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[Senate Report 114-243]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                     Calendar No. 433
114th Congress     {                           }             Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session        {                           }              114-243

======================================================================

 
TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                       APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2017
                                _______
                                

                 April 21, 2016.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Ms. Collins, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the 
                               following

                                 REPORT

                         [To accompany S. 2844]

    The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 2844) 
making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes, 
reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.

Amounts of new budget (obligational) authority for fiscal year 2017

Total of bill as reported to the Senate................. $56,474,000,000
Amount of 2016 appropriations...........................  57,600,707,000
Amount of 2017 budget estimate\1\.......................  51,992,343,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
     2016 appropriations................................  -1,126,707,000
    2017 budget estimate................................  +4,481,657,000

\1\The budget estimate proposed shifting $7,415,017,000 in discretionary 
surface transportation programs to mandatory funding from the 
Transportation Trust Fund. The Committee recommendation does not 
reclassify the funding for these programs. For proper comparison, the 
2017 budget estimate should include the additional $7,415,017,000.




                            C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page
Overview and Summary of the Bill.................................     3
Program, Project, and Activity...................................     4
Reprogramming Guidelines.........................................     4
Congressional Budget Justifications..............................     5
Guidance Documents...............................................     6
Transparency Requirement.........................................     6
Title I: Department of Transportation:
    Office of the Secretary......................................     8
    Federal Aviation Administration..............................    24
    Federal Highway Administration...............................    43
    Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration..................    50
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration...............    54
    Federal Railroad Administration..............................    59
    Federal Transit Administration...............................    66
    Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation................    73
    Maritime Administration......................................    74
    Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.......    79
    Office of Inspector General..................................    81
    General Provisions--Department of Transportation.............    82
Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development:
    Management and Administration................................    84
    Administrative Support Offices...............................    88
    Program Offices Salaries and Expenses........................    89
    Public and Indian Housing....................................    95
    Community Planning and Development...........................   112
    Housing Programs.............................................   119
    Federal Housing Administration...............................   125
    Government National Mortgage Association.....................   126
    Policy Development and Research..............................   127
    Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity...........................   128
    Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes..............   130
    Information Technology Fund..................................   131
    Office of Inspector General..................................   134
    General Provisions--Department of Housing and Urban 
      Development................................................   134
Title III: Independent Agencies:
    Access Board.................................................   138
    Federal Maritime Commission..................................   139
    National Railroad Passenger Corporation: Office of Inspector 
      General....................................................   139
    National Transportation Safety Board.........................   140
    Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation........................   141
    Surface Transportation Board.................................   142
    United States Interagency Council on Homelessness............   143
Title IV: General Provisions--This Act...........................   147
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI, of the Standing Rules of 
  the Senate.....................................................   148
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI, of the Standing Rules 
  of the Senate..................................................   149
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the Senate.....................................................   149
Budgetary Impact of Bill.........................................   166
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................   167

                    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, and airport infrastructure; the operation of the 
Nation's air traffic control system; housing assistance for 
those in need, including the homeless, elderly, and disabled; 
resources to support community planning and development; 
activities to improve road, rail, and pipeline safety; and a 
wide range of research efforts.
    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 strong 
and economically competitive Nation. The ability to fulfill 
these responsibilities and make important investments is made 
challenging by pressure on available levels of discretionary 
spending as a consequence of the overall public debate on 
Federal spending, revenues, and the size of the Federal debt.
    This bill makes the operation of the interstate highway 
system possible, as well as the world's safest air 
transportation system. 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, individuals and families. 
This bill also includes funding for competitive grants to 
communities to support transportation infrastructure projects 
of national or regional importance.
    In the context of overall pressures on spending and the 
competing priorities that the Committee faces, this bill, as 
reported, provides the proper amount of emphasis on 
transportation, housing, community development, and other 
programs and activities funded within it. It is consistent with 
the subcommittee's allocation for fiscal year 2017. All 
accounts in the bill have been closely examined to ensure that 
an appropriate level of funding is provided to carry out the 
programs of DOT, HUD, and related agencies. Details on each of 
the accounts, the funding level, and the Committee's 
justifications for the funding levels are included in the 
report.

                     PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY

    During fiscal year 2017, 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 appropriations) or 
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 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 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 that vital 
budget information that the Committee needs is not lost. 
Therefore, the Committee directs that justifications submitted 
with the fiscal year 2018 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 2018 to the fiscal year 2017 
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 the 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 
2018 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.

                           GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS

    The Committee is increasingly 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 Government 
Accountability Office found that if an agency periodically 
reviews its guidance it can significantly reduce unnecessary 
guidance. For example, after a sub-agency 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.

                                TITLE I

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

    The Committee regularly receives technical assistance from 
the Department in order to ensure that Appropriations bills are 
implemented as intended by Congress. 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. 
Additionally, the Department provided inaccurate technical 
assistance to the Committee, inconsistent with the intent of 
Congress, which could lead to devastating impacts on the 
commercial motor vehicle industry and increase costs to 
consumers all while knowing the intent of Congress was not the 
case. 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.

                        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 Chief Information Officer. OST also includes the 
Department's Office of Civil Rights and the Department's 
Working Capital Fund.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $108,750,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     114,396,000
Committee recommendation................................     116,396,000

                          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 $116,396,000 for 
salaries and expenses of OST, including $60,000 for reception 
and representation expenses. The recommendation is $2,000,000 
more than the budget request and $7,646,000 more than the 
fiscal year 2016 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 
request to merge the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization with Minority Business Outreach is approved and 
these functions are now consolidated into the new Office of 
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and Outreach.
    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.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendation in comparison to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and the budget request:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Fiscal year--
                                                           ------------------------------------     Committee
                                                              2016 enacted      2017 estimate    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary...................................        $2,734,000        $2,758,000        $2,758,000
Office of the Deputy Secretary............................         1,025,000         1,040,000         1,040,000
Office of the General Counsel.............................        20,609,000        20,772,000        20,772,000
Office of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy         9,941,000        11,108,000        11,108,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs.        13,697,000        14,020,000        16,020,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs         2,546,000         2,569,000         2,569,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration......        25,925,000        30,054,000        30,054,000
Office of Public Affairs..................................         2,029,000         2,142,000         2,142,000
Office of the Executive Secretariat.......................         1,737,000         1,760,000         1,760,000
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization....         1,434,000  ................  ................
Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response..        10,793,000        11,089,000        11,089,000
Office of the Chief Information Officer...................        16,280,000        17,084,000        17,084,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total...............................................       108,750,000       114,396,000       116,396,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   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 $2,758,000 for fiscal year 2017 
for the Immediate Office of the Secretary. The recommendation 
is equal to the budget request and $24,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level.
    Mobile Wireless Devices.--On February 24, 2014, the 
Department published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(Docket No. DOT-OST-2014-0002) regarding the use of mobile 
wireless devices for voice calls on commercial aircraft. The 
approval of voice communication over mobile wireless devices 
during commercial airline flights would be problematic for many 
of the nearly 2 million Americans who fly each day and 
challenging for the airlines. The Committee is strongly 
concerned with the duration of this rulemaking process and 
directs the Department to complete its rulemaking expeditiously 
and put in place a clear rule that takes into account the full 
impact on consumers and the commercial aviation industry.
    Puget Sound.--The Committee commends FTA's Region 10 and 
the FHWA's Washington Division for signing the Puget Sound 
Federal Caucus Memorandum of Understanding in 2014. The 
recovery and cleanup of Puget Sound is essential to the 
regional economy and continued coordination and sharing of 
expertise among Federal partners is critical to furthering 
current efforts. The Committee directs the DOT agencies that 
are party to the Memorandum to work with their counterparts in 
the Puget Sound Federal Caucus to renew and strengthen the MOU 
prior to its expiration on March 27, 2017.

                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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $1,040,000 for the Immediate 
Office of the Deputy Secretary, which is equal to the budget 
request and $15,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 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 $20,772,000 for expenses of the 
Office of the General Counsel for fiscal year 2017. The 
recommended funding level is equal to the budget request and 
$163,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.

       OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION FOR POLICY

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The Under Secretary for Policy is the chief policy officer 
of the Department and is responsible to the Secretary 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, 
computerized reservation systems, and special investigations, 
such as airline delays.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $11,108,000 for the Office of the 
Under Secretary for Policy. The recommended funding level is 
equal to the budget request and $1,167,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level. The request to fund a new Office of 
Safety Oversight is denied. Instead, funding is provided 
directly to the operating modes to address critical safety 
needs.

       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 $16,020,000 for the Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs. The recommended 
level is $2,000,000 more than the budget request and $2,323,000 
more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The Committee 
recommendation includes not less than $2,000,000 to assist the 
Department in complying with the Digital Accountability and 
Transparency Act. The amount provided is $2,000,000 less than 
the budget request, which was requested as a separate 
appropriation.

       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 $2,569,000 for the 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs. The 
recommended level is equal to the budget request and $23,000 
more than the fiscal year 2016 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 $30,054,000 for the Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Administration. The recommended funding 
level is equal to the budget request and $4,129,000 more than 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.

                        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 transportation-related 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 budget request and 
$113,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 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 budget request 
and $23,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.

         OFFICE OF SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
has primary responsibility for providing policy direction for 
small and disadvantaged business participation in the 
Department's procurement and grant programs, and effective 
execution of the functions and duties under sections 8 and 15 
of the Small Business Act, as amended.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation is consistent with the budget 
request for the Office to merge with Minority Business Outreach 
into the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
and Outreach.

        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 his 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 in 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, 7 days a week, and is the 
Department's focal point during emergencies.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $11,089,000 for the Office of 
Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response. The 
recommendation is equal to the budget request and $296,000 more 
than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.

                OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The Office of the Chief Information Officer [OCIO] serves 
as the principal adviser to the Secretary on matters involving 
information technology, cybersecurity, privacy, and records 
management.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $17,084,000 for the Office of the 
Chief Information Officer, which is equal to the budget request 
and $804,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.

                        RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $13,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      18,007,000
Committee recommendation................................      13,044,000

                          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; coordinating and developing positioning, 
navigation and timing [PNT] technology; maintaining PNT policy, 
coordination and spectrum management; implementing the civil 
signal performance monitoring requirements in the Global 
Positioning Systems NextGen Operational Control System in 
collaboration with the Air Force; 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 $13,044,000 
for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and 
Technology. This amount is $4,963,000 less than the budget 
request and $44,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendation in comparison to the budget request and the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Fiscal year--
                                                           ------------------------------------     Committee
                                                              2016 enacted      2017 estimate    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salaries and Administrative Expenses......................        $4,782,000        $5,389,409        $4,826,000
Research, Development and Technology Coordination.........           509,000           509,000           509,000
Alternative Energy Research and Development...............           499,000           499,000           499,000
Positioning, Navigation and Timing........................         1,610,000         1,610,000         1,610,000
Civil Signal Monitoring--Air Force--GPS...................  ................        10,000,000         5,600,000
Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System.........         5,600,000  ................  ................
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total...............................................        13,000,000        18,007,409        13,044,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    University Transportation Centers.--The Committee continues 
to support University Transportation Centers, which is 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.
    Small Business Innovation Research.--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of the Small Business Innovation 
Research [SBIR] 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 
urges the Department to place an increased focus on awarding 
SBIR awards to firms with fewer than 50 people. In addition, 
the Committee encourages the Department to take steps to ensure 
SBIR spending levels meet or exceed statutory requirements.
    Technology Solutions.--The Committee encourages the 
Department of Transportation to review and test nano-technology 
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.
    Autonomous Vehicles.--The Committee recognizes the rapid 
pace at which autonomous vehicle technology is developing, and 
is interested in validating the safety of the new technology. 
To help facilitate the deployment and safety testing of 
autonomous vehicles, the Committee encourages the Secretary to 
solicit applications under the Advanced Transportation and 
Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Program for 
autonomous vehicle projects to test the feasibility of 
deployment through geographically contained ridesharing pilot 
programs. In reviewing applications, the Secretary should 
consider the extent to which applicants propose to include the 
gathering and sharing of critical safety data with the 
government and the extent to which applicants propose to test 
the benefits of the technology with groups that might otherwise 
have limited transportation options, such as older Americans 
who no longer drive or those with disabilities or no driver's 
license.

                  NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $500,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017\1\................................   1,250,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     525,000,000

\1\Requested as mandatory funding from the transportation trust fund.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation includes $525,000,000 for 
grants and credit assistance for investment in significant 
transportation projects, which is $25,000,000 more than the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The request shifts this program 
to mandatory spending. The Committee, however, does not expect 
the enactment of legislation that funds this program on the 
mandatory side of the budget, and therefore provides its 
funding recommendation in order to continue investment in these 
important transportation projects. The recommendation does not 
include funding for the 21st century clean transportation 
investments plan.
    Planning Activities.--The Committee recommendation allows 
up to $25,000,000 to be used for the planning, preparation, or 
design of projects eligible for funding under this heading.
    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, 
existing terminal capacity, and potential economic benefits of 
improvements to, or expansion of, ports.

     NATIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND INNOVATIVE FINANCE BUREAU

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      $3,000,000
Committee Recommendation................................       3,000,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance 
Bureau will administer and coordinate or consolidate aspects of 
the U.S. Department of Transportation's existing surface 
transportation innovative finance programs as authorized in 
section 9001 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation 
[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 National Surface Transportation and 
Innovative Finance Bureau, as authorized in section 9001 of the 
FAST Act, which is equal to the budget request and $3,000,000 
above fiscal year 2016 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, 2016....................................      $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       4,000,000
Committee recommendation................................       4,000,000

                          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 $4,000,000 to complete the 
Secretary's Financial Management Capital initiative, which is 
equal to the budget request and $1,000,000 less than fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level.

                       CYBER SECURITY INITIATIVE

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $8,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      15,000,000
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 improvements 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 
equal to the budget request and $7,000,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level.

                         OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $9,678,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       9,751,000
Committee recommendation................................       9,751,000

                          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, and 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 $9,751,000 for 
the Office of Civil Rights. The recommendation is equal to the 
budget request and $73,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level.

           TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $8,500,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      17,043,000
Committee recommendation................................      12,043,000

                          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 $12,043,000 for Transportation 
Planning, Research, and Development, which is $5,000,000 less 
than the budget request and $3,543,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level. The Committee directs the Secretary to 
dedicate $3,000,000 to support the Interagency Infrastructure 
Permitting Improvement Center. Further, the Committee rejects 
the request for the proposed Clean Energy Research--Green Ports 
Study.
    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 of Transportation 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 [MPOs] 
revise their practices, standards and performance measurements 
in all phases of project planning, development, and operation 
with the goal of reducing fatalities among nonmotorized 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, 2016........................................    $190,039,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................................
Committee recommendation................................     190,389,000

                          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 $190,389,000 on 
activities financed through the Working Capital Fund. The 
recommended limit is $350,000 more than the limit enacted for 
fiscal year 2016. The Department requested that no limitation 
be included for fiscal year 2017.
    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 2017 provides 
essential information 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 2018.

               MINORITY BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Limitation on
                                          Appropriations    guaranteed
                                                               loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016....................        $933,000     $18,367,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................         941,000  ..............
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 equal to the budget request and $8,000 
more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The Committee 
also recommends a limitation on guaranteed loans of 
$18,367,000, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.

  OFFICE OF SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION AND OUTREACH

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $3,084,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       4,646,000
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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $4,646,000 for grants and 
contractual support, which is $1,562,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The 
Committee supports the request to merge the Minority Business 
Outreach program with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged 
Business Utilization from the Salaries and Expenses accounts, 
to be called the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization and Outreach. The Committee accepts this approach, 
fully funding the request for this consolidation.

                        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, 2016.............................................    $175,000,000    $108,000,000    $283,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...........................................     150,000,000     104,000,000     254,000,000
Committee recommendation........................................     150,000,000     104,000,000     254,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee recommends the appropriation of $150,000,000 
for the EAS program. This appropriation would be in addition to 
an estimated $104,000,000 of overflight fees collected by the 
FAA, allowing the Department to support a total program level 
for EAS of $254,000,000. The appropriation and the level of 
funding from overflight fees under the Committee's 
recommendation are both equal to the budget request. The total 
program level under the Committee's recommendation is 
$29,000,000 less than the total program level enacted for 
fiscal year 2016, which was comprised of an appropriation of 
$175,000,000 plus $108,000,000 in overflight fees.
    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 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Est. miles
                                            to nearest     Average     Annual subsidy    Passenger   Subsidy per
State            EAS communities            hub (S, M,  enplanements  rates at 9/30/15  totals at 9/  passenger
                                              or L)        per day                         30/15      at 9/30/15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ALMuscle Shoals\1\                              60           1.9          $605,728        1,208         $501
  AREl Dorado/Camden                             117          13.4         1,624,636        8,390          194
  ARHarrison                                      86          15.5         2,168,360        9,734          223
  ARHot Springs                                   51           9.9         1,423,980        6,198          230
  ARJonesboro                                     82          15.3         1,921,026        9,571          201
  AZKingman\2\                                   121           1.3           856,348          787          n/a
  AZPage                                         282           9.1         1,891,308        5,727          330
  AZPrescott                                     102          11.0         2,056,469        6,916          297
  AZShow Low                                     173           5.6         1,112,976        3,508          317
  CACrescent City\1\                             231          18.1         1,261,488       11,315          111
  CAEl Centro                                    101           8.4         1,947,342        5,228          372
  CAMerced\1\                                     60          10.7         1,918,704        6,705          286
  CAVisalia                                       47          14.9         1,899,753        9,297          204
  COAlamosa                                      164           9.8         1,604,276        6,119          262
  COCortez                                       255           7.5         1,122,323        4,705          239
  COPueblo\1\                                     36           4.9         1,502,092        3,069          489
  GAMacon\1\                                      82           0.3           193,851          188          n/a
  IABurlington                                    98          21.2         1,949,808       13,300          147
  IAFort Dodge\1\                                 91          10.5         2,140,470        6,599          324
  IAMason City\1\                                131          17.7         3,268,588       11,078          295
  IASioux City                                    88          79.8           600,222       49,959           12
  IAWaterloo                                      63          76.8           911,778       48,101           19
  ILDecatur                                      126          23.7         2,668,817       14,859          180
  ILMarion/Herrin                                123          30.6         2,129,562       19,148          111
  ILQuincy                                       111          29.4         1,974,896       18,419          107
  KSDodge City                                   150           6.9         1,558,776        4,339          359
  KSGarden City                                  202          82.7         1,412,990       51,774           27
  KSGreat Bend\2\                                114           0.7           697,477          462        1,510
  KSHays                                         166          27.9         2,219,610       17,496          127
  KSLiberal/Guymon, OK                           228           8.4         1,558,290        5,280          295
  KSSalina                                        97           4.5           997,557        2,824          353
  KYOwensboro                                    115          12.0         1,551,120        7,481          207
  KYPaducah                                      146          68.1         1,956,717       42,621           46
  MDHagerstown                                    78           3.8         1,453,430        2,374          612
  MEAugusta/Waterville                            58          15.8         1,764,038        9,903          178
  MEBar Harbor                                   157          14.0         1,620,836        8,785          185
  MEPresque Isle/Houlton                         274          40.5         4,680,585       25,322          185
  MERockland                                      76          21.3         1,824,399       13,306          137
  MIAlpena                                       174          32.6         2,128,800       20,405          104
  MIEscanaba                                     227          51.9         3,318,111       32,485          102
  MIHancock/Houghton                             321          76.7           649,152       48,033           14
  MIIron Mountain/Kingsford                      223          34.6         2,794,707       21,659          129
  MIIronwood/Ashland, WI                         213          14.8         3,439,386        9,265          371
  MIManistee/Ludington                           121          15.9         1,481,048        9,983          148
  MIMuskegon                                      49          48.4         1,325,415       30,305           44
  MIPellston                                     213          79.8         1,004,018       49,958           20
  MISault Ste. Marie                             281          71.8         1,601,568       44,939           36
  MNBemidji                                      128          74.7         1,133,001       46,754           24
  MNBrainerd                                     123          53.2         1,581,872       33,291           48
  MNChisholm/Hibbing                             199          37.1         2,537,352       23,227          109
  MNInternational Falls                          298          41.8         1,789,868       26,195           68
  MNThief River Falls                            129           3.4         2,119,062        2,151          985
  MOCape Girardeau/Sikeston                      127          18.6         1,649,760       11,631          142
  MOFort Leonard Wood                             85          24.5         2,561,219       15,363          167
  MOJoplin                                        70          86.9           427,518       54,373            8
  MOKirksville                                   137          17.0         1,655,208       10,626          156
  MSGreenville\1\                                124           0.7           309,600          441          702
  MSLaurel/Hattiesburg                            85          31.2         3,805,284       19,539          195
  MSMeridian                                      84          67.4         3,769,249       42,178           89
  MSTupelo                                        94           8.3         1,725,914        5,181          333
  MTButte                                         75          85.4           737,880       53,466           14
  MTGlasgow                                      285          12.0         2,054,790        7,504          274
  MTGlendive                                     223           7.8         1,931,811        4,885          395
  MTHavre                                        230           7.7         2,024,704        4,795          422
  MTSidney                                       272          30.6         3,773,979       19,170          197
  MTWest Yellowstone                              89          65.4           497,170       15,952           31
  MTWolf Point                                   293          11.9         2,160,390        7,462          290
  NDDevils Lake                                  159          16.6         2,997,834       10,379          289
  NDJamestown ND                                  92          24.2         3,042,799       15,164          201
  NEAlliance                                     233           3.4           923,316        2,124          435
  NEChadron                                      290           3.3           842,014        2,036          414
  NEGrand Island                                 138          82.5         1,673,526       51,633           32
  NEKearney                                      181          15.2         2,077,827        9,493          219
  NEMcCook                                       256           1.3           695,303          791          879
  NENorth Platte                                 255          12.0         1,743,106        7,501          232
  NEScottsbluff                                  192          11.9         1,621,737        7,480          217
  NHLebanon/White River Junction, VT              74          31.8         2,883,284       19,926          145
  NMCarlsbad                                     149           4.4         1,288,380        2,767          466
  NMClovis                                       102          15.7         3,234,816        9,815          330
  NMSilver City/Hurley/Deming                    134           9.5         2,804,544        5,954          471
  NYJamestown NY                                  76           5.3         1,790,066        3,289          544
  NYMassena                                      138          13.8         2,253,178        8,634          261
  NYOgdensburg                                   105          14.8         2,034,732        9,243          220
  NYPlattsburgh                                   82          26.0         2,807,973       16,253          173
  NYSaranac Lake/Lake Placid                     138          15.7         1,835,530        9,826          187
  NYWatertown NY                                  54          61.5         3,273,620       38,521           85
  ORPendleton                                    185          13.5         1,797,333        8,422          213
  PAAltoona                                      112           7.3         1,920,171        4,568          420
  PABradford\1\                                   77           7.3         1,315,318        4,546          289
  PADuBois                                       112          10.9         2,199,516        6,793          324
  PAFranklin/Oil City\1\                          85           2.9           934,506        1,815          515
  PAJohnstown                                     84          13.6         2,338,824        8,485          276
  PALancaster                                     28           4.2         2,002,455        2,620          764
  SDAberdeen                                     176          85.4         1,058,488       53,450           20
  SDHuron\2\                                     121           3.1         2,500,160        1,920        1,302
  SDWatertown SD                                 102           4.3         2,446,273        2,688          910
  TNJackson                                       86           3.9         1,435,281        2,427          591
  TXVictoria                                     119           9.5         2,420,118        5,977          405
  UTCedar City                                   179          41.6         2,351,695       26,045           90
  UTMoab\1\                                      256          12.5         1,361,409        7,851          173
  UTVernal\1\                                    150           8.4           819,864        5,279          155
  VAStaunton                                     113          17.2         1,823,986       10,751          170
  VTRutland                                       69          16.9         1,352,052       10,562          128
  WIEau Claire                                    92          53.5         1,492,861       33,512           45
  WIRhinelander                                  190          69.5         1,878,684       43,524           43
  WVBeckley                                      168           7.6         2,946,550        4,729          623
  WVClarksburg/Fairmont                           96          14.7         2,278,596        9,218          247
  WVGreenbrier/White Sulphur Springs             162          18.3         3,488,764       11,431          305
  WVMorgantown                                    75          24.0         2,316,855       15,015          154
  WVParkersburg/Marietta, OH                     110          14.2         3,338,140        8,907          375
  WYCody                                         106         104.8         1,340,218       65,574           20
  WYLaramie                                      145          40.5         1,908,913       25,328           75
  WYWorland\2\                                   161           2.7         1,866,872        1,697        1,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Service Hiatus:
      Bradford, PA--no service between 10/31/14 and 2/28/15
      Crescent City, CA--no service between 4/7/15 and 9/15/15
      Fort Dodge, IA--no service between 10/1/14 and 2/23/15
      Franklin/Oil City, PA--no service between 11/1/14 and 3/4/15
      Greenville, MS--no service between 10/1/14 and 3/16/15
      Macon, GA--no service between 11/5/14 and 9/30/15
      Mason City, IA--no service between 10/1/14 and 11/17/14
      Merced, CA--no service between 8/31/15 and 9/30/15
      Moab, UT--no service between 4/30/15 and 9/30/15
      Muscle Shoals, AL--no service between 10/1/14 and 1/12/15
      Pueblo, CO--no service between 6/3/15 and 9/30/15
      Vernal, UT--no service between 5/1/15 and 9/30/15.
    \2\Termination:
      Kingman, AZ--the Department issued Order 2015-3-6 on 3/13/2015 to terminate Kingman's eligibility as of 4/
      30/15, because the
       subsidy per passenger exceeded the $1,000 statutory limit during fiscal year 2014.
      DOT has tentatively terminated the eligibility of Great Bend, KS, Huron, SD, and Worland, WY because the
      subsidy per passenger ex-
       ceeded the $1,000 statutory limit during fiscal year 2015.
    \3\Actual subsidy paid may be less than obligated amounts because air carriers may have completed fewer
      flights than proposed.

  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.

                    Federal Aviation Administration

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] 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 the Department of 
Transportation [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 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 2017 amounts to $16,412,354,000 including new budget 
authority and a limitation on the obligation of contract 
authority. This funding level is $512,502,000 more than the 
budget request and $131,630,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations for fiscal year 2017 in comparison to the 
budget request and the fiscal year 2016 enacted level:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Fiscal year--
                                       --------------------------------------     Committee
                                           2016 enacted      2017 estimate      recommendation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations............................     $9,909,724,000     $9,994,352,000    $10,048,352,000
Facilities and equipment..............      2,855,000,000      2,838,000,000      2,838,000,000
Research, engineering, and development        166,000,000        167,500,000        176,002,000
Grants-in-aid to airports (obligation       3,350,000,000      2,900,000,000      3,350,000,000
 limitation)..........................
Rescissions...........................  .................  .................  .................
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total...........................     16,280,724,000     15,899,852,000     16,412,354,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $9,909,724,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   9,994,352,000
Committee recommendation................................  10,048,352,000

                          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 assure 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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total of $10,048,352,000 for FAA 
Operations. This funding level is $54,000,000 more than the 
budget request, and $138,628,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level. The Committee recommendation derives 
$9,190,000,000 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 2016 enacted level:

