PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT 

OF 2015 


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129 STAT. 568 PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

Public Law 114–73 

114th Congress 

An Act 

To provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier 

safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, 

and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Surface 

Transportation Extension Act of 2015’’. 

(b) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS.—The Secretary of Transportation shall reduce the amount apportioned or allocated for a program, project, or activity under this Act in fiscal year 2016 by 

amounts apportioned or allocated pursuant to the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015, 

including the amendments made by that Act, for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015. 

(c) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 

is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; reconciliation of funds; table of contents. 

TITLE I—SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM EXTENSION 

Subtitle A—Federal-Aid Highways 

Sec. 1001. Extension of Federal-aid highway programs. 

Sec. 1002. Administrative expenses. 

Subtitle B—Extension of Highway Safety Programs 

Sec. 1101. Extension of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highway 

safety programs. 

Sec. 1102. Extension of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration programs. 

Sec. 1103. Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. 

Subtitle C—Public Transportation Programs 

Sec. 1201. Formula grants for rural areas. 

Sec. 1202. Apportionment of appropriations for formula grants. 

Sec. 1203. Authorizations for public transportation. 

Sec. 1204. Bus and bus facilities formula grants. 

Subtitle D—Hazardous Materials 

Sec. 1301. Authorization of appropriations. 

Sec. 1302. Ensuring safe implementation of positive train control systems. 

TITLE II—REVENUE PROVISIONS 

Sec. 2001. Extension of Highway Trust Fund expenditure authority. 

Surface 

Transportation 

Extension Act 

of 2015. 

Time periods. 

23 USC 101 note. 

Oct. 29, 2015 

[H.R. 3819] 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 129 STAT. 569 

TITLE I—SURFACE TRANSPORTATION 

PROGRAM EXTENSION 

Subtitle A—Federal-Aid Highways 

SEC. 1001. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAMS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1001(a) of the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 1840) is amended by striking 

‘‘October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘November 20, 2015’’. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 

(1) HIGHWAY TRUST FUND.—Section 1001(b)(1)(B) of the 

Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 

1840) is amended by striking ‘‘for the period beginning on 

October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015, 29⁄366 of 

the total amount’’ and inserting ‘‘for the period beginning on 

October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015, 51⁄366

of the total amount’’. 

(2) GENERAL FUND.—Section 1123(h)(1) of MAP–21 (23 

U.S.C. 202 note) is amended by striking ‘‘and $2,377,049 out 

of the general fund of the Treasury to carry out the program 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $4,180,328 out of the 

general fund of the Treasury to carry out the program for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015’’. 

(c) USE OF FUNDS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1001(c)(1)(B) of the Highway and 

Transportation Funding Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 1840) is 

amended— 

(A) by striking ‘‘October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting 

‘‘November 20, 2015,’’; and 

(B) by striking ‘‘29⁄366’’ and inserting ‘‘51⁄366’’. 

(2) OBLIGATION CEILING.—Section 1102 of MAP–21 (23 

U.S.C. 104 note) is amended— 

(A) by striking subsection (a)(4) and inserting the following: 

‘‘(4) $5,595,839,851 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’; 

(B) in subsection (b)(12) by striking ‘‘, and for the 

period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015, only in an amount equal to $639,000,000, less 

any reductions that would have otherwise been required 

for that year by section 251A of the Balanced Budget 

and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901a), 

then multiplied by 29⁄366 for that period’’ and inserting 

‘‘, and for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on November 20, 2015, only in an amount equal 

to $639,000,000, less any reductions that would have otherwise been required for that year by section 251A of the 

Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 

1985 (2 U.S.C. 901a), then multiplied by 51⁄366 for that 

period’’; 

(C) in subsection (c)— 


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129 STAT. 570 PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 

striking ‘‘October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘November 

20, 2015’’; and 

(ii) in paragraph (2) in the matter preceding 

subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘for the period beginning 

on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015, 

that is equal to 29⁄366 of such unobligated balance’’ 

and inserting ‘‘for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015, that is 

equal to 51⁄366 of such unobligated balance’’; and 

(D) in subsection (f)(1) in the matter preceding 

subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘October 29, 2015’’ and 

inserting ‘‘November 20, 2015’’. 

