I 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5713 
To amend the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to ensure 
that the highest priority consideration is given to local comments when 
selecting a toll pilot project, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 10, 2012 
Mr. BUTTERFIELD (for himself, Mr. WATT, and Mr. KISSELL) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To amend the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Cen-
tury to ensure that the highest priority consideration 
is given to local comments when selecting a toll pilot 
project, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Talk Before You Toll 
Act of 2012’’. 
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SEC. 2. INTERSTATE SYSTEM RECONSTRUCTION AND RE-
HABILITATION PILOT PROGRAM. 
Section 1216(b)(4) of the Transportation Equity Act 
for the 21st Century (Public Law 105–178) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and 
(E) as subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(D) the State has solicited, received, and 
published on its Web site public comments re-
garding the facility and has disclosed whether 
the majority of such comments approved or dis-
approved the facility, including comments re-
garding the economic impact study, environ-
mental assessment, and any other documents 
required to be submitted with the application;’’. 
SEC. 3. PRIORITY CONSIDERATION. 
Section 1216(b) of the Transportation Equity Act for 
the 21st Century (Public Law 105–178) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through 
(8) as paragraphs (9) through (12), respectively; 
and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(5) PRIORITY
CONSIDERATION.—In addition 
to the selection criteria listed in paragraph (4), the 
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Secretary shall give the highest priority consider-
ation to local comments that both approve and dis-
approve the proposed toll facility. 
‘‘(6) PERIODIC CONSIDERATION.—Once a State 
begins the application process under this subsection, 
the Secretary (or the Secretary’s designee) shall 
meet monthly with local representatives of transpor-
tation and consumer advocacy groups who reside 
near the location of the proposed toll facility to dis-
cuss their views and recommendations for any 
changes or modifications to the State’s plans with 
respect to the facility. 
‘‘(7) PUBLIC MEETING.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 
days after the date of submission of the final 
facility management plan under paragraph 
(3)(D)(i), the State shall hold at least one pub-
lic meeting to review the specifics of the plan 
(especially details not disclosed prior to the 
plan’s final submission) and solicit participation 
and comment from the public. 
‘‘(B) COMMENTS RECEIVED.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—During the public 
meeting and in the 30-day period following 
the date on which the meeting is held, the 
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State shall accept comments on and sug-
gestions for any changes to the facility 
management plan and written comments 
with respect to any of the comments or 
suggestions. 
‘‘(ii) 
PUBLICATION
AND
TRANS-
MITTAL.—The State shall publish the com-
ments and suggestions on its Web site and 
transmit the comments and suggestions, 
along with the minutes of the public meet-
ing, to the Administrator of the Federal 
Highway Administration. 
‘‘(8) FEDERAL
HIGHWAY
ADMINISTRATION.— 
Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of 
the comments and suggestions and the minutes of 
the public meeting referred to in paragraph (8), the 
Administrator shall publish on the Web site of the 
Federal Highway Administration all comments and 
suggestions received by a State regarding the pro-
posed toll facility. Before making a final determina-
tion on a State’s application, the Administrator shall 
consider all such comments and suggestions re-
ceived.’’. 
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SEC. 4. APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS. 
The amendments made by this Act shall apply to any 
State that has not completed a final application under sec-
tion 1216(b) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 
21st Century (Public Law 105–178) as of the date of en-
actment of this Act. 
Æ 
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