Transportation Empowerment Act

To empower States with authority for most taxing and spending for highway programs and mass transit programs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Transportation Empowerment Act 2. Findings and purposes (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) the objective of the Federal highway program has been to facilitate the construction of a modern freeway system that promotes efficient interstate commerce by connecting all States; (2) that objective has been attained, and the Interstate System connecting all States is near completion; (3) each State has the responsibility of providing an efficient transportation network for the residents of the State; (4) each State has the means to build and operate a network of transportation systems, including highways, that best serves the needs of the State; (5) each State is best capable of determining the needs of the State and acting on those needs; (6) the Federal role in highway transportation has, over time, usurped the role of the States by taxing motor fuels used in the States and then distributing the proceeds to the States based on the Federal Government’s perceptions of what is best for the States; (7) the Federal Government has used the Federal motor fuels tax revenues to force all States to take actions that are not necessarily appropriate for individual States; (8) the Federal distribution, review, and enforcement process wastes billions of dollars on unproductive activities; (9) Federal mandates that apply uniformly to all 50 States, regardless of the different circumstances of the States, cause the States to waste billions of hard-earned tax dollars on projects, programs, and activities that the States would not otherwise undertake; and (10) Congress has expressed a strong interest in reducing the role of the Federal Government by allowing each State to manage its own affairs. (b) Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to return to the individual States maximum discretionary authority and fiscal responsibility for all elements of the national surface transportation systems that are not within the direct purview of the Federal Government; (2) to preserve Federal responsibility for the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways; (3) to preserve the responsibility of the Department of Transportation for— (A) design, construction, and preservation of transportation facilities on Federal public land; (B) national programs of transportation research and development and transportation safety; and (C) emergency assistance to the States in response to natural disasters; (4) to eliminate to the maximum extent practicable Federal obstacles to the ability of each State to apply innovative solutions to the financing, design, construction, operation, and preservation of Federal and State transportation facilities; and (5) with respect to transportation activities carried out by States, local governments, and the private sector, to encourage— (A) competition among States, local governments, and the private sector; and (B) innovation, energy efficiency, private sector participation, and productivity. 3. Funding limitation Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the Secretary of Transportation determines for any of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 that the aggregate amount required to carry out transportation programs and projects under this Act and amendments made by this Act exceeds the estimated aggregate amount in the Highway Trust Fund available for those programs and projects for the fiscal year, each amount made available for such a program or project shall be reduced by the pro rata percentage required to reduce the aggregate amount required to carry out those programs and projects to an amount equal to that available for those programs and projects in the Highway Trust Fund for the fiscal year. 4. Funding for core highway programs (a) In general (1) Authorization of appropriations The following sums are authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account): (A) Federal-aid highway program For the national highway performance program under section 119 (i) $37,592,576,000 for fiscal year 2015; (ii) $19,720,696,000 for fiscal year 2016; (iii) $13,147,130,000 for fiscal year 2017; (iv) $10,271,196,000 for fiscal year 2018; and (v) $7,600,685,000 for fiscal year 2019. (B) Emergency relief For emergency relief under section 125 of that title, $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019. (C) Federal lands programs (i) Federal lands transportation program For the Federal lands transportation program under section 203 of that title, $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019, of which $240,000,000 of the amount made available for each fiscal year shall be the amount for the National Park Service and $30,000,000 of the amount made available for each fiscal year shall be the amount for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (ii) Federal lands access program For the Federal lands access program under section 204 of that title, $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019. (D) Administrative expenses Section 104(a)(1) (1) In general There are authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to be made available to the Secretary for administrative expenses of the Federal Highway Administration— (A) $437,600,000 for fiscal year 2015; (B) $229,565,000 for fiscal year 2016; (C) $153,043,000 for fiscal year 2017; (D) $119,565,000 for fiscal year 2018; and (E) $88,478,000 for fiscal year 2019. . (2) Transferability of funds Section 104 (f) Transferability of funds (1) In general To the extent that a State determines that funds made available under this title to the State for a purpose are in excess of the needs of the State for that purpose, the State may transfer the excess funds to, and use the excess funds for, any surface transportation (including mass transit and