SEC. 1002. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. 

Section 1002 of the Highway and Transportation Funding Act 

of 2014 (128 Stat. 1842) is amended— 

(1) by striking subsection (a)(2) and inserting the following: 

‘‘(2) $61,311,475 for the period beginning on October 1, 

2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’; and 

(2) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ‘‘and for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015, 

subject to the limitations on administrative expenses under 

the heading ‘Federal Highway Administration’ ’’ and inserting 

‘‘and for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on November 20, 2015, subject to the limitations on administrative expenses for the Federal Highway Administration and 

Appalachian Regional Commission’’. 

Subtitle B—Extension of Highway Safety 

Programs 

SEC. 1101. EXTENSION OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY 

ADMINISTRATION HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS. 

(a) EXTENSION OF PROGRAMS.— 

(1) HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAMS.—Section 31101(a)(1)(D) of 

MAP–21 (126 Stat. 733) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(D) $32,745,902 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(2) HIGHWAY SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—Section 31101(a)(2)(D) of MAP–21 (126 Stat. 733) is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(D) $15,815,574 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(3) NATIONAL PRIORITY SAFETY PROGRAMS.—Section 

31101(a)(3)(D) of MAP–21 (126 Stat. 733) is amended to read 

as follows: 

‘‘(D) $37,901,639 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(4) NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER.—Section 31101(a)(4)(D) of 

MAP–21 (126 Stat. 733) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(D) $696,721 for the period beginning on October 1, 

2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(5) HIGH VISIBILITY ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.— 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 129 STAT. 571 

(A) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 

31101(a)(5)(D) of MAP–21 (126 Stat. 733) is amended to 

read as follows: 

‘‘(D) $4,040,984 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(B) LAW ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGNS.—Section 2009(a) 

of SAFETEA–LU (23 U.S.C. 402 note) is amended— 

(i) in the first sentence by striking ‘‘October 29, 

2015’’ and inserting ‘‘November 20, 2015’’; and 

(ii) in the second sentence by striking ‘‘October 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘November 20, 2015,’’. 

(6) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Section 31101(a)(6)(D) of 

MAP–21 (126 Stat. 733) is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(D) $3,553,279 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(b) COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION.—Section 

403(f)(1) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking 

‘‘and $198,087 of the total amount available for apportionment 

to the States for highway safety programs under section 402(c) 

in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $348,361 of the total amount available 

for apportionment to the States for highway safety programs under 

section 402(c) in the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on November 20, 2015,’’. 

(c) APPLICABILITY OF TITLE 23.—Section 31101(c) of MAP–21 

(126 Stat. 733) is amended by striking ‘‘October 29, 2015,’’ and 

inserting ‘‘November 20, 2015,’’. 

SEC. 1102. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY 

ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS. 

(a) MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY GRANTS.—Section 31104(a)(11) of 

title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(11) $30,377,049 for the period beginning on October 1, 

2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(b) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Section 31104(i)(1)(K) of title 

49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(K) $36,090,164 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(c) GRANT PROGRAMS.— 

(1) COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT

GRANTS.—Section 4101(c)(1) of SAFETEA–LU (119 Stat. 1715) 

is amended by striking ‘‘and $2,377,049 for the period beginning 

on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015’’ and 

inserting ‘‘and $4,180,328 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015’’. 

(2) BORDER ENFORCEMENT GRANTS.—Section 4101(c)(2) of 

SAFETEA–LU (119 Stat. 1715) is amended by striking ‘‘and 

$2,535,519 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $4,459,016 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015’’. 

(3) PERFORMANCE AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION SYSTEM

MANAGEMENT GRANT PROGRAM.—Section 4101(c)(3) of 

SAFETEA–LU (119 Stat. 1715) is amended by striking ‘‘and 

$396,175 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $696,721 for 


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129 STAT. 572 PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015’’. 

