380 
31102, 31103, 31104 of title 49, United States Code, and 
any sections repealed under subsection (e), as necessary, as 
those sections were in effect on the day before October 1, 
2016, with respect to applications for grants, cooperative 
agreements, or contracts under those sections submitted be-
fore October 1, 2016. 
SEC. 5102. PERFORMANCE AND REGISTRATION INFORMA-
TION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT. 
Section 31106(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended in the subheading by striking ‘‘PROGRAM’’ and in-
serting ‘‘SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT’’. 
SEC. 5103. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 311 of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘§ 31110. Authorization of appropriations 
‘‘(a) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund 
(other than the Mass Transit Account) for the Secretary of 
Transportation to pay administrative expenses of the Fed-
eral Motor Carrier Safety Administration— 
‘‘(1) $259,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
‘‘(2) $259,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; 
‘‘(3) $259,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
‘‘(4) $259,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00380
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
381 
‘‘(5) $259,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
‘‘(6) $259,000,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
‘‘(b) USE OF FUNDS.—The funds authorized by this 
section shall be used for— 
‘‘(1) personnel costs; 
‘‘(2) administrative infrastructure; 
‘‘(3) rent; 
‘‘(4) information technology; 
‘‘(5) programs for research and technology, infor-
mation management, regulatory development, and the 
administration of performance and registration infor-
mation systems management under section 31106(b); 
‘‘(6) programs for outreach and education under 
subsection (c); 
‘‘(7) other operating expenses; 
‘‘(8) conducting safety reviews of new operators; 
and 
‘‘(9) such other expenses as may from time to 
time become necessary to implement statutory man-
dates of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminis-
tration not funded from other sources. 
‘‘(c) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may conduct, 
through any combination of grants, contracts, cooper-
ative agreements, and other activities, an internal 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00381
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
382 
and external outreach and education program to be 
administered by the Administrator of the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 
‘‘(2) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of an 
outreach and education project for which a grant, 
contract, or cooperative agreement is made under this 
subsection may be up to 100 percent of the cost of the 
project. 
‘‘(3) FUNDING.—From amounts made available 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make avail-
able not more than $4,000,000 each fiscal year. 
‘‘(d) CONTRACT AUTHORITY; INITIAL DATE OF AVAIL-
ABILITY.—Amounts authorized from the Highway Trust 
Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) by this section 
shall be available for obligation on the date of their appor-
tionment or allocation or on October 1 of the fiscal year 
for which they are authorized, whichever occurs first. 
‘‘(e) FUNDING AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made avail-
able under this section shall remain available until ex-
pended. 
‘‘(f) CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION.—The approval of 
funds by the Secretary under this section is a contractual 
obligation of the Federal Government for payment of the 
Federal Government’s share of costs.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00382
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
383 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
311 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end of the items relating to subchapter I the following: 
‘‘31110. Authorization of appropriations.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES; AUTHORIZATION 
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 31104 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (i); and 
(B) by redesignating subsections (j) and (k) 
as subsections (i) and (j), respectively. 
(2) USE OF AMOUNTS MADE AVAILABLE UNDER 
SUBSECTION (i).—Section 4116(d) of SAFETEA–LU 
(49 U.S.C. 31104 note) is amended by striking ‘‘sec-
tion 31104(i)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 31110’’. 
(3) INTERNAL COOPERATION.—Section 31161 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
‘‘section 31104(i)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 31110’’. 
(4) 
SAFETEA–LU; 
OUTREACH
AND
EDU-
CATION.—Section 4127 of SAFETEA–LU (119 Stat. 
1741; Public Law 109–59), and the item relating to 
that section in the table of contents contained in sec-
tion 1(b) of that Act, are repealed. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00383
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
384 
SEC. 5104. COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE PROGRAM IM-
PLEMENTATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 31313 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 31313. Commercial driver’s license program imple-
mentation financial assistance program 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall administer a financial assistance program for com-
mercial driver’s license program implementation for the 
purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
‘‘(1) STATE
COMMERCIAL
DRIVER’S
LICENSE 
PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION
GRANTS.—In carrying 
out the program, the Secretary may make a grant to 
a State agency in a fiscal year— 
‘‘(A) to assist the State in complying with 
the requirements of section 31311; 
‘‘(B) in the case of a State that is making 
a good faith effort toward substantial compliance 
with the requirements of section 31311, to im-
prove the State’s implementation of its commer-
cial driver’s license program, including ex-
penses— 
‘‘(i) for computer hardware and soft-
ware; 
‘‘(ii) for publications, testing, per-
sonnel, training, and quality control; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00384
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
385 
‘‘(iii) for commercial driver’s license 
program coordinators; and 
‘‘(iv) to implement or maintain a sys-
tem to notify an employer of an operator of 
a commercial motor vehicle of the suspen-
sion or revocation of the operator’s commer-
cial driver’s license consistent with the 
standards developed under section 32303(b) 
of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety En-
hancement Act of 2012 (49 U.S.C. 31304 
note). 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary may 
make a grant to or enter into a cooperative agreement 
with a State agency, local government, or any person 
in a fiscal year for research, development and testing, 
demonstration projects, public education, and other 
special activities and projects relating to commercial 
drivers licensing and motor vehicle safety that— 
‘‘(A) benefit all jurisdictions of the United 
States; 
‘‘(B) address national safety concerns and 
circumstances; 
‘‘(C) address emerging issues relating to 
commercial driver’s license improvements; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00385
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
386 
‘‘(D) support innovative ideas and solutions 
to commercial driver’s license program issues; or 
‘‘(E) address other commercial driver’s li-
cense issues, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(b) PROHIBITIONS.—A recipient may not use finan-
cial assistance funds awarded under this section to rent, 
lease, or buy land or buildings. 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—The Secretary shall issue an annual 
report on the activities carried out under this section. 
‘‘(d) APPORTIONMENT.—All amounts made available 
to carry out this section for a fiscal year shall be appor-
tioned to a recipient described in subsection (a)(2) accord-
ing to criteria prescribed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(e) FUNDING.—For fiscal years beginning after Sep-
tember 30, 2016, this section shall be funded under section 
31104.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
313 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 31313 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘31313. Commercial driver’s license program implementation financial assistance 
program.’’. 
SEC. 5105. EXTENSION OF FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFE-
TY PROGRAMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016. 
(a) MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
GRANT EXTENSION.—Section 31104(a) of title 49, United 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00386
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
387 
States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (10) and 
(11) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(10) $218,000,000 for fiscal year 2015; and 
‘‘(11) $241,480,000 for fiscal year 2016.’’. 
(b) EXTENSION
OF
GRANT
PROGRAMS.—Section 
4101(c) of SAFETEA–LU (119 Stat. 1715; Public Law 
109–59) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—The fol-
lowing sums are authorized to be appropriated from the 
Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Ac-
count): 
‘‘(1) COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE PROGRAM 
IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.—For carrying out the com-
mercial driver’s license program improvement grants 
program under section 31313 of title 49, United 
States Code, $30,480,000 for fiscal year 2016. 
‘‘(2) BORDER ENFORCEMENT GRANTS.—For bor-
der enforcement grants under section 31107 of that 
title $32,512,000 for fiscal year 2016. 
‘‘(3) PERFORMANCE AND REGISTRATION INFOR-
MATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT GRANT PROGRAM.— 
For the performance and registration information 
systems management grant program under section 
31109 of that title $5,080,000 for fiscal year 2016. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00387
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
388 
‘‘(4) COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INFORMATION SYS-
TEMS AND NETWORKS DEPLOYMENT.—For carrying 
out the commercial vehicle information systems and 
networks deployment program under section 4126 of 
this Act $25,400,000 for fiscal year 2016. 
‘‘(5) SAFETY DATA IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.—For 
safety data improvement grants under section 4128 of 
this Act $3,048,000 for fiscal year 2016.’’. 
(c) HIGH-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES.—Section 31104(j)(2) 
of title 49, United States Code, as redesignated by this sub-
title, is amended by striking ‘‘2015’’ the first place it ap-
pears and inserting ‘‘2016’’. 
(d) NEW ENTRANT AUDITS.—Section 31144(g)(5)(B) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(B) SET ASIDE.—The Secretary shall set 
aside from amounts made available under sec-
tion 31104(a) up to $32,000,000 for fiscal year 
2016 for audits of new entrant motor carriers 
conducted under this paragraph.’’. 
(e) GRANT PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHI-
CLE OPERATORS.—Section 4134(c) of SAFETEA–LU (49 
U.S.C. 31301 note) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) FUNDING.—From amounts made available under 
section 31110 of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00388
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
389 
shall make available, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2016 to 
carry out this section.’’. 
(f) COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS 
AND NETWORKS DEPLOYMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 4126 of SAFETEA– 
LU (49 U.S.C. 31106 note; 119 Stat. 1738; Public 
Law 109–59) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (c)— 
(i) in paragraph (2) by adding at the 
end the following: ‘‘Funds deobligated by the 
Secretary from previous year grants shall 
not be counted toward the $2,500,000 max-
imum aggregate amount for core deploy-
ment.’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (3) by adding at the 
end the following: ‘‘Funds may also be used 
for planning activities, including the devel-
opment or updating of program or top level 
design plans.’’; and 
(B) in subsection (d)(4) by adding at the 
end the following: ‘‘Funds may also be used for 
planning activities, including the development or 
updating of program or top level design plans.’’. 
(2) INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT PRO-
GRAM.—For fiscal year 2016, the commercial vehicle 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00389
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
390 
information systems and networks deployment pro-
gram under section 4126 of SAFETEA–LU (119 
Stat. 1738; Public Law 109–59) may also be referred 
to as the innovative technology deployment program. 
SEC. 5106. MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 
ALLOCATION. 
(a) WORKING GROUP.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall establish a motor carrier safety assistance pro-
gram formula working group (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘working group’’). 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph 
(B), the working group shall consist of represent-
atives of the following: 
(i) The Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration. 
(ii) The lead State commercial motor 
vehicle safety agencies responsible for ad-
ministering the plan required by section 
31102 of title 49, United States Code. 
(iii) 
An 
organization 
representing 
State agencies responsible for enforcing a 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00390
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
391 
program for inspection of commercial motor 
vehicles. 
(iv) Such other persons as the Sec-
retary considers necessary. 
(B) 
COMPOSITION.—Representatives 
of 
State commercial motor vehicle safety agencies 
shall comprise at least 51 percent of the member-
ship. 
(3) NEW ALLOCATION FORMULA.—The working 
group shall analyze requirements and factors for the 
establishment of a new allocation formula for the 
motor carrier assistance program under section 31102 
of title 49, United States Code. 
(4) RECOMMENDATION.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date the working group is established under 
paragraph (1), the working group shall make a rec-
ommendation to the Secretary regarding a new allo-
cation formula for the motor carrier assistance pro-
gram. 
(5) EXEMPTION.—The Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
working group established under this subsection. 
(6) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00391
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
392 
publish on a publicly accessible Internet Web site of 
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration— 
(A) summaries of the meetings of the work-
ing group; and 
(B) the final recommendation of the work-
ing group provided to the Secretary. 
(b) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.—After re-
ceiving the recommendation of the working group under 
subsection (a)(4), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal 
Register a notice seeking public comment on the establish-
ment of a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safe-
ty assistance program. 
(c) BASIS FOR FORMULA.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the new allocation formula for the motor carrier assist-
ance program is based on factors that reflect, at a min-
imum— 
(1) the relative needs of the States to comply 
with section 31102 of title 49, United States Code; 
(2) the relative administrative capacities of and 
challenges faced by States in complying with that sec-
tion; 
(3) the average of each State’s new entrant motor 
carrier inventory for the 3-year period prior to the 
date of enactment of this Act; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00392
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
393 
(4) the number of international border inspec-
tion facilities and border crossings by commercial ve-
hicles in each State; and 
(5) any other factors the Secretary considers ap-
propriate. 
(d) FUNDING AMOUNTS PRIOR TO DEVELOPMENT OF 
NEW ALLOCATION FORMULA.— 
(1) INTERIM FORMULA.—Prior to the develop-
ment of the new allocation formula for the motor car-
rier assistance program, the Secretary may calculate 
the interim funding amounts for that program in fis-
cal year 2017 (and later fiscal years, as necessary) 
under section 31104(a)(1) of title 49, United States 
Code, as amended by this subtitle, by using the fol-
lowing methodology: 
(A) The Secretary shall calculate the fund-
ing amount to a State using the allocation for-
mula the Secretary used to award motor carrier 
safety assistance program funding in fiscal year 
2016 under section 31102 of title 49, United 
States Code. 
