 306 11.3 

ND Devils Lake ...................................... 402 14,207 3,320,989 234 22.7 

ND Dickinson** ..................................... 528 n/a n/a n/a n/a 

ND Jamestown ....................................... 333 20,208 3,028,225 150 32.3 

NE Alliance ............................................ 233 4,010 2,117,500 528 6.4 

NE Chadron ........................................... 290 8,213 2,169,234 264 13.1 

NE Grand Island .................................... 138 52,633 1,277,388 24 84.1 

NE Kearney ............................................ 181 7,735 1,643,804 213 12.4 

NE McCook ............................................ 256 2,076 1,616,134 778 3.3 

NE North Platte ..................................... 255 6,893 1,632,000 237 11.0 

NE Scottsbluff ....................................... 192 5,856 1,564,931 267 9.4 

NH Lebanon/White River Junction, VT ... 124 19,380 3,104,143 160 31.0 

NM Carlsbad .......................................... 280 5,752 2,469,663 429 9.2 

NM Clovis ............................................... 233 9,098 3,240,470 356 14.5 

NM Silver City/Hurley/Deming ................ 229 10,099 3,412,480 338 16.1 

NY Jamestown (NY) ............................... 76 3,537 2,027,122 573 5.7 

NY Massena .......................................... 256 10,554 2,698,608 256 16.9 

NY Ogdensburg ..................................... 223 8,233 2,266,928 275 13.2 

NY Plattsburgh ...................................... 243 13,432 2,857,971 213 21.5 

NY Saranac Lake/Lake Placid ............... 233 9,547 1,835,962 192 15.3 

NY Watertown (NY) ................................ 172 33,294 2,314,505 70 53.2 

OR Pendleton* ....................................... 205 6,969 1,659,090 238 11.5 

PA Altoona ............................................. 112 3,693 2,371,850 642 5.9 

PA Bradford ........................................... 77 6,068 2,082,430 343 9.7 

PA DuBois ............................................. 112 5,463 2,252,184 412 8.7 

PA Franklin/Oil City ............................... 85 3,657 1,547,632 423 5.8 

PA Johnstown ........................................ 84 8,516 2,396,358 281 13.6 

PA Lancaster ......................................... 86 6,633 2,512,692 379 10.6 

PR Mayaguez ......................................... 105 10,411 1,288,357 124 16.6 

SD Aberdeen .......................................... 270 52,742 1,054,369 20 84.3 

SD Pierre ............................................... 394 5,627 606,636 108 70.3 

SD Watertown (SD) ................................ 207 1,575 304,220 193 19.7 

TN Jackson ............................................ 137 6,457 2,054,950 318 10.3 

TX Victoria ............................................ 119 3,761 2,053,469 546 6.0 

UT Cedar City ........................................ 179 26,891 2,610,261 97 43.0 

UT Moab ................................................ 256 5,124 2,211,169 432 16.2 

UT Vernal* ............................................ 150 4,750 1,583,235 333 15.0 

VA Staunton .......................................... 134 10,512 1,891,380 180 16.8 

VT Rutland ............................................ 134 10,244 1,355,583 132 16.4 

WI Eau Claire ........................................ 92 36,400 1,988,732 55 58.1 

WI Rhinelander ..................................... 216 43,046 2,083,650 48 68.8 

WV Beckley ............................................. 211 4,127 2,471,805 599 6.6 

WV Clarksburg/Fairmont ........................ 96 9,041 2,305,224 255 14.4 

WV Greenbrier/White Sulphur Springs ... 230 9,023 3,507,888 389 14.4 

WV Morgantown ..................................... 75 15,009 2,342,555 156 24.0 

WV Parkersburg/Marietta, OH ................ 110 8,434 3,420,872 406 13.5 

WY Cody ................................................. 449 49,060 1,085,268 22 78.4 

WY Laramie ............................................ 145 29,263 2,046,800 70 46.7 

* Indicates the community experienced a sevice hiatus. Days of service reduced accordingly to calculate enplanements per day. 
26 

** Dickinson received subsidized service for three days of fiscal year 2016, starting September 28, 2016. 

*** Diomede is not an EAS community, but it is covered under ATNEP 49 U.S.C. 41736. 

Alaska and Hawaii are not subject to any per passenger subsidy caps or required to enplane a minimum level of passengers. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF

TRANSPORTATION

Section 101 prohibits the Office of the Secretary of Transportation from obligating funds originally provided to a modal administration in order to approve assessments or reimbursable agreements, unless the Department follows the regular process for the 

reprogramming of funds, including congressional notification. 

Section 102 allows the Department of Transportation to make 

use of the Working Capital Fund in providing transit benefits to 

Federal employees. 

Section 103 places simple administrative requirements on the 

Department of Transportation’s Council on Credit and Finance. 

These requirements include posting a schedule of meetings on the 

DOT Web site, posting the meeting agendas on the Web site, and 

recording the minutes of each meeting. 

Section 104 extends transfer authority originally provided in the 

FAST Act for the Bureau, which expires in December 2017. The 

language also allows the Bureau to transfer funds back to any applicable entity who had funds transferred to the Bureau. 

Section 105 allows fees collected through the RRIF program to be 

deposited directly into an Office of the Secretary account so it can 

be used by the Bureau once fully consolidated. Currently, the fees 

can only be deposited into a Federal Railroad Administration account. 

Section 106 lifts the suspension of a consumer rulemaking and 

requires the Department to set a new deadline for additional public 

comment within 30 days of enactment of this act. 

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for the safe 

movement of civil aviation and the evolution of a national system 

of airports. The Federal Government’s regulatory role in civil aviation began with the creation of an Aeronautics Branch within the 

Department of Commerce pursuant to the Air Commerce Act of 

1926. This act instructed the agency to foster air commerce; designate and establish airways; establish, operate, and maintain aids 

to navigation; arrange for research and development to improve 

such aids; issue airworthiness certificates for aircraft and major 

aircraft components; and investigate civil aviation accidents. In the 

Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, these activities were transferred to 

a new, independent agency named the Civil Aeronautics Authority. 

Congress streamlined regulatory oversight in 1957 with the creation of two separate agencies, the Federal Aviation Agency and 

the Civil Aeronautics Board. When DOT began its operations in 

1967, the Federal Aviation Agency was renamed the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] and became one of several modal administrations within DOT. The Civil Aeronautics Board was later 

phased out with enactment of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, 

and ceased to exist in 1984. Responsibility for the investigation of 
27 

civil aviation accidents was given to the National Transportation 

Safety Board in 1967. FAA’s mission expanded in 1995 with the 

transfer of the Office of Commercial Space Transportation from the 

Office of the Secretary, and decreased in December 2001 with the 

transfer of civil aviation security activities to the Transportation 

Security Administration. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The total recommended funding level for the FAA for fiscal year 

2018 amounts to $16,970,000,000 including new budget authority 

and a limitation on the obligation of contract authority. This funding level is $844,114,000 more than the budget request and 

$562,648,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The following table summarizes the Committee’s recommendations for fiscal year 2018 in comparison to the budget request and 

the fiscal year 2017 enacted level: 

Fiscal year— Committee recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Operations ................................................................................ $10,025,852,000 $9,890,886,000 $10,186,000,000 

Facilities and equipment ......................................................... 2,855,000,000 2,735,000,000 3,005,000,000 

Research, engineering, and development ............................... 176,500,000 150,000,000 179,000,000 

Grants-in-aid to airports (obligation limitation) ..................... 3,350,000,000 3,350,000,000 3,600,000,000 

Rescissions .............................................................................. .............................. .............................. ..............................

Total ............................................................................ 16,407,352,000 16,125,886,000 16,970,000,000 

OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $10,025,852,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 9,890,886,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 10,186,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This appropriation provides funds for the operation, maintenance, communications, and logistical support of the air traffic control and air navigation systems. It also covers administrative and 

managerial costs for the FAA’s regulatory, international, commercial space, medical, research, engineering and development programs, as well as policy oversight and agency management functions. The Operations appropriation includes the following major 

activities: 

—the Air Traffic Organization which operates, on a 24-hour daily 

basis, the national air traffic system, including the establishment and maintenance of a national system of aids to navigation, the development and distribution of aeronautical charts 

and the administration of acquisition, and research and development programs; 

—the regulation and certification activities, including establishment and surveillance of civil air regulations to ensure safety 

and development of standards, rules and regulations governing 

the physical fitness of airmen, as well as the administration of 

an Aviation Medical Research Program; 

—the Office of Commercial Space Transportation; and 

—headquarters and support offices. 
28 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total of $10,186,000,000 for FAA 

Operations. This funding level is $295,114,000 more than the budget request, and $160,148,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee recommendation derives $8,947,000,000 

of the appropriation from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The 

balance of the appropriation will be drawn from the General Fund 

of the Treasury. 

As in past years, the FAA is directed to report immediately to 

the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations in the event 

resources are insufficient to operate a safe and effective air traffic 

control system. 

The following table summarizes the Committee’s recommendation in comparison to the budget estimate and fiscal year 2017 enacted level: 

FAA OPERATIONS 

Fiscal year— Committee 

recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Air traffic organization ............................................................ $7,559,785,000 $7,491,938,000 $7,692,032,000 

Aviation safety ......................................................................... 1,298,482,000 1,257,981,000 1,310,000,000 

Commercial space transportation ........................................... 19,826,000 17,905,000 21,587,000 

Finance and Management ....................................................... 771,342,000 758,192,000 777,506,000 

NextGen Operations and Planning ........................................... 60,155,000 59,041,000 60,000,000 

Security and hazardous materials safety ................................ 107,161,000 100,961,000 112,622,000 

Staff offices ............................................................................. 209,101,000 204,868,000 212,253,000 

Total ............................................................................ 10,025,852,000 9,890,886,000 10,186,000,000 

Air Traffic Control Privatization.—The United States has the 

largest, safest, most efficient and most complex air traffic control 

system in the world, and the FAA should remain a global leader 

with a singular and unified mission of safety. The Committee does 

not support the Administration’s request to transfer the FAA’s air 

traffic functions to a not-for-profit, independent, private corporation. The Committee makes this determination on several grounds. 

First, the rigorous and yearly oversight of the budget and programs of the FAA is necessary to ensure the transparency and integrity of the public’s investment in the air traffic control system. 

The proposed shift does not serve the public interest and would 

only create a new bureaucracy that is unaccountable to the public 

and the communities surrounding our network of airports. 

Second, the FAA continues to upgrade the air traffic control system through NextGen’s development of advanced procedures, technologies and tools that allow commercial airlines to safely and efficiently carry more passengers and cargo, while burning less fuel 

and producing fewer emissions. The NextGen Advisory Committee 

has provided increased input from aviation stakeholders and has 

been an effective tool in advancing NextGen priorities through public-private collaboration. Through 2016, airspace improvements 

have provided $2,720,000,000 in savings and are projected to provide more than $160,000,000,000 through 2030, at a cost of 

$35,000,000,000 to the FAA and stakeholders. Further, programs 

such as data communications are well ahead of schedule. However, 
29 

the budget request, with its privatization proposal, will only serve 

to delay the progress that has already been made. The Committee 

does not agree that a major shift in governance is necessary for 

continued progress and would only undermine and delay the modernization effort that is currently underway. 

Third, the removal of the air traffic organization [ATO] would 

disrupt the important and seamless collaboration that occurs 

among ATO, the FAA’s office of aviation safety and other government agencies that rely on the national airspace system. For example, the GAO noted in an October, 2016, report that the, ‘‘FAA provides and receives critical information and analysis throughout the 

intelligence, defense and law enforcement communities,’’ which are 

used to identify terrorism, counterintelligence and cyber security 

threats. Maintaining active coordination is key to the security of 

the U.S. airspace. 

Fourth, the Committee is greatly concerned about the potential 

impact a privatized air traffic control system would have on small 

communities. The FAA’s longstanding role has been to ensure that 

the national airspace system provides equal access to all users— 

from commercial airlines traveling between large hubs to the small 

businesses that utilize the network of remote general aviation airports. The Committee is not convinced that the proposed governing 

board or the so-called ‘‘protections on access’’ will protect the universal access that has been the hallmark of our large and diverse 

aviation system. 

The Committee acknowledges that there is room for improvement in our air traffic control system and welcomes constructive 

solutions to identified problems. The Committee has provided the 

FAA with multi-year funding and increased transfer authority to 

better manage the transition between budget years. The Committee will continue to work with the authorizing committees to advance our mutual interest in ensuring that the United States has 

the best aviation system in the world 5, 10, and 20 years from now. 

Funding Availability and Transfer Authority.—The bill provides 

2-year funding availability for the entire operations account. This 

funding flexibility is provided to enhance assurance of continuity of 

air traffic operations during the annual transition from one fiscal 

year to the next. In addition, the bill includes funding transfer authority of 5 percent among the activities in this account. This 

transfer authority is provided to meet emerging requirements as 

FAA works to accelerate the modernization of the Nation’s air traffic control system. 

Contract Towers.—The Committee recommendation provides not 

less than $162,000,000 for the contract tower program, including 

the cost-share contract towers, which is $3,000,000 above the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level. Contract towers serve as vital public safety and economic development assets to hundreds of communities. 

Municipalities depend on the contract tower program to provide 

commercial and general aviation services, jobs, and public safety, 

such as air ambulance services. The Committee continues to express strong support for the FAA contract tower program as a costeffective and efficient way to provide air traffic control services to 

smaller airports across the country, as validated by numerous audits of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector Gen-
30 

eral. In an effort to increase air traffic safety benefits throughout 

the national air transportation system, the Committee has provided dedicated funding over the past few years to add qualified 

airports annually to the program. For fiscal year 2018, the Committee expects FAA to continue to operate the 253 contract towers 

currently in the program, including the contract tower cost share 

program, as well as add in an expeditious manner qualified airports eligible to enter the program and any other airport that may 

qualify during the fiscal year. FAA is directed to provide the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations with a plan for beginning operations at qualified towers during the fiscal year and a detailed report on the administrative and program management expenses for the program since fiscal year 2013 not later than 90 

days from enactment of this act. 

Current law limits contributions by airports in the contract tower 

cost share program to 20 percent of total costs. The contract tower 

program continues to serve as a highly successful model for costeffective government and industry partnerships in the aviation industry. The agency-imposed 2014 moratorium on calculating contract tower benefit/cost [b/c] analysis on applicable non-towered airports, non-Federal towers, and cost-share contract tower airports 

was lifted by statutory language in the fiscal year 2017 omnibus 

appropriations law. As such, the Committee expects the agency to 

work collaboratively and in partnership with airports and industry 

stakeholders on a fair and balanced approach to the b/c analysis 

that focuses on enhancing air traffic safety and efficiency at appropriate airports. 

Radar Approach Control.—The Committee finds that radar approach control enhances aviation safety and efficiency for regularly 

scheduled commercial airline service. The Committee, therefore, 

recommends that the FAA utilize existing budget authorities to 

promptly provide radar to all FAA ‘‘Type 4’’ air traffic control towers. 

Aircraft Certification.—The Committee continues to support modernizing and streamlining FAA certification processes. The Committee has consistently urged FAA to move forward with certification reforms to better leverage certification resources and 

strengthen safety oversight. Full utilization of organization designation authorizations [ODAs] is key to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of product certification. The Committee directs 

FAA to continue to work with industry on realizing this goal. In 

particular, with funds under the act, the FAA shall ensure that an 

ODA can conduct all specified activities authorized and approved 

by FAA in their procedures manual. Additionally, the Committee 

directs that the FAA, at the request of an ODA, conduct a review 

of ODA limitations and remove limitations that FAA determines, 

through risk analysis, are associated with low and medium risk activities. These efforts shall include all FAA field office activities for 

the type certification and delivery of new aircraft including Aircraft 

Certification Office, Aircraft Evaluation Group and Manufacturing 

Inspection District Offices. We also note the FAA’s plan to expand 

the ODA performance scorecard to all ODAs nationally and believe 

this must be aligned with objectives to facilitate full utilization of 

ODAs by all FAA offices. 
31 

International Aviation Safety Cooperation.—The Committee commends the FAA for continuing to strengthen international aviation 

safety cooperation and improve the flow of aviation products globally through strategic engagement with the European Aviation 

Safety Agency, Transport Canada Civil Aviation, and National 

Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil. These activities will result in 

streamlined validation and acceptance of type certificates and approvals among these authorities. With the funds provided, the 

Committee directs the FAA to ensure that the efficiency of foreign 

validations are consistent with the terms of the Bilateral Agreement and to assist U.S. companies that experience significant 

delays. 

Safety, Security and Infrastructure.—After the fire at the Chicago 

Air Route Traffic Control Center [ZAU] on September 26, 2014, 

FAA con- ducted a comprehensive security review, which resulted 

in identifying 42 recommendations, of which 24 of them were 

deemed significant to improve safety. The funding provided will 

support activities recommended for implementation of facility security, personnel security, and the insider threat program necessary 

to improve the security and support resiliency of FAA critical operations. 

The Committee expects FAA’s continued commitment toward restoring operations immediately following an emergency situation, 

while improving the physical and personnel security to ensure air 

traffic is not brought to a halt, similar to what occurred at ZAU. 

Aeronautical Navigation Products.—The Committee remains concerned about Aeronautical Navigation Products’ [AeroNav] plans to 

impose a per person charge and erect a digital copyright on digital 

products produced by the FAA for the public benefit. The FAA has 

previously made these products available for download from its 

Web site without charge. The Committee is concerned that the proposed scheme will be used to support the declining paper chart 

services by charging those that are moving to a digital format. In 

contrast to AeroNav’s efforts, Executive Order 13642 was issued on 

May 14, 2013, to make government data available to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. This order builds on another order 

issued in 2012 to open up government systems with public interfaces for commercial application providers. With these concerns in 

mind, the Committee continues to include bill language that prohibits AeroNav from implementing new charges on AeroNav products until the FAA provides the House and Senate Committees on 

Appropriations a report that describes: (1) the estimated cost of 

producing only its digital products, on a product-by-product basis 

(for example, delineating costs for electronic navigation charts and 

vector charts separately), for use on computers, tablets, and other 

displays; (2) the cost of producing both digital products and paper 

products, on a product-by-product basis; (3) safety and operational 

benefits of using digital products; and (4) how AeroNav’s actions 

conflict with the direction in Executive Order 13642 to support 

open data for entrepreneurship, innovation, and scientific discovery. 

Human Intervention Motivation Study.—The Committee recognizes the effectiveness of the Human Intervention Motivation 

Study and the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program in miti-
32 

gating drug and alcohol abuse through a peer identification and 

intervention program. The Committee recommends the FAA continue to prioritize this program and use existing resources made 

available within Operations to support this program. 

FAA Public Hearing.—The Committee remains concerned with 

the proposed modifications to the Condor 1 and Condor 2 military 

operating areas and encourages the FAA to continue working with 

its partner agencies by holding a public hearing with representatives from the relevant Federal agencies in western Maine upon 

completion of the Air National Guard’s environmental impact statement [EIS] and the record of decision. The Committee recognizes 

that the Air National Guard, as the lead agency under the NEPA 

process, has sought to meet the minimum legal requirements for 

public participation and comment. However, the Committee remains troubled with how the authorization of low-altitude military 

training in the proposed airspace would affect areas that significantly contribute to the local economy and areas that are culturally 

and environmentally sensitive. Furthermore, the Committee notes 

the FAA is the only Federal agency that can modify special airspace and that the FAA may adopt the Air National Guard’s EIS 

in whole, or in part, once the Final EIS has been issued. In addition, the Committee directs the FAA to report to the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations prior to the issuance of a 

record of decision regarding the modification of the Condor 1 and 

Condor 2 military operations areas that includes a summary of any 

public meeting and hearing and a list of the comments, questions, 

and responses presented at these meetings and hearings. 

Air Traffic Controller Hiring Data.—In fiscal year 2014, the FAA 

embarked on an open hiring process for air traffic controllers. This 

hiring process, with this Committee’s support, brought in a diverse 

class of prospective controllers from previously underrepresented 

groups at the FAA. The ATC training program is rigorous and 

there is a significant amount of attrition as trainees advance 

through the process. The Committee directs the FAA to report to 

the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations data detailing the level of attrition through the training process by both gender and race and national origin within 45 days of enactment of 

this act. 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems [UAS]—Broadcast Media.—The 

Committee urges the FAA to consider the important public interest 

role of credentialed newsgatherers in disseminating critical information to the public following major news events and natural disasters. The Committee further urges the FAA to immediately establish procedures to enable credentialed news and broadcast 

media, in coordination with public safety officials and Air Traffic 

Control, if necessary, to use UAS to gather images and information 

and to inform the public and disseminate information during and 

following emergencies and natural disasters, including at night, 

over people and beyond the line of sight of the UAS operator. 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems—Electronic Registration.—The Committee supports the FAA’s electronic registration system to register 

UAS, as opposed to the current paper-based FAA Aircraft Registry 

system for manned aircraft. The Committee believes that online, 

interactive education program links on the electronic registration 
33 

process would provide the education necessary to reduce the risk 

of unknowing or negligent mistakes by recreational operators of 

small unmanned aircraft thus promoting aviation safety. Therefore, 

the Committee directs the FAA to include in its electronic registration system for recreational operators a link for registrants to undergo a suitable and interactive online education and training program. The Committee also directs the FAA to report to the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the implementation 

of such online interactive training for registrants, including the 

number of registrants who have attempted and completed the 

training course, and recommendations for any improvements or 

changes to this system within 120 days of enactment of this act. 

Further, the Committee recommends the FAA to develop an online 

aeronautical knowledge test in order to obtain remote pilot certificates and report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 120 days of enactment of this act. 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Field Testing.—The Committee directs the FAA to clarify the regulations governing UAS and consider utilizing airspace in rural and geographically challenging 

areas to conduct field testing. 

Landing Strips.—The Committee finds that backcountry landing 

strips on Federal lands are important assets to the national aviation infrastructure. The Committee recommends the FAA assist 

Federal Land Managers, including but not limited to the Bureau 

of Land Management, United States Forest Service, and National 

Park Service in charting airstrips located on Federal Lands that 

are and may be useful for administrative, recreational, and emergency purposes. 

Contract Weather Observers.—The FAA’s Contract Weather Observer [CWO] program provides operationally significant weather 

information and support to the entire aviation community. CWO 

safety professionals observe and report operationally significant 

weather conditions at airports across the country. These trained 

specialists augment the Automated Surface Observing System 

[ASOS], which detects and reports basic weather information for 

aviation and forecasting. The Committee continues to have serious 

concerns about the FAA’s proposal to eliminate the CWO program. 

Air traffic controllers perform a critical role, managing separation 

of aircraft, and are required to remain inside of their towers. By 

law, weather observing would be their lowest priority duty. Adding 

this responsibility to the other important duties of air traffic controllers would seriously degrade the speed and accuracy of operationally-significant weather observations and reduce air traffic 

control coverage, particularly at a time when air traffic controller 

staffing shortages are a continuing issue for the FAA. The Committee therefore rejects the budget request to eliminate the CWO 

program. 

Medical Kits.—The Committee directs the FAA to undertake a 

rulemaking to evaluate and revise the regulations under part 121 

of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, regarding the emergency 

medical requirements, including the contents of the first-aid kit, 

applicable to all certificate holders operating passenger-carrying 

airplanes under that party. In conducting this rulemaking, the Administrator should consider whether the minimum contents of ap-
34 

proved emergency medical kits, including approved first-aid kits, 

include appropriate medications and equipment to meet the emergency medical needs of children. 

Aviation Events.—The Committee directs FAA to use existing resources to provide air traffic control and safety support services at 

major aviation events hosted annually for the general aviation community. The Committee recognizes that these services are paid for 

using the aviation fuel tax excise collected from general aviation 

users. Recognizing continual funding constraints, the Committee 

instructs the FAA to utilize appropriate resources to maintain the 

safe and efficient movement of aircraft based on projected airspace 

congestion at major aviation events. 

Space Launch System.—The Committee commends the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation’s efforts to promote private sector lunar exploration and development. The Committee encourages the FAA to explicitly define non-interference and to enhance its payload review process to provide companies planning 

private sector lunar development with the security and predictability necessary to support substantial investments. The Committee also encourages the office, in collaboration with the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, to engage in 

conversation with National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

[NASA] to explore the lift power and capacity of the Space Launch 

System [SLS] as a means of facilitating commercial-space efforts, 

in accordance with the Commercial Space Launch Act, in which the 

SLS sometimes serves in an infrastructure-building role to speed 

the transport of large-volume payloads and non-profit or cost-sharing payloads, and payloads benefit from being launched into lunar 

orbit together. 

Commercial Space.—The FAA is directed to provide a report on 

the findings regarding a June 2015 catastrophic launch failure by 

a commercial launch provider, which destroyed $118,000,000 worth 

of cargo while under contract with NASA to transport such cargo 

to the International Space Station. The report must consolidate all 

relevant investigations by, or at the request of, the Federal Government that were conducted, including those completed by NASA as 

part of the FAA report, and must also include a summary suitable 

for public disclosure. The Committee directs the FAA to submit its 

report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 

within 30 days of enactment of this act. 

Incident Reporting Data.—The Committee notes neither the FAA 

nor the NTSB segments collection of safety data, making it difficult 

to accurately measure data and trends of the wide range aircraft 

types and operations within the on-demand air charter community. 

The Committee directs the FAA to work with the NTSB and industry stakeholders to determine what additional data points are appropriate to collect and report to the House and Senate Committees 

on Appropriations within 180 days of enactment of this act. 

Noise and Community Outreach.—The Committee appreciates 

additional measures the FAA is taking to enhance outreach to communities affected by new flightpaths. The Committee encourages 

the FAA to improve the development of flight procedures in ways 

that will give fair consideration to public comment and reduce 

noise through procedure modification and dispersion to reduce the 
35 

impact on local communities. The FAA should focus on methods 

that can produce measurable results. The FAA should give high 

priority to evaluating where increased noise levels disrupts homes 

and businesses, and threatens public health, and should provide all 

necessary resources to regional offices to work with local communities to meet this objective. 

Electronic Guidance Library.—The top recommendation of the 

FAA’s Consistency of Regulatory Interpretation Aviation Rulemaking Committee was to create a single master source for guidance to provide a ‘‘one-stop’’ shop for obtaining the agency’s current 

policies. As the agency moves forward, the Committee expects this 

to include an electronic library, a process to review and eliminate 

outdated or conflicting material on both a current and on-going 

basis, and directs the FAA to complete its work within 180 days 

of enactment of this act. 

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

(AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $2,855,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 2,766,200,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 3,005,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Facilities and Equipment appropriation provides funding for 

modernizing and improving air traffic control and airway facilities, 

equipment, and systems. The appropriation also finances major 

capital investments required by other agency programs, experimental research and development facilities, and other improvements to enhance the safety and capacity of the National Airspace 

System [NAS]. The program aims to keep pace with the increasing 

demands of aeronautical activity and remain in accordance with 

the FAA comprehensive 5-year capital investment plan [CIP]. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,005,000,000 

for the Facilities and Equipment account of the FAA. The recommended level is $238,800,000 more than the budget request and 

$150,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee rejects the request to rescind $31,200,000 for new construction. 

Budget Activities Format.—The Committee directs that the fiscal 

year 2019 budget request for the Facilities and Equipment account 

conform to the same organizational structure of budget activities as 

displayed below. 

The following table shows the Committee’s recommended distribution of funds for each of the budget activities funded by this 

appropriation and by resources provided under Grants-in-Aid to 

Airports: 
36 

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT 

Fiscal year— Committee 

recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Activity 1—Engineering, Development, Test and Evaluation 

Advanced Technology Development and Prototyping ..... $24,800,000 $26,800,000 $26,800,000 

William J. Hughes Technical Center Laboratory Improvement ................................................................... 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 

William J. Hughes Technical Center Laboratory 

Sustainment ............................................................... 19,000,000 18,000,000 18,000,000 

William J. Hughes Technical Center Infrastructure 

Sustainment ............................................................... 12,200,000 10,000,000 15,000,000 

Separation Management Portfolio .................................. 32,800,000 13,500,000 13,500,000 

Traffic Flow Management Portfolio ................................. .............................. 10,800,000 10,800,000 

Improved Surface Portfolio ............................................. 2,000,000 .............................. ..............................

On Demand NAS Portfolio ............................................... 11,500,000 12,000,000 12,000,000 

Environment Portfolio ...................................................... .............................. .............................. ..............................

Improved Multiple Runway Operations Portfolio ............ 6,500,000 .............................. ..............................

NAS Infrastructure Portfolio ............................................ 17,660,000 17,500,000 17,500,000 

NextGen Support Portfolio ............................................... 12,000,000 12,000,000 12,000,000 

Performance Based Navigation & Metroplex Portfolio ... 17,500,000 .............................. ..............................

Unmanned Aircraft Systems [UAS] ................................. .............................. 15,000,000 25,000,000 

Enterprise, Concept Development, Human Factors, & 

Demonstrations Portfolio ............................................ .............................. 9,000,000 9,000,000 

Total Activity 1 ........................................................... 156,960,000 145,600,000 160,600,000 

Activity 2—Air Traffic Control Facilities and Equipment: 

a. En Route Programs: 

En Route Automation Modernization [ERAM]—System 

Enhancements and Tech Refresh .............................. 78,000,000 76,650,000 91,650,000 

En Route Communications Gateway [ECG] .................... 2,650,000 2,650,000 2,650,000 

Next Generation Weather Radar [NEXRAD]—Provide ..... 6,300,000 5,500,000 5,500,000 

Air Route Traffic Control Center [ARTCC] & Combined 

Control Facility [CCF] Building Improvements ........... 74,870,000 100,400,000 120,400,000 

Air Traffic Management [ATM] ....................................... 20,000,000 4,900,000 4,900,000 

Air/Ground Communications Infrastructure .................... 8,750,000 9,750,000 9,750,000 

Air Traffic Control En Route Radar Facilities Improvements .......................................................................... 5,800,000 5,400,000 5,400,000 

Voice Switching and Control System [VSCS] ................. 11,300,000 12,800,000 12,800,000 

Oceanic Automation System ........................................... 24,000,000 23,100,000 34,950,000 

Next Generation Very High Frequency Air/Ground Communications [NEXCOM] .............................................. 50,500,000 53,000,000 60,000,000 

System-Wide Information Management .......................... 43,800,000 50,050,000 50,050,000 

ADS -B NAS Wide Implementation ................................. 154,800,000 139,150,000 150,300,000 

Windshear Detection Service .......................................... 4,500,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 

Collaborative Air Traffic Management Technologies ...... 13,820,000 9,000,000 9,000,000 

Time Based Flow Management Portfolio ........................ 50,600,000 40,450,000 40,450,000 

ATC Beacon Interrogator [ATCBI]—Sustainment ........... 1,000,000 .............................. ..............................

NextGen Weather Processors ........................................... 27,800,000 35,450,000 35,450,000 

Airborne Collision Avoidance System X [ACASX] ............ 8,900,000 7,700,000 7,700,000 

Data Communications in Support of NG Air Transportation System ............................................................. 232,000,000 154,100,000 178,100,000 

Non-Continental United States [Non-CONUS] Automation ............................................................................. 3,000,000 11,000,000 11,000,000 

Reduced Oceanic Separation .......................................... .............................. 4,350,000 24,350,000 

En Route Service Improvements ..................................... .............................. 3,000,000 3,000,000 

Commercial Space Integration ....................................... .............................. 4,500,000 4,500,000 

Subtotal En Route Programs ...................................... 822,390,000 753,900,000 862,900,000 

b. Terminal Programs: 

Airport Surface Detection Equipment—Model X [ASDE– 

X] ................................................................................ 8,400,000 .............................. ..............................

Terminal Doppler Weather Radar [TDWR]—Provide ...... 5,000,000 3,800,000 3,800,000 

Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System 

[STARS] (TAMR Phase 1) ............................................ 64,200,000 86,700,000 86,700,000 
37 

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT—Continued 

Fiscal year— Committee recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Terminal Automation Modernization/Replacement Program (TAMR Phase 3) ................................................ 108,900,000 66,100,000 66,100,000 

Terminal Automation Program ........................................ 7,700,000 8,493,000 8,493,000 

Terminal Air Traffic Control Facilities—Replace ........... 58,800,000 31,118.485 58,118.485 

ATCT/Terminal Radar Approach Control [TRACON] Facilities—Improve ........................................................ 47,720,000 56,800,000 61,800,000 

Terminal Voice Switch Replacement [TVSR] .................. 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 

NAS Facilities OSHA and Environmental Standards 

Compliance ................................................................. 42,700,000 46,700,000 46,700,000 

Airport Surveillance Radar [ASR–9] ............................... 4,500,000 11,400,000 11,400,000 

Terminal Digital Radar [ASR–11] Technology Refresh 

and Mobile Airport Surveillance Radar [MASR] ......... 6,100,000 3,200,000 3,200,000 

Runway Status Lights ..................................................... 4,800,000 2,800,000 2,800,000 

National Airspace System Voice System [NVS] .............. 48,400,000 68,750,000 68,750,000 

Integrated Display System [IDS] ..................................... 7,700,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 

Remote Monitoring and Logging System [RMLS] ........... 9,900,000 7,400,000 7,400,000 

Mode S Service Life Extension Program [SLEP] ............. 37,900,000 20,900,000 20,900,000 

Surveillance Interface Modernization .............................. 21,800,000 .............................. ..............................

Terminal Flight Data Manager [TFDM] ........................... 42,200,000 90,350,000 90,350,000 

National Air Space [NAS] Voice Recorder Program 

[NVRP] ........................................................................ 2,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 

Integrated Terminal Weather System [ITWS] .................. 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 

Next Generation: Surveillance and Weather Radar Capability & Back-up Surveillance Capability ............... 6,000,000 .............................. ..............................

Flight and Interfacility Data Interface [FIDI] Modernization ............................................................................. 13,000,000 .............................. ..............................

Performance Based Navigation & Metroplex Portfolio ... .............................. 20,000,000 20,000,000 

Subtotal Terminal Programs ...................................... 554,720,000 541,511.485 573,511.485 

c. Flight Service Programs 

Aviation Surface Observation System [ASOS] ................ 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 

Future Flight Services Program ...................................... 3,000,000 14,038.515 14,038.515 

Alaska Flight Service Facility Modernization [AFSFM] .... 2,650,000 2,650,000 2,650,000 

Weather Camera Program ............................................... 2,200,000 1,300,000 1,300,000 

Juneau Airport Wind System [JAWS]—Technology Refresh.

Subtotal Flight Service Programs .............................. 17,850,000 27,988.515 27,988.515 

d. Landing and Navigational Aids Program 

VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range [VOR] with Distance 

Measuring Equipment [DME] ..................................... 9,000,000 11,000,000 17,000,000 

Instrument Landing System [ILS]—Establish ................ 7,000,000 7,000,000 11,000,000 

Wide Area Augmentation System [WAAS] for GPS ......... 111,600,000 102,300,000 110,300,000 

Runway Visual Range [RVR] and Enhanced Low Visibility Operations [ELVO] ............................................. 6,500,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 

Approach Lighting System Improvement Program 

[ALSIP] ........................................................................ 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 

Distance Measuring Equipment [DME] ........................... 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 

Visual NAVAIDS—Establish/Expand ............................... 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 

Instrument Flight Procedures Automation [IFPA] ........... 9,400,000 8,500,000 8,500,000 

Navigation and Landing Aids—Service Life Extension 

Program [SLEP] .......................................................... 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 

VASI Replacement—Replace with Precision Approach 

Path Indicator ............................................................. 5,000,000 5,000,000 5,000,000 

GPS Civil Requirements .................................................. .............................. .............................. ..............................

Runway Safety Areas—Navigational Mitigation ............ 14,000,000 1,600,000 1,600,000 

NAVAIDS Monitoring Equipment ...................................... 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 

Subtotal Landing and Navigational Aids Programs .. 175,500,000 152,400,000 170,400,000 

e. Other ATC Facilities Programs 

Fuel Storage Tank Replacement and Management ....... 22,700,000 28,100,000 35,000,000 

Unstaffed Infrastructure Sustainment ............................ 40,490,000 35,700,000 41,000,000 
38 

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT—Continued 

Fiscal year— Committee 

recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Aircraft Related Equipment Program ............................. 13,000,000 12,500,000 12,500,000 

Airport Cable Loop Systems—Sustained Support .......... 8,000,000 8,000,000 8,000,000 

Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure 

[ASTI] .......................................................................... 6,000,000 20,900,000 20,900,000 

Facilities Decommissioning ............................................ 6,200,000 13,900,000 27,000,000 

Electrical Power Systems—Sustain/Support .................. 105,000,000 110,000,000 125,000,000 

Energy Management and Compliance [EMC] ................. 2,000,000 2,400,000 2,400,000 

Child Care Center Sustainment ...................................... 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 

FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure ......................... 10,360,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 

Data Visualization, Analysis and Reporting System 

[DVARS] ...................................................................... 6,500,000 5,500,000 5,500,000 

TDM-to-IP Migration ........................................................ .............................. 3,000,000 3,000,000 

Subtotal Other ATC Facilities Programs .................... 221,250,000 243,000,000 283,300,000 

Total Activity 2 ........................................................... 1,791,710,000 1,718,800,000 1,918,100,000 

Activity 3—Non-Air Traffic Control Facilities and Equipment 

a. Support Equipment 

Hazardous Materials Management ................................. 31,000,000 35,300,000 35,300,000 

Aviation Safety Analysis System [ASAS] ......................... 11,300,000 12,000,000 12,000,000 

Logistics Support Systems and Facilities [LSSF] ........... .............................. .............................. ..............................

National Air Space [NAS] Recovery Communications 

[RCOM] ....................................................................... 12,000,000 12,000,000 12,000,000 

Facility Security Risk Management ................................ 21,000,000 20,400,000 20,400,000 

Information Security ........................................................ 24,970,000 20,700,000 20,700,000 

System Approach for Safety Oversight [SASO] ............... 17,200,000 25,800,000 25,800,000 

Aviation Safety Knowledge Management Environment 

[ASKME] ...................................................................... 4,200,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 

Aerospace Medical Equipment Needs [AMEN] ................ 3,000,000 7,000,000 7,000,000 

System Safety Management Portfolio ............................. 17,000,000 16,200,000 16,200,000 

National Test Equipment Program ................................. 5,000,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 

Mobile Assets Management Program ............................. 5,760,000 3,600,000 3,600,000 

Aerospace Medicine Safety Information Systems 

[AMSIS] ....................................................................... 12,000,000 14,000,000 14,000,000 

Tower Simulation System [TSS] Technology Refresh ...... 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 

Subtotal Support Equipment ...................................... 167,430,000 178,000,000 178,000,000 

b. Training, Equipment and Facilities: 

Aeronautical Center Infrastructure Modernization .......... 14,000,000 14,000,000 14,000,000 

Distance Learning ........................................................... 1,500,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 

Subtotal Training, Equipment and Facilities ............. 15,500,000 15,000,000 15,000,000 

Total Activity 3 ........................................................... 182,930,000 193,000,000 193,000,000 

Activity 4—Facilities and Equipment Mission Support: 

a. System Support and Services: 

System Engineering and Development Support ............. 35,000,000 35,700,000 35,700,000 

Program Support Leases ................................................. 46,600,000 47,000,000 47,000,000 

Logistics and Acquisition Support Services ................... 11,000,000 11,000,000 11,000,000 

Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center Leases ................... 19,300,000 19,700,000 19,700,000 

Transition Engineering Support ...................................... 24,100,000 19,900,000 19,900,000 

Technical Support Services Contract [TSSC] .................. 23,000,000 23,000,000 23,000,000 

Resource Tracking Program [RTP] .................................. 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 

Center for Advanced Aviation System Development 

[CAASD] ...................................................................... 60,000,000 57,000,000 57,000,000 

Aeronautical Information Management Program ............ 10,400,000 4,700,000 15,000,000 

Cross Agency NextGen Management .............................. 2,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 

Total Activity 4 ........................................................... 237,400,000 225,000,000 235,300,000 

Activity 5—Personnel and Related Expenses: 

Personnel and Related Expenses .................................... 486,000,000 483,800,000 498,000,000 
39 

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT—Continued 

Fiscal year— Committee recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Sub-Total All Activities ............................................... 2,855,000,000 2,766,200,000 3,005,000,000 

En Route Automation Modernization [ERAM].—The Committee 

is encouraged by NextGen successes, such as the FAA’s ERAM. 

Since ERAM’s deployment in early 2015, en route controllers are 

able to track 1,900 aircrafts at a time instead of the 1,100 of the 

previous system, Host. ERAM also enables additional coverage beyond facility boundaries so controllers can handle traffic more efficiently. Since 2014, ERAM has averaged only one unscheduled 

versus five unscheduled Host outages annually. ERAM has had no 

scheduled outages versus 209 Host scheduled outages annually. In 

calendar year 2016, ERAM exceeded the national airspace system 

defined 99.999 percent operational availability requirement and 

would have been 100 percent except for 28 minutes at one center 

early in the morning which resulted in no delays. 

