H. R. 3—329
(C) DATE OF APPOINTMENTS.—The appointment of a 
member of the Commission shall be made not later than 
120 days after the date of establishment of the Commission. 
(D) TERMS.—A member shall be appointed for the life 
of the Commission. 
(E) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission—
(i) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; 
and 
(ii) shall be filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment was made. 
(F) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which all members of the Commission have 
been appointed, the Commission shall hold the initial 
meeting of the Commission. 
(G) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairperson. 
(H) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number 
of members may hold hearings. 
(I) VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission shall select 
a Vice Chairperson from among the appointed members 
of the Commission. 
(3) DUTIES.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall—
(i) conduct a comprehensive study of—
(I) the current condition and future needs of 
the surface transportation system; 
(II) short-term sources of Highway Trust Fund 
revenues; 
(III) long-term alternatives to replace or 
supplement the fuel tax as the principal revenue 
source to support the Highway Trust Fund, 
including new or alternate sources of revenue; 
(IV) revenue sources to fund the needs of the 
surface transportation system over at least the 
30-year period beginning on the date of enactment 
of this Act, including new or alternate sources 
of revenue; 
(V) revenues flowing into the Highway Trust 
Fund under laws in existence on the date of enact-
ment of this Act, including individual components 
of the overall flow of the revenues; and 
(VI) whether the amount of revenues described 
in subclause (V) is likely to increase, decrease, 
or remain constant absent any change in law, 
taking into consideration the impact of possible 
changes in public vehicular choice, fuel use, and 
travel alternatives that could be expected to reduce 
or increase revenues into the Highway Trust Fund; 
(B) develop a conceptual plan, with alternative 
approaches, to ensure that the surface transportation 
system will continue to serve the needs of the United 
States, including specific recommendations regarding 
design and operational standards, Federal policies, and 
legislative changes; 
(C) consult with the Secretary of the Treasury in con-
ducting the study to ensure that the views of the Secretary
H. R. 3—330
concerning essential attributes of Highway Trust Fund rev-
enue alternatives are considered; 
(D) consult with representatives of State departments 
of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations 
and other key interested stakeholders in conducting the 
study to ensure that—
(i) the views of the stakeholders on alternative 
revenue sources to support State transportation 
improvement programs are considered; and 
(ii) any recommended Federal financing strategy 
takes into account State financial requirements; and 
(E) based on the study, make specific recommendations 
regarding—
(i) actions that should be taken to develop alter-
native revenue sources to support the Highway Trust 
Fund; and 
(ii) the time frame for taking those actions. 
(4) RELATED WORK.—To the maximum extent practicable, 
the study shall build on related work that has been completed 
by—
(A) the Secretary; 
(B) the Secretary of Energy; 
(C) the Transportation Research Board, including the 
findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the recent 
study conducted by the Transportation Research Board 
on alternatives to the fuel tax to support highway program 
financing; and 
(D) other entities and persons. 
(5) SURFACE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.—With respect to sur-
face transportation needs, the investigation and study shall 
specifically address—
(A) the current condition and performance of the Inter-
state System (including the physical condition of bridges 
and 
pavements 
and 
operational 
characteristics 
and 
performance), relying primarily on existing data sources; 
(B) the future of the Interstate System, based on a 
range of legislative and policy approaches for 15-, 30-, 
and 50-year time periods; 
(C) the expected demographics and business uses that 
impact the surface transportation system; 
(D) the expected use of the surface transportation 
system, including the effects of changing vehicle types, 
modes of transportation, fleet size and weights, and traffic 
volumes; 
(E) desirable design policies and standards for future 
improvements of the surface transportation system, 
including additional access points; 
(F) the identification of urban, rural, national, and 
interregional needs for the surface transportation system; 
(G) the potential for expansion, upgrades, or other 
changes to the surface transportation system, including—
(i) deployment of advanced materials and intel-
ligent technologies; 
(ii) critical multistate, urban, and rural corridors 
needing capacity, safety, and operational enhance-
ments; 
(iii) improvements to intermodal linkages;
H. R. 3—331
(iv) security and military deployment enhance-
ments; 
(v) strategies to enhance asset preservation; and 
(vi) implementation strategies; 
(H) the improvement of emergency preparedness and 
evacuation using the surface transportation system, 
including—
(i) examination of the potential use of all modes 
of the surface transportation system in the safe and 
efficient evacuation of citizens during times of emer-
gency; 
(ii) identification of the location of critical bottle-
necks; and 
(iii) development of strategies to improve system 
redundancy, especially in areas with a high potential 
for terrorist attacks; 
(I) alternatives for addressing environmental concerns 
associated with the future development of the surface 
transportation system; 
(J) the assessment of the current and future capabili-
ties for conducting system-wide real-time performance data 
collection and analysis, traffic monitoring, and transpor-
tation systems operations and management; and 
(K) policy and legislative alternatives for addressing 
future needs for the surface transportation system. 