(B) The Secretary shall average the funding 
awarded or other equitable amounts to a State 
in fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015 for— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00393
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
394 
(i) border enforcement grants under 
section 31107 of title 49, United States 
Code; and 
(ii) new entrant audit grants under 
section 31144(g)(5) of that title. 
(C) The Secretary shall add the amounts 
calculated in subparagraphs (A) and (B). 
(2) ADJUSTMENTS.—Subject to the availability 
of funding and notwithstanding fluctuations in the 
data elements used by the Secretary, the initial 
amounts resulting from the calculation described in 
paragraph (1) shall be adjusted to ensure that, for 
each State, the amount shall not be less than 97 per-
cent of the average amount of funding received or 
other equitable amounts in fiscal years 2013, 2014, 
and 2015 for— 
(A) motor carrier safety assistance program 
funds awarded to the State under section 31102 
of title 49, United States Code; 
(B) border enforcement grants awarded to 
the State under section 31107 of title 49, United 
States Code; and 
(C) new entrant audit grants awarded to 
the State under section 31144(g)(5) of title 49, 
United States Code. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00394
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
395 
(3) IMMEDIATE RELIEF.—In developing the new 
allocation formula, the Secretary shall terminate the 
withholding of motor carrier assistance program 
funds from a State for at least 3 fiscal years if the 
State was subject to the withholding of such funds for 
matters of noncompliance immediately prior to the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
(4) FUTURE WITHHOLDINGS.—Beginning on the 
date that the new allocation formula for the motor 
carrier assistance program is implemented, the Sec-
retary shall impose all future withholdings in accord-
ance with section 31102(k) of title 49, United States 
Code, as amended by this subtitle. 
(e) TERMINATION OF WORKING GROUP.—The working 
group established under subsection (a) shall terminate on 
the date of the implementation of a new allocation formula 
for the motor carrier safety assistance program. 
SEC. 5107. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT CALCULATION. 
(a) BEFORE NEW ALLOCATION FORMULA.— 
(1) FISCAL YEAR 2017.—If a new allocation for-
mula for the motor carrier safety assistance program 
has not been established under this subtitle for fiscal 
year 2017, the Secretary shall calculate for fiscal year 
2017 the maintenance of effort baseline required 
under section 31102(f) of title 49, United States Code, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00395
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
396 
as amended by this subtitle, by averaging the expend-
itures for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 required by sec-
tion 31102(b)(4) of title 49, United States Code, as 
that section was in effect on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(2) SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS.—The Secretary 
may use the methodology for calculating the mainte-
nance of effort baseline specified in paragraph (1) for 
fiscal year 2018 and subsequent fiscal years if a new 
allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assist-
ance program has not been established for that fiscal 
year. 
(b) BEGINNING
WITH
NEW
ALLOCATION
FORMA-
TION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) and 
(3)(B), beginning on the date that a new allocation 
formula for the motor carrier safety assistance pro-
gram is established under this subtitle, upon the re-
quest of a State, the Secretary may waive or modify 
the baseline maintenance of effort required of the 
State by section 31102(e) of title 49, United States 
Code, as amended by this subtitle, for the purpose of 
establishing a new baseline maintenance of effort if 
the Secretary determines that a waiver or modifica-
tion— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00396
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
397 
(A) is equitable due to reasonable cir-
cumstances; 
(B) will ensure the continuation of commer-
cial motor vehicle enforcement activities in the 
State; and 
(C) is necessary to ensure that the total 
amount of State maintenance of effort and 
matching expenditures required under sections 
31102 and 31104 of title 49, United States Code, 
as amended by this subtitle, does not exceed a 
sum greater than the average of the total amount 
of State maintenance of effort and matching ex-
penditures required under those sections for the 
3 fiscal years prior to the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
(2) ADJUSTMENT
METHODOLOGY.—If requested 
by a State, the Secretary may modify the mainte-
nance of effort baseline referred to in paragraph (1) 
for the State according to the following methodology: 
(A) The Secretary shall establish the main-
tenance of effort baseline for the State using the 
average baseline of fiscal years 2004 and 2005, 
as required by section 31102(b)(4) of title 49, 
United States Code, as that section was in effect 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00397
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
398 
on the day before the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(B) The Secretary shall calculate the aver-
age required match by a lead State commercial 
motor vehicle safety agency for fiscal years 2013, 
2014, and 2015 for motor carrier safety assist-
ance grants established at 20 percent by section 
31103 of title 49, United States Code, as that 
section was in effect on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(C) The Secretary shall calculate the esti-
mated match required under section 31104(b) of 
title 49, United States Code, as amended by this 
subtitle. 
(D) The Secretary shall subtract the amount 
in subparagraph (B) from the amount in sub-
paragraph (C) and— 
(i) if the number is greater than 0, the 
Secretary shall subtract the number from 
the amount in subparagraph (A); or 
(ii) if the number is not greater than 
0, the Secretary shall calculate the mainte-
nance of effort using the methodology in 
subparagraph (A). 
(3) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT AMOUNT.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00398
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
399 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall use 
the amount calculated under paragraph (2) as 
the baseline maintenance of effort required under 
section 31102(f) of title 49, United States Code, 
as amended by this subtitle. 
(B) DEADLINE.—If a State does not request 
a waiver or modification under this subsection 
before September 30 during the first fiscal year 
that the Secretary implements a new allocation 
formula for the motor carrier safety assistance 
program under this subtitle, the Secretary shall 
calculate the maintenance of effort using the 
methodology described in paragraph (2)(A). 
(4) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT DESCRIBED.—The 
maintenance of effort calculated under this section is 
the amount required under section 31102(f) of title 
49, United States Code, as amended by this subtitle. 
(c) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.—The authority 
of the Secretary under this section shall terminate effective 
on the date that a new maintenance of effort baseline is 
calculated based on a new allocation formula for the motor 
carrier safety assistance program implemented under sec-
tion 31102 of title 49, United States Code. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00399
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
400 
Subtitle B—Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Administration Reform 
PART I—REGULATORY REFORM 
SEC. 5201. NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF INSURANCE. 
Section 13906(e) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘or suspend’’ after ‘‘revoke’’. 
SEC. 5202. REGULATIONS. 
Section 31136 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection 
(g) and transferring such subsection to appear at the 
end of section 31315 of such title; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS.—Within each 
regulatory impact analysis of a proposed or final rule 
issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
the Secretary shall, whenever practicable— 
‘‘(1) consider the effects of the proposed or final 
rule on different segments of the motor carrier indus-
try; 
‘‘(2) formulate estimates and findings based on 
the best available science; and 
‘‘(3) utilize available data specific to the dif-
ferent types of motor carriers, including small and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00400
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
401 
large carriers, and drivers that will be impacted by 
the proposed or final rule. 
‘‘(g) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If a proposed rule promul-
gated under this part is likely to lead to the promul-
gation of a major rule, the Secretary, before promul-
gating such proposed rule, shall— 
‘‘(A) issue an advance notice of proposed 
rulemaking; or 
‘‘(B) proceed with a negotiated rulemaking. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—Each advance notice of 
proposed rulemaking issued under paragraph (1) 
shall— 
‘‘(A) identify the need for a potential regu-
latory action; 
‘‘(B) identify and request public comment 
on the best available science or technical infor-
mation relevant to analyzing potential regu-
latory alternatives; 
‘‘(C) request public comment on the avail-
able data and costs with respect to regulatory al-
ternatives reasonably likely to be considered as 
part of the rulemaking; and 
‘‘(D) request public comment on available 
alternatives to regulation. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00401
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
402 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—This subsection does not apply to 
a proposed rule if the Secretary, for good cause, finds 
(and incorporates the finding and a brief statement 
of reasons for such finding in the proposed or final 
rule) that an advance notice of proposed rulemaking 
is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the pub-
lic interest. 
‘‘(h) REVIEW OF RULES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Once every 5 years, the Sec-
retary shall conduct a review of regulations issued 
under this part. 
‘‘(2) SCHEDULE.—At the beginning of each 5- 
year review period, the Secretary shall publish a 
schedule that sets forth the plan for completing the re-
view under paragraph (1) within 5 years. 
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES.—During each 
review period, the Secretary shall address any 
changes to the schedule published under paragraph 
(2) and notify the public of such changes. 
‘‘(4) CONSIDERATION
OF
PETITIONS.—In con-
ducting a review under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall consider petitions for regulatory action under 
this part received by the Administrator of the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00402
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
403 
‘‘(5) ASSESSMENT.—At the conclusion of each re-
view under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish 
on a publicly accessible Internet Web site of the De-
partment of Transportation an assessment that in-
cludes— 
‘‘(A) an inventory of the regulations issued 
during the 5-year period ending on the date on 
which the assessment is published; 
‘‘(B) a determination of whether the regula-
tions are— 
‘‘(i) consistent and clear; 
‘‘(ii) current with the operational re-
alities of the motor carrier industry; and 
‘‘(iii) uniformly enforced; and 
‘‘(C) an assessment of whether the regula-
tions continue to be necessary. 
‘‘(6) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 2 years after 
the completion of each review under this subsection, 
the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking to amend 
regulations as necessary to address the determinations 
made under paragraph (5)(B) and the results of the 
assessment under paragraph (5)(C). 
‘‘(i) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in subsection 
(f) or (g) may be construed to limit the contents of an ad-
vance notice of proposed rulemaking.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00403
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
404 
SEC. 5203. GUIDANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) DATE
OF
ISSUANCE
AND
POINT
OF
CON-
TACT.—Each guidance document issued by the Fed-
eral Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall have 
a date of issuance or a date of revision, as applicable, 
and shall include the name and contact information 
of a point of contact at the Administration who can 
respond to questions regarding the guidance. 
(2) PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Each guidance document 
issued or revised by the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Administration shall be published on a 
publicly accessible Internet Web site of the De-
partment on the date of issuance or revision. 
(B) REDACTION.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
may redact from a guidance document published 
under subparagraph (A) any information that 
would reveal investigative techniques that would 
compromise Administration enforcement efforts. 
(3) INCORPORATION
INTO
REGULATIONS.—Not 
later than 5 years after the date on which a guidance 
document is published under paragraph (2) or during 
an applicable review under subsection (c), whichever 
is earlier, the Secretary shall revise regulations to in-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00404
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
405 
corporate the guidance document to the extent prac-
ticable. 
(4) REISSUANCE.—If a guidance document is 
not incorporated into regulations in accordance with 
paragraph (3), the Administrator shall— 
(A) reissue an updated version of the guid-
ance document; and 
(B) review and reissue an updated version 
of the guidance document every 5 years until the 
date on which the guidance document is removed 
or incorporated into applicable regulations. 
(b) INITIAL REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall re-
view all guidance documents published under subsection (a) 
to ensure that such documents are current, are readily ac-
cessible to the public, and meet the standards specified in 
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subsection (c)(1). 
(c) REGULAR REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), not 
less than once every 5 years, the Administrator shall 
conduct a comprehensive review of the guidance docu-
ments issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Ad-
ministration to determine whether such documents 
are— 
(A) consistent and clear; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00405
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
406 
(B) uniformly and consistently enforced; 
and 
(C) still necessary. 
(2) NOTICE AND COMMENT.—Prior to beginning 
a review under paragraph (1), the Administrator 
shall publish in the Federal Register a notice and re-
quest for comment that solicits input from stake-
holders on which guidance documents should be up-
dated or eliminated. 
(3) REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date on which a review under para-
graph (1) is completed, the Administrator shall 
publish on a publicly accessible Internet Web site 
of the Department a report detailing the review 
and a full inventory of the guidance documents 
of the Administration. 
(B) CONTENTS.—A report under subpara-
graph (A) shall include a summary of the re-
sponse of the Administration to each comment 
received under paragraph (2). 
(d) GUIDANCE DOCUMENT DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘guidance document’’ means a document issued 
by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00406
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
407 
(1) provides an interpretation of a regulation of 
the Administration; or 
(2) includes an enforcement policy of the Admin-
istration. 
SEC. 5204. PETITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall— 
(1) publish on a publicly accessible Internet Web 
site of the Department a summary of all petitions for 
regulatory action submitted to the Administration; 
(2) prioritize the petitions submitted based on 
the likelihood of safety improvements resulting from 
the regulatory action requested; 
(3) not later than 180 days after the date a sum-
mary of a petition is published under paragraph (1), 
formally respond to such petition by indicating 
whether the Administrator will accept, deny, or fur-
ther review the petition; 
(4) prioritize responses to petitions consistent 
with a response’s potential to reduce crashes, improve 
enforcement, and reduce unnecessary burdens; and 
(5) not later than 60 days after the date of re-
ceipt of a petition, publish on a publicly accessible 
Internet Web site of the Department an updated in-
ventory of the petitions described in paragraph (1), 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00407
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
408 
including any applicable disposition information for 
those petitions. 