ADS–B NAS Wide Implementation.—ADS–B uses GPS signals to 

transmit an aircraft’s location to receivers installed on the ground 

throughout the United States. The ground receivers transmit that 

information to air traffic controller screens and flight deck displays 

on any aircraft equipped with the appropriate avionics. Using 

ADS–B will improve the safety and efficiency of the national airspace, and it is a foundational program of the FAA’s NextGen effort 

to modernize our air traffic control system. Therefore, the Committee recommendation includes $150,300,000 for the implementation of ADS–B across the national airspace. The Committee’s recommendation is $150,000 more than the budget request, which includes $11,000,000 in Activity 2. The recommendation is also 

$4,500,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

SBS Advanced Surveillance Enhanced Procedural Separation.— 

The Committee provides $24,350,000 for SBS Advanced Surveillance Enhanced Procedural Separation, which is $16,350,000 more 

than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $20,000,000 more than 

the budget estimate. The additional funding will accelerate testing 

and evaluation of the technology, operational trials, modification of 

automation systems, and other activities necessary to use spacebased ADS–B for enhanced surveillance to enable reduced oceanic 

separation services. The Committee commends the FAA for requesting that the NextGen Advisory Committee [NAC] evaluate the 

benefit of enhanced surveillance capabilities. The NAC task force 

recently issued an interim report that identified significant quantified benefits from using space-based ADS–B, mainly by enabling 

aircraft to obtain their preferred optimal flight tracks and altitudes 

to minimize fuel burn or to recover from delays. In addition to 

operational enhancements and efficiencies, the technology enables 

critical safety benefits, including filling existing surveillance gaps, 

precise search and rescue, global flight tracking, and reversing the 

rising number of denied weather deviations on oceanic tracks due 

to lack of surveillance. While the Committee appreciates recent 

progress, the Committee directs the FAA to make a final investment decision not later than September 30, 2018 for using space- 
40 

based ADS–B for enhanced surveillance to control air traffic no 

later than March 31, 2019, and also to provide this capability in 

the same manner that terrestrial ADS–B surveillance is provided, 

as recommended by the NAC. 

Wide Area Augmentation System [WAAS] Dual Frequency Operations [DFO].—The Committee continues to be concerned that the 

FAA’s WAAS ground-based infrastructure will not be ready to work 

with the new GPS III constellation’s dual frequency capability. The 

Committee understands that this effort was to be accomplished in 

WAAS DFO, Segment 2, which will develop and implement the 

new algorithms and integrity validation for this new safety-of-life 

application. The Committee also understands that WAAS DFO Segment 2 is not to begin acquisition until 2019. Last year, the Committee directed the FAA to begin algorithm development and test 

in support of dual frequency operations. In addition, the Committee 

recommended the FAA to dedicate sufficient funding to begin design, development, modeling and prototyping of the new algorithms 

using the current WAAS supplier, who retains this expertise. Commencement of this work will significantly mitigate risk factors associated with new development and ensure that the WAAS system 

is fully ready to utilize the new capabilities. The Committee directs 

the FAA to report on their plan for accomplishing this directed action to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 

90 days of enactment of this act. 

Wide Area Augmentation System [WAAS] GEO Service Lease.— The Committee recommends the FAA to commence development of 

the WAAS GEO 7 satellite system early in fiscal year 2018 to avoid 

a gap in sustainment of the full three-satellite WAAS navigation 

constellation. The Committee is concerned that WAAS Service continuity will be placed at risk by targeting a fiscal year 2019 procurement. Current GEO host satellites begin retirement within the 

next year and the remaining satellites will be extended well beyond 

their mission life by the time they are replaced. Further, unless the 

FAA moves expeditiously with the development of WAAS GEO 7, 

the window for capturing development of the next available host 

satellite may pass, potentially compromising sustainment of this 

navigational capability and WAAS’s ability to provide continuous 

uninterrupted service for aviation and other users. Therefore, the 

Committee is providing an additional $8,000,000 to mitigate this 

risk and allow the FAA to accelerate the competition between the 

incumbent suppliers. 

VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range [VOR] with Distance Measuring Equipment [DME].—The Committee has included an increase 

of $8,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 

$6,000,000 more than the budget request for the continuation of 

FAA’s efforts to address the rationalization and recapitalization of 

aging infrastructure of en route navigational aids through a service 

base contract. Consistent with the FAA’s program requirements 

roadmap, the Committee directs the FAA to achieve the following 

prior to September 30, 2018: conduct a supportability analysis; formulate funding documentation/requirements; develop technical requirements; develop a business case; seek Joint Resources Council 

approval; and conduct a competitive acquisition for award of a contract for sustainment of the VORs and DMEs. 
41 

Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement [TAMR].— The fiscal year 2017 appropriations clearly stated the Committee’s 

concerns that the FAA has not effectively proceeded with the required software tools and decision aids for air traffic controllers to 

enable pilots to fully utilize NextGen capabilities, especially Performance Based Navigation [PBN], at all locations at all times in 

the NAS. Therefore, the Committee directed the FAA to develop 

and maintain a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems [STARS] automation roadmap to prepare for an investment 

decision to identify and prioritize STARS enhancements that assist 

controllers during PBN and other NextGen technology operations. 

The Committee also directed the FAA to describe how they intend 

to maximize the taxpayer investments in STARS to ensure that 

NextGen technologies, including PBN, ADS–B, weather products, 

Data Comm, and Terminal Flight Data Manager, are fully integrated in a timely manner to maximize user and FAA investment. 

The Committee is concerned that the FAA is not effectively proceeding with the development and implementation of the directed 

roadmap for the planned NextGen value added toolsets that will 

aid in increasing safety, capacity and efficiency to STARS. The 

Committee is pleased with the continued on time/on budget deployment of the STARS/TAMR infrastructure throughout the NAS; 

however, the Committee is concerned that the FAA is not expeditiously developing and implementing new software based toolsets 

that have the ability to provide significant enhancement taking advantage of this new infrastructure. Therefore, the Committee directs the FAA to provide a STARS/TAMR roadmap within 90 days 

of enactment of this act that details the future path, including investment decision milestones to assist terminal area controllers 

with PBN, and other NextGen initiatives such as improved terminal area weather. 

Data Communications in Support of NextGen.—The Committee 

recommends $178,100,000 for Data Communications in Support of 

NextGen [DataComm], which is $53,900,000 less than the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level and $24,000,000 more than the budget estimate. The additional funds will ensure that the FAA has the resources to continue engineering and development of En Route Full 

Services, which is critical for keeping on track for its scheduled implementation in 2022. The additional DataComm Full Services capabilities allow both controllers and pilots to further utilize the 

DataComm system to gain operational benefits and efficiencies. 

First, these services will allow controllers to uplink any speed or 

altitude restrictions as the plane crosses a fix in the air. Second, 

it will provide controllers and pilots the ability to send additional 

route messages to change the route of flight—for example, to avoid 

weather systems or take advantage of favorable wind conditions. 

Third, it will allow controllers to uplink repetitive advisory information thus reducing pilot voice requests for the information and 

allowing the controller to uplink long holding instructions. The capabilities in Full Services will reduce the need for the controller or 

pilot to voice complicated instructions that can often cause controllers and pilots to repeat information until correct and confirmed. 

The airlines anticipate this capability will enable them to fly more 

efficient routes, saving time and fuel. The airspace users have ex-
42 

pressed through the RTCA NAC and other forums that their business case for investing in DataComm relies on the capabilities delivered by En Route Full Services. 

Instrument Landing Systems.—The Committee provides an in- crease of $4,000,000 for the procurement of additional instrument 

landing systems [ILS]. The FAA currently operates a network of 

more than 1200 Category I ILS and 150 Category II/III ILS. According to the FAA, in the next decade, more than 700 currently 

deployed ILS will exceed their service life. Replacement of aging 

ILS equipment improves reliability and availability and reduces 

the outage rate and maintenance man-hours. The Committee is 

concerned that the pace at which these systems are being replaced 

is not adequate to address future requirements. Therefore, the FAA 

is directed within 30 days after enactment of this act to report to 

the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding the 

agency’s strategy to address replacement of these aging systems, 

including a multi-year budget plan that meets the requirements for 

replacement and an estimate of savings associated with installation 

of the new systems. 

Terminal Airport Traffic Control Facilities–Replace.—The Committee recommends $58,118,485, which is $27,000,000 more than 

the budget estimate and $681,515 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. Of this amount, $5,000,000 is for continuing the ongoing remote tower project, including operating costs, and for deploying remote tower systems to at least 2 other airports. The Committee believes that the remote tower is promising technology that 

will improve aviation safety, reduce capital costs, and increase 

operational efficiencies. In selecting airports to install a remote 

tower, the Committee directs the FAA to take into account the interest of the airport sponsor and to give priority to airports that 

are currently in the contract tower program that have aging towers 

in need of replacement or are non-towered airports that are viable 

candidates for the program. The Committee recommendation also 

includes an additional $22,000,000 for the replacement of terminal 

air traffic control facilities and air traffic control towers. The Committee directs the FAA to use this additional funding, as well as 

funding provided for this activity in the fiscal year 2016 and fiscal 

year 2017 appropriations acts, for all air traffic control towers that 

are ready for land acquisition or construction. The Committee denies the FAA’s request to postpone construction on air traffic control facilities. 

Terminal radar approach control [TRACON] facilities-Improve.— 

The Committee recommendation includes an additional $5,000,000 

for the improvement of terminal air traffic control facilities and air 

traffic control towers, for a total funding level of $61,800,000. The 

FAA’s budget request includes $11,200,000 for improvements to the 

agency’s large terminal radar approach control [TRACON] facilities. The Committee directs the FAA to use the requested funding 

and the additional $5,000,000 for these improvements, and to use 

these funds for modernization and expansion efforts that will ensure the long-term viability of large TRACONs. 

Aging Facilities.—The Committee instructs FAA to work to address aging and antiquated air traffic control facilities that it 

leases from airport authorities to ensure they are fully compliant 
43 

with current building codes consistent with being occupied by air 

traffic controllers. The Committee recognizes that this, in many 

cases, may require the construction of new air traffic facilities to 

replace existing ones. Recognizing continual funding constraints, 

the Committee instructs FAA to utilize creative financing options 

and to include consideration of long-term cost recovery leases, 

when conditions warrant the construction of new air traffic control 

towers. 

Military Operations Areas.—The Committee finds that radar and 

future NextGen systems capable of controlling airspace down to 

500 feet above ground level enhances aviation safety in Military 

Operations Areas that overlay public use airports with more than 

5,000 operations per year. The Committee recommends that the 

FAA utilize existing resources to promptly provide radar or 

NextGen capability in such areas. 

RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT

(AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $176,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 150,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 179,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Research, Engineering, and Development appropriation provides funding for long-term research, engineering, and development 

programs to improve the air traffic control system by increasing its 

safety and capacity, as well as reducing the environmental impacts 

of air traffic, as authorized by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act and the Federal Aviation Act, as amended. The programs 

are designed to meet the expected air traffic demands of the future 

and to promote flight safety through improvements in facilities, 

equipment, techniques, and procedures to ensure that the system 

will safely and efficiently handle future volumes of aircraft traffic. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $179,000,000 for the FAA’s Research, Engineering, and Development activities. The recommended 

level of funding is $29,000,000 more than the budget request and 

$2,500,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

A table showing the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, the fiscal year 

2018 budget estimate and the Committee recommendation is as follows: 

RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT 

Fiscal year— Committee 

recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Safety: 

Fire Research & Safety ..................................................................... $7,425,000 $7,044,000 $7,067,000 

Propulsion & Fuel Systems ............................................................... 2,074,000 2,269,000 2,074,000 

Advanced Materials/Structural Safety .............................................. 6,500,000 4,338,000 10,500,000 

Aircraft Icing/Digital System Safety/Cyber Security ......................... 5,102,000 9,253,000 9,253,000 

Continued Air Worthiness ................................................................. 9,269,000 10,437,000 11,269,000 

Aircraft Catastrophic Failure Prevention Research .......................... 1,528,000 1,570,000 1,570,000 

Flightdeck/Maintenance/System Integration Human Factors ........... 7,305,000 6,825,000 7,305,000 
44 

RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT—Continued 

Fiscal year— Committee 

recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Safety System Management/Terminal Area Safety ........................... 6,500,000 4,149,000 4,726,000 

Air Traffic Control/Technical Operations Human Factors ................. 6,165,000 5,196,000 5,196,000 

Aeromedical Research ....................................................................... 8,538,000 9,765,000 8,538,000 

Weather Research ............................................................................. 15,476,000 13,399,000 15,476,000 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research ............................................. 20,035,000 6,787,000 20,035,000 

NextGen—Alternative Fuels for General Aviation ............................ 7,000,000 5,924,000 7,000,000 

Commercial Space Transportation Safety ........................................ 2,453,000 1,796,000 1,872,000 

Total Safety .............................................................................. 105,370,000 88,752,000 111,881,000 

Economic Competitiveness: 

NextGen—Wake Turbulence .............................................................. 8,609,000 6,831,000 6,831,000 

NextGen—Air Ground Integration ..................................................... 8,575,000 6,757,000 6,757,000 

NextGen—Weather Technology in the Cockpit ................................. 4,059,000 3,644,000 3,644,000 

NextGen—Information Security ........................................................ 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 

Total Economic Competiveness ............................................... 22,243,000 18,232,000 18,232,000 

Environmental Sustainability: 

Environment & Energy ...................................................................... 16,013,000 14,497,000 16,013,000 

NextGen Environmental Research—Aircraft Technologies, Fuels 

and Metrics .................................................................................. 27,174,000 23,151,000 27,174,000 

Total Environmental Sustainability .......................................... 43,187,000 37,648,000 43,187,000 

Mission Support: 

System Planning and Resource Management .................................. 2,288,000 2,135,000 2,288,000 

WJHTC Lab Facilities ......................................................................... 3,412,000 3,233,000 3,412,000 

Total Mission Support .............................................................. 5,700,000 5,368,000 5,700,000 

Total ................................................................................ 176,500,000 150,000,000 179,000,000 

Advanced Materials/Structural Safety.—The Committee continues to support the impact that stitched resin composites can provide to the aviation industry. Therefore, the Committee recommendation includes $10,500,000 for Advanced Materials and 

Structural Safety, which is $4,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 

enacted level and $4,162,000 above the budget request. Of the total 

amount provided, $2,000,000 is directed for the FAA to work with 

public/private partners to evaluate the material for airworthiness 

certification; and $4,000,000 is to advance the use of new structural 

material applications and bring new materials into future production while ensuring the safety and integrity for use of these materials into the commercial aviation industry through the FAA Joint 

Advanced Materials and Structures Center of Excellence. 

Additive Manufactured Continued Airworthiness.—The Committee recommends $11,269,000 for Continued Airworthiness, 

which is $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, and 

$832,000 above the budget request. With the emergence of additive 

manufactured, the advances in the fabrication of complex structures has the potential to transform aircraft and spacecraft propulsion. The Committee understands a primary challenge in additive 

manufactured for aerospace applications is the certification of flight 

worthiness of complex additive manufactured-constructed components. The Committee, therefore, directs the increase provided 
45 

under this section, for the FAA to collaborate with academic and 

industry partners, to develop and define the critical standards and 

assessment methods for certifying advanced material components 

for aerospace applications. 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems [UAS] Research—Center of Excellence.—The Committee recognizes the valuable role of the Center 

of Excellence in assisting the FAA in a host of research challenges 

associated with the integration of UAS into the National Airspace 

System. The Committee recommendation includes $20,035,000 for 

UAS research, equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 

$13,248,000 above the budget request. Of the funds provided for 

UAS research, $12,000,000 is directed to support the expanded role 

of the Center of Excellence in areas of UAS research, including 

cybersecurity, agricultural applications, beyond visual line of sight 

technology, and continuation of air and ground collision studies. 

Furthermore, the Center of Excellence shall establish a UAS safety 

research facility at the Center to study appropriate safety standards for UAS and to develop and validate certification standards 

for such systems; $5,000,000 is available for research necessary to 

establish the consensus safety standards requirements, to the maximum extent practicable, leverage the research and testing capacity 

and capabilities of the Center of Excellence for UAS and the test 

sites; and $2,000,000 is to expand the Center’s role in transportation disaster preparedness and response, partnering with institutions that have a demonstrated experience in damage assessment, 

collaboration with State agencies of transportation, and experience 

in applied UAS field testing. 

Alternative Fuels for General Aviation.—The Committee recommendation includes $7,000,000 for research that supports alternative fuels for general aviation. This funding level is $1,076,000 

above the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted 

level. 

Environmental Sustainability.—The Committee recommendation 

includes a total of $43,187,000 for research related to environmental sustainability, which is $5,539,000 above the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. This total includes $16,013,000 under the ‘‘Environment and Energy’’ and another $27,174,000 under ‘‘NextGen—Environmental Research Aircraft Technologies, Fuels, and Metrics.’’ 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems—[UAS] Traffic Management.—The 

Committee believes that creation of an unmanned traffic management [UTM] system is critical to the safe integration of drones into 

the national airspace. The Committee is concerned that FAA is not 

meeting its statutory obligations under Section 2208 of the FAA 

Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114–190) 

to develop a research plan and establish a pilot program to demonstrate a UTM system. FAA must leverage technology solutions to 

enable States and regions to establish UTM systems that are part 

of a national UTM system. Failure to accelerate the implementation of a UTM system for drones will hinder the safe integration 

of drones into the national airspace. Therefore, the FAA is directed 

to submit a report within 60 days of enactment of this act to the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on its progress 

toward implementation of Section 2208, including a detailed sum-
46 

mary of how the FAA has agreed to work concurrently with NASA 

to establish a UTM system and any memoranda of understanding 

or work plans entered into between the two agencies to meet the 

statutory deadlines. 

Noise Health Effects Research.—The Committee supports research that is being conducted through the FAA’s Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuel and Environment, the Aviation Sustainability Center on the impact of aviation noise on both sleep and 

cardiovascular health. The Committee directs FAA to continue to 

prioritize this research, as many communities across the country 

contend with increased frequency of passing aircraft on a daily 

basis. In addition, the Committee directs the FAA to continue to 

evaluate alternative metrics to the current Day Night Level [DNL] 

65 standard and other methods to address community airplane 

noise concerns, including cumulative noise impacts from increased 

frequency of flights. 

GRANTS-IN-AID FOR AIRPORTS

(LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

(LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

(AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

(INCLUDING RESCISSION)

Fiscal year— Committee 

recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Resources from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund: 

Limitation on obligations ............................................................ $3,350,000,000 $3,350,000,000 $3,600,000,000 

Liquidation of contract authorization ......................................... 3,750,000,000 3,000,000,000 3,250,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Funding for Grants-in-Aid for airports pays for capital improvements at the Nation’s airports, including those investments that 

emphasize capacity development, safety improvements, and security needs. Other priority areas for funding under this program include improvements to runway safety areas that do not conform to 

FAA standards, investments that are designed to reduce runway 

incursions, and aircraft noise compatibility planning and programs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation on obligations of 

$3,600,000,000 for Grants-in-Aid for airports for fiscal year 2018. 

The recommended limitation on obligations is $250,000,000 above 

the enacted level for fiscal year 2017 and the budget request. 

The Committee recommends a liquidating cash appropriation of 

$3,250,000,000 for Grants-in-Aid for Airports. The recommended 

level is $500,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 

and $250,000,000 more than the budget request. This appropriation is sufficient to cover the liquidation of all obligations incurred 

pursuant to the limitation on obligations set forward in the bill. 
47 

Administrative Expenses.—The Committee recommends 

$111,863,000 to cover administrative expenses. This funding level 

is equal to the budget request and $4,172,000 more than the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level. 

Airport Cooperative Research.—The Committee recommends 

$15,000,000 for the Airport Cooperative Research program. This 

funding level is equal to the budget estimate and the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level. 

Airport Technology.—The Committee recommends $33,210,000 

for Airport Technology Research. This funding level is equal to the 

budget request and $1,835,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 level. 

Small Community Air Service Development Program 

[SCASDP].—The Committee recommends $10,000,000. This funding level is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The budget 

request included no funds for this program for fiscal year 2018. 

Cost Share.—The agreement includes a provision that allows 

small airports to continue contributing 5 percent of the total cost 

for unfinished phased projects that were underway prior to the passage of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. 

Allocation of Resources.—The Committee recognizes many States 

have short construction seasons due to inclement weather and require certainty about airport grant allocations when making planning decisions. FAA is encouraged to work expeditiously to make 

entitlement and discretionary grant allocations, in order to provide 

certainty to northern State airports. The Committee also understands that certain physical topography, environments, and circumstances prohibit certain existing airports that are in critical 

need of expansion due to their essential economic impact on their 

surrounding communities from expanding, and as such are required to physically relocate their premises. Therefore, the Committee directs the FAA to ensure sufficient funding is available to 

relocate these airports in a timely and expedited manner. 

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Training.—The Committee is 

concerned about the number and location of training facilities offering Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting [ARFF] training, particularly 

in the Great Lakes and Central FAA regions, which lack a single 

dedicated ARFF training site. Historically, FAA has recommended 

firefighting training facilities be located no more than one day’s 

driving time or 300 miles from participating airports to mitigate 

cost. The Committee is interested in ensuring ARFF training is 

available and accessible in a cost-effective and sustainable setting. 

The Committee directs the Administration to provide a report on 

the number and suitability of training facilities in each FAA region, 

as well as a plan to address identified coverage gaps, within 90 

days of enactment of this act. The Committee encourages FAA to 

consider cost-effective proposals, including partnerships between 

airport sponsors and established firefighting training facilities. 

Policy and Procedure Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue.— 

The Committee is aware of several self-help counties that have enacted sales tax measures to fund local transportation improvements. These sales tax measures are difficult to enact and provide 

critical funding to address local highway, transit, and other transportations requirements. Several of these counties contain airports 
48 

and have been receiving funds raised on the sales tax associated 

with the sale of aviation fuel. 

In 2014, the FAA finalized a rule construing the term ‘‘local 

taxes on aviation fuel’’ to apply to all sales taxes rather than specific excise taxes on aviation fuel. This change in definition diverts 

funding away from projects outlined in local sales tax measures, 

violating promises made to the voters who approved these measures. According to the FAA rules, local transportation sales taxes 

collected on the sale of aviation fuel would have to be spent in accordance with FAA rules governing such expenditures. The Policy 

and Procedure Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue [Docket No. 

FAA–2013–0988] is scheduled to be enforced by the end of December 2017. Given the utility of sales tax measures to address local 

transportation needs and reduce the burden on Federal spending, 

the Committee encourages the Secretary to postpone the enforcement of Docket No. FAA–2013–0988 and work with local governments and the FAA to develop a path forward to allow the use of 

local sales tax revenues generated on the sale of aviation fuel to 

be used in a manner consistent with their enactment. 

Deed Restrictions.—The Committee finds that commercial activities, in addition to regularly scheduled commercial air service, are 

vital to the fiscal sustainability of commercial use airports. The 

Committee directs the FAA work with the Department of Agriculture and States or municipalities that own and operate commercial or public use airports on land acquired from the Federal government to ease deed restrictions and permit commercial development of land owned by the State or municipality. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Section 110 limits the number of technical staff years at the Center for Advanced Aviation Systems Development to no more than 

600 in fiscal year 2018. 

Section 111 prohibits funds in this act from being used to adopt 

guidelines or regulations requiring airport sponsors to provide the 

FAA ‘‘without cost’’ buildings, maintenance, or space for FAA services. The prohibition does not apply to negotiations between the 

FAA and airport sponsors concerning ‘‘below market’’ rates for such 

services or to grant assurances that require airport sponsors to provide land without cost to the FAA for air traffic control facilities. 

Section 112 permits the Administrator to reimburse FAA appropriations for amounts made available for 49 U.S.C. 41742(a)(1) as 

fees are collected and credited under 49 U.S.C. 45303. 

Section 113 allows funds received to reimburse the FAA for providing technical assistance to foreign aviation authorities to be 

credited to the Operations account. 

Section 114 prohibits the FAA from paying Sunday premium pay 

except in those cases where the individual actually worked on a 

Sunday. 

Section 115 prohibits the FAA from using funds provided in the 

bill to purchase store gift cards or gift certificates through a Government-issued credit card. 

Section 116 requires approval from the Assistant Secretary for 

Administration of the Department of Transportation for retention 

bonuses for any FAA employee. 
49 

Section 117 requires that, upon request by a private owner or operator of an aircraft, the Secretary block the display of that owner 

or operator’s aircraft registration number in the Aircraft Situational Display to Industry program. 

Section 118 prohibits funds in this act for salaries and expenses 

of more than eight political and Presidential appointees in the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Section 119 requires the FAA to conduct public outreach and provide justification to the Committee before increasing fees under 

section 44721 of title 49, United States Code. 

Section 119A requires the FAA to notify the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations at least 90 days before closing a regional operations center or reducing the services it provides. 

Section 119B prohibits funds from being used to change weight 

restrictions or prior permission rules at Teterboro Airport in New 

Jersey. 

Section 119C prohibits funds from being used to withhold from 

consideration and approval any application for participation in the 

Contract Tower Program, pending as of January 1, 2016, including 

applications from Cost-share Program participants if the Administrator determines such tower is eligible under the criteria set forth 

in the Federal Aviation report, Establishment and Discontinuance 

Criteria for Airport Traffic Control Towers [FAA–APO–90–7]. 

Section 119D allows airports that met the 10,000 enplanement 

qualification for AIP funds in calendar year 2012 to continue to receive AIP funds in fiscal year 2018. 

Section 119E allows foreign air carriers traveling to or from 

Cuba to make transit stops in the United States for refueling and 

other technical services. 

Section 119F provides transfer authority to prevent a reduction 

of operations or delays to NextGen programs, projects, and activities. 

Section 119G modifies requirements to the Cost-share program to 

ensure continuity of operations at existing facilities. 

Section 119H prohibits funds from limiting certification activities 

unless the FAA documents noncompliance. 

Section 119I allows for the implementation of mandatory compliance airworthiness instructions when safety requirements are met. 

Section 119J eliminates redundancies within bilateral safety 

agreements. 

Section 119K requires the Secretary to issue regulations to prohibit the use of cell phones on aircraft while airborne. 

Section 119L provides airports with greater flexibilities to generate additional revenue to improve infrastructure. 

Section 119M prohibits the FAA from transferring the exclusive 

sovereignty of the operational and regulatory authority over the 

National Airspace System. 

Section 119N requires the FAA to permit intermittent large 

cargo air carriers to land in remote areas using a mix of available 

meteorological weather reports, in place of National Weather Service forecast reports where they do not provide weather coverage. 
50 

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The principal mission of the Federal Highway Administration 

[FHWA] is, in partnership with State and local governments, to 

foster the development of a safe, efficient, and effective highway 

and intermodal system nationwide including access to and within 

national forests, national parks, Indian lands, and other public 

lands. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

Under the Committee recommendations, a total program level of 

$44,973,212,000 is provided for the activities of the Federal Highway Administration in fiscal year 2018. The recommendation is 

equal to the budget request and $1,825,112,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The following table summarizes the 

Committee’s recommendations: 

Fiscal year— Committee 

recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Federal-aid highways program obligation limitation .................... $43,266,100,000 $44,234,212,000 $44,234,212,000 

Contract authority exempt from the obligation limitation ............ 739,000,000 739,000,000 739,000,000 

Rescission of unused contract authority ....................................... ¥857,000,000 ............................ ............................

Total .................................................................................. 43,148,100,000 44,973,212,000 44,973,212,000 

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Limitation, 2017 ..................................................................................... $435,795,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 442,691,925 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 442,691,925 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This limitation on obligations provides for the salaries and expenses of the Federal Highway Administration [FHWA] for program management, direction, and coordination; engineering guidance to Federal and State agencies; and advisory and support services in field offices. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation on obligations of 

$439,443,925 for administrative expenses of the agency, and an additional $3,248,000 for administrative expenses of the Appalachian 

Regional Commission in accordance with section 104 of title 23, 

United States Code. The total limitation is equal to the budget request and $6,897,925 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 
51 

FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

(LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Limitation, 2017 ..................................................................................... $43,266,100,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 44,234,212,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 44,234,212,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal-aid highway program provides financial support to 

States and localities for the development, construction, and repair 

of highways and bridges through grants. The program is financed 

from the Highway Trust Fund and most of the funds are distributed through apportionments and allocations to States. Title 23 of 

the United States Code and other supporting legislation provide 

authority for the various activities of the FHWA. Funding is provided by contract authority, with program levels established by annual limitations on obligations set in appropriations acts. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends limiting fiscal year 2018 obligations 

to $44,234,212,000, which is equal to the budget request and 

$968,112,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level for the 

Federal-aid highway program. In addition, the bill includes a provision that allows the FHWA to collect and spend fees in order to pay 

for the services of expert firms in the field of municipal and project 

finance to assist the agency in the provision of credit instruments. 

FAST Act Funding Levels.—The Committee supports projects 

that help growing communities improve safety and mitigate congestion, making it easier for economic investment to provide new opportunities for residents. As such, the Committee recommendation 

includes funding levels consistent with the FAST Act, which will 

enable projects that have been identified by Metropolitan Planning 

Organizations [MPOs], including those using public-private partnerships, to achieve transportation and economic development in 

local communities. This funding is required to keep pace with 

maintenance of existing infrastructure, especially roads and highways in rural and mountainous areas. 

Regulations.—The Committee directs FHWA to identify opportunities to eliminate unnecessary regulations and streamline burdensome regulations to ensure FHWA is a good steward of taxpayer 

resources that support the construction of physical infrastructure. 

FHWA should identify areas where more autonomy can be given to 

State, local, and tribal jurisdictions, which have an understanding 

of the needs and challenges in building and maintaining infrastructure. 

Timber Bridge Initiative.—The Committee recognizes that the 

use of cross laminated timber and other forms of mass timber can 

provide value in bridge structures. The benefits of timber in bridge 

construction include reduced weight and cost-effectiveness. When 

used to reinforce existing structures, timber can upgrade live load 

capacity. The Committee notes with appreciation that FHWA has 

worked successfully in partnership with the U.S. Department of 
52 

Agriculture’s Forest Products Laboratory to research the benefits of 

timber in bridge construction. The Committee urges the Department to renew this work, as well as to use mass timber in demonstration projects, and recommends continued collaboration with 

other Federal agencies for deploying timber into the U.S. highway 

and bridge system. 

Border Infrastructure.—The FAST Act provided border State departments of transportations the flexibility to use funding under 

their control to advance infrastructure projects that facilitate cross 

border travel. However, the Committee recognizes that funding 

these projects is a challenge for many rural States. Recognizing 

that the benefits of modern infrastructure at border crossings is of 

national interest, the Committee directs FHWA to explore incentives for border States to prioritize and fund border infrastructure 

improvement projects and report its findings to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 days of enactment of 

this act. 

Job Order Contracting.—The Committee directs FHWA to approve job order contracting, as currently allowed through the Special Experimental Projects No. 14 Program, as an operational contracting technique for all Federal-aid Highway Program funded 

projects within 30 days of enactment of this act. 

Regional Transportation Workforce Centers.—The Committee 

notes that the workforce needs of the transportation sector continue to evolve as new technology and construction practices are 

developed. In many instances, education curriculum has not kept 

pace with civil engineering practices. The Committee directs 

FHWA to provide resources to the Center for Transportation Workforce Development to align education workforce development efforts 

to support the advancement of environmental career paths within 

transportation, the deployment and delivery of innovative transportation solutions in rural areas, the planning for smart city and 

community design in rural areas, and improved technology transfer. 

Natural Gas Trucks.—Section 1410 of the FAST Act allows natural gas trucks to operate with up to 2,000 additional pounds when 

traveling on the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and 

Defense Highways. The Committee directs the FHWA to issue additional guidance on section 1410 to States to ensure that the Congressional intent of allowing this to occur on all applicable roads 

occurs expeditiously. 

Resilient Infrastructure.—The Committee directs the FHWA to 

submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations that includes recommendations for States, MPOs, and cities to plan for and develop resilient Federal-aid highways that are 

contextually sensitive, and provide cost-effective solutions to improving shoreline protections for existing highways not later than 

12 months after the date of enactment of this act. The Committee 

further directs FHWA to expand its technical assistance and training workshops to help coastal States, MPOs, and cities to revise 

their practices in all phases of transportation planning and asset 

management, project planning and development, and operations 

with the goal of improving the resiliency of our coastal highways 
53 

and reducing the life-cycle costs for these natural disaster prone 

roadways. 

Research.—FHWA’s April 2016 ‘‘Truck Size and Weight Limits 

Study’’ revealed data limitations that hampered efforts to conclusively study the effect of changing the size and weight of various 

truck configurations. While there are inadequate performance data 

from the operational use of these vehicles in a number of States, 

the Committee is aware of ongoing efforts between the Department, the NAS, and the Transportation Research Board to develop 

a Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Research Plan. The Committee is also aware of an ongoing study to synthesize and compare 

past work, empirical models, and current legal operation of twin 

33-foot trailers, LCVs, and other configurations. Should the Department find that there is a lack of available data, the Committee directs the Department to work with the State departments of transportation to establish best practices for data collection relating to 

truck configurations. The Department is directed to incorporate 

those practices and begin accumulating such data to supplement 

the ongoing Research Plan. The Committee directs the Secretary to 

finalize the Research Plan within one calendar year of the enactment of this act, and to submit a report on the results of this effort 

to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 30 

days of completion. The Committee further directs the Secretary to 

submit a report on the status of this effort to the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations no later than 180 days after the enactment of this act. 

Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives Program.— The Committee directs the Secretary to issue an annual Notice of 

Funding Opportunity [NOFO] each fiscal year for which funding is 

provided, consistent with section 6020 of the FAST Act, and encourages the Secretary to provide no less than $3,000,000 to eligible applicants that partner with municipal governments to pilot 

revenue collection mechanisms that utilize shared ride electric and 

automated vehicles. The Committee is aware of concerns that the 

timing of the NOFO and application deadlines have not been 

aligned with State legislative calendars, and that the obligation 

deadline unnecessarily limits the period for which planning activities are eligible. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary to 

modify the NOFO deadline to align with State legislative calendars 

and to extend the amount of time for pilot planning and 

predevelopment activities from the current 18 months to no less 

than 24 months. 

Permeable Pavements.—The Committee encourages the Secretary 

to accelerate research, demonstration, and deployment for permeable pavements to achieve flood mitigation, pollutant reduction, 

stormwater runoff reduction and conservation. Projects may include roadway shoulder load testing and documenting life-cycle cost 

efficiency. 

Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System.—The 

Committee supports research and deployment to capitalize on investment in Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge Systems and encourages the Secretary to complete cost studies and to 

distribute these findings to State DOTs. Further, the Department 

should consider AID Demonstration grants to deploy innovations in 
54 

geosynthetic-reinforced abutments, segmental sound barriers, and 

flooding scour countermeasures, and address technical specifications for segmental face durability and geosynthetics connections. 

Composites.—The Committee recognizes that composites can improve the performance of bridge structures and prove valuable for 

other uses, including road signs. Proven benefits of composites include strength, low weight, corrosion resistance, and long-term durability, and these characteristics can lead to improved performance for bridges and other structures. The Committee urges the 

Department to use composites in demonstration projects and recommends the continued research, development, and regulatory reform needed, if any, to clear hurdles for deploying composites into 

our highway and bridge system. Through use in the Technology 

and Innovation Deployment Program, FHWA should identify ways 

other agencies and programs could collaborate with FHWA and 

contribute to the expanded use of composites. 

Highway Guide Signs Font.—In early 2016, the FHWA notified 

State transportation agencies of its intention to rescind Interim Approval IA–5 for the use of Clearview font on highway guide signs. 

The Committee continues the directive to suspend enforcement of 

action, terminating this interim approval. The Committee also directed FHWA to provide opportunity for public comment on this 

matter. As a result FHWA issued a request for information on December 13, 2016 (FHWA Docket No. FHWA–2016–0036). The comment period closed January 27, 2017. The Committee directs 

FHWA to reinstate Interim Approval IA–5 unless there is sufficient 

information to demonstrate no improvement in the overall effectiveness of signs from the use of Clearview. 

Safe Streets Design Implementation.—The Committee is encouraged by FHWA’s efforts to improve roadway design standards to 

improve safety for all users. To leverage these efforts to save lives 

and limit severe injuries from roadway crashes, the Committee directs the FHWA to conduct training with its State offices on the 

design flexibilities available for recipients of Federal highway 

funds. The trainings should include topics such as: lessons learned 

from the Safer People, Safer Streets initiative; context sensitive solutions in transportation planning; revisions of controlling criteria 

for design and documentation of design exceptions; road diets; and 

the evolving use of level of service metrics in transportation analysis. 

Historic Railroad Corridors.—The Committee acknowledges the 

importance of the agency in assisting with transportation and mobility efforts in communities across the country. The Committee encourages FHWA to look at regionally focused mixed-use projects 

that integrate the preservation of historic railroad corridors while 

developing shared-use paths, including pedestrian, bicycle, and 

transit-oriented development that will assist with regional mobility. 

Balanced Consideration of Use-Exemption Requests for Trails.— 

As the FHWA considers requests for exceptions under 23 U.S.C. 

217(h), the Committee encourages the agency to give due consideration to the local economy and community input. In particular, the 

agency should weigh the role of motorized vehicles plays in the 

local economy and should seek feedback from trail users. 
55 

LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $44,005,100,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 44,973,212,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 44,973,212,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal-aid highway program is funded through contract authority paid out of the Highway Trust Fund. Most forms of budget 

authority provide the authority to enter into obligations and then 

to liquidate those obligations. Put another way, it allows a Federal 

agency to commit to spending money on specified activities and 

then to actually spend that money. In contrast, contract authority 

provides only the authority to enter into obligations, but not the 

authority to liquidate those obligations. The authority to liquidate 

obligations—to actually spend the money committed with the contract authority—must be provided separately. The authority to liquidate obligations under the Federal-aid highway program is provided under this heading. This liquidating authority allows FHWA 

to follow through on commitments already allowed under current 

law; it does not provide the authority to enter into new commitments for Federal spending. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a liquidating cash appropriation of $44,973,212,000. The recommended level is equal to the budget request and $968,112,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted 

level. This level of liquidating authority is necessary to pay outstanding obligations from various highway accounts pursuant to 

this and prior appropriations acts. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

Section 120 distributes obligation authority among Federal-aid 

Highway programs. 

Section 121 continues a provision that credits funds received by 

the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to the Federal-aid highways account. 

Section 122 provides requirements for any waiver of Buy America requirements. 

Section 123 requires congressional notification before the Department provides credit assistance under the TIFIA program. 

Section 124 requires 60-day notification for any grants for a 

project under 23 U.S.C. 117 and requires these notifications to be 

made within 180 months of enactment of this act. 

Section 125 allows State DOTs to repurpose certain highway 

project funding to be used within 100 miles of its original designation. 

Section 126 amends an existing high priority corridor on the national highway system. 

Section 127 requires the Secretary to remove a certain road in 

Colorado from the National Highway System. 

Section 128 allows States to use CMAQ for operating assistance 

on certain State-supported Amtrak routes with no time limitation. 
56 

Section 129 allows the Secretary to remove outdated restrictions 

on the use of excess toll revenues for certain highways in order to 

make them consistent with 23 U.S.C. 129. 

Section 129A increases the truck weight limits to 129,000 lbs. on 

highways in North Dakota. 

Section 129B makes a technical correction to an existing truck 

weight exemption for New Hampshire. 

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA] was 

established within the Department of Transportation by the Motor 

Carrier Safety Improvement Act [MCSIA] (Public Law 106–159) in 

December 1999. Prior to this legislation, motor carrier safety responsibilities were under the jurisdiction of the Federal Highway 

Administration. 

MCSIA, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation 

Equity Act: A Legacy for Users [SAFETEA–LU], the Moving Ahead 

for Progress in the 21st Century Act [MAP–21], and the Fixing 

America’s Surface Transportation [FAST] Act provide funding authorization for FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Operations and Programs and Motor Carrier Safety Grants. 

FMCSA’s mission is to promote safe commercial motor vehicle 

and motor coach operations, as well as reduce the number and severity of accidents. Agency resources and activities prevent and 

mitigate commercial motor vehicle and motor coach accidents 

through education, regulation, enforcement, stakeholder training, 

technological innovation, and improved information systems. 

FMCSA is also responsible for ensuring that all commercial vehicles entering the United States along its southern and northern 

borders comply with all Federal motor carrier safety and hazardous 

materials regulations. To accomplish these activities, FMCSA 

works with Federal, State, and local enforcement agencies, the 

motor carrier industry, highway safety organizations, and the public. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total level of $744,800,000 for obligations and liquidations from the Highway Trust Fund. This level 

is equal to the request and $13,600,000 more than the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level. In addition, the Committee recommends a rescission of $117,715,789 of unobligated balances of contract authority. 

Fiscal year— Committee 

recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Motor Carrier Safety Operations & Programs (obligation limitation) ........................................................................................... $277,200,000 $283,000,000 $283,000,000 

Motor Carrier Safety Operations & Programs (rescission of contract authority) .......................................................................... ............................ ............................ ¥13,914,757 

Motor Carrier Safety (rescission of contract authority) ................ ............................ ............................ ¥2,929,772 

National Motor Carrier Safety (rescission of contract authority) .. ............................ ............................ ¥9,419,390 

Motor Carrier Safety Grants (obligation limitation) ...................... 367,000,000 374,800,000 461,800,000 
57 

Fiscal year— Committee recommendation 2017 enacted 2018 estimate 

Motor Carrier Safety Grants (rescission of contract authority) .... ............................ ............................ ¥91,451,870 

Total .................................................................................. 644,200,000 657,800,000 627,084,211 

MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS

(LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

(LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Limitation, 2017 ..................................................................................... $277,200,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 283,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 283,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides the necessary resources to support motor 

carrier safety program activities and maintain the agency’s administrative infrastructure. Funding supports nationwide motor carrier 

safety and consumer enforcement efforts, including Federal safety 

enforcement activities at the United States-Mexico border to ensure 

that Mexican carriers entering the United States are in compliance 

with FMCSA regulations. Resources are also provided to fund 

motor carrier regulatory development and implementation, information management, research and technology, safety education 

and outreach, and the 24-hour safety and consumer telephone hotline. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation on obligations and authority to liquidate an equal amount of contract authorization of 

$283,000,000 for FMCSA’s Operations and Programs. The recommendation is $5,800,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted 

level and equal to the budget request. Of the total limitation on obligations, $9,073,000 is for research and technology and 

$34,824,000 is for information management. 