                                                 FAA OPERATIONS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Fiscal year--
                                                        --------------------------------------     Committee
                                                            2016 enacted      2017 estimate      recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air traffic organization...............................     $7,505,293,000     $7,539,785,000     $7,593,785,000
Aviation safety........................................      1,258,411,000      1,286,982,000      1,286,982,000
Commercial space transportation........................         17,800,000         19,826,000         19,826,000
Finance and Management.................................        760,500,000        771,342,000        771,342,000
NextGen Operations and Planning........................         60,089,000         60,155,000         60,155,000
Security and hazardous materials safety................        100,880,000        107,161,000        107,161,000
Staff offices..........................................        206,751,000        209,101,000        209,101,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total............................................      9,909,724,000      9,994,352,000     10,048,352,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] Reform--
Reauthorization of FAA Programs and Air Traffic Control 
Governance.--The last multi-year authorization for FAA programs 
and activities expired on September 30, 2015. As a result, the 
FAA's programs are in the midst of its second short-term 
extension. The Committee believes there is broad consensus on 
needed reforms to the FAA's certification process; oversight of 
unmanned aircraft systems; implementation of NextGen 
technologies; and the important safety oversight role of the 
FAA. However, there remains vigorous dispute over proposals to 
separate air traffic control functions from the rest of the 
FAA's operations. The attempt to remove the air traffic control 
system from the FAA is fraught with risk, could lead to 
uncontrollable cost increases to consumers, and could 
ultimately harm users of and operators in the system, including 
the flying public, the aviation community, FAA's workforce, and 
the small towns in rural America that rely on access to the 
national air space.
    The Committee strongly believes that air traffic control 
should remain an inherently governmental function where the Air 
Traffic Control Organization [ATO] is subject to on-going 
congressional oversight so that resource needs and activities 
are reviewed. The annual congressional oversight process is 
best suited to protect consumers and preserve access to urban, 
suburban and rural communities. The Senate affirmed this 
position by not including any structure changes to privatize 
the air traffic control system in the recent passage of the 
Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016.
    The Committee is confident that the able leadership of the 
authorizing committees can reach an expeditious resolution to a 
multi-year authorization bill while avoiding a prolonged and 
contentious fight over removing the ATO from the FAA. Given the 
growing congressional opposition to removing the ATO from the 
FAA, the Committee will prohibit funding for this purpose 
should there be any effort to bypass the will of Congress.
    Mission Support Network Capacity Upgrades.--The demand for 
space on the administrative telecom network at air traffic 
control facilities is increasing due to each new application 
and program requiring more space on the network. This slows 
down all the programs on the network where, at some facilities, 
the problem is so acute that only few users can be on one 
application at a time. This problem is affecting the ability of 
air traffic controllers to carry out safety-critical electronic 
training while carrying out other administrative duties. 
Therefore, the Committee provides $5,000,000 to acquire 
additional bandwidth on its administrative telecom network to 
support electronic training and other duties of air traffic 
controllers and other air traffic facility personnel.
    Contract Towers.--The Committee recommendation provides 
$159,000,000 for the contract tower program, including the 
cost-share contract towers. This total funding level is 
sufficient to cover all towers that will be operating during 
fiscal year 2017. Current law limits contributions in the 
contract tower cost share program to 20 percent of total costs. 
The Committee finds that Federal Contract Towers are a safe and 
efficient means to provide air traffic control services. The 
Committee also finds that some contract towers have 
insufficient staffing and hours of operation. The Committee 
suggests that the FAA respond within 30 days of formal request 
from airports or ATC contracts for additional authority to 
expand contract tower operational hours and staff to 
accommodate flight traffic outside of current tower operational 
hours. The Committee also suggests that the FAA accommodate 
needs, especially when the airport and ATC contractor are in 
agreement.
    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 believes future budgets must 
include adequate funding to prevent reduced operations and 
support at contract towers.
    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 supports the budget request of nine FTEs to support 
UAS integration in addition to six FTEs for FAA's Aircraft 
Certification Service to increase capacity and support the 
certification of new technologies. These efforts help provide 
an efficient and effective system for new aviation products and 
technologies to be manufactured and brought to market. 
Additionally, it is crucial to improving the safety of old and 
new aircraft.
    The FAA and industry have developed a number of 
recommendations to make improvements to the certification 
system. These recommendations cover a number of items related 
to maximizing utilization of organizational designation 
authority, more effective safety oversight, better workforce 
training, and meaningful performance metrics. The Committee 
believes that the FAA must view implementation of these 
recommendations as one of its critical and highest priorities.
    The Committee also remains concerned about the 
implementation of the Small Airplane Revitalization Act (Public 
Law 113-53) and notes that the FAA has missed statutory 
deadlines to modernize the part 23 airworthiness certification 
process, including issuing a final rule by December 15, 2015. 
Implementation of this law will reduce costs, enhance security, 
and ensure that the FAA and the U.S. aviation manufacturing 
sector remain international leaders on safety and certification 
standards. Therefore, the Committee directs the Administrator 
to implement the recommendations developed with industry as a 
result of the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act and 
leverage Aircraft Certification Service funding to promote and 
facilitate the acceptance of U.S. aeronautical products in 
international markets.
    Safety, Security and Infrastructure.--After the fire at the 
Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center on September 26, 2014, 
FAA conducted 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 mitigating drug and alcohol abuse through a peer 
identification and intervention program. The Committee directs 
the FAA to continue to prioritize this program and use 
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.
    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 [UAS].--Section 333 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 authorized the FAA to 
approve, where appropriate and consistent with criteria 
specified in the law, the operation of certain UAS before the 
completion of certain rules and planning requirements specified 
in the law. The Committee encourages the FAA to consider 
whether UAS test sites may be appropriate in assisting the 
Secretary in making determinations under section 333. The 
Committee also urges the FAA to communicate clearly with the 
UAS industry regarding its priorities for section 333 
consideration.
    Unmanned Aircraft Systems--Electronic Registration.--The 
Committee supports the Federal Aviation Administration's 
establishment of an electronic registration system through the 
Web or an app 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 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 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 FAA's 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.
    Commercial Space Launches.--The Committee understands that 
current FAA regulations requiring launch providers to clearly 
obtain insurance to cover property damage in the event of an 
accident fail to address the status of State and local 
property. With the rapid growth in the number of State 
spaceports over the last decade as well as anticipated growth 
over the next several years, the Committee believes the FAA 
should update regulations for those developments involving 
Federal property assigned to a State government, particularly 
those developments located at Federal ranges, the State 
government should qualify as a ``contractor'' or Government 
Launch Participant with the right to make claims under 14 CFR 
440.9(d).
    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 has serious concerns about the FAA's proposal 
to eliminate the CWO program at 57 of these airports and 
replace it with Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Services 
[LAWRS]. Under LAWRS, air traffic controllers, or airport 
staff, would be responsible for the accuracy of weather 
information at the 57 airports identified by the FAA. However, 
air traffic controllers already 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 is also concerned that, to come to its 
determination on eliminating CWOs at 57 airports, the FAA 
removed the frequency of thunderstorms and low visibility as 
considerations for which airports receive CWO service, without 
soliciting or receiving sufficient stakeholder input. These 
types of conditions create serious safety hazards that should 
have been explored by all stakeholders and adequately taken 
into account by the FAA in its decision-making processes.
    Accordingly, the Committee directs the FAA to conduct a 
comprehensive study, with public and stakeholder input, and 
issue a report examining of all safety risks, hazard effects, 
and operational effects on airlines and other stakeholders that 
could result from loss of CWO services at the 57 airports 
currently targeted for the loss of service. The Committee 
further directs the FAA to identify how these targeted airports 
will accurately report rapidly changing severe weather 
conditions including thunderstorms, lightning, fog, visibility, 
cloud layers and ceilings, ice pellets, and freezing rain/
drizzle without contract weather observers and include the 
process through which FAA analyzed the safety hazards 
associated with eliminating the program. Additionally, the 
Committee directs the FAA to provide this report to the House 
and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 30 days of its 
completion.
    Tarmac Vehicle Safety.--The Committee notes that there is 
no national standard that requires markings on airport vehicles 
and equipment that operate in busy night time conditions. The 
Committee directs the FAA to study one large hub airport, one 
medium hub airport, and one small hub airport to determine 
whether national standards for conspicuity of surface vehicles 
operating at airports are necessary. The FAA is directed to 
report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations its 
finding and recommendations within 1 year after enactment of 
this act.
    NextGen--Performance Goals.--NextGen implementation is 
critical for the United States to remain the global leader in 
safe and efficient air traffic control. Establishing 
performance objectives and holding the NextGen Office 
accountable to those objectives is critical in timely 
implementation. Therefore, the Committee directs the FAA's 
NextGen Advisory Committee to establish annual performance 
objectives for the implementation of NextGen and report to the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 180 days 
of enactment of this act.
    Medical Kits.--The Senate's Federal Aviation Administration 
Reauthorization Act of 2016 includes a provision requiring the 
Administrator to evaluate and revise emergency medical 
equipment requirements. The Committee strongly encourages the 
FAA to examine current policy regarding the supplies currently 
required in the Emergency Medical Kits [EMKs], including 
epinephrine auto-injectors.

                        FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $2,855,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   2,838,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,838,000,000

                          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 Federal Aviation Administration's [FAA] 
comprehensive 5-year capital investment plan [CIP].

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,838,000,000 
for the Facilities and Equipment account of the FAA. The 
recommended level is equal to the budget request and 
$17,000,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    Capital Investment Plan.--In fiscal year 2016, the 
Committee included a provision that lowered the appropriation 
for FAA's facilities and equipment by $100,000 for each day the 
agency was late in submitting its capital investment plan to 
Congress. The Committee continues this provision and expects 
the FAA to provide the plan by the deadline.
    Budget Activities Format.--The Committee directs that the 
fiscal year 2018 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:

                                            FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Fiscal year--
                                                        --------------------------------------     Committee
                                                            2016 enacted      2017 estimate      recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity 1--Engineering, Development, Test and
 Evaluation:
    Advanced Technology Development and Prototyping....        $21,300,000        $24,800,000        $24,800,000
    William J. Hughes Technical Center Laboratory                1,000,000          1,000,000          1,000,000
     Improvement.......................................
    William J. Hughes Technical Center Laboratory               19,050,000         19,000,000         19,000,000
     Sustainment.......................................
    William J. Hughes Technical Center Infrastructure           12,200,000         12,200,000         12,200,000
     Sustainment.......................................
    Separation Management Portfolio....................         31,500,000         25,800,000         25,800,000
    Improved Surface Portfolio.........................         17,000,000          2,000,000          2,000,000
    On Demand NAS Portfolio............................         11,000,000          8,500,000          8,500,000
    Environment Portfolio..............................          1,000,000  .................  .................
    Improved Multiple Runway Operations Portfolio......          8,000,000          6,500,000          6,500,000
    NAS Infrastructure Portfolio.......................         11,000,000         17,660,000         17,660,000
    NextGen Support Portfolio..........................         10,000,000         12,000,000         12,000,000
    Performance Based Navigation & Metroplex Portfolio.         13,000,000         17,500,000         17,500,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total Activity 1.................................        156,050,000        146,960,000        146,960,000
 
Activity 2--Air Traffic Control Facilities and
 Equipment:
 
a. En Route Programs:
    En Route Automation Modernization [ERAM]--System            79,400,000         78,000,000         78,000,000
     Enhancements and Tech Refresh.....................
    En Route Communications Gateway [ECG]..............          2,650,000          2,650,000          2,650,000
    Next Generation Weather Radar [NEXRAD]--Provide....          6,500,000          6,300,000          6,300,000
    Air Route Traffic Control Center [ARTCC] & Combined         74,200,000         74,870,000         74,870,000
     Control Facility [CCF] Building Improvements......
    Air Traffic Management [ATM].......................         13,700,000         20,000,000         20,000,000
    Air/Ground Communications Infrastructure...........         11,750,000          8,750,000          8,750,000
    Air Traffic Control En Route Radar Facilities                5,810,000          5,800,000          5,800,000
     Improvements......................................
    Voice Switching and Control System [VSCS]..........          9,900,000         11,300,000         11,300,000
    Oceanic Automation System..........................         20,000,000         24,000,000         24,000,000
    Next Generation Very High Frequency Air/Ground              43,600,000         50,500,000         50,500,000
     Communications [NEXCOM]...........................
    System-Wide Information Management.................         37,400,000         28,800,000         28,800,000
    ADS-B NAS Wide Implementation......................        184,600,000         31,100,000        181,400,000
    Windshear Detection Service........................          5,200,000          4,500,000          4,500,000
    Collaborative Air Traffic Management Technologies..         14,770,000         13,820,000         13,820,000
    Time Based Flow Management Portfolio...............         42,600,000         50,600,000         50,600,000
    ATC Beacon Interrogator [ATCBI]--Sustainment.......          1,000,000          1,000,000          1,000,000
    NextGen Weather Processors.........................          7,000,000         27,800,000         27,800,000
    Airborne Collision Avoidance System X [ACASX]......         10,800,000          8,900,000          8,900,000
    Data Communications in Support of NG Air                   234,900,000        232,000,000        232,000,000
     Transportation System.............................
    Non-Continental United States [Non-CONUS]            .................          3,000,000          3,000,000
     Automation........................................
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal En Route Programs.......................        805,780,000        683,690,000        833,990,000
 
b. Terminal Programs:
    Airport Surface Detection Equipment--Model X [ASDE-         13,500,000          8,400,000          8,400,000
     X]................................................
    Terminal Doppler Weather Radar [TDWR]--Provide.....          4,900,000          5,000,000          5,000,000
    Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System             81,100,000         64,200,000         64,200,000
     [STARS] (TAMR Phase 1)............................
    Terminal Automation Modernization/Replacement              159,350,000        108,900,000        108,900,000
     Program (TAMR Phase 3)............................
    Terminal Automation Program........................          7,700,000          7,700,000          7,700,000
    Terminal Air Traffic Control Facilities--Replace...         45,500,000         58,800,000         58,800,000
    ATCT/Terminal Radar Approach Control [TRACON]               58,990,000         47,720,000         47,720,000
     Facilities--Improve...............................
    Terminal Voice Switch Replacement [TVSR]...........          6,000,000          6,000,000          6,000,000
    NAS Facilities OSHA and Environmental Standards             39,600,000         42,700,000         42,700,000
     Compliance........................................
    Airport Surveillance Radar [ASR-9].................          3,800,000          4,500,000          4,500,000
    Terminal Digital Radar [ASR-11] Technology Refresh           9,900,000          6,100,000          6,100,000
     and Mobile Airport Surveillance Radar [MASR]......
    Runway Status Lights...............................         24,170,000          4,800,000          4,800,000
    National Airspace System Voice System [NVS]........         53,550,000         48,400,000         48,400,000
    Integrated Display System [IDS]....................         23,300,000          7,700,000          7,700,000
    Remote Monitoring and Logging System [RMLS]........          4,700,000          9,900,000          9,900,000
    Mode S Service Life Extension Program [SLEP].......         16,300,000         37,900,000         37,900,000
    Surveillance Interface Modernization...............         23,000,000         26,800,000         26,800,000
    Improved Surface/TFDM Portfolio....................  .................         42,200,000         42,200,000
    National Air Space [NAS] Voice Recorder Program              3,000,000          2,000,000          2,000,000
     [NVRP]............................................
    Integrated Terminal Weather System [ITWS]..........          5,400,000          1,000,000          1,000,000
    Next Generation: Surveillance and Weather Radar      .................          6,000,000          6,000,000
     Capability & Back-up Surveillance Capability......
    Flight and Interfacility Data Interface [FIDI]               9,000,000         15,000,000         15,000,000
     Modernization.....................................
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal Terminal Programs.......................        592,760,000        561,720,000        561,720,000
 
c. Flight Service Programs:
    Aviation Surface Observation System [ASOS].........          8,000,000         10,000,000         10,000,000
    Future Flight Services Program.....................          3,000,000          3,000,000          3,000,000
    Alaska Flight Service Facility Modernization                 2,650,000          2,650,000          2,650,000
     [AFSFM]...........................................
    Weather Camera Program.............................          1,000,000          2,200,000          2,200,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal Flight Service Programs.................         14,650,000         17,850,000         17,850,000
 
d. Landing and Navigational Aids Program:
    VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range [VOR] with Distance          4,500,000          7,000,000          7,000,000
     Measuring Equipment [DME].........................
    Instrument Landing System [ILS]--Establish.........          7,000,000          7,000,000          7,000,000
    Wide Area Augmentation System [WAAS] for GPS.......        107,200,000         85,000,000         85,000,000
    Runway Visual Range [RVR] and Enhanced Low                   6,000,000          6,500,000          6,500,000
     Visibility Operations [ELVO]......................
    Approach Lighting System Improvement Program                 3,000,000          3,000,000          3,000,000
     [ALSIP]...........................................
    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].....          3,371,000          9,400,000          9,400,000
    Navigation and Landing Aids--Service Life Extension          3,000,000          3,000,000          3,000,000
     Program [SLEP]....................................
    VASI Replacement--Replace with Precision Approach            5,000,000          5,000,000          5,000,000
     Path Indicator....................................
    GPS Civil Requirements.............................         15,000,000  .................  .................
    Runway Safety Areas--Navigational Mitigation.......         30,000,000         14,000,000         14,000,000
    Integrated Control and Monitoring System [ICMS]--    .................          2,000,000          2,000,000
     NAVAIDS Monitoring Equipment......................
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal Landing and Navigational Aids Programs..        189,071,000        146,900,000        146,900,000
 
e. Other ATC Facilities Programs:
    Fuel Storage Tank Replacement and Management.......         18,700,000         22,700,000         22,700,000
    Unstaffed Infrastructure Sustainment...............         39,640,000         40,490,000         40,490,000
    Aircraft Related Equipment Program.................          9,000,000         13,000,000         13,000,000
    Airport Cable Loop Systems--Sustained Support......         12,000,000          8,000,000          8,000,000
    Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications Infrastructure         12,500,000          6,000,000          6,000,000
     [ASTI]............................................
    Facilities Decommissioning.........................          6,000,000          6,200,000          6,200,000
    Electrical Power Systems--Sustain/Support..........        125,000,000        105,000,000        105,000,000
    FAA Employee Housing and Life Safety Shelter System          2,500,000  .................  .................
     Service...........................................
    Energy Management and Compliance [EMC].............          2,000,000          2,000,000          2,000,000
    Child Care Center Sustainment......................          1,600,000          1,000,000          1,000,000
    FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure..............          1,000,000         10,360,000         10,360,000
    System Capacity, Planning, and Improvements........  .................          6,500,000          6,500,000
      Subtotal Other ATC Facilities Programs...........        229,940,000        221,250,000        221,250,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total Activity 2.................................      1,832,201,000      1,631,410,000      1,781,710,000
 
Activity 3--Non-Air Traffic Control Facilities and
 Equipment:
 
a. Support Equipment:
    Hazardous Materials Management.....................         26,400,000         31,000,000         31,000,000
    Aviation Safety Analysis System [ASAS].............         20,200,000         11,300,000         11,300,000
    Logistics Support Systems and Facilities [LSSF]....          4,000,000  .................  .................
    National Air Space [NAS] Recovery Communications            12,000,000         12,000,000         12,000,000
     [RCOM]............................................
    Facility Security Risk Management..................         15,000,000         21,000,000         21,000,000
    Information Security...............................         12,000,000         24,970,000         24,970,000
    System Approach for Safety Oversight [SASO]........         18,900,000         17,200,000         17,200,000
    Aviation Safety Knowledge Management Environment             7,500,000          4,200,000          4,200,000
     [ASKME]...........................................
    Aerospace Medical Equipment Needs [AMEN]...........          2,500,000          3,000,000          3,000,000
    System Safety Management Portfolio.................         17,000,000         17,000,000         17,000,000
    National Test Equipment Program....................          4,000,000          5,000,000          5,000,000
    Mobile Assets Management Program...................          4,800,000          5,760,000          5,760,000
    Aerospace Medicine Safety Information Systems                3,000,000         12,000,000         12,000,000
     [AMSIS]...........................................
    Tower Simulation System [TSS] Technology Refresh...          7,000,000          3,000,000          3,000,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal Support Equipment.......................        154,300,000        167,430,000        167,430,000
 
b. Training, Equipment and Facilities:
    Aeronautical Center Infrastructure Modernization...         15,200,000         14,000,000         14,000,000
    Distance Learning..................................          1,500,000          1,500,000          1,500,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal Training, Equipment and Facilities......         16,700,000         15,500,000         15,500,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total Activity 3.................................        171,000,000        182,930,000        182,930,000
 
Activity 4--Facilities and Equipment Mission Support:
 
a. System Support and Services:
    System Engineering and Development Support.........         35,000,000         35,000,000         35,000,000
    Program Support Leases.............................         46,700,000         46,600,000         46,600,000
    Logistics and Acquisition Support Services.........         11,000,000         11,000,000         11,000,000
    Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center Leases...........         18,800,000         19,300,000         19,300,000
    Transition Engineering Support.....................         19,200,000         24,100,000         24,100,000
    Technical Support Services Contract [TSSC].........         23,000,000         23,000,000         23,000,000
    Resource Tracking Program [RTP]....................          4,000,000          6,000,000          6,000,000
    Center for Advanced Aviation System Development             60,000,000         60,000,000         60,000,000
     [CAASD]...........................................
    Aeronautical Information Management Program........          5,000,000         10,400,000         10,400,000
    Cross Agency NextGen Management....................          3,000,000          2,000,000          2,000,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total Activity 4.................................        225,700,000        237,400,000        237,400,000
 
Activity 5--Personnel and Related Expenses:
    Personnel and Related Expenses.....................        470,049,000        489,000,000        489,000,000
 
Activity 6--Sustain ADS-B services and Wide Area
 Augmentation Services [WAAS] GEOs:
    ADS-B services and WAAS GEOs.......................  .................        150,300,000  .................
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal All Activities..........................      2,855,000,000      2,838,000,000      2,838,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 $181,400,000 for the implementation of ADS-B across 
the national airspace.
    The Committee's recommendation is equal to the budget 
request, which included $150,300,000 in Activity 2. The 
recommendation is also $3,200,000 less than the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level. The Committee recommendation rejects the 
request to create a new Activity 6 and instead provides ADS-B 
resources for both activities within Activity 2.
    NextGen Separation Management Portfolio.--The Committee 
recommends $25,800,000 for the activities of the NextGen 
Separation Management Portfolio, which is equal to the budget 
estimate and $5,700,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. This amount includes $15,000,000 specifically for space-
based ADS-B. For the past two fiscal years, the Committee has 
appropriated additional funding and urged the FAA to accelerate 
its planning and activities to keep pace with neighboring air 
navigation service providers [ANSPs], but the FAA has not shown 
any urgency. In fact, the Committee is aware that the FAA is 
postponing key decisions that will delay its schedule for 
incorporating space-based ADS-B and for implementing reduced 
oceanic aircraft separation. Despite delays by the FAA, the 
international aviation community is preparing to be able to use 
space-based ADS-B in 2018. The International Civil Aviation 
Organization [ICAO] is in the process of approving a 15/15 
nautical mile separation standard for oceanic traffic under 
surveillance for use in 2018, and foreign ANSPs in neighboring 
airspace, particularly in the busy North Atlantic, are taking 
the necessary steps to implement the ICAO reduced oceanic 
separation standard in 2018. In order to increase safety and 
enhance efficiency in U.S.-controlled oceanic airspace in the 
same timeframe as neighboring ANSPs, the Committee directs the 
FAA to streamline its current Joint Resources Council strategy 
by making a final investment decision not later than September 
2016 for the implementation of a 15/15 nautical mile oceanic 
separation capability by September 2018 and to provide this new 
surveillance capability in the same manner that terrestrial 
ADS-B surveillance is provided.
    Wide Area Augmentation System [WAAS].--The Committee 
recognizes that the upcoming WAAS Dual Frequency Operations 
Segment 2 will implement dual frequency algorithms into the 
WAAS system and will provide the integrity validation required 
for safety-of-life applications. The Committee, therefore, 
directs the FAA to begin algorithm development in support of 
dual frequency GPS. As part of that effort, the Committee 
recommends that the FAA dedicate sufficient funding for 
definition, modelling, and prototyping in collaboration with 
the FAA systems engineering team as well as the original WAAS 
algorithm developer. This collaboration will ensure that the 
FAA has access to the expertise of the original algorithm 
developer who understands the end-to-end system impacts for 
algorithm changes, and who has a vested interest in solving 
this problem expeditiously.
    Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range.--The Committee 
is aware of efforts underway to address the rationalization and 
recapitalization of aging en route navigational aids. These 
systems are critical to the safety, resiliency, and on-going 
operations of both civilian and military air navigation. The 
Committee directs the FAA to move ahead with the issuance of a 
request for proposals to implement a service-based procurement 
for Very High Frequency [VHF] Omni-Directional Range [VOR] and 
Tactical Air Navigation systems this fiscal year. The Committee 
supports the goal of ensuring that the greatest amount of 
savings are derived from the VOR MON program. Therefore, the 
Committee supports the outsourcing of total performance-based 
solutions to industry for the realization of highest efficiency 
gains and recommends a systems integrator approach to develop 
the most efficient decommissioning and maintenance support 
without tying the government to any single vendor.
    Terminal Automation Modernization and Replacement [TAMR].--
The Committee is concerned that the FAA has not effectively 
proceeded with required software tools and decision aids for 
air traffic controllers to enable pilots to fully utilize 
NextGen capabilities, especially PBN, at all locations at all 
times in the NAS. Therefore, the Committee directs the FAA to 
develop and maintain a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement 
Systems [STARS] automation roadmap to prepare for an investment 
decision that identifies and prioritizes STARS enhancements 
that assist controllers during Performance Based Navigation and 
other NextGen technology operations. The roadmap should consist 
of a series of Work Packages that ensures utilization of STARS 
in support of NextGen technologies that are in the midst of 
nationwide deployment. The roadmap should describe the 
capabilities that will be developed and explain the benefits to 
controllers and airspace users. The Committee directs FAA to 
describe how they intend to maximize the taxpayer investments 
in STARS to ensure that NextGen technologies, to include PBN, 
ADS-B, weather products, Data Comm, and Terminal Flight Data 
Manager, are fully integrated in a timely manner so as to 
maximize user and FAA investment in NextGen technologies.
    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.
    Approach Lighting.--The Committee notes the benefit of 
enhanced approach lighting systems that improve safety and 
reliability especially in areas with challenging approaches in 
non-radar environments, with mountainous terrain and inclement 
weather conditions where use of conventional navigational aids 
do not allow for a close-in low approach. The Committee directs 
FAA to consider these factors in selecting projects for funding 
in the Approach Lighting System Improvement Program.
    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 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.

                 RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $166,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     167,500,000
Committee recommendation................................     176,002,000

                          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 $176,002,000 for the FAA's 
Research, Engineering, and Development activities. The 
recommended level of funding is $8,502,000 more than the budget 
request and $10,002,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level.
    A table showing the fiscal year 2016 enacted level, the 
fiscal year 2017 budget estimate and the Committee 
recommendation follows:

                                     RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Fiscal year--
                                                                 --------------------------------    Committee
                                                                   2016 enacted    2017 estimate  recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety:
    Fire research and safety....................................      $6,000,000      $7,925,000      $7,925,000
    Propulsion and fuel systems.................................       2,034,000       2,574,000       2,074,000
    Advanced materials/structural safety........................       7,409,000       4,113,000       9,409,000
    Aircraft icing /digital system safety.......................       5,500,000       5,102,000       5,102,000
    Continued airworthiness.....................................       8,987,000      10,269,000       9,669,000
    Aircraft catastrophic failure prevention research...........       1,433,000       1,528,000       1,428,000
    Flightdeck/maintenance/system integration human factors.....       5,000,000       8,513,000       7,913,000
    System safety management....................................       6,063,000       7,000,000       6,500,000
    Air traffic control/technical operations human factors......       5,410,000       6,165,000       6,165,000
    Aeromedical research........................................       8,467,000       9,538,000       9,038,000
    Weather program.............................................      15,031,000      17,976,000      14,976,000
    Unmanned aircraft systems research..........................      17,635,000       8,422,000      18,420,000
    NextGen--Alternative fuels for general aviation.............       7,000,000       5,792,000       7,000,000
    Commercial Space Transportation Security....................  ..............       2,953,000       2,473,000
Economic competitiveness:
    NextGen--Wake turbulence....................................       8,541,000       8,609,000       7,759,000
    NextGen--Air ground integration human factors...............       8,000,000       8,575,000       6,675,000
    NextGen--Weather technology in the cockpit..................       4,048,000       4,059,000       3,509,000
    NextGen Information Security................................  ..............       1,000,000       1,000,000
    Commercial Space Transportation Safety......................       2,000,000  ..............  ..............
Environmental sustainability:
    Environment and energy......................................      16,074,000      15,013,000      16,013,000
    NextGen--Environmental research aircraft technologies,            25,823,000      26,174,000      27,174,000
     fuels, and metrics.........................................
Mission support:
    System planning and resource management.....................       2,100,000       2,788,000       2,368,000
    William J. Hughes Technical Center..........................       3,445,000       3,412,000       3,412,000
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
      Total.....................................................     166,000,000     167,500,000     176,002,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Advanced Materials/Structural Safety.--The Committee is 
encouraged by the capabilities that stitched unitized 
composites can provide to the aerospace industry. Therefore, 
the Committee recommendation includes $9,409,000 for Advanced 
Materials and Structural Safety, an increase of $2,000,000 over 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. This increase over the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level is provided for the FAA to work 
with public and private partners who provide leading-edge 
research, development and testing of composite materials and 
structures.
    Unmanned Aircraft Systems [UAS] Research--Center of 
Excellence.--The Committee recognizes the valuable role of the 
Center of Excellence in advising the FAA as it attempts to 
address a host of research challenges associated with the 
integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. The 
Committee recommendation includes $18,420,000 for UAS research, 
an increase of $9,998,000 above the budget request and $785,000 
more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. Of the funds 
provided for UAS research, $10,000,000 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 to 
study appropriate safety standards for UAS and to develop and 
validate certification standards for such systems. The 
Committee notes that even with this additional funding, private 
sector contributions to the Center will likely continue to 
outmatch Federal investment.
    Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research--Test Sites.--The 
Committee notes that integration of UAS into the National 
Airspace System remains a national priority with the potential 
to increase public safety and bring economic benefits to a wide 
range of industries, including agriculture. Of the amount 
provided for UAS research, the Committee expects UAS research 
to be conducted as part of the Center of Excellence to be 
performed at, a minimum of, one of the FAA-designated UAS test 
sites, to evaluate different counter UAS technologies and 
develop recommendations for securing data links, including GPS 
and control links, that could drive UAS engineering standards 
development. The Committee also directs the FAA's William J. 
Hughes Technical Center to use these test sites in conducting 
its research and operational tests. The funding provided for 
the Tech Center may be used to support the center's research 
activities and operational tests conducted at the test sites.
    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 
$1,208,000 above the budget request and equal to the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level.
    Environmental Sustainability.--The Committee recommendation 
includes a total of $43,187,000 for research related to 
environmental sustainability, which is $2,000,000 above the 
budget request and $1,290,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
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 directs the FAA to conduct research and development 
on the design, testing, and implementation of a UAS Traffic 
Management [UTM] system in the National Airspace to ensure the 
safety, reliability, security, and accountability of small UAS 
operation. The Committee further directs FAA to participate in 
partnership with the ongoing UTM work conducted by the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the FAA's Pathfinder 
projects, and the FAA's Assure program as part of the Center 
for Excellence.

                       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
                                                2016 enacted    2017 estimate    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resources from the Airport and Airway Trust
 Fund:
    Limitation on obligations...............   $3,350,000,000   $2,900,000,000   $3,350,000,000
    Liquidation of contract authorization...    3,600,000,000    3,500,000,000    3,750,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 
$3,350,000,000 for Grants-in-Aid for airports for fiscal year 
2017. The recommended limitation on obligations is equal to the 
enacted level for fiscal year 2016, and $450,000,000 more than 
the budget request. Under the request, large commercial 
airports no longer receive formula grants from the program, but 
they would be allowed to raise their passenger facility charges 
to finance capital improvements. The Committee notes that an 
increase to passenger facility charges was considered as part 
of the debate over the current FAA authorization bill. That 
increase, however, was not included in the final legislation. 
The Committee, therefore, recommends a funding level that would 
fund capital improvements at all airports that support our 
Nation's air transportation system.
    In addition, the Committee recommends a liquidating cash 
appropriation of $3,750,000,000 for Grants-in-Aid for Airports. 
The recommended level is $250,000,000 more than the budget 
estimate and $150,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level. This appropriation is sufficient to cover the 
liquidation of all obligations incurred pursuant to the 
limitation on obligations set forward in the bill.
    Finally, the Committee recommendation includes a rescission 
of any contract authority that would be created under section 
48112 in fiscal year 2017. This rescission would not affect the 
baseline set by the Congressional Budget Office.
    Administrative Expenses.--The Committee recommends 
$107,691,000 to cover administrative expenses. This funding 
level is equal to the budget request and $591,000 more than the 
fiscal year 2016 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 2016 enacted level.
    Airport Technology.--The Committee recommends $31,375,000 
for Airport Technology Research. This funding level is equal to 
the budget request and $375,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
level.
    Small Community Air Service Development Program [SCASDP].--
The Committee recommends $10,000,000. This funding level is 
$5,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The 
budget request included no funds for this program for fiscal 
year 2017.
    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.
    General Aviation Runways.--The Committee instructs FAA to 
give greater consideration to projects at public-use airports 
that will relocate existing general aviation runways that do 
not meet current FAA safety standards related to runway/taxiway 
separation distances, safety area and object free area 
requirements, and obstruction standards, especially in cases 
where the existing runway has deteriorated such that it is at 
the end of its service life and rehabilitation is no longer 
cost effective.