(4) COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM.—Section 4101(c)(4) of 

SAFETEA–LU (119 Stat. 1715) is amended by striking ‘‘and 

$1,980,874 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $3,483,607 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015’’. 

(5) SAFETY DATA IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.—Section 4101(c)(5) 

of SAFETEA–LU (119 Stat. 1715) is amended by striking ‘‘and 

$237,705 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $418,033 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015’’. 

(d) HIGH-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES.—Section 31104(k)(2) of title 49, 

United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and up to $1,188,525 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and up to $2,090,164 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015,’’. 

(e) NEW ENTRANT AUDITS.—Section 31144(g)(5)(B) of title 49, 

United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and up to $2,535,519 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and up to $4,459,016 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015,’’. 

(f) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.—Section 4127(e) of SAFETEA– 

LU (119 Stat. 1741) is amended by striking ‘‘and $316,940 to 

the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015,’’ 

and inserting ‘‘and $557,377 to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on November 20, 2015,’’. 

(g) GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS.—Section 4134(c) of SAFETEA–LU (49 U.S.C. 31301 note) 

is amended by striking ‘‘and $79,235 for the period beginning on 

October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting 

‘‘and $139,344 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on November 20, 2015,’’. 

SEC. 1103. DINGELL-JOHNSON SPORT FISH RESTORATION ACT. 

Section 4 of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act 

(16 U.S.C. 777c) is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a) in the matter preceding paragraph 

(1) by striking ‘‘October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘November 

20, 2015’’; and 

(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A) by striking ‘‘October 29, 2015,’’ 

and inserting ‘‘November 20, 2015,’’. 

Subtitle C—Public Transportation 

Programs 

SEC. 1201. FORMULA GRANTS FOR RURAL AREAS. 

Section 5311(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and $396,175 for the 

period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

49 USC 31301 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 129 STAT. 573 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $696,721 for the period beginning 

on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015,’’; and (2) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and $1,980,874 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $3,483,607 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015,’’. 

SEC. 1202. APPORTIONMENT OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FORMULA 

GRANTS. 

Section 5336(h)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 

by striking ‘‘and $2,377,049 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and 

$4,180,328 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on November 20, 2015,’’. 

SEC. 1203. AUTHORIZATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. 

(a) FORMULA GRANTS.—Section 5338(a) of title 49, United States 

Code, is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and $681,024,590 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $1,197,663,934 for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 

2015’’; 

(2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and $10,205,464 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $17,947,541 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and $792,350 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $1,393,443 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘and $353,281,011 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $621,287,295 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on November 20, 2015,’’; (D) in subparagraph (D) by striking ‘‘and $20,466,393 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $35,992,623 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; 

(E) in subparagraph (E)— (i) by striking ‘‘and $48,159,016 for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $84,693,443 for the 

period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; 

(ii) by striking ‘‘and $2,377,049 for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $4,180,328 for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 

20, 2015,’’; and 

(iii) by striking ‘‘and $1,584,699 for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $2,786,885 for the period 


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129 STAT. 574 PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 

20, 2015,’’; 

(F) in subparagraph (F) by striking ‘‘and $237,705 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $418,033 for the 

period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; 

(G) in subparagraph (G) by striking ‘‘and $396,175 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $696,721 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; 

(H) in subparagraph (H) by striking ‘‘and $305,055 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $536,475 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; 

(I) in subparagraph (I) by striking ‘‘and $171,615,027 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $301,805,738 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on November 20, 2015,’’; 

(J) in subparagraph (J) by striking ‘‘and $33,896,721 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $59,611,475 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; and 

(K) in subparagraph (K) by striking ‘‘and $41,669,672 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $73,281,148 for 

the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’. 

(b) RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT PROJECTS.—Section 5338(b) of title 49, United States Code, 

is amended by striking ‘‘and $5,546,448 for the period beginning 

on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015’’ and inserting 

‘‘and $9,754,098 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and 

ending on November 20, 2015’’. 