Information Management.—The Committee provides roughly 

$40,000,000 annually for the Office of the Chief Information Officer 

[OCIO] to develop, implement, and maintain information technology systems and services that support FMCSA’s safety mission. 

It is essential that this office sustain an IT environment that dynamically responds to evolving business requirements, while protecting privacy and security. At a minimum, the office should be 

able to clearly identify its strategic goals and performance objectives on an annual basis and long-term, 5-year framework in a capital investment plan. The office also needs to address key milestones, investment decisions, operational and lifecycle costs, as well 

as anticipated costs, cost overruns and cost savings, for IT investments to meet the agency’s needs and the replacement of aging infrastructure. Based on the sparse budget justification and subsequent agency briefings, the Committee is concerned there is a lack 

of direction, accountability and transparency in how these re-
58 

sources are used or that they are being used effectively. Therefore, 

50 percent of the allotment of funding for the OCIO shall be held 

by the Secretary until the Administrator submits a capital investment plan that meets these requirements to the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations. 

Bus Lease and Interchange Rule.—On June 16, 2017, FMCSA announced it was once again extending the compliance date for the 

final rule concerning the lease and interchange of passenger carrying motor vehicles based on issues raised in numerous petitions 

for reconsideration. The Committee is pleased by this action, but 

remains concerned that the agency has failed to complete its review 

of the rule in order to resolve the issues raised by petitioners, while 

ensuring the rule appropriately targets unsafe passenger carriers. 

The Committee directs FMCSA to resolve outstanding issues by 

modifying or removing the proposed rule prior to October 1, 2017. 

Heavy Vehicle Speed Limiters.—In response to a 2006 petition 

from a coalition of trucking industry and safety advocates, NHTSA 

and FMCSA issued a joint proposed rule on August 26, 2016 requiring speed limiter devices. The Committee directs the agencies 

to fully and expeditiously address all public comments. The final 

rule should address the impact of creating speed differentials on 

highways and consider the costs and benefits of applying the rule 

to existing heavy vehicles that are equipped with speed limiting devices. 

High-Risk Carriers.—In January 2016, FMCSA revised its scoring and standards for the inspection of high-risk carriers in response to a July 2014 Independent Review Team assessment and 

section 5305 of the FAST Act. Under revised FMCSA regulations, 

carriers identified as high risk must have a compliance review conducted within 90 days. The Committee is encouraged that the 

agency accelerated the timeline for high-risk carrier inspections 

from 1 year to 90 days, particularly when the statute allows for a 

longer timeframe of 4 months. In fiscal year 2016, FMCSA met this 

requirement for over 97 percent of the high-risk carriers in need 

of an investigation. The Committee expects the number of high-risk 

carrier inspections to continue to improve, particularly given that 

the pool of carriers that now fall into this status has substantially 

declined under the new criteria from 4,432 to 967. The Committee 

directs the agency to provide the House and Senate Committees on 

Appropriations with an updated report on its ability to meet its requirements to evaluate high-risk carriers by April 15, 2018 for the 

preceding fiscal year. 

In fiscal year 2015, the Committee provided FMCSA with additional resources to improve the agency’s ability to conduct oversight 

of carriers operating under consent agreements. On average, 

FMCSA manages between 100 and 150 active consent agreements 

at any time, allowing motor carriers to continue to operate under 

certain restrictions while corrections to deficiencies or violations 

are addressed. This investment was used to develop a consent 

agreement tracking system allowing FMCSA to dynamically manage risk, address the highest risk carriers more quickly, and decrease the cost to manage this compliance tool by 50 percent. Now 

that this system has been operationalized since 2016, the Committee directs the agency report to the House and Senate Commit-
59 

tees on Appropriations on its performance, if the system succeeded 

in providing the expected efficiencies, and if additional enhancements and resources are necessary to assist with the monitoring 

and enforcement of high-risk carriers. 

Natural Gas Vehicle Regulations.—The Committee recognizes the 

significant growth and value in the market for natural gas as a 

transportation fuel and is aware that certain DOT regulations that 

address the safety of natural gas vehicles have not been updated 

to keep pace with new developments and the advancement of natural gas vehicles. Accordingly, the Department is encouraged to develop new safety regulations and inspection procedures for liquefied 

natural gas [LNG] fuel tanks and fuel systems on commercial 

motor vehicles, and revise and harmonize requirements for compressed natural gas [CNG] cylinders that address the inspection of 

such cylinders. The Department is also encouraged to work with industry and manufacturers to clarify and address the ability of bus 

manufacturers to continue to deploy buses that have roof-top 

mounted CNG cylinders. In addition, as there are no Federal regulations that prohibit the interstate movement of natural gas vehicles as it relates to the fuel stored onboard for motive power, the 

Secretary is encouraged to clarify through guidance that rules restricting access to bridges and tunnels in the case of an alternative 

fuel vehicle should not be any more restrictive than those addressing gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles, unless there is a determination of a significant risk to safety. 

RESCISSION

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. ........................... 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. ¥$13,914,757 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

As of May 31, 2017, there are $13,914,757 in unobligated carryover and recoveries of contract authority in this account. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a rescission of $13,914,757 from unobligated balances of funds, which is $13,914,757 greater than the 

budget request and the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY

RESCISSION

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. ........................... 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. ¥$2,929,772 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

As of May 31, 2017, there are $2,929,772 in unobligated carryover and recoveries of contract authority in this account. 
60 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a rescission of $2,929,772 from unobligated balances of funds, which is $2,929,772 greater than the 

budget request and the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

NATIONAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY

RESCISSION

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. ........................... 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. ¥$9,419,390 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Committee recommends a rescission of $9,419,390 from unobligated balances of funds, which is $9,419,390 greater than the 

budget request and the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a rescission of $9,419,390 from unobligated balances of funds, which is $9,419,390 greater than the 

budget request and the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY GRANTS

(LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

(LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Limitation, 2017 ..................................................................................... $367,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 374,800,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 461,800,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides the necessary resources for Federal grants 

to support State compliance, enforcement, and other programs. 

Grants are also provided to States for enforcement efforts at both 

the southern and northern borders to ensure that all points of 

entry into the United States are fortified with comprehensive safety measures; improvement of State commercial driver’s license 

[CDL] oversight activities to prevent unqualified drivers from being 

issued CDLs; and the Performance Registration Information Systems and Management [PRISM] program, which links State motor 

vehicle registration systems with carrier safety data in order to 

identify unsafe commercial motor carriers. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation on obligations and authority to liquidate an equal amount of contract authorization of 

$374,800,000 for motor carrier safety grants. An additional 

$87,000,000 in obligation limitation is provided for modernization 

and maintenance of border facilities. The recommended limitation 

is $94,800,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
61 

$87,000,000 more than the budget request. The Committee recommends a separate limitation on obligations for each grant program funded under this account with the funding allocation identified below. 

Amount 

Motor carrier safety assistance program [MCSAP] ............................................................................................. $298,900,000 

High priority activities program ........................................................................................................................... 43,100,000 

Commercial motor vehicle operator grants program .......................................................................................... 1,000,000 

Commercial driver’s license program implementation program ......................................................................... 31,800,000 

Border facilities .................................................................................................................................................... 87,000,000 

Border Infrastructure.—In fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the Committee provided $41,000,000 for the first and second phase of the 

border facility capital improvement program for the 11 port-of-entries [POEs] along the border. Prior to these improvements, 

FMCSA staff worked in facilities that had pest infestations, improper drainage, lack of security, lack of canopies or covering from 

the sun, and/or insufficient lighting for night inspections. To date, 

FMCSA has completed construction at four crossings and anticipates completing the remaining crossings by January 2018. In 

order to continue making progress along the border, the Committee 

recommendation includes $87,000,000 in additional obligation limitation to complete construction of the remaining 16 POEs. The 

Committee directs FMCSA to provide an annual update to its capital improvement program for border facilities as part of its congressional budget justification, including any changes to cost, 

scope, schedule, or other challenges it faces. The report should also 

include relevant safety inspection data. 

RESCISSION

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. ........................... 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. ¥$91,451,870 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

As of May 31, 2017, there are $178,451,870 in unobligated carryover and recoveries of contract authority in this account. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a rescission of $91,451,870 from unobligated balances of funds, which is $91,451,870 greater than the 

budget request and the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY

ADMINISTRATION

Section 130 subjects the funds in this act to section 350 of Public 

Law 107–87 in order to ensure the safety of all cross-border long 

haul operations conducted by Mexican-domiciled commercial carriers. 

Section 131 requires FMCSA to send notice of 49 CFR 385.308 

violations by certified mail, registered mail, or some other manner 
62 

of delivery that records receipt of the notice by the persons responsible for violations. 

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] 

was established as a separate organizational entity in the Department of Transportation in March of 1970 to administer motor vehicle and highway safety programs. It was the successor agency to 

the National Highway Safety Bureau, which was housed in the 

Federal Highway Administration. NHTSA is responsible for motor 

vehicle safety, highway safety behavioral programs, motor vehicle 

information, and automobile fuel economy programs. 

NHTSA’s mission is to reduce deaths, injuries, and economic 

losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. To accomplish these 

goals, NHTSA establishes and enforces safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, investigates 

safety defects in motor vehicles, and conducts research on driver 

behavior and traffic safety. NHTSA provides grants and technical 

assistance to State and local governments to enable them to conduct effective local highway safety programs. Together with State 

and local partners, NHTSA works to reduce the threat of drunk, 

impaired, and distracted driving, and to promote policies and devices with demonstrated safety benefits including helmets, child 

safety seats, airbags, and graduated license. NHTSA establishes 

and ensures compliance with fuel economy standards, investigates 

odometer fraud, establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations, and provides consumer information on a variety of motor vehicle safety topics. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $908,629,000, including both budget 

authority and limitations on the obligation of contract authority. 

This funding is $9,490,000 more than the President’s request and 

$2,718,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The following table summarizes Committee recommendations: 

General fund Highway trust 

fund Total 

Appropriation 2017 .................................................................................... $180,075,000 $731,272,000 $911,347,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 .............................................................................. 152,510,000 746,629,000 899,139,000 

Committee recommendation ...................................................................... 162,000,000 746,629,000 908,629,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

These programs support traffic safety programs and related research, demonstrations, technical assistance, and national leadership for highway safety programs conducted by State and local governments, the private sector, universities, research units, and various safety associations and organizations. These highway safety 

programs emphasize alcohol and drug countermeasures, vehicle occupant protection, traffic law enforcement, emergency medical and 

trauma care systems, traffic records and licensing, State and community traffic safety evaluations, protection of motorcycle riders, 
63 

pedestrian and bicyclist safety, pupil transportation, distracted 

driving prevention, young and older driver safety, and improved accident investigation procedures. 

OPERATIONS AND RESEARCH

General fund Highway trust fund Total 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ................................................................. $180,075,000 $145,900,000 $325,975,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 .............................................................................. 152,510,000 149,000,000 301,510,000 

Committee recommendation ...................................................................... 162,000,000 149,000,000 311,000,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee provides $311,000,000 for Operations and Re- search, which is $9,490,000 more than the President’s budget request and $14,975,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Of the total amount recommended for Operations and Research, 

$162,000,000 is derived from the general fund and $149,000,000 is 

derived from the Highway Trust Fund. For vehicle safety research, 

the Committee recommendation includes $22,520,000 for 

rulemakings, $21,042,000 for enforcement, and $40,253,000 for research and analysis. For highway safety research and development, 

the Committee recommendation includes $55,035,000 for highway 

safety programs, and $39,941,000 for the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. The recommendation includes no additional 

FTE above those provided in previous fiscal years, but directs the 

Secretary to lift any hiring freeze that prevents the agency from 

reaching FTE levels appropriated by Congress. The Committee reminds the agency that staffing levels are determined by the Congress, not OMB. 

Autonomous Vehicles.—The Committee recommendation includes 

$10,100,000 for vehicle electronics and emerging technologies to 

support the development of autonomous vehicles and automated 

technologies. These technologies may prevent 94 percent of the 

roadway fatalities that are caused by human error while improving 

mobility options for rural America. The Committee remains concerned with cybersecurity in autonomous vehicles and urges the 

Department to continue to address this risk in the next update of 

the Federal Automated Vehicles Policy. 

The Committee is also concerned that low-level automated vehicles could lead to complacent and unresponsive drivers. The Committee encourages NHTSA to include guidance on driver education 

and advance driver notification specifications for low-level automated vehicles in the next update of the Federal Automated Vehicles Policy. 

The Committee is also concerned about the impact of advanced 

driver automation systems on driver cognition, specifically driver 

fatigue and situational awareness. The Committee directs NHTSA 

to work collaboratively with industry and academia to conduct research on the relationship between driver automation technologies 

and cognitive response. Since several automation systems with 

near-term deployment opportunity involve commercial vehicles, the 

Committee recommends this research initially focus on the trucking industry and include real-world simulation on closed test tracks 

where possible. 
64 

The Committee is also concerned about the impacts of highly 

automated vehicles on the economy and labor market for professional drivers. GAO has initiated a study on the labor displacement 

impact, but while that study is being conducted, coordination between DOT and the Department of Labor could help adjust Federal 

labor programs and proactively ease transitions for displaced workers. The Committee directs DOT to coordinate with relevant Federal agencies and keep the Committee informed on such coordination. 

Plastics and Polymer Composite Materials.—The Committee recognizes the importance that plastics and polymer-based composite 

materials play in reducing vehicle weight. They provide vehicle 

manufacturers with innovative tools to reduce fuel consumption 

and, by association, vehicle emissions. As manufacturers plan for 

future fleets, composite materials offer benefits for meeting new 

targets established under NHTSA’s vehicle fuel efficiency rules. At 

the same time, the Committee recognizes that composite manufacturing is a new and growing industry, providing highly skilled jobs 

in the automotive industry. The Committee directs NHTSA to use 

funding provided for the Fuel Economy program to accelerate the 

advancement of plastic and polymer composites, including testing 

and evaluation techniques, while validating the safety performance 

of polymer-based composites in structural applications for the automotive industry. This research will help facilitate a foundation of 

cooperation between DOT, the Department of Energy, and industry 

stakeholders for the development of safety-centered approaches for 

future light-weight automotive design. 

Impaired Driving.—The Committee remains concerned about the 

increasing rates of impaired driving, particularly in States that 

adopt measures to decriminalize marijuana. The use of marijuana 

before or while driving is a critical public safety issue and the Committee directed NHTSA in Senate Report 114–253 to conduct a 

study of marijuana-impaired driving. The Committee recognizes 

the importance of impaired driving countermeasures at the community level in protecting public safety, and encourages NHTSA to expand its efforts with law enforcement to increase awareness and 

use of Drug Recognition Expert [DRE] and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement [ARIDE] training, particularly in 

States that have adopted recreational or medicinal marijuana laws. 

In order to further efforts to provide law enforcement with advanced training and skills to detect impaired driving, the Committee directs NHTSA to encourage and work with States to use 

impaired driving countermeasures grants and funds transferred to 

section 402 grants through the transfer authority in 23 U.S.C. 

405(a)(8) for DRE and ARIDE training. 

The Committee further directs the Department to conduct a national survey, in partnership with one or more qualified universities, to examine and understand the behavioral factors that influence a driver’s willingness to drive while impaired. The survey 

shall be based on a standard definition of traffic safety culture that 

can be operationalized to predict the intention to drive impaired. 

Analyses guided by this model would inform local and regional 

safety programs to achieve a sustainable reduction in impaired 
65 

driving, and will support our Nation’s goal to achieve zero traffic 

fatalities. 

Tire Efficiency.—The FAST Act includes three tire-related provisions under section 24331, the ‘‘Tire Efficiency, Safety, and Registration Act of 2015’’ or the ‘‘TESR Act’’. The provisions will contribute significantly to consumer safety, vehicle fuel economy and 

the competitiveness of the U.S. tire manufacturing industry and 

deserve the Department’s timely attention and resources. The Committee encourages the Secretary to implement these regulations 

promptly and directs the Department to submit a report to the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 60 days 

after enactment of this act on the Department’s schedule and plan 

for promulgating these regulations. Further, the Committee urges 

DOT to move forward with promulgating its pending updates to 

passenger Tire Pressure Monitoring System [TPMS] standards as 

required by section 24115 of the FAST Act. The risk of unintentional reset or recalibration in some models of TPMS is a concern 

and DOT should not delay in taking action on this issue. 

Drunk Driving Prevention.—NHTSA has partnered with leading 

automobile manufacturers in the Automotive Coalition for Traffic 

Safety on an ambitious research program to develop in-vehicle 

technology to prevent alcohol-impaired driving that is publicly acceptable, unobtrusive for drivers below the legal limit of .08 BAC, 

reliable, and relatively inexpensive. The FAST Act provides 

$21,248,000 between fiscal year 2017 and 2020 for in-vehicle alcohol detection device research. The Committee continues to strongly 

support this promising research partnership, which has the potential to prevent thousands of drunk-driving deaths annually. The 

Committee recommendation includes $5,312,000 for continuation of 

this research in fiscal year 2018. 

Drunk Driving Fatalities.—The Committee is concerned about increasing rates of impaired driving and the increase in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities on our highways. Crashes on U.S. roadways claimed 35,092 lives in 2015, an increase of 2,348 fatalities 

(7.2%) over 2014. Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities increased by 

3.2 percent, from 9,943 in 2014 to 10,265 in 2015. Drunk Driving 

fatalities account for approximately one-third of all the deaths on 

our nation’s highways. While drunk driving fatalities on our roadways have decreased by 51 percent since 1982, unfortunately the 

downward trend line for drunk driving fatalities changed course in 

2015 and has reportedly continued that deadly upward trend in 

2016. The Committee encourages NHTSA to review its efforts and 

initiatives in this arena and to work with the Committee and interested stakeholders to reverse the growing incidence of drunk driving and the increase in alcohol-related fatalities on our highways. 

Child Hyperthermia Prevention.—The Committee continues to 

recognize the severe child safety crisis involving children left alone 

in motor vehicles who succumb to hyperthermia, and has favorably 

cited the awareness programs conducted by NHTSA. In the 19 

years since records have been maintained, more than 700 children, 

mostly 3 years old or younger, have died in this tragic way. While 

progress was seen in 2014 and 2015, there were 39 deaths in 2016, 

and several children have already died early in 2017. The Committee directs NHTSA to continue and expand its public education 
66 

and outreach efforts on child hot car death prevention through a 

public call to action encouraging public messaging and involvement 

from a broad group of organizations, government agencies, medical 

professionals and others who regularly interact with parents and 

the public. The campaign should focus on parents and caregivers 

who transport children, and also to encourage bystanders to take 

action when they see children alone in cars. The Committee urges 

the campaign commence earlier in the year compared to prior campaigns. In addition to public awareness, the Committee urges 

NHTSA to continue to pursue technological solutions that can serve 

as a reminder to parents to remove children from the rear seat 

prior to leaving their vehicle in coordination with industry. The 

Committee is aware that NHTSA published a study of unattended 

child reminder warning technology in July 2015. Because of ongoing technological advances, the Committee directs NHTSA to update the study in coordination with industry regarding currently 

available and future technology that can serve as a reminder to 

parents to remove children from the rear seat prior to leaving their 

vehicle. To prevent fatalities, education and technology work hand 

in hand to develop multiple barriers of prevention. 

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS

(LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

(LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

(HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Limitation, 2017 ..................................................................................... $585,372,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 597,629,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 597,629,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The most recent surface transportation authorization, the FAST 

Act, reauthorizes the section 402 State and community formula 

grants, the high visibility enforcement grants, and the consolidated 

National Priority Safety Program which consists of occupant protection grants, State traffic safety information grants, impaired 

driving countermeasures grants, distracted driving grants, motorcycle safety grants, State graduated driver license grants, and nonmotorized safety grants. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation on obligations and authority to liquidate an equal amount of contract authorization of 

$597,629,000 for the highway traffic safety grant programs funded 

under this heading. The recommended limitation is equal to the 

budget estimate and $12,257,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The Committee continues to recommend prohibiting the use of 

section 402 funds for construction, rehabilitation or remodeling 

costs, or for office furnishings and fixtures for State, local, or private buildings or structures. 
67 

The authorized funding for administrative expenses and for each 

grant program is as follows: 

Amount 

Highway Safety Programs (section 402) ............................................................................................................. $261,200,000 

National Priority Safety Programs (section 405) ................................................................................................. 280,200,000 

High Visibility Enforcement Program ................................................................................................................... 29,900,000 

Administrative Expenses ...................................................................................................................................... 26,329,000 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY

ADMINISTRATION

Section 140 makes available $130,000 of obligation authority for 

section 402 of title 23 U.S.C. to pay for travel and expenses for 

State management reviews and highway safety staff core competency development training. 

Section 141 exempts obligation authority, made available in previous public laws, from limitations on obligations for the current 

year. 

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION

The Federal Railroad Administration [FRA] became an operating 

Administration within the Department of Transportation on April 

1, 1967. It incorporated the Bureau of Railroad Safety from the 

Interstate Commerce Commission, the Office of High Speed Ground 

Transportation from the Department of Commerce, and the Alaska 

Railroad from the Department of the Interior. FRA is responsible 

for planning, developing, and administering programs to achieve 

safe operating and mechanical practices in the railroad industry. 

Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation [Amtrak] 

and other financial assistance programs to rehabilitate and improve the railroad industry’s physical infrastructure are also administered by the Federal Railroad Administration. 

SAFETY AND OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $218,298,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 199,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 210,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Safety and Operations account provides support for FRA rail 

safety activities and all other administrative and operating activities related to staff and programs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recognizes the importance of taking a holistic approach to improving railroad safety and supports a comprehensive 

strategy of data-driven regulatory and inspection efforts, proactive 

approaches to identify and mitigate risks, and strategic capital investments in order to improve safety. The Committee recommends $210,000,000 for Safety and Oper- ations for fiscal year 2018, which is $11,000,000 more than the 

budget request and $8,298,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The bill specifies that $15,900,000 shall remain avail-
68 

able until expended to cover the cost of the Automated Track Inspection Program, the Railroad Safety Information System, research and development activities, and contract support. The Committee recommendation includes 2 FTE and $283,000 for salaries 

and benefits for the Office of Governmental Affairs and includes no 

additional FTE above those provided in previous fiscal years for all 

other offices. The Committee is concerned about the needless 

delays in hiring staff, particularly inspectors, up to the levels provided by the Committee, and reminds the agency that staffing levels are determined by Congress, not OMB. 

Positive Train Control.—The Committee is encouraged by the efforts of commuter railroads to develop and implement positive train 

control [PTC] and encourages the Department to make certification 

a priority and to provide the necessary technical assistance to commuter railroads as they move toward full implementation. The 

Committee remains concerned that implementation of PTC may be 

slowed or impaired by conflicting government requirements at the 

Federal, State, and local levels with regards to permits and historical and environmental preservation requirements. In order to implement PTC in as timely a manner as possible to meet the deadline for implementation on December 31, 2018, the Committee encourages the Secretary to exercise discretion and provide flexibility 

to recipients in administering grants authorized by section 3028 of 

the FAST Act. Specifically, the Committee encourages the Secretary to allow recipients to use grant funds for non-construction 

purposes, such as the installation of on-board locomotive 

apparatuses, back office server technology, and other core 

functionalities of PTC. The Department may provide this flexibility 

to grant recipients, to the extent allowed by current law, even if 

construction-related PTC work is delayed due to permitting requirements, uncompleted National Environmental Policy Act 

[NEPA] clearances, or uncompleted historic preservation clearances. Additionally, grant recipients should not be disqualified 

from receiving grant funds for any pre-award expenditures as the 

timing of grant awards is frequently incompatible with project 

schedules necessary to meet mandated completion milestones. 

Bench Test Equipment.—The Committee recognizes the crucial 

role test equipment plays in rail safety and encourages FRA to 

adopt standardized Bench Test Equipment [BTE] to replace numerous legacy and aging test and diagnostic equipment. Standardization on proven performance verification methods could provide increased safety for the traveling public, shorter schedules for new 

technology deployments, such as PTC or communications-based 

train control, reduce down time related to faulty systems, and reduce or eliminate serious accidents. Therefore, the Committee encourages DOT to work with the private sector to perform an extended business case analysis supporting standardized performance 

verification and diagnostics for safety critical electronics systems. 

The study should involve DOT and local transit authorities implementing an interoperable open architecture BTE. Similar efforts 

have proven successful in reducing overall cost while increasing 

safety when sponsored by the FAA and the Department of Defense. 
69 

RAILROAD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $40,100,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 39,100,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 40,100,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Railroad Research and Development program provides 

science and technology support for FRA’s rail safety rulemaking 

and enforcement efforts. It also supports technological advances in 

conventional and high-speed railroads, as well as evaluations of the 

role of railroads in the Nation’s transportation system. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $40,100,000 for 

railroad Research and Development, which is $1,000,000 more than 

the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Short Line Safety Institute.—Short Line railroads operate approximately 50,000 miles of track, which is one-third of the national railroad network. They are an important feeder system for 

the larger Class I railroads, helping connect local communities to 

the national railroad network. There are 550 short line railroads 

operating in the United States, 73 of which currently handle some 

volume of energy products. The safety management system of short 

lines is extremely varied. Many small railroads with limited personnel and limited financial capital need additional resources to 

conduct hazardous materials safety training and other operational 

safety assessments. The Committee supports FRA’s efforts, in partnership with short line and regional railroads, to continue to build 

a stronger, more sustainable safety culture in this segment of the 

rail industry. To date, several Class III railroads, including those 

that transport crude oil, have received safety culture assessments 

in order to improve railroad safety culture. The Committee’s recommendation includes $2,000,000 to fund the Short Line Safety Institute and its mission, including continued efforts to improve the 

safe transportation of crude oil, other hazardous materials, freight, 

and passenger rail. 

Tank Car Research.—The Committee’s recommendation includes 

$2,000,000 to conduct tank car research activities related to the 

safe transportation of energy products in partnership with other 

Federal agencies. 

RAILROAD REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT FINANCING PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing [RRIF] 

program was established by Public Law 109–178 to provide direct 

loans and loan guarantees to State and local governments, Government-sponsored entities, and railroads. Credit assistance under the 

program may be used for rehabilitating or developing rail equipment and facilities. 
70 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation removes the restriction on using 

Federal funds to pay for the credit risk premium for RRIF loans 

and directs the Secretary to identify potential sources of Federal 

funding for the CRP to potential applicants. The Committee directs 

FRA to continue to provide a summary of loan activity for the preceding fiscal years in its fiscal year 2019 budget justification. At a 

minimum, FRA should detail the number of loans pending and 

issued, and the processing time for these loans. 

Credit Risk Premium.—The original authorization of the RRIF 

program required the Department to return the credit risk premium [CRP], and interest accrued thereon, to borrowers once the 

corresponding loan was repaid and all obligations attached to a cohort of loans have been satisfied. Returning the CRP could allow 

borrowers to reinvest their own funds for critical improvements to 

railroad infrastructure across the Nation. To date, DOT has not returned any CRP to borrowers that have repaid their loans because 

the Department has not clarified its definition of cohorts. The Committee directs the Secretary to define cohorts on a fiscal year basis, 

consistent with virtually every loan or loan guarantee program in 

the Federal government. The Committee further directs the Secretary to define each cohort as the RRIF loans provided for that fiscal year, creating individual fiscal year cohorts for each fiscal year 

in which a loan was provided from the date of enactment of Public 

Law 105–178 to the date of enactment of Public Law 114–94. The 

Committee also directs the Secretary not to treat the repayment of 

a loan after the date of enactment of Public Law 114–94 as precluding, limiting, or negatively affecting the satisfaction of the obligation of its cohort for a fiscal year prior to Public Law 114–94. 

The Committee directs the Secretary to repay the CRP to applicants in a timely manner, if applicable, or to provide a written explanation within 90 days of enactment of this act to the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations explaining why the CRP for 

loans that have been repaid should not be returned to the borrower. 

CONSOLIDATED RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

GRANTS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $68,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 25,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 92,547,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements 

[CRISI] Grants provide support for projects authorized in section 

11301 of Public Law 114–94. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $92,547,000 for the CRISI Grants, 

which is $67,547,000 more than the budget request and 

$24,547,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The 

funding is eligible for activities authorized under 49 U.S.C. 24407, 

of which at least 25 percent shall be available for projects in rural 
71 

areas. Of the total amount provided, $35,547,000 shall be for eligible projects under 49 U.S.C. 24407(c)(2) that contribute to the initiation or restoration of intercity passenger rail service. 

FEDERAL-STATE PARTNERSHIP FOR STATE OF GOOD REPAIR GRANTS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $25,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 25,945,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 26,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Grant 

program provides support for capital projects that reduce the state 

of good repair backlog with respect to qualified railroad assets. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $26,000,000 for the Federal-State 

Partnership for State of Good Repair Grants, which is $55,000 

more than the budget request and $1,000,000 more than the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level. The Committee is aware of the growing 

backlog of state of good repair and improvement needs on many of 

the country’s important passenger routes. The Committee notes 

that regardless of the title of this program, eligible projects under 

49 U.S.C. 24911 include capital projects to replace existing assets 

with assets that increase capacity or provide a higher level of service, as well as capital projects to ensure that service can be maintained while existing assets are brought to a state of good repair. 

Therefore, certain projects may be eligible for funding provided for 

this program as well as funding provided under the Capital Investment Grant program as authorized under 49 U.S.C. 5309. 

RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT GRANTS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $5,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 5,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Restoration and Enhancement Grant program provides support for operating assistance and capital investments to initiate, restore, or enhance intercity passenger rail service. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for Restoration and Enhancement Grants, which is $5,000,000 more than the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee expects non-Federal stakeholders to make financial or inkind contributions to projects receiving awards under this program. 

THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION [AMTRAK]

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $1,495,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 760,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 1,600,000,000 
72 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) operates 

intercity passenger rail services in 46 States and the District of Columbia, in addition to serving as a contractor in various capacities 

for several commuter rail agencies. Congress created Amtrak in the 

Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970 (Public Law 91–518) in response to private carriers’ inability to profitably operate intercity 

passenger rail service. Thereafter, Amtrak assumed the common 

carrier obligations of the private railroads in exchange for the right 

to priority access to their tracks for incremental cost. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total appropriation of 

$1,600,000,000 for Amtrak, which is $840,000,000 more than the 

budget request and $105,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 

enacted level. The Committee directs FRA to make a timely disbursement of funds in accordance with the FAST Act to maximize 

the Corporation’s ability to efficiently manage its cash flow. Each 

year, Amtrak is responsible for significant one-time cash overflows 

at the beginning of the calendar year. In order to help facilitate 

these payments, the Committee encourages the FRA to release adequate funding in the first quarter of the fiscal year in order to efficiently manage Amtrak’s financial obligations in a timely manner. 

Budget, and Business Plan.—The Committee continues to direct 

Amtrak to submit a business plan in accordance with section 

11203(b) of Public Law 114–94 for fiscal year 2018. The Corporation shall continue to submit a budget request for fiscal year 2019 

to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations in similar 

format and substance to those submitted by executive agencies of 

the Federal Government. 

FRA Grant Administration and Report Streamlining.—The Committee recognizes that Amtrak fields a myriad of grant requirements from the FRA. The Committee is supportive of robust oversight by the FRA; however, to the extent practicable, the FRA is 

encouraged to work with Amtrak to reduce duplication and streamline their reporting requirements. 

New York Penn Station.—New York Penn Station is the busiest 

railroad station in the Nation, with more than 1,300 weekday train 

movements resulting in 650,000 passenger trips on Amtrak, Long 

Island Rail Road [LIRR], NJ TRANSIT [NJT], and local transit 

subways. Amtrak’s trains comprised 20.5 percent of train movements, making it a minority user of the asset, but has contributed 

70 percent of the investments made in shared-use infrastructure of 

Penn Station and the adjacent tunnels. Amtrak is currently implementing the New York Penn Station Infrastructural Renewal program, a series of major track and switch renewal projects aimed at 

strengthening and improving operations and preparedness at Penn 

Station. Years of state-of-good-repair work is being accelerated and 

compressed into a few weeks, which is expected to result in less 

disruptive maintenance for years to come. All users of Penn Station, including Amtrak, LIRR, and NJT, will benefit from the enhanced reliability that stems for these critical improvements. The 

Committee is concerned that New Jersey and New York have 
73 

threatened to withhold critical safety funding for the NEC and 

Penn Station as a result of the necessary disruptions caused by the 

renewal program, which would reduce investment in Penn Station 

and adversely impact Amtrak, LIRR, and NJT passengers. Such action may also be in violation of the agreements between Amtrak, 

the commuter authorities, and the Federal mandate for users of 

NEC assets to fully compensate owners of such assets for their use. 

Food and Beverage.—Since 2015, the Committee has required 

Amtrak to report on its savings initiatives, and the FAST Act formalized this planning and implementation process providing specific requirements to eliminate operating losses associated with 

providing food and beverage services on board Amtrak trains by 

2020. The Committee urges Amtrak to continue to take actions, 

such as increasing cashless transactions, continuing to reduce labor 

costs, and expeditiously beginning the third party contracting pilot, 

that would allow it to produce a net loss of zero on its food and 

beverage services ahead of the FAST Act deadline. The Committee 

directs Amtrak to provide a report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no later than 120 days after enactment 

of this act comparing the actual fiscal year 2017 savings with Amtrak projections. 

NORTHEAST CORRIDOR GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD

PASSENGER CORPORATION

The Committee recommends $358,400,000 for Northeast Corridor 

Grants to Amtrak. The funding level provided includes no more 

than $5,000,000 for the use of the Northeast Corridor Commission 

established under section 24905 of title 49, United States Code. 

Northeast Corridor.—The Committee commends Amtrak’s commitment to making important capital improvements, particularly 

along the Northeast Corridor. Superstorm Sandy caused serious 

damage to the current Amtrak Hudson River Tunnels, necessitating their replacement in less than 20 years. Without the completion of the Northeast Corridor Gateway Project, Amtrak predicts 

severe service cuts for both intercity and commuter service. Accordingly, the Committee encourages Amtrak to use funding provided 

to continue the Northeast Corridor Gateway Project. 

NATIONAL NETWORK GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER

CORPORATION

The Committee recommends $1,241,600,000 for National Network Grants to Amtrak. The funding level provided includes no 

more than $2,000,000 for use of the State-Supported Route Committee established in the FAST Act. 

Gulf Coast Rail Service.—Section 11304 of the FAST Act required the Gulf Coast Working Group [GCWG], consisting of FRA, 

Amtrak, the Southern Rail Commission [SRC], railroad carriers, 

State and local governments, and others, to evaluate all options for 

restoring passenger rail service in the gulf coast region, select a 

preferred option for service, develop an inventory and cost estimate 

of capital projects to restore service, and identify Federal and nonFederal funding to restore service. The GCWG report, released on 

July 17, 2017, identified the preferred options as a daily long-distance route that extends Amtrak’s existing City of New Orleans 
74 

service from New Orleans, Louisiana to Orlando, Florida and a new 

daily State-supported route from New Orleans, Louisiana to Mobile, Alabama. The preliminary capital cost estimates for restoring 

service is $117,672,000, with annual operating cost estimates at 

$5,480,000 for the long-distance route and $4,000,000 for the Statesupported route. These cost estimates are dwarfed by the 

$2,300,000,000 estimate previously determined by industry, which 

also raised concerns with on-time performance [OTP] requirements 

and delays at drawbridges. The Committee believes the GCWG report more accurately reflects these concerns and is a more realistic 

cost estimate, but directs Amtrak and DOT to continue working 

with the host railroad and the Coast Guard to refine cost estimates. 

The GCWG report also highlights potential sources of Federal 

funding for restoration of Gulf Coast passenger rail service including RRIF, TIFIA, TIGER, CRISI, Restoration and Enhancement, 

Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects, RailwayHighway Crossings, and fiscal year 2006 Gulf Coast Funds. The 

Committee recommendation includes $35,547,000 in CRISI for capital projects and $5,000,000 in Restoration and Enhancement 

Grants for operating assistance for projects that contribute to the 

initiation or restoration of intercity passenger rail service. The 

Committee recommendation also includes a provision allowing 

States with appropriate agreements with Amtrak to use CMAQ 

funds for operating assistance. The Committee expects Amtrak, 

SRC, and the gulf coast region to seek funding through these programs for the preferred routes and encourages the Secretary to 

prioritize funding provided by this Committee for these routes. In 

order to expeditiously return passenger rail service to the Gulf 

Coast, the Committee further directs the Secretary to report to the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 180 days 

of enactment on progress made with implementing the recommendations identified in section 5 of the GCWG report. In addition, the Committee recommendation allows up to $5,000,000 of the 

Grant to the National Network to be available for administrative 

and other expenses related to cases Amtrak may bring before STB 

related to the restoration of passenger rail service over routes previously served by Amtrak. 

Long-Distance Routes.—Long-distance routes provide much needed transportation access for 4.7 million riders in 325 communities 

in 40 States. Providing diversified transportation options is important to the growth of the Nation’s economy, especially in rural 

areas where options are limited. The budget request includes a proposal to terminate all long-distance service. Rather than saving 

money, the proposal would actually increase costs for Amtrak in 

fiscal year 2018 by $423,400,000 as a result of mandatory labor 

payments and increased operating losses to Amtrak. There are significant shared and system related costs which would remain and 

need to be shifted to NEC or State-supported routes. Many Statesupported routes would be unable to pay for these cost increases 

and could be eliminated if the budget request was enacted. The 

Committee is dismayed at the lack of analysis and forethought behind the budget request to eliminate long-distance routes and rejects it. 
75 

Passenger Rail in the Bakken Region.—The Committee recognizes the importance of improving the financial viability of Amtrak’s Empire Builder and the growth in demand for passenger rail 

service in the Bakken region. The Committee directs Amtrak to 

continue to work with local officials, taking into account the results 

of the updated Amtrak Empire Builder feasibility study, to address 

the prospect of adding new passenger rail stops that generate revenue and reduce operating costs of the Empire Builder and other 

national network routes. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 150 limits overtime payments to employees at Amtrak to 

$35,000 per employee. However, Amtrak’s president may waive 

this restriction for specific employees for safety or operational efficiency reasons. If the cap is waived, Amtrak must notify the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 30 days and 

specify the reason for such waiver. 

FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal Transit Administration [FTA] was established as a 

component of the Department of Transportation by Reorganization 

Plan No. 2 of 1968, effective July 1, 1968, which transferred most 

of the functions and programs under the Federal Transit Act of 

1964, as amended (78 Stat. 302; 49 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), from the 

Department of Housing and Urban Development. The missions of 

the FTA are: to help develop improved mass transportation systems and practices; to support the inclusion of public transportation in community and regional planning to support economic development; to provide mobility for Americans who depend on transit for transportation in both metropolitan and rural areas; to 

maximize the productivity and efficiency of transportation systems; 

and to provide assistance to State and local governments and agencies in financing such services and systems. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

Under the Committee recommendations, a total program level of 

$12,129,428,407 is provided for FTA programs in fiscal year 2018. 

The recommendation is $903,565,000 more than the budget request 

and $285,073,636 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

General fund Highway trust fund Total 

Appropriation 2017 ........................................................................ $2,680,796,000 $9,733,706,043 $12,414,502,043 

Budget estimate, 2018 .................................................................. 1,492,510,000 9,733,353,407 11,225,863,407 

Committee recommendation .......................................................... 2,396,075,000 9,733,353,407 12,129,428,407 

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $113,165,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 110,795,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 113,165,000 
76 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Administrative expenses fund personnel, contract resources, information technology, space management, travel, training, and 

other administrative expenses necessary to carry out FTA’s mission 

to support, improve, and help ensure the safety of public transportation systems. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total of $113,165,000 from the 

general fund for the agency’s salaries and administrative expenses. 

The recommended level of funding is $2,370,000 more than the 

budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Project Management Oversight [PMO] Activities.—The Committee 

directs FTA to continue to submit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations the quarterly PMO reports for each 

project with a full funding grant agreement. 

Full Funding Grant Agreements [FFGAs].—Section 5309(k) of 

title 49, U.S.C. requires that FTA notify the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations, as well as the House Committee on 

Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on 

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, 30 days before executing a 

FFGA. In its notification to the House and Senate Committees on 

Appropriations, the Committee directs FTA to submit the following 

information: (1) a copy of the proposed FFGA; (2) the total and annual Federal appropriations required for the project; (3) the yearly 

and total Federal appropriations that can be planned or anticipated 

for existing FFGAs for each fiscal year through 2019; (4) a detailed 

analysis of annual commitments for current and anticipated 

FFGAs against the program authorization, by individual project; 

(5) a financial analysis of the project’s cost and sponsor’s ability to 

finance the project, which shall be conducted by an independent examiner and which shall include an assessment of the capital cost 

estimate and finance plan; (6) the source and security of all public 

and private sector financing; (7) the project’s operating plan, which 

enumerates the project’s future revenue and ridership forecasts; 

and (8) a listing of all planned contingencies and possible risks associated with the project. 