       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 2017.
    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 allows all airports experiencing the required 
level of boardings through charter and scheduled air service to 
be eligible for funds under 49 U.S.C. 47114(c).
    Section 117 requires approval from the Assistant Secretary 
for Administration of the Department of Transportation for 
retention bonuses for any FAA employee.
    Section 118 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 119 prohibits funds in this act for salaries and 
expenses of more than nine political and Presidential 
appointees in the Federal Aviation Administration.
    Section 119A 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 119B 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 119C prohibits funds from being used to change 
weight restrictions or prior permission rules at Teterboro 
Airport in New Jersey.
    Section 119D 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 119E 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 2017.
    Section 119F modifies the Federal share for a primary non-
hub airport located in a public lands State within 15 miles 
from the border of another public lands State to use the 
greater of the two State's Federal share.
    Section 119G directs the FAA to develop a joint plan and 
carry out research with NASA and the Departments of Energy and 
Agriculture facilitating research in aviation jet fuel areas 
and encourages Federal agencies that are signatories to Farm to 
Fly 2 to collaborate with each other in the leadership and 
funding of research at the center.
    Section 119H clarifies the eligibility of unmanned aircraft 
system test sites.
    Section 119I allows for the exchange of passenger facility 
charges between airports to meet the terms and conditions of a 
transfer agreement.

                     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 $41,794,100,000 is provided for the activities of the 
Federal Highway Administration in fiscal year 2017. The 
recommendation is $7,275,000,000 less than the budget request 
and $1,305,900,000 less than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The recommendation does not include funding for the 21st 
century clean transportation plan investments, but does rescind 
$2,211,000,000 in unused contract authority. The following 
table summarizes the Committee's recommendations:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Fiscal year--
                                         ------------------------------------     Committee
                                            2016 enacted      2017 estimate    recommendation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal-aid highways program obligation    $42,361,000,000   $43,266,100,000   $43,266,100,000
 limitation.............................
Contract authority exempt from the             739,000,000       739,000,000       739,000,000
 obligation limitation..................
21st century clean transportation plan    ................     7,500,000,000  ................
 investments............................
Rescission of unused contract authority.  ................    -2,436,000,000    -2,211,000,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total.............................    43,100,000,000    49,069,100,000    41,794,100,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Limitation, 2016........................................    $429,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     435,795,000
Committee recommendation................................     435,795,000

                          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 
$435,795,000 for administrative expenses of the agency, of 
which $2,500,000 is for administrative expenses of the 
Appalachian Regional Commission in accordance with section 104 
of title 23, United States Code. This limitation is equal to 
the budget request and $6,795,000 more than the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level.

                          FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Limitation, 2016........................................ $42,361,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................  43,266,100,000
Committee recommendation................................  43,266,100,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The Federal-aid highway program provides financial support 
to States and localities for 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 2017 
obligations to $43,266,100,000, which is equal to the budget 
request, excluding the 21st century clean transportation 
investments, and $905,100,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level for the Federal-aid highway program. This funding 
level is consistent with current funding levels under the most 
recent authorization law, the Fixing America's Surface 
Transportation [FAST] Act. 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.
    Autonomous Vehicles.--The Committee is aware of the 
potential impact of autonomous vehicles on all segments of the 
economy, and suggests the Secretary conduct studies to assess 
the economic effects of these vehicles. The Department is 
encouraged to use funds authorized to carry out section 503(b) 
and 503 (c) of title 23, United States Code to commission the 
Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of 
Sciences to conduct a study on the cost benefit impact of 
multimodal autonomous self-driving vehicles. The Committee 
suggests that the study focus on impact of autonomous vehicles 
on motor carriers, ports, transit, and related industries, and 
on the so-called crash economy that includes the insurance and 
healthcare industries.
    Job Order Contracting.--The Committee directs FHWA, within 
30 days of enactment of this act, 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.
    Corrosion Prevention.--The Committee directs FHWA to 
conduct a study comparing the cost effectiveness of industry-
recognized corrosion prevention worker certifications on 
federally funded corrosion prevention bridge and overpass 
projects. The study shall compare no less than twelve currently 
obligated projects preserving the structure of bridges using 
corrosion prevention and mitigation systems, including at least 
six projects that utilize an industry recognized corrosion 
prevention worker standard and no less than six similar 
currently obligated projects that do not use an industry 
recognized worker standard. The study shall include a 
comparison of the time to complete projects, initial quality 
control reports, and budgetary overruns. FHWA shall submit the 
results from its study in a report to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations no more than 2 years after 
enactment of this act.
    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 the Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated 
Bridge System Program. The Committee encourages the Secretary 
to complete cost studies of geosynthetic-reinforced soil 
abutments/walls and to distribute reports to State DOTs, 
consider AID Demonstration grants to deploy innovations in 
geosynthetic-reinforced abutments, segmental sound barriers, 
and flooding scour countermeasures, and address technical 
specifications for segmental face durability and geosynthetics 
connections.
    Planning for Better Commutes.--The Committee recognizes the 
role that employers and the private sector can play in 
expanding options for commuters. The Committee directs FHWA to 
continue its efforts related to technical assistance for 
metropolitan planning organizations [MPOs] to improve planning 
engagement with employers and the private sector, and to 
explore innovative ways to mitigate congestion.
    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.
    Highway Guide Signs Font.--In early 2016, the FHWA notified 
State transportation agencies of its intention to rescind 
approval for the use of an alternate font on highway guide 
signs. The decision appears to have been made without any 
public consideration or input, immediately impacting an 
estimated 26 States that have been given prior approval for 
alternate font use as a safe way to communicate with the 
traveling public. In order to fully consider the impact of this 
decision, FHWA is directed to suspend enforcement of action 
terminating interim approval of this alternate font for highway 
guide signs until the agency provides opportunity for public 
comment on this matter, and documents the safety and cost 
implications of this decision for affected States. FHWA is 
directed within 30 days after enactment of this act to brief 
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding the 
process it will undertake to receive public comment and further 
research this matter.
    Border Infrastructure.--Section 1437 of the FAST Act 
provided border State departments of transportation new 
opportunities to dedicate resources to infrastructure in the 
border region, including at our Nation's critical border 
crossings and the roadway network often tasked with 
facilitating high volume commercial or passenger traffic. 
However, many projects within the land port of entry 
environment tend to fall outside traditional Federal planning 
requirements, which largely focus on resource needs for ``on-
system'' infrastructure, including Interstates and the National 
Highway System. To ensure States are equipped to take on a more 
thorough and complete project selection process for resources 
dedicated under the provisions of section 1437 or otherwise 
allocated to the qualified border region projects, the 
Committee directs FHWA not less than 45 days of enactment of 
this act to provide guidance to States that identifies best 
practices across border State transportation agencies for 
considering and selecting projects within the range of eligible 
uses, at land port of entry.
    Environmental Reviews.--The Committee recognizes the 
Department's efforts to implement the administratively related 
streamlining provisions included in the FAST Act. The Committee 
encourages the Department to continue its efforts to implement 
these changes nationally, and recognizes the efforts made by 
the Administration to work cooperatively with other Federal 
agencies and with the State governments, including its work 
with the State of Utah for a regional transportation, land use, 
natural resource and economic solution. The Committee 
encourages the Department to continue participating in the 
streamlined facilitation of the environmental impact processes 
for regional and national transportation projects in 
conjunction with multiple Federal agencies, diverse public and 
private interests including State and local governments and 
public interest groups.
    Dynamic Highway Message Signs.--The Committee believes it 
is essential to use all effective means to remind motorists of 
current traffic safety laws and safe driving practices. One 
available low-cost tool is the dynamic highway message signs 
that are in place on major roads throughout the country. The 
Committee commends States currently using these signs, some in 
creative ways, to deliver safe driving messages. In order to 
further take advantage of this communication system, the 
Committee directs FHWA to coordinate with NHTSA, State 
departments of transportation, and State highway safety 
offices, to increase State participation in the use of dynamic 
highway message signs to help save lives and prevent injuries. 
A particular focus should be to assure that these signs 
maximize important and effective national safety emphasis 
campaigns that are also supported by national paid media, such 
as ``Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over'', ``Click It or Ticket'', 
and National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, in order to 
create a multiplier effect for the ongoing investment in these 
campaigns. The signs can also be effective in warning 
caregivers about the dangers of leaving young children alone in 
vehicles during the hot weather months. The Committee further 
directs FHWA to report to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 120 days of enactment of this act on the 
number of motorists exposed to dynamic highway message signs on 
a daily basis, the extent to which States use such signs to 
support safety activities, possible impediments to using such 
signs for traffic safety, and plans for broader deployment of 
such signs.
    State Apportionments.--The following table shows the 
expected obligation limitation provided to each State under the 
Committee's recommended funding level:

                                FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAM OBLIGATION LIMITATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Fiscal year--
                                                           ------------------------------------     Committee
                                                              2016 enacted      2017 estimate    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Formula Programs
Alabama...................................................      $718,193,418      $734,106,078      $734,106,078
Alaska....................................................       453,571,291       463,600,423       463,600,423
Arizona...................................................       689,276,768       704,623,520       704,623,520
Arkansas..................................................       479,215,508       489,814,257       489,814,257
California................................................     3,413,411,372     3,488,766,125     3,488,766,125
Colorado..................................................       496,238,608       507,202,747       507,202,747
Connecticut...............................................       464,764,375       475,064,913       475,064,913
Delaware..................................................       156,917,461       160,385,014       160,385,014
District of Columbia......................................       151,196,174       154,542,947       154,542,947
Florida...................................................     1,793,513,693     1,833,252,518     1,833,252,518
Georgia...................................................     1,216,877,969     1,243,960,726     1,243,960,726
Hawaii....................................................       153,423,443       156,808,517       156,808,517
Idaho.....................................................       270,912,348       276,911,555       276,911,555
Illinois..................................................     1,347,592,985     1,377,414,613     1,377,414,613
Indiana...................................................       879,470,562       898,990,495       898,990,495
Iowa......................................................       465,298,970       475,606,951       475,606,951
Kansas....................................................       357,802,906       365,729,026       365,729,026
Kentucky..................................................       629,032,323       642,968,189       642,968,189
Louisiana.................................................       634,550,564       648,561,596       648,561,596
Maine.....................................................       171,136,207       174,918,814       174,918,814
Maryland..................................................       569,712,716       582,317,695       582,317,695
Massachusetts.............................................       573,705,651       586,445,248       586,445,248
Michigan..................................................       997,792,873     1,019,877,126     1,019,877,126
Minnesota.................................................       604,304,634       617,663,548       617,663,548
Mississippi...............................................       447,647,643       457,548,275       457,548,275
Missouri..................................................       876,358,184       895,739,463       895,739,463
Montana...................................................       379,981,225       388,383,353       388,383,353
Nebraska..................................................       273,727,580       279,790,090       279,790,090
Nevada....................................................       344,238,874       351,855,485       351,855,485
New Hampshire.............................................       156,557,427       160,023,005       160,023,005
New Jersey................................................       943,518,427       964,461,918       964,461,918
New Mexico................................................       340,020,446       347,539,606       347,539,606
New York..................................................     1,592,003,170     1,627,212,411     1,627,212,411
North Carolina............................................       987,932,334     1,009,807,940     1,009,807,940
North Dakota..............................................       230,006,417       235,091,606       235,091,606
Ohio......................................................     1,216,610,017     1,243,449,331     1,243,449,331
Oklahoma..................................................       600,405,162       613,707,231       613,707,231
Oregon....................................................       463,004,294       473,241,333       473,241,333
Pennsylvania..............................................     1,554,665,862     1,589,080,502     1,589,080,502
Rhode Island..............................................       202,671,917       207,152,256       207,152,256
South Carolina............................................       633,948,635       647,993,466       647,993,466
South Dakota..............................................       259,758,519       265,534,977       265,534,977
Tennessee.................................................       782,891,123       800,199,870       800,199,870
Texas.....................................................     3,269,713,792     3,342,114,445     3,342,114,445
Utah......................................................       328,873,330       336,156,562       336,156,562
Vermont...................................................       188,181,637       192,340,798       192,340,798
Virginia..................................................       943,257,497       964,107,697       964,107,697
Washington................................................       642,273,878       656,493,056       656,493,056
West Virginia.............................................       413,826,350       422,992,496       422,992,496
Wisconsin.................................................       712,577,597       728,359,430       728,359,430
Wyoming...................................................       232,000,764       237,121,473       237,121,473
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal............................................    36,704,564,920    37,517,030,716    37,517,030,716
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
Allocated programs........................................     5,250,644,793     5,334,321,057     5,334,321,057
Sections 154 and 164 Penalties............................       382,356,953       391,314,893       391,314,893
High Risk Rural Roads Special Rule........................        23,433,334        23,433,334        23,433,334
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total...............................................    42,361,000,000    43,266,100,000    43,266,100,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2016.................................... $43,100,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................  44,005,100,000
Committee recommendation................................  44,005,100,000

                          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 $44,005,100,000. The recommended level is equal to the 
budget request and $905,100,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level. This level of liquidating authority is necessary 
to pay outstanding obligations from various highway accounts 
pursuant to this and prior appropriations acts.

                               RESCISSION

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017................................... -$2,436,000,000
Committee recommendation................................  -2,211,000,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The Federal-aid highway program currently has over $24 
billion in unobligated balances of contract authority. The FAST 
Act rescinds $7.569 billion in unobligated balances of 
apportioned contract authority in fiscal year 2020. The FAST 
Act rescission encompasses most apportioned funds except: 
Appalachian Development Highway System Program, Coordinated 
Border Infrastructure Program, Safe Routes to School Program, 
Highway Safety Improvement Program, Railway-Highway Grade 
Crossings Program, Surface Transportation Program funds that 
are suballocated by population, and old set-asides for safety. 
The rescission amounts for each State and each program within 
such States are calculated based on unobligated balances of 
contract authority for programs subject to the rescission.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a rescission of $2,211,000,000. 
The recommended level is $225,000,000 less than the budget 
request and $2,211,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level. The bill requires the rescission to be applied 
consistent with the rescission in the FAST Act.

       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 allows State DOTs to repurpose certain highway 
project funding to be used within 50 miles of its original 
designation.
    Section 125 requires 60-day notification for any grants for 
a project under 23 U.S.C. 117.
    Section 126 identifies a certain route as a high priority 
corridor on the national highway system and designates it as an 
Interstate route.

              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 $644,200,000 for 
obligations and liquidations from the Highway Trust Fund. This 
level is $150,000,000 less than the request and $63,800,000 
more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The 
recommendation does not include any funding for the 21st 
century clean transportation plan investments.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Fiscal year--
                                                           ------------------------------------     Committee
                                                              2016 enacted      2017 estimate    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motor Carrier Safety Operations & Programs................       267,400,000       277,200,000       277,200,000
Motor Carrier Safety Grants...............................       313,000,000       367,000,000       367,000,000
21st century clean transportation plan investments........  ................       150,000,000  ................
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total...............................................       580,400,000       794,200,000       644,200,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Limitation, 2016........................................    $267,400,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     277,200,000
Committee recommendation................................     277,200,000

                          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 $277,200,000 for FMCSA's Operations and 
Programs. The recommendation is $9,800,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Of the 
total limitation on obligations, $9,180,000 is for research and 
technology.
    Bus Lease and Interchange Rule.--On March 16, 2016, FMCSA 
announced it was extending the compliance date for its final 
rule concerning the lease and interchange of passenger carrying 
motor vehicles [Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0103], based on issues 
raised in numerous petitions for reconsideration. The Committee 
is pleased by this action, and directs FMCSA to expeditiously 
complete its review and modify the rule to resolve the issues 
raised, and ensure the rule appropriately targets unsafe 
passenger carriers without unduly interfering in compliant 
business operations. The Committee is confident FMCSA can 
resolve all outstanding issues prior to January 2018; however, 
if it is unable to effect a modification of the rule within 
this time period, the Committee expects FMCSA to grant an 
additional extension, until the rule can be modified.
    Heavy Vehicle Speed Limiters.--A coalition of trucking 
industry and safety advocates petitioned the Department in 2006 
to initiate a rulemaking mandating all class 7 and 8 trucks to 
have their top speeds electronically limited to no more than 65 
miles per hour. NHTSA finally granted this petition in 2011 and 
has been developing a proposed rulemaking with FMCSA that would 
consider new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for the 
installation of speed limiting devices. The agency has stated 
that the rulemaking would have minimal costs and decrease fatal 
crashes, but continues to delay publication of the proposed 
rule. The Committee directs the Department to issue its 
proposed rule by April 28, 2016.
    High-Risk Carriers.--Under FMCSA regulations, carriers 
identified as high risk must have a compliance review conducted 
within 1 year. In fiscal year 2015, the Committee provided 
additional resources to improve the agency's capacity to better 
target high risk carriers and to conduct better oversight of 
carriers operating under a consent decree. In fiscal year 2014, 
FMCSA met this requirement for only 84 percent of the mandatory 
carriers due to resources being diverted for the Enhanced 
Investigation Techniques initiative. The Committee expects the 
number of mandatory high risk inspections to increase with the 
improved staff training and enhanced IT systems. 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 mandatory carriers by April 15, 
2017 for the preceding fiscal year.
    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.
    Windshield Mounted Safety Technologies.--The Committee is 
aware of current FMCSA regulations that limit the ability of 
commercial motor carriers to voluntarily mount vehicle safety 
technologies on windshields. Due to the significant safety 
benefits brought about by certain types of windshield mounted 
technologies, the Committee directed the DOT, in Senate Report 
114-75, to move forward in prescribing regulations to 
permanently allow the use of such technologies. Congress later 
codified this directive into law in section 5301 of the FAST 
Act. The Committee is eager to see the implementation of 
section 5301 and is hopeful that the Department will meet the 
deadline set out in law. Accordingly, the Committee directs 
FMCSA to provide an update on the status of this effort within 
30 days of enactment of this act.

                      MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Limitation, 2016........................................    $313,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     367,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     367,000,000

                          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.

                      MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY GRANTS

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a limitation on obligations and 
authority to liquidate an equal amount of contract 
authorization of $367,000,000 for motor carrier safety grants. 
The recommended limitation is $54,000,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and equal to 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].........    $292,600,000
High priority activities program........................      42,200,000
Commercial motor vehicle operator grants program........       1,000,000
Commercial driver's license program implementation            31,200,000
 program................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

 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 makes a technical correction to the hours of 
service provision in section 133 of division L of title I of 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, Public Law 114-113. 
If the 34-hour restart rule in effect on June 30, 2013, is 
restored, then drivers who use the 34-hour restart may not 
drive after being on duty more than 73 hours in a 7-day period.

             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 $891,347,000, including both 
budget authority and limitations on the obligation of contract 
authority. This funding is $289,925,000 less than the 
President's request and $22,315,000 more than the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level. The recommendation does not include any 
funding for the 21st century clean transportation plan 
investments.
    The following table summarizes Committee recommendations:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Highway trust
                                                                   General fund        fund            Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation 2016..............................................    $152,800,000    $716,232,000    $869,032,000
Budget estimate, 2017...........................................  ..............   1,181,272,000   1,181,272,000
Committee recommendation........................................     160,075,000     731,272,000     891,347,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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, pedestrian and 
bicyclist safety, pupil transportation, distracted driving 
prevention, young and older driver safety, and improved 
accident investigation procedures.

                        OPERATIONS AND RESEARCH

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Highway trust
                                                                   General fund        fund            Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2016.................................    $152,800,000    $142,900,000    $295,700,000
Budget estimate, 2017...........................................  ..............     395,900,000     395,900,000
Committee recommendation........................................     160,075,000     145,900,000     305,975,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee provides $305,975,000 for Operations and 
Research, which is $89,925,000 less than the President's budget 
request and $10,275,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. Of the total amount recommended for Operations and 
Research, $160,075,000 is derived from the general fund and 
$145,900,000 is derived from the Highway Trust Fund. For 
vehicle safety research, the Committee recommendation includes 
$23,510,000 for rulemakings, $18,494,000 for enforcement, and 
$38,100,000 for research and analysis. For highway safety 
research and development, the Committee recommendation includes 
$56,143,000 for highway safety programs, and $42,993,000 for 
the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. The 
recommendation fully funds the annualization of staff provided 
in fiscal year 2016, but does not include funding for any new 
positions.
    Autonomous Vehicles.--The Committee believes that the 
development of autonomous vehicles and automated technologies 
can significantly reduce roadway fatalities and improve 
mobility options, particularly to rural America. The 
recommendation includes not less than $6,600,000 for vehicle 
electronics and emerging technologies and directs NHTSA to use 
these resources to ensure that potentially life-saving 
autonomous vehicle technologies with proven safety benefits can 
be safely integrated into vehicles available to the public. 
Within the funds provided, the Committee directs the agency to 
also reduce cybersecurity risks associated the vehicle's 
electronic and communications systems. The Committee is also 
concerned that the Department not create regulatory burdens to 
the safe integration of autonomous vehicles and encourages the 
Department to take into consideration the variations in rural 
infrastructure, such as unmapped, gravel, and snow-covered 
roads, wildlife encounters, and other situations unique to 
rural roads.
    Office of Defects Investigations [ODI].--The Committee is 
disappointed that in spite of additional resources and repeated 
promises of improvement, the agency continues to stumble from 
one recall crisis to another. In fact, an OIG report issued 
this February, ``Additional Efforts Are Needed To Ensure 
NHTSA's Full Implementation of OIG's 2011 Recommendations'', 
found that NHTSA lacks sufficient controls for full compliance 
with recommendations issued in 2011 and has yet to execute a 
formal training program for ODI staff. For example, while NHTSA 
told the OIG that it would document justifications for 
exceeding investigation timeliness goals, over 70 percent of 
delayed investigations reviewed did not include such 
justifications. NHTSA also agreed to establish a procedure to 
store and retain pre-investigation records to better address 
potential safety concerns, but 42 percent of the pre-
investigation documents reviewed were not included in ODI's 
case management system. The OIG also issued a 2015 report, 
``Inadequate Data and Analysis Undermine NHTSA's Efforts To 
Identify and Investigate Vehicle Safety Concerns'', which 
included 17 recommendations to improve ODI's processes for 
collecting and analyzing vehicle safety data and for 
determining which potential safety issues warrant 
investigation. NHTSA anticipates completing these 
recommendations in fiscal year 2016. The Committee directs 
NHTSA shall to fully and consistently implement all OIG 
recommendations from the 2011, 2015, and 2016 reports. Further, 
the Committee directs the OIG to continue to assess NHTSA's 
progress in implementation of these recommendations and report 
to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this act on the 
agency's progress to resolve these issues.
    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 
recent 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.--Removing drivers from the road who are 
under the influence of drugs and alcohol is key to reducing 
highway crashes and fatalities. As States adopt new laws 
regarding marijuana, they and the Federal Government are 
challenged to understand the risk of marijuana-impaired 
driving, how to accurately measure drug impaired driving, and 
how to set uniform regulations regarding impairment. The 
Committee has advocated for NHTSA to advances its work on drug 
impaired driving by expanding public education, data 
collection, the development of standard practices for drug 
toxicology testing, and guidelines for post-accident drug 
testing and reporting. In fiscal year 2015, the Committee also 
directed GAO to study strategies that the NHTSA, the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy, States, and local law enforcement 
have used to detect and reduce drug impaired driving. GAO found 
that a lack of a clear link between impairment and drug 
concentrations in the body makes it difficult to define drug 
impairment, and highlighted the lack of public awareness and 
inadequate data available to set standards. Subsequently, 
section 4008 of the FAST Act required the Secretary to conduct 
a study of marijuana-impaired driving to develop standards for 
impairment and assess technologies for measuring driver 
impairment within 1 year. In executing this requirement, the 
Committee also directs NHTSA to develop criteria for roadside 
drug testing.
    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.
    Motorcoach Safety.--The Committee is concerned by DOT's 
inability to meet the deadlines required for roof strength of 
motorcoaches, anti-ejection rules, or avoidance measures for 
motorcoaches as required by MAP-21. The Committee urges the 
agency to finalize anti-ejection and crash avoidance rulemaking 
in fiscal year 2017 and directs NHTSA to submit a report to the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 6 months 
of the date of enactment of this act on the status of those 
efforts. Section 32704 of MAP-21, required NHTSA to conduct 
research on the causes of motorcoach fires, prevention and 
mitigation and determine whether there was a need to issue fire 
prevention standards within 3 years. While NHTSA released its 
research, the agency has not yet made a decision about whether 
or not to issue prevention and mitigation standards. NHTSA 
should move forward with this determination to fully meet the 
requirements of the law.

                     HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

Limitation, 2016........................................    $573,332,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     585,372,000
Committee recommendation................................     585,372,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The most recent surface authorization, the FAST Act, 
reauthorizes the Sec. 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 $585,372,000 for the highway traffic safety 
grant programs funded under this heading. The recommended 
limitation is equal to the budget estimate and $12,040,000 
above the fiscal year 2016 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.
    The authorized funding for administrative expenses and for 
each grant program is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highway Safety Programs (section 402)...................     252,300,000
National Priority Safety Programs (section 405).........     277,500,000
High Visibility Enforcement Program.....................      29,500,000
Administrative Expenses.................................      26,072,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Drunk Driving Prevention.--NHTSA has partnered with leading 
automobile manufacturers in the Automotive Coalition for 
Traffic Safety [ACTS] 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. To date, progress has been significant, including 
the identification of two competing technological approaches 
which were demonstrated at DOT headquarters in June 2015. 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 recommends 
$5,312,000 for continuation of this research in fiscal year 
2017 and encourages NHTSA to take steps in fiscal year 2017 to 
accelerate the program, including field tests of the research 
vehicles.
    Testing for Drug Impairment.--The FAST Act reauthorizes the 
Impaired Driving Countermeasure Grants to States, which allow 
for a number of activities including the purchase of equipment 
and training for the detection of drugs and alcohol in drivers. 
The Committee directs NHTSA to include activities related to 
roadside drug testing, including the purchase and training in 
the use of instrumented drug testing devices, such as oral 
fluid and blood testing at the roadside, where shown to be 
accurate and reliable, as allowable activities under this 
section.

      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, 2016....................................    $199,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     213,298,000
Committee recommendation................................     208,500,000

                          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 $208,500,000 for Safety and 
Operations for fiscal year 2017, which is $4,798,000 less than 
the budget request and $9,500,000 more than the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level. The bill specifies that $15,900,000 shall 
remain available until expended to cover the cost of the 
Automated Track Inspection Program, the Railroad Safety 
Information System, research and development activities, and 
contract support.
    While there have been several high profile incidents 
involving passenger trains in the past year, the Committee 
remains confident that the passenger rail system is safe. In 
fact, according to the FRA's Office of Safety Analysis, 
calendar year 2015 actually saw the lowest rate of total 
accidents/incidents per million passenger train miles in the 
last several years. That being said, even one passenger train 
incident is one too many, and as such, the recent incidents 
underscore the need for continued safety improvements. The 
Committee believes it is essential that all stakeholders--
railroads management, unions, and regulatory agencies--work 
together in a collaborative process to promote railroad safety 
and prevent future accidents. The Committee maintains its 
commitment to prioritizing passenger rail safety and the 
increase in funding supports the annualization of 32 safety 
personnel provided in fiscal year 2016, as well as additional 
safety initiatives detailed below.
    Safe Transport of Energy Products [STEP].--The Committee's 
recommendation includes funding to support FRA's efforts to 
improve the safe transport of energy products. The STEP 
initiative supports crude oil safety inspectors, crude oil 
route safety managers, and tank car quality assurance 
specialists, tank car research, as well as supports increased 
mileage of a dedicated Automated Track Inspection Program 
vehicle on routes with energy products traffic.
    Automated Track Inspection Program.--The Automated Track 
Inspection Program [ATIP] provides track geometry information, 
as well as other track-related performance data, to assess 
compliance with Federal Track Safety Standards. The data 
collected under ATIP is used by FRA inspectors and by railroads 
to ensure proper track maintenance and to assess track safety 
trends within the industry. The Committee supports FRA's budget 
request to expand the use of ATIP vehicles, including 
autonomous ATIP vehicles, to support the inspection of crude 
oil routes.
    Nationwide Bridge Inventory.--The Committee's 
recommendation includes $500,000 for FRA to create a Web-based 
portal to collect electronic data from railroads on the number 
and condition of railroad bridges. This database should 
document information including the age of bridges and the last 
date of inspection, and the Committee urges FRA to target its 
inspections to the areas of highest risk.
    Small Business Participation Study.--The Committee urges 
FRA to complete a nationwide disparity and availability study 
on the use of small business concerns owned and controlled by 
socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and 
veteran--owned small businesses in publicly funded intercity 
rail passenger transportation projects.
    Gulf Coast Working Group.--The Committee urges FRA to 
complete the evaluation of restoration of intercity rail 
passenger service as required by the FAST Act.

                   RAILROAD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $39,100,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      53,500,000
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 $13,400,000 
less than the budget request and $1,000,000 more than the 
fiscal year 2016 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, 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 
conformance assessments in order to improve railroad safety 
culture. The Committee's recommendation includes $2,000,000 to 
further the Short Line Safety Institute's mission, including 
continued efforts to improve the safe transportation of crude 
oil and other hazardous materials by rail.
    Tank Car Research.--The Committee's recommendation includes 
$2,000,000 to conduct tank car research activities related to 
STEP in partnership with PHMSA and DOE.
    Intelligent Railroad Systems.--The Committee's 
recommendation includes $1,000,000 for university research and 
development in collaboration with FRA to advance the goals and 
objectives of an Intelligent Railroad System through conversion 
of the Intelligent Transportation Systems technology for 
highways in an effort to serve as a resource for developments 
in track mapping and inspections, train and railcar tracking, 
and grade crossing safety. The impacts of recent rail closures 
in Central Appalachia, including West Virginia, highlights the 
need to advance research that would help States retain and 
attract major rail activity.

       RAILROAD REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT FINANCING PROGRAM

    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.
    The Committee directs FRA to continue to provide a summary 
of loan activity for the preceding fiscal years in its fiscal 
year 2018 budget justification. At a minimum, FRA should detail 
the number of loans pending and issued, and the processing time 
for these loans.

    CONSOLIDATED RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016\1\.................................     $50,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017\2\................................
Committee recommendation................................      50,000,000

\1\Funded under Railroad Safety Grants.
\2\Requested as mandatory funding from the transportation trust fund.

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety 
Improvements [CRISI] Grants provide support for projects 
authorized in section 11301 of Public Law 114-94 that improve 
rail safety. While the Committee is sympathetic to the need for 
funding for projects that improve the efficiency and 
reliability of passenger and freight rail transportation 
systems, under current budget constraints the Committee is 
committed to prioritizing projects that improve railroad 
safety.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for the CRISI Grants. 
The budget request provides funding under a new $3,700,000,000 
Rail Service Improvements program that would be supported by 
mandatory resources and would require enactment of a new 
comprehensive surface transportation act, ignoring current law 
under the FAST Act. The recommendation does not include funding 
for the 21st century clean transportation plan investments.
    The Committee included $50,000,000 in Rail Safety Grants in 
fiscal year 2016. With the recently enacted authorization bill 
supporting these efforts under CRISI, the Committee provides 
$25,000,000 for section 24407(c)(1) of title 49 United States 
Code; and $25,000,000 for section 24407 (c)(5), (c)(6), (c)(7), 
and (c)(10). Funding for projects eligible under section 24407 
(c)(6) and (c)(7) is limited to projects that improve railroad 
safety.