rail) purpose in the State. (2) Enforcement If the Secretary determines that a State has transferred funds under paragraph (1) to a purpose that is not a surface transportation purpose as described in paragraph (1), the amount of the improperly transferred funds shall be deducted from any amount the State would otherwise receive from the Highway Trust Fund for the fiscal year that begins after the date of the determination. . (3) Federal-aid system (A) In general Section 103(a) the National Highway System, which includes (B) Conforming amendments Chapter 1 (i) in section 103 by striking the section designation and heading and inserting the following: 103. Federal-aid system ; and (ii) in the analysis by striking the item relating to section 103 and inserting the following: 103. Federal-aid system. . (4) Calculation of State amounts Section 104(c) (A) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the paragraph heading by striking For fiscal year 2014 Thereafter (ii) in subparagraph (A) by striking fiscal year 2014 a fiscal year (5) National bridge and tunnel inventory and inspection standards (A) In general Section 144 (i) in subsection (e)(1) by inserting on the Federal-aid system any bridge (ii) in subsection (f)(1) by inserting on the Federal-aid system construct any bridge (B) Repeal of historic bridges provisions Section 144(g) (6) Repeal of transportation alternatives program The following provisions are repealed: (A) Section 213 (B) The item relating to section 213 in the analysis for chapter 1 (7) National defense highways Section 311 (A) in the first sentence, by striking under subsection (a) of section 104 of this title to carry out this section (B) by striking the second sentence. (8) Federalization and defederalization of projects Notwithstanding any other provision of law, beginning on October 1, 2014— (A) a highway construction or improvement project shall not be considered to be a Federal highway construction or improvement project unless and until a State expends Federal funds for the construction portion of the project; (B) a highway construction or improvement project shall not be considered to be a Federal highway construction or improvement project solely by reason of the expenditure of Federal funds by a State before the construction phase of the project to pay expenses relating to the project, including for any environmental document or design work required for the project; and (C) (i) a State may, after having used Federal funds to pay all or a portion of the costs of a highway construction or improvement project, reimburse the Federal Government in an amount equal to the amount of Federal funds so expended; and (ii) after completion of a reimbursement described in clause (i), a highway construction or improvement project described in that clause shall no longer be considered to be a Federal highway construction or improvement project. (9) Reporting requirements No reporting requirement, other than a reporting requirement in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act, shall apply on or after October 1, 2014, to the use of Federal funds for highway projects by a public-private partnership. (b) Expenditures from Highway Trust Fund (1) Expenditures for core programs Section 9503(c) (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking October 1, 2014 October 1, 2020 (ii) by striking MAP–21 Transportation Empowerment Act (B) in paragraphs (3)(A)(i), (4)(A), and (5), by striking October 1, 2016 October 1, 2022 (C) in paragraph (2), by striking July 1, 2017 July 1, 2023 (2) Amounts available for core program expenditures Section 9503 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following: (g) Core programs financing rate For purposes of this section— (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2)— (A) in the case of gasoline and special motor fuels the tax rate of which is the rate specified in section 4081(a)(2)(A)(i), the core programs financing rate is— (i) after September 30, 2014, and before October 1, 2015, 18.3 cents per gallon, (ii) after September 30, 2015, and before October 1, 2016, 9.6 cents per gallon, (iii) after September 30, 2016, and before October 1, 2017, 6.4 cents per gallon, (iv) after September 30, 2017, and before October 1, 2018, 5.0 cents per gallon, and (v) after September 30, 2018, 3.7 cents per gallon, and (B) in the case of kerosene, diesel fuel, and special motor fuels the tax rate of which is the rate specified in section 4081(a)(2)(A)(iii), the core programs financing rate is— (i) after September 30, 2014, and before October 1, 2015, 24.3 cents per gallon, (ii) after September 30, 2015, and before October 1, 2016, 12.7 cents per gallon, (iii) after September 30, 2016, and before October 1, 2017, 8.5 cents per gallon, (iv) after September 30, 2017, and before October 1, 2018, 6.6 cents per gallon, and (v) after September 30, 2018, 5.0 cents per gallon. (2) Application of rate In the case of fuels used as described in paragraph (3)(C), (4)(B), and (5) of subsection (c), the core programs financing rate is zero. . (c) Termination of Mass Transit Account Section 9503(e)(2) (1) by inserting and before October 1, 2014 March 31, 1983 (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) Transfer to Highway Account On October 1, 2014, the Secretary shall transfer all amounts in the Mass Transit Account to the Highway Account. . (d) Effective date The amendments and repeals made by this section take effect on October 1, 2014. 5. Funding for highway research and development program (a) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out section 503(b) (b) Applicability of title 23, United States Code Funds authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) shall— (1) be available for obligation in the same manner as if those funds were apportioned under chapter 1 (2) remain available until expended and not be transferable. 