(c) TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM.—Section 5338(c) 

of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and 

$554,645 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 

on October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $975,410 for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015’’. 

(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT.— 

Section 5338(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 

striking ‘‘and $554,645 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, 

and ending on October 29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $975,410 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015’’. 

(e) HUMAN RESOURCES AND TRAINING.—Section 5338(e) of title 

49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and $396,175 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $696,721 for the period beginning 

on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015’’. 

(f) CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS.—Section 5338(g) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and $151,101,093 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 129 STAT. 575 

29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $265,729,508 for the period beginning 

on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015’’. 

(g) ADMINISTRATION.—Section 5338(h) of title 49, United States 

Code, is amended— 

(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘and $8,240,437 for the 

period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 

29, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘and $14,491,803 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015’’; 

(2) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘and not less than $396,175 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and not less than $696,721 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’; and 

(3) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘and not less than $79,235 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and not less than $139,344 

for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on 

November 20, 2015,’’. 

SEC. 1204. BUS AND BUS FACILITIES FORMULA GRANTS. 

Section 5339(d)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘and $5,189,891 for the period beginning 

on October 1, 2015, and ending on October 29, 2015,’’ and 

inserting ‘‘and $9,127,049 for the period beginning on October 

1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015,’’; 

(2) by striking ‘‘$99,044 for such period’’ and inserting 

‘‘$174,180 for such period’’; and (3) by striking ‘‘$39,617 for such period’’ and inserting ‘‘$69,672 for such period’’. 

Subtitle D—Hazardous Materials 

SEC. 1301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5128(a)(4) of title 49, United States 

Code, is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘(4) $5,958,639 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, 

and ending on November 20, 2015.’’. 

(b) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUND.— Section 5128(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended 

to read as follows: 

‘‘(2) FISCAL YEAR 2016.—From the Hazardous Materials 

Emergency Preparedness Fund established under section 

5116(i), the Secretary may expend for the period beginning 

on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015— ‘‘(A) $26,197 to carry out section 5115; 

‘‘(B) $3,037,705 to carry out subsections (a) and (b) 

of section 5116, of which not less than $1,902,049 shall 

be available to carry out section 5116(b); 

‘‘(C) $20,902 to carry out section 5116(f); 

‘‘(D) $87,090 to publish and distribute the Emergency 

Response Guidebook under section 5116(i)(3); and 

‘‘(E) $139,344 to carry out section 5116(j).’’. 

(c) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINING GRANTS.—Section 5128(c) 

of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘and 

$316,940 for the period beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending 


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129 STAT. 576 PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

on October 29, 2015,’’ and inserting ‘‘and $557,377 for the period 

beginning on October 1, 2015, and ending on November 20, 2015,’’. 

SEC. 1302. ENSURING SAFE IMPLEMENTATION OF POSITIVE TRAIN 

CONTROL SYSTEMS. 

(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Positive 

Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015’’. 

(b) IN GENERAL.—Section 20157 of title 49, United States Code, 

is amended— 

(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘18 months after the date of enactment 

of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008’’ and inserting 

‘‘90 days after the date of enactment of the Positive Train 

Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015’’; 

(B) by striking ‘‘develop and’’; 

(C) by striking ‘‘a plan for implementing’’ and inserting 

‘‘a revised plan for implementing’’; 

(D) by striking ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ and inserting 

‘‘December 31, 2018’’; and 

(E) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘parts’’ and 

inserting ‘‘sections’’; 

(2) by striking subsection (a)(2) and inserting the following: 

‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION.— 

‘‘(A) CONTENTS OF REVISED PLAN.—A revised plan 

required under paragraph (1) shall— 

‘‘(i) describe— 

‘‘(I) how the positive train control system will 

provide for interoperability of the system with the 

movements of trains of other railroad carriers over 

its lines; and 

‘‘(II) how, to the extent practical, the positive 

train control system will be implemented in a 

manner that addresses areas of greater risk before 

areas of lesser risk; 