(6) FINANCING.—With respect to financing, the study shall 
address specifically—
(A) the advantages and disadvantages of alternative 
revenue sources to meet anticipated Federal surface 
transportation financial requirements; 
(B) recommendations concerning the most promising 
revenue sources to support long-term Federal surface 
transportation financing requirements; 
(C) development of a broad transition strategy to move 
from the current tax base to new funding mechanisms, 
including the time frame for various components of the 
transition strategy; 
(D) recommendations for additional research that may 
be needed to implement recommended alternatives; and 
(E) the extent to which revenues should reflect the 
relative use of the highway system. 
(7) FINANCING RECOMMENDATIONS.—
(A) FACTORS
FOR
CONSIDERATION.—In developing 
financing recommendations under this subsection, the 
Commission shall consider—
(i) the ability to generate sufficient revenues from 
all modes to meet anticipated long-term surface 
transportation financing needs; 
(ii) the roles of the various levels of government 
and the private sector in meeting future surface 
transportation financing needs; 
(iii) administrative costs (including enforcement 
costs) to implement each option; 
(iv) the expected increase in nontaxed fuels and 
the impact of taxing those fuels; 
(v) the likely technological advances that could 
ease implementation of each option;
H. R. 3—332
(vi) the equity and economic efficiency of each 
option; 
(vii) the flexibility of different options to allow 
various pricing alternatives to be implemented; and 
(viii) potential compatibility issues with State and 
local tax mechanisms under each alternative. 
(B) NEED
AND
REVENUE
ANALYSIS.—In developing 
financing recommendations under this subsection, the 
Commission shall distinguish between—
(i) the needs of, and revenues for, the surface 
transportation system that are eligible to receive funds 
from the Highway Trust Fund; and 
(ii) the needs for projects and programs that are 
not eligible to receive funds from the Highway Trust 
Fund. 
(8) TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The Secretary shall 
establish a technical advisory committee, in a manner con-
sistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.), to collect and evaluate technical input from—
(A) appropriate Federal, State, and local officials with 
responsibility for transportation; 
(B) appropriate State and local elected officials; 
(C) transportation and trade associations; 
(D) emergency management officials; 
(E) freight providers; 
(F) the general public; and 
(G) other entities and persons determined to be appro-
priate by the Secretary to ensure a diverse range of views. 
(9) REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than July 
1, 2007, the Commission shall submit to Congress— 
(A) a final report that contains a detailed statement 
of the findings and conclusions of the Commission; and 
(B) the recommendations of the Commission for such 
legislation and administrative actions as the Commission 
considers to be appropriate. 
(10) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—
(A) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold such 
hearings, meet and act at such times and places, take 
such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commis-
sion considers advisable to carry out this section. 
(B) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—
(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission may secure 
directly from a Federal agency such information as 
the Commission considers necessary to carry out this 
section. 
(ii) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—On request of the 
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of a Federal 
agency shall provide the requested information to the 
Commission. 
(C) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use the 
United States mails in the same manner and under the 
same conditions as other agencies of the Federal Govern-
ment. 
(D) DONATIONS.—The Commission may accept, use, 
and dispose of donations of services or property. 
(11) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.—
H. R. 3—333
(A) MEMBERS.—A member of the Commission shall 
serve without pay but shall be allowed travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I 
of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away 
from the home or regular place of business of the member 
in the performance of the duties of the Commission. 
(B) CONTRACTORS.—The Commission may enter into 
agreements with appropriate organizations, agencies, and 
entities to conduct the study required under this section, 
under the strategic guidance of the Commission. 
(C) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.—On the request of the 
Commission, the Administrator of the Federal Highway 
Administration shall provide to the Commission, on a 
reimbursable basis, the administrative support and services 
necessary for the Commission to carry out the duties of 
the Commission under this section. 
(D) DETAIL OF PERSONNEL.—
(i) IN GENERAL.—On the request of the Commis-
sion, the Secretary may detail, on a reimbursable basis, 
any of the personnel of the Department to the Commis-
sion to assist the Commission in carrying out the duties 
of the Commission under this section. 
(ii) CIVIL
SERVICE
STATUS.—The detail of the 
employee shall be without interruption or loss of civil 
service status or privilege. 
(12) COOPERATION.—The staff of the Secretary shall 
cooperate with the Commission in the study required under 
this section, including providing such nonconfidential data and 
information as are necessary to conduct the study. 
(13) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraphs 
(B) and (C), funds made available to carry out this section 
shall be available for obligation in the same manner as 
if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 
23, United States Code. 
(B) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost 
of the study and the Commission under this section shall 
be 100 percent. 
