COMMUTE Act of 2014

To establish a Military Community Infrastructure Program to provide grants for transportation infrastructure improvements in military communities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Creating Opportunities for Military Members to Use Transportation Efficiently Act of 2014 COMMUTE Act of 2014 2. Military Community Infrastructure Program (a) Establishment Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Military Community Infrastructure Program under which the Secretary may provide grants to eligible entities for transportation infrastructure improvement projects in military communities. (b) Application To be eligible for a grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c) Eligible projects (1) In general Grants awarded under the Program may be used for transportation infrastructure improvement projects, including— (A) the construction of roads; (B) the construction of mass transit and parking facilities; (C) the construction of, or upgrades to, pedestrian access and bicycle access; and (D) upgrades to public transportation systems. (2) Location To be eligible for a grant under the Program, a project described in paragraph (1) shall be— (A) related to improving access to a military installation, as determined by the Secretary; and (B) in a location that is— (i) within or abutting an urbanized area (as designated by the Bureau of the Census); and (ii) designated as a growth community by the Office of Economic Adjustment. (d) Considerations In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give consideration to— (1) the magnitude of the problem addressed by the project; (2) the proportion of the problem addressed by the project that is caused by military installation growth since the year 2000; (3) the number of servicemembers and civilian employees of the Department of Defense affected by the problem addressed by the project; (4) the size of the community affected by the problem addressed by the project; (5) the ability of the relevant eligible entity to execute the project; and (6) the extent to which the project resolves the transportation problem addressed. (e) Federal Share The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out using grant amounts made available under the Program may not exceed 80 percent. 3. Traffic Impact Study (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a traffic impact study for any urbanized area (as designated by the Bureau of the Census) that expects a significant increase in traffic related to a military installation within or abutting the urbanized area. (b) Contents A traffic impact study under subsection (a) shall determine any transportation improvements needed because of an increase in the number of military personnel, including study of commute sheds affected by installation-related traffic. (c) Consultation In developing a traffic impact study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— (1) the metropolitan planning organization or regional transportation planning organization with jurisdiction over the urbanized area; and (2) the commander of the appropriate military installation. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) a State or political subdivision thereof; (B) an owner or operator of public transportation; (C) a local governmental authority (as such term is defined in section 5302 (D) a metropolitan planning organization; or (E) a regional transportation planning organization. (2) Metropolitan planning organization and regional transportation planning organization The terms metropolitan planning organization regional transportation planning organization section 134(b) (3) Secretary The term Secretary (4) State The term State 5. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated, to carry out this Act, $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019, to remain available until expended.

Summary: Creating Opportunities for Military Members to Use Transportation Efficiently Act of 2014 or the COMMUTE Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Office of Economic Adjustment, to establish a Military Community Infrastructure Program to provide grants to a state or political subdivision, a public transportation owner or operator, a local governmental authority, a metropolitan planning organization (MPO), or a regional transportation planning organization for transportation infrastructure improvement projects in military communities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a traffic impact study for any urbanized area that expects a significant increase in traffic due to a military installation within or abutting such area.