(b) PETITION DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘pe-
tition’’ means a request for a new regulation, a regulatory 
interpretation or clarification, or a review of a regulation 
to eliminate or modify an obsolete, ineffective, or overly bur-
densome regulation. 
PART II—COMPLIANCE, SAFETY, 
ACCOUNTABILITY REFORM 
SEC. 5221. CORRELATION STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration (referred to in this 
part as the ‘‘Administrator’’) shall commission the National 
Research Council of the National Academies to conduct a 
study of— 
(1) the Compliance, Safety, Accountability pro-
gram of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminis-
tration (referred to in this part as the ‘‘CSA pro-
gram’’); and 
(2) the Safety Measurement System utilized by 
the CSA program (referred to in this part as the 
‘‘SMS’’). 
(b) SCOPE OF STUDY.—In carrying out the study com-
missioned pursuant to subsection (a), the National Research 
Council— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00408
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
409 
(1) shall analyze— 
(A) the accuracy with which the Behavior 
Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories 
(referred to in this part as ‘‘BASIC’’)— 
(i) identify high risk carriers; and 
(ii) predict or are correlated with fu-
ture crash risk, crash severity, or other safe-
ty indicators for motor carriers; 
(B) the methodology used to calculate 
BASIC percentiles and identify carriers for en-
forcement, including the weights assigned to par-
ticular violations and the tie between crash risk 
and specific regulatory violations, with respect to 
accurately identifying and predicting future 
crash risk for motor carriers; 
(C) the relative value of inspection informa-
tion and roadside enforcement data; 
(D) any data collection gaps or data suffi-
ciency problems that may exist and the impact 
of those gaps and problems on the efficacy of the 
CSA program; 
(E) the accuracy of safety data, including 
the use of crash data from crashes in which a 
motor carrier was free from fault; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00409
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
410 
(F) whether BASIC percentiles for motor 
carriers of passengers should be calculated dif-
ferently than for motor carriers of freight; 
(G) the differences in the rates at which 
safety violations are reported to the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration for inclu-
sion in the SMS by various enforcement authori-
ties, including States, territories, and Federal 
inspectors; and 
(H) how members of the public use the SMS 
and what effect making the SMS information 
public has had on reducing crashes and elimi-
nating unsafe motor carriers from the industry; 
and 
(2) shall consider— 
(A) whether the SMS provides comparable 
precision and confidence, through SMS alerts 
and percentiles, for the relative crash risk of in-
dividual large and small motor carriers; 
(B) whether alternatives to the SMS would 
identify high risk carriers more accurately; and 
(C) the recommendations and findings of 
the Comptroller General of the United States and 
the Inspector General of the Department, and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00410
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
411 
independent review team reports, issued before 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit 
a report containing the results of the study commissioned 
pursuant to subsection (a) to— 
(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate; 
(2) the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives; and 
(3) the Inspector General of the Department. 
(d) CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after 
the Administrator submits the report under subsection 
(c), if that report identifies a deficiency or oppor-
tunity for improvement in the CSA program or in 
any element of the SMS, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a corrective action plan that— 
(A) responds to the deficiencies or opportu-
nities identified by the report; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00411
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
412 
(B) identifies how the Federal Motor Car-
rier Safety Administration will address such de-
ficiencies or opportunities; and 
(C) provides an estimate of the cost, includ-
ing with respect to changes in staffing, enforce-
ment, and data collection, necessary to address 
such deficiencies or opportunities. 
(2) PROGRAM REFORMS.—The corrective action 
plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall include an 
implementation plan that— 
(A) includes benchmarks; 
(B) includes programmatic reforms, revi-
sions to regulations, or proposals for legislation; 
and 
(C) shall be considered in any rulemaking 
by the Department that relates to the CSA pro-
gram, including the SMS. 
(e) INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW.—Not later than 
120 days after the Administrator submits a corrective ac-
tion plan under subsection (d), the Inspector General of the 
Department shall— 
(1) review the extent to which such plan imple-
ments— 
(A) recommendations contained in the re-
port submitted under subsection (c); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00412
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
413 
(B) relevant recommendations issued by the 
Comptroller General or the Inspector General be-
fore the date of enactment of this Act; and 
(2) submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives a report on the respon-
siveness of the corrective action plan to the rec-
ommendations described in paragraph (1). 
SEC. 5222. BEYOND COMPLIANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall incor-
porate into the CSA program a methodology to allow rec-
ognition and an improved SMS score for— 
(1) the installation of advanced safety equip-
ment; 
(2) the use of enhanced driver fitness measures; 
(3) the adoption of fleet safety management tools, 
technologies, and programs; or 
(4) other metrics as determined appropriate by 
the Administrator. 
(b) QUALIFICATION.—The Administrator, after pro-
viding notice and an opportunity for comment, shall de-
velop technical or other performance standards with respect 
to advanced safety equipment, enhanced driver fitness 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00413
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
414 
measures, fleet safety management tools, technologies, and 
programs, and other metrics for purposes of subsection (a). 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the in-
corporation of the methodology under subsection (a), the Ad-
ministrator shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the number of motor car-
riers receiving recognition and improved scores under such 
methodology and the safety performance of such carriers. 
SEC. 5223. DATA CERTIFICATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—On and after the date that is 1 day 
after the date of enactment of this Act, no information re-
garding analysis of violations, crashes in which a deter-
mination is made that the motor carrier or the commercial 
motor vehicle driver is not at fault, alerts, or the relative 
percentile for each BASIC developed under the CSA pro-
gram may be made available to the public (including 
through requests under section 552 of title 5, United States 
Code) until the Inspector General of the Department cer-
tifies that— 
(1) the report required under section 5221(c) has 
been submitted in accordance with that section; 
(2) any deficiencies identified in the report re-
quired under section 5221(c) have been addressed; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00414
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
415 
(3) if applicable, the corrective action plan 
under section 5221(d) has been implemented; 
(4) the Administrator of the Federal Motor Car-
rier Safety Administration has fully implemented or 
satisfactorily addressed the issues raised in the report 
titled ‘‘Modifying the Compliance, Safety, Account-
ability Program Would Improve the Ability to Iden-
tify High Risk Carriers’’ of the Government Account-
ability Office and dated February 2014 (GAO–14– 
114); and 
(5) the CSA program has been modified in ac-
cordance with section 5222. 
(b) LIMITATION ON THE USE OF CSA ANALYSIS.—In-
formation regarding alerts and the relative percentile for 
each BASIC developed under the CSA program may not 
be used for safety fitness determinations until the Inspector 
General of the Department makes the certification under 
subsection (a). 
(c) CONTINUED PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF DATA.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of this section, inspection 
and violation information submitted to the Federal Motor 
Carrier Safety Administration by commercial motor vehicle 
inspectors and qualified law enforcement officials, out-of- 
service rates, and absolute measures shall remain available 
to the public. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00415
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
416 
(d) EXCEPTIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this section— 
(A) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Ad-
ministration and State and local commercial 
motor vehicle enforcement agencies may use the 
information referred to in subsection (a) for pur-
poses 
of 
investigation 
and 
enforcement 
prioritization; and 
(B) a motor carrier and a commercial 
motor vehicle driver may access information re-
ferred to in subsection (a) that relates directly to 
the motor carrier or driver, respectively. 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
section may be construed to restrict the official use by 
State enforcement agencies of the data collected by 
State enforcement personnel. 
SEC. 5224. INTERIM HIRING STANDARD. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) ENTITY.—The term ‘‘entity’’ means a person 
acting as— 
(A) a shipper, other than an individual 
shipper (as that term is defined in section 13102 
of title 49, United States Code), or a consignee; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00416
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
417 
(B) a broker or a freight forwarder (as such 
terms are defined in section 13102 of title 49, 
United States Code); 
(C) a non-vessel-operating common carrier, 
an ocean freight forwarder, or an ocean trans-
portation intermediary (as such terms are de-
fined in section 40102 of title 46, United States 
Code); 
(D) an indirect air carrier authorized to 
operate under a Standard Security Program ap-
proved by the Transportation Security Adminis-
tration; 
(E) a customs broker licensed in accordance 
with section 111.2 of title 19, Code of Federal 
Regulations; 
(F) an interchange motor carrier subject to 
paragraphs (1)(B) and (2) of section 13902(i) of 
title 49, United States Code; or 
(G) a warehouse (as defined in section 7– 
102(13) of the Uniform Commercial Code). 
(2) MOTOR CARRIER.—The term ‘‘motor carrier’’ 
means a motor carrier (as that term is defined in sec-
tion 13102 of title 49, United States Code) that is 
subject to Federal motor carrier financial responsi-
bility and safety regulations. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00417
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
418 
(b) HIRING STANDARD.—Subsection (c) shall only be 
applicable to entities who, before tendering a shipment, but 
not more than 35 days before the pickup of the shipment 
by the hired motor carrier, verify that the motor carrier, 
at the time of such verification— 
(1) is registered with and authorized by the Fed-
eral Motor Carrier Safety Administration to operate 
as a motor carrier, if applicable; 
(2) has the minimum insurance coverage re-
quired by Federal law; and 
(3) has a satisfactory safety fitness determina-
tion issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Ad-
ministration in force. 
(c) INTERIM USE OF DATA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to an entity who 
completed a verification under subsection (b), only in-
formation regarding the entity’s compliance or non-
compliance with subsection (b) may be admitted as 
evidence or otherwise used against the entity in a 
civil action for damages resulting from a claim of 
negligent selection or retention of a motor carrier. 
(2) EXCLUDED EVIDENCE.—With respect to an 
entity who completed a verification under subsection 
(b), motor carrier data (other than the information 
described in paragraph (1)) created or maintained by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00418
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
419 
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in-
cluding SMS data or analysis of such data, may not 
be admitted into evidence in a case or proceeding in 
which it is asserted or alleged that the entity’s selec-
tion or retention of a motor carrier was negligent. 
(d) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on the date on which the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment makes the certification under section 5223(a). 
Subtitle C—Commercial Motor 
Vehicle Safety 
SEC. 5301. IMPLEMENTING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE
FOR CONTROLLED 
SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL TEST RESULTS OF COMMER-
CIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS.—If the deadline estab-
lished under section 31306a(a)(1) of title 49, United States 
Code, has not been met, not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transpor-
tation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate written notification that— 
(1) explains why such deadline has not been met; 
and 
(2) establishes a new deadline for completion of 
the requirements of such section. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00419
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
420 
(b) ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICES.—If the deadline 
established under section 31137(a) of title 49, United States 
Code, has not been met, not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate written 
notification that— 
(1) explains why such deadline has not been met; 
and 
(2) establishes a new deadline for completion of 
the requirements of such section. 
(c) STANDARDS FOR TRAINING.—If the deadline estab-
lished under section 31305(c) of title 49, United States 
Code, has not been met, not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate written 
notification that— 
(1) explains why such deadline has not been met; 
and 
(2) establishes a new deadline for completion of 
the requirements of such section. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00420
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
421 
(d) FURTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.—If the Secretary 
determines that a deadline established under subsection 
(a)(2), (b)(2), or (c)(2) cannot be met, not later than 30 
days after the date on which such determination is made, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate written notification that— 
(1) explains why such deadline cannot be met; 
and 
(2) establishes a new deadline for completion of 
the relevant requirements. 
SEC. 5302. WINDSHIELD MOUNTED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regu-
lations to modify section 393.60(e)(1) of title 49, Code of 
Federal Regulations, to permanently allow the voluntary 
mounting on the inside of a vehicle’s windshield, within the 
area swept by windshield wipers, of vehicle safety tech-
nologies, if the Secretary determines that such mounting is 
likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or 
greater than, the level of safety that would be achieved with-
out such mounting. 
(b) VEHICLE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY DEFINED.—In this 
section, the term ‘‘vehicle safety technology’’ includes lane 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00421
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
422 
departure warning systems, collision avoidance systems, on- 
board video event recording devices, and any other tech-
nology determined appropriate by the Secretary. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section 
may be construed to alter the terms of a short-term exemp-
tion from section 393.60(e) of title 49, Code of Federal Reg-
ulations, granted and in effect as of the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 5303. PRIORITIZING STATUTORY RULEMAKINGS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration shall prioritize the completion of each out-
standing rulemaking required by statute before beginning 
any other rulemaking, unless the Secretary determines that 
there is a significant need for such other rulemaking. 