6. Return of excess tax receipts to States (a) In general Section 9503(c) (6) Return of excess tax receipts to States for surface transportation purposes (A) In general On the first day of each of fiscal years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall— (i) determine the excess (if any) of— (I) the amounts appropriated in such fiscal year to the Highway Trust Fund under subsection (b) which are attributable to the taxes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) thereof (after the application of paragraph (4) thereof) over the sum of— (II) the amounts so appropriated which are equivalent to— (aa) such amounts attributable to the core programs financing rate for such year, plus (bb) the taxes described in paragraphs (3)(C), (4)(B), and (5) of subsection (c), and (ii) allocate the amount determined under clause (i) among the States (as defined in section 101(a) (I) the percentage of that amount allocated to each State, is equal to (II) the percentage of the amount determined under clause (i)(I) paid into the Highway Trust Fund in the latest fiscal year for which such data are available which is attributable to highway users in the State. (B) Enforcement If the Secretary determines that a State has used amounts under subparagraph (A) for a purpose which is not a surface transportation purpose as described in subparagraph (A), the improperly used amounts shall be deducted from any amount the State would otherwise receive from the Highway Trust Fund for the fiscal year which begins after the date of the determination. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section takes effect on October 1, 2014. 7. Reduction in taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and special fuels funding Highway Trust Fund (a) Reduction in tax rate (1) In general Section 4081(a)(2)(A) (A) in clause (i), by striking 18.3 cents 3.7 cents (B) in clause (iii), by striking 24.3 cents 5.0 cents (2) Conforming amendments (A) Section 4081(a)(2)(D) of such Code is amended— (i) by striking 19.7 cents 4.1 cents (ii) by striking 24.3 cents 5.0 cents (B) Section 6427(b)(2)(A) of such Code is amended by striking 7.4 cents 1.5 cents (b) Additional conforming amendments (1) Section 4041(a)(1)(C)(iii)(I) 7.3 cents per gallon (4.3 cents per gallon after September 30, 2016) 1.4 cents per gallon (zero after September 30, 2021) (2) Section 4041(a)(2)(B)(ii) of such Code is amended by striking 24.3 cents 5.0 cents (3) Section 4041(a)(3)(A) of such Code is amended by striking 18.3 cents 3.7 cents (4) Section 4041(m)(1) of such Code is amended— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 2016 2021, (B) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking 9.15 cents 1.8 cents (C) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking 11.3 cents 2.3 cents (D) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) zero after September 30, 2021. . (5) Section 4081(d)(1) of such Code is amended by striking 4.3 cents per gallon after September 30, 2016 zero after September 30, 2021 (6) Section 9503(b) of such Code is amended— (A) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking October 1, 2016 October 1, 2021 (B) in the heading of paragraph (2), by striking October 1, 2016 October 1, 2021 (C) in paragraph (2), by striking after September 30, 2016, and before July 1, 2017 after September 30, 2021, and before July 1, 2022 (D) in paragraph (6)(B), by striking October 1, 2014 October 1, 2019 (c) Floor stock refunds (1) In general If— (A) before October 1, 2019, tax has been imposed under section 4081 (B) on such date such liquid is held by a dealer and has not been used and is intended for sale; there shall be credited or refunded (without interest) to the person who paid such tax (in this subsection referred to as the taxpayer (2) Time for filing claims No credit or refund shall be allowed or made under this subsection unless— (A) claim therefor is filed with the Secretary of the Treasury before April 1, 2020; and (B) in any case where liquid is held by a dealer (other than the taxpayer) on October 1, 2019— (i) the dealer submits a request for refund or credit to the taxpayer before January 1, 2020; and (ii) the taxpayer has repaid or agreed to repay the amount so claimed to such dealer or has obtained the written consent of such dealer to the allowance of the credit or the making of the refund. (3) Exception for fuel held in retail stocks No credit or refund shall be allowed under this subsection with respect to any liquid in retail stocks held at the place where intended to be sold at retail. (4) Definitions For purposes of this subsection, the terms dealer held by a dealer dealer (5) Certain rules to apply Rules similar to the rules of subsections (b) and (c) of section 6412 and sections 6206 and 6675 of such Code shall apply for purposes of this subsection. (d) Effective dates (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall apply to fuel removed after September 30, 2019. (2) Certain conforming amendments The amendments made by subsections (b)(4) and (b)(6) shall apply to fuel removed after September 30, 2016. 8. Report to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, after consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress describing such technical and conforming amendments to titles 23 and 49, United States Code, and such technical and conforming amendments to other laws, as are necessary to bring those titles and other laws into conformity with the policy embodied in this Act and the amendments made by this Act. 9. Effective date contingent on certification of deficit neutrality (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to ensure that— (1) this Act will become effective only if the Director of the Office of Management and Budget certifies that this Act is deficit neutral; (2) discretionary spending limits are reduced to capture the savings realized in devolving transportation functions to the State level pursuant to this Act; and (3) the tax reduction made by this Act is not scored under pay-as-you-go