The Committee also directs FTA to inform the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations in writing 30 days before approving 

schedule, scope, or budget changes to any FFGA. Correspondence 

relating to all changes shall include any budget revisions or program changes that materially alter the project as originally stipulated in the FFGA, including any proposed change in rail car procurement. 

The Committee directs FTA to continue to provide a monthly 

Capital Investment Grant program update to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, detailing the status of each 

project. This update should include anticipated milestone schedules 

for advancing projects, especially those within 2 years of a proposed 

FFGA. It should also highlight and explain any potential cost and 

schedule changes affecting projects. 

Staffing Levels.—The Committee provided funding for new safety-critical positions in fiscal year 2017 for office of Transit Safety 
77 

and Oversight [TSO] in order to provide the necessary oversight of 

WMATA and other transit agencies. While FTA is no longer under 

a hiring freeze, the Committee is concerned about the needless 

delays in hiring critical staff, particularly in TSO, up to the levels 

provided by the Committee. The Committee directs FTA to hire 

staff based on funding levels provided by Congress rather than future budget requests, and reminds the agency that staffing levels 

are determined by Congress, not OMB. 

Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility.—The Committee 

directs the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility to submit 

within 180 days of enactment of this act a plan and report to the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on options to 

eliminate duplication, provide efficient services for people in need, 

and increase coordination between the various Federal departments’ operating programs for transportation-disadvantaged persons. 

FORMULA GRANTS

(LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY)

(LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

Obligation limitation 

(trust fund) 

Appropriations, 2017 ........................................................................................................................................ $9,733,706,043 

Budget estimate, 2018 .................................................................................................................................... 9,733,353,407 

Committee recommendation ............................................................................................................................ 9,733,353,407 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Communities use Formula Grants funds for bus and railcar purchases, facility repair and construction, maintenance, and where eligible, planning and operating expenses. The Formula Grants account includes funding for the following programs: transit-oriented 

development; planning programs; urbanized area formula grants; 

enhanced mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities; a 

pilot program for enhanced mobility; formula grants for rural 

areas; public transportation innovation; technical assistance and 

workforce development, including a national transit institute; a bus 

testing facility; the national transit database; state of good repairs 

grants; bus and bus facilities formulas grants; and growing States 

and high-density States formula grants. Set-asides from formula 

funds are directed to a grant program for each State with rail systems not regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration to meet 

the requirements for a State Safety Oversight program. The account also provides funding to support passenger ferry services and 

public transportation on Indian reservations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends limiting obligations in the transit 

formula and bus grants account in fiscal year 2018 to 

$9,733,353,407. The recommendation is equal to the budget request 

and $352,636 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The recommendation is also consistent with the currently authorized level 

under the FAST Act. The Committee recommends $10,300,000,000 
78 

in authority to liquidate contract authorizations. This amount is 

sufficient to cover outstanding obligations from this account. The 

following table displays the distribution of obligation limitation 

among the program categories of formula grants: 

DISTRIBUTION OF OBLIGATION LIMITATION AMONG MAJOR CATEGORIES OF FORMULA GRANTS 

Formula grants 

(obligation limitation) 

Section 

number 

Fiscal year 

2017 

Fiscal year 2018 

Administration 

proposal 

Committee 

assumption 

Transit Oriented Development .................... 20005(b) ........ $10,000,000 $10,000,000 $10,000,000 

Planning Programs ..................................... 5305 .............. 133,398,933 136,200,311 136,200,311 

Urbanized Area Formula Grants ................. 5307 .............. 4,629,683,814 4,726,907,174 4,726,907,174 

Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities..5310 .............. 268,208,388 273,840,764 273,840,764 

Pilot Program for Enhanced Mobility ......... 3006(b) .......... 3,000,000 3,250,000 3,250,000 

Formula Grants for Rural Areas ................. 5311 .............. 632,355,120 645,634,578 645,634,578 

Public Transportation Innovation ............... 5312 .............. 28,000,000 28,000,000 28,000,000 

Technical Assistance and Workforce Development.5314 .............. 9,000,000 9,000,000 9,000,000 

Bus Testing Facilities ................................. 5318 .............. 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000 

National Transit Database ......................... 5335 .............. 4,000,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 

State of Good Repair Grants ...................... 5337 .............. 2,549,670,000 2,593,703,558 2,593,703,558 

Bus and Bus Facilities Grants ................... 5339 .............. 719,956,000 747,033,476 747,033,476 

Growing States and High Density States ... 5340 .............. 544,433,788 552,783,547 552,783,547 

Positive Train Control ................................. ........................ 199,000,000 .............................. ..............................

Total .............................................. ........................ 9,733,706,043 9,733,353,407 9,733,353,407 

Population Loss.—The Committee recognizes the financial constraints placed on local communities and transit operators who 

have lost their urbanized area [UZA] formula funds as a direct result of a hurricane or other major disaster. In the interest of protecting local communities and transit operators from any additional 

burdens in the wake of a major disaster, the Committee directs 

FTA to explore ways to ensure that the impact to local communities and transit operators affected by major disasters are 

minimalized, including potential guidance to prevent a loss of formula funds from a population drop directly related to such major 

disaster. 

Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program.—The Committee supports the FAST Act’s inclusion of competitive grants in the buses 

and bus facilities grant program and encourages FTA to follow the 

guidance set forth in the FAST Act when developing selection criteria for the program. Consistent with section 3017 of the FAST 

Act, the age and condition of buses, bus fleets, related equipment, 

and bus-related facilities should be the primary consideration for 

selection criteria. 

Improving Rural Transit Access.—The Committee recognizes the 

importance of ensuring safe, private transportation is made available for seniors and people who do not drive, especially in small 

and rural communities where distance and low population density 

make traditional mass transportation difficult. The efficiencies of 

information management can help to provide on-demand transportation services and bring together underutilized private transportation capacity through ride share, car share, volunteer transport, 

and private community transport. The Committee encourages FTA 

to consider innovative transportation networks that leverage community volunteerism and private resources in various forms to ac-
79 

cess underutilized private transportation capacity to promote inclusive community mobility and provide transportation for seniors and 

disadvantaged populations in small and rural communities. Further, the Committee supports the capacity of consumers to plan 

their travel safely, independently, and reliably through a variety of 

techniques and tools. 

CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $2,412,631,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 1,232,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 2,132,910,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Under the Capital Investment Grants [CIG] program, FTA provides grants to fund the building of new fixed guideway systems or 

extensions and improvements to existing fixed guideway systems. 

Eligible services include light rail, rapid rail (heavy rail), commuter 

rail, and bus rapid transit. The program includes funding for four 

categories of eligible projects authorized under 49 U.S.C. 5309, and 

section 3005(b) of the FAST Act: New Starts, Small Starts, Core 

Capacity, and Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program. New 

Starts are projects with a Federal share under this section of at 

least $100,000,000 or a total net capital cost of at least 

$300,000,000. By comparison, Small Starts are projects with a Federal share under this section of less than $100,000,000 and total 

net capital cost less than $300,000,000. Core Capacity projects are 

those that will expand capacity by at least 10 percent in existing 

fixed-guideway transit corridors that are already at or above capacity, or are expected to be at or above capacity within 5 years. The 

FAST Act authorizes eight projects under the Expedited Project 

Delivery Pilot Program, consisting of New Starts, Small Starts, or 

Core Capacity, that require no more than a 25 percent Federal 

share and are supported, in part, by a public private partnership. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $2,132,910,000 for capital investment grants, which is $279,721,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 

enacted level, and $900,910,000 more than the request. In addition, 

$8,900,000 in New Starts recoveries and $5,500,000 in Bus and 

Bus Facilities recoveries from prior year obligations are made 

available, for a total spending level of $2,147,310,000. The Committee recommendation includes $1,007,910,000 to cover the cost of 

the 11 existing FFGAs for New Starts projects and $200,000,000 to 

cover the cost of the two existing FFGAs for Core Capacity projects 

in fiscal year 2018, which shall be distributed consistent with the 

proposed schedule of Federal funds for each FFGA. The Committee 

recommendation includes $149,900,000 to complete funding for previously funded Small Starts projects that do not have a signed 

agreement. The Committee’s recommendations also includes for 

new projects that received at least a ‘‘medium’’ overall rating in the 

fiscal year 2018 annual report: $454,000,000 for New Starts 

FFGAs, $145,700,000 for Core Capacity FFGAs, and $168,400,000 

for Small Starts grant agreements. 
80 

Project Pipeline.—In addition to providing funding for this program for the projects described above, the Committee directs the 

Secretary to continue to advance eligible projects into project development and engineering in the capital investment grant evaluation, rating, and approval process pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5309 and 

section 3005(b) of the FAST Act in all cases when projects meet the 

statutory criteria. The Committee also directs the Secretary to provide notice to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 

of not less than 90 days prior to altering or rescinding any rule, 

circular or guidance relating to the evaluation, rating and approval 

process pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5309. 

Annual Report on Funding Recommendations.—The Committee 

directs the Secretary to submit the fiscal year 2019 annual report 

on funding recommendations required by 49 U.S.C. 5309(o), and directs the Secretary to maintain the Federal Government funding 

commitments for all existing grant agreements and identify all 

projects with a medium or higher rating that anticipate requesting 

a grant agreement in fiscal year 2019. 

Increasing Costs of Transit Projects.—Not later than 9 months 

after the enactment of this act, the GAO shall report to the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding the construction costs of transit capital projects in the United States in comparison to other developed G–20 nations, such as South Korea, 

Japan, Spain, France, Italy and Germany. The GAO shall examine 

potential cost drivers, including: contracting and procurement, 

project and station design, routing, regulatory barriers, interagency 

cooperation and legal systems, but not those which are required by 

Federal law. The report shall compare practices both between various cities in the United States, as well as practices in other nations. The report should, if appropriate, make recommendations to 

DOT on steps it can take within existing Federal law to address 

the issues identified by the reports to help bring best practices in 

the United States in line with international standards within the 

boundaries of current law. These recommendations may take the 

form of changes to funding guidelines or prioritization, regulatory 

changes, contracting practices, or intergovernmental technical assistance. 

GRANTS TO THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT

AUTHORITY

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $150,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 149,715,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 150,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This appropriation provides assistance to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority [WMATA]. The Federal Rail Safety 

Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–432, title VI, section 

601) authorized DOT to make up to $150,000,000 available to 

WMATA annually for capital and preventive maintenance for a 10- 

year period. 
81 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation includes $150,000,000 for grants 

to WMATA for capital and preventive maintenance expenses, including pressing safety-related investments, which is $285,000 

more than the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. These grants are in addition to the funding local jurisdictions have committed to providing to WMATA. 

SafeTrack.—The Committee is encouraged by the progress made 

by WMATA’s SafeTrack program to accelerate 3 years of renewal 

work into 1 year, but is concerned about the decrease in ridership 

and increases in WMATA’s capital needs and operating costs. 

While the General Manager has made some progress in reducing 

costs, the agency needs to do more to right-size its spending given 

that fewer people are using the system. The Committee is also concerned that the WMATA’s 2018 budget assumes that Congress will 

continue to provide capital and preventative maintenance funding 

to WMATA into perpetuity despite the expiration of authorization 

for this program at the end of fiscal year 2018. The Committee directs FTA to work with WMATA and the authorizing committees 

to determine whether the authorization should be extended and if 

any reforms are required to WMATA’s charter to ensure the success of the agency. 

Financial Management.—The bill directs the Secretary to provide 

grants to WMATA only after receiving and reviewing a request for 

each specific project to be funded under this heading. The bill requires the Secretary to determine that WMATA has placed the 

highest priority on funding projects that will improve the safety of 

its public transit system before approving these grants, using the 

recommendations and directives of the NTSB and FTA as a guide. 

Wireless Service Extension.—The Committee reluctantly provides 

another 1-year extension for the wireless service requirement in 

the authorization statute. The Committee directs WMATA to continue to provide the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a quarterly report detailing its progress installing wireless 

service. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

Section 160 exempts authority previously made available for programs of the FTA under section 5338 of title 49, United States 

Code, from the obligation limitations in this act. 

Section 161 allows funds appropriated before October 1, 2017, 

that remain available for expenditure to be transferred to the most 

recent appropriation heading. 

SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation [SLSDC] 

is a wholly owned Government corporation established by the Saint 

Lawrence Seaway Act of May 13, 1954 (33 U.S.C. 981). The Saint 

Lawrence Seaway [Seaway] is a vital transportation corridor for 

the international movement of bulk commodities, such as steel, 

iron, grain, and coal, serving the North American region that 
82 

makes up one-quarter of the United States population and nearly 

one-half of the Canadian population. SLSDC is responsible for the 

operation, maintenance, and development of the United States portion of the Seaway between Montreal and Lake Erie. 

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE [HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND]

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $36,028,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 28,346,012 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 36,028,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund [HMTF] was established by 

the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99– 

662). Since 1987, the HMTF has supported the operations and 

maintenance of commercial harbor projects maintained by the Federal Government. Appropriations from the HMTF and revenues 

from non-Federal sources finance the operation and maintenance of 

those portions of the Seaway for which SLSDC is responsible. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $36,028,000 for the operations, 

maintenance, and asset renewal of SLSDC. This amount is 

$7,681,988 greater than the budget request and is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The Committee directs SLSDC to continue to submit an annual 

report to the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, not 

later than April 30, summarizing the activities of the Asset Renewal Program during the immediate preceding fiscal year. 

MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Maritime Administration [MARAD] is responsible for programs authorized by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as amended 

(46 App. U.S.C. 1101 et seq.). MARAD is also responsible for programs that strengthen the U.S. maritime industry in support of the 

Nation’s security and economic needs. MARAD prioritizes the Department of Defense’s [DOD] use of ports and intermodal facilities 

during DOD mobilizations to guarantee the smooth flow of military 

cargo through commercial ports. MARAD manages the Maritime 

Security Program, the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement 

Program, and the Ready Reserve Force, which assure DOD access 

to commercial and strategic sealift and associated intermodal capacity. MARAD also continues to address the disposal of obsolete 

ships in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that are deemed a potential environmental risk. Further, MARAD administers education 

and training programs through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and six State maritime schools that assist in providing skilled 

merchant marine officers who are capable of serving defense and 

commercial transportation needs. The Committee continues to fund 

MARAD in its support of the United States as a maritime Nation. 
83 

MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $300,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 210,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 300,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Maritime Security Program [MSP] provides resources to 

maintain a U.S.-flag merchant fleet crewed by U.S. citizens to 

serve both the commercial and national security needs of the 

United States. The program provides direct payments to U.S.-flag 

ship operators engaged in U.S. foreign trade. Participating operators are required to keep the vessels in active commercial service 

and provide intermodal sealift support to DOD in times of war or 

national emergency. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $300,000,000 for 

the MSP. This amount is $90,000,000 above the budget request and 

equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. Once again, the Committee rejects the Administration’s short-sighted proposal to cut 

funding for this program which would undermine the cost-effective 

sustainment of troops serving overseas. 

OPERATIONS AND TRAINING

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $175,560,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 171,820,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 228,642,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Operations and Training appropriation primarily funds the 

salaries and expenses for MARAD headquarters and regional staff 

in the administration and direction for all MARAD programs. The 

account includes funding for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 

six State maritime schools, port and intermodal development, cargo 

preference, international trade relations, deep-water port licensing 

and administrative support costs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $228,642,000 for 

Operations and Training at MARAD for fiscal year 2018 to be distributed between agency operations, the United States Merchant 

Marine Academy, and State maritime academies as outlined in the 

chart below. This amount is $53,082,000 above the fiscal year 2017 

enacted level and $56,822,000 above the budget request. Of this 

amount, $50,000,000 is provided for the National Security MultiMission Vessel. 

MARITIME ADMINISTRATION 

Fiscal year 2018 

Senate 

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ........................................................................................................................... $87,000,000 

Academy Operations .................................................................................................................................... 69,000,000 

Capital Improvements ................................................................................................................................. 14,180,000 
84 

MARITIME ADMINISTRATION—Continued 

Fiscal year 2018 

Senate 

Facilities Maintenance, Repair and Equipment ......................................................................................... 3,820,000 

State Maritime Academies ................................................................................................................................... 32,200,000 

SMA Direct Payments .................................................................................................................................. 6,000,000 

Student Incentive Payments ....................................................................................................................... 2,400,000 

Schoolship Maintenance and Repair .......................................................................................................... 22,000,000 

Fuel Assistance Payments .......................................................................................................................... 1,800,000 

National Security Multi-Mission Vessel ............................................................................................................... 50,000,000 

MARAD Operations ............................................................................................................................................... 59,442,000 

Headquarter Operations .............................................................................................................................. 49,442,000 

Environment and Technology Grants .......................................................................................................... 3,000,000 

Marine Highways Grants ............................................................................................................................. 7,000,000 

Total ........................................................................................................................................................ 228,642,000 

Short Sea Shipping Program.—The Committee recommendation 

includes $7,000,000 for the Short Sea Shipping program, commonly 

known as the Marine Highway program. Projects funded by this 

grant program will help mitigate landside congestion, encourage 

shipper utilization, improve port and landside infrastructure, and 

develop marine transportation strategies by State and local governments. 

National Security Multi-Mission Vessel [NSMV].—The Committee supports MARAD’s efforts to develop a replacement vessel 

for the six State Maritime Academy training ships, including the 

56-year-old training ship the Empire State. The Committee is concerned that the budget request’s exclusion of funding for a training 

ship signals a lack of interest in addressing this urgent need that 

is essential to the education of U.S. mariners and the manning of 

our U.S.-flag fleets and the U.S. military. The Committee recommendation includes $50,000,000 for special purpose vessels to be 

used as training school ships. The Committee directs the agency to 

consult with the Navy, Coast Guard, and any other relevant agencies that may benefit from the NSMV prior to submitting a budget 

request related to the construction, acquisition, or conversion of a 

replacement vessel. 

United States Merchant Marine Academy Spend Plan.—The 

Committee directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the 

Maritime Administrator, to complete a spend plan anticipating 

Academy expenditures, and to provide this plan to the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 days of enactment 

of this act. 

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.—The Committee remains concerned about 

the high rate of incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment 

at the Academy. The most recent survey of sexual harassment and 

sexual assault from the 2015–2016 academic year shows a continuation of the disturbing results at the Academy seen in prior surveys with 19.5 percent of female and 2 percent of male midshipmen 

reporting incidents of sexual assault. 

The Academy has failed to achieve its intended goals in successive action plans, despite repeated commitments from senior leadership at DOT, MARAD, and the Academy. In November 2011, Sec-
85 

retary LaHood outlined a corrective action plan in the first report 

to Congress, which was based on survey data from the 2009–2010 

academic year. The DOT IG found that over one-third of that action plan was incomplete. Another IG review in 2016 found that 

only 66 percent of the 2014–2015 action plan was achieved. Based 

on the recommendations of that audit, Secretary Foxx instituted 

another action plan in January 2017. It is an ambitious plan with 

over 50 action items, including: establishing a process for 

credentialing shipping companies for participation in Sea Year, 

supporting victims by establishing policies and procedures against 

retaliation, and filling key positions in the Sexual Assault Prevention Office and the Civil Rights office. While meeting the agencies 

goals in successive action plans is important, it is also clear that 

a change in culture must also be made throughout the entire Academy. It is imperative that senior leadership throughout the Department continue to make improving conditions at the Academy a top 

priority. The Academy’s success in meeting these goals will hinge 

on the continued diligence of senior leadership at all levels within 

DOT, as well as the ability to hire and retain qualified staff. The 

Committee recommendation includes resources to hire an attorney 

dedicated to serve as an advisor to victims of sexual assault and 

sexual harassment, consistent with the practices of all other Federal service academies. The funding level provided also supports 

the annualization of staff approved in fiscal year 2017 for the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. In addition, 

MARAD is currently pursuing a 24/7 hotline contract with the 

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network to enhance the services 

already provided by the Safe Center LI in Nassau County, New 

York hotline. 

In June 2016, the previous Secretary suspended the Sea Year 

training program in response to reports that midshipmen were subject to sexual assault and sexual harassment while aboard commercial vessels. On February 15, 2017, DOT resumed the Sea Year 

program with new eligibility criteria for new vessels participating 

in the program. To date, MARAD has stated that the program is 

now back to 81 percent capacity of the sea days for midshipmen 

sailing on commercial ships prior to the program’s suspension. The 

Committee expects that the suspension will not prevent any midshipmen from obtaining sufficient at-sea training hours to graduate 

on time. MARAD is directed to provide a report to the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 days of enactment 

of this act that provides the status of all midshipmen effected by 

the Sea Year Stand Down, including aggregate year-over-year comparisons of sea hours accrued by the classes of 2015 through 2020. 

The Committee directs the Secretary to provide the annual report required by section 3507 of Public Law 110–417 to the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations no later than January 

12, 2018. 

Accreditation.—In June, 2016, the Middle States Commission on 

Higher Education [MSCHE] warned the Academy that it was at 

risk of losing its accreditation if it failed to meet five credentialing 

standards tied to governance and combatting sexual assault and 

sexual harassment. In June, 2017, MSCHE found the Academy 

successfully implemented reforms to address all findings with the 
86 

exception of one deficiency related to institutional planning and resources allocation. The Committee is encouraged that the Superintendent has successfully resolved the vast majority of these deficiencies in a timely manner. 

United States Merchant Marine Academy Capital Improvements 

Plan [CIP].—The Committee directs the Administrator to provide 

an annual report by March 31, 2018, on the current status of the 

CIP. The report should include a list of all projects that have received funding and all proposed projects that the Academy intends 

to initiate within the next 5 years: cost overruns and cost savings 

for each active project; specific target dates for project completion; 

delays and the cause of delays; schedule changes; up-to-date cost 

projections for each project; and any other deviations from the previous year’s CIP. 

Environment and Compliance.—The Committee commends 

MARAD’s initiative to support the domestic maritime industry’s efforts to comply with emerging international and domestic environmental regulatory requirements. The Committee directs MARAD to 

notify the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations not 

less than 3 business days before any grant, contract, or cooperative 

agreement is announced by the Department or MARAD for the 

maritime environment and technology assistance program as authorized by 46 U.S.C. 50307. 

Small Shipyard Survey.—The Committee expects MARAD to 

continue its work, in consultation with the Army Corps of Engineers, to survey the dredging needs of small shipyards as required 

by Senate Report 114–243. The Committee expects the survey to 

capture potential demand for dredging from current grantees and 

applicants as well as small shipyards that have not previously applied but could make use of the program if dredging were to become an eligible activity. 

ASSISTANCE TO SMALL SHIPYARDS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $10,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 10,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

As authorized under section 54101 of title 46, the Assistance to 

Small Shipyards program provides assistance in the form of grants, 

loans, and loan guarantees to small shipyards for capital improvements and training programs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation includes $10,000,000 for assistance to small shipyards. This level of funding is equal to the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level and $10,000,000 above the President’s request. Funding for this program is intended to help small shipyards improve the efficiency of their operations by providing funding for equipment and other facility upgrades, including dredging 

of waters located within the shipyard’s geographical location for the 

purpose of improving the shipyard facility operations. The funding 

recommended by the Committee will help improve the competitiveness of our Nation’s small shipyards, as well as workforce training 
87 

and apprenticeships in communities dependent upon maritime 

transportation. 

SHIP DISPOSAL

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $34,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 9,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 9,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Ship Disposal account provides resources to dispose of obsolete merchant-type vessels of 150,000 gross tons or more in the National Defense Reserve Fleet [NDRF]. MARAD contracts with domestic shipbreaking companies to dismantle these vessels in accordance with guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,000,000 for 

MARAD’s Ship Disposal program. This level of funding is 

$25,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal to 

the budget request. 

MARITIME GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM [TITLE XI]

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $3,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 30,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Maritime Guaranteed Loan program was established pursuant to title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as amended. 

The program provides for a full faith and credit guarantee by the 

U.S. Government of debt obligations issued by: (1) U.S. or foreign 

ship-owners for the purposes of financing or refinancing either 

U.S.-flag vessels or eligible export vessels constructed, reconstructed, or reconditioned in U.S. shipyards; and (2) U.S. shipyards, 

for the purpose of financing advanced shipbuilding technology of 

privately owned general shipyard facilities located in the United 

States. Under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, appropriations to cover the estimated costs of a project must be obtained 

prior to the issuance of any approvals for title XI financing. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee provides an appropriation of $30,000,000 for the maritime guaranteed loan title XI program, of which $3,000,000 

shall be used for administrative expenses of the maritime loan 

guarantee program. This level of funding is $30,000,000 above the 

President’s budget request and $27,000,000 above the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level. The increase in funding is to support pending 

applications that are expected to be executed this fiscal year. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

Section 170 authorizes MARAD to furnish utilities and to service 

and make repairs to any lease, contract, or occupancy involving 
88 

Government property under the control of MARAD. Rental payments received pursuant to this provision shall be credited to the 

Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. 

PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration 

[PHMSA] was established in the Department of Transportation on 

November 30, 2004, pursuant to the Norman Y. Mineta Research 

and Special Programs Improvement Act (Public Law 108–246). 

PHMSA is responsible for the Department’s pipeline safety program as well as oversight of hazardous materials transportation 

safety operations. The agency is dedicated to safety, including the 

elimination of transportation-related deaths and injuries associated 

with hazardous materials and pipeline transportation, and to promoting transportation solutions that enhance communities and protect the environment. 

OPERATIONAL EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $22,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 20,960,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 23,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account funds program support costs for PHMSA, including 

policy development, civil rights, management, administration, and 

agency-wide expenses. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $23,000,000 for this account, of 

which $1,500,000 shall be for the Office of Pipeline Safety for Information Grants to Communities. The Committee’s recommendation 

is $2,040,000 more than the budget request and $500,000 more 

than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Comprehensive Oil Spill Response Plans.—An oil spill response 

plan is intended to help the carrier identify and deploy a response 

organization to contain and remediate an oil release. The plans require carriers to identify a qualified individual with full authority 

to implement removal actions; ensure by contract or other means 

the availability of private personnel and equipment to remove a 

worst case discharge; and describe training, equipment testing, 

drills and exercises. PHMSA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to expand the applicability of comprehensive oil spill response plans to rail carriers in July 2016. The Committee notes 

with disappointment that to date, despite additional resources provided by the Committee and explicit direction in prior fiscal years, 

PHMSA has failed to issue a final rule. The Committee directs 

PHMSA to issue a final rule to expand the applicability of comprehensive oil spill response plans to rail carriers no later than 5 

days after enactment of this act. 

Open Data Standards.—The Committee recognizes that identifying and adopting data standards help further PHMSA’s mission, 

fulfill congressional directives, and lead to better agency performance and recommendations. The Committee encourages PHMSA to 
89 

pursue public-private partnerships utilizing existing industry 

standards for data, which can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Pipeline Mapping System. 

Modification Reporting.—The Secretary is directed to comply 

with the reporting requirement in Section 7308 of the FAST Act 

(Public Law 114–94), ‘‘Modification Reporting’’ no later than 60 

days after enactment of this act. 

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $57,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 55,513,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 59,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

PHMSA oversees the safety of more than 6.1 million tons of hazardous materials shipments daily in the United States, using risk 

management principles and security threat assessments to fully assess and reduce the risks inherent in hazardous materials transportation. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $59,000,000 for 

hazardous materials safety, of which $7,570,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2020. The amount provided is $3,487,000 

more than the administration’s budget request and $2,000,000 

more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee’s recommendation does not provide new FTE. 

PIPELINE SAFETY

(PIPELINE SAFETY FUND)

(OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $156,288,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 154,344,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 162,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of Pipeline Safety [OPS] is designed to promote the 

safe, reliable, and sound transportation of natural gas and hazardous liquids through the Nation’s 2.6 million miles of privately 

owned and operated pipelines. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Pipeline Safety Office has the important responsibility of ensuring the safety and integrity of the pipelines that run through 

every community in our Nation. Efforts by Congress and the OPS 

to invest in promising safety technologies, increase civil penalties, 

and educate communities about the potential risks of pipelines 

have resulted in a reduction in serious pipeline incidents. It is essential that the agency continue to make strides in protecting communities from pipeline failures and incidents. To that end, the 

Committee recommends an appropriation of $162,000,000 for the 

OPS, consistent with the PIPES Act. The amount is $5,712,000 
90 

more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $7,656,000 more 

than the budget request. Of the funding provided, $23,000,000 

shall be derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, 

$131,000,000 shall be derived from the Pipeline Safety Fund and 

$8,000,000 is derived from the Underground Natural Gas Storage 

Facility Safety Fund. Of the funds recommended for research and 

development up to $2,000,000 shall be used for the Pipeline Safety 

Research Competitive Academic Agreement Program [CAAP] to 

focus on near-term solutions to improve the safety and reliability 

of the Nation’s pipeline transportation system. 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS

(EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUND)

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $28,318,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 28,318,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 28,318,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act of 

1990 [HMTUSA] requires PHMSA to (1) develop and implement a 

reimbursable emergency preparedness grant program; (2) monitor 

public sector emergency response training and planning, and provide technical assistance to States, political subdivisions, and Indian tribes; and (3) develop and periodically update a mandatory 

training curriculum for emergency responders. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $28,318,000 and an equal obligation 

limitation for the emergency preparedness grant program. The recommendation continues to provide PHMSA the authority to use 

prior year carryover and recaptures for the development of a Webbased hazardous materials response training curriculum for emergency responders, including response activities for crude oil, ethanol and other flammable liquids by rail. The Committee is pleased 

that in March 2017 PHMSA released its initial Web-based, off-theshelf training material that can be used by emergency responders 

across the country. The Committee encourages PHMSA to continue 

to enhance its training curriculum for local emergency responders. 

Prior years’ carryover may also be used to train public sector emergency response personnel in communities on or near rail lines that 

transport a significant volume of high-risk energy commodities or 

toxic inhalation hazards. The Committee continues a provision increasing the administrative costs available from 2 percent to 4 percent in order to address the OIG’s recommendations. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $90,152,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 87,306,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 92,100,000 
91 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Inspector General Act of 1978 established the Office of Inspector General [OIG] as an independent and objective organization, with a mission to: 

—conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to the 

programs and operations of the Department; 

—provide leadership and recommend policies designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of programs and operations; 

—prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse; and 

—keep the Secretary and Congress currently informed regarding 

problems and deficiencies. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation provides $92,100,000 for activities of the Office of the Inspector General, which is $4,794,000 

more than the President’s budget request and $1,948,000 more 

than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Audit Reports.—The Committee requests that the Inspector General continue to provide copies of all audit reports to the Committee immediately after they are issued, and to continue to make 

the Committee aware immediately of any review that recommends 

cancellation of or modifications to any major acquisition project or 

grant, or which recommends significant budgetary savings. The 

OIG is also directed to withhold from public distribution for a period of 15 days any final audit or investigative report which was 

requested by the House or Senate Committees on Appropriations. 

Buy American Compliance.—Congressionally mandated audits of 

the Department of Defense’s purchases of manufactured goods, 

Naval Personnel Can Improve Compliance With the Berry Amendment and the Buy American Act, and Air Force Personnel Can Improve Compliance With the Berry Amendment and the Buy American Act, revealed a high level of non-compliance with statutory 

‘‘Buy American’’ obligations. In the last 5 years, the FAA has reported purchases of over $3,000,000,000 of manufactured goods. 

Given the impact that manufacturing has on our economy, the 

Committee directs the Inspector General of the Department of 

Transportation to conduct an audit of FAA purchases of manufactured goods to ensure compliance with chapter 83, title 41 of the 

United States Code for the purchase of domestically manufactured 

goods. 

Unfair Business Practices.—The bill maintains language which 

authorizes the OIG to investigate allegations of fraud and unfair or 

deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition by air carriers and ticket agents. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Section 180 allows funds for maintenance and operation of aircraft; motor vehicles; liability insurance; uniforms; or allowances, 

as authorized by law. 

Section 181 limits appropriations for services authorized by 5 

U.S.C. 3109 not to exceed the rate for an executive level IV. 
92 

Section 182 prohibits funds in this act for salaries and expenses 

of more than 110 political and Presidential appointees in the Department of Transportation. 

Section 183 prohibits recipients of funds made available in this 

act from releasing personal information, including Social Security 

numbers, medical and disability information, and photographs, 

from a driver’s license or motor vehicle record without the express 

consent of the person to whom such information pertains; and prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from withholding funds provided in this act from any grantee in noncompliance with this provision. 

Section 184 allows funds received by the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and the Federal Railroad Administration from States, counties, municipalities, other 

public authorities, and private sources for expenses incurred for 

training may be credited to each agency’s respective accounts. 

Section 185 prohibits the use of funds in this act to make a grant 

or announce the intention to make a grant unless the Secretary of 

Transportation notifies the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations at least 3 full business days before making the grant 

or the announcement. 

Section 186 allows rebates, refunds, incentive payments, minor 

fees, and other funds received by the Department of Transportation 

from travel management center, charge card programs, subleasing 

of building space and miscellaneous sources to be credited to appropriations of the Department of Transportation. 

Section 187 requires amounts from improper payments to a 

third-party contractor that are lawfully recovered by the Department of Transportation to be available to cover expenses incurred 

in recovery of such payments. 

Section 188 establishes requirements for reprogramming actions 

by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. 

Section 189 prohibits funds appropriated in this act to the modal 

administrations from being obligated for the Office of the Secretary 

for costs related to assessments or reimbursable agreements unless 

the obligations are for services that provide a direct benefit to the 

applicable modal administration. 

Section 190 authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program that 

establishes uniform standards for developing and supporting agency transit pass and transit benefits authorized under section 7905 

of title 5, United States Code. 

Section 191 prohibits the use of funds for any geographic, economic, or other hiring preference pilot program, regulation, or policy unless certain requirements are met related to availability of 

local labor, displacement of existing employees, and delays in 

transportation plans. 
(93) 

TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

The Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] was 

established by the Housing and Urban Development Act (Public 

Law 89–174), effective November 9, 1965. This Department is the 

principal Federal agency responsible for programs concerned with 

the Nation’s housing needs, fair housing opportunities, and improving and developing communities. 

In carrying out the mission of serving the needs and interests of 

the Nation’s communities and of the people who live and work in 

them, HUD administers: mortgage and loan insurance programs 

that help families become homeowners and facilitate the construction of rental housing; rental and homeownership subsidy programs 

for low-income families who otherwise could not afford decent housing; programs to combat discrimination in housing and affirmatively further fair housing opportunities; programs aimed at ensuring an adequate supply of mortgage credit; and programs that aid 

neighborhood rehabilitation, community development, and the preservation of our urban centers from blight and decay. 

HUD also administers programs that protect homebuyers, and 

fosters programs and research that stimulate and guide the housing industry to provide not only housing, but better communities 

and living environments. 

As HUD works to fulfill its mission, the Committee urges the 

Secretary to enhance its efforts to provide decent, affordable housing and to promote economic development for rural Americans. 

When designing programs and making funding decisions, the Secretary shall take into consideration the unique conditions, challenges, and scale of rural areas. 

The Committee notes that poverty is far too prevalent in the 

United States. HUD should continue to work with Congress and 

other partners to implement policies that reduce poverty and the 

suffering associated with it. The Committee also encourages HUD 

to increase interagency collaboration to ensure Federal resources 

are strategically deployed in order to achieve the most effective outcomes, while also reducing overlap and duplication. 

Relationship Between HUD and the Committee on Appropriations.—A relationship between the Committee and HUD has existed through the Departmental budget office. This relationship 

has, in prior years, proven beneficial to the Committee in completing its work structuring the annual Appropriations Act. However, the Committee retains the right to call upon all offices and 

agencies within the Department during the course of its oversight 

and funding of the Department’s programs. Additionally, the Com-
94 

mittee expects that all offices within HUD will provide timely and 

accurate information to the Committee upon request. 

Appropriations Attorneys.—During consideration of the fiscal 

year 2003 appropriations legislation, it became apparent to the 

Committee that both the Committee and the Department would be 

better served if the attorneys responsible for appropriations matters were housed in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer 

[OCFO]. The fiscal year 2003 act provided funds and FTE to the 

OCFO to accommodate four attorneys transferred from the Office 

of General Counsel [OGC]. Since that time, the Committee has routinely received prompt, accurate, and reliable information from the 

OCFO on various appropriations law matters. For fiscal year 2018, 

the Committee continues to fund appropriations attorneys in the 

OCFO and directs HUD to refer all appropriations law issues to 

such attorneys within the OCFO. 

Reprogramming and Congressional Notification.—The Committee 

reiterates that the Department must secure the approval of the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations for the reprogramming of funds between programs, projects, and activities 

within each account. Unless otherwise identified in the bill or report, the most detailed allocation of funds presented in the budget 

justifications is approved, with any deviation from such approved 

allocation subject to the normal reprogramming requirements. Except as specifically provided otherwise, it is the intent of the Committee that all carryover funds in the various accounts, including 

recaptures and de-obligations, are subject to the normal reprogramming requirements outlined under section 405. No change may be 

made to any program, project, or activity if it is construed to be 

new policy or a change in policy, without prior approval of the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. The Committee 

also directs HUD to include a separate delineation of any reprogramming of funds requiring approval in the operating plan required by section 405 of this act. Finally, the Committee shall be 

notified regarding reorganizations of offices, programs or activities 

prior to the implementation of such reorganizations. The Department is directed to submit, in consultation with the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations, current and accurate organizational charts for each Office within the Department as part of 

the fiscal year 2019 congressional justifications. The Committee 

further directs the Department to submit any staff realignments or 

restructuring to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 30 days prior to their implementation. 

Congressionally Mandated Reports.—The Department is reminded that directives and reports mandated in the House and 

Senate Appropriations Acts and accompanying reports are not optional unless revised or eliminated by the Statement of Managers 

accompanying the act. The Committee believes that such reports 

provide a better understanding of various issues and the Committee uses such reports to help inform funding decisions. Therefore, the Department is advised that the submission of directed reports is mandatory and not at the discretion of the Department. 

The Committee directs the Department to submit all overdue reports and to advise the Committee if it is unable to meet a reporting requirement well in advance of the deadline. 
95 

Addressing the Needs of Survivors of Domestic Violence.—In November 2016, HUD published its final rule, ‘‘Violence Against 

Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 [VAWA 2013]: Implementation 

in HUD Housing Programs’’ which expanded housing protections to 

all victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and 

stalking. In accordance with the reauthorization statute, this rule 

not only expanded protections beyond public housing and Section 

8 programs, it also required grantees to develop emergency transfer 

plans in order to meet the pressing housing and services needs of 

this vulnerable population. Subsequently, on May 19, 2017, HUD 

issued guidance for its Public and Indian Housing [PIH] programs 

with Notice PIH–2017–08 and on June 30, 2017, issued guidance 

for its Multifamily Housing programs with Notice H 2017–05. However, the Department has yet to issue guidance for its Community 

Planning and Development [CPD] programs, or update critical notices and forms, including the ‘‘Notice of Occupancy Rights under 

the Violence Against Women Act’’, the ‘‘Certification of Domestic 

Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking, and Alternative Documentation’’ form, the ‘‘Emergency Transfer Request for 

Certain Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking’’ form, and ‘‘Model Emergency Transfer Plan for 

Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or 

Stalking’’. Additionally, the Department has yet to update its handbooks and lease terms for programs covered under VAWA 2013. 

The Committee is extremely concerned that without critical updates to guidance, handbooks, and forms, grantees are unable to effectively meet their statutory obligations under VAWA 2013, and 

assist those who are fleeing unsafe circumstances and require the 

protection of the law. Therefore, the Committee directs HUD to 

prioritize and expeditiously issue the related guidance and update 

its forms within 120 days of enactment of this act. Additionally, on 

December 16, 2016, an amendment to VAWA 2013’s housing provisions was signed into law as part of the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016. This amendment clarified that lease bifurcations and post-lease bifurcation protections apply to both survivor 

tenants and residents. However, HUD has not taken action to clarify how this change impacts its programs, or sought public comment through further rulemaking. As a result, the Committee directs the Department to issue clarifying guidance on how this 

change applies to VAWA 2013 covered programs within 60 days of 

enactment of this act, and where necessary, initiate public comment and or rulemaking within 90 days of enactment of this act. 

Implementation of Lead-Based Paint Hazard Initiatives.—It is estimated that at least four million American households have children who are being exposed to high levels of lead and that approximately 24 million homes in the United States contain lead-based 

paint or lead-contaminated dust. Exposure to this paint and dust 

in the home accounts for 70 percent of lead poisoning cases in the 

United States. Last year, the Committee directed HUD to determine the extent of this health hazard in HUD-assisted housing; 

however, HUD lacked sufficient data and proper oversight of public 

housing agencies’ [PHAs] and property owners’ compliance with existing lead-based paint regulations to conclude the scale of the 

problem for the nearly 5 million families living in HUD-assisted 
96 

housing. The Committee also expressed concern about the 34,000 

children under the age of six residing in zero-bedroom units, including studios and efficiency apartments, which were excluded 

from the protections afforded by lead-based paint regulations and 

from receiving grant funding from HUD to address those hazards. 

The Committee was extremely concerned by HUD’s overall lack of 

data and oversight and the potential exposure of children to leadbased paint hazards in HUD-assisted housing. 