SEC. 5304. SAFETY REPORTING SYSTEM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
of Representatives a report on the cost and feasibility of 
establishing a self-reporting system for commercial motor 
vehicle drivers or motor carriers with respect to en route 
equipment failures. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00422
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
423 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under subsection 
(a) shall include— 
(1) an analysis of— 
(A) alternatives for the reporting of equip-
ment failures in real time, including an Internet 
Web site or telephone hotline; 
(B) the ability of a commercial motor vehi-
cle driver or a motor carrier to provide to the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
proof of repair of a self-reported equipment fail-
ure; 
(C) the ability of the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Administration to ensure that self-re-
ported equipment failures proven to be repaired 
are not used in the calculation of Behavior Anal-
ysis and Safety Improvement Category scores; 
(D) the ability of roadside inspectors to ac-
cess self-reported equipment failures; 
(E) the cost to establish and administer a 
self-reporting system; 
(F) the ability for a self-reporting system to 
track individual commercial motor vehicles 
through unique identifiers; and 
(G) whether a self-reporting system would 
yield demonstrable safety benefits; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00423
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
424 
(2) an identification of any regulatory or statu-
tory impediments to the implementation of a self-re-
porting system; and 
(3) recommendations on implementing a self-re-
porting system. 
SEC. 5305. NEW ENTRANT SAFETY REVIEW PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct an as-
sessment of the new operator safety review program under 
section 31144(g) of title 49, United States Code, including 
the program’s effectiveness in reducing crashes, fatalities, 
and injuries involving commercial motor vehicles and im-
proving commercial motor vehicle safety. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish on a pub-
licly accessible Internet Web site of the Department and 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate and the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
a report on the results of the assessment conducted under 
subsection (a), including any recommendations for improv-
ing the effectiveness of the program (including recommenda-
tions for legislative changes). 
SEC. 5306. READY MIXED CONCRETE TRUCKS. 
A driver of a ready mixed concrete mixer truck is ex-
empt from section 3(a)(3)(ii) of part 395 of title 49, Code 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00424
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
425 
of Federal Regulations, if the driver is in compliance with 
clauses (i), (iii), (iv), and (v) of subsection (e)(1) of section 
1 of part 395 of such title (regarding the 100 air-mile log-
ging exemption). 
Subtitle D—Commercial Motor 
Vehicle Drivers 
SEC. 5401. OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS. 
(a) STANDARDS FOR TRAINING AND TESTING OF VET-
ERAN OPERATORS.—Section 31305 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) STANDARDS FOR TRAINING AND TESTING OF VET-
ERAN OPERATORS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than December 31, 
2016, the Secretary shall modify the regulations pre-
scribed under subsections (a) and (c) to— 
‘‘(A) exempt a covered individual from all 
or a portion of a driving test if the covered indi-
vidual had experience in the armed forces or re-
serve components driving vehicles similar to a 
commercial motor vehicle; 
‘‘(B) ensure that a covered individual may 
apply for an exemption under subparagraph (A) 
during, at least, the 1-year period beginning on 
the date on which such individual separates from 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00425
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
426 
service in the armed forces or reserve compo-
nents; and 
‘‘(C) credit the training and knowledge a 
covered individual received in the armed forces 
or reserve components driving vehicles similar to 
a commercial motor vehicle for purposes of satis-
fying minimum standards for training and 
knowledge. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection, the fol-
lowing definitions apply: 
‘‘(A) ARMED
FORCES.—The term ‘armed 
forces’ has the meaning given that term in sec-
tion 101(a)(4) of title 10. 
‘‘(B) COVERED INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘cov-
ered individual’ means— 
‘‘(i) a former member of the armed 
forces; or 
‘‘(ii) a former member of the reserve 
components. 
‘‘(C) RESERVE
COMPONENTS.—The term 
‘reserve components’ means— 
‘‘(i) the Army National Guard of the 
United States; 
‘‘(ii) the Army Reserve; 
‘‘(iii) the Navy Reserve; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00426
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
427 
‘‘(iv) the Marine Corps Reserve; 
‘‘(v) the Air National Guard of the 
United States; 
‘‘(vi) the Air Force Reserve; and 
‘‘(vii) the Coast Guard Reserve.’’. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MILITARY COMMERCIAL 
DRIVER’S LICENSE ACT.—Not later than December 31, 
2015, the Secretary shall issue final regulations to imple-
ment the exemption to the domicile requirement under sec-
tion 31311(a)(12)(C) of title 49, United States Code. 
(c) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
31311(a)(12)(C)(ii) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(ii) is an active duty member of— 
‘‘(I) the armed forces (as that term is 
defined in section 101(a)(4) of title 10); or 
‘‘(II) the reserve components (as that 
term is defined in section 31305(d)(2)(C) of 
this title); and’’. 
SEC. 5402. DRUG-FREE COMMERCIAL DRIVERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 31306 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
subparagraph (C); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00427
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
428 
(B) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘The 
regulations shall permit such motor carriers to 
conduct preemployment testing of such employees 
for the use of alcohol.’’; and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
following: 
‘‘(B) The regulations prescribed under subparagraph 
(A) shall permit motor carriers— 
‘‘(i) to conduct preemployment testing of com-
mercial motor vehicle operators for the use of alcohol; 
and 
‘‘(ii) to use hair testing as an acceptable alter-
native to urine testing— 
‘‘(I) in conducting preemployment testing 
for the use of a controlled substance; and 
‘‘(II) in conducting random testing for the 
use of a controlled substance if the operator was 
subject to hair testing for preemployment test-
ing.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00428
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
429 
‘‘(C) shall provide an exemption from hair test-
ing for commercial motor vehicle operators with es-
tablished religious beliefs that prohibit the cutting or 
removal of hair.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)(2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) by inserting ‘‘for urine testing, and technical 
guidelines for hair testing,’’ before ‘‘including 
mandatory guidelines’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(C) in subparagraph (C) by inserting 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) laboratory protocols and cut-off levels 
for hair testing to detect the use of a controlled 
substance;’’. 
(b) GUIDELINES.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall issue scientific and technical guide-
lines for hair testing as a method of detecting the use of 
a controlled substance for purposes of section 31306 of title 
49, United States Code. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00429
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
430 
SEC. 5403. CERTIFIED MEDICAL EXAMINERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 31315(b)(1) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘or section 
31136’’ and inserting ‘‘, section 31136, or section 
31149(d)(3)’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 31149(d)(3) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
‘‘, unless the person issuing the certificate is the subject of 
an exemption issued under section 31315(b)(1)’’ before the 
semicolon. 
SEC. 5404. GRADUATED COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE 
PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) TASK FORCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall convene a 
task force to evaluate and make recommendations to 
the Secretary on elements for inclusion in a grad-
uated commercial driver’s license pilot program that 
would allow a novice licensed driver between the ages 
of 19 years and 6 months and 21 years to safely oper-
ate a commercial motor vehicle in a limited capacity 
in interstate commerce between States that enter into 
a bi-State agreement. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The task force convened 
under paragraph (1) shall include representatives of 
State motor vehicle administrators, motor carriers, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00430
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
431 
labor organizations, safety advocates, and other stake-
holders determined appropriate by the Secretary. 
(3) CONSIDERATIONS.—The task force convened 
under paragraph (1) shall evaluate and make rec-
ommendations on the following elements for inclusion 
in a graduated commercial driver’s license pilot pro-
gram: 
(A) A specified length of time for a learner’s 
permit stage. 
(B) A requirement that drivers under the 
age of 21 years be accompanied by experienced 
drivers over the age of 21 years. 
(C) A restriction on travel distances. 
(D) A restriction on maximum allowable 
driving hours. 
(E) Mandatory driver training that exceeds 
the requirements for drivers over the age of 21 
years issued by the Secretary under section 
31305(c) of title 49, United States Code. 
(F) Use of certain safety technologies in the 
vehicles of drivers under the age of 21 years. 
(G) Any other element the task force con-
siders appropriate. 
(4) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the task force 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00431
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
432 
convened under paragraph (1) shall recommend to the 
Secretary the elements the task force has determined 
appropriate for inclusion in a graduated commercial 
driver’s license pilot program. 
(b) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after re-
ceiving the recommendations of the task force under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a grad-
uated commercial driver’s license pilot program in 
accordance with such recommendations and section 
31315(c) of title 49, United States Code. 
(2) 
PRE-ESTABLISHMENT
REQUIREMENTS.— 
Prior to the establishment of the pilot program under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) submit to Congress a report outlining 
the recommendations of the task force received 
under subsection (a); and 
(B) publish in the Federal Register, and 
provide sufficient notice of and an opportunity 
for public comment on, the— 
(i) proposed requirements for State 
and driver participation in the pilot pro-
gram, based on the recommendations of the 
task force and consistent with paragraph 
(3); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00432
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
433 
(ii) measures the Secretary will utilize 
under the pilot program to ensure safety; 
and 
(iii) standards the Secretary will use 
to evaluate the pilot program, including to 
determine any changes in the level of motor 
carrier safety as a result of the pilot pro-
gram. 
(3) PROGRAM
ELEMENTS.—The pilot program 
established under paragraph (1)— 
(A) may not allow an individual under the 
age of 19 years and 6 months to participate; 
(B) may not allow a driver between the ages 
of 19 years and 6 months and 21 years to— 
(i) operate a commercial motor vehicle 
in special configuration; or 
(ii) transport hazardous cargo; 
(C) shall be carried out in a State (includ-
ing the District of Columbia) only if the Gov-
ernor of the State (or the Mayor of the District 
of Columbia, if applicable) approves an agree-
ment with a contiguous State to allow a licensed 
driver under the age of 21 years to operate a 
commercial motor vehicle across both States in 
accordance with the pilot program; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00433
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
434 
(D) may not recognize more than 6 agree-
ments described in subparagraph (C); 
(E) may not allow more than 10 motor car-
riers to participate in the pilot program under 
each agreement described in subparagraph (C); 
(F) shall require each motor carrier partici-
pating in the pilot program under an agreement 
described in subparagraph (C) to— 
(i) have in effect a satisfactory safety 
fitness determination that was issued by the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administra-
tion during the 2-year period preceding the 
date of the Federal Register publication re-
quired under paragraph (2)(B); and 
(ii) agree to have its safety perform-
ance monitored by the Secretary during 
participation in the pilot program; 
(G) shall allow for the revocation of a motor 
carrier’s participation in the pilot program if a 
State or the Secretary determines that the motor 
carrier violated the requirements, including safe-
ty requirements, of the pilot program; and 
(H) shall ensure that a valid graduated 
commercial driver’s license issued by a State 
that has entered into an agreement described in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00434
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
435 
subparagraph (C) and is approved by the Sec-
retary to participate in the pilot program is rec-
ognized as valid in both States that are partici-
pating in the agreement. 
(c) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT.— 
(1) MONITORING.—The Inspector General of the 
Department of Transportation shall monitor and re-
view the implementation of the pilot program estab-
lished under subsection (b). 
(2) REPORT.—The Inspector General shall sub-
mit to Congress and the Secretary— 
(A) not later than 1 year after the establish-
ment of the pilot program under subsection (b), 
an interim report on the results of the review 
conducted under paragraph (1); and 
(B) not later than 60 days after the conclu-
sion of the pilot program, a final report on the 
results of the review conducted under paragraph 
(1). 
(3) ADDITIONAL CONTENTS.— 
(A) INTERIM REPORT.—The interim report 
required under paragraph (2)(A) shall address 
whether the Secretary has established sufficient 
mechanisms and generated sufficient data to de-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00435
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
436 
termine if the pilot program is having any ad-
verse effects on motor carrier safety. 
(B) FINAL REPORT.—The final report re-
quired under paragraph (2)(B) shall address the 
impact of the pilot program on— 
(i) safety; and 
(ii) the number of commercial motor 
vehicle drivers available for employment. 
SEC. 5405. VETERANS EXPANDED TRUCKING OPPORTUNI-
TIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a physician-approved 
veteran operator, the qualified physician of such operator 
may, subject to the requirements of subsection (b), perform 
a medical examination and provide a medical certificate 
for purposes of compliance with the requirements of section 
31149 of title 49, United States Code. 
(b) CERTIFICATION.—The certification described under 
subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) assurances that the physician performing the 
medical examination meets the requirements of a 
qualified physician under this section; and 
(2) certification that the physical condition of 
the operator is adequate to enable such operator to op-
erate a commercial motor vehicle safely. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00436
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
437 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) 
PHYSICIAN-APPROVED
VETERAN
OPER-
ATOR.—The term ‘‘physician-approved veteran oper-
ator’’ means an operator of a commercial motor vehi-
cle who— 
(A) is a veteran who is enrolled in the 
health care system established under section 
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; and 
(B) is required to have a current valid med-
ical certificate pursuant to section 31149 of title 
49, United States Code. 
(2) QUALIFIED PHYSICIAN.—The term ‘‘qualified 
physician’’ means a physician who— 
(A) is employed in the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; 
(B) is familiar with the standards for, and 
physical requirements of, an operator certified 
pursuant to section 31149 of title 49, United 
States Code; and 
(C) has never, with respect such section, 
been found to have acted fraudulently, including 
by fraudulently awarding a medical certificate. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00437
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
438 
(3) VETERAN.—The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(d) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to change any statutory penalty as-
sociated with fraud or abuse. 