‘‘(ii) comply with the positive train control system 

implementation plan content requirements under section 236.1011 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations; 

and 

‘‘(iii) provide— 

‘‘(I) the calendar year or years in which spectrum will be acquired and will be available for 

use in each area as needed for positive train control 

system implementation, if such spectrum is not 

already acquired and available for use; 

‘‘(II) the total amount of positive train control 

system hardware that will be installed for 

implementation, with totals separated by each 

major hardware category; 

‘‘(III) the total amount of positive train control 

system hardware that will be installed by the end 

of each calendar year until the positive train control system is implemented, with totals separated 

by each hardware category; 

‘‘(IV) the total number of employees required 

to receive training under the applicable positive 

train control system regulations; 

Deadline. 

Positive Train 

Control 

Enforcement and 

Implementation 

Act of 2015. 

49 USC 20101 

note. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 129 STAT. 577 

‘‘(V) the total number of employees that will 

receive the training, as required under the 

applicable positive train control system regulations, by the end of each calendar year until the 

positive train control system is implemented; 

‘‘(VI) a summary of any remaining technical, 

programmatic, operational, or other challenges to 

the implementation of a positive train control 

system, including challenges with— 

‘‘(aa) availability of public funding; 

‘‘(bb) interoperability; 

‘‘(cc) spectrum; 

‘‘(dd) software; 

‘‘(ee) permitting; and 

‘‘(ff) testing, demonstration, and certification; and 

‘‘(VII) a schedule and sequence for implementing a positive train control system by the 

deadline established under paragraph (1). 

‘‘(B) ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULE AND SEQUENCE.—Notwithstanding the implementation deadline under paragraph (1) 

and in lieu of a schedule and sequence under paragraph 

(2)(A)(iii)(VII), a railroad carrier or other entity subject 

to paragraph (1) may include in its revised plan an alternative schedule and sequence for implementing a positive 

train control system, subject to review under paragraph 

(3). Such schedule and sequence shall provide for 

implementation of a positive train control system as soon 

as practicable, but not later than the date that is 24 months 

after the implementation deadline under paragraph (1). 

‘‘(C) AMENDMENTS.—A railroad carrier or other entity 

subject to paragraph (1) may file a request to amend a 

revised plan, including any alternative schedule and 

sequence, as applicable, in accordance with section 

236.1021 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 

‘‘(D) COMPLIANCE.—A railroad carrier or other entity 

subject to paragraph (1) shall implement a positive train 

control system in accordance with its revised plan, 

including any amendments or any alternative schedule and 

sequence approved by the Secretary under paragraph (3). 

‘‘(3) SECRETARIAL REVIEW.— 

‘‘(A) NOTIFICATION.—A railroad carrier or other entity 

that submits a revised plan under paragraph (1) and proposes an alternative schedule and sequence under paragraph (2)(B) shall submit to the Secretary a written 

notification when such railroad carrier or other entity is 

prepared for review under subparagraph (B). 

‘‘(B) CRITERIA.—Not later than 90 days after a railroad 

carrier or other entity submits a notification under 

subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall review the alternative schedule and sequence submitted pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) and determine whether the railroad carrier 

or other entity has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of 

the Secretary, that such carrier or entity has— 

Deadline. 

Review. 

Determination. 

Deadline. 


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129 STAT. 578 PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

‘‘(i) installed all positive train control system hardware consistent with the plan contents provided pursuant to paragraph (2)(A)(iii)(II) on or before the 

implementation deadline under paragraph (1); 

‘‘(ii) acquired all spectrum necessary for 

implementation of a positive train control system, consistent with the plan contents provided pursuant to 

paragraph (2)(A)(iii)(I) on or before the implementation 

deadline under paragraph (1); 

‘‘(iii) completed employee training required under 

the applicable positive train control system regulations; 

‘‘(iv) included in its revised plan an alternative 

schedule and sequence for implementing a positive 

train control system as soon as practicable, pursuant 

to paragraph (2)(B); 