       FEDERAL-STATE PARTNERSHIP FOR STATE OF GOOD REPAIR GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................
Budget estimate, 2017\1\................................
Committee recommendation................................      20,000,000

\1\Requested as mandatory funding from the transportation trust fund.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 $20,000,000 for the Federal-State 
Partnership for State of Good Repair Grants. The budget request 
provides funding under a new $2,300,000,000 Current Passenger 
Rail Service program that would be supported by mandatory 
resources and would require enactment of a new comprehensive 
surface transportation authorization act, ignoring current law 
under the FAST Act. The recommendation does not include funding 
for the 21st century clean transportation investments plan.
    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 directs FRA to take 
into consideration the needs of the entire national rail 
network when awarding funding for this program.

                   RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................
Budget estimate, 2017\1\................................
Committee recommendation................................      15,000,000

\1\Requested as mandatory funding from the transportation trust fund.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 $15,000,000 for Restoration and 
Enhancement Grants. The budget request provides funding under a 
new $3,700,000,000 Rail Service Improvements program that would 
be supported by mandatory resources and would require enactment 
of a new comprehensive surface transportation authorization 
act, ignoring current law under the FAST Act. The 
recommendation does not include funding for the 21st century 
clean transportation plan investments. The Committee recommends 
$5,000,000 for section 2408 of title 49, United States Code, 
and $10,000,000 for capital grants for restoration and 
initiation of intercity passenger rail service.

          THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION (AMTRAK)

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $1,390,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017\1\................................
Committee recommendation................................   1,420,000,000

\1\Requested as mandatory funding from the transportation trust fund.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 
$1,420,000,000 for Amtrak, which is $30,000,000 more than the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The budget request would shift 
funding for Amtrak into a new $2,300,000,000 Current Passenger 
Rail Service program that would be supported by mandatory 
resources and would require enactment of a new comprehensive 
surface transportation authorization ignoring current law under 
the FAST Act. The recommendation does not include funding for 
the 21st century clean transportation plan investments. The 
Committee understands that FRA and Amtrak are working to 
complete the necessary changes to comply with the new grant 
structure created in the FAST Act and that the division of 
funds between the Amtrak grants represents the best estimate at 
the time of enactment of this act.
    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 2017. The 
Corporation shall continue to submit a budget request for 
fiscal year 2018 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 report requirements.
    ADA Compliance.--The Committee continues to believe that 
compliance with the requirements of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act [ADA] is essential to ensuring that all people 
have equal access to transportation services. Amtrak reports 
that it has some degree of ADA responsibility at 365 stations, 
that it has provided mobile lifts at the 97 stations that have 
less than 7,500 riders annually, and that approximately 190 of 
the remaining 268 stations will need some type of set-back 
level boarding solution. Many of the platforms in these 
stations are owned by freight railroads and reconciling the 
requirements of existing freight traffic with the needs of 
passengers is a complex challenge. The Committee encourages 
Amtrak to use its funds to address compliance requirements that 
are the responsibility of other parties at the stations it 
serves where the work involved is not more than 10 percent of 
the cost of all ADA compliance work at that station, and where 
doing so would expedite completion of its compliance efforts 
and be a more efficient use of resources than compelling those 
parties to act. With the level of funding recommended by the 
Committee, Amtrak intends to advance construction at a total of 
50 stations and intends to advance planning and design 
requirements for another 99 stations. By the end of the fiscal 
year 2016, Amtrak expects to complete work on a total of 60 
stations.
    Food and Beverage.--In 2013, Amtrak announced a plan to 
eliminate food and beverage losses on its system. In response 
to this announcement, the Committee required Amtrak to report 
on its savings initiatives in fiscal years 2015 and 2016, and 
the Committee is encouraged by the contents of those reports. 
Subsequently, 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 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 2016 savings with Amtrak 
projections.
    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.
    Promoting Rail and Airport Connections.--The Committee 
continues to support efforts to improve intercity passenger 
rail connections at commercial airports that are adjacent to 
the mainline of the NEC and not currently served by Amtrak, and 
directs FRA, in coordination with Amtrak, to complete the study 
required in Public Law 114-113 on the feasibility of 
establishing service at such airports by December 31, 2016. The 
assessment of feasibility should be a robust addition to 
previous efforts considering how intercity passenger rail 
service may complement existing or planned commuter passenger 
rail service at such stations and contain thorough analysis of 
the projected ridership and revenue levels, impacts on network 
service levels and performance, operating and capital costs, 
and local economic impacts associated with any service options.

     NORTHEAST CORRIDOR GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER 
                              CORPORATION

    The Committee recommends $345,000,000 for Northeast 
Corridor Grants to Amtrak. The funding level provided includes 
no more than $5,000,000 for use of the Northeast Corridor 
Commission established under section 24905 of title 49, United 
States Code.
    Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Needs.--The Committee 
acknowledges that the NEC has a state of good repair backlog of 
more than $28,000,000,000. This includes several key components 
of electrical and signal systems that date back to the 1930s as 
well as critical bridges and tunnels that are more than 100 
years old. According to the NEC Commission, the loss of the NEC 
for a single day could cost the country $100,000,000 in added 
congestion, productivity losses, and other transportation 
impacts.

 NATIONAL NETWORK GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION

    The Committee recommends $1,075,000,000 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.
    Long-Distance State of Good Repair.--The Committee 
recognizes the important role rail corridors, such as the Great 
Northern Corridor, play in maintaining connectivity for both 
freight and passengers on the national rail network. 
Additionally, the Committee recognizes the strain placed on 
rail infrastructure by aging equipment. The Committee urges FRA 
and Amtrak to work with local communities and partners to 
upgrade shared-use infrastructure on its long-distance 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.
    Section 151 provides additional flexibility to FRA 
Restoration and Enhancement Grants for operating expenses.

                     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 $12,332,434,043 is provided for FTA programs in fiscal year 
2017. The recommendation is $7,436,272,000 less than the budget 
request and $575,227,404 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The recommendation does not include funding for the 21st 
century clean transportation investments plan.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Highway trust
                                                              General fund          fund              Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation 2016........................................    $2,409,602,000    $9,347,604,639   $11,757,206,639
Budget estimate, 2017.....................................       150,000,000    19,618,706,043    19,768,706,043
Committee recommendation..................................     2,598,728,000     9,733,706,043    12,332,434,043
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $108,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017\1\................................     115,016,543
Committee recommendation................................     110,665,000

\1\Requested as a set-aside within Formula Grants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 $110,665,000 from the 
general fund for the agency's salaries and administrative 
expenses. The recommended level of funding is $4,351,543 less 
than the budget request, which assumed that FTA's 
administrative expenses would be provided as a set-aside within 
the Formula Grants account. The Committee recommendation is 
also $2,665,000 above the fiscal year 2016 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, 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. In 
addition, FTA should notify the Committees 10 days before any 
project in the Capital Investment Grant program is given 
approval by FTA to advance to project development or 
engineering.

                             FORMULA GRANTS

                  (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Obligation
                                                           limitation
                                                          (trust fund)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016..................................    $9,347,604,639
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     9,733,706,043
Committee recommendation..............................     9,733,706,043
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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; growing States and 
high-density States formula grants; and positive train control 
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 2017 to 
$9,733,706,043. The recommendation is equal to the budget 
request and $386,101,403 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The recommendation is also consistent with the currently 
authorized level under the FAST Act. The recommendation does 
not include funding for the 21st century clean transportation 
plan investments.
    The Committee recommends $10,800,000,000 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Fiscal year 2017
    Formula grants (obligation                                             -------------------------------------
           limitation)                Section number      Fiscal year 2016    Administration       Committee
                                                                                 proposal          assumption
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transit Oriented Development.....  20005(b)............        $10,000,000        $10,000,000        $10,000,000
Planning Programs................  5305................        130,732,000        133,398,933        133,398,933
Urbanized Area Formula Grants....  5307................      4,538,905,701      4,629,683,814      4,629,683,814
Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and   5310................        262,949,400        268,208,388        268,208,388
 Individuals with Disabilities.
Pilot Program for Enhanced         3006(b).............          2,000,000          3,000,000          3,000,000
 Mobility.
Formula Grants for Rural Areas...  5311................        619,956,000        632,355,120        632,355,120
Public Transportation Innovation.  5312................         28,000,000         28,000,000         28,000,000
Technical Assistance and           5314................          9,000,000          9,000,000          9,000,000
 Workforce Development.
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................      2,507,000,000      2,549,670,000      2,549,670,000
Bus and Bus Facilities Grants....  5339................        695,800,000        719,956,000        719,956,000
Growing States and High Density    5340................        536,261,539        544,433,788        544,433,788
 States.
Positive Train Control...........  ....................  .................        199,000,000        199,000,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total......................  ....................      9,347,604,639      9,733,706,043      9,733,706,043
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Transit Formula Allocations.--The Committee supports 
increased funding levels authorized by the FAST Act for bus and 
bus facility grants and encourages FTA to prioritize 
competitive funding under this program for small and rural 
systems.
    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 access 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.
    Positive Train Control.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $199,000,000 to help commuter and intercity railroads 
implement Positive Train Control as authorized by the FAST Act. 
Section 3028 of the FAST Act outlines eligible recipients of 
these funds as entities that receive funds under chapter 53 of 
title 49, United States Code. The Committee therefore believes 
these funds are available to States that partner with Amtrak on 
State supported routes.
    Low or No Emission Vehicles.--The Committee supports the 
FAST Act's inclusion of competitive grants for low or no 
emission buses and bus facilities into the section 3017 buses 
and bus facilities grant program. This change is aimed at 
ensuring that low or no emission vehicles or facilities 
financed under this program can be fully integrated into public 
transportation systems. The Committee encourages FTA to 
favorably consider grant applications focused on the cleanest 
technologies available in the transit bus market, including 
transit bus technologies and supporting facilities that have no 
tailpipe/point source emissions.

                       CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $2,177,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017\1\................................   3,500,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,338,063,000

\1\Requested as mandatory funding from the transportation trust fund
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 section 5309 of title 49 of the 
United States Code 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 today, 
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 $2,338,063,000 for capital 
investment grants, which is $161,063,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level, and $1,161,937,000 less than the 
request. The Committee's recommendation includes $1,209,790,000 
to cover the cost of existing full funding grant agreements 
[FFGAs] in fiscal year 2017 and $511,280,000 for new starts 
projects that the administration has recommended for FFGAs in 
its budget request. Of the new FFGA projects in the budget 
request, the Committee recommendation includes not less than 
$250,000,000 for the three projects in California, $36,280,000 
for the project in Washington, $125,000,000 for the project in 
Maryland, and $100,000,000 for the project in Texas. In 
addition, $332,850,000 is for core capacity projects, 
$240,762,000 is for small starts projects, $20,000,000 is for 
expedited project delivery, and $23,381,000 is for oversight 
activities. The Committee directs FTA to allocate no more than 
$100,000,000 per project in fiscal year 2017 funds for core 
capacity, small starts, and expedited project delivery 
projects.
    Increasing Costs of Transit Projects.--Not later than 6 
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. 
The report shall compare practices both between various cities 
in the United States as well as to practices in other nations. 
The report should, if appropriate, make recommendations to DOT 
on steps it can take 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 U.S. 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, 2016....................................    $150,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     150,000,000
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.

                        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 equal to the budget request and the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. These grants are in addition to the funding local 
jurisdictions have committed to providing to WMATA.
    The Committee is very frustrated with the lack of 
significant progress WMATA has made in fixing the system's 
operational and financial problems and implementing a culture 
of safety despite continued Federal support. This year marks 
the seventh anniversary of the deadly WMATA crash at the Fort 
Totten Station that killed nine people. This is the eighth 
installment of appropriated Federal dedicated funding 
authorized for WMATA.
    The Committee is deeply troubled by the emergency cable 
inspection that shut down the entire system for more than 24 
hours in March 2016, uncovering a significant number of damaged 
jumper cables and connector boots. It is especially troubling 
to learn that these dangerous equipment conditions continue to 
exist more than a year after the deadly Yellow Line Smoke 
Incident at L'Enfant Plaza Station in January 2015. The 
National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] directed WMATA to 
fix this hardware in June 2015 following the incident.
    The Committee commends the Secretary for his leadership and 
active engagement on improving the operation and management of 
WMATA. The Secretary has made improving WMATA's safety a top 
priority including directing the FTA to conduct a safety 
inspection of the metro system in March 2015. This audit 
examined WMATA's safety culture including safety procedures and 
protocols. The Secretary subsequently directed FTA to take over 
safety oversight of WMATA from the ineffective Tri-State 
Oversight Committee in October 2015. The FTA continues to serve 
in this temporary role while it waits for the jurisdictions to 
set up a more robust and independent oversight entity. In March 
2016, the Secretary began another emergency safety inspection 
focused on red signal overruns, track integrity, and rail 
vehicle securement. This FTA inspection will likely result in 
additional mandated corrective actions for WMATA. Given the 
significant safety improvements that must still be made by the 
troubled metro system, the bill once again requires the 
Secretary to approve grants provided under this heading to 
WMATA only after certifying that progress has been made to 
improve safety in the system.
    Financial Management.--FTA reported material weaknesses and 
significant deficiencies in WMATA's internal financial controls 
in a 2014 audit. In response to these serious findings, FTA 
suspended WMATA's ability to automatically draw down its 
Federal grants. FTA will review and approve each WMATA request 
for reimbursement until these weaknesses are corrected and 
WMATA shows significant improvement. The bill requires the 
Secretary to approve grants provided under this heading to 
WMATA only after certifying that WMATA is making progress 
toward full implementation of the corrective actions identified 
in the 2014 financial audit.
    The bill also directs the Secretary to provide these 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 requires that funds appropriated or limited by 
this act for specific projects not obligated by September 30, 
2021, and other recoveries, be directed to projects eligible to 
use the funds for the purposes for which they were originally 
provided.
    Section 162 allows funds appropriated before October 1, 
2016, that remain available for expenditure to be transferred 
to the most recent appropriation heading.
    Section 163 makes a technical correction to 49 U.S.C. 
5303(r)(2)(C).
    Section 164 rescinds any unobligated balances from funding 
provided in fiscal year 2012 or earlier from the job access and 
reverse commute program and makes them available for projects 
under 49 U.S.C. 5309(q).
    Section 165 allows small transit operators to use urbanized 
area formula grants for operating assistance based on locally 
determined planning processes and requirements, subject to 
limitations.

             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). 
SLSDC 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 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 Saint Lawrence Seaway [Seaway] between Montreal 
and Lake Erie.

                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

                    (HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $28,400,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      36,028,000
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 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 equal 
to the budget request and $7,628,000 more than the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level.
    The Committee directs SLSDC to continue to submit an annual 
report to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, not 
later than April 30 of each year, 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.

                       MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $210,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     211,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     275,000,000

                          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 $275,000,000 
for the MSP. This amount is $64,000,000 more than the budget 
request and $65,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The recommended appropriation is based upon the 
subcommittee's Defense allocation. A lack of funds to the 
authorized level should not be interpreted in any way to 
signify a lack of support for this critical National Security 
program. The bill includes language directing MARAD to divide 
the funding proportionally among the 60 ships in the program in 
order to maintain these important maritime jobs.

                        OPERATIONS AND TRAINING

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $171,155,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     194,146,000
Committee recommendation................................     175,160,000

                          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 $175,160,000 
for Operations and Training at MARAD for fiscal year 2017 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 $4,005,000 more 
than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $18,986,000 less 
than the budget request.

                         MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Fiscal year
                                                            2017 Senate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy............................     $83,218,000
    Academy Operations..................................      65,218,000
    Capital Improvements................................      15,000,000
    Facilities Maintenance, Repair and Equipment........       3,000,000
State Maritime Academies................................      34,600,000
    SMA Direct Payments.................................       3,000,000
    Student Incentive Payments..........................       2,400,000
    Schoolship Maintenance and Repair...................      22,000,000
    Fuel Assistance Payments............................       1,200,000
    National Security Multi-Mission Vehicle Design......       6,000,000
MARAD Operations........................................      57,342,000
    Headquarter Operations..............................      49,142,000
    Environment and Technology Grants...................       3,000,000
    Marine Highways Grants..............................       5,000,000
                                                         ---------------
        Total...........................................     175,160,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Short Sea Shipping Program.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $5,000,000 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 53-year-old training ship Empire State. The 
Committee is concerned that the budget request's exclusion of 
funding for vessel design signaled a lack of interest in 
maritime education and addressing this urgent need. The 
Committee provides $6,000,000 to complete vessel design, and 
conduct long-term planning activities for the incremental 
replacement of the current academy training 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 any future 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 rate of incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment 
at the Academy. The most recent survey of sexual harassment and 
sexual assault from the 2014-2015 academic year shows a 
continuation of the disturbing results at the Academy seen in 
prior surveys. Despite 17.1 percent of female and 2 percent of 
male midshipmen reporting sexual assault on the survey, only 
one of the incidents was reported to Academy leadership.
    It is imperative that senior leadership throughout the 
Department make improving conditions at the Academy a top 
priority. The Academy has made strides by hiring a new Sexual 
Assault Response Coordinator with relevant experience and 
knowledge to address these issues, but a change in culture must 
be made throughout the entire Academy. 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, 2017.
    United States Merchant Marine Academy Capital Improvements 
Plan [CIP].--The Committee directs the Administrator to provide 
an annual report by March 31, 2017, 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 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 directs MARAD, in 
consultation with the Army Corps of Engineers, to conduct a 
survey of the dredging needs of small shipyards and to provide 
the results to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 400 days of enactment of this act.

                     ASSISTANCE TO SMALL SHIPYARDS

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................
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 
$5,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 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 and apprenticeships in communities dependent 
upon maritime transportation.

                             SHIP DISPOSAL

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      20,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      20,000,000

                          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 $20,000,000 
for MARAD's Ship Disposal program. This level of funding is 
$15,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
equal to the budget request. This level of funding is 
sufficient to meet the terms and conditions of the Suisun Bay 
Reserve Fleet settlement. The Committee recommendation includes 
$8,000,000 for activities related to the decommissioning of NS 
Savannah. The total number of obsolete ships not yet under 
contract and awaiting disposal is down to 13. This is a 
historic low for the program.

              MARITIME GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM [TITLE XI]

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $8,135,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       3,000,000
Committee recommendation................................       5,000,000

\1\The estimate does not reflect the proposed rescission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 $5,000,000 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 
$2,000,000 more than the President's budget request and 
$3,135,000 less than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The 
loan guarantee amount of $2,000,000 in addition to unobligated 
balances currently available, is sufficient to meet the cost of 
all current active applications before the Department. The 
Committee directs the agency to process all applications 
expeditiously and continue to proactively monitor all 
guaranteed loans that may be at risk of default. The Committee 
recognizes the importance that the title XI program provides 
for the advancement of shipbuilding, aiding the U.S.-flag 
fleet, and sustainment of jobs for this critical sector of our 
national defense.

           ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

    Section 170 authorizes MARAD to furnish utilities and to 
service and make repairs to any lease, contract, or occupancy 
involving 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

                         (PIPELINE SAFETY FUND)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $21,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      23,688,000
Committee recommendation................................      23,207,000

                          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 $23,207,000 for this account, of 
which $1,500,000 shall be transferred to the Office of Pipeline 
Safety for Information Grants to Communities. The Committee's 
recommendation is $481,000 less than the budget request and 
$2,207,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.

                       HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $55,619,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      68,249,000
Committee recommendation................................      57,619,000

                          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 $57,619,000 
for hazardous materials safety, of which $7,570,000 shall 
remain available until September 30, 2019. The amount provided 
is $10,630,000 less than the administration's budget request 
and $2,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. 
The Committee's recommendation does not provide new FTE.
    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 an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on 
expanding the applicability of comprehensive oil spill response 
plans to rail carriers in July 2014. The Committee notes with 
disappointment that to date, despite additional resources 
provided by the Committee and direction in the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act of fiscal year 2016, PHMSA has not initiated 
a rulemaking. The Committee directs PHMSA to initiate a 
rulemaking to expand the applicability of comprehensive oil 
spill response plans to rail carriers no later than June 30, 
2016, and to issue a final rule no later than December 18, 
2016.

                            PIPELINE SAFETY

                         (PIPELINE SAFETY FUND)

                    (OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND)

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $146,623,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     174,943,000
Committee recommendation................................     149,959,000

                          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 $149,959,000 for the OPS, consistent with the 
SAFE PIPES Act as approved by the Senate. The amount is 
$3,336,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$24,984,000 less than the budget request. Of the funding 
provided, $20,288,000 shall be derived from the Oil Spill 
Liability Trust Fund and $129,671,000 shall be derived from the 
Pipeline 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.
    Seismic Safety.--The Committee is concerned that 
insufficient attention has been paid to the seismic safety of 
pipelines, particularly those transporting natural gas and 
petroleum, that cross fault lines. The Committee directs PHMSA 
to provide a briefing to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations not later than 60 days after the day of 
enactment of this act regarding the number of both interstate 
and intrastate pipelines that cross faults that move at least 5 
millimeters per year, existing Federal regulations governing 
pipeline seismic safety, and the potential for installing 
automatic shut-off valves that can be coordinated with a future 
earthquake early warning system.

                     EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS

                     (EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUND)

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $28,318,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      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 Web-based 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 2016 
PHMSA released its initial Web-based, off-the-shelf 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, 2016....................................     $87,472,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      90,152,000
Committee recommendation................................      93,550,000

                          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 $93,550,000 for 
activities of the Office of the Inspector General, which is 
$3,398,000 more than the President's budget request and 
$6,078,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    Audit Reports.--The Committee requests that the Inspector 
General continue to forward 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 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.
    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 
the 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.

                                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.--The primary relationship between the Committee 
and HUD exists via the Departmental budget office. This 
relationship is an absolute necessity in structuring the annual 
appropriations act. It facilitates an effective sharing of a 
wide range of budgetary and cost information. The Committee 
retains the right to call upon all offices and agencies within 
the Department, but the primary connection between the two 
entities exists through the budget office. The Committee 
cautions HUD that section 405 of the Appropriations Act governs 
the creation of new offices and policies. Additionally, the 
Committee expects that all offices within HUD will work with 
the budget office to provide timely and accurate information to 
the Committee.
    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 2017, 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 
2018 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.
    Grant Awards and Congressional Notification.--HUD is 
reminded that appropriated funds are critical investments that 
support communities across the Nation. HUD's grant programs 
give State and local governments, public housing agencies, 
nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and other key housing 
development and service providers the resources to build and 
preserve quality affordable housing, spur local economies, and 
make communities more stable. The Committee is concerned that 
the Department continues to use archaic systems and processes 
for grant notifications, causing delays, inefficiencies, and 
administrative burdens on staff. Therefore, the Committee urges 
HUD to consult with the Department of Transportation and other 
Federal agencies on their Congressional notification process.
    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.
    Office of Inspector General Semiannual Report to 
Congress.--The Committee believes the Department can undertake 
additional actions to increase accountability and transparency, 
which will improve oversight and ensure Federal resources are 
not wasted or abused. The Committee reminds HUD that for fiscal 
year 2015, the Office of Inspector General [OIG] identified 
nearly $2,000,000,000 of HUD resources that could be put to 
better use. The Committee encourages HUD to respond to both the 
Inspector General and the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations on actions already taken, and planned future 
action, to address such findings, within 30 days of issuance of 
each OIG semiannual report.
    Lead-Hazard Control and Remediation.--The Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] estimate that 535,000 
American children under 6 years of age are affected by lead 
poisoning. This preventable condition can result in children 
having reduced IQs and developing behavioral problems and 
learning disabilities. According to HUD, 70 percent of lead 
poisoning cases in the United States are the result of exposure 
to lead-based paint hazards in the home. This exposure usually 
stems from the presence of lead-based paint in homes built 
prior to 1978.
    Over the last decade, the Committee has provided more than 
$1,000,000,000 for initiatives that address lead-based paint 
hazards in our Nation's housing stock. These resources have 
helped to improve the condition of 78,032 homes and the lives 
and health outcomes of 278,000 people. These funds were 
primarily used to address lead-based paint hazards in homes 
that were owned or occupied by low and very-low income families 
with children.
    However, the continued presence of lead-based paint hazards 
in HUD-assisted housing has only been fully revealed in recent 
news reports. These reports raise concerns that HUD has 
insufficient oversight to ensure that public housing agencies 
and property owners comply with regulations regarding 
inspections for and remediation of lead-based paint hazards. 
Furthermore, the Committee believes that HUD has failed to 
appropriately respond to the CDC's decision in 2012 to 
strengthen its blood lead level standard for children under 6 
years old. HUD's blood lead level standard, which prescribes 
the level at which an environmental intervention must be 
performed in a unit, has not been changed since 1999. As a 
result, HUD's outdated standard permits children to live in 
homes that place them at risk of permanent neurological damage.
    To address these concerns, the bill and accompanying report 
include a deadline for the implementation of a new regulation 
that strengthens HUD's blood lead level standard, and a series 
of reforms and investments to address lead-based paint hazards 
in HUD-assisted housing and low-income housing in the private 
sector. The Committee includes reforms to current policies, an 
expansion of HUD's oversight and enforcement capacity, and 
additional funding for Public Housing Agencies [PHAs] and low-
income homeowners to address lead-based paint hazards in the 
home.

                           EXECUTIVE OFFICES

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $13,800,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      14,479,000
Committee recommendation................................      30,608,000

                          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, 
the Departmental Enforcement Center, and the Office of Small 
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $30,608,000 
for this account, which is $16,808,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and $16,129,000 more than the budget 
request. Of the total amount provided, no less than $16,148,000 
shall be for the Departmental Enforcement Center. 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 eight offices funded 
under this heading.
    Departmental Enforcement Center.--The Committee is troubled 
by the results of the Inspector General's February 2016 
evaluation of the Departmental Enforcement Center [DEC]. The 
evaluation determined that when utilized, the DEC can 
effectively address issues related to poor performing and 
noncompliant grantees. However, the evaluation also determined 
that the DEC's current location within the OGC has limited its 
ability to work with program offices, and as a result, has 
seriously undermined the overall effectiveness of the DEC to 
successfully implement risk-based monitoring and enforcement of 
grantees. In response, the Committee directs the DEC to be 
removed from the OGC's organizational structure and report 
directly to the Deputy Secretary, consistent with its original 
intent and creation in 1997. The Committee further notes that 
the Department concedes that the Memoranda of Understanding 
[MOUs] between the DEC and program offices are overly 
restrictive and will review them with a goal of modification or 
elimination. The Committee directs the Department to report to 
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 60 
days after enactment of this act on the result of the reviews.
    Circumvention of the Nomination Process.--The Committee 
remains troubled by the administration's willful circumvention 
of the Appointments Clause of the Constitution which in Article 
II, section 2, clause 2 states, ``and he shall nominate, and by 
and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint 
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the 
supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, 
whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and 
which shall be established by Law.'' Specifically, the 
Committee notes the appointments last year of the Principal 
Deputy Assistant Secretaries for the Offices of Community 
Planning and Development, Housing, and Public and Indian 
Housing.
    While this position has existed at other Federal agencies, 
it is new to the Department, and comes at a time when the 
Assistant Secretary position in these offices has been vacant 
for an extended period of time. The position of Assistant 
Secretary of Housing/Federal Housing Administration 
Commissioner has been vacant since October 24, 2014; the 
position of Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing 
has been vacant since June 30, 2014; and the position of 
Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development has 
been vacant the longest, since May 18, 2012. The Committee is 
incredulous that the administration has elected to maintain the 
vacancy of these three mission critical positions and points to 
the administration's decision to redirect a nominee, whose 
nomination was presented at the end of the 113th Congress, to a 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary position in lieu of re-
nominating the individual during the 114th Congress as a 
reflection of the clear disregard of the Appointments Clause.
    The Committee strongly encourages HUD and the 
administration to rethink the appointment of Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretaries in the offices of Public and Indian 
Housing, Community Planning and Development, and Housing in the 
absence of incumbent Assistant Secretaries or putting forth 
nominations for those positions. While the Committee does not 
expressly forbid this practice, the Committee has reduced 
amounts included in the Committee's recommendation by amounts 
equal to the salary and benefits of a Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for offices where the position of Assistant 
Secretary is not filled or for which a nomination for that 
position is not currently pending before the Senate Committee 
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs or has been reported by 
that Committee to the Senate.

                     Administrative Support Offices

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $559,100,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     520,062,000
Committee recommendation................................     503,852,000

                          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 $503,852,000 
for this account, which is $55,248,000 less than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and $16,210,000 less than the budget 
request.
    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.
    Funds are made available as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer.............       $41,641,000
Office of Administration..............................       202,823,000
Office of the Chief Financial Officer.................        53,451,000
Office of the Chief Procurement Officer...............        19,130,000
Office of Field Policy and Management.................        52,568,000
Office of Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity...         3,891,000
Office of the General Counsel.........................        79,053,000
Office of Strategic Planning and Management...........         5,147,000
Office of the Chief Information Officer...............        46,148,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Office of the General Counsel [OGC].--The Committee 
recommendation includes $79,053,000 for this office, which is 
$16,148,000 less than the budget request. This decrease is 
associated with the transfer of the Departmental Enforcement 
Center out of the OGC organizational structure.
    Office of the Chief Financial Officer [OCFO].--The 
Committee commends the work of the Appropriations Law Division 
in the OCFO and encourages the Department to maximize its use 
of this valuable resource. The Committee reminds the Department 
of its intent that all appropriations law issues be referred to 
and addressed by such division. HUD 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, 2016....................................    $205,500,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     220,932,000
Committee recommendation................................     220,500,000

                          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 $220,500,000 
for this account, which is $432,000 less than the budget 
request and $15,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The Committee recommendation supports existing 
personnel, and reflects the establishment of a Working Capital 
Fund in fiscal year 2016 for shared service costs
    The Committee directs HUD to prioritize the hiring of staff 
to fill critical positions in the following areas: staff for 
the management and oversight of Moving-to-Work PHAs; financial 
analysts for the Housing Choice Voucher program; and additional 
staff for the Office of Policy, Programs and Legislative 
Initiatives to create efficiencies in program operations.
    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.
    Small Public Housing Agencies.--The Committee recognizes 
the growing demand placed on small 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 requirements and 
develop opportunities to achieve new efficiencies in management 
and operations for small public housing agencies.
    Central Office Cost Center Fees.--In 2014, the Office of 
Inspector General [OIG] released an audit of public housing 
operating and capital fund central office cost center [COCC] 
fees. The audit raised concerns about these fees and HUD's 
oversight of them. The OIG recommended that the Department: 
eliminate the asset management fee, revise the asset management 
policy to ``re-federalize'' the fees paid into the COCC, and 
create policies and procedures for the assessment and 
monitoring of the fees. HUD disputed the recommendations and 
has been working with the OIG to resolve these issues. As a 
result of these discussions and HUD's demonstration of the need 
that PHAs have for the asset management fee, OIG agreed not to 
pursue their recommendation to eliminate asset management fees. 
In addition, HUD will initiate rulemaking to re-federalize fees 
paid into the COCC with a goal of implementing a final rule by 
no later than December 2017. The Committee has decided to take 
additional action and directs the Department to adhere to the 
``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 
Audit Requirements for Federal Awards,'' requirements of 2 CFR 
200, and to notify the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations quarterly during fiscal year 2017 of any waivers 
of 2 CFR 200 it requests from the Office of Management and 
Budget. The Committee shares concerns expressed by HUD's 
Inspector General that HUD has failed to fully evaluate its fee 
for service model for public housing operating and capital 
funds. Accordingly, and consistent with the June 2014 Office of 
Inspector General report, HUD is directed to evaluate this 
model to gauge whether it is actually increasing the overall 
efficiency and effectiveness of administering the program and 
that the fee structure is reasonable. The Department is further 
directed to include any necessary program changes from this 
evaluation as part of its fiscal year 2019 congressional 
justifications.