Subtitle E—General Provisions 
SEC. 5501. MINIMUM FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. 
(a) TRANSPORTING PROPERTY.—If the Secretary pro-
ceeds with a rulemaking to determine whether to increase 
the minimum levels of financial responsibility required 
under section 31139 of title 49, United States Code, the Sec-
retary shall consider, prior to issuing a final rule— 
(1) the rulemaking’s potential impact on— 
(A) the safety of motor vehicle transpor-
tation; and 
(B) the motor carrier industry, including 
small and minority motor carriers and inde-
pendent owner-operators; 
(2) the ability of the insurance industry to pro-
vide the required amount of insurance; 
(3) the extent to which current minimum levels 
of financial responsibility adequately cover— 
(A) medical care; 
(B) compensation; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00438
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
439 
(C) attorney fees; and 
(D) other identifiable costs; 
(4) the frequency with which insurance claims 
exceed current minimum levels of financial responsi-
bility in fatal accidents; and 
(5) the impact of increased levels on motor car-
rier safety and accident reduction. 
(b) TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Prior to initiating a rule-
making to change the minimum levels of financial re-
sponsibility under section 31138 of title 49, United 
States Code, the Secretary shall complete a study spe-
cific to the minimum financial responsibility require-
ments for motor carriers of passengers. 
(2) STUDY
CONTENTS.—A study under para-
graph (1) shall include— 
(A) a review of accidents, injuries, and fa-
talities in the over-the-road bus and school bus 
industries; 
(B) a review of insurance held by over-the- 
road bus and public and private school bus com-
panies, including companies of various sizes, 
and an analysis of whether such insurance is 
adequate to cover claims; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00439
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
440 
(C) an analysis of whether and how insur-
ance affects the behavior and safety record of 
motor carriers of passengers, including with re-
spect to crash reduction; and 
(D) an analysis of the anticipated impacts 
of an increase in financial responsibility on in-
surance premiums for passenger carriers and 
service availability. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In conducting a study 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult 
with— 
(A) representatives of the over-the-road bus 
and private school bus transportation industries, 
including representatives of bus drivers; and 
(B) insurers of motor carriers of passengers. 
(4) REPORT.—If the Secretary undertakes a 
study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report on the results of the 
study. 
SEC. 5502. DELAYS IN GOODS MOVEMENT. 
(a) REPORT.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00440
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
441 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector Gen-
eral of the Department shall submit to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on 
the average length of time that operators of commer-
cial motor vehicles are delayed before the loading and 
unloading of such vehicles and at other points in the 
pick-up and delivery process. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report under paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
(A) an assessment of how delays impact— 
(i) the economy; 
(ii) the efficiency of the transportation 
system; 
(iii) motor carrier safety, including the 
extent to which delays result in violations of 
motor carrier safety regulations; and 
(iv) the livelihood of motor carrier 
drivers; and 
(B) recommendations on how delays could 
be mitigated. 
(b) COLLECTION OF DATA.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00441
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
442 
establish by regulation a process to collect data on delays 
experienced by operators of commercial motor vehicles be-
fore the loading and unloading of such vehicles and at other 
points in the pick-up and delivery process. 
SEC. 5503. REPORT ON MOTOR CARRIER FINANCIAL RE-
SPONSIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than April 1, 2016, the 
Secretary shall publish on a publicly accessible Internet 
Web site of the Department a report on the minimum levels 
of financial responsibility required under section 31139 of 
title 49, United States Code. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under subsection 
(a) shall include an analysis of— 
(1) the differences between State insurance re-
quirements and Federal requirements; 
(2) the extent to which current minimum levels 
of financial responsibility adequately cover— 
(A) medical care; 
(B) compensation; 
(C) attorney fees; and 
(D) other identifiable costs; and 
(3) the frequency with which insurance claims 
exceed the current minimum levels of financial re-
sponsibility. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00442
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
443 
SEC. 5504. EMERGENCY ROUTE WORKING GROUP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall establish a working group to determine best 
practices for expeditious State approval of special 
permits for vehicles involved in emergency response 
and recovery. 
(2) MEMBERS.—The working group shall include 
representatives from— 
(A) State highway transportation depart-
ments or agencies; 
(B) relevant modal agencies within the De-
partment; 
(C) emergency response or recovery experts; 
(D) relevant safety groups; and 
(E) entities affected by special permit re-
strictions during emergency response and recov-
ery efforts. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In determining best practices 
under subsection (a), the working group shall consider 
whether— 
(1) impediments currently exist that prevent ex-
peditious State approval of special permits for vehi-
cles involved in emergency response and recovery; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00443
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
444 
(2) it is possible to pre-identify and establish 
emergency routes between States through which infra-
structure repair materials could be delivered following 
a natural disaster or emergency; 
(3) a State could pre-designate an emergency 
route identified under paragraph (2) as a certified 
emergency route if a motor vehicle that exceeds the 
otherwise applicable Federal and State truck length 
or width limits may safely operate along such route 
during periods of declared emergency and recovery 
from such periods; and 
(4) an online map could be created to identify 
each pre-designated emergency route under paragraph 
(3), including information on specific limitations, ob-
ligations, and notification requirements along that 
route. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the working group 
shall submit to the Secretary a report on its findings 
under this section and any recommendations for the 
implementation of best practices for expeditious State 
approval of special permits for vehicles involved in 
emergency response and recovery. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00444
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
445 
(2) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date the Secretary receives the report under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall publish the report on 
a publicly accessible Internet Web site of the Depart-
ment. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date the Secretary receives the report under subsection 
(c)(1), the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate on the actions the Secretary and 
the States have taken to implement the recommendations 
included in the report. 
(e) EXEMPTION.—The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group. 
(f) TERMINATION.—The working group shall terminate 
1 year after the date the Secretary receives the report under 
subsection (c)(1). 
SEC. 5505. HOUSEHOLD GOODS CONSUMER PROTECTION 
WORKING GROUP. 
(a) WORKING GROUP.—The Secretary shall establish 
a working group for the purpose of developing recommenda-
tions on how to best convey to inexperienced consumers the 
information such consumers need to know with respect to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00445
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
446 
the Federal laws concerning the interstate transportation 
of household goods by motor carrier. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
the working group is comprised of individuals with exper-
tise in consumer affairs, educators with expertise in how 
people learn most effectively, and representatives of the 
household goods moving industry. 
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
(1) CONTENTS.—The recommendations developed 
by the working group shall include recommendations 
on— 
(A) condensing publication ESA 03005 of 
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
into a format that is more easily used by con-
sumers; 
(B) using state-of-the-art education tech-
niques and technologies, including optimizing 
the use of the Internet as an educational tool; 
and 
(C) reducing and simplifying the paperwork 
required of motor carriers and shippers in inter-
state transportation. 
(2) DEADLINE.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00446
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
447 
(A) the working group shall make the rec-
ommendations described in paragraph (1); and 
(B) the Secretary shall publish the rec-
ommendations on a publicly accessible Internet 
Web site of the Department. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the working group makes its recommendations under 
subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall issue a report to Con-
gress on the implementation of such recommendations. 
(e) EXEMPTION.—The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group. 
(f) TERMINATION.—The working group shall terminate 
1 year after the date the working group makes its rec-
ommendations under subsection (c)(2). 
SEC. 5506. TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a comprehensive analysis of the 
information technology and data collection and manage-
ment systems of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminis-
tration. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The study conducted under sub-
section (a) shall— 
(1) evaluate the efficacy of the existing informa-
tion technology, data collection, processing systems, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00447
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
448 
data correction procedures, and data management 
systems and programs, including their interaction 
with each other and their efficacy in meeting user 
needs; 
(2) identify any redundancies among the sys-
tems, procedures, and programs described in para-
graph (1); 
(3) explore the feasibility of consolidating data 
collection and processing systems; 
(4) evaluate the ability of the systems, proce-
dures, and programs described in paragraph (1) to 
meet the needs of— 
(A) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Ad-
ministration, at both the headquarters and State 
levels; 
(B) the State agencies that implement the 
motor carrier safety assistance program under 
section 31102 of title 49, United States Code; 
and 
(C) other users; 
(5) evaluate the adaptability of the systems, pro-
cedures, and programs described in paragraph (1), in 
order to make necessary future changes to ensure user 
needs are met in an easier, timely, and more cost-effi-
cient manner; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00448
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
449 
(6) investigate and make recommendations re-
garding— 
(A) deficiencies in existing data sets im-
pacting program effectiveness; and 
(B) methods to improve user interfaces; and 
(7) identify the appropriate role the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration should take 
with respect to software and information systems de-
sign, development, and maintenance for the purpose 
of improving the efficacy of the systems, procedures, 
and programs described in paragraph (1). 
SEC. 5507. NOTIFICATION REGARDING MOTOR CARRIER 
REGISTRATION. 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate written notification of the ac-
tions the Secretary is taking to ensure, to the greatest extent 
practicable, that each application for registration under 
section 13902 of title 49, United States Code, is processed 
not later than 30 days after the date on which the applica-
tion is received by the Secretary. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00449
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
450 
SEC. 5508. REPORT ON COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE 
SKILLS TEST DELAYS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and each year thereafter, the Administrator of the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall submit 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report 
that— 
(1) describes, for each State, the status of skills 
testing for applicants for a commercial driver’s li-
cense, including— 
(A) the average wait time, by month and lo-
cation, from the date an applicant requests to 
take a skills test to the date the applicant com-
pletes such test; 
(B) the average wait time, by month and lo-
cation, from the date an applicant, upon failure 
of a skills test, requests a retest to the date the 
applicant completes such retest; 
(C) the actual number of qualified commer-
cial driver’s license examiners, by month and lo-
cation, available to test applicants; and 
(D) the number of testing sites available 
through the State department of motor vehicles 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00450
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
451 
and whether this number has increased or de-
creased from the previous year; and 
(2) describes specific steps that the Adminis-
trator is taking to address skills testing delays in 
States that have average skills test or retest wait 
times of more than 7 days from the date an applicant 
requests to test or retest to the date the applicant com-
pletes such test or retest. 
SEC. 5509. COVERED FARM VEHICLES. 
Section 32934(b)(1) of MAP–21 (49 U.S.C. 31136 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘from’’ and all that follows 
through the period at end and inserting the following: 
‘‘from— 
‘‘(A) a requirement described in subsection 
(a) or a compatible State requirement; or 
‘‘(B) any other minimum standard pro-
vided by a State relating to the operation of that 
vehicle.’’. 
SEC. 5510. OPERATORS OF HI-RAIL VEHICLES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a commercial motor 
vehicle driver subject to the hours of service requirements 
in part 395 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, who 
is driving a hi-rail vehicle, the maximum on duty time 
under section 395.3 of such title for such driver shall not 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00451
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
452 
include time in transportation to or from a duty assign-
ment if such time in transportation— 
(1) does not exceed 2 hours per calendar day or 
a total of 30 hours per calendar month; and 
(2) is fully and accurately accounted for in 
records to be maintained by the motor carrier and 
such records are made available upon request of the 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the 
Federal Railroad Administration. 
(b) EMERGENCY.—In the case of a train accident, an 
act of God, a train derailment, or a major equipment fail-
ure or track condition that prevents a train from advanc-
ing, a driver described in subsection (a) may complete a 
run without being in violation of the provisions of part 395 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(c) HI-RAIL VEHICLE DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘hi-rail vehicle’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 214.7 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as 
in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 5511. ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICE REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 31137(b) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(C) by striking ‘‘apply to’’ 
and inserting ‘‘except as provided in paragraph (3), 
apply to’’; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00452
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
453 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) EXCEPTION.—A motor carrier, when trans-
porting a motor home or recreation vehicle trailer 
within the definition of the term ‘driveaway-towaway 
operation’ (as defined in section 390.5 of title 49, 
Code of Federal Regulations), may comply with the 
hours of service requirements by requiring each driver 
to use— 
‘‘(A) a paper record of duty status form; or 
‘‘(B) an electronic logging device.’’. 
SEC. 5512. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) TITLE 49.—Title 49, United States Code, is 
amended as follows: 
(1) Section 13902(i)(2) is amended by inserting 
‘‘except as’’ before ‘‘described’’. 
(2) Section 13903(d) is amended by striking ‘‘(d) 
REGISTRATION AS MOTOR CARRIER REQUIRED.—’’ 
and all that follows through ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A 
freight forwarder’’ and inserting ‘‘(d) REGISTRATION 
AS
MOTOR
CARRIER
REQUIRED.—A freight for-
warder’’. 