‘‘(v) certified to the Secretary in writing that it 

will be in full compliance with the requirements of 

this section on or before the date provided in an alternative schedule and sequence, subject to approval by 

the Secretary; 

‘‘(vi) in the case of a Class I railroad carrier and 

Amtrak, implemented a positive train control system 

or initiated revenue service demonstration on the 

majority of territories, such as subdivisions or districts, 

or route miles that are owned or controlled by such 

carrier and required to have operations governed by 

a positive train control system; and 

‘‘(vii) in the case of any other railroad carrier or 

other entity not subject to clause (vi)— 

‘‘(I) initiated revenue service demonstration on 

at least 1 territory that is required to have operations governed by a positive train control system; 

or 

‘‘(II) met any other criteria established by the 

Secretary. 

‘‘(C) DECISION.— 

‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 

the receipt of the notification from a railroad carrier 

or other entity under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 

shall— 

‘‘(I) approve an alternative schedule and 

sequence submitted pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) 

if the railroad carrier or other entity meets the 

criteria in subparagraph (B); and 

‘‘(II) notify in writing the railroad carrier or 

other entity of the decision. 

‘‘(ii) DEFICIENCIES.—Not later than 45 days after 

the receipt of the notification under subparagraph (A), 

the Secretary shall provide to the railroad carrier or 

other entity a written notification of any deficiencies 

that would prevent approval under clause (i) and provide the railroad carrier or other entity an opportunity 

to correct deficiencies before the date specified in such 

clause. 

‘‘(D) REVISED DEADLINES.— 

Deadline. 

Notification. 

Notification. 

Deadline. 

Certification. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 129 STAT. 579 

‘‘(i) PENDING REVIEWS.—For a railroad carrier or 

other entity that submits a notification under subparagraph (A), the deadline for implementation of a positive 

train control system required under paragraph (1) shall 

be extended until the date on which the Secretary 

approves or disapproves the alternative schedule and 

sequence, if such date is later than the implementation 

date under paragraph (1). 

‘‘(ii) ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULE AND SEQUENCE DEAD- LINE.—If the Secretary approves a railroad carrier or 

other entity’s alternative schedule and sequence under 

subparagraph (C)(i), the railroad carrier or other 

entity’s deadline for implementation of a positive train 

control system required under paragraph (1) shall be 

the date specified in that railroad carrier or other 

entity’s alternative schedule and sequence. The Secretary may not approve a date for implementation 

that is later than 24 months from the deadline in 

paragraph (1).’’; 

(3) by striking subsections (c), (d), and (e) and inserting 

the following: 

‘‘(c) PROGRESS REPORTS AND REVIEW.— 

‘‘(1) PROGRESS REPORTS.—Each railroad carrier or other 

entity subject to subsection (a) shall, not later than March 

31, 2016, and annually thereafter until such carrier or entity 

has completed implementation of a positive train control 

system, submit to the Secretary a report on the progress toward 

implementing such systems, including— 

‘‘(A) the information on spectrum acquisition provided 

pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A)(iii)(I); 

‘‘(B) the totals provided pursuant to subclauses (III) 

and (V) of subsection (a)(2)(A)(iii), by territory, if applicable; 

‘‘(C) the extent to which the railroad carrier or other 

entity is complying with the implementation schedule 

under subsection (a)(2)(A)(iii)(VII) or subsection (a)(2)(B); 

‘‘(D) any update to the information provided under 

subsection (a)(2)(A)(iii)(VI); 

‘‘(E) for each entity providing regularly scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation, a description of the resources identified and allocated to implement 

a positive train control system; 

‘‘(F) for each railroad carrier or other entity subject 

to subsection (a), the total number of route miles on which 

a positive train control system has been initiated for revenue service demonstration or implemented, as compared 

to the total number of route miles required to have a 

positive train control system under subsection (a); and 

‘‘(G) any other information requested by the Secretary. 