                   COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $104,800,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     110,259,000
Committee recommendation................................     110,000,000

                          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 $110,000,000 
for the staffing within this office, which is $259,000 less 
than the budget request and $5,200,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level. The recommended level of funding will 
support additional FTE focused on grant oversight and 
monitoring to help address backlog of grants and audit findings 
as well as shared service costs to be funded through the 
working capital fund established in fiscal year 2016. The 
Committee's recommendation does not include the Department's 
request for additional staff for the Rental Assistance 
Demonstration.
    The Committee directs HUD to prioritize the hiring of staff 
to support 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.
    Promise Zones.--Since 2014, the Department has 
competitively made Promise Zone designations. These 
designations partner 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 encourages the Department to 
support these Promise Zone designations, and their Promise Zone 
Partnership Agreement commitments for their full duration.

                                HOUSING

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $375,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     393,148,000
Committee recommendation................................     393,000,000

                          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 moderate-income 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 $393,000,000 
for staffing in the Office of Housing, which is $148,000 less 
than the budget request and $18,000,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and reflects the establishment of a 
working capital fund in fiscal year 2016 for shared service 
costs.

                    POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $23,100,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      24,500,000
Committee recommendation................................      24,500,000

                          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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $24,500,000 
for this account, which is equal to the budget request and 
$1,400,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 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 outcomes 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, 2016....................................     $72,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      74,235,000
Committee recommendation................................      74,235,000

                          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 $74,235,000, 
which is equal to the budget request and $2,235,000 more than 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.

            OFFICE OF LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $7,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       7,826,000
Committee recommendation................................       8,075,000

                          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 
lead-based 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 lead-based 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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $8,075,000 for 
this account, which is $249,000 more than the budget request 
and $1,075,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    The Committee is concerned that the Office of Lead Hazard 
Control and Healthy Homes is not providing the Offices of 
Housing and Public and Indian Housing with the necessary 
oversight and assistance to effectively implement lead-related 
regulations. While these Offices are responsible for the 
oversight of their grantees, the Lead Office is responsible for 
ensuring compliance with the Lead Safe Housing and Lead-Based 
Paint Disclosure Rules through its Enforcement Division. The 
Committee's recommendation does not fund the request for 
additional FTEs for the Programs, and Policy and Standards 
Divisions, and instead directs these funds, plus the additional 
funding above the request, be used to increase the FTE in the 
Lead Programs Enforcement Division from 5 to 10. This increase 
in resources will expand HUD's capacity to conduct enforcement 
actions in Section 8 and Section 9 properties, as well as 
provide additional technical assistance and training.

                          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, 2016. 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 2016.

                        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 2017, 
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 
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.
    Further, prior to centralizing either furniture or space 
renovation, the Committee directs the Department to deliver a 
comprehensive, multi-year real property improvement plan which 
details all planned space realignments, capital improvements, 
maintenance requirements, and other costs associated with 
carrying out HUD's most recent strategic plan; including any 
elements of the General Service Administration [GSA] study on 
the Weaver Building that HUD plans to include as part of its 
Reimbursable Work Agreement with GSA.
    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.
    HUD shall include in its annual operating plan a detailed 
outline of its plans for transferring budgetary resources to 
the WCF in fiscal year 2017.
    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.

                       Public and Indian Housing

                     TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2016.................................... $19,628,525,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................  20,854,000,000
Committee recommendation................................  20,431,696,000

                          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, and Housing and Urban Development Veterans Supportive 
Housing [HUD-VASH] programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of 
$20,431,696,000 for fiscal year 2017, including $4,000,000,000 
as an advance appropriation to be made available on October 1, 
2017. This amount is $422,304,000 less than the budget request 
and $803,171,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    The Committee recommends $18,355,000,000 for the renewal 
costs of Section 8 vouchers, which is $92,000,000 less than the 
budget request and $673,549,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
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 that no current voucher holders 
are put at risk of losing their housing. 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.
    Set-Aside for Special Circumstances.--The Committee has 
provided 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. According to the Department of Veterans 
Administration, a number of diverse communities across the 
country have been able to announce an end to veterans 
homelessness, including: Lynn, Massachusetts; Mobile, Alabama; 
Montgomery County, Maryland; Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi; 
Houston, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; and New Orleans, Louisiana; 
as well as the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of 
Virginia. These successes are the result of hard work, and 
effective collaboration, and are aspirational for the rest of 
the country. However, since 2010, veterans' homelessness has 
only declined by 36 percent nationally. For this reason, the 
Committee again rejects the budget proposal to prematurely end 
funding for new VASH vouchers and includes $50,000,000 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 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 in high-cost areas.
    The Committee also recognizes the importance of the on-
going pilot to expand the HUD-VASH program to American Indian 
veterans living in tribal areas. Therefore, the Committee 
recommendation includes $7,000,000 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 anticipates that most of this funding will 
be needed to renew previously provided assistance. To the 
extent funds remain after previously-awarded assistance has 
been renewed, the remaining funds may be used to award new 
assistance based solely on need and administrative capacity. 
The Committee notes that examples of a lack of administrative 
capacity include entities with: open monitoring and audit 
findings from the Department or HUD's Inspector General; an 
inability to maintain accurate reporting of financial records; 
a lack of willingness to work with the Office of Native 
American Programs regional offices, and; excessive unexpended 
Indian Housing Block Grant balances and current enforcement 
action regarding lack of progress on balances. Given the 
importance of reducing homelessness for veterans in Indian 
country, the Committee directs the Department to update the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 180 days 
of enactment of this act on the progress of this pilot.
    Administrative Fees.--The Committee recommends 
$1,768,696,000 for administrative fees, which is $308,304,000 
less than the budget request and $118,696,000 more than the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    Lead-Based Paint.--Lead exposure and poisoning can have a 
significant impact on the development of children under the age 
of 6. Yet, HUD is unable to verify what actions the more than 
700,000 private landlords and property owners who participate 
in the program are taking to identify and address lead-based 
paint hazards in the more than 2 million housing units across 
the country. The Committee is extremely concerned that HUD 
lacks the necessary oversight and quality assurance of lead and 
routine physical inspections to determine whether lead-based 
paint hazards are present in these homes, particularly in units 
where there are children under the age of 6. The Committee is 
further concerned that HUD is unable to identify which units or 
quantify how much of the housing choice voucher stock meet the 
standards currently set-forth in HUD's physical inspection and 
lead-based paint hazard regulations. This information is 
essential to understanding the resource and health challenges 
faced by HUD, PHAs, and housing choice voucher residents.
    The Committee believes that the Department has the 
statutory authority to collect and analyze data on lead-based 
paint hazards in housing choice voucher units, and apply better 
quality assurance measures on routine physical inspections. 
While current HUD housing quality standards require that the 
physical condition of housing choice voucher units be free of 
health hazards, including lead-based paint, HUD's regulatory 
standards lack consistency and scientific rigor. The Committee 
notes that HUD's Housing Quality Standard [HQS] regulations 
limit lead inspections in housing choice voucher units to a 
visual review of chipped or deteriorated paint. Meanwhile, 
under the Uniform Physical Condition Standard [UPCS] 
regulations, public housing units are subject to more rigorous 
inspection standards, such as risk assessments, which require 
scientific testing of paint and dust samples found in the home. 
The Committee directs HUD to establish and implement a process 
that improves data collection and analysis of actions PHAs are 
taking to comply with lead-based paint regulations in housing 
choice voucher units by March 31, 2017, and report semi-
annually to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
on this progress. At a minimum, this report should include the 
steps HUD has taken to ensure PHAs and landlords are in 
statutory and regulatory compliance, as well as the number and 
location of units that are not in compliance with current 
inspections and lead-based paint regulations. The Committee 
also directs the Department to identify and report on the 
incidences and prevalence of lead-based paint hazards in 
housing choice voucher units. The Committee recognizes that 
States with the oldest housing stock will have more homes with 
lead-based paint, and notes that the mere presence of lead-
based paint, where properly contained, should not preclude such 
units from participating in the housing choice voucher program.
    In order to improve communication with PHAs on lead-safe 
housing, the Committee directs the Department to issue 
clarifying guidance explaining the importance of lead-safe 
housing and the changes the Department is undertaking to align 
standards with CDC and improve its processes. The Committee 
recognizes that some PHAs are already effectively applying 
lead-safe standards, and directs HUD to identify and 
disseminate best practices on making, and keeping, units lead 
safe. In addition to disseminating best practices, the 
Department is directed to provide training on lead-safe housing 
issues targeted to PHA maintenance and property management 
staff. Finally, the Committee strongly encourages PHAs to work 
closely with tenants to improve their awareness of lead-based 
paint hazards in the home.
    Tenant Protection Vouchers.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $110,000,000 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 
$110,000,000 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 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. The Committee is 
concerned that FUP vouchers are underutilized as a housing 
strategy to assist at-risk youth and that PHAs and local public 
child welfare agencies have had limited success in developing 
effective partnerships. According to a May 2014 report from 
HUD's Office of Policy Development & Research, youth only 
comprise about 14 percent of the total program participants. 
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 recognizes the current timeline of 18-months for 
youth vouchers is inadequate and administratively 
impracticable. In response, the Committee includes a provision 
permitting FUP vouchers to be used by youth who have left, or 
will shortly leave, foster care, to be used for up to 36 months 
or longer if the youth is participating in a family self-
sufficiency program. The Committee also recognizes the need to 
expand youth eligibility for FUP vouchers and includes a 
provision increasing the age range of eligible youth to those 
who are 18 to 24, and who have left foster care at age 14 or 
older, or will leave foster care within 90 days and are 
homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 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.
    The Committee is also concerned about how and when families 
and youth are being referred to receive FUP assistance. The 
Committee directs HUD to work with the Department of Health and 
Human Services' Administration on Children and Families [ACF] 
to develop guidance and training materials necessary to improve 
connections between local agencies, increase collaboration, 
improve programs, goals, and supportive housing models that 
align at the local level. Further, HUD is directed to identify 
specific statutory or regulatory barriers either within the FUP 
program or child welfare service programs that limit 
individuals' access to services and case management that can 
help improve outcomes for at-risk youth. The Committee directs 
HUD to report to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations 180 days after enactment of this act on the 
status and results of these efforts.
    Family Self-Sufficiency.--In fiscal year 2015, the 
Committee provided flexibility to HUD to improve connections 
between vouchers serving youth exiting foster care and the 
Family Self-Sufficiency program. The Committee remains 
interested in the implementation of this housing and services 
model, and looks forward to continued updates from the 
Department.
    Housing Mobility Demonstration.--The Committee 
recommendation includes $11,000,000 to implement a housing 
mobility demonstration. This demonstration is designed to help 
housing choice voucher residents move to lower-poverty areas 
and expand their access to jobs, better schools, and economic 
opportunity. A growing body of research highlights how moving 
to higher opportunity areas can have significant and positive 
long-term earnings and college attainment outcomes for 
children, and thereby make inroads at addressing generational 
poverty. However, many low-income residents face significant 
barriers to achieve or access this opportunity. Low-income 
families, including voucher holders, tend to be concentrated in 
high-poverty neighborhoods where schools may be under 
resourced, transportation is limited, and well-paying jobs may 
be scarce. However, there is very little evidence on ways 
housing and service providers can effectively counsel families 
on their options to move to low-poverty areas, or limit the 
barriers that prevent low-income families from moving to low-
poverty areas.
    The recommended funding level will allow PHAs to test new 
strategies that enable families to successfully move to, and 
remain in, lower-poverty areas. The Committee expects HUD to 
use this demonstration to identify regulatory and 
administrative barriers to housing mobility and cost-effective 
strategies to facilitate and promote mobility. These funds may 
be used to deliver mobility services to families, including 
pre- and post-move counseling, rent deposits, as well as to 
offset the administrative costs of operating a mobility 
program.

                        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 tenant-based rental assistance are now 
separately funded accounts. The Housing Certificate Fund 
retains balances from previous years' appropriations.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee has not included a rescission from the 
Housing Certificate Fund in fiscal year 2017, consistent with 
the President's request. 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

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $1,900,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   1,865,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,925,000,000

                          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 $1,925,000,000 
for the Public Housing Capital Fund, which is $60,000,000 more 
than the budget request and $25,000,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level.
    Of the amount made available under this account, 
$35,000,000 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 $10,000,000 
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. 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 partner with these entities to help identify ways residents 
living in public housing can connect to broadband 
infrastructure, technical assistance, digital literacy 
training, and electronic devices that provide access to, and 
allow adoption of, high-speed Internet.
    Flexibility To Meet Pressing Needs.--In an effort to 
achieve an appropriate balance between flexibility and 
accountability, the Committee has included a provision 
permitting housing authorities to establish and maintain 
replacement reserves. Establishing and maintaining replacement 
or capital reserves is common practice in real estate, and in 
fact, they are required for projects in HUD multifamily 
programs. However, the existing obligation deadlines for public 
housing capital funds prevent the establishment of such 
reserves. This limits the ability of PHAs to save for planned 
capital projects necessary to maintain housing in good 
condition.
    The Committee expects the Department to move quickly to set 
up the rules and requirements for capital reserves so that PHAs 
can utilize this new tool to address the significant backlog of 
capital needs and better plan for future capital requirements. 
This should include how HUD will ensure that funds are being 
saved for and spent on needed capital projects.
    Additionally, in 1998, Congress included provisions in the 
Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act [QHWRA] to provide 
PHAs with the tools required to access capital markets to 
address substantial capital needs. QHWRA added section 30 to 
the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, authorizing PHAs ``to mortgage or 
otherwise grant a security interest in any public housing 
project or other property of the public housing agency.'' As a 
result of section 30, HUD created the Public Housing Mortgage 
Program [PHMP]. The PHMP allows PHAs to place a mortgage or 
other encumbrance on public housing properties where the 
subject property is owned by the PHA. The Committee understands 
however that the PHMP is not widely utilized due to HUD 
guidance that prohibits a first lien position of dwelling 
units. The Committee understands that this stipulation impedes 
PHAs' ability to utilize the program. The Committee is 
concerned that HUD's guidance with respect to section 30 may 
actually be preventing the intended outcomes by limiting PHAs' 
ability to access capital markets. The Committee directs the 
Department to report within 90 days of enactment of this act to 
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding the 
utilization of PHMP, specifying existing program impediments, 
the Department's plan to address those impediments, and if the 
PHMP can be a useful tool to address public housing capital 
needs.
    The Committee further notes that public housing is the only 
project-based rental assistance program that HUD administers 
that provides capital and operating funds through separate 
funding streams. The current structure presents restrictions 
that are difficult to implement and regulate, and underscores 
the isolation of public housing properties from mainstream real 
estate financing and management practices. A merger of these 
two programs has the potential to simplify the public housing 
program and reduce the administrative burden on PHAs that own 
and manage these properties. The Committee directs the 
Department to submit to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 180 days of enactment of this act an 
evaluation of the benefits and potential concerns of merging 
the operating and capital funds into a single public housing 
account.
    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 also includes 
language this year clarifying that unused funds from the 
emergency set-aside 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 
is deeply troubled by reports of deplorable living conditions 
found in some HUD-subsidized properties across the country. The 
scope of this issue spans geographic regions, highlights 
systemic problems, and calls into question the effectiveness of 
HUD oversight, and the Real Estate Assessment Center's [REAC] 
inspections of HUD-assisted housing. At the Committee's March 
10, 2016 hearing on HUD's budget request for fiscal year 2017, 
the Department acknowledged the need to improve REAC inspection 
protocols and expressed its commitment to improving its 
processes. These efforts include: proposing changes to civil 
monetary penalties; reducing the time it takes to issue tenant 
protection vouchers to tenant living in unsuitable living 
conditions; and the creation of an internal working group that 
will review and provide recommendations on how the inspection 
process can be improved.
    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. However, the Committee notes that those actions 
do not improve the quality of the inspection protocols.
    Similarly, while the Committee is supportive of efforts to 
quickly issue tenant-protection vouchers, the issuance of these 
vouchers is a tacit acknowledgement that the Department has 
failed to ensure units are maintained as decent, safe and 
sanitary. Additionally, 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 has been apprised of the action items 
developed by HUD's inspection working group and is underwhelmed 
by the results. The Committee is disappointed that the 
Department has not taken this opportunity to develop a broader 
Departmental strategy that includes, for example, a review of 
whether a reverse auction is the best procurement practice for 
this line of business or address improvements to the oversight 
of inspections. The Committee is particularly disappointed that 
despite acknowledging that issues impacting the health of 
residents, including mold, do not trigger a sufficient 
subtraction of points to the inspection score, and the need to 
adjust the scoring system, those actions have not been 
identified by the working group as issues to address.
    The Committee understands that HUD is in the midst of 
hiring additional staff within REAC to increase quality 
assurance of physical inspections; continuing work on 
implementing a single inspection protocol for public housing 
and voucher units, including the review of voucher standards; 
and developing notices to address inspection changes. Rather 
than direct additional requirements and changes at this time, 
the Committee expects the Department to move swiftly to 
implement previously identified deficiencies in physical 
condition inspection protocols. The Committee further directs 
the Department to solicit comments from stakeholders, including 
tenants, to identify ways the Department can improve its 
inspection protocols and oversight. The Committee will continue 
to closely monitor the Department's efforts and progress and 
directs the Department to submit to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations within 60 days of enactment of 
this act a report identifying how HUD is improving the 
inspection process and related protocols, including quality 
assurance of inspections, identified actions yet to be 
implemented, the status of actions undertaken, and a timeline 
for completion of all actions.
    Lead-Based Paint.--In 2010, Abt. Associates reported on 
capital needs in public housing and found that approximately 
62,000 public housing units required lead-based paint 
abatement. Yet, HUD is unable to verify what actions the more 
than 3,100 public housing agencies are taking to identify and 
address lead-based paint hazards in the more than 1 million 
public housing units across the country. The Committee is 
extremely concerned that HUD lacks the necessary oversight and 
quality assurance of lead and routine physical inspections to 
determine whether lead-based paint hazards are present in these 
homes, particularly in units where there are children under the 
age of 6. The Committee is further concerned that HUD is unable 
to identify which units or quantify how much of the public 
housing stock meet the standards currently set-forth in HUD's 
physical inspection and lead-based paint hazard regulations. 
This information is essential to understanding the resource and 
health challenges faced by HUD, PHAs, and public housing 
residents.
    The Committee believes that the Department has the 
statutory authority to collect and analyze data on lead-based 
paint hazards in public housing units, and apply better quality 
assurance measures on routine physical inspections. While 
current HUD housing quality standards require that the physical 
condition of housing choice voucher units be free of health 
hazards, including lead-based paint, HUD inadequately performs 
quality assurance and oversight measures to enforce this 
requirement. The Committee notes that HUD's Lead-Safe Housing 
Rule requires PHAs to conduct a lead inspection and risk 
assessment in all public housing units that pre-date 1978, and 
where a child under the age of 6 currently or is expected to 
reside. These units are subject to rigorous inspection 
standards that require scientific testing of paint and dust 
samples found in the home, and where necessary, abating or 
performing interim controls to make the unit livable and safe 
for these children. Under the Uniform Physical Condition 
Standard [UPCS] regulations, PHAs must maintain verification 
that this work has been performed, and at the time of routine 
physical inspection, provide the inspector with proof that a 
Lead-Based Paint Inspection was conducted, and where necessary, 
that a Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form has been signed by the 
PHA and the resident. However, PHAs are not required to store 
this documentation at the property, and inspectors are only 
verifying the presence of documentation--there is no regulatory 
requirement to verify the content or findings of lead-based 
paint inspections or, where necessary, steps PHAs have taken to 
address any lead-based paint hazards. The Committee is 
concerned that UPCS does not require inspectors to verify that 
a public housing unit has been evaluated for, and to the extent 
necessary, made safe of lead-based paint hazards in accordance 
with lead-based paint regulations. The Committee is further 
dismayed that HUD does not analyze the lead-based paint section 
from the inspection checklist to determine a PHA's compliance 
with lead-based paint regulations and, where necessary, 
identify and provide the necessary oversight to ensure they 
become compliant. The Committee directs HUD to establish and 
implement a process that improves data collection and analysis 
of actions PHAs are taking to comply with lead-based paint 
regulations in public housing units by March 31, 2017, and 
report semi-annually to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations on this progress. At a minimum, this report 
should include the steps HUD has taken to ensure PHAs are in 
statutory and regulatory compliance, as well as the number and 
location of units that are not in compliance with current 
inspections and lead-based paint regulations. The Committee 
also directs the Department to identify and report on the 
incidences and prevalence of lead-based paint hazards in public 
housing units. The Committee also directs the REAC to provide 
monthly updates to the public housing program offices, in the 
field and headquarters, on UPCS inspections conducted in public 
housing that do not meet the lead-based paint documentation 
requirements outlined in HUD's regulation.
    As HUD amends its blood lead level standards to align with 
the CDC's standards, HUD anticipates more than 1,500 public 
housing units, where children under the age of 6 reside, will 
require an environmental intervention. The Committee 
recommendation includes $25,000,000 to help PHAs address this 
new regulatory requirement. This funding shall be competitively 
awarded to PHAs to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards 
in public housing units, which may include lead inspections, 
risk assessments, interim controls, and abatements.
    In order to improve communication with PHAs on lead-safe 
housing, the Committee directs the Department to issue 
clarifying guidance explaining the importance of lead-safe 
housing and the changes the Department is undertaking to align 
standards with CDC and improve its processes. The Committee 
recognizes that some PHAs are already effectively applying 
lead-safe standards, and directs HUD to identify and 
disseminate best practices on making, and keeping, units lead 
safe. In addition to disseminating best practices, the 
Department is directed to provide training on lead-safe housing 
issues targeted to PHA maintenance and property management 
staff. Finally, the Committee strongly encourages PHAs to work 
closely with tenants to improve their awareness of lead-based 
paint hazards in the home.

                     PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $4,500,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   4,569,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   4,675,000,000

                          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 $4,675,000,000 
for the public housing operating fund, which is $106,000,000 
more than the budget request and $175,000,000 more than the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    The Committee has included provisions providing PHAs with 
the ability to establish capital reserves. The Committee notes 
that many PHAs have taken steps to achieve operational savings 
by improving energy efficiency or otherwise reducing expenses, 
and has included a provision that establishes a utility 
conservation pilot that incentivizes a reduction in public 
housing utility consumption and costs, and provides PHAs with 
the ability to reinvest such savings in their properties and 
operations.
    The Committee also recognizes that PHAs face administrative 
and regulatory burdens and it reiterates support for regulatory 
and administrative relief that result in cost savings, while 
still maintaining effective and meaningful oversight.
    Over-income Residents in Public Housing.--The Committee 
believes that public housing assistance should go to those that 
truly need it. A July 2015 HUD OIG report found that more than 
25,000 public housing families have incomes above the income 
limits, which raises concern that current processes do not 
ensure that public housing funds are meeting their intended 
purpose. The Committee strongly encourages the Department to 
update its rules related to over-income public housing 
residents to ensure there is a process in place to identify 
over-income residents and that they are transitioned out of 
public housing, where appropriate.

                    CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $125,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     200,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      80,000,000

                          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. For-
profit 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 $80,000,000 
for the Choice Neighborhoods initiative. This amount is 
$45,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$120,000,000 less than the budget request. Of the total amount 
provided, no more than $5,000,000 may be used for planning, 
including planning and action, grants. Choice Neighborhoods 
seeks to build on the HOPE VI program by expanding the types of 
eligible grantees and allowing funding to be used on HUD-owned 
or assisted housing, as well as the surrounding community. 
However, the Committee notes that the work to replace 
distressed public housing is far from complete. Therefore, the 
Committee has included language that stipulates that not less 
than $48,000,000 of the funding provided shall be awarded to 
projects where PHAs are the lead applicant. The goal of Choice 
Neighborhoods is to replace distressed housing as a way to 
improve communities and the lives of residents. Therefore, HUD 
should not limit applicants to a narrowly defined set of 
neighborhoods since it may prevent the replacement of eligible 
and worthy public or assisted housing projects that are outside 
such designated neighborhoods from competing for funding.
    The Committee also notes that successful community planning 
brings together multiple partners and funding sources that aid 
in the implementation of that plan. The Committee includes 
language this year directing that implementation grants may 
only be awarded to applicants who have previously been awarded 
planning grants. The Committee believes this will incentivize 
communities to engage in robust planning efforts before taking 
on transformation initiatives, while also ensuring the 
Department awards funds to those proposals that are most likely 
to result in successful implementation.
    Inherent in 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. The Committee has been encouraged by the 
ability of Choice Neighborhood grantees to leverage significant 
resources with their grant awards. In addition, the Committee 
urges HUD to identify successful partnership strategies that 
can not only be utilized by future Choice Neighborhood 
grantees, but can also serve as models for traditional public 
housing and HUD-assisted housing program providers that want to 
improve services for their residents.

                        FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $75,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      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 2017, an amount equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 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. Beginning in fiscal year 
2015, the Committee included language to expand the program so 
that it could serve residents living in project-based 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 piloting FSS at select 
project-based Section 8 properties. The Committee expects that 
through this pilot, HUD will identify best-practices and 
limitations to implementation, and take those lessons learned 
into consideration, before issuing a notice or guidance to take 
the program to scale.
    As HUD continues to work to streamline and expand the 
program, the Committee also expects HUD to identify best 
practices in the field that are successfully improving outcomes 
for residents. The Committee encourages HUD to consider best 
practices for how to increase participation, improve alignment 
between eligible uses of funding and milestones, and 
incorporate financial education into the program design.

                          INDIAN BLOCK GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $710,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     780,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     714,000,000

Note: The amounts for fiscal year 2016 enacted and the budget request 
include amounts funded or requested in the Community Development Fund 
for the Indian Community Development Block Grant program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 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.
    This account also funds the Indian Community Development 
Block Grant Program, as authorized under title I of the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended. These funds 
are awarded on a competitive basis to Indian tribes for the 
funding of tribal community development needs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    To increase the transparency around funding for Native 
Americans, the Committee recommendation provides for both the 
Indian Housing Block Grant and Indian Community Development 
Block Grant programs under a single heading.
    The Committee recommends a total of $648,500,000 for the 
Indian Housing Block Grant [IHBG] and Title VI Loan Guarantee 
programs, of which $646,500,000 is for IHBG formula grants and 
$2,000,000 is for credit subsidy to support a Title VI 
guaranteed loan level not to exceed $17,857,142. The 
recommended level of funding is $4,000,000 more than the amount 
provided in fiscal year 2016 and $51,500,000 below the budget 
request.
    The recommendation also includes $60,000,000 for the Indian 
Community Development Block Grant [ICDBG] program. The 
recommended level of funding is equal to the amount provided in 
fiscal year 2016 and $20,000,000 below the budget request. 
Recognizing the tremendous needs in Indian Country and the 
limited resources available to address these challenges, the 
Committee includes a new provision this year 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 are 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 U.S. Census American Community Survey for 
2006-2010, 8.1 percent of homes on American Indian reservations 
and off-reservation trust land are overcrowded, compared to 3.1 
percent of households nationwide. The number of households on 
reservation lands with severe housing costs that spend more 
than 50 percent of their income on housing has risen 46 percent 
over the past decade.
    The Committee believes the housing goals for American 
Indians and Alaska Natives established in the NAHASDA, 
including section 802, remain a priority. The housing programs 
authorized in NAHASDA serve communities who are 
disproportionately low income, more likely to experience 
homelessness or overcrowded living conditions and unable to 
utilize traditional lending sources. The programs have 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 Department 
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 update 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 $5,500,000 for technical 
assistance needs in Indian country to support both the IHBG and 
ICDBG programs. The Committee directs that these technical 
assistance funds be administered by PIH and not be merged with 
the broader Community Compass initiative administered by the 
Office of Policy Development and Research. 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.
    Oversight Plan.--Within 30 days of enactment of this act, 
the Committee directs HUD to submit a fiscal year 2017 
oversight plan for the funds under this heading to the House 
and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

           INDIAN HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limitation on
                                    Program account    guaranteed loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016............          $7,500,000      $1,190,476,190
Budget estimate, 2017...........           5,500,000       1,341,463,415
Committee recommendation........           6,500,000       1,585,365,854
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 $6,500,000 in 
program subsidies to support a loan level of $1,585,365,854. 
This subsidy amount is $1,000,000 less than the fiscal year 
2016 enacted subsidy level and $1,000,000 more than the budget 
request. Included in the Committee's recommendation is 
$1,000,000 to assist tribes and tribally designated housing 
entities to construct rental housing for law enforcement, 
healthcare, educational, and other skilled workers. The 
development of this rental stock is critical to enable tribes 
to attract and retain professionals in these fields who are 
often missing in Indian country due to the lack of existing 
rental housing and the distances between tribal lands and 
available housing. The Committee is concerned that the 
Department has failed to submit a report to the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations, as previously directed, on 
how HUD has utilized the funding provided for administrative 
contract expenses including management processes and systems. 
The Committee is equally troubled that in addition to failing 
to submit the required information, the Department has also 
failed to use such funds to address critical systemic 
management and oversight shortcomings despite having over $2.6 
million in unobligated balances for this purpose. While the 
Committee believes this program is important to helping meet 
housing needs in Indian country, the lack of action by the 
Department compels the Committee to direct the Office of 
Inspector General to undertake a review of the management and 
oversight of the section 184 loan program, including related 
information technology systems, and to report its finding to 
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 120 
days of enactment of this act.

