Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act

To enhance the capabilities of metropolitan planning organizations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act 2. Consolidated and high performing metropolitan planning organizations (a) Consolidation of metropolitan planning organizations (1) Section 134 amendment Section 134(d)(6) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (6) Consolidation of metropolitan planning organizations within urbanized areas (A) Limitation on new metropolitan planning organization designations A metropolitan planning organization shall not be newly designated— (i) within a metropolitan statistical area if another metropolitan planning organization already exists within the boundaries of the metropolitan statistical area; or (ii) outside of a metropolitan statistical area. (B) Multiple existing metropolitan planning organizations If multiple existing metropolitan planning organizations are designated within a metropolitan statistical area— (i) the metropolitan planning organizations may— (I) retain their designation as distinct metropolitan planning organizations; or (II) be consolidated by agreement between the metropolitan planning organizations; (ii) the Governor (or Governors) and the existing metropolitan planning organizations shall— (I) revisit a determination to remain unconsolidated every 10 years, beginning two years after the next decennial census; and (II) provide justification to the Secretary of the continued necessity of the designation of multiple metropolitan planning organizations in the area; and (iii) where multiple metropolitan planning organizations exist within a single metropolitan statistical area, they shall cooperate with one another to— (I) develop a single transportation improvement plan and a single long-range plan for use by all metropolitan planning organizations within the metropolitan statistical area when developing their individual plans; and (II) establish a single set of performance targets that address the performance measures described in section 150(c) for use in developing individual performance targets in accordance with subsection (h)(2). . (2) Section 5303 amendment Section 5303(d)(6) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (6) Consolidation of metropolitan planning organizations within urbanized areas (A) Limitation on new metropolitan planning organization designations A metropolitan planning organization shall not be newly designated— (i) within a metropolitan statistical area if another metropolitan planning organization already exists within the boundaries of the metropolitan statistical area; or (ii) outside of a metropolitan statistical area. (B) Multiple existing metropolitan planning organizations If multiple existing metropolitan planning organizations are designated within a metropolitan statistical area— (i) the metropolitan planning organizations may— (I) retain their designation as distinct metropolitan planning organizations; or (II) be consolidated by agreement between the metropolitan planning organizations; (ii) the Governor (or Governors) and the existing metropolitan planning organizations shall— (I) revisit a determination to remain unconsolidated every 10 years, beginning two years after the next decennial census; and (II) provide justification to the Secretary of the continued necessity of the designation of multiple metropolitan planning organizations in the area; and (iii) where multiple metropolitan planning organizations exist within a single metropolitan statistical area, they shall cooperate with one another to— (I) develop a single transportation improvement plan and a single long-range plan for use by all metropolitan planning organizations within the metropolitan statistical area when developing their individual plans; and (II) establish a single set of performance targets that address the performance measures described in section 150(c) of title 23, United States Code, for use in developing individual performance targets in accordance with subsection (h)(2) and sections 5326(c) and 5329(d) of this title. . (3) Definitions (A) Highway definition Section 134(b) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by— (i) redesignating paragraphs (1) through (7) as paragraphs (2) through (8); and (ii) inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the following: (1) Consolidated metropolitan planning organization The term consolidated metropolitan planning organization . (B) Transit definition Section 5303(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by— (i) redesignating paragraphs (1) through (7) as paragraphs (2) through (8); and (ii) inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the following: (1) Consolidated metropolitan planning organization The term consolidated metropolitan planning organization . (b) Designation of high-Performing metropolitan planning organizations (1) Section 134 amendment Section 134 of title 23, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: (r) High-Performing metropolitan planning organizations (1) In general A metropolitan planning organization that represents an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000 individuals may request a high-performing metropolitan planning organization designation from the Secretary. (2) Criteria In making a high-performing metropolitan planning organization designation, the Secretary shall consider— (A) the extent to which the metropolitan planning organization has an equitable and regional approach to decisionmaking; (B) the extent to which the metropolitan planning organization has incorporated its performance targets established pursuant to section 150 of this title and sections 5303(h)(2), 5326(c), and 5329(d) of title 49 into its planning process; (C) whether the metropolitan planning organization is a consolidated metropolitan planning organization; (D) if the metropolitan planning organization is not a consolidated metropolitan planning organization, the extent to which the metropolitan planning organization is coordinating with all other metropolitan planning organizations designated