(C) AVAILABILITY.—Funds made available to carry out 
this section shall remain available until expended. 
(14) DEFINITION OF SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.—
In this subsection, the term ‘‘surface transportation system’’ 
includes—
(A) the National Highway System, as defined in section 
103(b) of title 23, United States Code; 
(B) congressional high priority corridors; 
(C) intermodal connectors; 
(D) intermodal freight facilities; 
(E) public transportation infrastructure and facilities; 
and 
(F) freight and intercity passenger bus and rail infra-
structure and facilities. 
(15) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other 
than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section 
$1,400,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007.
H. R. 3—334
(16) APPLICABILITY OF TITLE 23.—Funds made available 
to carry out this section shall be available for obligation in 
the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under 
chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code; except that such 
funds shall remain available until expended, and the Federal 
share of the cost of a project under this section shall be as 
provided in this section. 
(17) TERMINATION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall terminate on 
the date that is 180 days after the date on which the 
Commission submits the report of the Commission under 
paragraph (9). 
(B) RECORDS.—Not later than the date of termination 
of the Commission under subparagraph (A), all records 
and papers of the Commission shall be delivered to the 
Archivist of the United States for deposit in the National 
Archives. 
SEC. 1910. MOTORIST INFORMATION CONCERNING FULL SERVICE RES-
TAURANTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary may initiate a rulemaking to determine 
whether—
(1) full service restaurants should be given priority on 
not more than 2 panels of the camping or attractions logo-
specific service signs in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control 
Devices of the Department of Transportation when the food 
logo-specific service sign is fully used; and 
(2) full service restaurants should be given priority on 
not more than 2 panels of the food logo-specific service signs 
in such Manual when the camping or attractions logo-specific 
service signs are fully used. 
SEC. 1911. APPROVAL AND FUNDING FOR CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION 
PROJECTS. 
(a) PROJECT APPROVAL.—If the Secretary finds that the project 
number STP–189–1(15)CT 3 in Gwinnett County, Georgia, was 
not listed in the current regional transportation plan because of 
a clerical error, such failure to be listed shall not be a basis 
for not approving the project. The Secretary shall make a final 
decision on the approval of the project within 30 days after the 
date of receipt by the Secretary of a construction authorization 
request from the department of transportation for the State of 
Georgia. 
(b) CONFORMITY DETERMINATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Approval, funding, and implementation 
of the project referred to in subsection (a) shall not be subject 
to the requirements of part 93 of title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or successor regulations). 
(2) REGIONAL EMISSIONS.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), 
all subsequent regional emission analyses required by section 
93.118 or 93.119 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
successor regulations), shall include the project. 
SEC. 1912. LEAD AGENCY DESIGNATION. 
The public entity established under California law in 1989 
to acquire rights-of-way in northwestern California to maintain 
surface transportation infrastructure is designated as the lead
H. R. 3—335
agency for the purpose of accepting Federal funds authorized under 
item 13 of the table contained in section 1108(b) of the Intermodal 
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2061). 
SEC. 1913. BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION, NORTH DAKOTA. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and regardless 
of the source of Federal funds, the Federal share of the eligible 
costs of construction of a bridge between Bismarck, North Dakota, 
and Mandan, North Dakota, shall be 90 percent. 
SEC. 1914. MOTORCYCLIST ADVISORY COUNCIL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Highway Administration, in consultation with 
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works of the Senate, shall appoint a Motorcyclist Advisory Council 
to coordinate with and advise the Administrator on infrastructure 
issues of concern to motorcyclists, including—
(1) barrier design; 
(2) road design, construction, and maintenance practices; 
and 
(3) the architecture and implementation of intelligent 
transportation system technologies. 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Council shall consist of not more than 
10 members of the motorcycling community with professional exper-
tise in national motorcyclist safety advocacy, including—
(1) at least—
(A) one member recommended by a national motorcy-
clist association; 
(B) one member recommended by a national motorcycle 
riders foundation; 
(C) one representative of the National Association of 
State Motorcycle Safety Administrators; 
(D) two members of State motorcyclists’ organizations; 
(E) one member recommended by a national organiza-
tion that represents the builders of highway infrastructure; 
(F) one member recommended by a national association 
that represents the traffic safety systems industry; and 
(G) one member of a national safety organization; and 
(2) at least one, and not more than two, motorcyclists 
who are traffic system design engineers or State transportation 
department officials. 
SEC. 1915. LOAN FORGIVENESS. 
Debt outstanding as of the date of enactment of this Act for 
project number Q–DPM–0013(001) carried out under section 108(c) 
of title 23, United States Code, is deemed satisfied. 