                  NATIVE HAWAIIAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANT

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................        $500,000
Committee recommendation................................       5,000,000

                          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 Lands 
for housing and housing-related assistance, in order to 
develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing for eligible 
low-income Native Hawaiian families.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,000,000 for 
the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program, which is 
$5,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$4,500,000 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. Meanwhile, the 
median value of an owner-occupied home in Hawaii was $495,400, 
compared to $173,200, nationwide making access to affordable 
housing extremely challenging for residents of the isolated, 
ocean-locked State.
    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. These challenges have impeded the Department of 
Hawaiian Homeland's ability to advance the traditional model of 
single housing family community developments. The Committee is 
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, 2016....................................    $335,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     335,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     335,000,000

                          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.
    Since 1990, by statute, 90 percent of formula-appropriated 
funds are distributed to qualifying States and metropolitan 
areas on the basis of the number of AIDS cases and incidence of 
AIDS reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
by March 31 of the year preceding the fiscal year. 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 $335,000,000 
for the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS [HOPWA] 
program. This level of funding is equal to the President's 
budget request and the fiscal year 2016 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.
    HOPWA Formula Modernization.--The Committee recommendation 
once again includes a change to the HOPWA formula requested in 
the President's budget and part of the administration's 
comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Currently, 55 percent 
of the statutorily required cumulative AIDS cases used to 
determine the formula program represent deceased individuals. 
The Committee recommendation seeks to distribute funding more 
equitably to reflect the HIV epidemic's impact among 
communities with highest burden of HIV cases while addressing 
the increasingly disproportionate impact of HIV on communities 
of poverty and color.
    The formula modernization requires that 75 percent of the 
formula funds be distributed to cities with population greater 
than 500,000 and with more than 2,000 persons living with HIV, 
and the remaining 25 percent distributed to States and 
metropolitan statistical areas based on fair market rents (to 
account for high housing costs in certain areas) and area 
poverty indexes (to account for high-poverty areas lacking 
services). The Committee is aware of concerns in certain 
communities that would receive substantial reduction in funding 
as a result of the formula modernization, and has included 
language to prevent any grantee from losing more than 5 percent 
or gaining more than 10 percent of the average share of the 
total formula allocation of the previous fiscal year. The 
Committee directs HUD to prioritize any competitive funding 
available, after renewing all competitive expiring contracts, 
to grantees that lose funding due to the formula modernization.

                       COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $3,000,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   2,800,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   3,000,000,000

                          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 
$200,000,000 more than the budget request and equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 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 Committee urges CDBG grantees to consider 
funding eligible activities and projects that increase access 
to transit and intercity passenger rail options for persons of 
low and moderate income.
    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 low- and-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.
    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.

         COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOAN GUARANTEES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Limitation on
                                       Program account  guaranteed loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016................  ................      $300,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...............  ................      $300,000,000
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 
2016 enacted level and 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.
    The Committee notes that in November 2015, HUD issued the 
necessary rules to implement a fee-based structure for this 
program. The Committee expects HUD to ensure that a financing 
structure is in place by the beginning of the fiscal year so 
that this important program remains available to communities. 
In addition, HUD must provide communities with information and 
any technical assistance needed to successfully utilize the 
program.

                  HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $950,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017\1\................................     950,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     950,000,000

\1\Includes $10,000,000 for the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership 
Opportunity Program
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act, as 
amended, authorizes the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. 
This program 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 2016 enacted level. The amount is 
equal to the budget request, but the budget also proposes to 
fund a $10,000,000 Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Program 
[SHOP] program out of this account, which the Committee has 
rejected. The recommendation does not include the requested 
statutory changes to the HOME program. The Committee encourages 
the Department to work with the authorizing committee on these 
statutory changes to the program.
    Affordable Housing Needs.--The Committee notes the 
substantial gains made by HOME in increasing the supply and 
affordability of housing for low-income families. According to 
the March 2016 HOME National Production Report, since 1992 
States and localities have used $26 billion in HOME funds to 
leverage an additional $117 billion 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. The Committee stresses the 
importance of HUD working with communities that are seeking 
Federal resources to directly assist low-to-moderate income 
homeowners with improving and renovating their homes to 
maintain property values and create sustainable, livable, 
attractive, and safe neighborhoods. HOME is also a critical 
part of meeting the supportive housing needs of the low-to-
moderate income individuals and families, including veterans, 
persons with disabilities and seniors. In addition, it is the 
only Federal housing 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, 2016....................................     $55,700,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................................
Committee recommendation................................      54,000,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity 
Program is comprised of the Self-Help Homeownership 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, and funds the 
rehabilitation and modifications of homes for Veterans that are 
low-income and disabled as authorized by section 1079 of Public 
Law 113-291. These programs help to develop the capacity of 
nonprofit community development organizations to carry out 
community development and affordable housing projects.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $54,000,000 for the Self-Help and 
Assisted Homeownership Program, which is $1,700,000 less than 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level, and $54,000,000 more than 
the request. The Committee rejects the administration's 
proposal to shift a portion of the funding for these activities 
to the HOME program, and make the section 4 program activities 
an eligible activity of funds transferred from various programs 
to the Office of Policy Development and Research. The Committee 
supports leaving this heading as a standalone account and 
opposes efforts to shift these funds into other accounts. 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 million for a program to rehab and 
modify housing for Veterans that are low-income and disabled. 
The Committee notes that funding for technical assistance is 
being provided under the Office of Policy Development and 
Research and directs funds available for section 4 to 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 Availably [NOFA], the 
Committee directs HUD to define an eligible national 
organization as a nonprofit entity that has on-going 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.

                       HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Appropriations, 2016....................................  $2,250,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................   2,664,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,330,000,000

                          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 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 $2,330,000,000 
for Homeless Assistance Grants in fiscal year 2017. This amount 
is $334,000,000 less than the President's request, and 
$80,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    As part of the Committee recommendation, at least 
$2,013,000,000 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 $250,000,000 for the emergency solutions grants 
program [ESG].
    The Committee supports HUD's efforts to leverage existing 
housing resources, such as Section 8 vouchers, to serve the 
homeless. While the Committee notes that permanent supportive 
housing is more efficient and effective at addressing 
homelessness among adults than transitional housing, it is also 
aware that in some communities transitional housing has been 
found to be effective. To avoid service gaps at the local 
level, the Committee encourages the Department to be receptive 
to renewing such transitional housing projects. The Committee 
also supports replacing existing, underperforming projects with 
new permanent supportive housing projects. Therefore, if funds 
remain available in this account after meeting renewal demands 
and funding ESG, HUD may use it for new projects, provided that 
such projects are targeted to areas with the greatest need, as 
measured by homeless data.
    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] 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 
$40,000,000 to continue implementation of comprehensive 
approaches to serving homeless youth
    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.
    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.
    HUD shall inform the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations no later than 45 days after enactment of this 
act, how the Department will strategically align within the 
Performance Partnership Pilot program. This shall also include: 
(1) the amount and source of funding the Department will 
allocate to the pilot; (2) the Department's role in grantee 
criteria and selection processes, and; (3) the Department's 
role in oversight and accountability for its contributions. Not 
later than 15 days after pilots have been announced, the 
Department shall brief the Committees on the scope of each 
pilot project, including goals, objectives and intended 
outcomes, and an outline of specific metrics that will be used 
to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of the pilot 
project and its outcomes.
    Annual Homeless Assessment Report.--AHAR is a result of 
Congressional directives beginning in 2001, that charged 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 in 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 by August 29, 2017. 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 2018 budget justification. 
This should include estimated costs of renewing permanent 
supportive housing.

                            Housing Programs

                    RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION

Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     $50,000,000
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 Assistance 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 multi-year 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 2016 enacted level and $46,000,000 less 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 includes the following 
proposals to facilitate additional conversions of HUD-assisted 
properties: (1) increases the current unit cap on Public 
Housing conversions to 250,000; (2) eliminates the deadline of 
September 30, 2018, for submission of RAD applications; (3) 
enables Section 202 PRAC properties to convert to Section 8 
contracts; (4) promotes the preservation of multifamily 
properties in high-cost areas; (5) 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 (6) 
protects tenants' right to continue occupancy under second 
component conversions.

                    PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2016.................................... $10,620,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................  10,816,000,000
Committee recommendation................................  10,901,000,000

                          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.

                        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 Americans. 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 
$10,901,000,000 for the annual renewal of project-based 
contracts, of which up to $235,000,000 is for the cost of 
contract administrators. The recommended level of funding is 
$281,000,000 more than the amount provided in fiscal year 2016 
and is $85,000,000 more than the budget request. The 
Committee's recommendation rejects the administration's 
proposed change to the medical deduction calculation, which 
results in the increased funding above the requested level.
    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 believes that fair and open competition is the best 
way to ensure that the taxpayer receives the greatest benefit 
for the costs incurred. The Committee directs 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.
    Oversight of Property Owners.--The Committee places a 
priority on providing access to safe, sanitary, and affordable 
housing to those most in need. If owners fail to maintain their 
properties in accordance with HUD standards, they should be 
held accountable. The Committee is deeply troubled by recent 
reports of properties across the country experiencing a level 
of physical deficiencies so severe as to be indicative of 
systemic failures within the Department's oversight and 
inspection processes. Neither residents nor taxpayers are well 
served when poor conditions are allowed to continue. It is 
inexcusable that residents are ever placed into substandard 
housing with serious violations, but it is doubly offensive 
when the taxpayers are subsidizing these unfit units. While 
there is a tension between holding property owners responsible 
and ensuring tenants do not lose their housing, HUD has tools 
at its disposal to hold owners accountable without putting 
tenants at risk.
    To ensure continued attention to this issue, the Committee 
recommendation strengthens a general provision that requires 
HUD to take specific steps to ensure that physical deficiencies 
in properties are quickly addressed, and requires the Secretary 
to take explicit actions if the owner fails to maintain them. 
These actions include imposing civil money penalties, working 
to secure a different owner for the property, or transferring 
the Section 8 contract to another the property. The Committee 
wants to preserve critical project-based Section 8 contracts, 
and believes this goal can be achieved while holding property 
owners accountable for their actions.
    The Committee expects HUD to continue to move quickly to 
identify problem properties and owners and find an appropriate 
remedy. The Committee directs HUD 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 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 money penalties are imposed, contracts are transferred to 
another property, or ownership is transferred. The Committee 
expects that with increased enforcement, and improved 
inspection protocols, the number of troubled properties will be 
reduced.

                        HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $432,700,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     505,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     505,000,000

                          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 project-based rental assistance contracts 
[PRAC] to support operational costs for such units. Tenants 
living in section 202 supportive housing units can access a 
variety of community-based services to keep living 
independently in the community and age in place.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The section 202 program provides nearly 400,000 federally 
assisted, privately owned affordable housing units for the 
elderly. The Committee recommends an appropriation of 
$505,000,000 for the section 202 program. This level is 
$72,300,000 more than the level provided in fiscal year 2016 
and equal to the budget request. The Committee recommendation 
includes $427,000,000 in new appropriations in addition to 
carryover balances and residual receipts to fully fund all 
annual project-rental assistance contract renewals and 
amendments, and $75,000,000 for service coordinators and the 
continuation of existing congregate service grants.

                 HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $150,600,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     154,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     154,000,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    This account provides funding for housing for the 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 rental 
assistance to support operational costs. Since fiscal year 
2012, HUD has transitioned to expanding capacity by providing 
project rental assistance to State housing financing agencies 
or other appropriate entities that 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 $154,000,000 
for the section 811 program. This level is equal to the budget 
request and is $3,400,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 
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 a new competition for project rental 
assistance to State housing finance agencies.

                     HOUSING COUNSELING ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $47,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      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 nonprofit 
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 the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. 
These funds will help to provide individuals and families 
across the country with sound advice to make better informed 
housing decisions. Specifically, it will support competitive 
counseling grants and training activities. Housing counseling 
organizations provide a wide variety of counseling services, 
including those to assist with preventing foreclosure and 
homelessness. In addition, the administrative contract support 
funding includes resources for financial audits and technical 
assistance.
    The Committee continues language requiring HUD to obligate 
counseling grants within 180 days of enactment of this act, as 
well as permitting HUD to publish multiyear NOFAs, contingent 
on annual appropriations. This should result in administrative 
savings for HUD and its grantees.

                       RENTAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $30,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      20,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      20,000,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    This account provides amendment funding for housing 
assisted under a variety of HUD housing programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $20,000,000 
for HUD-assisted, State-aided, noninsured rental housing 
projects, consistent with the budget request. This amount is 
$10,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The 
Committee recommendation includes a provision to allow the 
conversion of these projects to Section 8, 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, 2016....................................     $10,500,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      11,500,000
Committee recommendation................................      10,500,000

                          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 the Federal 
standards, and fees are charged to producers to cover the costs 
of administering the act.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $10,500,000 to support the 
manufactured housing standards programs, of which the full 
amount of $10,500,000 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 $1,000,000 less than the budget request 
and equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    The Committee continues language allowing the Department to 
collect fees from program participants for the dispute 
resolution and installment programs 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. The Committee expects the Department 
to move forward with this authority.
    The Committee has not provided additional funding for this 
program, as an increase in funding would not reflect or 
correspond with this decline in production.

                     Federal Housing Administration

               MUTUAL MORTGAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Limitation on      Limitation on      Administrative
                                                            direct loans     guaranteed loans  contract expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016...................................         $5,000,000   $400,000,000,000       $130,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017..................................          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     Limitation on
                                        direct loans    guaranteed loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016................        $5,000,000   $30,000,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...............         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 [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 2017, consistent with prior years.
    The Committee is aware of concerns that deficiencies in 
establishing conveyable conditions for FHA insured foreclosed 
properties are inhibiting the ability to provide proper 
maintenance for these properties. To alleviate these concerns, 
the Committee directs the Government Accountability Office to 
examine the operating effectiveness and efficiency of the 
Federal Housing Administration in reaching determinations of 
conveyable conditions on foreclosed properties and report its 
findings to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
no later than September 29, 2017.
     The FHA is responsible for facilitating mortgages for 
individuals and families for whom home ownership may not be 
possible using private sector financing without FHA backing. 
Typically, these groups include those who do not have the 
resources to make a down payment in the amount required by 
private financers and those with less sound credit history. In 
order to review if FHA is still primarily serving credit-worthy 
yet lower income individuals, the Committee directs the 
Department to report within 180 days to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations on the number of loans that FHA 
insured in the past two years, including the value of the home, 
the income-level of the recipient, the location of the home, 
and the average home price at the time in the area of the 
country.
    The Committee does not include authority for HUD to charge 
a fee to provide additional funds for FHA's administrative 
costs as requested in the budget request. However, the 
Committee supports the goal of improving FHA's system 
automation, risk management and quality control efforts and has 
included resources within the Department's information 
technology funds for this purpose.

                Government National Mortgage Association

GUARANTEES OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limitation on
                                                           personnel,
                                      Limitation on     compensation and
                                     guaranteed loans    administrative
                                                            expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016..............   $500,000,000,000        $23,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.............    500,000,000,000         23,000,000
Committee recommendation..........    500,000,000,000         23,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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 2016 enacted 
level. The bill allows Ginnie Mae to use $23,000,000 for 
salaries and expenses. This is equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and the budget request. The Committee directs the 
Department to report to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 120 days of enactment of this act on the 
retention rates for staff in mission critical positions within 
GNMA. This report should identify those positions, industry 
average retention rates where possible, and, if the report 
determines retention in mission critical positions is adversely 
affecting the ability of GNMA to carry out its oversight role, 
possible solutions to boost retention including but not limited 
to pay bands.

                    Policy Development and Research

                        RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $85,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017\1\................................     185,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      90,000,000

\1\Includes $120,000,000 by transfer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $90,000,000 
for research, technology, and community development activities 
in fiscal year 2017. This level is $5,000,000 more than the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $95,000,000 less than the 
budget request.
    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 strongly 
encourages the Department to continue funding local rent 
surveys of areas affected by changing economic conditions and 
natural disasters.
    Fair Market Rents [FMRs] 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 recommends that HUD designate funding for additional 
local surveys for communities where the data used by HUD does 
not accurately reflect the market. 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 strongly encourages HUD to expedite the process for 
consideration of FMRs and exception payment standards that are 
requested from PHAs.
    Of the activities proposed in the budget, the Committee 
recommends $41,500,000 for market surveys, $5,700,000 for 
research support and dissemination, $600,000 for data 
acquisition, $1,000,000 for housing finance studies, $1,000,000 
for research partnerships, $200,000 for housing technology. In 
addition, the Committee includes up to $40,000,000 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 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: $3,000,000 for 
evaluation of the expansion of the Moving-to-Work 
demonstration; $1,350,000 for phase 3 of a pre-purchase 
counseling demonstration; $6,000,000 for continued evaluation 
of rent reform; $200,000 for multidisciplinary research teams; 
$300,000 for an expanded analysis of the family options study; 
and $3,000,000 for an evaluation of the housing choice voucher 
mobility demonstration. While the Committee recommendation 
includes funding for phase 3 of the pre-purchase counseling 
demonstration, the Committee will not fund future additions and 
directs the Department to seek alternative sources of funding 
for this demonstration should it wish to pursue additional 
research beyond fiscal year 2017. HUD shall include details on 
its allocation of these resources in its operating plan.

                   Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

                        FAIR HOUSING ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $65,300,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      70,000,000
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 $4,700,000 less than the budget request and 
equal to the 2016 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. 
The Committee is disappointed in the lack of detail in the 
fiscal year 2017 congressional budget justification in 
comparison to previous years and directs the Department to 
provide specific details on any new initiatives in future 
justifications.
    Group Homes, Local Land Use, and the Fair Housing Act.--The 
Committee is aware that HUD is in the process of updating the 
1999 Joint Statement on Group Homes, Local Land Use, and the 
Fair Housing Act. The Committee stresses the importance of HUD 
coordinating with the Department of Justice to complete this 
process in a timely manner. The Committee recognizes the 
importance of clarifying the role of State or local government 
in defining zoning ordinances, licensing and registration 
requirements regarding group homes.
    Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing [AFFH].--In 2016, HUD 
will require 22 CDBG grantees to submit the first fair housing 
assessments under the new AFFH rule. In fiscal year 2016, 
Congress expressed its support for implementation of AFFH by 
providing HUD with increased funding to hire additional staff 
and to provide technical assistance to grantees for compliance 
and implementation efforts associated with this rule. The 
Committee is concerned that communities conducting the 
assessment receive no certification from HUD that they have 
effectively assessed or met their fair housing obligations 
under the Fair Housing Act. HUD is directed to consider 
modifying its AFFH process to provide written approval of 
grantees' assessments of fair housing, while ensuring there is 
no substantial delay in approving consolidated plans. HUD is 
developing modified tools and templates for PHAs and 
communities that choose to provide regional analysis and the 
Committee encourages the Department to further develop 
streamlined tools for small entitlement CDBG grantees.
    Disparate Impact.--The Supreme Court recently upheld the 
doctrine of disparate impact in Texas Department of Housing and 
Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., 
which serves as the basis of HUD's ``Implementation of the Fair 
Housing Act's Discriminatory Effects Standard'' rulemaking. A 
U.S. District Court has also ruled that HUD failed to 
adequately consider insurance industry concerns in its rule and 
remanded the rule to HUD for further consideration. The 
Committee expects HUD to take action expeditiously in response 
to the Court's remand.

            Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $110,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     110,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     135,000,000

                          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 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 $135,000,000 
for lead-based paint hazard reduction and abatement activities 
for fiscal year 2017. Of the amount provided, $20,000,000 is 
for the Healthy Homes Initiative and $55,000,000 is for the 
Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Program. This amount is 
$25,000,000 more than the President's budget request and the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level. This increased funding level 
will support lead-based paint hazard reductions in over 1,750 
additional units, providing safer homes for over 6,200 low and 
very-low income families or individuals with children under the 
age of 6.
    Blood Lead Level Rule.--In fiscal year 2014, the Committee 
expressed concern regarding the exposure of children to lead-
based paint hazards and noted that a heightened standard for 
blood lead levels had recently been adopted by the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] in 2012. As a result of 
this new standard, the CDC now estimates that 535,000 American 
children under 6 years of age are affected by lead poisoning. 
Exposure to lead can have severe, lasting consequences for 
children under the age of 6 due their ongoing neurological 
development. The resulting harms can include reduced IQ, 
behavioral problems, and learning disabilities. HUD's blood 
lead level standard, however, has not been updated since 1999, 
allowing for children's blood lead levels to be three to four 
times higher than the CDC standard before requiring an 
environmental intervention. The Committee is extremely 
concerned that children are living in conditions in assisted 
housing that have been scientifically-proven to result in 
lifelong neurological damage. The Committee directs HUD to 
finalize regulatory action to update its standard for requiring 
an environmental intervention and adopt the blood lead levels 
currently advised by the CDC within 90 days after the enactment 
of this act.
    HUD estimates that this regulatory action will require an 
additional 6,100 environmental interventions in public and HUD-
assisted housing units. This change could place additional cost 
burdens on public housing agencies, which are already unable to 
meet their deferred capital needs and do not have their 
administrative funding needs met either. The Committee has 
provided an additional $25,000,000 in the Public Housing 
Capital Fund account to allow PHAs to meet this new regulatory 
requirement.
    Grantee Coordination.--Funds received by States and local 
governments under the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration and 
the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant programs 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.
    Oversight and Enforcement of Lead-Based Paint 
Regulations.--The Committee is concerned that HUD lacks an 
appropriate level of oversight and enforcement of its lead-
based paint regulations. Respective program offices within HUD 
are responsible for ensuring that grantees are in compliance 
with lead-based paint regulations, while the Office of Lead 
Hazard Control and Healthy Homes enforces lead-based paint 
regulations and provides technical assistance to HUD offices 
and grantees. The Committee directs GAO to review HUD's 
policies, procedures, and processes for oversight to ensure 
that public housing agencies comply with lead-based paint 
regulations within 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this act. The report shall: (1) analyze existing Federal 
programs for addressing lead-based paint hazards in dwellings 
receiving Federal housing assistance; (2) determine whether 
gaps exist in compliance and enforcement of HUD's lead-based 
paint regulations; (3) identify existing partnerships with 
public housing agencies (including State housing finance 
agencies) and public health agencies in addressing lead-based 
paint hazards and determine whether those partnerships can be 
replicated and enhanced with better data collection, analysis, 
and dissemination among stakeholders; and (4) examine the 
appropriateness and efficacy of existing HUD protocols on 
reducing or abating lead-based paint hazards and whether they 
are aligned with accepted environmental health practices to 
ensure the best and appropriate health outcomes and reduce 
further exposure.

                      Information Technology Fund

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $250,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     286,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     273,000,000

                          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 $273,000,000 
for the Information Technology Fund for fiscal year 2017, which 
is $13,000,000 less than the budget request and $23,000,000 
more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    The Committee has been very 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. The Committee 
recognizes HUD's effort to better integrate systems, but there 
is still more work to be done, and IT system integration should 
remain a top priority for the Department.
    Next Generation Management System [NGMS].--The Committee 
recommendation includes $10,000,000 for development, 
modernization, and enhancement activities to deploy a 
replacement for the Voucher Management System and the Public 
Housing Information Center systems. The public housing and 
housing choice voucher programs serve more than 3 million 
households and accounts for more than $24,000,000,000 in annual 
expenditures. NGMS is part of a systematic approach to improve 
existing business processes in the areas of program and 
financial management, and budget execution for PIH's housing 
choice voucher and public housing programs. The system 
enhancements that result from the initiative will be more 
robust, comprehensive, secure, and reliable. Although the tools 
can be effective, they are limited in their ability to be 
enterprise IT solutions. This initiative will automate business 
processes to improve the way HUD collects, analyzes and uses 
information and will: reduce PHA reporting burdens; provide 
improved support for PHA cash disbursements based on payee-
level data; establish greater transparency to external 
stakeholders, including the OIG; and will end PIH's reliance on 
an annual $1,300,000 contract with a third-party vendor to 
process more than 7,000 applications, with continual cost 
increases. The Department is directed to submit a spend plan 
for approval for these funds to the House and Senate Committees 
on Appropriations prior to obligating more than 10 percent of 
these funds.
    Federal Housing Administration [FHA] Modernization.--The 
Committee recommendation includes $13,000,000 for development, 
modernization, and enhancement activities of the IT systems of 
the FHA. The IT systems currently supporting critical FHA 
business processes consist of complex, aging IT systems with 
COBOL-based mainframe applications. These legacy systems were 
assembled as business needs surfaced over the last 30 years, 
without the benefit of an architectural plan that could provide 
the adaptability needed to meet regulatory and industry 
standards over time. Today, FHA operations require data to move 
between numerous touch points through hundreds of interfaces, 
resulting in an environment that has become increasingly 
complex, costly, and difficult to maintain. The Committee 
recommendation supports the continued planning, design, and 
execution for requirements focused on Counterparty Management, 
Portfolio Analysis, Borrower/Collateral Risk Management/Fraud 
Monitoring and Infrastructure/Application Modernization. This 
investment will replace obsolete applications, reduce 
infrastructure costs, reduce fragmentation of legacy systems, 
and leverage shared data components in support of multiple 
housing programs. The Department is directed to submit a spend 
plan for approval for these funds to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations prior to obligating more than 10 
percent of these funds.
    Information Technology Consolidation and Streamlining.--The 
Committee recognizes that development of more sophisticated IT 
systems may come with higher costs associated with the 
additional capabilities. At the same time, HUD must also 
achieve savings by eliminating legacy systems and old servers. 
The Committee continues to direct HUD to be more diligent in 
identifying and achieving savings by retiring old systems and 
shutting off redundant and inefficient servers. In addition, 
the Committee urges HUD to continue to look for savings when it 
renews contracts to reduce the ongoing costs of operating and 
maintaining its IT systems. The Committee notes that the 
Department has yet to submit plans articulating how the 
Department is implementing GAO's IT-related recommendations, 
and identifying savings 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.
    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.--Based on reports and briefings from GAO 
over the past few years, the Committee recognizes the progress 
HUD has made in its IT modernization planning efforts, and the 
focus must now be on its implementation and execution of plans 
and projects. 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, the Committee instructed GAO in 2012 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.

                      Office of Inspector General

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $126,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     129,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     129,000,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    This appropriation will finance all salaries and related 
expenses associated with the operation of the Office of 
Inspector General [OIG].

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $129,000,000 
for the Office of Inspector General. The amount of funding is 
equal to the budget request and $3,000,000 above the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level. The Committee directs the Inspector 
General to report to the House and Senate Committees within 120 
days of enactment of this act on the management and oversight, 
including related information technology systems, of the 
Section 184 Loan Guarantee program.
    Audit Reports.--The Committee requests that the Inspector 
General forward 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 which recommends 
significant budgetary savings.
    First-in First-out Methods.--The Committee is aware that 
the Inspector General has been working with the Department to 
resolve concerns with the use of cumulative and first-in first-
out [FIFO] methods to disburse and commit HOME funds in the 
Integrated Disbursement and Information System. The Committee 
is concerned that similar issues may be present in other 
programs. To address these concerns, the Committee directs the 
Inspector General to submit a report on which other, if any, 
programs administered by the Department use similar methods for 
the commitment, obligation and disbursement of funds to the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 60 days of 
enactment of this act.

    GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

    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 clarifies the allocation of HOPWA 
funding for fiscal year 2006 and beyond.
    Sec. 204. This section requires HUD to award funds on a 
competitive basis unless otherwise provided.
    Sec. 205. This section allows funds to be used to reimburse 
GSEs and other Federal entities for various administrative 
expenses.
    Sec. 206. This section limits HUD's spending to amounts set 
out in the budget justification.
    Sec. 207. This section clarifies expenditure authority for 
entities subject to the Government Corporation Control Act.
    Sec. 208. This section requires quarterly reports on all 
uncommitted, unobligated and excess funds associated with HUD 
programs.
    Sec. 209. This section requires that the administration's 
budget and the Department's budget justifications for fiscal 
year 2018 be submitted in the identical account and sub-account 
structure provided in this Act.
    Sec. 210. This section exempts Los Angeles County, Alaska, 
Iowa, and Mississippi from the requirement of having a PHA 
resident on the board of directors for fiscal year 2017. 
Instead, the public housing agencies in these States are 
required to establish advisory boards that include public 
housing tenants and section 8 recipients.
    Sec. 211. This section exempts GNMA from certain 
requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
    Sec. 212. 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. 213. This section reforms certain section 8 rent 
calculations as related to athletic scholarships.
    Sec. 214. This section provides allocation requirements for 
Native Alaskans under the Indian Housing Block Grant program.
    Sec. 215. This section eliminates a cap on Home Equity 
Conversion Mortgages for fiscal year 2017.
    Sec. 216. This section requires HUD to maintain section 8 
assistance on HUD-held or owned multifamily housing.
    Sec. 217. This section clarifies the use of the section 108 
loan guaranteed program for nonentitlement communities.
    Sec. 218. This section allows PHAs with less than 400 units 
to be exempt from management requirements in the operating fund 
rule.
    Sec. 219. 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. 220. 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. 221. The section requires the Secretary to publish all 
notices of funding availability that are competitively awarded 
on the Internet.
    Sec. 222. This section limits attorney fees and requires 
the Department to submit a spend plan to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations.
    Sec. 223. This section allows the Secretary to transfer up 
to 10 percent of funds or $4,000,000, 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. 224. This section allows the Disaster Housing 
Assistance Programs to be considered HUD programs for the 
purpose of income verification and matching.
    Sec. 225. This section requires HUD to take certain actions 
against owners receiving rental subsidies that do not maintain 
safe properties.
    Sec. 226. This section places limits on PHA compensation.
    Sec. 227. This section extends the HOPE VI program until 
September 30, 2017.
    Sec. 228. This section requires the Secretary to provide 
the Committee with advance notification before discretionary 
awards are made.
    Sec. 229. This section prohibits funds to be used to 
require or enforce the Physical Needs Assessment.
    Sec. 230. This section prohibits funds being used to 
implement the Homeowners Armed With Knowledge program.
    Sec. 231. This section prohibits funds for HUD financing of 
mortgages for properties that have been subject to eminent 
domain.
    Sec. 232. 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. 233. This section allows funding for research, 
evaluation, and statistical purposes that is unexpended at the 
time of completion of the contract, grant, or cooperative 
agreement to be reobligated for additional research.
    Sec. 234. This section prohibits funds to be used for 
financial awards for employees subject to administrative 
discipline.
    Sec. 235. 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. 236. This section allows program income to be used as 
an eligible match for 2015, 2016 and 2017 Continuum of Care 
funds.
    Sec. 237. This section permits HUD to consolidate funds 
used to manage disaster recovery grants.
    Sec. 238. This section modifies the Lead-Based Paint 
Poisoning Prevention Act to remove the ``zero-bedroom 
dwellings'' exclusion and amends the Residential Lead-Based 
Paint Reduction Act to include ``zero bedroom dwellings.''
    Sec. 239. This section allows PHAs to establish replacement 
reserves to address capital needs.
    Sec. 240. This section makes changes to the family 
unification program.
    Sec. 241. This section incentivizes measures to reduce 
energy and water consumption in public housing.
    Sec. 242. This section repeals section 211 of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 
2008.
    Sec. 243. This section allows HUD to provide mobility 
counseling to housing choice voucher participants.
    Sec. 244. This section modifies the Rental Assistance 
Demonstration included in Public Law 112-55.
    Sec. 245. This section permits HUD to implement section 
78001 of title LXXVIII of Public Law 114-94 through notice 
while undertaking the rulemaking process.
    Sec. 246. This section permits HUD to renew a grant 
originally awarded as part of Public Law 110-252.
    Sec. 247. This section permits HUD to provide 1 year 
transition grants under the continuum of care program.