for the same metropolitan statistical area; (E) the technical capacity of the metropolitan planning organization; and (F) other criteria established by the Secretary in guidance. (3) Review A designation under paragraph (1) shall stay in effect for 10 years from the date of designation. . (2) Section 5303 amendment Section 5303 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: (r) High-Performing metropolitan planning organizations (1) In general A metropolitan planning organization that represents an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000 individuals may request a high-performing metropolitan planning organization designation from the Secretary. (2) Criteria In making a high-performing metropolitan planning organization designation, the Secretary shall consider— (A) the extent to which the metropolitan planning organization has an equitable and regional approach to decisionmaking; (B) the extent to which the metropolitan planning organization has incorporated its performance targets established pursuant to section 150 of title 23, United States Code, subsection (h)(2), and sections 5326(c) and 5329(d) of this title into its planning process; (C) whether the metropolitan planning organization is a consolidated metropolitan planning organization; (D) if the metropolitan planning organization is not a consolidated metropolitan planning organization, the extent to which the metropolitan planning organization is coordinating with all other metropolitan planning organizations designated for the same metropolitan statistical area; (E) the technical capacity of the metropolitan planning organization; and (F) other criteria established by the Secretary in guidance. (3) Review A designation under paragraph (1) shall stay in effect for 10 years from the date of designation. . (c) Surface transportation incentive funds Section 133(d)(1) of title 23, United States Code is amended to read as follows: (1) Calculation The funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(2) shall be obligated as follows: (A) Suballocated funds 50 percent of the funds for a fiscal year shall be obligated under this section, in proportion to their relative shares of the population of the State— (i) in urbanized areas of the State with an urbanized area population over 200,000; (ii) in urban areas of the State with a population of 5,000 to 200,000; and (iii) in areas of the State with a population of fewer than 5,000. (B) Statewide funds 25 percent of the funds for a fiscal year may be obligated in any area of the State. (C) High-performing metropolitan planning organizations (i) In general 25 percent of the funds for a fiscal year shall be obligated under this section in urbanized areas under subparagraph (A)(i) that are served by high-performing metropolitan planning organizations (as designated by the Secretary under section 134(r) or section 5303(r) of title 49, United States Code). Any funds remaining under this clause shall be obligated in any area of the State under subparagraph (B). (ii) Amount The amount to be obligated under clause (i) in an urbanized area served by a high-performing metropolitan planning organization shall equal 50 percent of the amount to be obligated in that urbanized area under paragraph (4) and is in addition to the amount under such paragraph. . (d) Transportation alternatives incentive funds Section 213(c)(1) of such title is amended to read as follows: (1) Calculation The funds reserved to a State shall be obligated as follows: (A) Suballocated funds 50 percent of the funds for a fiscal year shall be obligated under this section to any eligible entity in proportion to its relative share of the population of the State— (i) in urbanized areas of the State with an urbanized area population over 200,000; (ii) in urban areas of the State with a population of 5,000 to 200,000; and (iii) in areas of the State with a population of fewer than 5,000. (B) Statewide funds 25 percent of the funds for a fiscal year may be obligated in any area of the State. (C) High-performing metropolitan planning organizations (i) In general 25 percent of the funds for a fiscal year shall be obligated under this section in urbanized areas under subparagraph (A)(i) that are served by high-performing metropolitan planning organizations (as designated by the Secretary under section 134(r) or section 5303(r) of title 49, United States Code). Any funds remaining under this clause shall be obligated in any area of the State under subparagraph (B). (ii) Amount The amount to be obligated under clause (i) in an urbanized area served by a high-performing metropolitan planning organization shall equal 50 percent of the amount to obligated in that urbanized area under paragraph (3) and is in addition to the amount under such paragraph. . (e) Obligation authority Section 133(f) of such title is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by— (A) striking A State Except as provided in paragraph (2), a State (B) striking fiscal years 2011 through 2014 fiscal years after fiscal year 2014 (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3) and inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) High-performing metropolitan planning organizations (A) In general A State that is required to obligate in an urbanized area under subsections (d)(1)(A)(i) and (d)(1)(C)(i) shall make available to such urbanized area on an annual basis an amount of obligation authority distributed to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for use in the area that is equal to the amount obtained by multiplying— (i) the amount of funds that the State is required to obligate in the area under such subsections; and (ii) the ratio specified in paragraph (1)(B). (B) Availability The obligation authority that a State makes available to an urbanized area under subparagraph (A) shall remain available for a period of four fiscal years. ; and (3) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking paragraph (1) paragraphs (1) and (2) (f) Distribution of metropolitan planning funds Section 104(d)(2)(A) of such title is amended— (1) in clause (i), by