As a result, the Committee included a comprehensive series of 

lead-based paint remediation initiatives: $60,000,000 in additional 

resources to address lead-based paint hazards in both public and 

low-income housing; and directed numerous provisions to improve 

quality controls for physical inspections, enhance HUD’s oversight 

of those inspections; and expand the housing units covered by leadbased paint regulations. Specifically, these initiatives included: increasing HUD’s oversight and quality assurance of physical inspections in public and multifamily housing to ensure that PHAs and 

property owners are complying with lead-based paint regulations; 

doubling the number of inspectors in the Office of Lead Hazard 

Control and Healthy Homes’ Enforcement Division; requiring HUD 

to issue clarifying guidance to PHAs on current and prospective 

lead-based paint regulations to help ensure that HUD-assisted 

units meet HUD’s lead-safe standards; and removing zero-bedroom 

dwellings from the exceptions set forth in several lead-based paint 

hazard prevention statutes. These directives will help HUD provide 

more effective oversight of lead-based paint regulations, as well as 

assist PHA compliance. Furthermore, by removing the exceptions 

granted to zero-bedroom dwellings, the Committee is ensuring that 

young children living in HUD-assisted housing will be protected 

from the dangers of lead-based paint hazards regardless of the type 

of unit in which they reside. 

The Committee is pleased that the Secretary shares the commitment and urgency to implement the initiatives and to protect 

young children in HUD-assisted housing from lead-based paint 

hazards. The Committee directs the Department to complete implementation of all of these initiatives within 90 days of enactment of 

this act. 

EXECUTIVE OFFICES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $14,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 14,708,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 15,645,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Executive Offices account provides the salaries and expenses 

funding to support the Department’s senior leadership and other 

key functions, including the immediate offices of the Secretary, 

Deputy Secretary, Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, 

Public Affairs, Adjudicatory Services, the Center for Faith-Based 

and Community Initiatives, and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. 
97 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $15,645,000 for this account, which is $1,645,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 

enacted level and $937,000 more than the budget request. The Secretary is directed to submit a spend plan to the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations that outlines how budgetary resources will be distributed among the seven offices funded under 

this heading. 

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OFFICES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $517,647,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 517,803,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 520,190,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Administrative Support Offices [ASO] account is the backbone of HUD’s operations, and consists of several offices that aim 

to work seamlessly to provide the leadership and support services 

to ensure the Department performs its core mission and is compliant with all legal, operational, and financial guidelines. This account funds the salaries and expenses of the Office of the General 

Counsel, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the Office of the 

Chief Procurement Officer, the Office of Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity, the Office of Field Policy and Management, 

the Office of Strategic Planning and Management, the Office of the 

Chief Human Capital Officer, the Office of Administration, and the 

Office of the Chief Information Officer. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $520,190,000 for this account, which is $2,543,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 

enacted level and $2,387,000 more than the budget request. 

Funds are made available as follows: 

Amount 

Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer ..................................................................................................... $39,300,000 

Office of Administration ................................................................................................................................... 206,140,000 

Office of the Chief Financial Officer ............................................................................................................... 52,200,000 

Office of the Chief Procurement Officer .......................................................................................................... 19,500,000 

Office of Field Policy and Management .......................................................................................................... 53,500,000 

Office of Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity ................................................................................. 3,800,000 

Office of the General Counsel ......................................................................................................................... 95,400,000 

Office of Strategic Planning and Management ............................................................................................... 4,950,000 

Office of the Chief Information Officer ........................................................................................................... 45,400,000 

Hiring and Separation Report.—The Committee directs HUD’s 

Office of the Chief Financial Officer and the Office of the Human 

Capital Officer to submit quarterly reports to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on hiring and separations by 

program office. This report shall include position titles, location, associated FTE, and include the Office of the Inspector General and 

Government National Mortgage Association. 

Office of Chief Operations Officer [OCOO].—The Committee recommendation does not include the authority to establish an Office 

of Chief Operations Officer within the Administrative Support Of-
98 

fices account as proposed in the budget request. The Committee 

recommendation continues to fund this function with the Executive 

Offices account. 

Office of the Chief Financial Officer [OCFO].—The Department is 

directed to cap the staffing for the OCFO Office of Budget at the 

level of staff on board on September 30, 2017. The Department is 

further directed to limit the staffing level of the OCFO Immediate 

Office to no more than 3 FTE until a Chief Financial Officer is confirmed by the Senate. The Department is further directed to add 

4 FTEs to the OCFO Office of Accounting staffing level above the 

fiscal year 2017 level. The Department shall not alter the organizational structure of OCFO as in effect on January 1, 2015, without 

prior written approval of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. 

PROGRAM OFFICES SALARIES AND EXPENSES

PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $216,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 216,633,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 222,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides salary and benefits funding to support 

staff in headquarters and in 46 field offices in the Office of Public 

and Indian Housing [PIH]. PIH is charged with ensuring the availability of safe, decent, and affordable housing, creating opportunities for residents’ self-sufficiency and economic independence, and 

assuring the fiscal integrity of all public housing agencies. The Office ensures that safe, decent and affordable housing is available to 

Native American families, creates economic opportunities for tribes 

and Indian housing residents, assists tribes in the formulation of 

plans and strategies for community development, and assures fiscal 

integrity in the operation of its programs. The Office also administers programs authorized in the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 [NAHASDA], which provides housing assistance to Native Americans and Native Hawaiians. PIH also manages the Housing Choice Voucher program, in 

which tenant-based vouchers increase affordable housing choices 

for low-income families. Tenant-based vouchers enable families to 

lease safe, decent, and affordable privately owned rental housing. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $222,000,000 for 

this account, which is $5,367,000 more than the budget request 

and $6,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The 

Committee recommendation supports existing personnel, and reflects the establishment of a Working Capital Fund in fiscal year 

2017 for shared service costs. Of the amounts provided, no less 

than $200,000 is for travel related to the provision of training, 

technical assistance, oversight and management of Indian housing. 

The Committee directs HUD to prioritize the hiring of one additional staff person in the field office for the management and oversight of Native Hawaiian programs. 
99 

The Committee directs HUD to inform the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations within 30 days of enactment of this 

act regarding how it is implementing the Committee’s hiring direction. 

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $110,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 107,554,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 108,300,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides salary and benefits funding for Community 

Planning and Development [CPD] staff in headquarters and in 43 

field offices. CPD’s mission is to support successful urban, suburban and rural communities by promoting integrated approaches to 

community and economic development. CPD programs also assist 

in the expansion of opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families in moving towards home ownership. The Assistant Secretary for CPD administers formula and competitive 

grant programs, as well as guaranteed loan programs that help 

communities plan and finance their growth and development. 

These programs also help communities increase their capacity to 

govern and provide shelter and services for homeless persons and 

other persons with special needs, including person with HIV/AIDS. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $108,300,000 for the staffing within this office, which is $746,000 more than the 

budget request and $1,700,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The Committee directs HUD to prioritize the hiring of staff to 

support grant monitoring, as well as the closeout of open audits 

and backlog of open grants particularly as it relates to disaster recovery grants, before hiring in other areas, unless such staff are 

identified as backfilling mission-critical positions. 

The Committee directs HUD to inform the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations within 30 days of enactment of this 

act regarding how it is implementing the Committee’s hiring direction. 

New Housing in High Cost Metropolitan Areas.—The Committee 

is concerned that a combination of income concentration and housing supply constraints in high-productivity metropolitan areas has 

created entry limits harmful to geographic and economic mobility. 

Upward price pressure on rents resulting from such conditions imposes a greater financial burden on Federal taxpayers through 

rental assistance programs that respond to market rents. The Committee directs the Department to report to the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations no later than 90 days after the date 

of enactment of this act, identifying metropolitan areas where such 

conditions are most prevalent and recommending best practices for 

localities and states to help encourage the production of new housing stock in high-cost metropolitan areas. 

Promise Zones.—Since 2014, HUD has competitively made Promise Zone designations in 21 communities. These designations part-
100 

ner the Federal government with local communities to address 

multiple community revitalization challenges in a collaborative way 

and have demonstrated a commitment to results. To realize the full 

potential of these designations, the Committee has included language this year directing HUD to continue supporting the existing 

Promise Zone designations for the length of their agreements. 

HOUSING

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $392,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 365,829,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 383,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides salary and benefits funding to support 

staff in headquarters and in 52 field locations in the Office of Housing. The Office of Housing is responsible for implementing programs to assist projects for occupancy by very low- and moderateincome households, to provide capital grants to nonprofit sponsors 

for the development of housing for the elderly and disabled, and to 

conduct several regulatory functions. The Office also administers 

Federal Housing Administration [FHA] programs. FHA administers HUD’s mortgage and loan insurance programs, which facilitate the financing of new construction, rehabilitation or the purchase of existing dwelling units. The Office also provides services 

to maintain and preserve homeownership, especially for underserved populations. This assistance allows lenders to make lower 

cost financing available to more borrowers for home and home improvement loans, and apartment, hospital, and nursing home loans. 

FHA provides a vital link in addressing America’s homeownership 

and affordable housing needs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $383,000,000 for 

staffing in the Office of Housing, which is $17,171,000 more than 

the budget request and $9,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 

enacted level. 

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $24,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 24,065,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 25,400,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides salary and benefits funding to support 

staff in headquarters and in 16 field locations in the Office of Policy Development and Research [PD&R]. PD&R supports the Department’s efforts to help create cohesive, economically healthy 

communities. PD&R is responsible for maintaining current information on housing needs, market conditions, and existing programs, as well as conducting research on priority housing and community development issues. The office provides reliable and objective data and analysis to help inform policy decisions. 
101 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $25,400,000 for 

this account, which is $1,335,000 more than the budget request 

and $1,400,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

PD&R collects and distributes data on HUD programs, the people HUD serves, and housing needs across the country, in addition 

to providing technical assistance in these areas. The information it 

makes available and the analysis it provides to the Department are 

essential to moving HUD to outcome-based performance measures. 

The Committee also relies on the data and research provided by 

PD&R to inform its work. The recommended amount will ensure 

that PD&R can continue to play this important role. 

FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $72,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 69,808,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 72,400,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides salary and benefits funding to support 

staff in headquarters and in all regional offices in the Office of Fair 

Housing and Equal Opportunity [FHEO]. FHEO is responsible for 

investigating, resolving, and prosecuting complaints of housing discrimination, as well as conducting education and outreach activities to increase awareness of the requirements of the Fair Housing 

Act. The Office also develops and interprets fair housing policy, 

processes complaints, performs compliance reviews, and provides 

oversight and technical assistance to local housing authorities and 

community development agencies regarding section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $72,400,000, 

which is $2,592,000 more than the budget request and $400,000 

more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

OFFICE OF LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $9,353,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 7,600,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 8,200,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides salary and benefits funding to support the 

Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes [OLHCHH] 

headquarters staff. OLHCHH administers and manages the leadbased paint and healthy homes activities of the Department, and 

is directly responsible for the administration of the Lead-Based 

Paint Hazard Reduction program. The office also develops leadbased paint regulations, guidelines, and policies applicable to HUD 

programs, designs lead-based paint and healthy homes training 

programs, administers lead-hazard control and healthy homes 

grant programs, and implements the lead and healthy homes research program. 
102 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $8,200,000 for this account, which is $600,000 more than the budget request and 

$1,153,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

WORKING CAPITAL FUND

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Working 

Capital Fund [WCF] was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017. The purpose of the WCF is to promote economy, efficiency, and accountability. Amounts transferred to the 

Fund are for Federal shared services used by offices and agencies 

of the Department, and are derived from centralized Salaries and 

Expenses accounts starting in 2017. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation provides the Secretary with the 

authority to transfer amounts provided in this title for salaries and 

expenses, except those for the Office of Inspector General, to this 

account for the purpose of funding centralized activities. The Department is required to centralize and fund from this account any 

shared service agreements executed between HUD and another 

Federal agency. For fiscal year 2018, the Department is permitted 

to centralize and fund from this account: financial management, 

procurement, travel, relocation, human resources, printing, records 

management, space renovation, furniture, and supply services. The 

Committee does not expand the authority to include the proposed 

management data initiative. The Committee expects that, prior to 

exercising discretion to centrally fund an activity, the Secretary 

shall have established transparent and reliable unit cost accounting for the offices and agencies of the Department that use the activity and shall have adequately trained staff within each affected 

office and agency on resource planning and accounting processes 

associated with the centralization of funds to this account. 

Prior to exercising its authority to transfer funds for activities 

beyond what is required for shared service agreements, the Committee expects HUD to establish a clear execution plan for centralizing the additional activities and to properly vet that plan with 

the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations prior to 

transferring such funds into the WCF. Financial management, procurement, travel, and relocation costs for services provided to the 

Office of the Inspector General are covered by the Office of the 

Chief Financial Officer. 

HUD shall include in its annual operating plan a detailed outline 

of its plans for transferring budgetary resources to the WCF in fiscal year 2018. 

The Committee directs the Department to submit to the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 days of enactment of this act a report on HUD’s shared service agreement with 

the Administrative Resource Center [ARC] for financial management, procurement, and travel services. This report shall, at a min-
103 

imum, define the scope of the agreement (including the defined 

roles of ARC and HUD), summarize the agreed upon solutions for 

addressing HUD’s core accounting, financial management and reporting, procurement, and travel functions, and provide an update 

on all outcomes of the shared service agreement as of September 

30, 2017. The report shall identify how the shared service agreement addresses weaknesses and deficiencies in program administration, systems and data management, and human capital that effect HUD’s annual financial accounting and reporting. It shall also 

identify functionality HUD previously had related to financial management and reporting, procurement, and travel that has been lost 

as a result of the shift to a shared service model. 

PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING

TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $20,292,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 19,317,900,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 21,365,120,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides funding for the Section 8 tenant-based 

(voucher) program. Section 8 tenant-based housing assistance is 

one of the principle appropriations for Federal housing assistance, 

serving approximately 2.2 million families. The program also funds 

incremental vouchers for tenants who live in properties where the 

owner has decided to leave the Section 8 program. The program 

also provides for the replacement of units lost from the assisted 

housing inventory through its tenant protection vouchers. Under 

these programs, eligible low-income individuals and families pay 30 

percent of their adjusted income for rent, and the Federal Government is responsible for the remainder of the rent, up to the fair 

market rent or some other payment standard. This account also 

provides funding for administrative fees for PHAs, mainstream 

vouchers, Housing and Urban Development Veterans Supportive 

Housing [HUD–VASH] programs, and other incremental vouchers 

for vulnerable populations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $21,365,120,000 for fiscal year 2018, including $4,000,000,000 as an advance appropriation to be made available on October 1, 2018. This amount is 

$2,047,220,000 more than the budget request and $1,073,120,000 

more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Contract Renewals.—The Committee recommends 

$19,370,000,000 for the renewal costs of Section 8 vouchers, which 

is $1,786,174,000 more than the budget request and $1,015,000,000 

more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The Section 8 rental assistance program is a critical tool that enables more than 2 million low-income individuals and families to 

access safe, stable, and affordable housing in the private market. 

In recognition of the Section 8 program’s central role in ensuring 

housing for vulnerable Americans, the Committee recommendation 

and existing reserves will provide sufficient resources to ensure 
104 

that no current voucher holders are put at risk of losing their housing assistance. It also supports the first time renewal of incremental vouchers that were funded in prior years, including HUD– 

VASH vouchers. The Committee will continue to monitor leasing 

data to make sure residents are protected. 

Regulatory Relief.—The Committee recognizes the growing demand placed on small-and medium-sized public housing agencies 

across the Nation. Given this recognition, the Committee believes 

that small agencies may face disproportionate regulatory burdens 

and the Department should simplify monitoring and compliance requirements. The Committee continues to urge HUD to eliminate 

excessive paperwork and administrative requirements and develop 

opportunities that achieve new efficiencies in management and operations for small- and medium-sized public housing agencies. The 

Committee directs HUD to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on recommendations for statutory and 

regulatory relief for small- to medium-sized PHAs within 120 days 

of enactment of this act. The Committee is also concerned that certain PHAs that do not meet the definition of small-and-medium 

sized also face similar regulatory challenges. Therefore, the Committee encourages HUD to examine the administrative requirements and identify possible efficiency adjustments that can be 

made for PHAs that only administer the Section 8 Housing Choice 

Voucher Program. 

Set-Aside for Special Circumstances.—The Committee has pro- vided a set-aside of $75,000,000 to allow the Secretary to adjust allocations to PHAs under certain circumstances. Qualifying factors 

include: (1) a significant increase, as determined by the Secretary, 

in renewal costs of tenant-based rental assistance resulting from 

unforeseen circumstances and voucher utilization or the impact 

from portability under section 8(r) of the act; (2) vouchers that 

were not in use during the previous 12-month period in order to 

be available to meet a commitment pursuant to section 8(o)(13) of 

the act; (3) adjustments or costs associated with HUD–VASH 

vouchers; and (4) possible termination of families as a result of insufficient funding. A PHA should not receive an adjustment to its 

allocation from the funding provided under this section if the Secretary determines that such PHA, through negligence or intentional actions, would exceed its authorized level of vouchers. 

HUD–VASH.—Since 2008, the Committee has provided more 

than $500,000,000 in targeted funding to address veterans’ homelessness. Communities across the country have been able to use 

these resources to make tremendous strides in addressing veterans’ 

homelessness. Progress continues to be made in 2017 as communities including La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Akron, Ohio joined a 

growing list of cities and states that have ended veterans’ homelessness. These successes, which are the result of hard work and 

effective collaboration, have been critical in reducing veterans’ 

homeless by 47 percent since 2010. For this reason, the Committee 

again rejects the budget proposal to prematurely end funding for 

new VASH vouchers and includes $40,000,000 for this purpose. 

The Committee also encourages the Department to use existing 

authority to recapture HUD–VASH voucher assistance from PHAs 

that voluntarily declare that they no longer have a need for that 
105 

assistance, and reallocate it to PHAs with an identified need. The 

Committee directs HUD to expedite this process, ensuring that 

communities that have successfully ended veterans’ homelessness 

enable other communities to assist this population. The Committee 

encourages the Department to prioritize, as part of this reallocation, PHAs that project-base a portion of their HUD–VASH vouchers. 

Tribal-VASH.—The Committee recommendation includes 

$5,000,000 for rental assistance and associated administrative costs 

for Tribal HUD–VASH to serve Native American veterans that are 

homeless or at-risk of homelessness living on or near a reservation 

or other Indian areas. The Committee is aware that House and 

Senate authorizing committees are considering authorizing this 

demonstration program. As part of this consideration, the Committee encourages the respective committees of jurisdiction to consider the effectiveness of administering the program through the 

Office of Native American Programs, as currently demonstrated, 

rather than the Office of Housing Choice Vouchers, where traditional HUD–VASH vouchers are managed. The Department’s administration and use of these funds have been in alignment with 

the administration of programs authorized under the Native American Housing and Self Determination Act [NAHASDA]. As a result, 

the Committee encourages the authorizing committees to consider 

authorizing this program, as appropriate, as part of NAHASDA 

rather than under the 1937 Housing Act. 

Administrative Fees.—The Committee recommends 

$1,725,000,000 for administrative fees, which is $175,000,000 more 

than the budget request and $75,000,000 more than the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level. The Committee is concerned that where there 

is a significant fluctuation in local rental market conditions, HUD’s 

published fair market rents do not reflect the increased need in 

rental subsidy and the associated operating costs. As a result, some 

PHAs are conducting independent market surveys to more accurately reflect local market conditions, to submit to HUD for review 

and consideration. The Committee understands that such surveys 

are an eligible administrative expense under the Housing Choice 

Voucher program, and therefore directs HUD to issue clarifying 

guidance within 90 days of enactment of this act on how PHAs can 

use administrative fee funding for this purpose. 

Tenant Protection Vouchers.—The Committee recommendation 

includes $75,000,000 for tenant protection vouchers. These vouchers are provided to public housing residents whose buildings have 

health or safety issues, or whose projects are being demolished. 

However, the largest share of these vouchers is provided to tenants 

living in properties with expiring HUD assistance that may face 

rent increases if their owners opt out of HUD programs. In these 

instances, the vouchers ensure continued affordability of tenants’ 

housing. 

Section 811 Mainstream Vouchers.—The Committee recommends 

$130,120,000 to continue the rental assistance and administrative 

costs of this program. 

Family Unification Program [FUP].—Young adults associated 

with child welfare systems are more likely to experience homelessness as adults or as they transition to adulthood. The Committee 
106 

recognizes that stable, affordable housing with appropriate services 

can help prevent children from being unnecessarily removed from 

their families and help youth exiting foster care transition to adulthood. Therefore, the Committee includes $20,000,000 for new FUP 

vouchers. The Committee directs HUD to prioritize the award of 

these new vouchers to PHAs that will target them to youth and 

PHAs that have partnered with their local public child welfare 

agency to ensure youth referrals for these vouchers. The Committee also includes language permitting the Secretary to recapture 

voucher assistance from PHAs that no longer have a need for that 

assistance, and reallocate to it to PHAs with an identified need. 

HOUSING CERTIFICATE FUND

(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Until fiscal year 2005, the Housing Certificate Fund provided 

funding for both the project-based and tenant-based components of 

the Section 8 program. Project-based rental assistance and tenantbased rental assistance are now separately funded accounts. The 

Housing Certificate Fund retains balances from previous years’ appropriations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee has included language that will allow unobligated balances from specific accounts to be used to renew or amend 

project-based rental assistance contracts. 

PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $1,941,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 628,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 1,945,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides funding for modernization and capital 

needs of PHAs (except Tribally Designated Housing Entities), including management improvements, resident relocation, and homeownership activities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,945,000,000 

for the Public Housing Capital Fund, which is $1,317,000,000 more 

than the budget request and $3,500,000 more than the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level. 

Of the amount made available under this account, $25,000,000 is 

for supportive services for residents of public housing under the 

Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency [ROSS] program, and 

$15,000,000 is for the Jobs-Plus demonstration. The Committee 

also recommends up to $8,300,000 to support the ongoing financial 

and physical assessment activities performed by the Real Estate 

Assessment Center [REAC] and $1,000,000 for the cost of administrative and judicial receiverships. 
107 

ConnectHome.—The Committee does not include resources for 

the ConnectHome initiative, which provides a platform for collaboration among local governments, public housing agencies, Internet 

service providers, philanthropic foundations, nonprofit organizations and other relevant stakeholders to work together to produce 

local solutions for narrowing the digital divide in communities 

across the Nation served by HUD. However, the Committee encourages the Department to continue to partner with these entities to 

help identify ways residents living in public housing can connect to 

broadband infrastructure through technical assistance and digital 

literacy training. The Committee encourages HUD to work with its 

partners to take steps to expand the number of participating communities. 

Safety and Security in Public Housing.—The Committee directs 

at least $5,000,000 of the $21,500,000 recommended for emergency 

capital needs for safety and security measures necessary to address 

crime and drug-related activity in public housing. The Committee 

has included this specific set-aside because there are PHAs facing 

safety and security issues that rely on these funds to protect their 

tenants. The Committee notes that the demand for these funds continues to grow while the amount that HUD is awarding to PHAs 

is decreasing. The Committee believes that the level of funding recommended will support both repairs from disasters and safety and 

security improvements. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to fund eligible safety and security projects with a portion of these funds as quickly as possible. The Committee continues 

language clarifying that unused funds from the emergency setaside shall be used to address safety and security needs of PHAs 

and the residents who live in these properties. 

Quality Assurance of Physical Inspections.—The Committee remains concerned about the physical quality of some HUD-subsidized properties across the country, including incidences of 

unaddressed or untimely responses to health-related hazards in 

HUD-assisted housing. The scope of this issue has spanned geographic regions, but the Committee is encouraged that authorizing 

committees have taken steps to address systemic problems with 

HUD’s oversight, and improved the Real Estate Assessment Center’s [REAC] inspections of HUD-assisted housing. The Committee 

directs the Department to move expeditiously to implement the 

provisions contained in section 101 of title I of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016, which unambiguously 

affirms congressional intent regarding inspections and tenant protections. The Committee also directs the Department to submit to 

the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 30 days after 

enactment of this act, a report identifying how funds provided for 

the Real Estate Assessment Center, including any carryover balances, will be utilized during fiscal year 2018. The Committee further directs the Real Estate Assessment Center to work with the 

Office of Policy Development and Research to identify and implement a statistically significant sample photographic review of 

HUD-assisted properties that receive a passing inspection score 

during fiscal year 2018. The Department shall report its findings 

from this review to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no later than September 30, 2018. 
108 

The Committee encourages the Department to work with the 

House and Senate authorizing committees on enforcement actions, 

including civil monetary penalties, that HUD can take to ensure 

PHAs and landlords maintain the physical quality of HUD-assisted 

units. 

The Committee continues to support efforts to quickly issue tenant-protection vouchers to ensure affected residents are expeditiously securing housing that meets HUD’s decent, safe and sanitary standards. The Committee would like to reiterate that failure 

to maintain the physical condition of HUD-assisted properties results in a loss of critical affordable housing and tenant protection 

vouchers are of questionable value to families that encounter a lack 

of affordable housing in their communities. The Committee recognizes that residents displaced from public housing may find it difficult to find replacement housing within their existing community 

and may have to find replacement housing within the jurisdictions 

of other public housing authorities. One of the few options that 

may be available to residents in communities with limited rental 

housing stock is replacement housing that is owned by a family 

member, which is currently prohibited under 24 CFR Part 982. The 

Committee supports the intent of the rule, which is to reduce the 

potential for fraud and abuse under the Section 8 program, however there are limited circumstances where an exception to the regulatory prohibition may be warranted. Therefore, the Committee 

encourages the Department to waive the prohibition under 24 CFR 

Part 982 on a case-by-case basis in emergency circumstances where 

a resident has been displaced due to uninhabitable conditions, 

there are no other safe and affordable housing options within the 

public housing agency’s jurisdiction, and moving outside of the 

PHA’s jurisdiction would place an undue burden on the resident. 

Housing rented under such a waiver must continue to meet all 

other requirements for housing assistance payment contracts. 

Public Housing Receiverships.—The Committee directs the Department to report quarterly during fiscal year 2018 to the House 

and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the status of public 

housing agencies under receivership, including factors that informed the receivership such as physical and financial scores, deficiencies with internal controls, and other information demonstrating why HUD believes PHAs are unable to effectively oversee their business operations. This report shall also include an 

identification of funding resources and technical assistance provided to the PHA for the purpose of bringing it out of receivership, 

and future steps HUD will take to address deficiencies in an effort 

to return the respective PHAs to local control. 

Cash Management.—The Committee is aware that the Department continues to work on implementing improved cash management for public housing agencies. The Department is reminded 

that effective cash management policies will require coordinated efforts and transparency across offices. 

Lead-Based Paint.—In fiscal year 2017 the Committee included 

$25,000,000 to help PHAs address lead-based paint hazards in public housing units, to ensure the physical condition of units meet the 

criteria set forth in HUD’s amended blood lead level standards. 

This funding will be competitively awarded to PHAs for lead in-
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spections, risk assessments, interim controls and abatements, and 

will provide greater protections for more than 1,000 children under 

the age of 6 living in public housing. As the Department develops 

the notice of funding availability for this competition, the Committee encourages the Office of Public Housing Investments [OPHI] 

to consult with the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy 

Homes in the design of the initiative to ensure the competition 

meets the standards set-forth in HUD’s lead-based paint regulations. Further, the Committee expects the Department to work 

with PHAs to ensure that the initiative reflects the unique needs 

of the industry. The Committee continues to strongly encourage 

HUD to work with PHAs, their maintenance staff, and tenants to 

help ensure potential lead-based paint risks are identified and addressed expeditiously. 

PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $4,400,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 3,900,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 4,500,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides funding for the payment of operating subsidies to approximately 3,100 PHAs (except tribally designated 

housing entities) with a total of approximately 1.2 million units 

under management in order to augment rent payments by residents in order to provide sufficient revenues to meet reasonable operating costs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,500,000,000 for the public housing operating fund, which is $600,000,000 more 

than the budget request and $100,000,000 more than the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level. 

Regulatory Relief.—The Committee recognizes the growing demand placed on small-and medium-sized public housing agencies 

across the Nation. Given this recognition, the Committee believes 

that small agencies may face disproportionate regulatory burdens 

and the Department should simplify monitoring and compliance requirements. The Committee continues to urge HUD to eliminate 

excessive paperwork and administrative requirements and develop 

opportunities that achieve new efficiencies in management and operations for small public housing agencies. The Committee directs 

HUD to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on recommendations for statutory and regulatory relief for 

small- to medium-sized PHAs within 120 days of enactment of this 

act. 

Operating Fund Adjustment Factors.—The Committee is concerned that the Department’s current methodology for calculating 

formula income and utility expenses for PHAs does not accurately 

reflect the reality that many experience locally. This is especially 

true for those PHAs that serve a large elderly or disabled populations, or operate on a utility that is of higher cost than other 

parts of the country. The Committee appreciates that the Department takes seriously concerns raised by PHAs and is reviewing its 
110 

data and evaluating alternative approaches. The Committee directs 

the Department to report to the House and Senate Committees on 

Appropriations 30 days after enactment of this act on alternative 

methodologies for calculating PHA formula income for purposes of 

Operating Fund eligibility. 

CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $137,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 50,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Choice Neighborhoods initiative provides competitive grants 

to transform impoverished neighborhoods into functioning, sustainable, mixed-income neighborhoods with co-location of appropriate 

services, schools, public assets, transportation options, and access 

to jobs or job training. Choice Neighborhoods grants fund the preservation, rehabilitation, and transformation of public and HUD-assisted housing, as well as their neighborhoods. Grantees include 

PHAs, tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. Forprofit developers may also apply in partnership with another eligible grantee. Grant funds can be used for resident and community 

services, community development and affordable housing activities 

in surrounding communities. Grantees undertake comprehensive 

local planning with input from residents and the community. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $50,000,000 for the Choice Neighborhoods initiative. This amount is $87,500,000 

less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $50,000,000 more 

than the budget request. Of the total amount provided, not less 

than $25,000,000 shall be awarded to projects where PHAs are the 

lead applicant, and no more than $5,000,000 may be used for planning, including planning and action, grants. 

Choice Neighborhoods builds on the HOPE VI program by expanding the pool of eligible grantees and allowing funding to be 

used for HUD-owned or -assisted housing, as well as the surrounding community. Inherent to the Choice Neighborhoods initiative is the understanding that community transformation requires 

more than replacing housing. The creation of vibrant, sustainable 

communities also requires greater access to transportation, jobs 

and services that will increase opportunities for community residents. However, HUD funding cannot support all of these activities 

without strong public-private partnerships. The Committee continues to be encouraged by the ability of Choice Neighborhood 

grantees to leverage significant resources with their grant awards, 

to expand opportunities for residents living in Choice Neighborhoods sites. 

The Committee notes that successful community planning brings 

together multiple partners and funding sources that aid in community transformation. The Committee continues to direct the Secretary to give priority consideration to grantees that have been previously awarded planning grants when making implementation 

grant awards. 
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FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $75,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 75,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 75,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Family Self-Sufficiency [FSS] program provides funding to 

help Housing Choice Voucher, project-based Section 8, and Public 

Housing residents achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. The FSS program is designed to provide service coordination 

through community partnerships that link residents with employment assistance, job training, child care, transportation, financial 

literacy, and other supportive services. The funding will be allocated through one competition to eligible PHAs to support service 

coordinators who will serve both public housing and vouchers residents. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $75,000,000 for 

the FSS program in fiscal year 2018, an amount equal to the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level and the budget request. 

The Committee strongly supports the FSS program, which helps 

provide public housing and Section 8 residents with the tools to improve their lives and achieve self-sufficiency. In fiscal year 2014, 

the Committee combined Section 8 voucher and public housing FSS 

programs so that public housing agencies could manage one unified 

program. Since fiscal year 2015, the Committee has included language expanding the program to serve residents living in projectbased Section 8 housing. This authority allows property owners to 

create escrow accounts and fund service coordinators with residual 

receipts. As a result of this language, HUD is working with projectbased Section 8 property owners on the implementation of FSS at 

select properties. As the program expands to additional projectbased Section 8 properties, the Committee expects HUD to continue to hold webinars, trainings, and share best-practices for property owners currently operating and seeking to implement a new 

FSS program. Further, the Committee strongly encourages the Department to continue work with PHAs and property owners, including those converting existing FSS programs through the Rental Assistance Demonstration, to ensure they comply with reporting and 

other program requirements. 

NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANTS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $654,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 600,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 655,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account funds the Indian Housing Block Grant Program, as 

authorized under title I of the Native American Housing Assistance 

and Self-Determination Act of 1996 [NAHASDA]. This program 

provides a funding allocation on a formula basis to Indian tribes 

and their tribally designated housing entities to help address the 
112 

housing needs within their communities. Under this block grant, 

Indian tribes use performance measures and benchmarks that are 

consistent with the national goals of the program, but can base 

these measures on the needs and priorities established in their own 

Indian housing plan. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total of $655,000,000 for the Indian Housing Block Grant [IHBG] and Title VI Loan Guarantee 

programs, of which $646,000,000 is for IHBG formula grants, 

$7,000,000 is for technical assistance, and $2,000,000 is for credit 

subsidy to support a Title VI guaranteed loan level not to exceed 

$17,391,304. The recommended level of funding is $1,000,000 more 

than the amount provided in fiscal year 2017 and $55,000,000 more 

than the budget request. 

Recognizing the tremendous needs in Indian Country and the 

limited resources available to address these challenges, the Committee includes a provision limiting the amount of funding a Tribe 

may receive from the IHBG program to not more than 10 percent. 

The Committee directs HUD to collect data as part of tribes’ Indian 

Housing Plan submissions on new program activity that is generated due to this provision. 

IHBG is a vital resource for tribal governments to address the 

dire housing conditions in Indian Country, and access to affordable 

housing remains in a critical state for many tribes across the country. Native Americans living in tribal areas are nearly twice as 

likely to live in poverty compared to the rest of the Nation. As a 

result, the housing challenges on tribal lands are daunting. According to the American Housing Survey data for 2013, 16 percent of 

homes on American Indian reservations and off-reservation trust 

land are overcrowded, compared to 2 percent of households nationwide. In addition to being overcrowded, 34 percent of Native American housing units suffer from one or more physical problems compared with only 7 percent for U.S. households, on average. 

The Committee believes the housing goals for American Indians, 

Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians remain a priority. The 

housing resources provided by this Committee serve communities 

who are disproportionately low income, more likely to experience 

homelessness or overcrowded living conditions and unable to utilize 

traditional lending sources for homeownership. IHBG has aided 

thousands of individuals and families in the pursuit of safe, affordable housing and the Committee encourages HUD to continue providing appropriate assistance and resources based on continued demonstrable need. 

Coordinated Environmental Reviews for Tribal Housing and Related Infrastructure.—In fiscal year 2015, the Committee directed 

HUD to collaborate with the Council on Environmental Quality 

and affected Federal agencies, including the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Health and Human Services, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Environmental 

Protection Agency, to develop a coordinated environmental review 

process to simplify tribal housing development and its related infrastructure needs. The Committee expects HUD to continue to up-
113 

date the Committee on the status and progress of these ongoing efforts. 

Technical Assistance.—Limited capacity hinders the ability of 

many tribes to effectively address their housing needs. The Committee recommendation includes $7,000,000 for technical assistance 

needs in Indian country to support the IHBG program, as well as 

other HUD programs, in order to meet the needs of Native American families and Indian country. The Committee expects HUD to 

use the technical assistance funding provided to aid tribes with capacity challenges, especially tribes receiving small grant awards. 

The funding should be used for training, contract expertise, and 

other services necessary to improve data collection, increase 

leveraging, and address other needs identified by tribes. The Committee also expects that these technical assistance funds will be 

provided to both national and regional organizations with experience in providing technical assistance that reflects the unique 

needs and culture of Native Americans. 

INDIAN HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Program account Limitation on 

guaranteed loans 

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................................... $7,227,000 $1,762,683,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................................... ........................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................................... 1,000,000 270,270,270 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This program provides access to private financing for Indian families, Indian tribes, and their tribally designated housing entities 

that otherwise could not acquire housing financing because of the 

unique status of Indian trust land. HUD continues to be the largest 

single source of financing for housing in tribal communities. This 

program makes it possible to promote sustainable reservation communities by providing access to financing for higher income Native 

Americans to achieve homeownership within their Native communities. As required by the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, this 

account includes the subsidy costs associated with the loan guarantees authorized under this program. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,000,000 in 

program subsidies to support a loan level of $270,270,270. This 

subsidy amount is $6,227,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted subsidy level and $1,000,000 more than the budget request. 

NATIVE HAWAIIAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANT

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $2,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 1,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Hawaiian Homelands Homeownership Act of 2000 created 

the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant program to provide 

grants to the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home 
114 

Lands [DHHL] for housing and housing-related assistance, in order 

to develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing for eligible 

low-income Native Hawaiian families. As one of the United States’ 

indigenous people, Native Hawaiian people have a unique relationship with the Federal Government. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,000,000 for 

the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program, which is 

$1,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 

$1,000,000 more than the budget request. 

The Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program [NHHBG] 

provides funding for affordable housing activities on Hawaiian 

home lands to eligible Native Hawaiian families. This program is 

necessary given the general living conditions and poverty rates for 

Native Hawaiians. According to the 2011–2013 American Community Survey, approximately 19 percent of Native Hawaiian households were overcrowded compared to 3.3 percent of all households 

in the United States, and about 18.4 percent of Native Hawaiians 

in Hawaii live in poverty. According to HUD’s 2017 Housing Needs 

of Native Hawaiians report, Native Hawaiians are overrepresented 

in Hawaii’s homeless population. 

Hawaiian home lands are dispersed throughout the Hawaiian Islands and are often in less desirable areas with steep terrain that 

is difficult to access and develop. The challenges involved with development of this raw land add to the already high cost of construction in the State. Project development is a lengthy process that involves complex environmental reviews with strict water resource 

requirements, procurement of construction contracts, and installation of entire public works systems. Development in several Hawaiian home land areas has been halted after the discovery of 

unexploded ordinance and DHHL is working with the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers to identify and remediate trust lands affected. 

These challenges have impeded the DHHL’s ability to advance the 

traditional model of single housing family community developments. The Committee remains concerned that this traditional 

housing model does not address the severe housing needs of the 

34,100 low-income Native Hawaiian households that are eligible for 

assistance under the NHHBG program. The Committee directs 

HUD to ensure that the funds provided are administered to maximize the provision of affordable housing through the construction 

of high density, multi-family affordable housing and rental units, 

as well as housing counseling services and the rehabilitation of 

housing on Native Hawaiian home lands that do not meet safe and 

sanitary housing building standards. 

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $356,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 330,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 330,000,000 
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS [HOPWA] 

program provides States and localities with resources and incentives to devise long-term, comprehensive strategies for meeting the 

housing and supportive service needs of persons living with HIV/ 

AIDS and their families. 

By statute, 90 percent of formula-appropriated funds are distributed to qualifying States and metropolitan areas on the basis of the 

number of living HIV and living AIDS cases, as well as poverty and 

local housing cost factors. The remaining 10 percent of funds are 

awarded through a national competition, with priority given to the 

renewal of funding for expiring agreements consistent with appropriations act requirements. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $330,000,000 for 

the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS [HOPWA] program. This level of funding is equal to the President’s budget request and $26,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The Committee continues to include language requiring HUD to allocate these funds in a manner that preserves existing HOPWA 

programs, to the extent that those programs are determined to be 

meeting the needs of persons with HIV/AIDS. 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $3,060,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 3,060,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 

1974, as amended, the Department is authorized to award block 

grants to units of general local government and States for the funding of local community development programs. A wide range of 

physical, economic, and social development activities are eligible 

with spending priorities determined at the local level, but the law 

enumerates general objectives which the block grants are designed 

to fulfill, including adequate housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities, principally for persons 

of low and moderate income. Grant recipients are required to use 

at least 70 percent of their block grant funds for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons. 

Funds are distributed to eligible recipients for community development purposes utilizing the higher of two objective formulas, one 

of which gives somewhat greater weight to the age of housing 

stock. Of the funds appropriated, 70 percent are distributed to entitlement communities and 30 percent are distributed to nonentitlement communities after deducting designated amounts for insular 

areas. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee has provided $3,000,000,000 for Community Development Block Grants [CDBG]. The recommended amount is 
116 

$3,000,000,000 above the budget request and equal to the fiscal 

year 2017 enacted level. CDBG funding provides States and entitlement communities with resources that allow them to undertake a 

wide range of community development activities, including public 

infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation and construction, job creation and retention, and public services that primarily 

benefit low and moderate income persons. The CDBG program supports homeownership, housing rehabilitation, public improvements 

and economic development projects while encouraging additional 

local investment. From fiscal year 2005–2016, CDBG has assisted 

more than 1.3 million households rehabilitate their homes, provided down payment and closing cost assistance to qualified home 

buyers, and assisted homeowners with lead-based paint abatement. 

In addition, since 2005, the program has assisted in the creation 

and retention of more than 387,109 economic development-related 

jobs in low-income and moderate-income communities and provided 

public services benefitting over 133 million people. For every $1.00 

of CDBG Federal investment leverages another $3.65 in non-CDBG 

funding. Urban and rural communities rely on this funding to serve 

their most vulnerable residents, and where residents experience 

economic hardship. This program is vital to our nation’s downtown 

and neighborhood revitalization efforts, and the Committee believes 

that every effort must be made to protect this essential funding 

mechanism. 