                               TITLE III

                          INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                              Access Board

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $8,023,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       8,190,000
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 $167,000 more than 
the 2016 enacted level and equal to the President's fiscal year 
2017 request.

                      Federal Maritime Commission

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $25,660,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      27,490,000
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 
assuring 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 U.S. 
ports.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $27,490,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the FMC for fiscal year 2017. This amount is equal 
to the President's fiscal year 2017 budget request and 
$1,830,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 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 oceanborne trade.

                National Railroad Passenger Corporation

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................     $24,499,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................      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 economy, 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 $1,225,000 less than the fiscal year 2016 
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, 2016....................................    $105,170,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     106,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     106,000,000

                          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.
    Alaska Aircrash Investigators.--In September 2015, the 
National Transportation Safety Board entered into an agreement 
with Lucky 8 Television, LLC under which the NTSB agreed to 
assist in the production of a ``documentary style'' reality 
show which shadows NTSB investigators conducting accident and 
incident investigations in Alaska. The producers were granted 
unparalleled access to current and ongoing investigations, 
including access to information that had not been available to 
the public or the families of victims. The resultant series, a 
six episode production, entitled Alaska Aircrash Investigations 
began airing on the Smithsonian Channel on March 13, 2016. The 
television series has drawn criticism from aviation safety 
professionals for its lack of balance; spotlighting aviation 
tragedies using video simulations of aircraft striking 
mountains without any treatment of the concerted efforts of 
aviation safety professionals to prevent accidents and 
incidents and mitigate risks. It has drawn criticism from the 
families of victims, one of whom contends that the publicity 
material released by the producers disclosed information which 
had not yet been revealed to the family. It has drawn criticism 
from Alaska air carriers who question why the NTSB agreed to 
participate in a six episode reality show focused on a single 
State when it could have insisted that the producers shadow 
NTSB investigators across the country. Moreover, the NTSB 
admits that the first episode of the program overstated the 
aircraft accident rate in Alaska during the summer months by 
100 percent. On March 8, 2016, a member of the Committee posed 
a series of questions to the NTSB regarding the participation 
of the project and whether there was a use of appropriated 
funds to support the project. The NTSB has failed to respond to 
this inquiry. The Committee, therefore, directs the NTSB to 
respond to these questions expeditiously. The Committee does 
not question the important and valuable investigative work that 
the NTSB performs but questions whether its participation in 
reality shows, even those which are purported to be in the 
``documentary style'' advances its mission to advance 
transportation safety and protect the interests of the families 
of accident victims. Moreover, the Committee is concerned that 
the NTSB agreed to participate in a six episode reality show 
focused on the NTSB's work in a single state to the exclusion 
of all others; a decision which could convey a false impression 
to viewers that air transportation in that State is inherently 
dangerous.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $106,000,000 for the National 
Transportation Safety Board, which is equal to the budget 
request and $830,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 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.

                 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation

          PAYMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION

Appropriations, 2016....................................    $175,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................     140,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     135,000,000

                          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, October 31, 1978). Neighborhood Reinvestment 
Corporation now operates under the trade name, ``NeighborWorks 
America.'' 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, 235 NeighborWorks 
organizations serve nearly 3,000 urban, suburban, and rural 
communities in 49 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto 
Rico.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $135,000,000 
for NeighborWorks for fiscal year 2017. This amount is 
$5,000,000 below the budget request and $40,000,000 less than 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The Committee has included 
funding solely to support NeighborWorks core programs, and 
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.
    National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program 
(NFMC).--The Committee has not included any funding for this 
program. The Committee has been clear that NFMC, which was 
initially provided ``one-time funding'' in fiscal year 2008, 
was not intended to be a permanent program. National 
foreclosure rates continue to lower and have now dropped below 
2007 levels. By not providing additional funding for NFMC, 
NeighborWorks will be able to utilize the $4,000,000 provided 
in fiscal year 2015 to begin to wind-down and close out 
operations.
    Mortgage Rescue Scams.--Since 2009, NeighborWorks has been 
working to raise awareness of mortgage rescue scams and help 
vulnerable homeowners access legitimate forms of assistance. 
This campaign targets at-risk communities and populations 
through public service announcements, public media, and the 
Internet. NeighborWorks is working with other partners, such as 
the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to stop 
rescue scams. The Committee expects NeighborWorks to continue 
working with its partners to address this important issue.
    Rural Areas.--The Committee continues to support 
NeighborWorks' efforts to build capacity in rural areas. The 
Committee urges the Corporation to continue these efforts.

                      Surface Transportation Board

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Crediting
                                        Appropriation      offsetting
                                                           collections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016................       $32,375,000        $1,250,000
Budget estimate, 2017...............        42,401,000         1,250,000
Committee recommendation............        37,000,000         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 nonlicensing 
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 
$37,000,000. This funding level is $5,401,000 below the budget 
request and $4,625,000 more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. Included in the recommendation is $1,250,000 in fees, 
which will offset the appropriated funding. The Committee 
recommendation includes $2,046,000 to make long overdue 
improvements to the agency's information technology system that 
are necessary to inform the public of Board decisions and 
activities that impact the movement of people and goods across 
the country.
    The STB Reauthorization Act of 2015, Public Law 114-110, 
increased the number of Board Members from three to five, and 
made the STB an independent agency separate from the Department 
of Transportation. The recommendation provides funding to 
support the salaries and expenses of the new Board Members and 
their associated staff and to make accommodations in the STB 
office space.
    On-Time Performance and Preference.--The Committee is 
concerned by the STB's notice of proposed rulemaking regarding 
passenger rail on-time performance [OTP] and policy statement 
regarding passenger rail preference over freight 
transportation. Both of these proposals break from legislative 
intent, as most passengers do not ride intercity trains from 
endpoint to endpoint and Federal law and industry practice have 
for decades given intercity passenger trains preference over 
freight transportation in using a rail line, junction, or 
crossing. The Committee urges the STB to measure OTP at all 
intermediate stations along a route, and not solely endpoint 
stations recognizing that some schedules may need adjustment to 
reflect the all station performance metric.

           United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

                           OPERATING EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016....................................      $3,530,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................       3,600,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,600,000

                          PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness 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 United States Interagency Council on Homelessness [USICH]. 
This amount is equal to the budget request and $70,000 more 
than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The bill includes 
language to amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
and extend USICH's sunset date until October 1, 2018, in 
addition to adjusting the Executive Director's salary from 
level V to level IV.
    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 directs the USICH to continue to 
work 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 
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 is 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 2018 
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 2017 
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.
    Veterans Homelessness.--The Committee is concerned that 
some servicemembers, upon being discharged, may not fully be 
aware of their housing and supportive service options as 
veterans, and as a result, are vulnerable to homelessness. The 
Committee directs USICH to work with the Department of Defense 
and the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate and report 
to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 120 
days of enactment of this act on how the veteran transition 
process can be improved to better ensure that a servicemember's 
risk of homelessness upon being discharged is minimized to the 
extent possible, if not eliminated.
    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.

                                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 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 416 prohibits funds to agencies unless they are in 
compliance with the Presidential Memorandum--Federal Fleet 
Performance, dated May 24, 2011.

  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 2017:

                 Title I--Department of Transportation

    National Infrastructure Investments
    Federal Aviation Administration
    Maritime Administration
    Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 
Office of Pipeline Safety

         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

                      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 April 21, 2016, 
the Committee ordered favorably reported a bill (S. 2844) 
making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes, 
provided, that the bill be subject to amendment and that the 
bill be consistent with its budget allocation, by a recorded 
vote of 30-0, 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. Kirk
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mrs. Capito
Mr. Cassidy
Mr. Lankford
Mr. Daines
Ms. Mikulski
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

 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 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE

                  Chapter 53--Toxic Substances Control

                 Subchapter IV--Lead Exposure Reduction

Sec. 2681. Definitions

(1) Abatement

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

(17) Target housing
    The term ``target housing'' means any housing constructed 
prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with 
disabilities or any 0-bedroom dwelling (unless any child who is 
less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in 
such [housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities) or 
any 0-bedroom dwelling] housing). In the case of jurisdictions 
which banned the sale or use of lead-based paint prior to 1978, 
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, at the 
Secretary's discretion, may designate an earlier date.
                                ------                                

                TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

                     Chapter 8--Low-Income Housing

           Subchapter I--General Program and Assisted Housing

Sec. 1437f. Low-income housing assistance

(a) Authorization for assistance payments

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

(x) Family unification

  (1) Increase in budget authority

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (2) Use of funds
    The amounts made available under this subsection shall be 
used only in connection with tenant-based assistance under this 
section on behalf of (A) any family (i) who is otherwise 
eligible for such assistance, and (ii) who the public child 
welfare agency for the jurisdiction has certified is a family 
for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in 
the imminent placement of the family's child or children in 
out-of-home care or the delayed discharge of a child or 
children to the family from out-of-home care and [(B) for a 
period not to exceed 18 months, otherwise eligible youths who 
have attained at least 18 years of age and not more than 21 
years of age and who have left foster care at age 16 or older] 
(B)(i) for a period not to exceed 36 months, otherwise eligible 
youths who have attained at least 18 years of age and not more 
than 24 years of age and who, at age 16 or older, have left or 
will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a 
transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social 
Security Act, and is homeless or is at risk of becoming 
homeless, or (ii) except that an applicant may extend the 36-
month period, if the applicant enrolls an eligible youth in a 
program authorized under section 23, in accordance with the 
length of the contract of participation for that eligible youth 
under section 23(c)(3).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 1437g. Public housing Capital and Operating Funds

(a) Merger into Capital Fund

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

(g) Limitations on use of funds

  [(1) Flexibility for Capital Fund amounts
    Of]
            (1) Flexibility in use of funds.--

                    (A) Flexibility for capital fund amounts.--
                Of any amounts appropriated for fiscal year 
                2000 or any fiscal year thereafter that are 
                allocated for fiscal year 2000 or any fiscal 
                year thereafter from the Capital Fund for any 
                public housing agency, the agency may use not 
                more than 20 percent for activities that are 
                eligible under subsection (e) of this section 
                for assistance with amounts from the Operating 
                Fund, but only if the public housing agency 
                plan for the agency provides for such use.

                    (B) Flexibility for operating fund 
                amounts.--Of any amounts appropriated for 
                fiscal year 2017 or any fiscal year thereafter 
                that are allocated for fiscal year 2017 or any 
                fiscal year thereafter from the Operating Fund 
                for any public housing agency, the agency may 
                use not more than 20 percent for activities 
                that are eligible under subsection (d) for 
                assistance with amounts from the Capital Fund, 
                but only if the public housing plan under 
                section 5A for the agency provides for such 
                use.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

(j) Penalty for slow expenditure of capital funds

  (1) Obligation of amounts

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (6) Right of recapture

    Any obligation entered into by a public housing agency 
shall be subject to the right of the Secretary to recapture the 
obligated amounts for violation by the public housing agency of 
the requirements of this subsection.

    (7) Treatment of replacement reserve.--The requirements of 
this subsection shall not apply to funds held in replacement 
reserves established in subsection (n).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

(m) Treatment of public housing

  (1) [Repealed. Pub. L. 108-7, div. K, title II, Sec. 212(a), 
Feb. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 503].

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (4) Effective date

    This subsection shall apply to fiscal year 1999 and each 
fiscal year thereafter.

    (n) Establishment of Replacement Reserves.--

            (1) In general.--Public housing agencies shall be 
        permitted to establish a replacement reserve to fund 
        any of the capital activities listed in subsection 
        (d)(1).

            (2) Source and amount of funds for replacement 
        reserve.--At any time, a public housing agency may 
        deposit funds from such agency's Capital Fund into a 
        replacement reserve, subject to the following:

                    (A) At the discretion of the Secretary, 
                public housing agencies may transfer and hold 
                in a replacement reserve funds originating from 
                additional sources.

                    (B) No minimum transfer of funds to a 
                replacement reserve shall be required.

                    (C) At any time, a public housing agency 
                may not hold in a replacement reserve more than 
                the amount the public housing authority has 
                determined necessary to satisfy the anticipated 
                capital needs of properties in its portfolio 
                assisted under this section, as outlined in its 
                Capital Fund 5-Year Action Plan, or a 
                comparable plan, as determined by the 
                Secretary.

                    (D) The Secretary may establish, by 
                regulation, a maximum replacement reserve level 
                or levels that are below amounts determined 
                under subparagraph (C), which may be based upon 
                the size of the portfolio assisted under this 
                section or other factors.

            (3) Transfer of operating funds.--In first 
        establishing a replacement reserve, the Secretary may 
        allow public housing agencies to transfer more than 20 
        percent of its operating funds into its replacement 
        reserve.

            (4) Expenditure.--Funds in a replacement reserve 
        may be used for purposes authorized by subsection 
        (d)(1) and contained in its Capital Fund 5-Year Action 
        Plan.

            (5) Management and report.--The Secretary shall 
        establish appropriate accounting and reporting 
        requirements to ensure that public housing agencies are 
        spending funds on eligible projects and that funds in 
        the replacement reserve are connected to capital needs.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 1437v. Demolition, site revitalization, replacement housing, and 
                    tenant-based assistance grants for projects

(a) Purposes

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

(m) Funding

  (1) Authorization of appropriations

    There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under 
this section $574,000,000 for [fiscal year 2016.] fiscal year 
2017.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

(o) Sunset

    No assistance may be provided under this section after 
[September 30, 2016.] September 30, 2017.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

           Chapter 63--Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention

  Subchapter III--Federal Demonstration And Research Program: Federal 
                  Housing Administration Requirements

Sec. 4822. Requirements for housing receiving Federal assistance

    (a) General requirements

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (e) Exceptions

  The provisions of this section shall not apply to--

    (1) housing for the elderly or [handicapped] persons with 
disabilities, or any 0-bedroom dwelling, except for any 
dwelling in such housing in which any child who is [less than 7 
years of age] under age 6 resides or is expected to reside; or

    (2) any project for which an application for insurance is 
submitted under section 1715v, 1715w, 1715z-6, or 1715z-7 of 
title 12[; or].

    [(3) any 0-bedroom dwelling.]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

       Chapter 63A--Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction

Sec. 4851b. Definitions

    For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions 
shall apply:
    (1) Abatement

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (27) Target housing
    The term ``target housing'' means any housing constructed 
prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with 
disabilities or any 0-bedroom dwelling (unless any child who is 
less than 6 years of age resides or is expected to reside in 
such [housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities) or 
any 0-bedroom dwelling] housing). In the case of jurisdictions 
which banned the sale or use of lead-based paint prior to 1978, 
the Secretary, at the Secretary's discretion, may designate an 
earlier date.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    Chapter 119--Homeless Assistance

    Subchapter II--United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

Sec. 11314. Director and Staff

(a) Director

    The Council shall appoint an Executive Director, who shall 
be compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay 
payable for [level V] level IV of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5316 of title 5. The Council shall appoint an Executive 
Director at the first meeting of the Council held under section 
11312(c) of this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 11319. Termination

    The Council shall cease to exist, and the requirements of 
this subchapter shall terminate, on [October 1, 2017] October 
1, 2018

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                   Subchapter IV--Housing Assistance

                   Part C--Continuum of Care Program

Sec. 11386b. Allocation of amounts and incentives for specific eligible 
                    activities

    (a) Minimum allocation for permanent housing for homeless 
individuals and families with disabilities

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (e) Incentives for successful implementation of proven 
strategies

    If any geographic area demonstrates that it has fully 
implemented any of the activities described in subsection (d) 
for all homeless individuals and families or for all members of 
subpopulations for whom such activities are targeted, that 
geographic area shall receive the bonus or incentive provided 
under subsection (d), but may use such bonus or incentive for 
any eligible activity under either section 11383 of this title 
or paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 11374(a) of this title for 
homeless people generally or for the relevant subpopulation.

    (f) Transition for Reallocated Grant.--

            (1) From amounts under this subtitle made available 
        to carry out subtitle B and this subtitle, the 
        Secretary may award one-year transition grants to 
        recipients to transition from one Continuum of Care 
        program component to another.

            (2) In order to be eligible to receive a transition 
        grant, the project must have the consent of the 
        Continuum of Care, and meet standards determined by the 
        Secretary.
                                ------                                

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

             SUBTITLE III--GENERAL AND INTERMODAL PROGRAMS

                   Chapter 53--Public Transportation

Sec. 5303. Metropolitan transportation planning

    (a) Policy.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (r) Bi-State Metropolitan Planning Organization.--

            (1) Definition of bi-state mpo region.--* * *

            (2) Treatment.--* * *

                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (C) an urbanized area, which is comprised 
                of a population of 145,000 and 25 square miles 
                of land area in the State of California and a 
                population of 65,000 and 12 square miles of 
                land area in the State of Nevada.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 5307. Urbanized area formula grants

    (a) General Authority.--

            (1) Grants.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            [(2) Special rule.--The Secretary may make grants 
        under this section to finance the operating cost of 
        equipment and facilities for use in public 
        transportation, excluding rail fixed guideway, in an 
        urbanized area with a population of not fewer than 
        200,000 individuals, as determined by the Bureau of the 
        Census--

                    [(A) for public transportation systems that 
                operate 75 or fewer buses in fixed route 
                service or demand response service, excluding 
                ADA complementary paratransit service, during 
                peak service hours, in an amount not to exceed 
                75 percent of the share of the apportionment 
                which is attributable to such systems within 
                the urbanized area, as measured by vehicle 
                revenue hours; and

                    [(B) for public transportation systems that 
                operate a minimum of 76 buses and a maximum of 
                100 buses in fixed route service or demand 
                response service, excluding ADA complementary 
                paratransit service, during peak service hours, 
                in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the 
                share of the apportionment which is 
                attributable to such systems within the 
                urbanized area, as measured by vehicle revenue 
                hours.

            [(3) Exception to the special rule.--
        Notwithstanding paragraph (2), if a public 
        transportation system described in such paragraph 
        executes a written agreement with 1 or more other 
        public transportation systems within the urbanized area 
        to allocate funds for the purposes described in the 
        paragraph by a method other than by measuring vehicle 
        revenue hours, each public transportation system that 
        is a party to the written agreement may follow the 
        terms of the written agreement without regard to 
        measured vehicle revenue hours referred to in the 
        paragraph.]

            (2) Special rule.--The Secretary may make grants 
        under this section to finance the operating cost of 
        equipment and facilities for use in public 
        transportation, excluding rail fixed guideway, in an 
        urbanized area with a population of not fewer than 
        200,000 individuals, as determined by the Bureau of the 
        Census--

                    (A) for public transportation systems 
                that--

                            (i) operate 75 or fewer buses in 
                        fixed route service or demand response 
                        service, excluding ADA complementary 
                        paratransit service, during peak 
                        service hours, in an amount not to 
                        exceed 75 percent of the share of the 
                        apportionment which is attributable to 
                        such systems within the urbanized area, 
                        as measured by vehicle revenue hours; 
                        or

                            (ii) operate a minimum of 76 buses 
                        and a maximum of 100 buses in fixed 
                        route service or demand response 
                        service, excluding ADA complementary 
                        paratransit service, during peak 
                        service hours, in an amount not to 
                        exceed 50 percent of the share of the 
                        apportionment which is attributable to 
                        such systems within the urbanized area, 
                        as measured by vehicle revenue hours; 
                        or

                    (B) subject to paragraph (3), for public 
                transportation systems that--

                            (i) operate 75 or fewer buses in 
                        fixed route service or demand response 
                        service, excluding ADA complementary 
                        paratransit service, during peak 
                        service hours, in an amount not to 
                        exceed 75 percent of the share of the 
                        apportionment allocated to such systems 
                        within the urbanized area, as 
                        determined by the local planning 
                        process and included in the designated 
                        recipient's final program of projects 
                        prepared under subsection (b); or

                            (ii) operate a minimum of 76 buses 
                        and a maximum of 100 buses in fixed 
                        route service or demand response 
                        service, excluding ADA complementary 
                        paratransit service during peak service 
                        hours, in an amount not to exceed 50 
                        percent of the share of the 
                        apportionment allocated to such systems 
                        within the urbanized area, as 
                        determined by the local planning 
                        process and included in the designated 
                        recipient's final program of projects 
                        prepared under subsection (b).

            (3) Limitation.--The amount available to a public 
        transportation system under subparagraph (B) of 
        paragraph (2) shall be not more than 10 percent greater 
        than the amount that would otherwise be available to 
        the system under subparagraph (A) of that paragraph.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                       SUBTITLE V--RAIL PROGRAMS

                    Part C--Passenger Transportation

                  Chapter 244--Rail Improvement Grants

Sec. 24408. Restoration and enhancement grants

    (a) Applicant Defined.--* * *

    (b) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of Transportation 
shall develop and implement a program for issuing operating 
assistance grants to applicants, on a competitive basis, for 
the purpose of initiating, restoring, [or enhancing] enhancing, 
or supporting intercity rail passenger transportation.

    (c) Application.--* * *

            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (3) * * *

                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    [(C) describes the funding of operating 
                costs and capital costs, to the extent 
                necessary, after the first 3 years of 
                operation; and]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (d) Priorities.--* * *

            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            [(5) that include a funding plan that demonstrates 
        the intercity rail passenger service will be 
        financially sustainable beyond the 3-year grant 
        period;]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(e) Limiations.--* * *

            [(1) Duration.--Federal operating assistance grants 
        authorized under this section for any individual 
        intercity rail passenger transportation route may not 
        provide funding for more than 3 years and may not be 
        renewed.

            [(2) Limitation.--Not more than 6 of the operating 
        assistance grants awarded pursuant to subsection (b) 
        may be simultaneously active.

            [(3) Maximum funding.--Grants described in 
        paragraph (1) may not exceed--

                    [(A) 80 percent of the projected net 
                operating costs for the first year of service;

                    [(B) 60 percent of the projected net 
                operating costs for the second year of service; 
                and

                    [(C) 40 percent of the projected net 
                operating costs for the third year of service.]

    (e) Grants made under this section may not exceed 80 
percent of the projected net operating costs.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    SUBTITLE VII--AVIATION PROGRAMS

                 Part B--Airport Development and Noise

                    Chapter 471--Airport Development

Sec. 47109. United States Government's share of project costs

    (a) General.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Grandfather Rule.--* * *

            (1) In General.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (2) Limation.--[The Government's share of allowable 
        project costs determined under this subsection shall 
        not exceed the lesser of 93.75 percent or the highest 
        percentage Government share applicable to any project 
        in any State under subsection (b), except that at a 
        primary non-hub airport located in a State as set forth 
        in paragraph (1) of this subsection that is within 15 
        miles of another State as set forth in paragraph (1) of 
        this subsection, the Government's share shall be an 
        average of the Government share applicable to any 
        project in each of the States.] The Government's share 
        of allowable project costs determined under this 
        subsection shall not exceed the lesser of 93.75 percent 
        or the highest percentage Government share applicable 
        to any project in any State under subsection (b), 
        except that at a primary non-hub and non-primary 
        commercial service airport located in a State as set 
        forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection that is 
        within 15 miles of another State as set forth in 
        paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Government's 
        share shall be an average of the Government share 
        applicable to any project in each of the States.
                                ------                                

 INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 1991, PUBLIC LAW 
                                102-240

                    TITLE I--SURFACE TRANSPORTATION

                       Part A--Title 23 Programs

SEC. 332. INTEGRATION OF CIVIL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS INTO NATIONAL 
                    AIRSPACE SYSTEM.

    (c) Identification of High Priority Corridors on National 
Highway System.--* * *

            (1) North-South Corridor from Kansas City, 
        Missouri, to Shreveport, Louisiana.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (88) Interstate Route 205 in Oregon from its 
        intersection with Interstate Route 5 to the Columbia 
        River.

            (89) United State Route 67 from Interstate 40 in 
        North Little Rock, Arkansas, to United States Route 
        412.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (e) Provisions Applicable to Corridors.--

            (1) Long-range plan.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (5) Inclusion of certain route segments on 
        interstate system.--

                    (A) In general.--The portions of the routes 
                referred to in subsection (c)(1) subsection 
                (c)(3) (solely as it relates to the Kentucky 
                Corridor),, 1 in clauses (i), (ii), and (except 
                with respect to Georgetown County) (iii) of 
                subsection (c)(5)(B), in subsection (c)(9), 
                subsection (c)(13), in subsection (c)(18), 
                subsection (c)(20), subparagraphs (A) and 
                (B)(i) of subsection (c)(26), subsection 
                (c)(36), in subsection (c)(37), in subsection 
                (c)(40), and in subsection (c)(57), subsection 
                (c)(68)(B), subsection (c)(81), subsection 
                (c)(82), [and subsection (c)(83)] subsection 
                (c)(83), and subsection (c)(89) that are not a 
                part of the Interstate System are designated as 
                future parts of the Interstate System. Any 
                segment of such routes shall become a part of 
                the Interstate System at such time as the 
                Secretary determines that the segment--
                                ------                                

 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 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'' (``First 
Component'' herein): 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 [until September 30, 2018] 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: Provided further, That not more 
than [185,000] 250,000 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 assistance 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 [preserves 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 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, shall be eligible, subject to requirements 
established by the Secretary, including but not limited to 
tenant consultation procedures, for conversion of assistance 
available for such vouchers 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]: 
Provided further, That for fiscal year 2012 and hereafter, 
owners of properties assisted or previously 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 a 
contract expires or terminates due to prepayment on or after 
October 1, 2006 has caused or results in the termination of 
rental assistance or affordability restrictions or both and the 
issuance of tenant protection vouchers under section 8(o) or 
section 8(t) of the Act, or with a project rental assistance 
contract under section 202(c)(2) of Housing Act of 1959, shall 
be eligible, subject to requirements established by the 
Secretary, including but not limited to tenant consultation 
procedures, for conversion of assistance available or provided 
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, 
which shall have initial rents set at comparable market rents 
for the market area, with subsequent rent adjustments only by 
an operating cost factor established by the Secretary, and 
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 
subparagraph (B) of section 8(o)(13) of the Act shall not apply 
and for which the Secretary may waive or alter the provisions 
of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 8(o)(13) of the Act 
(``Second Component'' herein): Provided further, That 
conversions of assistance under the Second Component may not be 
the basis for re-screening or termination of assistance or 
eviction of any tenant family in a property participating in 
the demonstration: Provided further, That amounts made 
available under the heading ``Rental Housing Assistance'' 
during the period of conversion under the [previous proviso, 
which may extend beyond fiscal year 2016 as necessary to allow 
processing of all timely applications, shall be available for 
project-based subsidy contracts entered into pursuant to the 
previous proviso:] Second Component, except for conversion of 
Section 202 project rental assistance contracts, shall be 
available for project-based subsidy contracts entered into 
pursuant to the Second Component: Provided further, That 
amounts, including contract authority, recaptured from 
contracts following a conversion under the [previous two 
provisos] 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 ``Project-
Based Rental Assistance'' heading to facilitate conversion 
under the [three previous provisos] 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 available under the heading ``Housing 
for the Elderly'' to the accounts under the headings ``Project-
Based Rental Assistance'' or ``Tenant-Based Rental Assistance'' 
to facilitate any Section 202 project rental assistance 
contract conversions 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 the [previous four provisos] 
Second Component, as applicable, 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.
                                ------                                

      FAA MODERNIZATION AND REFORM ACT OF 2012, PUBLIC LAW 112-95

                               TITLE III

                                 SAFETY

                  Subtitle B--Unmanned Aircraft Systems

SEC. 332. INTEGRATION OF CIVIL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS INTO NATIONAL 
                    AIRSPACE SYSTEM.

    (a) Required Planning for Integration.--

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Pilot Projects.--

            (1) Establishment.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (5) Report to congress.--

                    (A) In general.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (B) Additional contents.--* * *

                            (i) * * *

                            (ii) to validate the sense and 
                        avoid capability and operation of 
                        unmanned aircraft systems.

            (6) Inclusion of certain flight test facilities.--
        The Administrator shall expand the program established 
        under paragraph (1) to permit projects under the 
        program to be carried out at any public entity 
        authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration as an 
        unmanned aircraft system flight test center before 
        January 1, 2009.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                                TITLE IX

               FEDERAL AVIATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 911 RESEARCH PROGRAM ON ALTERNATIVE JET FUEL TECHNOLOGY FOR CIVIL 
                    AIRCRAFT.

    (a) In General.--

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (b) Authority To Make Grants.--The Administrator shall 
carry out the program through the use of grants or other 
measures authorized under section 106(l)(6) of such title, 
including reimbursable agreements with other Federal agencies.

    (c) Collaboration and Reporting.--
            (1) The Administrator, in coordination with NASA, 
        the Department of Energy, U.S. Department of 
        Agriculture, and after consultation with other relevant 
        agencies shall develop a joint plan to carry out the 
        research under subsection (a) and report back to 
        Congress within 180 days.
            (2) The Administrator, in coordination with the 
        Administrator of NASA, the Secretary of Energy, and the 
        Secretary of Agriculture, shall continue research and 
        development activities into the development and 
        deployment of jet fuels as outlined in subsection (a).
                                ------                                

       CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016, PUBLIC LAW 114-113

DIVISION L--TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016

                 Title I--Department of Transportation

              Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

    Sec. 133. [None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
available by this Act or any other Act may be used to 
implement, administer, or enforce sections 395.3(c) and 
395.3(d) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, and such 
section shall have no force or effect on submission of the 
final report issued by the Secretary, as required by section 
133 of division K of Public Law 113-235, unless the Secretary 
and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation 
each review and determine that the final report--

            [(1) meets the statutory requirements set forth in 
        such section; and

            [(2) establishes that commercial motor vehicle 
        drivers who operated under the restart provisions in 
        effect between July 1, 2013, and the day before the 
        date of enactment of such Public Law demonstrated 
        statistically significant improvement in all outcomes 
        related to safety, operator fatigue, driver health and 
        longevity, and work schedules, in comparison to 
        commercial motor vehicle drivers who operated under the 
        restart provisions in effect on June 30, 2013.]