striking ; and ; (2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and (3) by inserting after clause (i) the following: (ii) prioritizes the needs of high-performing metropolitan planning organizations (as designated by the Secretary under section 134(r) or section 5303(r) of title 49, United States Code); and . (g) Technical correction Subsection 133(h)(1) of such title is amended by striking for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2014 each fiscal year 3. Participation of public port authorities (a) Section 134 amendment Section 134(i)(6)(A) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting public ports, freight shippers (b) Section 135 amendment Section 135(g)(3) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting public ports, freight shippers (c) Section 5303 amendment Section 5303(i)(6)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting public ports, freight shippers (d) Section 5304 amendment Section 5304(g)(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting public ports, freight shippers 4. Strengthening the Statewide and nonmetropolitan planning process (a) Section 135 amendment Section 135 of title 23, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (f)(5) by striking may shall (2) in subsection (f)(7)— (A) by striking should shall (B) by striking the final ; . (3) in subsection (g)(5)(F)(i) by striking may shall (4) by striking subsection (g)(8) and inserting the following: (8) Certification process (A) In general At least once every 4 years the Secretary shall certify that each State has met the requirements of— (i) this section; and (ii) other Federal laws, regulations, and orders applicable to the statewide and nonmetropolitan and the metropolitan planning processes. (B) Failure to meet certification If a State does not meet such certification, the Secretary may withhold up to 20 percent of the funds attributable to such State for projects funded under this title and chapter 53 (C) Restoration of funds The withheld funds shall be restored to the State at such time as the State process is certified by the Secretary. (D) Public involvement In making the certification determinations under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide for public involvement appropriate to the State under review. . (b) Section 5304 amendment Section 5304 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (f)(5) by striking may shall (2) in subsection (f)(7) by striking should shall (3) in subsection (g)(5)(F)(i) by striking may shall (4) by striking subsection (g)(8) and inserting the following: (8) Certification process (A) In general At least once every 4 years the Secretary shall certify that each State has met the requirements of— (i) this section; and (ii) other Federal laws, regulations, and orders applicable to the statewide and nonmetropolitan and the metropolitan planning processes. (B) Failure to meet certification If a State does not meet such certification, the Secretary may withhold up to 20 percent of the funds attributable to such State for projects funded under this title and chapter 53 (C) Restoration of funds The withheld funds shall be restored to the State at such time as the State process is certified by the Secretary. (D) Public involvement In making the certification determinations under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide for public involvement appropriate to the State under review. . 5. Removal of the congestion management process (a) Section 134 amendment Section 134 of title 23, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended— (1) in subsection (k) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and (2) by striking subsection (n) and redesignating subsections (o) through (r) as subsections (n) through (q), respectively. (b) Section 135 amendment Section 135 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (j) and redesignating subsections (k) through (m) as subsections (j) through (l), respectively. (c) Section 5303 amendment Section 5303 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended— (1) in subsection (k) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and (2) by striking subsection (n) and redesignating subsections (o) through (r) as subsections (n) through (q), respectively. (d) Section 5304 amendment Section 5304 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (i) and redesignating subsections (j) through (l) as subsections (i) through (k), respectively. 6. Public involvement in plan development (a) Section 134 amendment Section 134(i) of title 23, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (4), by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: (D) Public involvement Metropolitan planning organizations shall offer interested parties, such as those described in paragraph (6), a reasonable opportunity to participate in the development and consideration of scenarios. ; and (2) in paragraph (6), by striking comment on the transportation plan provide input during the development and implementation of the transportation plan (b) Section 135 amendment Section 135(f)(3)(A)(ii) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking comment on the transportation plan provide input during the development of the transportation plan (c) Section 5303 amendment Section 5303(i) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (4), by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: (D) Public involvement Metropolitan planning organizations shall offer interested parties, such as those described in paragraph (6), a reasonable opportunity to participate in the development and consideration of scenarios. ; and (2) in paragraph (6), by striking comment on the transportation plan provide input during the development and implementation of the transportation plan (d) Section 5304 amendment Section 5304(f)(3)(A)(ii) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking comment on the proposed plan provide input during the development of the transportation plan 7. Performance-based project selection (a) Section 134 amendment Section 134(j)(2)(D) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (D) Performance