The flexibility associated with CDBG enables State and local governments to tailor solutions to effectively meet the unique needs of 

their communities. The Committee notes the importance of States 

and local grantees meeting the program’s three national objectives, 

as they utilize the program’s resources to address a wide range of 

community needs. As HUD works with communities to determine 

eligible activities that meet the national objective of benefiting lowand moderate-income persons, the Committee encourages the Department to extend flexibility for rural communities under 1,000 

residents to use alternate sources of data to establish Low-Moderate Income Survey Data [LMISD] when American Community 

Survey [ACS] data is considered by the Community Development 

Block Grant applicant to be unreliable. 

The Committee recommends $60,000,000 for grants to Indian 

Tribes for essential economic and community development activities, which is $60,000,000 above the budget request and equal to 

the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

To ensure the program remains flexible, but also accountable and 

transparent, the Committee recommendation continues provisions 

in bill language that prohibit any community from selling its 

CDBG award to another community and that any funding provided 

to a for-profit entity for an economic development project funded 

under this act undergo appropriate underwriting. The Committee 

has included these provisions to address concerns raised about how 

program dollars have been used and mitigate risks associated with 

it. 

Procurement Standards for Disaster Grantees.—Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery provides essential funding to States and localities recovering from natural disasters. In 

prior appropriations, Congress has directed HUD to provide thor-
117 

ough oversight of the auditing and procurement procedures implemented by grantees. In the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 

2013 (Public Law 113–2), and in subsequent disaster recovery appropriations in fiscal years 2015 and 2016, Congress specifically required HUD to certify that the procurement processes employed by 

each grantee meet a standard of proficiency. On March 5, 2013, 

HUD published Notice FR–5696–N–01 clarifying that a proficient 

standard is one that is equivalent to and in alignment with Federal 

procurement standards. The Committee believes that as long as 

HUD provides consistent and rigorous oversight of the procurement 

processes employed by State and local recipients, an equivalent, 

though not identical procurement standard that upholds the principles of fair and open competition can prevent Federal dollars appropriated for disaster recovery from being spent irresponsibly. The 

Committee agrees that this approach provides maximum feasible 

deference to grantees, particularly States, which is consistent with 

the CDBG program design. 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOAN GUARANTEES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Program account Limitation on 

guaranteed loans 

Appropriations, 2017 ....................................................................................................... ............................ $300,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ................................................................................................... ............................ ............................

Committee recommendation ........................................................................................... ............................ 300,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 

1974, as amended, authorizes the Secretary to issue Federal loan 

guarantees of private market loans used by entitlement and nonentitlement communities to cover the costs of acquiring real property, rehabilitation of publicly owned real property, housing rehabilitation, and other economic development activities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation provides a loan level guarantee 

of $300,000,000 which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 

and $300,000,000 above the budget request. The Committee requires HUD to collect fees to offset credit subsidy costs such that 

the program operates at a zero credit subsidy cost. 

This program enables CDBG recipients to use their CDBG dollars to leverage financing for economic development projects, community facilities, and housing rehabilitation programs. Communities are allowed to borrow up to five times their most recent 

CDBG allocation. 

HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $950,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 950,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, authorizes the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. This pro-
118 

gram provides assistance to States and local governments for the 

purpose of expanding the supply and affordability of housing to 

low-income and very low-income people. Eligible activities include 

tenant-based rental assistance, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable rental and ownership housing, and housing construction. 

To participate in the HOME program, State and local governments 

must develop a comprehensive housing affordability strategy. There 

is a 25 percent matching requirement for participating jurisdictions, which can be reduced or eliminated if they are experiencing 

fiscal distress. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $950,000,000 for 

the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. This amount is 

equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $950,000,000 more 

than the budget request. 

Affordable Housing Needs.—The Committee notes the substantial 

gains made by HOME in increasing the supply and affordability of 

housing for low-income families. Since 1992, States and localities 

have used $26,000,000,000 in HOME funds to leverage an additional $117,000,000,000 in public and private resources to build or 

preserve 1.2 million homes and provide rental assistance to 

313,558 families. HOME has been particularly successful in helping extremely low-income families (at or below 30 percent of area 

median income) who have received 40 percent of assistance for affordable rental housing during the past 5 years. HOME is also a 

critical part of meeting the supportive housing needs of the low-tomoderate income individuals and families, including veterans, persons with disabilities and seniors. In addition, it is the only Federal 

housing grant program exclusively focused on providing States with 

the flexible financing needed to address our most pressing housing 

needs. 

SELF–HELP AND ASSISTED HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $54,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 54,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program is comprised of the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity 

Program [SHOP], which assists low-income homebuyers willing to 

contribute ‘‘sweat equity’’ toward the construction of their houses. 

These funds increase nonprofit organizations’ ability to leverage 

funds from other sources. This account also includes funding for 

the Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable 

Housing Program, as well as assistance to rural communities, as 

authorized under sections 6301 through 6305 of Public Law 110– 

246. These programs assist in the development of the capacity of 

nonprofit community development organizations to carry out community development and affordable housing projects. This account 

also provides funding for the rehabilitation and modification of the 

homes of veterans, who are low-income or disabled, as authorized 

by section 1079 of Public Law 113–291. 
119 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $54,000,000 for the Self-Help and 

Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program, which is equal to 

the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $54,000,000 more than the 

budget request. The Committee rejects the Administration’s proposal to eliminate this account. The Committee recommendation includes $10,000,000 for SHOP, as authorized under section 11 of the 

Housing Opportunity Extension Act of 1996; $35,000,000 for capacity building, as authorized by section 4 of the HUD Demonstration 

Act of 1993; $5,000,000 to carry out capacity building activities in 

rural communities; and $4,000,000 for a program to rehabilitate 

and modify housing for veterans, who are low-income or disabled. 

The Committee notes that funding for technical assistance is being 

provided under the Office of Policy Development and Research and 

directs that funds available for the Section 4 program be used solely for capacity building activities. 

The Rural Capacity Building Program is intended for truly national organizations. For the purposes of the National Rural Capacity Building Notification of Funding Availability [NOFA], the Committee directs HUD to define an eligible national organization as 

a nonprofit entity that has ongoing experience in rural housing, including experience working with rural housing organizations, local 

governments, and Indian tribes, as evidenced by past and continuing work in one or more States in eight or more of HUD’s Federal regions. 

Delays in Assistance for Veterans.—The Committee is extremely 

concerned that HUD has not yet published a NOFA for the Home 

Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program for Disabled or LowIncome Veterans. In the fiscal year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress directed HUD to establish a program to 

award grants to nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and modify 

the homes of veterans to, among other things, make them more accessible, including installing wheelchair ramps and accessible bathroom fixtures. Over the previous two fiscal years, the Committee 

has provided a total of $9,700,000 for this program, and HUD has 

not yet taken the needed actions to help some of the 3.9 million 

veterans in the United States with a service-connected disability or 

the nearly 1.5 million veterans living in poverty. The Committee 

directs HUD to publish a NOFA for this program within 90 days 

of enactment of this act and to award funds provided for this program within 180 days of enactment of this act. 

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $2,383,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 2,250,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 2,456,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Homeless Assistance Grants Program provides funding to 

break the cycle of homelessness and to move homeless persons and 

families to permanent housing. This is done by providing rental assistance, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, 

prevention, rapid re-housing, and supportive services to homeless 
120 

persons and families or those at risk of homelessness. The emergency solutions grant program is a formula grant program, while 

the Continuum of Care and Rural Housing Stability Programs are 

competitive grants. Homeless assistance grants provide Federal 

support to the Nation’s most vulnerable populations. These grants 

assist localities in addressing the housing and service needs of a 

wide variety of homeless populations while developing coordinated 

Continuum of Care [CoC] systems that ensure the support necessary to help those who are homeless attain housing and move toward self-sufficiency. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,456,000,000 

for Homeless Assistance Grants in fiscal year 2018. This amount 

is $206,000,000 above the President’s request, and $73,000,000 

above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

As part of the Committee recommendation, at least $2,099,000,000 will support the Continuum of Care Program, including the renewal of existing projects, and the Rural Housing 

Stability Assistance Program. Based on the renewal burden, HUD 

may also support planning and other activities authorized by the 

HEARTH Act. The recommendation also includes at least 

$270,000,000 for the emergency solutions grants program [ESG]. 

The Committee continues to support HUD’s efforts to leverage 

existing housing resources, such as Section 8 vouchers, to serve 

people experiencing homelessness and supports replacing existing, 

underperforming projects with new projects. 

The Committee is aware that while most States witnessed a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness between 

2015 and 2016, some States and the District of Columbia experienced a significant increase in homeless populations. It is the belief 

of the Committee that HUD should continue to support the implementation of comprehensive and proven approaches to serving people experiencing homelessness in order to allow CoCs to meet their 

goals of preventing and ending homelessness, which in certain 

cases may include not only permanent supportive housing and 

rapid rehousing, but transitional housing as well. Therefore, if 

funds remain available in this account after meeting renewal demands and funding ESG, HUD may use it for new projects, including transitional housing, provided that such projects are targeted 

to areas with the greatest need, as measured by data on homelessness. 

Addressing the Needs of Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.—Victims and survivors of domestic violence and assault, particularly women and children, often flee unsafe circumstances and seek refuge through emergency shelter or transitional housing programs in order to avoid homelessness. The Committee recognizes the nexus between experiences of domestic violence and homelessness, as well as how access to housing and services can serve as an effective bridge between a person leaving an 

abusive and dangerous environment and finding stable housing. 

While permanent housing serves as a stable platform for preventing and ending cycles of homelessness among survivors, and 

rapid rehousing has been shown to be an effective method for pro-
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viding shorter term assistance, the Committee is also aware that 

in some communities well-designed transitional housing programs 

have also been effective in meeting the needs of this population. Although HUD does not penalize effective transitional housing 

projects that serve survivors of domestic violence through its CoC 

grant competition, the Committee is concerned that transitional 

housing and service providers, and CoCs lack the information necessary to make informed funding recommendations that reflect the 

needs of survivors at the local level. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to issue clarifying guidance on how transitional housing can be an appropriate model, and an eligible and effective use of funding through the CoC grant competition. The 

Committee also directs the Department to coordinate with the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women [OVW] on 

opportunities in communities where CoC program resources can be 

used with OVW’s transitional housing grants to ensure that survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking 

have access to safe and affordable housing and services. The Committee encourages the Department to renew transitional housing 

projects for domestic violence survivors that have been shown to effectively address survivors’ safety and client choice, and to continue 

funding CoC projects serving domestic violence survivors that allow 

program participants to obtain permanent housing through tenantbased rental assistance and supportive services. The Committee 

recommendation also includes $25,000,000 in competitive CoC 

grants for rapid re-housing projects and supportive service projects 

providing coordinated entry, and other critical activities in order to 

assist survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. 

The Committee also includes language requiring that such projects 

be eligible for renewal under the continuum of care program, subject to the same terms and conditions as other renewal applicants. 

It is the expectation of the Committee that HUD will work with 

Continuums of Care to ensure that such projects do not supplant 

projects eligible for renewal as part of the 2018 continuum of care 

grant competition. 

To further understand how to best meet the needs of survivors 

of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, 

the Committee directs the Department to submit a report to the 

House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 120 days 

of enactment of this act that identifies how homeless assistance 

grants can effectively meet the needs of this population. This report 

shall address how CoC and ESG resources directed to programs for 

survivors of domestic violence have been utilized and changed over 

the last three fiscal years, and include recommendations for how 

CoCs can be inclusive of and effectively collaborate with survivor 

housing and supportive service providers. Where appropriate, it 

should identify measurable criteria that CoCs can use to evaluate 

how well these programs serve survivors. The report shall also include recommendations on how coordinated entry systems can improve to ensure the safety and confidentiality of this population, 

without inhibiting a client’s choice to secure housing and services. 

Data on Youth Homelessness.—The Committee believes an accurate count is critical to understanding the scale of youth homelessness. While the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report [AHAR] 
122 

provides Congress and the public with meaningful information on 

the progress in ending homelessness, other Federal agencies have 

youth-specific data that can help communities better understand 

the scope of youth homelessness and housing instability in their 

area. The Committee continues to direct HUD to incorporate additional Federal data on youth homelessness into the AHAR. 

Comprehensive Interventions to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness.—The Committee recommendation includes $55,000,000 to 

continue implementation of comprehensive approaches to serving 

homeless youth, of which $5,000,000 shall be used to provide technical assistance to grantees. 

Guidance Update.—The Committee is concerned with the Department’s recent decision to withdraw several resources for housing providers to help them comply with nondiscrimination protections for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender [LGBT] service 

recipients. The Department reversed its decision to publish a policy 

requiring HUD-funded emergency shelters to display a poster notifying LGBT residents of HUD’s updated policies on discrimination, 

withdrew a survey to evaluate the LGBT Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative from the Federal Register, and removed four 

guidance documents from its website. The Department has indicated that it is determining the effectiveness of these resources before reinstating them. The Committee notes that certain studies 

find 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT, and 

transgender individuals experience homelessness at disproportionately high levels compared to the rest of the population. The Committee directs HUD to expedite its review of these resources and, 

as appropriate, reissue and make publically available all policies, 

surveys, and guidance within 180 days of enactment of this act. 

Clarifying Eligibility and Documentation Requirements for Homeless Youth.—The Committee remains concerned that service providers are turning homeless youth away due to a lack of clarity on 

HUD’s existing eligibility and documentation requirements. While 

HUD has issued some guidance on how youth qualify for assistance 

under the current definition, service providers remain challenged 

with identifying and serving youth who are unaccompanied or head 

of household, faced with domestic violence, trafficking, or other unsafe circumstances—the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach homeless youth—due to lack of clarity in HUD’s regulation and guidance. The Committee continues to hear from service providers that 

documentation requirements pose a barrier for individuals and 

families, especially youth, to access HUD programs and services. 

The Committee includes language that waives the requirement for 

youth 24 and under to provide third-party documentation to receive 

housing and supportive services within the Continuums of Care. 

The Committee strongly believes documentation requirements 

should not be a basis for denying access to necessary services. The 

Committee believes the Department shares the goal of effectively 

addressing youth homelessness and ensuring no youth eligible go 

unserved where there is the local capacity to house and/or provide 

services. Therefore, the Committee encourages the Department to 

continue to clarify program requirements through guidance, notice 

and webcasts as appropriate. 
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Performance Partnership Pilot.—The Committee has continued 

language permitting HUD to partner with other Federal agencies 

in the Performance Partnership Pilot program, a cross-Federal 

agency initiative serving disconnected youth through innovative, 

cost-effective, and outcome-focused strategies. The Committee believes there is a critical role HUD can play in this pilot, especially 

as communities seek to address the housing and self-sufficiency 

needs of disconnected youth. 

Annual Homeless Assessment Report [AHAR].—AHAR is the result of Congressional directives, beginning in 2001, that directed 

the Department to collect data on homelessness using the newly 

implemented Homeless Management Information System [HMIS]. 

HMIS data, information provided by Continuums of Care, and a 

point-in-time count of sheltered and unsheltered persons from one 

night in January of each year informs AHAR. The Committee is encouraged that HUD is sharing homeless data widely, and that Federal, State and local service providers use AHAR to determine 

needs and develop strategies to address homelessness. 

The Committee believes HMIS can be used as a platform for information gathering in other Federal programs. Streamlining data 

to reflect the various Federal data sources will allow the Federal 

Government to better understand the scope and needs of homeless 

populations, to then inform a strategic alignment of Federal services. The Committee directs HUD to incorporate additional Federal 

data on homelessness into the AHAR. This information is important to ensure that communities develop and implement policies 

that respond to local needs. To support continued data collection 

and AHAR, the Committee has included $7,000,000 to support 

AHAR data collection and analysis. The Department shall submit 

the AHAR report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations by August 29, 2018. The Committee further hopes that 

HUD’s efforts to increase participation in the HMIS effort will lead 

to improved information about and understanding of the Nation’s 

homeless. 

Renewal Costs.—The Committee directs HUD to continue to include 5-year projections of the costs of renewing existing projects 

as part of the fiscal year 2019 budget justification. This should include estimated costs of renewing permanent supportive housing. 

HOUSING PROGRAMS

RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. ........................... 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. $4,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Rental Assistance Demonstration [RAD] was authorized in 

fiscal year 2012 to preserve public and other multifamily housing. 

Under existing authorities, PHAs and other owners of rental properties assisted under the Public Housing, Moderate Rehabilitation 

[Mod Rehab], Moderate Rehabilitation Single-Room Occupancy 

[Mod Rehab SRO], Rent Supplement [Rent Supp] and Rental As-
124 

sistance Payment [RAP] programs are offered the option to convert 

their properties to Section 8 contracts. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation includes provisions permitting 

Section 202 PRAC properties to convert to Section 8 contracts. The 

current contracts are limited to 1 year and impede successfully addressing capital needs for these properties. Conversion to multiyear Section 8 contracts will enable properties to leverage private 

financing for capital improvements, enabling these properties to remain a source of critical affordable housing for low-income elderly 

residents. The Committee recommendation also includes $4,000,000 

for the Rental Assistance Demonstration, which is $4,000,000 more 

than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $4,000,000 more than 

the budget request. This funding is limited to providing additional 

rental subsidy for Section 202 PRAC properties converting to Section 8 contracts that will not be able to successfully convert at the 

current subsidy amounts. 

The Committee recommendation also eliminates the unit cap for 

public housing conversions, as well as the related deadline for public housing application submissions. In fiscal year 2017, Congress 

increased the cap by 40,000 units. This increase went into effect in 

May of 2017 and by June, the Department had a waitlist of over 

11,000 units above the new cap. The unit cap makes it difficult for 

agencies to effectively plan and prioritize their capital activities, 

and determine if participation is appropriate for their housing portfolios. By eliminating the cap, the Committee intends to eliminate 

the planning uncertainty PHAs experience related to an incremental cap adjustment. 

The Committee recommendation also includes the following 

changes to facilitate additional conversions of HUD-assisted properties: promotes the preservation of multifamily properties in highcost areas; standardizes ownership and control requirements for 

converted Public Housing properties in situations where low-income housing tax credits are used or where foreclosure, bankruptcy, or default occurs; and protects tenants’ right to continue occupancy under second component conversions. 

PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $10,816,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 10,751,100,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 11,507,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance provides a rental subsidy to a private landlord that is tied to a specific housing unit, as 

opposed to a voucher, which allows a recipient to seek a unit, subject primarily to certain rent caps. Amounts in this account include 

funding for the renewal of and amendments to expiring Section 8 

project-based contracts, including Section 8, moderate rehabilitation, and single room occupancy [SRO] housing. This account also 

provides funds for contract administrators. 
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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance [PBRA] program 

supports an estimated 17,400 contracts with private owners of multifamily housing. Through this program, HUD and private sector 

partners support the preservation of safe, stable and sanitary housing for more than 1.2 million low-income households. Without 

PBRA, many affordable housing projects would convert to market 

rates with large rent increases that current tenants would be unable to afford. 

The Committee recommends a total appropriation of 

$11,507,000,000 for the annual renewal of project-based contracts, 

of which up to $285,000,000 is for the cost of contract administrators. The recommended level of funding is $691,000,000 above the 

amount provided in fiscal year 2017 and is $755,900,000 above the 

budget request. The Committee’s recommendation rejects the administration’s rental reform proposals, including raising maximum 

rents to 35 percent of gross income, the establishment of mandatory minimum rents, and the elimination of utility allowance reimbursements. It is unfortunate that the Department is seeking to 

achieve much of its cost-savings on the backs its tenant population, 

a significant portion of which is elderly or disabled. The Committee 

believes that these types of rent reforms are best addressed by the 

authorizing committees. The decision not to include these controversial rent reforms that have not been subject to authorizing 

committee vetting and approval results in a renewal need above 

the President’s request. The funding recommendation provides sufficient resources to fully renew all existing affordable housing contracts. 

Performance-Based Contract Administrators.—Performance-based 

contract administrators [PBCAs] are typically PHAs or State housing finance agencies. They are responsible for conducting on-site 

management reviews of assisted properties; adjusting contract 

rents; and reviewing, processing, and paying monthly vouchers submitted by owners, among other tasks. The Committee notes that 

PBCAs are integral to the Department’s efforts to be more effective 

and efficient in the oversight and monitoring of this program, reduce improper payments, protect tenants and ensure properties are 

well maintained. The Committee in prior years directed the Department to solicit and award PBCA contracts under full and open 

competition without geographic limitation in accordance with the 

Competition in Contracting Act and the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The Committee is concerned that proposals to reduce the 

scope of work performed by PBCAs, diminish the applicability of 

Federal law, or consolidate PBCAs into regional awards versus 

State-by-State will have a detrimental effect on the oversight of 

these HUD-assisted properties and the individuals and families 

that rely on this critical source of affordable housing. To date HUD 

has failed to execute this directive. It is imperative that HUD move 

forward with this solicitation. The Committee believes that fair and 

open competition is the best way to ensure that the taxpayer receives the greatest benefit for the costs incurred. 

Oversight of Property Owners.—The Committee places a priority 

on providing access to safe, sanitary, and affordable housing to 
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those most in need. If owners fail to uphold these standards, HUD 

should hold them accountable. After learning of several properties 

around the country that suffered from severe physical deficiencies, 

but were none-the-less able to pass HUD inspection, the Committee 

strengthened a general provision requiring the Department to take 

specific steps to ensure that serious defects are quickly addressed. 

This provision requires the Secretary to take explicit actions if an 

owner fails to maintain its property, including imposing civil monetary penalties, working to secure a different owner for the property, 

or transferring the Section 8 contract to another property. In addition to the requirements under this general provision, the Department took several steps to improve its inspections process, including: closing a loophole that allowed condemned units to be excluded 

from inspection samples; permitting REAC to require owners to 

make repairs for individual deficiencies even when an overall property receives a passing score; requiring owners to adopt industry 

standards when making repairs; and training REAC inspectors to 

recognize industry standards when evaluating whether deficiencies 

have been corrected. In addition, HUD is considering regulatory 

and policy changes that would reduce the time it takes to conduct 

an inspection after a property owner is notified about a failing 

score and removing the point deductions cap, which limits how 

much a property’s score can be lowered for multiple instances of 

the same deficiency type. The Committee commends HUD for the 

steps it has taken to improve responsiveness and accountability 

and encourages the Department to implement the measures still 

under consideration described above. It also urges HUD to consider 

using PBCAs to identify troubled properties early on. Unfortunately, despite enacted changes, the Department’s oversight still 

permits a property cited for multiple code violations by State and 

local building departments to receive a passing REAC score. While 

local code violations are factored into the risk assessments that determine which properties are inspected, State and local citations 

for building code violations do not consistently trigger an immediate response from the Department, which may explain why HUD 

has been inexcusably caught off guard by media reports of atrocious conditions that have been allowed to persist within its multifamily portfolio. The Committee directs the Department to establish a plan for responding to State and local building inspector 

findings so that properties with serious outstanding code violations 

are targeted by REAC and, if conditions leading to those violations 

are not addressed, those properties do not receive a passing score 

from HUD. 

Unfortunately, the Department has been less than transparent 

with the Committee about the extent of the problems within its assisted housing portfolio, failing year after year to comply with the 

Committee’s requirement to provide regular reports on its most 

troubled properties. HUD’s refusal to provide this information 

makes it extremely difficult to assess the Department’s performance and to evaluate whether changes and reforms such as those 

described above are effective. Once again, the Committee requires 

the Department to provide quarterly reports to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on projects that receive multiple 

exigent health and safety violations, physical inspection scores 
127 

below 60, or have received an unsatisfactory management and occupancy review within the past 36 months. Such reports shall also 

include information on when the next inspection of the property 

will occur, and the Department’s plans for resolution of the deficiencies. HUD shall also identify the actions taken to address safety concerns, including the frequency with which civil monetary penalties are imposed, contracts are transferred to another property, 

or ownership is transferred. In addition, because the Department 

has consistently failed to respond to this reporting requirement in 

the past, the Committee has added language to the general provision addressing troubled properties that reduces the appropriations 

for the Offices of Housing, Executive Offices and CFO each $50,000 

for every day this report is late. The penalty shall apply to each 

of the quarterly reports due this fiscal year. 

HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $502,400,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 510,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 573,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account funds housing for the elderly under section 202 of 

the Housing Act of 1959. Under this program, the Department provides capital grants to eligible entities for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of housing for seniors, and provides projectbased rental assistance contracts [PRACs] to support operational 

costs for such units. Tenants living in section 202 supportive housing units can access a variety of community-based services in order 

to keep living independently in their communities and age in place. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $573,000,000 for the Section 202 program. This amount is $70,600,000 more than 

the level provided in fiscal year 2017 and $63,000,000 more than 

the budget request. The Committee recommendation includes 

$483,000,000 in new appropriations, in addition to carryover balances and residual receipts, to fully fund all annual PRAC renewals and amendments, and $90,000,000 for service coordinators and 

the continuation of existing congregate service grants. 

HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $146,200,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 121,300,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 147,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides funding for housing for persons with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. Traditionally, the Section 811 program provided capital grants to eligible entities for the acquisition, 

rehabilitation, or construction of housing for persons with disabilities, as well as project-based rental assistance contracts [PRACs] 

to support operational costs for such units. Since fiscal year 2012, 

HUD has transitioned to expanding capacity by providing project 
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rental assistance to State housing financing agencies or other appropriate entities which act in partnership with State health and 

human service agencies to provide supportive services, as authorized by the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 

2010 (Public Law 111–374). 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $147,000,000 for the Section 811 program. This level is $25,700,000 more than the 

budget request and is $800,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. This level of funding, in addition to residual receipts, 

recaptures, and other unobligated balances, supports all PRAC renewals and amendments. Should the total available resources exceed the need for renewals, the Secretary shall direct such resources to make new awards or to conduct a new competition for 

project rental assistance to State housing finance agencies. 

HOUSING COUNSELING ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $55,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 47,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 47,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Housing Counseling Assistance Program provides comprehensive housing counseling services to eligible homeowners and 

tenants through grants to non-profit intermediaries, State government entities, and other local and national agencies. Eligible counseling activities include: pre- and post-purchase education, personal 

financial management, reverse mortgage product education, foreclosure prevention, mitigation, and rental counseling. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $47,000,000 for 

the Housing Counseling Assistance program, which is equal to the 

budget request and $8,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. These funds will help to provide individuals and families across the country with sound advice to make more informed 

housing decisions, improve their financial situation, and meet their 

homeownership goals over time. Specifically, it will support competitive counseling grants and training activities. The network of 

HUD-approved housing counseling organizations provides a wide 

variety of counseling services, including assistance with preventing 

foreclosure and homelessness. In addition, the administrative contract support funding includes resources for financial audits and 

technical assistance. 

The Committee is pleased with HUD’s early insights from its 

First-Time Homebuyer Education and Counseling Demonstration. 

The knowledge and skills that consumers gain from this counseling 

will play an essential role in the continued recovery of the Nation 

from the foreclosure crisis. That ongoing recovery has been shown 

in the increase in demand for pre-purchase homeownership counseling and lower need for delinquency prevention counseling. 

The Committee continues language requiring HUD to obligate 

counseling grants within 180 days of enactment of this act, as well 
129 

as permitting HUD to publish multi-year NOFAs, contingent on 

annual appropriations. This should result in administrative savings 

for HUD and its grantees. 

RENTAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $20,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 14,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 14,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account provides amendment funding for housing assisted 

under the Rental Housing Assistance Program (Section 236) and 

the Rent Supplement Program. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $14,000,000 for 

HUD-assisted, State-aided, noninsured rental housing projects, 

consistent with the budget request. This amount is $6,000,000 less 

than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee recommendation includes a provision to allow the conversion of these 

projects to long-term Section 8 contracts, at no additional cost. The 

Committee hopes that the conversion of these projects, through the 

Rental Assistance Demonstration, will lead to the eventual elimination of these outdated programs. 

PAYMENT TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING FEES TRUST FUND

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $10,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 11,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 11,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety 

Standards Act of 1974, as amended by the Manufactured Housing 

Improvement Act of 2000, authorizes the Secretary to establish 

Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards for 

the construction, design, and performance of manufactured homes. 

All manufactured homes are required to meet these Federal standards, and fees are charged to producers to cover the costs of administering the act. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $11,000,000 to support the manufactured housing standards programs, of which the full amount of 

$11,000,000 is expected to be derived from fees collected and deposited in the Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund account. No direct appropriation is provided. The total amount recommended is 

equal to the budget request and $500,000 more than the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level. This increase in funding reflects a significant 

growth in manufactured housing production and is necessary for 

the continued oversight and effective administration of this program. 

The Committee recommendation provides: not less than 

$4,000,000 for payments to State Administrative Agency partners, 

and not less than $4,000,000 for the monitoring of manufacturers’ 
130 

compliance with the construction and safety standards by thirdparty inspection agencies. 

The Committee continues language allowing the Department to 

collect fees from program participants in the dispute resolution and 

installment programs, as mandated by the Manufactured Housing 

Improvement Act of 2000. These fees are to be deposited into the 

Trust Fund and may be used to support the manufactured housing 

standards programs, subject to the overall cap placed on the account. 

Recreational Vehicle Definition.—The Committee urges HUD to 

expeditiously complete its rulemaking process concerning amendments to its regulatory definition of a ‘‘Recreational Vehicle,’’ in accordance with the existing December 2014 recommendation of the 

Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee. 

Resident-Owned Cooperative Models.—Two-thirds of the new affordable housing produced in the United States is manufactured 

housing. This industry serves as an important tool in combatting 

rising home prices and the growing housing shortage. More than 

2.9 million manufactured homes are located in mobile home parks, 

where residents own their homes, but often do not own the land. 

This leaves homeowners vulnerable to land cost increases, arbitrary rule enforcement, and land conversion for some other use. It 

can also result in the eviction or closure of a community, which is 

very disruptive and can result in thousands of dollars in relocation 

costs. The resident-owned cooperative model provides a viable 

means for preserving this crucial source of affordable housing and 

protecting vulnerable residents from displacement. The Committee 

notes the recent growth of this cooperative model, and encourages 

the further expansion of this model nationally as manufactured 

housing production continues to rise. 

FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION

MUTUAL MORTGAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Limitation on direct 

loans 

Limitation on 

guaranteed loans 

Administrative 

contract expenses 

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................... $5,000,000 $400,000,000,000 $130,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ............................................................ 5,000,000 400,000,000,000 160,000,000 

Committee recommendation .................................................... 5,000,000 400,000,000,000 130,000,000 

GENERAL AND SPECIAL RISK PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Limitation on direct loans Limitation on 

guaranteed loans 

Appropriations, 2017 ....................................................................................................... $5,000,000 $30,000,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ................................................................................................... 5,000,000 30,000,000,000 

Committee recommendation ........................................................................................... 5,000,000 30,000,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal Housing Administration [FHA] fund covers the 

mortgage and loan insurance activity of HUD mortgage/loan insurance programs. These include the mutual mortgage insurance 

[MMI] fund, cooperative management housing insurance [CMHI] 

fund, general insurance [GI] fund, and the special risk insurance 
131 

[SRI] fund. For presentation and accounting control purposes, these 

are divided into two sets of accounts based on shared characteristics. The unsubsidized insurance programs of the mutual mortgage 

insurance fund and the cooperative management housing insurance 

fund constitute one set; and the general risk insurance and special 

risk insurance funds make up the other. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee has included the following amounts for the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Program account: a limitation on guaranteed loans of $400,000,000,000, a limitation on direct loans of 

$5,000,000, and $130,000,000 for administrative contract expenses. 

For the GI/SRI account, the Committee recommends 

$30,000,000,000 as a limitation on guaranteed loans and a limitation on direct loans of $5,000,000. 

The Committee includes a general provision in the bill lifting the 

cap on the number of HECM loans that can be insured during fiscal year 2018, only to the extent that the net credit subsidy cost 

for such insurance does not exceed zero. The Committee directs the 

Department to take steps to accelerate the property disposition 

timelines and reduce the costs associated with the disposition of 

such properties. Such action should ensure there is no disruption 

in the insuring of mortgages under this section and ensure the mission of the program continues to meet its goals. 

The Office of Inspector General published an audit report on October 14, 2016 indicating that FHA overpaid financial institutions, 

by as much as $2,230,000,000, due to improperly recording foreclosure and conveyance deadlines. While the Department disputed 

how much FHA might have actually overpaid, it agreed in general 

with the findings. The Committee directs the Department to submit within 30 days of enactment of this act, a report identifying the 

Department’s timeline for: completing the rulemaking changes to 

24 CFR Part 203 initiated in 2015; development of a strategic technology plan to systematically ensure insurance claims are not overpaid for reasons of paying costs beyond established deadlines; and 

implementing better controls to identify noncompliance with 24 

CFR 203. 

The Committee does not include authority for HUD to charge a 

fee to provide additional funds for FHA’s administrative costs as 

proposed in the budget request. However, the Committee supports 

the goal of improving FHA’s system automation, risk management 

and quality control efforts and encourages the Department to work 

with its various stakeholders to determine a sustainable path forward that recognizes the needs of all parties. 

GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION

GUARANTEES OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES LOAN GUARANTEE

PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Limitation on 

guaranteed loans 

Limitation on 

personnel, 

compensation and 

administrative 

expenses 

Appropriations, 2017 .................................................................................................. $500,000,000,000 $23,000,000 
132 

Limitation on 

guaranteed loans 

Limitation on 

personnel, 

compensation and 

administrative 

expenses 

Budget estimate, 2018 ............................................................................................... 500,000,000,000 25,400,000 

Committee recommendation ....................................................................................... 500,000,000,000 24,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Government National Mortgage Association [Ginnie Mae], 

through the mortgage-backed securities program, guarantees privately issued securities backed by pools of Government-guaranteed 

mortgages. Ginnie Mae is a wholly owned corporate instrumentality of the United States within the Department. Its powers are 

prescribed generally by title III of the National Housing Act, as 

amended. Ginnie Mae is authorized by section 306(g) of the act to 

guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on securities that are based on and backed by a trust, or pool, composed of 

mortgages that are guaranteed and insured by the FHA, the Rural 

Housing Service, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ginnie 

Mae’s guarantee of mortgage-backed securities is backed by the full 

faith and credit of the United States. This account also funds all 

salaries and benefits funding to support Ginnie Mae. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation on new commitments 

on mortgage-backed securities of $500,000,000,000. This level is the 

same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The bill allows Ginnie Mae to use $24,000,000 for salaries and expenses. This is $1,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted 

level and $1,400,000 less than the budget request. 

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $89,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 85,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 85,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Title V of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970, as 

amended, directs the Secretary of the Department of Housing and 

Urban Development to undertake programs of research, evaluation, 

and reports relating to the Department’s mission and programs. 

These functions are carried out internally and through grants and 

contracts with industry, nonprofit research organizations, educational institutions, and through agreements with State and local 

governments and other Federal agencies. The research programs 

seek ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of 

HUD programs and to identify methods to achieve cost reductions. 

Additionally, this appropriation is used to support HUD evaluation 

and monitoring activities and to conduct housing surveys. 
133 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $85,000,000 for 

research, technology, and community development activities in fiscal year 2018. This level is $4,000,000 less than the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee 

recommends $50,000,000 for Core Research and Technology, including: market surveys; research support and dissemination; data 

acquisition; housing finance studies; research partnerships; and 

housing technology. In addition, the Committee includes 

$35,000,000 for Department-wide technical assistance and critical 

research beyond the core studies. Of this amount, at least 

$25,000,000 is for technical assistance [TA] across HUD programs. 

The Committee recommendation will continue to support market 

surveys, such as the American Housing Survey, that are integral 

to HUD’s ability to understand its own programs and also help enhance public and private entities’ knowledge of housing conditions 

in the United States. The Committee encourages the Department 

to consider providing technical assistance to distressed cities and 

communities through a network of non-profit or private sector organizations that have a proven track record of providing assistance 

to multiple cities across various disciplines including economic development, workforce development, fiscal efficiency, and promoting 

best practices and inter- city assistance. 

Of the amount provided for critical research beyond the core 

studies, the recommendation includes funding for: an evaluation of 

how PHAs are implementing and using the RAD Choice Mobility 

option and how implementation varies between PBV and PBRA 

conversions; the final phase of a Choice Neighborhood implementation study; an evaluation of HUD’s demonstration authority linking 

vouchers for homeless youth through the Family Unification Program with the Family Self-Sufficiency program; an analysis of administrative data to compare school readiness and skill development for HUD-assisted children relative to similar unassisted children; and an evaluation of the effectiveness of resiliency funding as 

part of HUD’s response to natural disasters. HUD shall include details on its allocation of these resources in its operating plan. 

Fair Market Rents [FMRs].—Fair Market Rents are used across 

HUD rental assistance programs. However, in certain counties the 

current methodology does not accurately reflect the current housing 

market, and additional local area surveys are necessary. The Committee further notes that proposals such as Small Area Fair Market Rents do not fully address the undervaluing of Fair Market 

Rents in many areas where rents have risen quickly. The Committee encourages HUD to identify and implement alternatives to 

locally funded rent surveys of areas affected by changing economic 

conditions and natural disasters. The Committee strongly encourages HUD to expedite its research on improving its FMR estimates, 

including the potential use of alternative data sources, advertised 

for rent data, as a means of to improve estimates of rent inflation 

that occur between the time of the American Community Survey 

data collection and the current period for FMR estimates. If these 

data cannot be applied nationally, this research should also determine what alternative data sources HUD would accept from Public 
134 

Housing Agencies [PHAs] to demonstrate changing economic conditions as an alternative to locally funded rent surveys. The Committee encourages the Department, to the extent practicable, to 

work with communities to use local rent survey data made available in the preceding year to inform the calculation of Fair Market 

Rents. The Committee directs the Department to submit a report 

to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 

days of enactment of this act describing proposals to update the 

FMR formula to more accurately reflect the current housing market. The Committee strongly encourages HUD to expedite the process for consideration of FMRs and exception payment standards 

that are requested from PHAs. 

FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

FAIR HOUSING ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $65,300,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 65,300,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 65,300,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The fair housing activities appropriation includes funding for 

both the Fair Housing Assistance Program [FHAP] and the Fair 

Housing Initiatives Program [FHIP]. 

The Fair Housing Assistance Program helps State and local 

agencies to implement title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as 

amended, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing and in the provision of brokerage services. The 

major objective of the program is to assure prompt and effective 

processing of title VIII complaints with appropriate remedies for 

complaints by State and local fair housing agencies. 

The Fair Housing Initiatives Program is authorized by section 

561 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, as 

amended, and by section 905 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. This initiative is designed to alleviate housing discrimination by increasing support to public and private organizations for the purpose of eliminating or preventing discrimination in housing, and to enhance fair housing opportunities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $65,300,000 for 

the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity [OFHEO]. This 

amount is equal to the budget request and the 2017 enacted level. 

Of the amounts provided, $23,500,000 is for FHAP, $39,900,000 is 

for FHIP, and $300,000 is for the creation, promotion, and dissemination of translated materials that support the assistance of persons with limited English proficiency. The Committee also provides 

$1,600,000 for the National Fair Housing Training Academy, and 

encourages the Department to pursue ways to make the Academy 

self-sustaining. 

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing [AFFH].—In 2018, HUD 

anticipates that a substantially higher number of grantees will 

submit fair housing assessments under the new AFFH rule, as 

compared to 2017. The Committee continues to support the imple-
135 

mentation of AFFH, but remains concerned that HUD grantees interpret this new rule as a way for the Department to dictate local 

zoning laws. As a result, the Committee continues to include language prohibiting the Department from undertaking changes to 

local zoning laws as part of carrying out AFFH and the assessment 

tool. The Committee strongly encourages HUD to continue providing technical assistance to grantees for compliance and implementation efforts associated with this rule and expects greater collaboration within HUD and across its program offices, to prevent 

excessive administrative burdens on grantees. The Committee directs the Department to issue clarifying guidance within 60 days 

of enactment of this act on how grantees can also eliminate excessive burdens at the local level, in order to meet the requirements 

of AFFH. The Committee further directs HUD to expeditiously 

issue the tools and templates for communities that choose to conduct a regional analysis, and continue developing streamlined tools 

for small entitlement CDBG and PHA grantees. 

Regulation of Insurance.—In Senate Report 114–243 the Committee propelled HUD to respond expeditiously to a U.S. District 

Court’s remand which was a result of HUD failing to adequately 

consider insurance industry concerns in its discriminatory effects 

rule. On October 5, 2017, HUD issued its response in the Federal 

Register stating that categorical exemptions or safe harbors for insurance practices are unworkable and inconsistent with the Fair 

Housing Act, and that the insurance industry’s concerns should be 

addressed on a case-by-case basis. The Committee remains concerned about the unintended consequences of HUD’s interpretation 

and urges the Department to address the concerns of the insurance 

industry as permissible under current law. 

OFFICE OF LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $145,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 130,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 160,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 

established the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction 

Act, under which HUD is authorized to make grants to States, localities, and Native American tribes in order to conduct lead-based 

paint hazard reduction and abatement activities in private, low-income housing. Lead poisoning is a significant environmental health 

hazard, particularly for young children and pregnant women, and 

can result in neurological damage, learning disabilities, and impaired growth. The Healthy Homes Initiative, authorized under 

sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act 

of 1970 (12 U.S.C. 1701z–1 and 1701z–2), provides grants to remediate housing hazards that have been scientifically shown to negatively impact occupant health and safety. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $160,000,000 for 

lead-based paint hazard reduction and abatement activities for fiscal year 2018. This amount is $30,000,000 above the President’s 
136 

budget request and $15,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted 

level. Of the amount provided, $30,000,000 is for the Healthy 

Homes Initiative. 