and does not inadvertently trigger a sequestration. (b) Effective date contingency Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect only if— (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (referred to in this section as the Director (2) the report contains a certification by the Director that, based on the required estimates, the reduction in discretionary outlays resulting from the reduction in contract authority is at least as great as the reduction in revenues for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2019. (c) OMB estimates and report (1) Requirements Not later than 5 calendar days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall— (A) estimate the net change in revenues resulting from this Act for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2019; (B) estimate the net change in discretionary outlays resulting from the reduction in contract authority under this Act for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2019; (C) determine, based on those estimates, whether the reduction in discretionary outlays is at least as great as the reduction in revenues for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2019; and (D) submit to Congress a report setting forth the estimates and determination. (2) Applicable assumptions and guidelines (A) Revenue estimates The revenue estimates required under paragraph (1)(A) shall be predicated on the same economic and technical assumptions and score keeping guidelines that would be used for estimates made pursuant to section 252(d) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 902(d) (B) Outlay estimates The outlay estimates required under paragraph (1)(B) shall be determined by comparing the level of discretionary outlays resulting from this Act with the corresponding level of discretionary outlays projected in the baseline under section 257 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 907 (d) Conforming adjustment to discretionary spending limits On compliance with the requirements specified in subsection (b), the Director shall adjust the adjusted discretionary spending limits for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2019 under section 601(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 ( 2 U.S.C. 665(a)(2) (e) Paygo interaction On compliance with the requirements specified in subsection (b), no changes in revenues estimated to result from the enactment of this Act shall be counted for the purposes of section 252(d) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 902(d)

Summary: Transportation Empowerment Act - Declares the purposes of the Act, including returning maximum discretionary authority and fiscal responsibility to the states for all elements of the national surface transportation systems (excluding the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways). Prescribes a limitation on funding of transportation programs and projects carried out under this Act. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY2015-FY2019 for specified core programs under the federal-aid highway program, including: (1) metropolitan transportation planning, (2) emergency relief for highways and roads, (3) the federal lands transportation program, and (4) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrative expenses. Authorizes a state to transfer and use excess federal-aid highway funds for any surface transportation project (including mass transit and rail). Limits federal assistance to states for highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation to bridges on the federal-aid highway system. Repeals the authorization of federal assistance to states for historic bridges. Repeals the transportation alternatives program. Declares that, beginning with FY2014, a highway construction or improvement project shall not be considered a federal project: (1) unless and until a state expends federal funds for the construction portion of such project, (2) solely by reason of the state expenditure of federal funds before the construction phase of the project (including for any environmental document or design work), or (3) upon state reimbursement to the federal government of the federal costs of such projects. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make amounts in the HTF available for expenditure for core highway programs through FY2020. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to transfer from the HTF amounts equivalent to motorboat and aviation fuel taxes collected before October 1, 2022, to: (1) the Land and Water Conservation Fund, (2) the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and (3) the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Requires the Secretary to pay from the HTF into the general fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the floor stocks refunds made before July 1, 2023. Prescribes a motor fuel tax rate schedule for financing of core highway programs. Terminates, on September 30, 2014, the authority of the Secretary to make certain transfers to the Mass Transit Account. Directs the Secretary, on October 1, 2014, to transfer all amounts in the Mass Transit Account to the Highway Account. Authorizes appropriations out of the HTF (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY2015-FY2019 for the highway research and development program. Directs the Secretary to allocate to the states for surface transportation projects (including mass transit and rail) any excess highway tax receipts appropriated to the HTF in FY2016-FY2019. Reduces the excise taxes imposed on: (1) gasoline from 18.3 cents to 3.7 cents, (2) diesel fuel or kerosene from 24.3 cents to 5.0 cents, and (3) diesel-water fuel emulsion from 19.7 cents to 4.1 cents. Requires credits or refunds of certain floor stocks taxes on liquids imposed before October 1, 2019. Declares that this Act shall become effective only if the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) certifies that it is deficit neutral.