‘‘(2) PLAN REVIEW.—The Secretary shall at least annually 

conduct reviews to ensure that railroad carriers or other entities 

are complying with the revised plan submitted under subsection 

(a), including any amendments or any alternative schedule 

and sequence approved by the Secretary. Such railroad carriers 

or other entities shall provide such information as the Secretary 

determines necessary to adequately conduct such reviews. 

‘‘(3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Not later than 60 days after 

receipt, the Secretary shall make available to the public on 

Web site. 


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129 STAT. 580 PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

the Internet Web site of the Department of Transportation 

any report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) or subsection 

(d), but may exclude, as the Secretary determines appropriate— 

‘‘(A) proprietary information; and 

‘‘(B) security-sensitive information, including information described in section 1520.5(a) of title 49, Code of 

Federal Regulations. 

‘‘(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than July 1, 2018, the 

Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee 

on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report 

on the progress of each railroad carrier or other entity subject 

to subsection (a) in implementing a positive train control system. 

‘‘(e) ENFORCEMENT.—The Secretary is authorized to assess civil 

penalties pursuant to chapter 213 for— 

‘‘(1) a violation of this section; 

‘‘(2) the failure to submit or comply with the revised plan 

required under subsection (a), including the failure to comply 

with the totals provided pursuant to subclauses (III) and (V) 

of subsection (a)(2)(A)(iii) and the spectrum acquisition dates 

provided pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A)(iii)(I); 

‘‘(3) failure to comply with any amendments to such revised 

plan pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(C); and 

‘‘(4) the failure to comply with an alternative schedule 

and sequence submitted under subsection (a)(2)(B) and 

approved by the Secretary under subsection (a)(3)(C).’’; 

(4) in subsection (h)— 

(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the following: 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 

(B) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(2) PROVISIONAL OPERATION.—Notwithstanding the 

requirements of paragraph (1), the Secretary may authorize 

a railroad carrier or other entity to commence operation in 

revenue service of a positive train control system or component 

to the extent necessary to enable the safe implementation and 

operation of a positive train control system in phases.’’; 

(5) in subsection (i)— 

(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 

paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and 

(B) by inserting before paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) the following: 

‘‘(1) EQUIVALENT OR GREATER LEVEL OF SAFETY.—The term 

‘equivalent or greater level of safety’ means the compliance 

of a railroad carrier with— 

‘‘(A) appropriate operating rules in place immediately 

prior to the use or implementation of such carrier’s positive 

train control system, except that such rules may be changed 

by such carrier to improve safe operations; and 

‘‘(B) all applicable safety regulations, except as specified in subsection (j). 

‘‘(2) HARDWARE.—The term ‘hardware’ means a locomotive 

apparatus, a wayside interface unit (including any associated 

legacy signal system replacements), switch position monitors 

needed for a positive train control system, physical back office 

system equipment, a base station radio, a wayside radio, a 

locomotive radio, or a communication tower or pole.’’; and 

Definitions. 

Assessment. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 129 STAT. 581 

(6) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(j) EARLY ADOPTION.— ‘‘(1) OPERATIONS.—From the date of enactment of the Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 

2015 through the 1-year period beginning on the date on which 

the last Class I railroad carrier’s positive train control system 

subject to subsection (a) is certified by the Secretary under 

subsection (h)(1) of this section and is implemented on all 

of that railroad carrier’s lines required to have operations governed by a positive train control system, any railroad carrier, 

including any railroad carrier that has its positive train control 

system certified by the Secretary, shall not be subject to the 

operational restrictions set forth in sections 236.567 and 

236.1029 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, that would 

apply where a controlling locomotive that is operating in, or 

is to be operated in, a positive train control-equipped track 

segment experiences a positive train control system failure, 

a positive train control operated consist is not provided by 

another railroad carrier when provided in interchange, or a 

positive train control system otherwise fails to initialize, cuts 

out, or malfunctions, provided that such carrier operates at 

an equivalent or greater level of safety than the level achieved 

immediately prior to the use or implementation of its positive 

train control system. 