Consolidation of Lead Grant Programs.—Lead poisoning disproportionately affects the lives of children from economically-disadvantaged backgrounds and has lifelong consequences that have 

been shown to severely inhibit healthy development and compromise learning. Children who are exposed to lead hazards are 

seven times more likely to drop out of school and six times more 

likely to end up in the juvenile justice system. Exposure to leadbased paint hazards at a young age poses not only serious immediate health consequences, but may permanently jeopardize potential for upward social mobility throughout adulthood. In an effort 

to ensure that more communities can access funding to address 

lead-based paint hazards in their low-income housing, the Committee has consolidated HUD’s two lead hazard funding programs 

into a single grant program. This change will assist communities 

struggling to meet funding match requirements, remove duplicative 

application requirements for communities seeking to access funding 

from multiple grant programs, and simplify the award and administration of HUD’s lead hazard control grants. This consolidation 

will establish a single source of funding for lead hazard grants with 

a single set of application criteria, which will ease the administrative burden both for applicants and the Department. 

The Committee remains committed to protecting those children 

in communities with the highest rates of childhood lead poisoning 

and the oldest housing stock. Lead-based paint is far more prevalent in older homes and in low-income housing in particular, where 

maintenance is less robust and paint surfaces are more likely to deteriorate, leading to a heightened risk of exposure from peeling 

paint. In order to target funding to those communities, the Committee directs HUD to award no less than $65,000,000 of grants to 

remediate lead-based paint hazards in low-income housing to those 

jurisdictions with the highest lead-based paint abatement needs. 

The Committee notes that this set-aside is a minimum floor and 

encourages HUD to exceed this threshold when providing assistance to those communities where there is the highest risk. The 

overall funding level will support lead-based paint hazard reductions in up to 9,100 units, providing safer homes for nearly 32,300 

low and very-low income families or individuals, including over 

8,400 children under the age of 6. 

Grantee Coordination.—Funds received by States and local governments under the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program may be utilized to evaluate and address lead-based paint hazards in Section 8 voucher units. The Office of Lead Hazard Control 

and Healthy Homes currently gives preference to grantees that 

work with public housing agencies to address lead-based paint hazards in Section 8 voucher units. The Committee commends HUD 

for emphasizing the need to address lead-based paint hazards in 

Section 8 voucher units when awarding these grants and urges 

HUD to continue to address these needs in HUD-assisted housing 

stock in the private market. 
137 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FUND

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $257,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 250,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 250,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Information Technology Fund finances the information technology [IT] systems that support departmental programs and operations, including FHA Mortgage Insurance, housing assistance and 

grant programs, as well as core financial and general operations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $250,000,000 for 

the Information Technology Fund for fiscal year 2018, which is 

equal to the budget request and $7,000,000 less than the fiscal year 

2017 enacted level. 

The Committee remains supportive of HUD’s efforts to modernize 

its IT systems, which are critical to effectively manage its programs. For years, HUD has been hampered by outdated IT systems 

that are not integrated, which limit its ability to oversee grantees. 

In addition, HUD’s efforts to work around system limitations to collect information for oversight purposes often results in increased 

work for grantees who have to input information into multiple systems. While HUD has undertaken efforts to better integrate systems, there is still more work to be done, and IT system integration 

should remain a top priority for the Department. 

Unsanctioned Information Technology Development.—The Committee remains concerned about the development of IT systems outside of the Information Technology Fund. While the Committee understands that limited resources may prompt HUD offices to develop solutions with their own resources, the Committee expects 

that, at a minimum, OCIO will monitor and oversee the development of any such solutions. The Committee directs the OCIO to 

monitor the development of new system solutions by every office in 

HUD to make sure they conform to HUD’s enterprise architecture, 

and will be compatible with systems under development. 

GAO Oversight.—The Committee emphasizes the importance of 

pursuing a strategic approach as HUD continues to improve its IT 

management. To this end, in order to monitor the Department’s 

progress, in 2012 the Committee instructed GAO to conduct several 

reviews. In 2013, GAO completed a review of the Department’s IT 

project management practices. The Committee reaffirms its direction to GAO to also evaluate HUD’s institutionalization of governance and cost estimating practices. In particular, the Committee remains interested in any cost savings or operational efficiencies that 

have resulted (or may result) from the Department’s improvement 

efforts. The Committee appreciates the work that GAO has done in 

this area and believes it has benefited the Committee and the Department. The Committee encourages HUD to take advantage of 

GAO expertise as it makes further improvements to its IT structure and governance. The Committee notes that the Department 

has yet to submit plans articulating how the Department is implementing GAO’s IT-related recommendations, and identifying sav-
138 

ings it will achieve by retiring legacy systems and shutting off old 

servers. The Committee directs the Chief Operating Officer and the 

Chief Information Officer to ensure reports are submitted in a 

timely manner and include all required information. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $128,082,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 126,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 126,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This appropriation will finance all salaries and related expenses 

associated with the operation of the Office of Inspector General 

[OIG]. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $126,000,000 for 

the OIG, consistent with the budget request. This amount of funding is $2,082,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

Audit Reports.—The Committee requests that the OIG provide 

copies of all audit reports to the Committee immediately after they 

are issued, and continue to make the Committee aware immediately of any review which recommends significant budgetary savings. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND 

URBAN DEVELOPMENT 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

(INCLUDING RESCISSION)

The Committee recommends administrative provisions. A brief 

description follows. 

Sec. 201. This section promotes the refinancing of certain housing bonds. 

Sec. 202. This section clarifies a limitation on the use of funds 

under the Fair Housing Act. 

Sec. 203. This section requires HUD to award funds on a competitive basis unless otherwise provided. 

Sec. 204. This section allows funds to be used to reimburse GSEs 

and other Federal entities for various administrative expenses. 

Sec. 205. This section limits HUD’s spending to amounts set out 

in the budget justification. 

Sec. 206. This section clarifies expenditure authority for entities 

subject to the Government Corporation Control Act. 

Sec. 207. This section requires quarterly reports on all uncommitted, unobligated and excess funds associated with HUD programs. 

Sec. 208. This section requires that the administration’s budget 

and the Department’s budget justifications for fiscal year 2019 be 

submitted in the identical account and sub-account structure provided in this act. 

Sec. 209. This section exempts GNMA from certain requirements 

of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990. 
139 

Sec. 210. This section allows HUD to authorize the transfer of existing project-based subsidies and liabilities from obsolete housing 

to housing that better meets the needs of the assisted tenants. 

Sec. 211. This section reforms certain section 8 rent calculations 

as related to athletic scholarships. 

Sec. 212. This section provides allocation requirements for Native 

Alaskans under the Indian Housing Block Grant program. 

Sec. 213. This section eliminates a cap on Home Equity Conversion Mortgages for fiscal year 2018. 

Sec. 214. This section requires HUD to maintain section 8 assistance on HUD-held or owned multifamily housing. 

Sec. 215. This section clarifies the use of the section 108 loan 

guaranteed program for nonentitlement communities. 

Sec. 216. This section allows PHAs with less than 400 units to 

be exempt from management requirements in the operating fund 

rule. 

Sec. 217. This section restricts the Secretary from imposing any 

requirement or guideline relating to asset management that restricts or limits the use of capital funds for central office costs, up 

to the limit established in QWHRA. 

Sec. 218. This section requires that no employee of the Department shall be designated as an allotment holder unless the CFO 

determines that such employee has received certain training. 

Sec. 219. The section requires the Secretary to publish all notices 

of funding availability that are competitively awarded on the Internet. 

Sec. 220. This section limits attorney fees and requires the Department to submit a spend plan to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. 

Sec. 221. This section allows the Secretary to transfer up to 10 percent of funds or $5,000,000, whichever is less, appropriated 

under the headings ‘‘Administrative Support Offices’’ or ‘‘Program 

Office Salaries and Expenses’’ to any other office funded under 

such headings. 

Sec. 222. This section requires HUD to take certain actions 

against owners receiving rental subsidies that do not maintain safe 

properties. 

Sec. 223. This section places limits on PHA compensation. 

Sec. 224. This section extends the HOPE VI program until September 30, 2018. 

Sec. 225. This section requires the Secretary to provide the Committee with advance notification before discretionary awards are 

made. 

Sec. 226. This section prohibits funds to be used to require or enforce the Physical Needs Assessment. 

Sec. 227. This section prohibits funds for HUD financing of mortgages for properties that have been subject to eminent domain. 

Sec. 228. This section prohibits funds from being used to terminate the status of a unit of local government as a metropolitan city, 

as defined under section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, with respect to grants under section 106 of 

such act. 

Sec. 229. This section allows funding for research, evaluation, 

and statistical purposes that is unexpended at the time of comple-
140 

tion of the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement to be reobligated for additional research. 

Sec. 230. This section prohibits funds to be used for financial 

awards for employees subject to administrative discipline. 

Sec. 231. This section authorizes the Secretary on a limited basis 

to use funds available under the ‘‘Homeless Assistance Grants’’ 

heading to participate in the multiagency Performance Partnership 

Pilots program. 

Sec. 232. This section allows program income to be used as an 

eligible match for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Continuum of Care 

funds. 

Sec. 233. This section permits HUD to provide 1 year transition 

grants under the continuum of care program. 

Sec. 234. This section prohibits section 218(g) of the CranstonGonzalez National Affordable Housing Act from applying with respect to the right of a jurisdiction to draw funds from its HOME 

Investment Trust Fund that otherwise expired or would expire. 

Sec. 235. This section prohibits the use of funds to direct a grantee to undertake specific changes to existing zoning laws as part of 

carrying out the final rule entitled, ‘‘Affirmatively Furthering Fair 

Housing’’ or the notice entitled, ‘‘Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Assessment Tool’’. 

Sec. 236. This section modifies the Rental Assistance Demonstration included in Public Law 112–55. 

Sec. 237. This section prohibits funds from being used to interfere with state and local inspections of public housing units. 

Sec. 238. This section maintains current Promise Zone designations and agreements. 
(141) 

TITLE III 

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 

ACCESS BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $8,190,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 7,928,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 8,190,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Access Board (formerly known as the Architectural and 

Transportation Barriers Compliance Board) was established by section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Access Board is responsible for developing guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, and the Telecommunications Act. These guidelines ensure that buildings and facilities, 

transportation vehicles, and telecommunications equipment covered 

by these laws are readily accessible to and usable by people with 

disabilities. The Board is also responsible for developing standards 

under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for accessible electronic 

and information technology used by Federal agencies, and for medical diagnostic equipment under section 510 of the Rehabilitation 

Act. The Access Board also enforces the Architectural Barriers Act, 

ensuring accessibility to a wide range of Federal agencies, including national parks, post offices, social security offices, and prisons. 

In addition, the Board provides training and technical assistance 

on the guidelines and standards it develops to Government agencies, public and private organizations, individuals and businesses 

on the removal of accessibility barriers. 

In 2002, the Access Board was given additional responsibilities 

under the Help America Vote Act. The Board serves on the Board 

of Advisors and the Technical Guidelines Development Committee, 

which helps the Election Assistance Commission develop voluntary 

guidelines and guidance for voting systems, including accessibility 

for people with disabilities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $8,190,000 for the operations of the 

Access Board. This level of funding is equal to the 2017 enacted 

level and $262,000 more than the President’s fiscal year 2018 request. 
142 

FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $27,490,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 26,149,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 27,490,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Federal Maritime Commission [FMC] is an independent regulatory agency, which administers the Shipping Act of 1984 (Public 

Law 98–237), as amended by the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 

1998 (Public Law 105–258); section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act 

of 1920 (41 Stat. 998); the Foreign Shipping Practices Act of 1988 

(Public Law 100–418); and Public Law 89–777. 

FMC’s mission is to foster a fair, efficient, and reliable international ocean transportation system and to protect the public from 

unfair and deceptive practices. To accomplish this mission, FMC 

regulates the international waterborne commerce of the United 

States. In addition, FMC has responsibility for licensing and bonding ocean transportation intermediaries and for ensuring that vessel owners or operators establish financial responsibility to pay 

judgments for death or injury to passengers, or nonperformance of 

a cruise, on voyages from United States ports. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $27,490,000 for the salaries and expenses of FMC for fiscal year 2018. This amount is $1,341,000 

more than the President’s fiscal year 2018 budget request and 

equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. 

The Committee commends FMC’s efforts to promote access to foreign markets for American exports and efficient supply chains for 

the importation of goods for domestic production and consumption. 

These pursuits support economic growth and job creation. The 

Committee also supports FMC’s continued efforts to protect consumers from potentially unlawful, unfair, or deceptive ocean transportation practices related to the movement of household goods or 

personal property in international ocean-borne trade. 

NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $23,274,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 23,274,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 23,274,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of Inspector General for Amtrak was created by the 

Inspector General Act Amendment of 1988. The act recognized Amtrak as a ‘‘designated Federal entity’’ and required the railroad to 

establish an independent and objective unit to conduct and supervise audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of Amtrak; recommend policies designed to promote econ-
143 

omy, efficiency, and effectiveness in Amtrak, and prevent and detect fraud and abuse; and to provide a means for keeping the Amtrak leadership and the Congress fully informed about problems in 

Amtrak operations and the corporation’s progress in making corrective action. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $23,274,000 for the Amtrak Office of 

Inspector General [OIG]. This funding level is equal to the budget 

request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee retains language that requires the Amtrak OIG to submit 

a budget request in similar format and substance to those submitted by other executive agencies in the Federal Government. 

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $106,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 105,170,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 110,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Initially established along with the Department of Transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] commenced operations on April 1, 1967, as an independent Federal 

agency. The Board is charged by Congress with investigating every 

civil aviation accident in the United States as well as significant 

accidents in the other modes of transportation—railroad, highway, 

marine, and pipeline—and issuing safety recommendations aimed 

at preventing future accidents. Although it has always operated 

independently, NTSB relied on DOT for funding and administrative support until the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 (Public 

Law 93–633) severed all ties between the two organizations starting in 1975. 

In addition to its investigatory duties, NTSB is responsible for 

maintaining the Government’s database of civil aviation accidents 

and also conducts special studies of transportation safety issues of 

national significance. Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of international treaties, NTSB supplies investigators to serve 

as U.S. accredited representatives for aviation accidents overseas 

involving U.S.-registered aircraft, or involving aircraft or major 

components of U.S. manufacture. NTSB also serves as the ‘‘court 

of appeals’’ for any airman, mechanic, or mariner whenever certificate action is taken by the Federal Aviation Administration or the 

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, or when civil penalties are assessed by FAA. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $110,000,000 for the National 

Transportation Safety Board, which is $4,830,000 more than the 

budget request and $4,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee has also continued to include language 

that allows NTSB to make payments on its lease for the NTSB 

training facility with funding provided in the bill. 
144 

NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION

PAYMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $140,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 27,400,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 140,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation was created by the 

Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act (Title VI of the Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978, Public Law 

95–557). The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, operating 

under the trade name ‘‘NeighborWorks America,’’ helps local communities establish efficient and effective partnerships between residents and representatives of the public and private sectors. These 

partnership-based organizations are independent, tax-exempt, nonprofit entities and are frequently known as Neighborhood Housing 

Services or mutual housing associations. 

Collectively, these organizations are known as the 

NeighborWorks network. Nationally, over 240 NeighborWorks organizations serve nearly 3,000 urban, suburban, and rural communities in every State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $140,000,000 for NeighborWorks for fiscal year 2018. This amount is $112,600,000 

more than the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee continues to support the set-aside of 

$5,000,000 for the multifamily rental housing initiative, which has 

been successful in developing innovative approaches to producing 

mixed-income affordable housing throughout the Nation. The Committee directs NeighborWorks to provide 3 days’ notice prior to the 

announcement of any grant to the House and Senate Committees 

on Appropriations. 

Shared Equity Homeownership.—The Committee recognizes the 

need for increased Federal investment to promote, expand, and preserve homeownership through financial and housing education and 

counseling, lending programs, default intervention, and foreclosure 

prevention. The Committee recommends increased investment to 

support the growth of the shared equity homeownership model as 

a promising approach for helping lower income and minority families to achieve sustainable homeownership, while delivering positive economic activity to the surrounding community. 

Mortgage Rescue Scams.—In 2009, Congress directed 

NeighborWorks to develop a national public education campaign to 

address the rise in loan modification scams. In response, 

NeighborWorks worked to raise awareness of these scams through 

public service announcements, public media, and the Internet, and 

has helped thousands of vulnerable homeowners access legitimate 

forms of assistance and connect with law enforcement. In recent 

years, however, loan modification scam activity has declined in the 

United States, as we continue to emerge from the foreclosure crisis. 

Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which 

was not yet in existence at the beginning of this campaign, has un-
145 

dertaken a similar initiative. Accordingly, the Committee commends NeighborWorks for their successful efforts in educating consumers and expects NeighborWorks to continue to be responsive to 

emerging issues raised by its network. 

Rural Areas.—The Committee continues to support 

NeighborWorks’ efforts to build capacity in rural areas. The Committee urges NeighborWorks to continue these efforts. 

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation Crediting offsetting 

collections 

Appropriations, 2017 ....................................................................................................... $37,000,000 $1,250,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ................................................................................................... 37,100,000 1,250,000 

Committee recommendation ........................................................................................... 37,100,000 1,250,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Surface Transportation Board [STB] was created on January 

1, 1996, by the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act 

of 1995 [ICCTA] (Public Law 104–88). The Board is a five-member, 

bipartisan, decisionally independent adjudicatory body and is responsible for the regulation of the rail and pipeline industries and 

certain non-licensing regulations of motor carriers and water carriers. 

STB’s rail oversight activities include rate reasonableness, car 

service and interchange, mergers, line acquisitions, line constructions, and abandonments. STB’s jurisdiction also includes certain 

oversight of the intercity bus industry, pipeline carriers, intercity 

passenger train service, rate regulation involving noncontiguous 

domestic water transportation, household goods carriers, and collectively determined motor carrier rates. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total appropriation of $37,100,000. 

This funding level is equal to the budget request and $100,000 

more than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. Included in the recommendation is $1,250,000 in fees, which will offset the appropriated funding, resulting in final appropriation from the general 

fund estimated at no more than $35,850,000. 

Regulatory Proceedings.—While the STB has made progress in 

implementing the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization 

Act of 2015, the Committee is concerned about a number of pending regulatory proceedings that would reform existing regulations 

at the STB. These proceedings are more difficult to resolve without 

all five board members. The Committee encourages the Administration to expeditiously nominate the full complement of board 

members to the STB, and encourages STB to provide a timely, efficient, and decisive regulatory process. 
146 

UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS

OPERATING EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2017 ............................................................................. $3,600,000 

Budget estimate, 2018 ........................................................................... 570,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 3,600,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness 

[USICH] is an independent agency created by the McKinney-Vento 

Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 to coordinate and direct the multiple efforts of Federal agencies and other designated groups. The 

Council was authorized to review Federal programs that assist 

homeless persons and to take necessary actions to reduce duplication. The Council can recommend improvements in programs and 

activities conducted by Federal, State, and local government, as 

well as local volunteer organizations. The Council consists of the 

heads of 19 Federal agencies, including the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Labor, 

and Transportation; and other entities as deemed appropriate. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,600,000 for the USICH. This amount is $3,030,000 greater than the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The bill includes language to amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to eliminate USICH’s sunset date and make the Council 

permanent. 

USICH supports Federal collaboration and implementation of the 

Federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. The Council’s work on such issues as establishing common definitions of 

homelessness across programs and consolidating Federal data is 

helping to breakdown silos and increase Federal collaboration. Its 

work was recognized by GAO in its February 2012 report on ways 

to reduce duplication, overlap, and fragmentation in the Federal 

Government. The Committee is aware that individuals who are 

homeless or in unstable housing situations are often living with 

multiple chronic conditions. The link between homelessness and 

long-term physical and behavioral health conditions is well documented. The Committee has recognized the cost-savings that can 

be achieved by using evidence-based practices, and has been supportive of such efforts, including through the HUD–VASH program 

and other permanent supportive housing through HUD’s homeless 

assistance grants program. However, the Committee believes that 

more can be done to emphasize evidence-based practices in serving 

other populations. The Committee continues to direct the USICH 

to improve coordination between HUD, HHS and other Federal 

agencies, and to help communities use the Homeless Management 

Information System and other data to target affordable housing 

and homeless resources to high-need, high-cost families and individuals. The Committee further encourages HUD to work with 

HHS and other Federal agencies to identify homeless individuals 

who have high utilization rates for emergency and other public 
147 

services, and share strategies for combining affordable housing 

with health and social support services to improve both housing 

and health outcomes for these individuals. 

Performance Metrics and Cross-Agency Coordination.—USICH 

leads the coordination of the Federal response to ending homelessness among 19 Federal agencies, as well as State, local, nonprofit 

and philanthropic organizations. However, the Committee remains 

concerned that other stakeholders do not fully appreciate the value 

of the important work that agency has been able to accomplish over 

time due to the Council’s lack of clear output and outcome based 

performance metrics. The Committee directs the agency to undertake the development of measurable performance goals and metrics 

that define how USICH accomplishes its mission for inclusion in its 

fiscal year 2019 Congressional budget justification. 

The Committee also directs USICH to develop performance 

metrics to measure the progress that USICH and its partners have 

made to address and end homelessness in the 2019 performance 

and accountability report, as well as provide an update on efforts 

to improve cross-agency collaboration and coordination on integrating child welfare systems with housing and services provided 

through HUD and the Department of Health and Human Services 

in response to youth homelessness; the coordination between continuums of care and the Department of Labor employment programs, the Department of Education and HUD, and the Department of Agriculture with other Federal agencies. 

The Committee believes these targeted, data-driven analyses will 

better educate Congress and the public at-large on the clear outcomes of USICH’s work to promote cost-effective policies, and evidence-based practices in urban and rural communities alike. The 

Committee further directs the agency to report to the House and 

Senate Committees on Appropriations within 120 days of enactment of this act on the status of these efforts. 

Homeless Youth.—One of the goals of the Federal Strategic Plan 

is to prevent and end homelessness among youth by 2020. The plan 

identifies four core targeted outcomes for youth experiencing homelessness—stable housing, permanent connections, education and 

employment, and social/emotional well-being. These outcomes appropriately identify the multiple needs of youth experiencing homelessness and underscore the importance of comprehensive solutions. To be successful, it is critical to coordinate Federal services 

and programs at the local, regional, and State levels to ensure 

these outcomes are met. As such, the Committee recognizes that it 

can be difficult for local communities, as well as housing and service providers, to navigate different Federal program laws and regulatory requirements. USICH is directed to work with its Federal 

member agencies to ensure that all homeless-related Federal grant 

funding solicitations are coordinated and made publically available, 

a user-friendly document that helps local communities identify and 

understand the scope of all Federal programs for which homeless 

youth are eligible. This document shall include detailed descriptions of eligibility criteria, application instructions, and application 

deadlines and be updated as necessary. 
(148) 

TITLE IV 

GENERAL PROVISIONS—THIS ACT 

Section 401 prohibits pay and other expenses for non-Federal 

parties in regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings funded in this act. 

Section 402 prohibits obligations beyond the current fiscal year 

and prohibits transfers of funds unless expressly so provided herein. 

Section 403 limits expenditures for consulting services through 

procurement contracts where such expenditures are a matter of 

public record and available for public inspection. 

Section 404 prohibits the use of funds for employee training unless such training bears directly upon the performance of official 

duties. 

Section 405 authorizes the reprogramming of funds within a 

budget account and specifies the reprogramming procedures for 

agencies funded by this act. The Committee rejects the administration’s request to transfer budget authority between accounts. 

Section 406 ensures that 50 percent of unobligated balances may 

remain available for certain purposes. 

Section 407 prohibits the use of funds for eminent domain unless 

such taking is employed for public use. 

Section 408 prohibits funds in this act to be transferred without 

express authority. 

Section 409 protects employment rights of Federal employees 

who return to their civilian jobs after assignment with the Armed 

Forces. 

Section 410 prohibits the use of funds for activities not in compliance with the Buy American Act. 

Section 411 prohibits funding for any person or entity convicted 

of violating the Buy American Act. 

Section 412 prohibits funds for first-class airline accommodation 

in contravention of section 301–10.122 and 301–10.123 of title 41 

CFR. 

Section 413 prohibits funds from being used for the approval of 

a new foreign air carrier permit or exemption application if that 

approval would contravene United States law or article 17 bis of 

the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport Agreement and specifies that nothing in this section shall prohibit, restrict, or preclude 

the Secretary of DOT from granting a permit or exemption where 

such authorization is consistent with the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway 

Air Transport Treaty and the U.S. law. 

Section 414 restricts the number of employees that agencies 

funded in this act may send to international conferences. 

Section 415 prohibits funds to agencies unless they are in compliance with the Presidential Memorandum—Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011. 
149 

Section 416 prohibits the Surface Transportation Board from 

charging filing fees for rate or practice complaints that are greater 

than the fees authorized for district court civil suits. 

Section 417 prohibits funds from being used to privatize air traffic control. 

Section 418 prohibits funds from denying an Inspector General 

timely access to any records, documents, or other materials available to the department or agency over which that Inspector General has responsibilities, or to prevent or impede that Inspector 

General’s access. 

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI, OF THE 

STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE 

Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee reports on general appropriations bills identify each Committee amendment to 

the House bill ‘‘which proposes an item of appropriation which is 

not made to carry out the provisions of an existing law, a treaty 

stipulation, or an act or resolution previously passed by the Senate 

during that session.’’ 

The Committee is filing an original bill, which is not covered 

under this rule, but reports this information in the spirit of full disclosure. 

The Committee recommends funding for the following programs 

or activities which currently lack authorization for fiscal year 2018: 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Infrastructure Investments 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Maritime Administration 

TITLE II—DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Rental Assistance Programs 

Indian Housing Block Grants 

Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund 

Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant 

Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS 

Community Development Fund 

Community Development Loan Guarantee 

Home Investment Partnerships Program 

Choice Neighborhoods Initiatives 

Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program 

Homeless Assistance 

Housing for the Elderly 

Housing for Persons with Disabilities 

FHA General and Special Risk Program Account 

GNMA Mortgage Backed Securities Loan Guarantee Program Account 

Policy Development and Research 

Fair Housing Activities, Fair Housing Program 

Lead Hazard Reduction Program 

Salaries and Expenses 
150 

TITLE III—RELATED AGENCIES

Access Board 

National Transportation Safety Board 

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(C), RULE XXVI OF THE 

STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE 

Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on July 27, 2017, the 

Committee ordered favorably reported a bill (S. 1655) making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing 

and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year 

ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes, provided, that 

the bill be subject to amendment and that the bill be consistent 

with the subcommittee funding guidance, and provided that the 

Chairman of the Committee or his designee be authorized to offer 

the substance of the original bill as a Committee amendment in the 

nature of a substitute to the House companion measure, by a recorded vote of 31–0, a quorum being present. The vote was as follows: 

Yeas Nays 

Chairman Cochran 

Mr. McConnell 

Mr. Shelby 

Mr. Alexander 

Ms. Collins 

Ms. Murkowski 

Mr. Graham 

Mr. Blunt 

Mr. Moran 

Mr. Hoeven 

Mr. Boozman 

Mrs. Capito 

Mr. Lankford 

Mr. Daines 

Mr. Kennedy 

Mr. Rubio 

Mr. Leahy 

Mrs. Murray 

Mrs. Feinstein 

Mr. Durbin 

Mr. Reed 

Mr. Tester 

Mr. Udall 

Mrs. Shaheen 

Mr. Merkley 

Mr. Coons 

Mr. Schatz 

Ms. Baldwin 

Mr. Murphy 

Mr. Manchin 

Mr. Van Hollen 
151 

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE 

STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE 

Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports on 

a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any statute or part 

of any statute include ‘‘(a) the text of the statute or part thereof 

which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a comparative print of 

that part of the bill or joint resolution making the amendment and 

of the statute or part thereof proposed to be amended, showing by 

stricken-through type and italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate typographical devices the omissions and insertions which 

would be made by the bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form 

recommended by the committee.’’ 

In compliance with this rule, the following changes in existing 

law proposed to be made by the bill are shown as follows: existing 

law to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets; new matter is 

printed in italic; and existing law in which no change is proposed 

is shown in roman. 

TITLE 23—HIGHWAYS 

CHAPTER 1—FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

§ 149. Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement 

program 

(m) OPERATING ASSISTANCE.—A State may obligate funds apportioned under section 104(b)(4) in an area of such State that is otherwise eligible for obligations of such funds for operating costs 

under chapter 53 of title 49 or on a system for which CMAQ funding was made available, obligated or expended in fiscal year 2012, 

or on a State-Supported Amtrak route with a valid cost-sharing 

agreement under section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and 

Improvement Act of 2008 and no current nonattainment areas 

under subsection (d), and shall have no imposed time limitation. 

TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE 

CHAPTER 8—LOW-INCOME HOUSING

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROGRAM OF ASSISTED HOUSING

§ 1437v. Demolition, site revitalization, replacement housing, 

and tenant-based assistance grants for projects 

(m) Funding 

(1) Authorization of appropriations 

There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this 

section $574,000,000 for øfiscal year 2017.¿ fiscal year 2018. 

* * * * * * * 

(o) Sunset 

No assistance may be provided under this section after øSeptember 30, 2017.¿ September 30, 2018. 

* * * * * * * 
152 

CHAPTER 119—HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

SUBCHAPTER II—UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON

HOMELESSNESS

§ 11318. Authorization of appropriations 

There are authorized to be appropriated øto carry out this subchapter $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such sums as may be 

necessary for fiscal years 2011¿ such sums as may be necessary to 

carry out this title. Any amounts appropriated to carry out this subchapter shall remain available until expended. 

ø§ 11319. Termination 

The Council shall cease to exist, and the requirements of this 

subchapter shall terminate, on October 1, 2018.¿ 

§ ø11320¿ 11319. Encouragement of State involvement 

(a) State contact persons 

Each State shall designate an individual to serve as a State contact person for the purpose of receiving and disseminating information and communications received from the Council, including the 

bimonthly bulletin described in section 11313(a)(7) 1 of this title. 

(b) State interagency councils and lead agencies 

Each State is encouraged to establish a State interagency council 

on the homeless or designate a lead agency for the State for the 

purpose of assuming primary responsibility for coordinating and 

interacting with the Council and State and local agencies as necessary. 

TITLE 45—RAILROADS 

CHAPTER 17—RAILROAD REVITALIZATION AND REGULATORY

REFORM

SUBCHAPTER II—RAILROAD REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT

FINANCING

§ 823. Administration of direct loans and loan guarantees 

(l) Charges and loan servicing 

(1) Purposes 

* * * * * * * 

(4) øSafety and operations account¿ National Surface 

Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau Account, Office of the Secretary 

Amounts collected under this subsection shall— 

(A) be credited directly to øthe Safety and Operations account of the Federal Railroad Administration¿ the National 

Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau Account; and 
153 

TITLE 49—TRANSPORTATION 

SUBTITLE VII—AVIATION PROGRAMS 

PART A—AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY

SUBPART I—GENERAL

CHAPTER 401—GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 40104. Promotion of civil aeronautics and safety of air commerce 

(c) AIRPORT CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS AT CONGESTED

AIRPORTS.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall 

take action to encourage the construction of airport capacity enhancement projects at congested airports as those terms are defined in section 47176. 

(d) PROMOTION OF UNITED STATES AEROSPACE STANDARDS, 

PRODUCTS, AND SERVICES ABROAD.—The Secretary shall take appropriate actions— 

(1) to promote United States aerospace-related safety standards abroad; 

(2) to facilitate and vigorously defend approvals of United 

States aerospace products and services abroad; 

(3) with respect to bilateral partners, to use bilateral safety 

agreements and other mechanisms to improve validation of type 

certificated aeronautical products and services and enhance 

mutual acceptance in order to eliminate redundancies and unnecessary costs; and 

(4) with respect to the aeronautical safety authorities of a foreign country, to streamline validation and facilitate acceptance 

of United States aerospace standards, products, and services. 

* * * * * * * 

SUBPART I—GENERAL

CHAPTER 401—GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 40117. Passenger facility charges 

(b) GENERAL AUTHORITY.— 

(4) In lieu of authorizing a charge under paragraph (1), the 

Secretary may authorize under this section an eligible agency 

to impose a passenger facility charge of ø$4.00 or $4.50¿ $4.00 

or any whole- or half-dollar increment up to $8.50 on each paying passenger of an air carrier or foreign air carrier boarding 

an aircraft at an airport the agency controls to finance an eligible airport-related project, including making payments for debt 

service on indebtedness incurred to carry out the project, if the 

Secretary finds— 

* * * * * * * 

(e) LIMITATIONS ON IMPOSING CHARGES.— 

(2) A passenger facility charge may not be collected from a 

passenger— 
154 

(A) for more than 2 boardings on a one-way trip or a trip 

in each direction of a round trip; 

(F) enplaning at an airport if the passenger did not pay 

for the air transportation which resulted in such 

enplanement due to charter arrangements and payment by 

the Department of Defense. 

(3) The maximum passenger facility charge that may be collected from a passenger boarding a second flight on a one-way 

trip or on a trip in each direction of a round trip through an 

airport that imposes a charge may not exceed $4.50. 

* * * * * * * 

CHAPTER 417—OPERATIONS OF CARRIERS

SUBCHAPTER I—REQUIREMENTS

Sec. 

41724. Musical instruments 

41725. Prohibition on certain cell phone voice communications 

SUBCHAPTER I—REQUIREMENTS

§ 41724. Musical instruments 

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The requirements of this section shall become effective on the date of issuance of the final regulations under 

subsection (b). 

§ 41725. Prohibition on certain cell phone voice communications 

(a) PROHIBITION.—The Secretary of Transportation shall issue 

regulations— 

(1) to prohibit an individual on an aircraft from engaging in 

voice communications using a mobile communications device 

during a flight of that aircraft in scheduled passenger interstate 

air transportation or intrastate air transportation; and 

(2) that exempt from the prohibition described in paragraph 

(1)— 

(A) any member of the flight crew on duty on an aircraft; 

and 

(B) any Federal law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity. 

(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

(1) FLIGHT.—The term ‘‘flight’’ means, with respect to an aircraft, the period beginning when the aircraft takes off and ending when the aircraft lands. 

(2) MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘mobile communications device’’ means any portable wireless telecommunications 

equipment utilized for the transmission or reception of voice 

data. 
155 

(B) LIMITATION.—The term ‘‘mobile communications device’’ does not include a phone installed on an aircraft. 

* * * * * * * 

SUBPART III—SAFETY

CHAPTER 447—SAFETY REGULATION

§ 44701. General requirements 

(e) BILATERAL EXCHANGES OF SAFETY OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBIL- ITIES.— 

(4) REGISTERED AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this subsection, the 

term ‘‘registered aircraft’’ means— 

(A) aircraft registered in the United States and operated 

pursuant to an agreement for the lease, charter, or interchange of the aircraft or any similar arrangement by an 

operator that has its principal place of business or, if it 

has no such place of business, its permanent residence in 

another country; and 

(B) aircraft registered in a foreign country and operated 

under an agreement for the lease, charter, or interchange 

of the aircraft or any similar arrangement by an operator 

that has its principal place of business or, if it has no such 

place of business, its permanent residence in the United 

States. 

(5) MANDATORY COMPLIANCE AIRWORTHINESS INSTRUCTIONS

ISSUED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES.— 

(A) ACCEPTANCE.—The Administrator may accept mandatory compliance airworthiness instructions issued by an 

aeronautical safety authority of a foreign country by issuing 

a final rule and a request for comments, if— 

(i) the country is the state of design for the product 

that is the subject of the instructions; 

(ii) the United States has a bilateral safety agreement relating to aircraft certification with the country; 

(iii) as part of the bilateral safety agreement with the 

country, the Administrator has determined that the 

aeronautical safety authority has an aircraft certification system relating to safety that produces a level of 

safety equivalent to the level produced by the system of 

the Federal Aviation Administration; and 

(iv) the aeronautical safety authority utilizes an open 

and transparent public notice and comment process in 

the issuance of mandatory compliance airworthiness 

instructions. 

(B) ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS.—Notwithstanding 

subparagraph (A), the Administrator may issue a Federal 

Aviation Administration airworthiness directive instead of 

accepting mandatory compliance airworthiness instructions 

issued by the aeronautical safety authority of a foreign 

country if the Administrator determines that such issuance 

is necessary for safety or operational reasons due to the 
156 

complexity or unique features of the Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive or the United States 

aviation system. 

(C) ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF COMPLIANCE.—The Administrator may— 

(i) accept an alternative means of compliance, with 

respect to mandatory compliance airworthiness instructions under subparagraph (A), that was approved by 

the aeronautical safety authority of the foreign country 

that issued the instructions; or 

(ii) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), and at the request of any person affected by mandatory compliance 

airworthiness instructions under that subparagraph, 

the Administrator may approve an alternative means 

of compliance with respect to the instructions. 

* * * * * * * 

PART B—AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT AND NOISE

CHAPTER 471—AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT

SUBCHAPTER I—AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT

§ 47114. Apportionments 

(f) REDUCING APPORTIONMENTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to øparagraph (3)¿ paragraph (4), an amount that would be apportioned under this section (except subsection (c)(2)) in a fiscal year to the sponsor of an airport having at least .25 øpercent¿ percent, but not more than 

1.0 percent of the total number of boardings each year in the 

United States and for which a charge is imposed in the fiscal 

year under section 40117 of this title shall be reduced by an 

amount equal to— 

* * * * * * * 

(2) LARGE HUB RULE.—Subject to paragraph (4), an amount 

that would be apportioned under this section (except subsection 

(c)(2)) in a fiscal year to the sponsor of an airport having 1.0 

percent or more of the total number of boardings each year in 

the United States and for which a charge is imposed in the fiscal year under section 40117 of this title shall be reduced by an 

amount equal to 100 percent of the projected revenues from the 

charge in the fiscal year but not by more than 100 percent of 

the amount that otherwise would be apportioned under this section. 

ø(2)¿ (3) EFFECTIVE DATE OF REDUCTION.—A reduction in an 

apportionment required by paragraph (1) shall not take effect 

until the first fiscal year following the year in which the collection of the charge imposed under section 40117 is begun. 

ø(3)¿ (4) SPECIAL RULE FOR TRANSITIONING AIRPORTS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Beginning with the fiscal year following the first calendar year in which the sponsor of an 

airport has more than .25 percent of the total number of 
157 

boardings in the United States, the sum of the amount 

that would be apportioned under this section after application of paragraph (1) in a fiscal year to such sponsor and 

the projected revenues to be derived from the charge in 

such fiscal year shall not be less than the sum of the apportionment to such airport for the preceding fiscal year 

and the revenues derived from such charge in the preceding fiscal year. 

(B) EFFECTIVE PERIOD.—Subparagraph (A) shall be in effect for fiscal year 2004. 

* * * * * * * 

§ 47124. Agreements for State and local operation of airport 

facilities 

(b) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CONTRACT PROGRAM.— 

(1) CONTRACT TOWER PROGRAM.— 

* * * * * * * 

(3) CONTRACT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER PROGRAM.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—* * * 

* * * * * * * 

(D) COSTS EXCEEDING BENEFITS.—If the costs of operating an air traffic tower under the program exceed the 

benefits, the airport sponsor or State or local government 

having jurisdiction over the airport shall pay the portion 

of the costs that exceed such benefit, with the maximum 

allowable local cost share capped at 20 percent. Airports 

with both Part 121 air service and more than 25,000 passenger enplanements in calendar year 2014 shall be exempt 

from any cost share requirement under the Cost-share Program. 

INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY 

ACT OF 1991, PUBLIC LAW 102–240 

TITLE I—SURFACE TRANSPORTATION 

PART A—TITLE 23 PROGRAMS

SEC. 1012. TOLL ROADS, BRIDGES, AND TUNNELS. 

(e) SPECIAL RULE FOR CERTAIN EXISTING TOLL FACILITY

AGREEMENT.—(1) Notwithstanding sections 119 and 129 of title 23, 

United States Code, at the request of the non-Federal parties to a 

toll facility agreement reached before October 1, 1991, regarding 

the New York State Thruway or the Fort McHenry Tunnel under 

section 105 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1978 or section 129 

of title 23, United States Code (as in effect on the day before the 

date of the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall allow for the 

continuance of tolls without repayment of Federal funds. Revenues 

collected from such tolls, after the date of such request, in excess 

of revenues needed for debt service and the actual costs of operation and maintenance shall be available for (1) any transportation 

project eligible for assistance under title 23, United States Code, or 
158 

(2) costs associated with transportation facilities under the jurisdiction of such non-Federal party, including debt service and costs related to the construction, reconstruction, restoration, repair, operation and maintenance of such facilities. 

(2) Upon the request of any State Department of Transportation that was authorized to enter into a tolling agreement 

under section 120(c) of Public Law 100–17 (101 STAT. 159), the 

Secretary is authorized to modify the agreement entered into 

under Public Law 100–17, as follows. The Secretary shall authorize the use of excess toll revenues for any other purpose for 

which Federal funds may be obligated under title 23, United 

States Code, provided the State— 

(A) certifies annually that the tolled facility is being 

adequately maintained; and 

(B) agrees to comply with the audit requirements in 

section 129(a)(3)(B) of title 23, United States Code. 

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), ‘‘excess toll revenues’’ 

means revenues in excess of amounts necessary for operation 

and maintenance; debt service; reasonable return on investment 

of any private person or entity that may be authorized by the 

State to operate and maintain the facility; and any cost necessary for improvement, including reconstruction, resurfacing, 

restoration, and rehabilitation. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 1105. HIGH PRIORITY CORRIDORS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM. 