(3) Section 13905(d)(2)(D) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Secretary finds that— 
’’ and all that follows through ‘‘(i) the motor car-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00453
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
454 
rier,’’ and inserting ‘‘the Secretary finds that the 
motor carrier,’’; and 
(B) by adding a period at the end. 
(4) Section 14901(h) is amended by striking 
‘‘HOUSEHOLD GOODS’’ in the heading. 
(5) Section 14916 is amended by striking the 
section designation and heading and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 14916. Unlawful brokerage activities’’. 
(b) MAP–21.—Effective as of July 6, 2012, and as if 
included therein as enacted, MAP–21 (Public Law 112– 
141) is amended as follows: 
(1) Section 32108(a)(4) (126 Stat. 782) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘for’’ before ‘‘each additional 
day’’ in the matter proposed to be struck. 
(2) Section 32301(b)(3) (126 Stat. 786) is 
amended by striking ‘‘by amending (a) to read as fol-
lows:’’ and inserting ‘‘by striking subsection (a) and 
inserting the following:’’. 
(3) Section 32302(c)(2)(B) (126 Stat. 789) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 32303(c)(1)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 32302(c)(1)’’. 
(4) Section 32921(b) (126 Stat. 828) is amended, 
in the matter to be inserted, by striking ‘‘(A) In addi-
tion’’ and inserting the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00454
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
455 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In addition’’. 
(5) Section 32931(c) (126 Stat. 829) is amend-
ed— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Secretary’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ in the matter to 
be struck; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Secretary’’ and inserting 
‘‘Secretary of Transportation’’ in the matter to 
be inserted. 
(c) MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 
1999.—Section 229(a)(1) of the Motor Carrier Safety Im-
provement Act of 1999 (49 U.S.C. 31136 note) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘of title 49, United States Code,’’ after ‘‘sec-
tions 31136 and 31502’’. 
SEC. 5513. AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTER. 
Section 31111(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) imposes a vehicle length limitation of less 
than 80 feet on a stinger-steered automobile trans-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00455
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
456 
porter with a front overhang of less than 4 feet and 
a rear overhang of less than 6 feet.’’. 
SEC. 5514. READY MIX CONCRETE DELIVERY VEHICLES. 
Section 31502 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) READY
MIXED
CONCRETE
DELIVERY
VEHI-
CLES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, regulations issued under this section 
or section 31136 (including section 1(e)(1)(ii) of part 
395 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations) regard-
ing reporting, recordkeeping, or documentation of 
duty status, shall not apply to any driver of a ready 
mixed concrete delivery vehicle if— 
‘‘(A) the driver operates within a 100 air- 
mile radius of the normal work reporting loca-
tion; 
‘‘(B) the driver returns to the work report-
ing location and is released from work within 14 
consecutive hours; 
‘‘(C) the driver has at least 10 consecutive 
hours off duty following each 14 hours on duty; 
‘‘(D) the driver does not exceed 11 hours 
maximum driving time following 10 consecutive 
hours off duty; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00456
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
457 
‘‘(E) the motor carrier that employs the 
driver maintains and retains for a period of 6 
months accurate and true time records that 
show— 
‘‘(i) the time the driver reports for 
duty each day; 
‘‘(ii) the total number of hours the 
driver is on duty each day; 
‘‘(iii) the time the driver is released 
from duty each day; and 
‘‘(iv) the total time for the preceding 
driving week the driver is used for the first 
time or intermittently. 
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term 
‘driver of ready mixed concrete delivery vehicle’ 
means a driver of a vehicle designed to deliver ready 
mixed concrete on a daily basis and is equipped with 
a mechanism under which the vehicle’s propulsion en-
gine provides the power to operate a mixer drum to 
agitate and mix the product en route to the delivery 
site.’’. 
TITLE VI—INNOVATION 
SEC. 6001. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Transportation for To-
morrow Act of 2015’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00457
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
458 
SEC. 6002. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The following amounts are author-
ized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund 
(other than the Mass Transit Account): 
(1) HIGHWAY
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM.—To carry out section 503(b) of title 23, 
United States Code, $125,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 through 2021. 
(2) TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPLOYMENT 
PROGRAM.—To carry out section 503(c) of title 23, 
United States Code— 
(A) $67,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
(B) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2017; 
(C) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
(D) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
(E) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
(F) $67,500,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
(3) TRAINING AND EDUCATION.—To carry out 
section 504 of title 23, United States Code 
$24,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
2021. 
(4) INTELLIGENT
TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEMS 
PROGRAM.—To carry out sections 512 through 518 of 
title 23, United States Code $100,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2016 through 2021. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00458
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
459 
(5) UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS PRO-
GRAM.—To carry out section 5505 of title 49, United 
States Code— 
(A) $72,500,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
(B) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; 
(C) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
(D) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
(E) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
(F) $77,500,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
(6) BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.— 
To carry out chapter 63 of title 49, United States 
Code, $26,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
through 2021. 
(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 man-
ner as if those funds were apportioned under chapter 
1 of title 23, United States Code, except that the Fed-
eral share of the cost of a project or activity carried 
out using those funds shall be 80 percent, unless oth-
erwise expressly provided by this Act (including the 
amendments by this Act) or otherwise determined by 
the Secretary; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00459
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
460 
(2) remain available until expended and not be 
transferable, except as otherwise provided in this Act. 
SEC. 6003. ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION AND CONGESTION 
MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGIES DEPLOYMENT. 
Section 503(c) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) 
ADVANCED
TRANSPORTATION
TECH-
NOLOGIES DEPLOYMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this para-
graph, the Secretary shall establish an advanced 
transportation and congestion management tech-
nologies deployment initiative to provide grants 
to eligible entities to develop model deployment 
sites for large scale installation and operation of 
advanced transportation technologies to improve 
safety, efficiency, system performance, and infra-
structure return on investment. 
‘‘(B) CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall de-
velop criteria for selection of an eligible entity to 
receive a grant under this paragraph, including 
how the deployment of technology will— 
‘‘(i) reduce costs and improve return 
on investments, including through the en-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00460
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
461 
hanced use of existing transportation capac-
ity; 
‘‘(ii) deliver environmental benefits 
that alleviate congestion and streamline 
traffic flow; 
‘‘(iii) measure and improve the oper-
ational performance of the applicable trans-
portation network; 
‘‘(iv) reduce the number and severity of 
traffic crashes and increase driver, pas-
senger, and pedestrian safety; 
‘‘(v) collect, disseminate, and use real- 
time traffic, transit, parking, and other 
transportation-related information to im-
prove mobility, reduce congestion, and pro-
vide for more efficient and accessible trans-
portation; 
‘‘(vi) monitor transportation assets to 
improve infrastructure management, reduce 
maintenance costs, prioritize investment de-
cisions, and ensure a state of good repair; 
‘‘(vii) deliver economic benefits by re-
ducing delays, improving system perform-
ance, and providing for the efficient and re-
liable movement of goods and services; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00461
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
462 
‘‘(viii) accelerate the deployment of ve-
hicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure, au-
tonomous vehicles, and other technologies. 
‘‘(C) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(i) REQUEST.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this 
paragraph, and for every fiscal year there-
after, the Secretary shall request applica-
tions in accordance with clause (ii). 
‘‘(ii) CONTENTS.—An application sub-
mitted under this subparagraph shall in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(I) PLAN.—A plan to deploy and 
provide for the long-term operation 
and maintenance of advanced trans-
portation and congestion management 
technologies to improve safety, effi-
ciency, system performance, and return 
on investment. 
‘‘(II) OBJECTIVES.—Quantifiable 
system 
performance 
improvements, 
such as— 
‘‘(aa) reducing traffic-related 
crashes, congestion, and costs; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00462
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
463 
‘‘(bb) optimizing system effi-
ciency; and 
‘‘(cc) improving access to 
transportation services. 
‘‘(III) 
RESULTS.—Quantifiable 
safety, mobility, and environmental 
benefit projections such as data-driven 
estimates of how the project will im-
prove the region’s transportation sys-
tem efficiency and reduce traffic con-
gestion. 
‘‘(IV) PARTNERSHIPS.—A plan 
for partnering with the private sector 
or 
public 
agencies, 
including 
multimodal 
and 
multijurisdictional 
entities, research institutions, organi-
zations 
representing 
transportation 
and technology leaders, or other trans-
portation stakeholders. 
‘‘(V) LEVERAGING.—A plan to le-
verage and optimize existing local and 
regional advanced transportation tech-
nology investments. 
‘‘(D) GRANT SELECTION.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00463
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
464 
‘‘(i) GRANT AWARDS.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this 
paragraph, and for every fiscal year there-
after, the Secretary shall award grants to 
not less than 5 and not more than 8 eligible 
entities. 
‘‘(ii) 
GEOGRAPHIC
DIVERSITY.—In 
awarding a grant under this paragraph, the 
Secretary shall ensure, to the extent prac-
ticable, that grant recipients represent di-
verse geographic areas of the United States. 
‘‘(E) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—A grant re-
cipient may use funds awarded under this para-
graph to deploy advanced transportation and 
congestion management technologies, including— 
‘‘(i) advanced traveler information sys-
tems; 
‘‘(ii) advanced transportation manage-
ment technologies; 
‘‘(iii) 
infrastructure 
maintenance, 
monitoring, and condition assessment; 
‘‘(iv) advanced public transportation 
systems; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00464
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
465 
‘‘(v) transportation system perform-
ance data collection, analysis, and dissemi-
nation systems; 
‘‘(vi) advanced safety systems, includ-
ing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infra-
structure communications, technologies asso-
ciated with autonomous vehicles, and other 
collision avoidance technologies, including 
systems using cellular technology; 
‘‘(vii) integration of intelligent trans-
portation systems with the Smart Grid and 
other energy distribution and charging sys-
tems; 
‘‘(viii) electronic pricing and payment 
systems; or 
‘‘(ix) advanced mobility and access 
technologies, such as dynamic ridesharing 
and information systems to support human 
services for elderly and disabled individuals. 
‘‘(F) REPORT
TO
SECRETARY.—Not later 
than 1 year after an eligible entity receives a 
grant under this paragraph, and each year 
thereafter, the entity shall submit a report to the 
Secretary that describes— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00465
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
466 
‘‘(i) deployment and operational costs 
of the project compared to the benefits and 
savings the project provides; and 
‘‘(ii) how the project has met the origi-
nal expectations projected in the deployment 
plan submitted with the application, such 
as— 
‘‘(I) data on how the project has 
helped reduce traffic crashes, conges-
tion, costs, and other benefits of the de-
ployed systems; 
‘‘(II) data on the effect of meas-
uring and improving transportation 
system performance through the de-
ployment of advanced technologies; 
‘‘(III) the effectiveness of pro-
viding real-time integrated traffic, 
transit, and multimodal transpor-
tation information to the public to 
make informed travel decisions; and 
‘‘(IV) lessons learned and rec-
ommendations for future deployment 
strategies to optimize transportation 
efficiency and multimodal system per-
formance. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00466
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
467 
‘‘(G) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date that the first grant is awarded under 
this paragraph, and each year thereafter, the 
Secretary shall make available to the public on 
an Internet Web site a report that describes the 
effectiveness of grant recipients in meeting their 
projected deployment plans, including data pro-
vided under subparagraph (F) on how the pro-
gram has— 
‘‘(i) reduced traffic-related fatalities 
and injuries; 
‘‘(ii) reduced traffic congestion and 
improved travel time reliability; 
‘‘(iii) reduced transportation-related 
emissions; 
‘‘(iv) optimized multimodal system 
performance; 
‘‘(v) improved access to transportation 
alternatives; 
‘‘(vi) provided the public with access to 
real-time integrated traffic, transit, and 
multimodal transportation information to 
make informed travel decisions; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00467
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
468 
‘‘(vii) provided cost savings to trans-
portation agencies, businesses, and the trav-
eling public; or 
‘‘(viii) provided other benefits to trans-
portation users and the general public. 
‘‘(H) ADDITIONAL GRANTS.—The Secretary 
may cease to provide additional grant funds to 
a recipient of a grant under this paragraph if— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary determines from 
such recipient’s report that the recipient is 
not carrying out the requirements of the 
grant; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary provides written no-
tice 60 days prior to withholding funds to 
the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works of the Senate. 
‘‘(I) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—From funds made 
available to carry out section 503(b), this 
subsection, and sections 512 through 518, 
the Secretary shall set aside for grants 
awarded 
under 
subparagraph 
(D) 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00468
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
469 
$75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
through 2021. 
‘‘(ii) 
EXPENSES
FOR
THE
SEC-
RETARY.—Of the amounts set aside under 
clause (i), the Secretary may set aside 
$2,000,000 each fiscal year for program re-
porting, evaluation, and administrative 
costs related to this paragraph. 