SEC. 1916. TREATMENT OF OFF RAMP. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the New Harbor 
Boulevard North off-ramp project along the Interstate Route 405 
Collector-Distributor Road in Costa Mesa, California (Susan Street 
Slip-Ramp), shall be treated for purposes of title 23, United States 
Code, as satisfying all Federal requirements, and the California 
State department of transportation shall authorize any final 
environmental, engineering, or design analyses necessary to 
approve, as expeditiously as possible, construction of the project
H. R. 3—336
consistent with applicable California State operational and safety 
standards. 
SEC. 1917. OPENING OF INTERSTATE RAMPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Maryland State highway administration 
and the Federal Highway Administration shall work cooperatively—
(1) to expedite the project being developed as of the date 
of enactment of this Act to improve Interstate Route 495 
through the area of the Arena Drive interchange to allow 
for safe exit, including improvements to the adjacent inter-
changes upstream and downstream along Interstate Route 495; 
and 
(2) to expedite action on the Interstate access request so 
that the Interstate Route 495/Arena Drive interchange can 
be opened safely to all vehicles 24 hours per day, 7 days 
per week. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
the status of opening the Interstate Route 495/Arena Drive inter-
change to full-time use. 
SEC. 1918. CREDIT TO STATE OF LOUISIANA FOR STATE MATCHING 
FUNDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide a credit to the 
State of Louisiana in an amount equal to non-Federal Share of 
the cost of any planning, engineering, design, or construction work 
carried out by the State on any project that the Secretary deter-
mines is integral to the project authorized by item number 202 
in the table contained in section 1602 of the Transportation Equity 
Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 264). 
(b) ELIGIBILITY OF CREDIT.—The credit may be used for any 
future payment relating to the completion of the project referred 
to in subsection (a) that is required by the State under title 23, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 1919. ROAD USER FEES. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with 
the Public Policy Center of the University of Iowa for an analysis 
and report to the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury 
on a long-term field test of an approach to assessing highway 
use fees based upon actual mileage driven by a specific vehicle 
on specific types of highways by use of an onboard computer—
(1) which is linked to satellites to calculate highway mileage 
traversed; 
(2) which computes the appropriate highway use fees for 
each of the Federal, State, and local governments as the vehicle 
makes use of the highways; 
(3) the data from which is periodically downloaded by the 
vehicle owner to a collection center for an assessment of high-
way use fees due in each jurisdiction traversed; and 
(4) which includes methods of ensuring privacy of road 
users. 
(b) COMPONENTS OF FIELD TEST.—The components of the field 
test shall include 2 years for preparation, including selection of 
vendors and test participants, and a 3-year testing period. 
(c) REPORTS.—The Secretary shall submit annual reports on 
the status of the analysis and, not later than July 1, 2009, a 
final report on the results of the analysis, together with findings
H. R. 3—337
and recommendations. The reports shall be submitted to the Sec-
retary of the Treasury, the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House 
of Representatives, and the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works and the Committee on Finance of the Senate. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit 
Account) to carry out this section $2,000,000 fiscal year 2006 
and $3,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009. 
(2) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—Funds authorized under this 
subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner 
as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, 
United States Code; except the Federal share of the cost of 
the analysis and report shall be 100 percent, and such funds 
shall remain available until expended and shall not be transfer-
able. 
SEC. 1920. TRANSPORTATION AND LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Federal-aid highway programs provide State and local 
governments and other recipients substantial funds for projects 
that 
produce 
significant 
employment 
and 
job-training 
opportunities. 
(2) Every $1,000,000,000 in Federal infrastructure invest-
ment creates an estimated 47,500 jobs. 
(3) 
Jobs 
in 
transportation 
construction, 
including 
apprenticeship positions, typically pay more than twice the 
minimum wage, and include health and other benefits. 
(4) Transportation projects provide the impetus for job 
training and employment opportunities for low income individ-
uals residing in the area in which a transportation project 
is planned. 
(5) Transportation projects can offer young people, particu-
larly those who are economically disadvantaged, the oppor-
tunity to gain productive employment. 
(6) The Alameda Corridor, a $2,400,000,000 transportation 
project, is an example of a transportation project that included 
a local hiring provision resulting in a full 30 percent of the 
project jobs being filled by locally hired and trained men and 
women. 
(b) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
Federal transportation projects should facilitate and encourage the 
collaboration between interested persons, including Federal, State, 
and local governments, community colleges, apprentice programs, 
local high schools, and other community-based organizations that 
have an interest in improving the job skills of low-income individ-
uals, to help leverage scarce training and community resources 
and to help ensure local participation in the building of transpor-
tation projects. 
SEC. 1921. UPDATE OF OBSOLETE TEXT. 
Section 137(a) of title 23, United States Code, is amended 
in the first sentence by striking ‘‘on the Federal-aid urban system’’ 
and inserting ‘‘on a Federal-aid highway’’.