‘‘(2) SAFETY ASSURANCE.—During the period described in 

paragraph (1), if a positive train control system that has been 

certified and implemented fails to initialize, cuts out, or malfunctions, the affected railroad carrier or other entity shall 

make reasonable efforts to determine the cause of the failure 

and adjust, repair, or replace any faulty component causing 

the system failure in a timely manner. 

‘‘(3) PLANS.—The positive train control safety plan for each 

railroad carrier or other entity shall describe the safety measures, such as operating rules and actions to comply with 

applicable safety regulations, that will be put in place during 

any system failure. 

‘‘(4) NOTIFICATION.—During the period described in paragraph (1), if a positive train control system that has been 

certified and implemented fails to initialize, cuts out, or malfunctions, the affected railroad carrier or other entity shall 

submit a notification to the appropriate regional office of the 

Federal Railroad Administration within 7 days of the system 

failure, or under alternative location and deadline requirements 

set by the Secretary, and include in the notification a description of the safety measures the affected railroad carrier or 

other entity has in place. 

‘‘(k) SMALL RAILROADS.—Not later than 120 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall amend section 

236.1006(b)(4)(iii)(B) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations 

(relating to equipping locomotives for applicable Class II and Class 

III railroads operating in positive train control territory) to extend 

each deadline under such section by 3 years. 

‘‘(l) REVENUE SERVICE DEMONSTRATION.—When a railroad carrier or other entity subject to (a)(1) notifies the Secretary it is 

prepared to initiate revenue service demonstration, it shall also 

notify any applicable tenant railroad carrier or other entity subject 

to subsection (a)(1).’’. 

Notification. 

Deadline. 

Deadline. 

Determination. 

Certification. 


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129 STAT. 582 PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 

(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 20157(g), is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the following: 

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(2) CONFORMING REGULATORY AMENDMENTS.—Immediately 

after the date of the enactment of the Positive Train Control 

Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015, the Secretary— 

‘‘(A) shall remove or revise the date-specific deadlines 

in the regulations or orders implementing this section to 

the extent necessary to conform with the amendments 

made by such Act; and 

‘‘(B) may not enforce any such date-specific deadlines 

or requirements that are inconsistent with the amendments 

made by such Act. 

‘‘(3) REVIEW.—Nothing in the Positive Train Control 

Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015, or the amendments made by such Act, shall be construed to require the 

Secretary to issue regulations to implement such Act or amendments other than the regulatory amendments required by paragraph (2) and subsection (k).’’. 

TITLE II—REVENUE PROVISIONS 

SEC. 2001. EXTENSION OF HIGHWAY TRUST FUND EXPENDITURE 

AUTHORITY. 

(a) HIGHWAY TRUST FUND.—Section 9503 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘October 30, 2015’’ in subsections (b)(6)(B), 

(c)(1), and (e)(3) and inserting ‘‘November 21, 2015’’, and 

(2) by striking ‘‘Surface Transportation and Veterans 

Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015’’ in subsections 

(c)(1) and (e)(3) and inserting ‘‘Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015’’. 

(b) SPORT FISH RESTORATION AND BOATING TRUST FUND.— 

Section 9504 of such Code is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘Surface Transportation and Veterans 

Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015’’ each place it 

appears in subsection (b)(2) and inserting ‘‘Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015’’, and 

(2) by striking ‘‘October 30, 2015’’ in subsection (d)(2) and 

inserting ‘‘November 21, 2015’’. 

26 USC 9503. 

Deadlines. 

49 USC 20157. 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–73—OCT. 29, 2015 129 STAT. 583 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3819 (S. 1350): 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015): 

Oct. 27, considered and passed House. 

Oct. 28, considered and passed Senate. 

Æ 

(c) LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND.—Section 9508(e)(2) of such Code is amended by striking ‘‘October 30, 

2015’’ and inserting ‘‘November 21, 2015’’. 

Approved October 29, 2015. 

26 USC 9508. 


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