    (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
available by this Act or any other Act may be used to 
implement, administer, or enforce the requirement for two off-
duty periods from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. under subsection 
395.3(c) or the restriction on use of more than one restart 
during a 168-hour period under subsection 395.3(d) of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations, and such provisions shall have no 
force or effect as of the date of submission of the final 
report issued by the Secretary of Transportation, as required 
by section 133 of division K of Public Law 113-235, unless the 
Secretary and the Inspector General of the Department of 
Transportation each review and determine that the final 
report--

            (1) meets the statutory requirements set forth in 
        such section; and

            (2) establishes that commercial motor vehicle 
        drivers who operated under the restart provisions in 
        operational effect between July 1, 2013, and the day 
        before the date of enactment of such Public Law 
        demonstrated statistically significant improvement in 
        all outcomes related to safety, operator fatigue, 
        driver health and longevity, and work schedules, in 
        comparison to commercial motor vehicle drivers who 
        operated under the restart provisions in operational 
        effect on June 30, 2013.

    (b) If the Secretary and Inspector General do not each make 
the determination required by subsection (a), the 34-hour 
restart rule in operational effect on June 30, 2013, shall be 
restored to full force and effect on the date the Secretary 
submits the final report to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations, and funds appropriated or otherwise made 
available by this Act or any other Act shall be available to 
implement, administer, or enforce such rule.

    (c) If the 34-hour restart rule in operational effect on 
June 30, 2013, is restored to full force and effect pursuant to 
subsection (b), a driver who uses that restart rule may not 
drive after being on duty more than 73 hours in any period of 7 
consecutive days, where the 7-day measurement period moves 
forward 1 day at midnight each day.

                        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                           Committee
                                             allocation      Amount in bill      allocation      Amount in bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with
 the subcommittee allocation for 2017:
 Subcommittee on Transportation and
 Housing and Urban Development, and
 Related Agencies:
    Mandatory...........................  ................  ................  ................  ................
    Discretionary.......................            56,474            56,474           120,471        \1\120,461
        Security........................               275               275                NA                NA
        Nonsecurity.....................            56,199            56,199                NA                NA
Projections of outlays associated with
 the recommendation:
    2017................................  ................  ................  ................         \2\42,595
    2018................................  ................  ................  ................            36,727
    2019................................  ................  ................  ................            14,920
    2020................................  ................  ................  ................             6,452
    2021 and future years...............  ................  ................  ................             8,063
Financial assistance to State and local                 NA            31,866                NA         \2\32,239
 governments for 2017...................
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
 
NA: Not applicable.
 
NOTE.--Consistent with the funding recommended in the bill as an emergency requirement and in accordance with
  section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the BBEDCA of 1985, the Committee anticipates that the Budget Committee will
  provide a revised 302(a) allocation for the Committee on Appropriations reflecting an upward adjustment of
  $1,000,000 in outlays.

  COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
                                                                        YEAR 2017
                                                                [In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        Senate Committee recommendation
                                                                                                                            compared with (+ or -)
                             Item                                     2016         Budget estimate      Committee    -----------------------------------
                                                                  appropriation                      recommendation         2016
                                                                                                                        appropriation    Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
                    Office of the Secretary
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................           108,750           114,396           116,396            +7,646            +2,000
    Immediate Office of the Secretary.........................           (2,734)  ................           (2,758)             (+24)          (+2,758)
    Immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary..................           (1,025)  ................           (1,040)             (+15)          (+1,040)
    Office of the General Counsel.............................          (20,609)  ................          (20,772)            (+163)         (+20,772)
    Office of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy           (9,941)  ................          (11,108)          (+1,167)         (+11,108)
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs.          (13,697)  ................          (16,020)          (+2,323)         (+16,020)
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs           (2,546)  ................           (2,569)             (+23)          (+2,569)
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration......          (25,925)  ................          (30,054)          (+4,129)         (+30,054)
    Office of Public Affairs..................................           (2,029)  ................           (2,142)            (+113)          (+2,142)
    Office of the Executive Secretariat.......................           (1,737)  ................           (1,760)             (+23)          (+1,760)
    Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization....           (1,434)  ................  ................          (-1,434)  ................
    Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response..          (10,793)  ................          (11,089)            (+296)         (+11,089)
    Office of the Chief Information Officer...................          (16,280)  ................          (17,084)            (+804)         (+17,084)
Research and technology.......................................            13,000            18,007            13,044               +44            -4,963
National infrastructure investments...........................           500,000  ................           525,000           +25,000          +525,000
    (Liquidation of contract authorization)...................  ................       (1,250,000)  ................  ................      (-1,250,000)
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................  ................       (1,250,000)  ................  ................      (-1,250,000)
National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau.  ................             3,000             3,000            +3,000  ................
Financial management capital..................................             5,000             4,000             4,000            -1,000  ................
Cyber security initiatives....................................             8,000            15,000            15,000            +7,000  ................
DATA Act compliance...........................................  ................             4,000  ................  ................            -4,000
U.S. digital services.........................................  ................             1,000  ................  ................            -1,000
Office of Civil Rights........................................             9,678             9,751             9,751               +73  ................
Transportation planning, research, and development............             8,500            17,043            12,043            +3,543            -5,000
Working Capital Fund..........................................         (190,039)  ................         (190,389)            (+350)        (+190,389)
Minority Business Resource Center Program.....................               933               941               941                +8  ................
    (Limitation on guaranteed loans)..........................          (18,367)  ................          (18,367)  ................         (+18,367)
Small and disadvantaged business utilizaton and outreach/                  3,084             4,646             4,646            +1,562  ................
 minority Business Outreach...................................
Payments to air carriers (Airport & Airway Trust Fund)........           175,000           150,000           150,000           -25,000  ................
 
                   Administrative Provisions
 
Working Capital Fund (Sec. 104) (reappropriation).............  ................            12,000  ................  ................           -12,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Office of the Secretary..........................           831,945           353,784           853,821           +21,876          +500,037
          (Limitation on obligations).........................  ................         1,250,000  ................  ................        -1,250,000
            Total, budgetary resources........................           831,945         1,603,784           853,821           +21,876          -749,963
                                                               =========================================================================================
                Federal Aviation Administration
 
Operations....................................................         9,909,724         9,994,352        10,048,352          +138,628           +54,000
    Air traffic organization..................................       (7,505,293)       (7,539,785)       (7,593,785)         (+88,492)         (+54,000)
    Aviation safety...........................................       (1,258,411)       (1,286,982)       (1,286,982)         (+28,571)  ................
    Commercial space transportation...........................          (17,800)          (19,826)          (19,826)          (+2,026)  ................
    Finance and management....................................         (760,500)         (771,342)         (771,342)         (+10,842)  ................
    NextGen...................................................          (60,089)          (60,155)          (60,155)             (+66)  ................
    Security and hazardous materials safety...................         (100,880)         (107,161)         (107,161)          (+6,281)  ................
    Staff offices.............................................         (206,751)         (209,101)         (209,101)          (+2,350)  ................
Facilities and equipment (Airport & Airway Trust Fund)........         2,855,000         2,838,000         2,838,000           -17,000  ................
Research, engineering, and development (Airport & Airway Trust           166,000           167,500           176,002           +10,002            +8,502
 Fund)........................................................
Grants-in-aid for airports (Airport and Airway Trust Fund)           (3,600,000)       (3,500,000)       (3,750,000)        (+150,000)        (+250,000)
 (Liquidation of contract authorization)......................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................       (3,350,000)       (2,900,000)       (3,350,000)  ................        (+450,000)
        Administration........................................         (107,100)         (107,691)         (107,691)            (+591)  ................
        Airport cooperative research program..................          (15,000)          (15,000)          (15,000)  ................  ................
        Airport technology research...........................          (31,000)          (31,375)          (31,375)            (+375)  ................
        Small community air service development program.......           (5,000)  ................          (10,000)          (+5,000)         (+10,000)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Federal Aviation Administration..............        12,930,724        12,999,852        13,062,354          +131,630           +62,502
 
            Limitations on obligations........................       (3,350,000)       (2,900,000)       (3,350,000)  ................        (+450,000)
              Total budgetary resources.......................      (16,280,724)      (15,899,852)      (16,412,354)        (+131,630)        (+512,502)
                                                               =========================================================================================
                Federal Highway Administration
 
Limitation on Administrative Expenses.........................         (429,000)         (435,795)         (435,795)          (+6,795)  ................
 
Federal-aid highways (Highway Trust Fund):
    (Liquidation of contract authorization)...................      (43,100,000)      (44,005,100)      (44,005,100)        (+905,100)  ................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................      (42,361,000)      (43,266,100)      (43,266,100)        (+905,100)  ................
    (Exempt contract authority)...............................         (739,000)         (739,000)         (739,000)  ................  ................
21st Century Regions Grant Program (legislative proposal)       ................       (5,500,000)  ................  ................      (-5,500,000)
 (Liquidation of contract authorization)......................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................  ................       (5,500,000)  ................  ................      (-5,500,000)
Future Freight Systems Grant Program (legislative proposal)     ................       (2,000,000)  ................  ................      (-2,000,000)
 (Liquidation of contract authorization)......................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................  ................       (2,000,000)  ................  ................      (-2,000,000)
Rescission of contract authority (Highway Trust Fund).........  ................        -2,436,000        -2,211,000        -2,211,000          +225,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal Highway Administration...................  ................        -2,436,000        -2,211,000        -2,211,000          +225,000
 
          Limitations on obligations..........................      (42,361,000)      (50,766,100)      (43,266,100)        (+905,100)      (-7,500,000)
          Exempt contract authority...........................         (739,000)         (739,000)         (739,000)  ................  ................
            Total budgetary resources.........................      (43,100,000)      (49,069,100)      (41,794,100)      (-1,305,900)      (-7,275,000)
                                                               =========================================================================================
          Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
 
Motor carrier safety operations and programs (Highway Trust            (267,400)         (277,200)         (277,200)          (+9,800)  ................
 Fund) (Liquidation of contract authorization)................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................         (267,400)         (277,200)         (277,200)          (+9,800)  ................
Safety investments (legislative proposal) (Liquidation of       ................         (150,000)  ................  ................        (-150,000)
 contract authorization)......................................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................  ................         (150,000)  ................  ................        (-150,000)
Motor carrier safety grants (Highway Trust Fund) (Liquidation          (313,000)         (367,000)         (367,000)         (+54,000)  ................
 of contract authorization)...................................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................         (313,000)         (367,000)         (367,000)         (+54,000)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration......  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
 
          Limitations on obligations..........................         (580,400)         (794,200)         (644,200)         (+63,800)        (-150,000)
            Total budgetary resources.........................         (580,400)         (794,200)         (644,200)         (+63,800)        (-150,000)
                                                               =========================================================================================
        National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
 
Operations and research (general fund)........................           152,800  ................           160,075            +7,275          +160,075
    (Liquidation of contract authorization)...................  ................         (250,000)  ................  ................        (-250,000)
        (Limitation on obligations)...........................  ................         (250,000)  ................  ................        (-250,000)
 
Operations and Research (Highway Trust Fund):
    (Liquidation of contract authorization)...................         (142,900)         (145,900)         (145,900)          (+3,000)  ................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................         (142,900)         (145,900)         (145,900)          (+3,000)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operations and Research.......................           295,700           395,900           305,975           +10,275           -89,925
 
Autonomous vehicle development (legislative proposal)           ................         (200,000)  ................  ................        (-200,000)
 (Liquidation of contract authorization)......................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................  ................         (200,000)  ................  ................        (-200,000)
 
      Highway Traffic Safety Grants (Highway Trust Fund)
 
    (Liquidation of contract authorization)...................         (573,332)         (585,372)         (585,372)         (+12,040)  ................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................         (573,332)         (585,372)         (585,372)         (+12,040)  ................
        Highway safety programs (23 USC 402)..................         (243,500)         (252,300)         (252,300)          (+8,800)  ................
        National priority safety programs (23 USC 405)........         (274,700)         (277,500)         (277,500)          (+2,800)  ................
        High visibility enforcement...........................          (29,300)          (29,500)          (29,500)            (+200)  ................
        Administrative expenses...............................          (25,832)          (26,072)          (26,072)            (+240)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, National Highway Traffic Safety                         152,800  ................           160,075            +7,275          +160,075
           Administration.....................................
 
              Limitations on obligations......................         (716,232)       (1,181,272)         (731,272)         (+15,040)        (-450,000)
                  Total budgetary resources...................         (869,032)       (1,181,272)         (891,347)         (+22,315)        (-289,925)
                                                               =========================================================================================
                Federal Railroad Administration
 
Safety and operations.........................................           199,000           213,298           208,500            +9,500            -4,798
Railroad research and development.............................            39,100            53,500            40,100            +1,000           -13,400
Railroad safety grants........................................            50,000  ................  ................           -50,000  ................
Rail service improvement program..............................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
    (Liquidation of contract authorization)...................  ................       (3,700,000)  ................  ................      (-3,700,000)
        (Limitation on obligations)...........................  ................       (3,700,000)  ................  ................      (-3,700,000)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal............................................           288,100           266,798           248,600           -39,500           -18,198
 
National Railroad Passenger Corporation:
    Operating grants to the National Railroad Passenger                  288,500  ................  ................          -288,500  ................
     Corporation..............................................
    Capital and debt service grants to the National Railroad           1,101,500  ................  ................        -1,101,500  ................
     Passenger Corporation....................................
    Current rail passenger service............................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
    (Liquidation of contract authorization)...................  ................       (2,300,000)  ................  ................      (-2,300,000)
        (Limitation on obligations)...........................  ................       (2,300,000)  ................  ................      (-2,300,000)
    Northeast Corridor Grants.................................  ................  ................           345,000          +345,000          +345,000
    National Network..........................................  ................  ................         1,075,000        +1,075,000        +1,075,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................         1,390,000  ................         1,420,000           +30,000        +1,420,000
 
    Consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements..  ................  ................            50,000           +50,000           +50,000
    Federal State Partnership for State of Good Repair........  ................  ................            20,000           +20,000           +20,000
    Restoration and enhancement grants........................  ................  ................            15,000           +15,000           +15,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................  ................  ................            85,000           +85,000           +85,000
 
                   Administrative Provisions
 
Transportation Technology Center financing (Sec. 151).........  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
Rail unobligated balances (rescission) (Sec. 152).............            -1,960  ................  ................            +1,960  ................
RRIF application expenses (Sec. 152)..........................             1,960  ................  ................            -1,960  ................
Rail unobligated balances (rescission) (Sec. 153).............           -19,163  ................  ................           +19,163  ................
Northeast Corridor Capital grants (Sec. 153)..................            19,163  ................  ................           -19,163  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal Railroad Administration..................         1,678,100           266,798         1,753,600           +75,500        +1,486,802
          (Limitation on obligations).........................  ................         6,000,000  ................  ................        -6,000,000
            Total, budgetary resources........................         1,678,100         6,266,798         1,753,600           +75,500        -4,513,198
 
                Federal Transit Administration
 
Administrative expenses.......................................           108,000  ................           110,665            +2,665          +110,665
Transit formula grants (Hwy Trust Fund, Mass Transit Account )      (10,400,000)      (10,800,000)      (10,800,000)        (+400,000)  ................
 (Liqiuidation of contract authorization).....................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................       (9,347,605)       (9,733,706)       (9,733,706)        (+386,101)  ................
Supplementary transit formula grants (legislative proposal)     ................       (5,860,000)  ................  ................      (-5,860,000)
 (Liquidation of contract authorization)......................
    (Limitation on obligations)...............................  ................       (5,860,000)  ................  ................      (-5,860,000)
Rapid-Growth Transit Program (legislative proposal)             ................         (525,000)  ................  ................        (-525,000)
 (Liquidation of contract authorization)......................
      (limitation on obligations).............................  ................         (525,000)  ................  ................        (-525,000)
Capital investment grants.....................................         2,177,000  ................         2,338,063          +161,063        +2,338,063
    (Liquidation of contract authorization)...................  ................       (3,500,000)  ................  ................      (-3,500,000)
        (Limitation on obligations)...........................  ................       (3,500,000)  ................  ................      (-3,500,000)
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Capital and               150,000           150,000           150,000  ................  ................
 Preventive Maintenance.......................................
 
                   Administrative Provisions
 
Rescission (Sec. 166).........................................           -25,398  ................  ................           +25,398  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal Transit Administration...................         2,409,602           150,000         2,598,728          +189,126        +2,448,728
 
          Limitations on obligations..........................       (9,347,605)      (19,618,706)       (9,733,706)        (+386,101)      (-9,885,000)
            Total budgetary resources.........................      (11,757,207)      (19,768,706)      (12,332,434)        (+575,227)      (-7,436,272)
                                                               =========================================================================================
         Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
 
Operations and maintenance (Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund)....            28,400            36,028            36,028            +7,628  ................
 
                    Maritime Administration
 
Maritime Security Program.....................................           210,000           211,000           275,000           +65,000           +64,000
Operations and training.......................................           171,155           194,146           175,160            +4,005           -18,986
Assistance to small shipyards.................................             5,000  ................            10,000            +5,000           +10,000
Ship disposal.................................................             5,000            20,000            20,000           +15,000  ................
 
Maritime Guaranteed Loan (Title XI) Program Account:
    Administrative expenses...................................             3,135             3,000             3,000              -135  ................
    Guaranteed loans subsidy..................................             5,000  ................             2,000            -3,000            +2,000
    Rescission................................................  ................            -5,000  ................  ................            +5,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Maritime Administration..........................           399,290           423,146           485,160           +85,870           +62,014
 
    Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
 
Operational expenses:
    General fund..............................................            21,000            23,688            23,207            +2,207              -481
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................            21,000            23,688            23,207            +2,207              -481
 
Hazardous materials safety:
    General fund..............................................            55,619            68,249            57,619            +2,000           -10,630
    Special permit and approval Fees..........................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................            55,619            68,249            57,619            +2,000           -10,630
 
Pipeline Safety:
    Pipeline Safety Fund......................................           124,500           153,443           129,671            +5,171           -23,772
    Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund............................            22,123            19,500            20,288            -1,835              +788
    Pipeline Safety Design Review Fund........................  ................             2,000  ................  ................            -2,000
    Pipeline safety information grants (by transfer)..........  ................           (1,500)           (1,500)          (+1,500)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................           146,623           174,943           149,959            +3,336           -24,984
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety                  223,242           266,880           230,785            +7,543           -36,095
       Administration.........................................
 
Pipeline safety user fees.....................................          -124,500          -153,443          -129,671            -5,171           +23,772
Pipeline safety design review fee.............................  ................            -2,000  ................  ................            +2,000
 
Emergency preparedness grants:
    Limitation on emergency preparedness fund.................          (28,318)          (28,318)          (28,318)  ................  ................
        (Emergency preparedness fund).........................             (188)  ................  ................            (-188)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety                  98,742           111,437           101,114            +2,372           -10,323
           Administration.....................................
                                                               =========================================================================================
                  Office of Inspector General
 
Salaries and expenses.........................................            87,472            90,152            93,550            +6,078            +3,398
Surface Transportation Board..................................            32,375  ................  ................           -32,375  ................
    Offsetting collections....................................            -1,250  ................  ................            +1,250  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................            31,125  ................  ................           -31,125  ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, title I, Department of Transportation............        18,648,200        11,995,197        16,933,430        -1,714,770        +4,938,233
          Appropriations......................................      (18,695,971)      (14,436,197)      (19,144,430)        (+448,459)      (+4,708,233)
          Rescissions.........................................         (-46,521)          (-5,000)  ................         (+46,521)          (+5,000)
          Rescissions of contract authority...................  ................      (-2,436,000)      (-2,211,000)      (-2,211,000)        (+225,000)
      (By transfer)...........................................  ................           (1,500)           (1,500)          (+1,500)  ................
      Limitations on obligations..............................      (56,355,237)      (82,510,278)      (57,725,278)      (+1,370,041)     (-24,785,000)
      Total budgetary resources...............................      (75,003,437)      (94,505,475)      (74,658,708)        (-344,729)     (-19,846,767)
                                                               =========================================================================================
     TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
 
                 Management and Administration
 
Executive Offices.............................................            13,800            14,479            30,608           +16,808           +16,129
Administration Support Offices................................           559,100           520,062           503,852           -55,248           -16,210
 
Program Office Salaries and Expenses:
    Public and Indian Housing.................................           205,500           220,932           220,500           +15,000              -432
    Community Planning and Development........................           104,800           110,259           110,000            +5,200              -259
    Housing...................................................           375,000           393,148           393,000           +18,000              -148
    Policy Development and Research...........................            23,100            24,500            24,500            +1,400  ................
    Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity........................            72,000            74,235            74,235            +2,235  ................
    Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes...........             7,000             7,826             8,075            +1,075              +249
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................           787,400           830,900           830,310           +42,910              -590
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Management and Administration....................         1,360,300         1,365,441         1,364,770            +4,470              -671
                                                               =========================================================================================
                   Public and Indian Housing
 
Tenant-based rental assistance:
    Renewals..................................................        17,681,451        18,447,000        18,355,000          +673,549           -92,000
    Tenant protection vouchers................................           130,000           110,000           110,000           -20,000  ................
    Administrative fees.......................................         1,650,000         2,077,000         1,768,696          +118,696          -308,304
    Incremental rental vouchers...............................  ................            88,000  ................  ................           -88,000
    Incremental family unification vouchers...................  ................  ................            20,000           +20,000           +20,000
    Sec. 811 mainstream voucher renewals......................           107,074           110,000           110,000            +2,926  ................
    Veterans affairs supportive housing.......................            60,000             7,000            57,000            -3,000           +50,000
    Mobility demonstration....................................  ................            15,000            11,000           +11,000            -4,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal (available this fiscal year)...................        19,628,525        20,854,000        20,431,696          +803,171          -422,304
 
    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           19,628,525        20,854,000        20,431,696          +803,171          -422,304
       this bill..............................................
                                                               =========================================================================================
Public Housing Capital Fund...................................         1,900,000         1,865,000         1,925,000           +25,000           +60,000
Public Housing Operating Fund.................................         4,500,000         4,569,000         4,675,000          +175,000          +106,000
Choice neighborhoods..........................................           125,000           200,000            80,000           -45,000          -120,000
Family self-sufficiency.......................................            75,000            75,000            75,000  ................  ................
Native American Housing Block Grants..........................           650,000           700,000  ................          -650,000          -700,000
    (Limitation on guaranteed loans)..........................          (17,452)          (17,857)  ................         (-17,452)         (-17,857)
Indian blockgrants:
    Indian Housing Blocks grants..............................  ................  ................           654,000          +654,000          +654,000
    (Limitation on guaranteed loans)..........................  ................  ................          (17,857)         (+17,857)         (+17,857)
    Indian CDBG...............................................  ................  ................            60,000           +60,000           +60,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................  ................  ................           714,000          +714,000          +714,000
 
Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant...........................  ................               500             5,000            +5,000            +4,500
Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund Program Account............             7,500             5,500             6,500            -1,000            +1,000
    (Limitation on guaranteed loans)..........................       (1,190,476)       (1,341,463)       (1,585,366)        (+394,890)        (+243,903)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Public and Indian Housing........................        26,886,025        28,269,000        27,912,196        +1,026,171          -356,804
                                                               =========================================================================================
              Community Planning and Development
 
Housing opportunities for persons with AIDS...................           335,000           335,000           335,000  ................  ................
 
Community Development Fund:
    CDBG formula..............................................         3,000,000         2,800,000         3,000,000  ................          +200,000
    Indian CDBG...............................................            60,000            80,000  ................           -60,000           -80,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................         3,060,000         2,880,000         3,000,000           -60,000          +120,000
 
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  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................           950,000           950,000           950,000  ................  ................
 
Self-help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program......            55,700  ................            54,000            -1,700           +54,000
Homeless Assistance Grants....................................         2,250,000         2,664,000         2,330,000           +80,000          -334,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Community Planning and Development...............         6,650,700         6,829,000         6,669,000           +18,300          -160,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
                       Housing Programs
 
Rental assistance demonstration...............................  ................            50,000             4,000            +4,000           -46,000
 
Project-based rental assistance:
    Renewals..................................................        10,405,000        10,581,000        10,666,000          +261,000           +85,000
    Contract administrators...................................           215,000           235,000           235,000           +20,000  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal (available this fiscal year)...................        10,620,000        10,816,000        10,901,000          +281,000           +85,000
 
    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          10,620,000        10,816,000        10,901,000          +281,000           +85,000
       this bill..............................................
                                                               =========================================================================================
Housing for the elderly.......................................           432,700           505,000           505,000           +72,300  ................
Housing for persons with disabilities.........................           150,600           154,000           154,000            +3,400  ................
    Policy Development and Research (transfer out)............  ................            (-770)  ................  ................            (+770)
Housing counseling assistance.................................            47,000            47,000            47,000  ................  ................
Rental housing assistance.....................................            30,000            20,000            20,000           -10,000  ................
Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund..........................            10,500            11,500            10,500  ................            -1,000
    Offsetting collections....................................           -10,500           -11,500           -10,500  ................            +1,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Housing programs.................................        11,280,300        11,592,000        11,631,000          +350,700           +39,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
                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.......................................        -7,003,000        -7,437,000        -7,437,000          -434,000  ................
    Proposed offsetting receipts (HECM).......................           -97,000           -97,000           -97,000  ................  ................
    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.......................................          -657,000          -464,000          -464,000          +193,000  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal Housing Administration...................        -7,627,000        -7,868,000        -7,868,000          -241,000  ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
           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            23,000            23,000  ................  ................
    Offsetting receipts.......................................          -118,000          -101,000          -101,000           +17,000  ................
    Offsetting receipts.......................................          -747,000        -1,102,000        -1,102,000          -355,000  ................
    Proposed offsetting receipts (HECM).......................           -21,000           -21,000           -21,000  ................  ................
    Additional contract expenses..............................             1,000             1,000             1,000  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Gov't National Mortgage Association..............          -862,000        -1,200,000        -1,200,000          -338,000  ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
                Policy Development and Research
 
Research and technology.......................................            85,000            65,000            90,000            +5,000           +25,000
    (By transfer).............................................  ................         (120,000)  ................  ................        (-120,000)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total (including transfer)..............................            85,000           185,000            90,000            +5,000           -95,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
              Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
 
Fair housing activities.......................................            65,300            70,000            65,300  ................            -4,700
 
        Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes
 
Lead hazard reduction.........................................           110,000           110,000           135,000           +25,000           +25,000
    Policy Development and Research (transfer out)............  ................            (-550)  ................  ................            (+550)
Information Technology Fund...................................           250,000           286,000           273,000           +23,000           -13,000
Office of Inspector General...................................           126,000           129,000           129,000            +3,000  ................
 
                      General Provisions
 
Unobligated balances (Sec. 241) (rescission)..................           -14,000  ................  ................           +14,000  ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, title II, Department of Housing and Urban                38,310,625        39,647,441        39,201,266          +890,641          -446,175
       Development............................................
          Appropriations......................................      (42,578,125)      (44,510,941)      (44,033,766)      (+1,455,641)        (-477,175)
          Rescissions.........................................         (-14,000)  ................  ................         (+14,000)  ................
          Advance appropriations..............................       (4,400,000)       (4,400,000)       (4,400,000)  ................  ................
          Offsetting receipts.................................      (-8,643,000)      (-9,252,000)      (-9,222,000)        (-579,000)         (+30,000)
          Offsetting collections..............................         (-10,500)         (-11,500)         (-10,500)  ................          (+1,000)
      (By transfer)...........................................  ................           120,000  ................  ................          -120,000
      (Limitation on direct loans)............................          (10,000)          (10,000)          (10,000)  ................  ................
      (Limitation on guaranteed loans)........................     (931,507,928)     (931,659,320)     (931,903,223)        (+395,295)        (+243,903)
                                                               =========================================================================================
             TITLE III--OTHER INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
 
Access Board..................................................             8,023             8,190             8,190              +167  ................
Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General     ................         (-50,000)  ................  ................         (+50,000)
 (legislative proposal) (transfer out)........................
Office of Inspector General (legislative proposal) (by          ................          (50,000)  ................  ................         (-50,000)
 transfer)....................................................
Federal Maritime Commission...................................            25,660            27,490            27,490            +1,830  ................
National Railroad Passenger Corporation Office of Inspector               24,499            23,274            23,274            -1,225  ................
 General......................................................
National Transportation Safety Board..........................           105,170           106,000           106,000              +830  ................
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.........................           175,000           140,000           135,000           -40,000            -5,000
Surface Transportation Board..................................  ................            42,401            37,000           +37,000            -5,401
    Offsetting collections....................................  ................            -1,250            -1,250            -1,250  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................  ................            41,151            35,750           +35,750            -5,401
 
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.............             3,530             3,600             3,600               +70  ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, title III, Other Independent Agencies............           341,882           349,705           339,304            -2,578           -10,401
                                                               =========================================================================================
            TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS ACT
 
Community Development Fund (disaster relief category) (Sec.              300,000  ................  ................          -300,000  ................
 420).........................................................
 
      Grand total.............................................        57,600,707        51,992,343        56,474,000        -1,126,707        +4,481,657
          Appropriations......................................      (61,615,978)      (59,298,093)      (63,518,750)      (+1,902,772)      (+4,220,657)
          Rescissions.........................................         (-60,521)          (-5,000)  ................         (+60,521)          (+5,000)
          Rescissions of contract authority...................  ................      (-2,436,000)      (-2,211,000)      (-2,211,000)        (+225,000)
          Advance appropriations..............................       (4,400,000)       (4,400,000)       (4,400,000)  ................  ................
          Disaster relief category............................         (300,000)  ................  ................        (-300,000)  ................
          Offsetting receipts.................................      (-8,643,000)      (-9,252,000)      (-9,222,000)        (-579,000)         (+30,000)
          Offsetting collections..............................         (-11,750)         (-12,750)         (-11,750)  ................          (+1,000)
      (By transfer)...........................................  ................           171,500             1,500            +1,500          -170,000
      (Limitation on obligations).............................      (56,355,237)      (82,510,278)      (57,725,278)      (+1,370,041)     (-24,785,000)
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