‘‘(J) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share 
of the cost of a project for which a grant is 
awarded under this subsection shall not exceed 
50 percent of the cost of the project. 
‘‘(K) GRANT
LIMITATION.—The Secretary 
may not award more than 20 percent of the 
amount described under subparagraph (I) in a 
fiscal year to a single grant recipient. 
‘‘(L) EXPENSES FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS.— 
A grant recipient under this paragraph may use 
not more than 5 percent of the funds awarded 
each fiscal year to carry out planning and re-
porting requirements. 
‘‘(M) GRANT FLEXIBILITY.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If, by August 1 of 
each fiscal year, the Secretary determines 
that there are not enough grant applications 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00469
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
470 
that meet the requirements described in sub-
paragraph (C) to carry out this section for 
a fiscal year, the Secretary shall transfer to 
the programs specified in clause (ii)— 
‘‘(I) any of the funds reserved for 
the fiscal year under subparagraph (I) 
that the Secretary has not yet awarded 
under this paragraph; and 
‘‘(II) an amount of obligation 
limitation equal to the amount of 
funds that the Secretary transfers 
under subclause (I). 
‘‘(ii) PROGRAMS.—The programs re-
ferred to in clause (i) are— 
‘‘(I) the program under section 
503(b); 
‘‘(II) the program under section 
503(c); and 
‘‘(III) the programs under sec-
tions 512 through 518. 
‘‘(iii) DISTRIBUTION.—Any transfer of 
funds and obligation limitation under 
clause (i) shall be divided among the pro-
grams referred to in that clause in the same 
proportions as the Secretary originally re-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00470
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
471 
served funding from the programs for the 
fiscal year under subparagraph (I). 
‘‘(N) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph, the 
following definitions apply: 
‘‘(i) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eli-
gible entity’ means a State or local govern-
ment, a transit agency, metropolitan plan-
ning organization representing a popu-
lation of over 200,000, or other political 
subdivision of a State or local government 
or a multijurisdictional group or a con-
sortia of research institutions or academic 
institutions. 
‘‘(ii) 
ADVANCED
AND
CONGESTION 
MANAGEMENT
TRANSPORTATION
TECH-
NOLOGIES.—The term ‘advanced transpor-
tation and congestion management tech-
nologies’ means technologies that improve 
the efficiency, safety, or state of good repair 
of surface transportation systems, including 
intelligent transportation systems. 
‘‘(iii) 
MULTIJURISDICTIONAL 
GROUP.—The 
term 
‘multijurisdictional 
group’ means a any combination of State 
governments, locals governments, metropoli-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00471
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
472 
tan planning agencies, transit agencies, or 
other political subdivisions of a State for 
which each member of the group— 
‘‘(I) has signed a written agree-
ment to implement the advanced trans-
portation technologies deployment ini-
tiative across jurisdictional bound-
aries; and 
‘‘(II) is an eligible entity under 
this paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 6004. TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPLOYMENT 
PROGRAM. 
Section 503(c)(3) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘2013 
through 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘2016 through 2021’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall 
make available to the public on an Internet Web 
site on an annual basis a report on the cost and 
benefits from deployment of new technology and 
innovations that substantially and directly re-
sulted from the program established under this 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00472
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
473 
paragraph. The report may include an analysis 
of— 
‘‘(i) Federal, State, and local cost sav-
ings; 
‘‘(ii) project delivery time improve-
ments; 
‘‘(iii) reduced fatalities; and 
‘‘(iv) congestion impacts.’’. 
SEC. 6005. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM GOALS. 
Section 514(a) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (5) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) enhancement of the national freight system 
and support to national freight policy goals by con-
ducting heavy duty vehicle demonstration activities 
and accelerating adoption of intelligent transpor-
tation system applications in freight operations.’’. 
SEC. 6006. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PRO-
GRAM REPORT. 
Section 515(h)(4) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00473
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
474 
(1) by striking ‘‘February 1 of each year after 
the date of enactment of the Transportation Research 
and Innovative Technology Act of 2012’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘May 1 of each year’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘submit to Congress’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘make available to the public on a Department 
of Transportation Web site’’. 
SEC. 6007. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM NA-
TIONAL ARCHITECTURE AND STANDARDS. 
Section 517(a)(3) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘memberships are comprised of, and 
represent,’’ and inserting ‘‘memberships include representa-
tives of’’. 
SEC. 6008. COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS DEPLOYMENT RE-
PORT. 
Section 518(a) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘Not later than 3’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘House of Representatives’’ and inserting ‘‘Not 
later than July 6, 2016, the Secretary shall make available 
to the public on a Department of Transportation Web site 
a report’’. 
SEC. 6009. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 5 of title 23, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00474
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
475 
‘‘§ 519. Infrastructure development 
‘‘Funds made available to carry out this chapter for 
operational tests— 
‘‘(1) shall be used primarily for the development 
of intelligent transportation system infrastructure, 
equipment, and systems; and 
‘‘(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall 
not be used for the construction of physical surface 
transportation infrastructure unless the construction 
is incidental and critically necessary to the imple-
mentation of an intelligent transportation system 
project.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) CLERICAL
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item: 
‘‘519. Infrastructure development.’’. 
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating 
to section 512 in the analysis for chapter 5 of title 
23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘512. National ITS program plan.’’. 
SEC. 6010. DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS. 
(a) ASSISTANT
SECRETARY
FOR
RESEARCH
AND 
TECHNOLOGY.—Section 102(e) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00475
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
476 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘5’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘6’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (1)(A) by inserting ‘‘an Assist-
ant Secretary for Research and Technology,’’ after 
‘‘Governmental Affairs,’’. 
(b) RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.—Section 330 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in the section heading by striking ‘‘con-
tracts’’ and inserting ‘‘activities’’; 
(2) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘The Secretary 
of’’ and inserting ‘‘IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of’’; 
(3) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘In carrying’’ 
and inserting ‘‘RESPONSIBILITIES.—In carrying’’; 
(4) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ 
and inserting ‘‘PUBLICATIONS.—The Secretary’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The Secretary shall provide for the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) Coordination, facilitation, and review of 
Department of Transportation research and develop-
ment programs and activities. 
‘‘(2) Advancement, and research and develop-
ment, of innovative technologies, including intelligent 
transportation systems. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00476
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
477 
‘‘(3) Comprehensive transportation statistics re-
search, analysis, and reporting. 
‘‘(4) Education and training in transportation 
and transportation-related fields. 
‘‘(5) Activities of the Volpe National Transpor-
tation Systems Center. 
‘‘(6) Coordination in support of multimodal and 
multidisciplinary research activities. 
‘‘(e) 
ADDITIONAL
AUTHORITIES.—The 
Secretary 
may— 
‘‘(1) enter into grants and cooperative agree-
ments with Federal agencies, State and local govern-
ment agencies, other public entities, private organiza-
tions, and other persons to conduct research into 
transportation service and infrastructure assurance 
and to carry out other research activities of the De-
partment of Transportation; 
‘‘(2) carry out, on a cost-shared basis, collabo-
rative research and development to encourage innova-
tive solutions to multimodal transportation problems 
and stimulate the deployment of new technology 
with— 
‘‘(A) non-Federal entities, including State 
and local governments, foreign governments, in-
stitutions of higher education, corporations, in-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00477
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
478 
stitutions, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and 
trade associations that are incorporated or estab-
lished under the laws of any State; 
‘‘(B) Federal laboratories; and 
‘‘(C) other Federal agencies; and 
‘‘(3) directly initiate contracts, grants, coopera-
tive research and development agreements (as defined 
in section 12 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology In-
novation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a)), and other 
agreements to fund, and accept funds from, the 
Transportation Research Board of the National Acad-
emies, State departments of transportation, cities, 
counties, institutions of higher education, associa-
tions, and the agents of those entities to carry out 
joint transportation research and technology efforts. 
‘‘(f) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the 
Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out 
under subsection (e)(3) shall not exceed 50 percent. 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—If the Secretary determines 
that the activity is of substantial public interest or 
benefit, the Secretary may approve a greater Federal 
share. 
‘‘(3) NON-FEDERAL
SHARE.—All costs directly 
incurred by the non-Federal partners, including per-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00478
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
479 
sonnel, travel, facility, and hardware development 
costs, shall be credited toward the non-Federal share 
of the cost of an activity described in subsection 
(e)(3). 
‘‘(g) PROGRAM EVALUATION AND OVERSIGHT.—For 
each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, the Secretary is au-
thorized to expend not more than 1 and a half percent of 
the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the coordina-
tion, evaluation, and oversight of the programs adminis-
tered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research 
and Technology. 
‘‘(h) USE OF TECHNOLOGY.—The research, develop-
ment, or use of a technology under a contract, grant, cooper-
ative research and development agreement, or other agree-
ment entered into under this section, including the terms 
under which the technology may be licensed and the result-
ing royalties may be distributed, shall be subject to the Ste-
venson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3701 et seq.). 
‘‘(i) WAIVER OF ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS.—Sec-
tion 6101 of title 41 shall not apply to a contract, grant, 
or other agreement entered into under this section.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating to sec-
tion 330 in the analysis of chapter 3 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘330. Research activities.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00479
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6213
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
480 
(d) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) TITLE 5 AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) POSITIONS AT LEVEL II.—Section 5313 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘The Under Secretary of Transportation 
for Security.’’. 
(B) POSITIONS AT LEVEL IV.—Section 5315 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended in the 
undesignated item relating to Assistant Secre-
taries of Transportation by striking ‘‘(4)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(5)’’. 
(C) POSITIONS AT LEVEL V.—Section 5316 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ‘‘Associate Deputy Secretary, Depart-
ment of Transportation.’’. 
(2) BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.— 
Section 6302(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There shall be within the Depart-
ment of Transportation the Bureau of Transportation Sta-
tistics.’’. 
SEC. 6011. RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AD-
MINISTRATION. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 112 of title 49, United States 
Code, is repealed. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00480
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
481 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
1 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 112. 
SEC. 6012. OFFICE OF INTERMODALISM. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 5503 of title 49, United States 
Code, is repealed. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
55 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
the item relating to section 5503. 
SEC. 6013. UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS. 
Section 5505 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 5505. University transportation centers program 
‘‘(a) UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT
AND
OPERATION.—The 
Secretary shall make grants under this section to eli-
gible nonprofit institutions of higher education to es-
tablish and operate university transportation centers. 
‘‘(2) ROLE OF CENTERS.—The role of each uni-
versity transportation center referred to in paragraph 
(1) shall be— 
‘‘(A) to advance transportation expertise 
and technology in the varied disciplines that 
comprise the field of transportation through edu-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00481
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
482 
cation, research, and technology transfer activi-
ties; 
‘‘(B) to provide for a critical transportation 
knowledge base outside of the Department of 
Transportation; and 
‘‘(C) to address critical workforce needs and 
educate the next generation of transportation 
leaders. 
‘‘(b) COMPETITIVE SELECTION PROCESS.— 
‘‘(1) APPLICATIONS.—To receive a grant under 
this section, a consortium of nonprofit institutions of 
higher education shall submit to the Secretary an ap-
plication that is in such form and contains such in-
formation as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—A lead institution of a con-
sortium of nonprofit institutions of higher education, 
as applicable, may only submit 1 grant application 
per fiscal year for each of the transportation centers 
described under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of sub-
section (c). 
‘‘(3) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall solicit 
grant applications for national transportation cen-
ters, regional transportation centers, and Tier 1 uni-
versity transportation centers with identical adver-
tisement schedules and deadlines. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00482
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
483 
‘‘(4) GENERAL SELECTION CRITERIA.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise 
provided by this section, the Secretary shall 
award grants under this section in nonexclusive 
candidate topic areas established by the Sec-
retary that address the research priorities identi-
fied in section 503 of title 23. 