(c) IDENTIFICATION OF HIGH PRIORITY CORRIDORS ON NATIONAL

HIGHWAY SYSTEM.—* * * 

ø(89) United State Route 67 from Interstate 40 in North 

Little Rock, Arkansas, to United States Route 412.¿ 

(89) I–57 Corridor Extension as follows: In Arkansas, the 

corridor shall follow United States Route 67 in North Little 

Rock, Arkansas, from I–40 to United States Route 412, then 

continuing generally northeast to the State line, and in Missouri, the corridor shall continue generally north from the Arkansas State line to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and then follow 

United States Route 60 to I–57. 

CONSOLIDATED AND FURTHER CONTINUING 

APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012, PUBLIC LAW 112–55 

DIVISION C—TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN 

DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 

TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 

RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION

To conduct a demonstration designed to preserve and improve 

public housing and certain other multifamily housing through the 

voluntary conversion of properties with assistance under section 9 
159 

of the United States Housing Act of 1937, (hereinafter, ‘‘the Act’’), 

or the moderate rehabilitation program under section 8(e)(2) of the 

Act, to properties with assistance under a project-based subsidy 

contract under section 8 of the Act, which shall be eligible for renewal under section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997, or assistance under section 

8(o)(13) of the Act, the Secretary may transfer amounts provided 

through contracts under section 8(e)(2) of the Act or under the 

headings ‘‘Public Housing Capital Fund’’ and ‘‘Public Housing Operating Fund’’ to the headings ‘‘Tenant-Based Rental Assistance’’ or 

‘‘Project-Based Rental Assistance’’ (herein the ‘‘First Component’’): 

Provided, That the initial long-term contract under which converted assistance is made available may allow for rental adjustments only by an operating cost factor established by the Secretary, and shall be subject to the availability of appropriations for 

each year of such term: Provided further, That project applications 

may be received under this demonstration øuntil September 30, 

2020¿ for fiscal year 2012 and thereafter: Provided further, That 

any increase in cost for ‘‘Tenant-Based Rental Assistance’’ or 

‘‘Project-Based Rental Assistance’’ associated with such conversion 

in excess of amounts made available under this heading shall be 

equal to amounts transferred from ‘‘Public Housing Capital Fund’’ 

and ‘‘Public Housing Operating Fund’’ or other account from which 

it was transferred: øProvided further, That not more than 225,000 

units currently receiving assistance under section 9 or section 

8(e)(2) of the Act shall be converted under the authority provided 

under this heading:¿ Provided further, That tenants of such properties with assistance converted from assistance under section 9 

shall, at a minimum, maintain the same rights under such conversion as those provided under sections 6 and 9 of the Act: Provided 

further, That the Secretary shall select properties from applications 

for conversion as part of this demonstration through a competitive 

process: Provided further, That in establishing criteria for such 

competition, the Secretary shall seek to demonstrate the feasibility 

of this conversion model to recapitalize and operate public housing 

properties (1) in different markets and geographic areas, (2) within 

portfolios managed by public housing agencies of varying sizes, and 

(3) by leveraging other sources of funding to recapitalize properties: 

Provided further, That the Secretary shall provide an opportunity 

for public comment on draft eligibility and selection criteria and 

procedures that will apply to the selection of properties that will 

participate in the demonstration: Provided further, That the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for comment from residents of 

properties to be proposed for participation in the demonstration to 

the owners or public housing agencies responsible for such properties: Provided further, That the Secretary may waive or specify 

alternative requirements for (except for requirements related to 

fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment) any provision of section 8(o)(13) or any provision that governs the use of assistance from which a property is converted under 

the demonstration or funds made available under the headings of 

‘‘Public Housing Capital Fund’’, ‘‘Public Housing Operating Fund’’, 

and ‘‘Project-Based Rental Assistance’’, under this Act or any prior 

Act or any Act enacted during the period of conversion of assist-
160 

ance under the demonstration for properties with assistance converted under the demonstration, upon a finding by the Secretary 

that any such waivers or alternative requirements are necessary 

for the effective conversion of assistance under the demonstration: 

Provided further, That the Secretary shall publish by notice in the 

Federal Register any waivers or alternative requirements pursuant 

to the previous proviso no later than 10 days before the effective 

date of such notice: Provided further, That the demonstration may 

proceed after the Secretary publishes notice of its terms in the Federal Register: Provided further, That notwithstanding sections 3 

and 16 of the Act, the conversion of assistance under the demonstration shall not be the basis for re-screening or termination of 

assistance or eviction of any tenant family in a property participating in the demonstration, and such a family shall not be considered a new admission for any purpose, including compliance with 

income targeting requirements: Provided further, That in the case 

of a property with assistance converted under the demonstration 

from assistance under section 9 of the Act, section 18 of the Act 

shall not apply to a property converting assistance under the demonstration for all or substantially all of its units, the Secretary 

shall require ownership or control of assisted units by a public or 

nonprofit entity except as determined by the Secretary to be necessary pursuant to foreclosure, bankruptcy, or termination and 

transfer of assistance for material violations or substantial default, 

in which case the priority for ownership or control shall be provided to a capable public or nonprofit entity, then a capable entity, 

as determined by the Secretary, shall require long-term renewable 

use and affordability restrictions for assisted units, and may allow 

ownership to be transferred to a for-profit entity to facilitate the 

use of tax credits only if the public housing agency øpreserves its 

interest¿ or a nonprofit entity preserves an interest in the property 

in a manner approved by the Secretary, and upon expiration of the 

initial contract and each renewal contract, the Secretary shall offer 

and the owner of the property shall accept renewal of the contract 

subject to the terms and conditions applicable at the time of renewal and the availability of appropriations each year of such renewal: Provided further, That the Secretary may permit transfer of 

assistance at or after conversion under the demonstration to replacement units subject to the requirements in the previous proviso: Provided further, That the Secretary may establish the requirements for converted assistance under the demonstration 

through contracts, use agreements, regulations, or other means: 

Provided further, That the Secretary shall assess and publish findings regarding the impact of the conversion of assistance under the 

demonstration on the preservation and improvement of public 

housing, the amount of private sector leveraging as a result of such 

conversion, and the effect of such conversion on tenants: Provided 

further, That for fiscal year 2012 and hereafter, owners of properties assisted under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, section 236(f)(2) of the National Housing Act, 

or section 8(e)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, for 

which an event after October 1, 2006 has caused or results in the 

termination of rental assistance or affordability restrictions and the 

issuance of tenant protection vouchers under section 8(o) of the Act, 
161 

or with a project rental assistance contract under section 202(c)(2) 

of the Housing Act of 1959, shall be eligible, subject to requirements established by the Secretary, including but not limited to the 

subordination, restructuring, or both, of any mortgage or other 

agreements securing a capital advance previously provided by the 

Secretary under section 202(c)(1) of the Housing Act of 1959 in connection with the conversion of assistance, tenant consultation procedures, for conversion of assistance available for such vouchers or 

assistance contracts to assistance under a long-term project-based 

subsidy contract under section 8 of the Act, which shall have a 

term of no less than 20 years, with rent adjustments only by an 

operating cost factor established by the Secretary, which shall be 

eligible for renewal under section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted 

Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f 

note), or, subject to agreement of the administering public housing 

agency, to assistance under section 8(o)(13) of the Act, to which the 

limitation under subsection (B) of section 8(o)(13) of the Act shall 

not apply and for which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may waive or alter the provisions of subparagraphs (C) and 

(D) of section 8(o)(13) of the Act (herein the ‘‘Second Component’’): 

Provided further, That contracts provided to properties converting 

assistance from section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development 

Act of 1965 or section 236(f)(2) of the National Housing Act located 

in high-cost areas shall have initial rents set at comparable market 

rents for the market area: Provided further, That conversions of assistance under the Second Component may not be the basis for rescreening or termination of assistance or eviction of any tenant family in a property participating in the demonstration and such a 

family shall not be considered a new admission for any purpose, including compliance with income targeting: Provided further, That 

amounts made available under the heading ‘‘Rental Housing Assistance’’ during the period of conversion under øthe previous proviso¿ the Second Component shall be available for project-based 

subsidy contracts entered into pursuant to the Second Component: 

shall be available for project-based subsidy contracts entered into 

pursuant to the previous proviso: Provided further, That amounts, 

including contract authority, recaptured from contracts following a 

conversion under øthe previous two provisos¿ the Second Component, except for conversion of section 202 project rental assistance 

contracts, are hereby rescinded and an amount of additional new 

budget authority, equivalent to the amount rescinded is hereby appropriated, to remain available until expended for such conversions: Provided further, That the Secretary may transfer amounts 

made available under the heading ‘‘Rental Housing Assistance’’, 

amounts made available for tenant protection vouchers under the 

heading ‘‘Tenant-Based Rental Assistance’’ and specifically associated with any such conversions, and amounts made available under 

the previous proviso as needed to the account under the ‘‘ProjectBased Rental Assistance’’ heading to facilitate conversion under 

øthe three previous provisos¿ the Second Component, except for 

conversion of section 202 project rental assistance contracts, and 

any increase in cost for ‘‘Project-Based Rental Assistance’’ associated with such conversion shall be equal to amounts so transferred: 

Provided further, That the Secretary may transfer amounts made 
162 

available under the headings ‘‘Housing for the Elderly’’ and ‘‘Rental 

Assistance Demonstration’’ to the accounts under the headings 

‘‘Project-Based Rental Assistance’’ or ‘‘Tenant-Based Rental Assistance’’ to facilitate any section 202 project rental assistance contract 

conversion under the Second Component, and any increase in cost 

for ‘‘Project-Based Rental Assistance’’ or ‘‘Tenant-Based Rental Assistance’’ associated with such conversion shall be equal to amounts 

so transferred: Provided further, That with respect to øthe previous 

four provisos¿ the Second Component, the Comptroller General of 

the United States shall conduct a study of the long-term impact of 

the fiscal year 2012 and 2013 conversion of tenant protection 

vouchers to assistance under section 8(o)(13) of the Act on the ratio 

of tenant-based vouchers to project-based vouchers. 

CONSOLIDATED AND FURTHER CONTINUING 

APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2015, PUBLIC LAW 113–235 

DIVISION K—TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS 

ACT, 2015 

TITLE II—DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN 

DEVELOPMENT 

PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING

NATIVE HAWAIIAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANT

For the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant program, as authorized under title VIII of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111 et seq.), 

$9,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2019: Provided, That of this amount, $300,000 shall be for training and technical assistance activities, including up to $100,000 for related 

travel by øHawaii-based¿ employees of the Department of Housing 

and Urban Development. 
163 

BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL 

PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 

308(A), PUBLIC LAW 93–344, AS AMENDED 

[In millions of dollars] 

Budget authority Outlays 

Committee 

guidance 1 Amount in bill Committee guidance 1 Amount in bill 

Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee guidance to 

its subcommittees of amounts for 2018: Subcommittee on 

Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and 

Related Agencies: 

Mandatory ............................................................................ .................... .................... .................... ....................

Discretionary ........................................................................ 60,058 60,058 122,276 2 122,276 

Security ....................................................................... 300 300 NA NA 

Nonsecurity ................................................................. 59,758 59,758 NA NA 

Projection of outlays associated with the recommendation: 

2018 ..................................................................................... .................... .................... .................... 3 43,532 

2019 ..................................................................................... .................... .................... .................... 32,389 

2020 ..................................................................................... .................... .................... .................... 15,545 

2021 ..................................................................................... .................... .................... .................... 6,499 

2022 and future years ........................................................ .................... .................... .................... 9,331 

Financial assistance to State and local governments for 2018 NA 34,877 NA 3 33,192 

1 There is no section 302(a) allocation to the Committee on Appropriations for fiscal year 2018. 

2 Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority. 

3 Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority. 

NA: Not applicable. 
164 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2017 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2017 appropriation Budget estimate 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Office of the Secretary 

Salaries and expenses ............................................................................................................................................... 114,000 111,898 112,813 ¥1,187 ∂915 

Immediate Office of the Secretary .................................................................................................................... (2,758) ............................ (3,001) (∂243) (∂3,001) Immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary ........................................................................................................ (1,040) ............................ (1,040) ............................ (∂1,040) Office of the General Counsel ........................................................................................................................... (20,772) ............................ (20,555) (¥217) (∂20,555) Office of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy .............................................................................. (10,033) ............................ (10,331) (∂298) (∂10,331) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs ........................................................................... (14,019) ............................ (14,019) ............................ (∂14,019) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs ............................................................................. (2,546) ............................ (2,546) ............................ (∂2,546) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration ....................................................................................... (29,356) ............................ (29,356) ............................ (∂29,356) Office of Public Affairs ..................................................................................................................................... (2,142) ............................ (2,142) ............................ (∂2,142) Office of the Executive Secretariat ................................................................................................................... (1,760) ............................ (1,760) ............................ (∂1,760) Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response .............................................................................. (11,089) ............................ (11,318) (∂229) (∂11,318) Office of the Chief Information Officer ............................................................................................................. (18,485) ............................ (16,745) (¥1,740) (∂16,745) 

Research and technology ........................................................................................................................................... 13,000 8,465 8,465 ¥4,535 ............................National infrastructure investments .......................................................................................................................... 500,000 ............................ 550,000 ∂50,000 ∂550,000 National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau ............................................................................ 3,000 3,000 3,000 ............................ ............................Financial management capital .................................................................................................................................. 4,000 3,000 3,000 ¥1,000 ............................Cyber security initiatives ............................................................................................................................................ 15,000 10,000 15,000 ............................ ∂5,000 Office of Civil Rights ................................................................................................................................................. 9,751 9,500 9,500 ¥251 ............................Transportation planning, research, and development ............................................................................................... 12,000 8,500 8,500 ¥3,500 ............................Working Capital Fund ................................................................................................................................................. (190,389) (202,245) (202,245) (∂11,856) ............................Minority Business Resource Center Program ............................................................................................................. 941 500 941 ............................ ∂441 

(Limitation on guaranteed loans) ..................................................................................................................... (18,367) ............................ (18,367) ............................ (∂18,367) 

Small and disadvantaged business utilizaton and outreach / minority business outreach .................................... 4,646 3,999 4,646 ............................ ∂647 Payments to air carriers (Airport & Airway Trust Fund) ........................................................................................... 150,000 ............................ 155,000 ∂5,000 ∂155,000 

Administrative Provisions 

Working Capital Fund (Sec. 104) (reappropriation) .................................................................................................. ............................ 12,000 ............................ ............................ ¥12,000 
165 

Total, Office of the Secretary ....................................................................................................................... 826,338 170,862 870,865 ∂44,527 ∂700,003 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Operations .................................................................................................................................................................. 10,025,852 9,890,886 10,186,000 ∂160,148 ∂295,114 

Air traffic organization ...................................................................................................................................... (7,559,785) (7,491,938) (7,692,032) (∂132,247) (∂200,094) Aviation safety ................................................................................................................................................... (1,298,482) (1,257,981) (1,310,000) (∂11,518) (∂52,019) Commercial space transportation ..................................................................................................................... (19,826) (17,905) (21,587) (∂1,761) (∂3,682) Finance and management ................................................................................................................................ (771,342) (758,192) (777,506) (∂6,164) (∂19,314) NextGen .............................................................................................................................................................. (60,155) (59,041) (60,000) (¥155) (∂959) Security and hazardous materials safety ......................................................................................................... (107,161) (100,961) (112,622) (∂5,461) (∂11,661) Staff offices ....................................................................................................................................................... (209,101) (204,868) (212,253) (∂3,152) (∂7,385) 

Facilities and equipment (Airport & Airway Trust Fund) .......................................................................................... 2,855,000 2,766,200 3,005,000 ∂150,000 ∂238,800 Rescission of unobligated balances .......................................................................................................................... ............................ ¥31,200 ............................ ............................ ∂31,200 Research, engineering, and development (Airport & Airway Trust Fund .................................................................. 176,500 150,000 179,000 ∂2,500 ∂29,000 Grants-in-aid for airports (Airport and Airway Trust Fund)(Liquidation of contract authorization) ........................ (3,750,000) (3,000,000) (3,250,000) (¥500,000) (∂250,000) 

(Limitation on obligations) ................................................................................................................................ (3,350,000) (3,350,000) (3,600,000) (∂250,000) (∂250,000) 

Administration .......................................................................................................................................... (107,691) (111,863) (111,863) (∂4,172) ............................Airport cooperative research program ...................................................................................................... (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ............................ ............................Airport technology research ...................................................................................................................... (31,375) (33,210) (33,210) (∂1,835) ............................Small community air service development program ............................................................................... (10,000) ............................ (10,000) ............................ (∂10,000) 

Total, Federal Aviation Administration ................................................................................................ 13,057,352 12,775,886 13,370,000 ∂312,648 ∂594,114 

Limitations on obligations .............................................................................................................. (3,350,000) (3,350,000) (3,600,000) (∂250,000) (∂250,000) 

Total budgetary resources .......................................................................................................... (16,407,352) (16,125,886) (16,970,000) (∂562,648) (∂844,114) 

Federal Highway Administration 

Limitation on Administrative Expenses ...................................................................................................................... (435,795) (442,692) (442,692) (∂6,897) ............................Federal-aid highways (Highway Trust Fund): 

(Liquidation of contract authorization) ............................................................................................................. (44,005,100) (44,973,212) (44,973,212) (∂968,112) ............................(Limitation on obligations) ................................................................................................................................ (43,266,100) (44,234,212) (44,234,212) (∂968,112) ............................(Exempt contract authority) .............................................................................................................................. (739,000) (739,000) (739,000) ............................ ............................

Spending TIFIA fees .................................................................................................................................................... ............................ 5,000 5,000 ∂5,000 ............................TIFIA receipts .............................................................................................................................................................. ............................ ¥5,000 ¥5,000 ¥5,000 ............................Rescission of contract authority (Highway Trust Fund) ............................................................................................ ¥857,000 ............................ ............................ ∂857,000 ............................

Administrative Provisions 

Sec. 124 ..................................................................................................................................................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................
166 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2017 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2017 appropriation Budget estimate 

Total, Federal Highway Administration ......................................................................................................... ¥857,000 ............................ ............................ ∂857,000 ............................

Limitations on obligations ................................................................................................................... (43,266,100) (44,234,212) (44,234,212) (∂968,112) ............................Exempt contract authority ................................................................................................................... (739,000) (739,000) (739,000) ............................ ............................

Total budgetary resources ............................................................................................................... (43,148,100) (44,973,212) (44,973,212) (∂1,825,112) ............................

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 

Motor carrier safety operations and programs (Highway Trust Fund) (Liquidation of contract authorization) ....... (277,200) (283,000) (283,000) (∂5,800) ............................

(Limitation on obligations) ................................................................................................................................ (277,200) (283,000) (283,000) (∂5,800) ............................Rescission of contract authority (Highway Trust Fund) ................................................................................... ............................ ............................ ¥13,915 ¥13,915 ¥13,915 

Motor carrier safety: 

Rescission of contract authority (Highway Trust Fund) ................................................................................... ............................ ............................ ¥2,930 ¥2,930 ¥2,930 

National Motor Carrier Safety 

Rescission of contract authority (Highway Trust Fund) ................................................................................... ............................ ............................ ¥9,419 ¥9,419 ¥9,419 

Motor carrier safety grants (Highway Trust Fund) (Liquidation of contract authorization) ..................................... (367,000) (374,800) (374,800) (∂7,800) ............................

(Limitation on obligations) ................................................................................................................................ (367,000) (374,800) (461,800) (∂94,800) (∂87,000) Rescission of contract authority (Highway Trust Fund) ................................................................................... ............................ ............................ ¥91,452 ¥91,452 ¥91,452 

Total, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ...................................................................................... ............................ ............................ ¥117,716 ¥117,716 ¥117,716 

Rescissions of contract authority ............................................................................................................ ............................ ............................ (¥117,716) (¥117,716) (¥117,716) 

Limitations on obligations ............................................................................................................................ (644,200) (657,800) (744,800) (∂100,600) (∂87,000) 

Total budgetary resources ........................................................................................................................ (644,200) (657,800) (627,084) (¥17,116) (¥30,716) 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

Operations and research (general fund) ................................................................................................................... 180,075 152,510 162,000 ¥18,075 ∂9,490 Operations and research (Highway Trust Fund) (Liquidation of contract authorization) ......................................... (145,900) (149,000) (149,000) (∂3,100) ............................

(Limitation on obligations) ................................................................................................................................ (145,900) (149,000) (149,000) (∂3,100) ............................

Subtotal, Operations and Research .............................................................................................................. 325,975 301,510 311,000 ¥14,975 ∂9,490 
167 

Highway Traffic Safety Grants (Highway Trust Fund) (Liquidation of contract authorization) ................................ (585,372) (597,629) (597,629) (∂12,257) ............................

(Limitation on obligations) ................................................................................................................................ (585,372) (597,629) (597,629) (∂12,257) ............................

Highway safety programs (23 USC 402) ................................................................................................. (252,300) (261,200) (261,200) (∂8,900) ............................National priority safety programs (23 USC 405) ..................................................................................... (277,500) (280,200) (280,200) (∂2,700) ............................High visibility enforcement ...................................................................................................................... (29,500) (29,900) (29,900) (∂400) ............................Administrative expenses ........................................................................................................................... (26,072) (26,329) (26,329) (∂257) ............................

Total, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ....................................................................... 180,075 152,510 162,000 ¥18,075 ∂9,490 

Limitations on obligations .......................................................................................................... (731,272) (746,629) (746,629) (∂15,357) ............................

Total budgetary resources ................................................................................................. (911,347) (899,139) (908,629) (¥2,718) (∂9,490) 

Federal Railroad Administration 

Safety and operations ................................................................................................................................................ 218,298 199,000 210,000 ¥8,298 ∂11,000 Railroad research and development .......................................................................................................................... 40,100 39,100 40,100 ............................ ∂1,000 Federal State Partnership for State of Good Repair ................................................................................................. 25,000 25,945 26,000 ∂1,000 ∂55 Consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements ....................................................................................... 68,000 25,000 92,547 ∂24,547 ∂67,547 

Restoration and enhancement grants .............................................................................................................. 5,000 ............................ 5,000 ............................ ∂5,000 

Subtotal ......................................................................................................................................................... 356,398 289,045 373,647 ∂17,249 ∂84,602 

National Railroad Passenger Corporation: 

Northeast Corridor Grants ................................................................................................................................. 328,000 235,000 358,400 ∂30,400 ∂123,400 National Network ............................................................................................................................................... 1,167,000 525,000 1,241,600 ∂74,600 ∂716,600 

Subtotal ......................................................................................................................................................... 1,495,000 760,000 1,600,000 ∂105,000 ∂840,000 

Administrative Provisions 

Transportation Technology Center financing (Sec. 151) ........................................................................................... ............................ 100,000 ............................ ............................ ¥100,000 

Total, Federal Railroad Administration ......................................................................................................... 1,851,398 1,149,045 1,973,647 ∂122,249 ∂824,602 

Federal Transit Administration 

Administrative expenses ............................................................................................................................................. 113,165 110,795 113,165 ............................ ∂2,370 Transit formula grants (Hwy Trust Fund, Mass Transit Account (Liquidation of contract authorization) ............... (10,800,000) (10,300,000) (10,300,000) (¥500,000) ............................

(Limitation on obligations) ................................................................................................................................ (9,733,706) (9,733,353) (9,733,353) (¥353) ............................

Technical assistance and training ............................................................................................................................ 5,000 ............................ ............................ ¥5,000 ............................Capital investment grants ......................................................................................................................................... 2,412,631 1,232,000 2,132,910 ¥279,721 ∂900,910 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Capital and Preventive Maintenance ........................................... 150,000 149,715 150,000 ............................ ∂285 
168 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2017 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2017 appropriation Budget estimate 

Total, Federal Transit Administration ........................................................................................................... 2,680,796 1,492,510 2,396,075 ¥284,721 ∂903,565 

Limitations on obligations ................................................................................................................... (9,733,706) (9,733,353) (9,733,353) (¥353) ............................

Total budgetary resources ............................................................................................................... (12,414,502) (11,225,863) (12,129,428) (¥285,074) (∂903,565) 

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation 

Operations and maintenance (Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund) .............................................................................. 36,028 28,346 36,028 ............................ ∂7,682 

Maritime Administration 

Maritime Security Program ......................................................................................................................................... 300,000 210,000 300,000 ............................ ∂90,000 Operations and training ............................................................................................................................................. 175,560 171,820 228,642 ∂53,082 ∂56,822 Assistance to small shipyards ................................................................................................................................... 10,000 ............................ 10,000 ............................ ∂10,000 Ship disposal .............................................................................................................................................................. 34,000 9,000 9,000 ¥25,000 ............................Maritime Guaranteed Loan (Title XI) Program Account: 

Administrative expenses .................................................................................................................................... 3,000 ............................ 30,000 ∂27,000 ∂30,000 

Total, Maritime Administration ..................................................................................................................... 522,560 390,820 577,642 ∂55,082 ∂186,822 

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 

Operational expenses: 

General fund ...................................................................................................................................................... 22,500 20,960 23,000 ∂500 ∂2,040 

Hazardous materials safety: 

General fund ...................................................................................................................................................... 57,000 55,513 59,000 ∂2,000 ∂3,487 

Pipeline Safety: 

Pipeline Safety Fund ......................................................................................................................................... 128,000 124,263 131,000 ∂3,000 ∂6,737 Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund ............................................................................................................................. 20,288 22,081 23,000 ∂2,712 ∂919 Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety Fund ................................................................................... 8,000 8,000 8,000 ............................ ............................
169 

Subtotal ......................................................................................................................................................... 156,288 154,344 162,000 ∂5,712 ∂7,656 Subtotal, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration ............................................................ 235,788 230,817 244,000 ∂8,212 ∂13,183 

Pipeline safety user fees ............................................................................................................................................ ¥128,000 ¥124,263 ¥131,000 ¥3,000 ¥6,737 Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety Fund user fee ............................................................................. ¥8,000 ¥8,000 ¥8,000 ............................ ............................Emergency preparedness grants: 

Limitation on emergency preparedness fund ................................................................................................... (28,318) (28,318) (28,318) ............................ ............................

Total, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration ................................................................. 99,788 98,554 105,000 ∂5,212 ∂6,446 

Office of Inspector General 

Salaries and expenses ............................................................................................................................................... 90,152 87,306 92,100 ∂1,948 ∂4,794 Extending the availability of certain payments (Sec. 186 (1)) ................................................................................. ............................ 2,000 ............................ ............................ ¥2,000 

Total, title I, Department of Transportation ................................................................................................. 18,487,487 16,347,839 19,465,641 ∂978,154 ∂3,117,802 

Appropriations ...................................................................................................................................... (19,344,487) (16,379,039) (19,583,357) (∂238,870) (∂3,204,318) Rescissions .......................................................................................................................................... ............................ (¥31,200) ............................ ............................ (∂31,200) Rescissions of contract authority ........................................................................................................ (¥857,000) ............................ (¥117,716) (∂739,284) (¥117,716) 

Limitations on obligations ............................................................................................................................ (57,725,278) (58,721,994) (59,058,994) (∂1,333,716) (∂337,000) Total budgetary resources ............................................................................................................................ (76,212,765) (75,069,833) (78,524,635) (∂2,311,870) (∂3,454,802) 

TITLE II—DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 

Management and Administration 

Executive Offices ........................................................................................................................................................ 14,000 14,708 15,645 ∂1,645 ∂937 Administration Support Offices .................................................................................................................................. 517,647 517,803 520,190 ∂2,543 ∂2,387 Program Office Salaries and Expenses: 

Public and Indian Housing ............................................................................................................................... 216,000 216,633 222,000 ∂6,000 ∂5,367 Community Planning and Development ............................................................................................................ 110,000 107,554 108,300 ¥1,700 ∂746 Housing .............................................................................................................................................................. 392,000 365,829 383,000 ¥9,000 ∂17,171 Policy Development and Research .................................................................................................................... 24,000 24,065 25,400 ∂1,400 ∂1,335 Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity ................................................................................................................ 72,000 69,808 72,400 ∂400 ∂2,592 Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes .......................................................................................... 9,353 7,600 8,200 ¥1,153 ∂600 

Subtotal ......................................................................................................................................................... 823,353 791,489 819,300 ¥4,053 ∂27,811 Total, Management and Administration ....................................................................................................... 1,355,000 1,324,000 1,355,135 ∂135 ∂31,135 
170 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2017 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2017 appropriation Budget estimate 

Public and Indian Housing 

Tenant-based rental assistance: 

Renewals ........................................................................................................................................................... 18,355,000 17,583,826 19,370,000 ∂1,015,000 ∂1,786,174 Tenant protection vouchers ............................................................................................................................... 110,000 60,000 75,000 ¥35,000 ∂15,000 Administrative fees ........................................................................................................................................... 1,650,000 1,550,000 1,725,000 ∂75,000 ∂175,000 Sec. 811 mainstream voucher renewals ........................................................................................................... 120,000 107,074 130,120 ∂10,120 ∂23,046 Tribal veterans affairs supportive housing renewals ....................................................................................... 7,000 7,000 5,000 ¥2,000 ¥2,000 Veterans affairs supportive housing ................................................................................................................. 40,000 ............................ 40,000 ............................ ∂40,000 Incremental family unification vouchers .......................................................................................................... 10,000 ............................ 20,000 ∂10,000 ∂20,000 PHA Modernization ............................................................................................................................................. ............................ 10,000 ............................ ............................ ¥10,000 

Subtotal (available this fiscal year) ............................................................................................................ 20,292,000 19,317,900 21,365,120 ∂1,073,120 ∂2,047,220 

Advance appropriations ..................................................................................................................................... 4,000,000 4,000,000 4,000,000 ............................ ............................Less appropriations from prior year advances ................................................................................................. ¥4,000,000 ¥4,000,000 ¥4,000,000 ............................ ............................

Total, Tenant-based rental assistance appropriated in this bill ................................................................ 20,292,000 19,317,900 21,365,120 ∂1,073,120 ∂2,047,220 

Public Housing Capital Fund ..................................................................................................................................... 1,941,500 628,000 1,945,000 ∂3,500 ∂1,317,000 Public Housing Operating Fund ................................................................................................................................. 4,400,000 3,900,000 4,500,000 ∂100,000 ∂600,000 Choice neighborhoods ................................................................................................................................................ 137,500 ............................ 50,000 ¥87,500 ∂50,000 Family self-sufficiency ............................................................................................................................................... 75,000 75,000 75,000 ............................ ............................Native American Housing Block Grants ..................................................................................................................... 654,000 600,000 655,000 ∂1,000 ∂55,000 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund Program Account .......................................................................................... 7,227 ............................ 1,000 ¥6,227 ∂1,000 

(Limitation on guaranteed loans) ..................................................................................................................... (1,762,683) ............................ (270,270) (¥1,492,413) (∂270,270) Spending of prior year balances ....................................................................................................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................

Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant ....................................................................................................................... 2,000 ............................ 1,000 ¥1,000 ∂1,000 

Total, Public and Indian Housing ................................................................................................................. 27,509,227 24,520,900 28,592,120 ∂1,082,893 ∂4,071,220 
171 

Community Planning and Development 

Housing opportunities for persons with AIDS ............................................................................................................ 356,000 330,000 330,000 ¥26,000 ............................Community Development Fund: 

CDBG formula .................................................................................................................................................... 3,000,000 ............................ 3,000,000 ............................ ∂3,000,000 Indian CDBG ...................................................................................................................................................... 60,000 ............................ 60,000 ............................ ∂60,000 

Subtotal ......................................................................................................................................................... 3,060,000 ............................ 3,060,000 ............................ ∂3,060,000 

Community development loan guarantees (section 108): 

(Limitation on guaranteed loans) ..................................................................................................................... (300,000) ............................ (300,000) ............................ (∂300,000) 

HOME Investment Partnerships Program ................................................................................................................... 950,000 ............................ 950,000 ............................ ∂950,000 Self-help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program .................................................................................. 54,000 ............................ 54,000 ............................ ∂54,000 Homeless Assistance Grants ...................................................................................................................................... 2,383,000 2,250,000 2,456,000 ∂73,000 ∂206,000 

Total, Community Planning and Development ............................................................................................. 6,803,000 2,580,000 6,850,000 ∂47,000 ∂4,270,000 

Housing Programs 

Rental assistance demonstration .............................................................................................................................. ............................ ............................ 4,000 ∂4,000 ∂4,000 Project-based rental assistance: 

Renewals ........................................................................................................................................................... 10,581,000 10,466,100 11,222,000 ∂641,000 ∂755,900 Contract administrators .................................................................................................................................... 235,000 285,000 285,000 ∂50,000 ............................

Subtotal (available this fiscal year) ............................................................................................................ 10,816,000 10,751,100 11,507,000 ∂691,000 ∂755,900 

Advance appropriations ..................................................................................................................................... 400,000 400,000 400,000 ............................ ............................Less appropriations from prior year advances ................................................................................................. ¥400,000 ¥400,000 ¥400,000 ............................ ............................

Total, Project-based rental assistance appropriated in this bill ................................................................ 10,816,000 10,751,100 11,507,000 ∂691,000 ∂755,900 

Housing for the elderly ............................................................................................................................................... 502,400 510,000 573,000 ∂70,600 ∂63,000 Housing for persons with disabilities ........................................................................................................................ 146,200 121,300 147,000 ∂800 ∂25,700 Housing counseling assistance .................................................................................................................................. 55,000 47,000 47,000 ¥8,000 ............................Rental housing assistance ......................................................................................................................................... 20,000 14,000 14,000 ¥6,000 ............................Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund .................................................................................................................... 10,500 11,000 11,000 ∂500 ............................

Offsetting collections ........................................................................................................................................ ¥10,500 ¥11,000 ¥11,000 ¥500 ............................

Total, Housing Programs .............................................................................................................................. 11,539,600 11,443,400 12,292,000 ∂752,400 ∂848,600 
172 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2017 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2017 appropriation Budget estimate 

Federal Housing Administration 

Mutual Mortgage Insurance Program Account: 

(Limitation on guaranteed loans) ..................................................................................................................... (400,000,000) (400,000,000) (400,000,000) ............................ ............................(Limitation on direct loans) .............................................................................................................................. (5,000) (5,000) (5,000) ............................ ............................Offsetting receipts ............................................................................................................................................. ¥7,437,000 ¥7,392,000 ¥7,392,000 ∂45,000 ............................Proposed offsetting receipts (HECM) ................................................................................................................ ¥97,000 300,000 ............................ ∂97,000 ¥300,000 Additional offsetting receipts (Sec. 238) .......................................................................................................... ............................ ¥30,000 ............................ ............................ ∂30,000 Administrative contract expenses ..................................................................................................................... 130,000 160,000 130,000 ............................ ¥30,000 

General and Special Risk Program Account: 

(Limitation on guaranteed loans) ..................................................................................................................... (30,000,000) (30,000,000) (30,000,000) ............................ ............................(Limitation on direct loans) .............................................................................................................................. (5,000) (5,000) (5,000) ............................ ............................Offsetting receipts ............................................................................................................................................. ¥464,000 ¥619,000 ¥619,000 ¥155,000 ............................

Total, Federal Housing Administration ......................................................................................................... ¥7,868,000 ¥7,581,000 ¥7,881,000 ¥13,000 ¥300,000 

Government National Mortgage Association 

Guarantees of Mortgage-backed Securities Loan Guarantee Program Account: 

(Limitation on guaranteed loans) ..................................................................................................................... (500,000,000) (500,000,000) (500,000,000) ............................ ............................Administrative expenses .................................................................................................................................... 23,000 25,400 24,000 ∂1,000 ¥1,400 Offsetting receipts ............................................................................................................................................. ¥101,000 ¥116,000 ¥116,000 ¥15,000 ............................Offsetting receipts ............................................................................................................................................. ¥1,102,000 ¥1,560,000 ¥1,560,000 ¥458,000 ............................Proposed offsetting receipts (HECM) ................................................................................................................ ¥21,000 60,000 ............................ ∂21,000 ¥60,000 Additional contract expenses ............................................................................................................................ 1,000 1,000 1,000 ............................ ............................

Total, Gov’t National Mortgage Association ................................................................................................. ¥1,200,000 ¥1,589,600 ¥1,651,000 ¥451,000 ¥61,400 

Policy Development and Research 

Research and technology ........................................................................................................................................... 89,000 85,000 85,000 ¥4,000 ............................
173 

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity 

Fair housing activities ............................................................................................................................................... 65,300 65,300 65,300 ............................ ............................

Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes 

Lead hazard reduction ............................................................................................................................................... 145,000 130,000 160,000 ∂15,000 ∂30,000 Information Technology Fund ..................................................................................................................................... 257,000 250,000 250,000 ¥7,000 ............................Office of Inspector General ........................................................................................................................................ 128,082 126,000 126,000 ¥2,082 ............................

Total, title II, Department of Housing and Urban Development .................................................................. 38,823,209 31,354,000 40,243,555 ∂1,420,346 ∂8,889,555 

Appropriations ...................................................................................................................................... (43,655,709) (36,322,000) (45,541,555) (∂1,885,846) (∂9,219,555) Advance appropriations ....................................................................................................................... (4,400,000) (4,400,000) (4,400,000) ............................ ............................Offsetting receipts ............................................................................................................................... (¥9,222,000) (¥9,357,000) (¥9,687,000) (¥465,000) (¥330,000) Offsetting collections ........................................................................................................................... (¥10,500) (¥11,000) (¥11,000) (¥500) ............................

(Limitation on direct loans) .......................................................................................................................... (10,000) (10,000) (10,000) ............................ ............................(Limitation on guaranteed loans) ................................................................................................................. (932,062,683) (930,000,000) (930,570,270) (¥1,492,413) (∂570,270) 

TITLE III—OTHER INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 

Access Board .............................................................................................................................................................. 8,190 7,928 8,190 ............................ ∂262 Federal Maritime Commission .................................................................................................................................... 27,490 26,149 27,490 ............................ ∂1,341 National Railroad Passenger Corporation Office of Inspector General ..................................................................... 23,274 23,274 23,274 ............................ ............................National Transportation Safety Board ........................................................................................................................ 106,000 105,170 110,400 ∂4,400 ∂5,230 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation ................................................................................................................... 140,000 27,400 140,000 ............................ ∂112,600 Surface Transportation Board .................................................................................................................................... 37,000 37,100 37,100 ∂100 ............................

Offsetting collections ........................................................................................................................................ ¥1,250 ¥1,250 ¥1,250 ............................ ............................

Subtotal ......................................................................................................................................................... 35,750 35,850 35,850 ∂100 ............................

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness ................................................................................................ 3,600 570 3,600 ............................ ∂3,030 

Total, title III, Other Independent Agencies ................................................................................................. 344,304 226,341 348,804 ∂4,500 ∂122,463 

TITLE IV—GENERAL PROVISIONS—THIS ACT 

Unobligated balances (Sec. 417) (rescission) ........................................................................................................... ¥4,000 ............................ ............................ ∂4,000 ............................CDBG Disaster Relief (C.R. #2, Public Law 114–254) (emergency) ......................................................................... 393,000 ............................ ............................ ¥393,000 ............................

(Disaster relief category) ................................................................................................................................... 1,461,000 ............................ ............................ ¥1,461,000 ............................

FHWA Emergency Relief (C.R. #2, Public Law 114–254) (emergency) ..................................................................... 1,004,017 ............................ ............................ ¥1,004,017 ............................Emergency Relief Program (Sec 419) (emergency) ................................................................................................... 528,000 ............................ ............................ ¥528,000 ............................
174 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2017 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2017 appropriation Budget estimate 

CDBG Disaster Relief (Sec 420) (emergency) ............................................................................................................ 400,000 ............................ ............................ ¥400,000 ............................

Total, title IV, General Provisions This Act .................................................................................................. 3,782,017 ............................ ............................ ¥3,782,017 ............................

Appropriations ...................................................................................................................................... ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................ ............................Emergency appropriations ................................................................................................................... (2,325,017) ............................ ............................ (¥2,325,017) ............................Disaster relief category ........................................................................................................................ (1,461,000) ............................ ............................ (¥1,461,000) ............................Rescissions .......................................................................................................................................... (¥4,000) ............................ ............................ (∂4,000) ............................

Grand total .................................................................................................................................................... 61,437,017 47,928,180 60,058,000 ¥1,379,017 ∂12,129,820 

Appropriations ...................................................................................................................................... (63,345,750) (52,928,630) (65,474,966) (∂2,129,216) (∂12,546,336) Emergency appropriations ................................................................................................................... (2,325,017) ............................ ............................ (¥2,325,017) ............................Rescissions .......................................................................................................................................... (¥4,000) (¥31,200) ............................ (∂4,000) (∂31,200) Rescissions of contract authority ........................................................................................................ (¥857,000) ............................ (¥117,716) (∂739,284) (¥117,716) Advance appropriations ....................................................................................................................... (4,400,000) (4,400,000) (4,400,000) ............................ ............................Disaster relief category ........................................................................................................................ (1,461,000) ............................ ............................ (¥1,461,000) ............................Offsetting receipts ............................................................................................................................... (¥9,222,000) (¥9,357,000) (¥9,687,000) (¥465,000) (¥330,000) Offsetting collections ........................................................................................................................... (¥11,750) (¥12,250) (¥12,250) (¥500) ............................

(Limitation on obligations) ........................................................................................................................... (57,725,278) (58,721,994) (59,058,994) (∂1,333,716) (∂337,000) 

Total budgetary resources ............................................................................................................... (119,162,295) (106,650,174) (119,116,994) (¥45,301) (∂12,466,820) 

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