ROCKS Act

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group to conduct a study on access to certain resources for infrastructure projects, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rebuilding Our Communities by Keeping aggregates Sustainable Act of 2021 ROCKS Act 2. Working group on covered resources (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered resource The term covered resource (2) Secretary The term Secretary (3) State The term State (4) Working Group The term Working Group (b) Establishment Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a working group to conduct a study on access to covered resources for infrastructure projects. (c) Membership (1) Appointment The Secretary shall appoint to the Working Group individuals with knowledge and expertise in the production and transportation of covered resources. (2) Representation The Working Group shall include not less than 1 representative of each of the following: (A) State departments of transportation. (B) State agencies associated with covered resources protection. (C) State planning and geologic survey and mapping agencies. (D) Commercial motor vehicle operators, including small business operators and operators who transport covered resources. (E) Covered resources producers. (F) Construction contractors. (G) Labor organizations. (H) Metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning organizations. (I) Indian Tribes, including Tribal elected leadership or Tribal transportation officials. (J) Any other stakeholders that the Secretary determines appropriate. (3) Termination The Working Group shall terminate 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the report under subsection (f)(1). (d) Duties In carrying out the study required under subsection (b), the Working Group shall analyze— (1) the use of covered resources in transportation projects funded with Federal dollars; (2) how the proximity of covered resources to such projects affects the cost and environmental impact of those projects; (3) whether and how State, Tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies consider covered resources when developing transportation projects; and (4) any challenges for transportation project sponsors regarding access and proximity to covered resources. (e) Consultation In carrying out the study required under subsection (b), the Working Group shall consult with, as appropriate— (1) chief executive officers of States; (2) State, Tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies; (3) other relevant State, Tribal, and local agencies, including State agencies associated with covered resources protection; (4) members of the public with industry experience with respect to covered resources; (5) other Federal entities that provide funding for transportation projects; and (6) any other stakeholder the Working Group determines appropriate. (f) Reports (1) Working group report Not later than 2 years after the date on which the Working Group is established, the Working Group shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes— (A) the findings of the study required under subsection (b), including a summary of comments received during the consultation process under subsection (e); and (B) any recommendations to preserve access to and reduce the costs and environmental impacts of covered resources for infrastructure projects. (2) Departmental report Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a summary of the findings under the report and any recommendations, as appropriate.

Summary: Rebuilding Our Communities by Keeping aggregates Sustainable Act of 2021 or the ROCKS Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a working group of stakeholders (e.g., state, tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies) with knowledge and expertise in the production and transportation of materials used in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure projects to conduct a study on access to such materials, including access to stone, sand, and gravel.