target achievement In adding projects to a transportation improvement program, a metropolitan planning organization shall create a process to evaluate and select each project or collection of projects based on the project’s (or collection of projects’) inclusion of elements that are known to support, or will foreseeably support outcomes that will achieve the performance targets established in the metropolitan transportation plan by the metropolitan planning organization in accordance with subsection (h)(2)(B). . (b) Section 135 amendment Section 135(g)(4) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (4) Performance target achievement In adding projects to a State transportation improvement program, a State shall create a process to evaluate and select each project or collection of projects based on the project’s (or collection of projects’) inclusion of elements that are known to support, or will foreseeably support, outcomes that will achieve the performance targets established in the long-range statewide transportation plan in accordance with subsection (f)(7)(A). . (c) Section 5303 amendment Section 5303(j)(2)(D) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (D) Performance target achievement In adding projects to a transportation improvement program, a metropolitan planning organization shall create a process to evaluate and select each project or collection of projects based on the project’s (or collection of projects’) inclusion of elements that are known to support, or will foreseeably support outcomes that will achieve the performance targets established in the metropolitan transportation plan by the metropolitan planning organization in accordance with section 134(h)(2)(B) of title 23. . (d) Section 5304 amendment Section 5304(g)(4) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (4) Performance target achievement In adding projects to a State transportation improvement program, a State shall create a process to evaluate and select each project or collection of projects based on the project’s (or collection of projects’) inclusion of elements that are known to support, or will foreseeably support, outcomes that will achieve the performance targets established in the long-range statewide transportation plan in accordance with section 135(f)(7)(A) of title 23. . 8. Effective date This Act and the amendments made by this Act are effective October 1, 2015, and apply only to projects and other activities for which obligations or expenditures are first approved on or after that date.

Summary: Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act Revises metropolitan transportation planning organization (MPO) requirements. Prescribes requirements for the designation of new and consolidation of multiple MPOs within a metropolitan statistical area. Defines "consolidated metropolitan planning organization" to mean a sole MPO that serves a metropolitan statistical area. Allows an MPO for an urbanized area with a population over 200,000 to request a high-performing MPO designation from the Department of Transportation (DOT). Specifies criteria DOT shall consider in making such designation. Revises certain allocations of surface transportation program funds to states for: any areas with a population of fewer (under current law, non-urban areas with more) than 5,000, and urbanized areas with a population over 200,000 that have a high-performing MPO. Makes similar changes to the transportation alternatives program. Extends permanently a state's obligational authority to distribute a specified amount of surface transportation program funds for federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs in urbanized areas with a population over 200,000, including those areas that have a high-performing MPO. Makes permanent a special rule authorizing a state to obligate up to 15% of its apportionment of surface transportation program funds for each fiscal on roads functionally classified as minor collectors in areas of less than 5,000 population. Revises requirements for the apportionment of state planning funds to MPOs. Requires a state's apportionment to be distributed in accordance with a formula that prioritizes the needs of high-performing MPOs. Requires metropolitan planning organizations to involve public port authorities in metropolitan freight transportation planning. Revises the statewide and nonmetropolitan transportation planning process for the development of statewide transportation plans and statewide transportation improvement programs for federal-aid highway projects. Makes certain changes from discretionary to mandatory with respect to such process. Requires DOT to certify at least once every four years that each state has met certain requirements; and other federal laws, regulations, and orders applicable to the statewide and nonmetropolitan and the metropolitan processes. Authorizes DOT to withhold up to 20% of a state's apportionment of funds for federal-aid highway projects and public transportation projects if the state fails to meet such certification. Makes similar changes to requirements for public transportation program projects. Eliminates the requirement that the congestion management process be addressed in the metropolitan transportation planning and statewide and nonmetropolitan transportation planning of such projects in: urbanized transportation management areas with a population over 200,000 individuals, and certain nonattainment areas for ozone or carbon monoxide. Revises requirements authorizing an MPO to voluntarily elect to develop multiple scenarios for consideration as part of the development of the metropolitan transportation plan for a metropolitan planning area. Requires an MPO to offer certain interested parties a reasonable opportunity to participate in the development and consideration of those scenarios as well as provide input during the development and implementation of the transportation plan. Prescribes requirements to require MPOs to create a performance-based target achievement process for adding projects to a transportation improvement program.