‘‘(B) CRITERIA.—The Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Assistant Secretary for Re-
search and Technology and the Administrator of 
the Federal Highway Administration, shall select 
each recipient of a grant under this section 
through a competitive process based on the as-
sessment of the Secretary relating to— 
‘‘(i) the demonstrated ability of the re-
cipient to address each specific topic area 
described in the research and strategic plans 
of the recipient; 
‘‘(ii) the demonstrated research, tech-
nology transfer, and education resources 
available to the recipient to carry out this 
section; 
‘‘(iii) the ability of the recipient to 
provide leadership in solving immediate 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00483
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
484 
and long-range national and regional trans-
portation problems; 
‘‘(iv) the ability of the recipient to 
carry out research, education, and tech-
nology 
transfer 
activities 
that 
are 
multimodal and multidisciplinary in scope; 
‘‘(v) the demonstrated commitment of 
the recipient to carry out transportation 
workforce development programs through— 
‘‘(I) degree-granting programs or 
programs that provide other industry- 
recognized credentials; and 
‘‘(II) outreach activities to attract 
new entrants into the transportation 
field, including women and underrep-
resented populations; 
‘‘(vi) the demonstrated ability of the 
recipient to disseminate results and spur 
the implementation of transportation re-
search and education programs through na-
tional or statewide continuing education 
programs; 
‘‘(vii) the demonstrated commitment of 
the recipient to the use of peer review prin-
ciples and other research best practices in 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00484
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
485 
the selection, management, and dissemina-
tion of research projects; 
‘‘(viii) the strategic plan submitted by 
the recipient describing the proposed re-
search to be carried out by the recipient and 
the performance metrics to be used in as-
sessing the performance of the recipient in 
meeting the stated research, technology 
transfer, education, and outreach goals; and 
‘‘(ix) the ability of the recipient to im-
plement the proposed program in a cost-effi-
cient manner, such as through cost sharing 
and overall reduced overhead, facilities, and 
administrative costs. 
‘‘(5) TRANSPARENCY.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
provide to each applicant, upon request, any 
materials, including copies of reviews (with any 
information that would identify a reviewer re-
dacted), used in the evaluation process of the 
proposal of the applicant. 
‘‘(B) REPORTS.—The Secretary shall sub-
mit to the Committees on Transportation and 
Infrastructure and Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00485
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
486 
Committee on Environment and Public Works of 
the Senate a report describing the overall review 
process under paragraph (3) that includes— 
‘‘(i) specific criteria of evaluation used 
in the review; 
‘‘(ii) descriptions of the review process; 
and 
‘‘(iii) explanations of the selected 
awards. 
‘‘(6) OUTSIDE STAKEHOLDERS.—The Secretary 
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, consult ex-
ternal stakeholders such as the Transportation Re-
search Board of the National Research Council of the 
National Academies to evaluate and competitively re-
view all proposals. 
‘‘(c) GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, 
Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, and 
the Administrator of the Federal Highway Adminis-
tration shall select grant recipients under subsection 
(b) and make grant amounts available to the selected 
recipients. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION CENTERS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00486
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
487 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the Secretary shall provide grants to 
5 consortia that the Secretary determines best 
meet the criteria described in subsection (b)(4). 
‘‘(B) RESTRICTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—For each fiscal 
year, a grant made available under this 
paragraph shall be not greater than 
$4,000,000 and not less than $2,000,000 per 
recipient. 
‘‘(ii) FOCUSED RESEARCH.—A consor-
tium receiving a grant under this para-
graph shall focus research on 1 of the trans-
portation issue areas specified in section 
508(a)(2) of title 23. 
‘‘(C) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of 
receiving a grant under this paragraph, a 
grant recipient shall match 100 percent of 
the amounts made available under the 
grant. 
‘‘(ii) 
SOURCES.—The 
matching 
amounts referred to in clause (i) may in-
clude amounts made available to the recipi-
ent under— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00487
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
488 
‘‘(I) section 504(b) of title 23; or 
‘‘(II) section 505 of title 23. 
‘‘(3) REGIONAL
UNIVERSITY
TRANSPORTATION 
CENTERS.— 
‘‘(A) LOCATION OF REGIONAL CENTERS.— 
One regional university transportation center 
shall be located in each of the 10 Federal regions 
that comprise the Standard Federal Regions es-
tablished by the Office of Management and 
Budget in the document entitled ‘Standard Fed-
eral Regions’ and dated April 1974 (circular A– 
105). 
‘‘(B) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In conducting 
a competition under subsection (b), the Secretary 
shall provide grants to 10 consortia on the basis 
of— 
‘‘(i) the criteria described in subsection 
(b)(4); 
‘‘(ii) the location of the lead center 
within the Federal region to be served; and 
‘‘(iii) whether the consortium of insti-
tutions demonstrates that the consortium 
has a well-established, nationally recognized 
program in transportation research and 
education, as evidenced by— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00488
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
489 
‘‘(I) recent expenditures by the in-
stitution in highway or public trans-
portation research; 
‘‘(II) a historical track record of 
awarding graduate degrees in profes-
sional fields closely related to highways 
and public transportation; and 
‘‘(III) an experienced faculty who 
specialize in professional fields closely 
related to highways and public trans-
portation. 
‘‘(C) RESTRICTIONS.—For each fiscal year, 
a grant made available under this paragraph 
shall be not greater than $3,000,000 and not less 
than $1,500,000 per recipient. 
‘‘(D) MATCHING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of 
receiving a grant under this paragraph, a 
grant recipient shall match 100 percent of 
the amounts made available under the 
grant. 
‘‘(ii) 
SOURCES.—The 
matching 
amounts referred to in clause (i) may in-
clude amounts made available to the recipi-
ent under— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00489
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
490 
‘‘(I) section 504(b) of title 23; or 
‘‘(II) section 505 of title 23. 
‘‘(E) FOCUSED RESEARCH.—The Secretary 
shall make a grant to 1 of the 10 regional uni-
versity transportation centers established under 
this paragraph for the purpose of furthering the 
objectives described in subsection (a)(2) in the 
field of comprehensive transportation safety. 
‘‘(4) TIER 1 UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CEN-
TERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
provide grants of not greater than $2,000,000 
and not less than $1,000,000 to not more than 
20 recipients to carry out this paragraph. 
‘‘(B) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of 
receiving a grant under this paragraph, a 
grant recipient shall match 50 percent of 
the amounts made available under the 
grant. 
‘‘(ii) 
SOURCES.—The 
matching 
amounts referred to in clause (i) may in-
clude amounts made available to the recipi-
ent under— 
‘‘(I) section 504(b) of title 23; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00490
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
491 
‘‘(II) section 505 of title 23. 
‘‘(C) FOCUSED
RESEARCH.—In awarding 
grants under this section, consideration shall be 
given to minority institutions, as defined by sec-
tion 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1067k), or consortia that include such 
institutions that have demonstrated an ability in 
transportation-related research. 
‘‘(d) PROGRAM COORDINATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) coordinate the research, education, and 
technology transfer activities carried out by 
grant recipients under this section; and 
‘‘(B) disseminate the results of that research 
through the establishment and operation of a 
publicly accessible online information clearing-
house. 
‘‘(2) ANNUAL
REVIEW
AND
EVALUATION.—Not 
less frequently than annually, and consistent with the 
plan developed under section 508 of title 23, the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(A) review and evaluate the programs car-
ried out under this section by grant recipients; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00491
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
492 
‘‘(B) submit to the Committees on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure and Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works of the Senate a report describing that re-
view and evaluation. 
‘‘(3) PROGRAM EVALUATION AND OVERSIGHT.— 
For each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, the Sec-
retary shall expend not more than 1 and a half per-
cent of the amounts made available to the Secretary 
to carry out this section for any coordination, evalua-
tion, and oversight activities of the Secretary under 
this section. 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION ON AVAILABILITY OF AMOUNTS.— 
Amounts made available to the Secretary to carry out this 
section shall remain available for obligation by the Sec-
retary for a period of 3 years after the last day of the fiscal 
year for which the amounts are authorized. 
‘‘(f) INFORMATION COLLECTION.—Any survey, ques-
tionnaire, or interview that the Secretary determines to be 
necessary to carry out reporting requirements relating to 
any program assessment or evaluation activity under this 
section, including customer satisfaction assessments, shall 
not be subject to chapter 35 of title 44.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00492
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
493 
SEC. 6014. BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS. 
(a) BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.—Sec-
tion 6302(b)(3)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in clause (vi)(III) by striking ‘‘section 6310’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 6309’’; 
(2) by redesignating clauses (vii), (viii), (ix), 
and (x) as clauses (x), (xi), (xii), and (xiii), respec-
tively; and 
(3) by inserting after clause (vi) the following: 
‘‘(vii) develop and improve transpor-
tation economic accounts to meet demand 
for methods for estimating the economic 
value of transportation infrastructure, in-
vestment, and services; 
‘‘(viii) not be required to obtain the 
approval of any other officer or employee of 
the Department in connection with the col-
lection or analysis of any information; 
‘‘(ix) not be required, prior to publica-
tion, to obtain the approval of any other of-
ficer or employee of the Federal Government 
with respect to the substance of any statis-
tical technical reports or press releases that 
the Director has prepared in accordance 
with the law;’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00493
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
494 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 6311(5) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘section 
6310’’ and inserting ‘‘section 6309’’. 
SEC. 6015. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FUNDING 
ALTERNATIVES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a pro-
gram to provide grants to States to demonstrate user-based 
alternative revenue mechanisms that utilize a user fee struc-
ture to maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway 
Trust Fund. 
(b) APPLICATION.—To be eligible for a grant under 
this section, a State or group of States shall submit to the 
Secretary an application in such form and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require. 
(c) OBJECTIVES.—The Secretary shall ensure that the 
activities carried out using funds provided under this sec-
tion meet the following objectives: 
(1) To test the design, acceptance, and imple-
mentation of 2 or more future user-based alternative 
revenue mechanisms. 
(2) To improve the functionality of such user- 
based alternative revenue mechanisms. 
(3) To conduct outreach to increase public 
awareness regarding the need for alternative funding 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00494
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
495 
sources for surface transportation programs and to 
provide information on possible approaches. 
(4) To provide recommendations regarding adop-
tion and implementation of user-based alternative 
revenue mechanisms. 
(5) To minimize the administrative cost of any 
potential user-based alternative revenue mechanisms. 
(d) USE OF FUNDS.—A State or group of States re-
ceiving funds under this section to test the design, accept-
ance, and implementation of a user-based alternative rev-
enue mechanism— 
(1) shall address— 
(A) the implementation, interoperability, 
public acceptance, and other potential hurdles to 
the adoption of the user-based alternative revenue 
mechanism; 
(B) the protection of personal privacy; 
(C) the use of independent and private 
third-party vendors to collect fees and operate the 
user-based alternative revenue mechanism; 
(D) market-based congestion mitigation, if 
appropriate; 
(E) equity concerns, including the impacts 
of the user-based alternative revenue mechanism 
on differing income groups, various geographic 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00495
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
496 
areas, and the relative burdens on rural and 
urban drivers; 
(F) ease of compliance for different users of 
the transportation system; and 
(G) the reliability and security of tech-
nology used to implement the user-based alter-
native revenue mechanism; and 
(2) may address— 
(A) the flexibility and choices of user-based 
alternative revenue mechanisms, including the 
ability of users to select from various technology 
and payment options; 
(B) the cost of administering the user-based 
alternative revenue mechanism; and 
(C) the ability of the administering entity 
to audit and enforce user compliance. 
(e) CONSIDERATION.—The Secretary shall consider ge-
ographic diversity in awarding grants under this section. 
(f) LIMITATIONS ON REVENUE COLLECTED.—Any rev-
enue collected through a user-based alternative revenue 
mechanism established using funds provided under this sec-
tion shall not be considered a toll under section 301 of title 
23, United States Code. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00496
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
497 
(g) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost 
of an activity carried out under this section may not exceed 
50 percent of the total cost of the activity. 
(h) REPORT TO SECRETARY.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date on which the first eligible entity receives a 
grant under this section, and each year thereafter, each re-
cipient of a grant under this section shall submit to the 
Secretary a report that describes— 
(1) how the demonstration activities carried out 
with grant funds meet the objectives described in sub-
section (c); and 
(2) lessons learned for future deployment of al-
ternative revenue mechanisms that utilize a user fee 
structure. 
(i) BIENNIAL REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years there-
after until the completion of the demonstration activities 
under this section, the Secretary shall make available to the 
public on an Internet Web site a report describing the 
progress of the demonstration activities. 
(j) FUNDING.—Of the funds authorized to carry out 
section 503(b) of title 23, United States Code— 
(1) $15,000,000 shall be used to carry out this 
section for fiscal year 2016; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00497
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
498 
(2) $20,000,000 shall be used to carry out this 
section for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021. 
(k) GRANT FLEXIBILITY.—If, by August 1 of each fis-
cal year, the Secretary determines that there are not enough 
grant applications that meet the requirements of this section 
for a fiscal year, Secretary shall transfer to the program 
under section 503(b) of title 23, United States Code— 
(1) any of the funds reserved for the fiscal year 
under subsection (j) that the Secretary has not yet 
awarded under this section; and 
(2) an amount of obligation limitation equal to 
the amount of funds that the Secretary transfers 
under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 6016. FUTURE INTERSTATE STUDY. 
(a) FUTURE INTERSTATE SYSTEM STUDY.—Not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the Transpor-
tation Research Board of the National Academies to conduct 
a study on the actions needed to upgrade and restore the 
Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and 
Defense Highways to its role as a premier system that meets 
the growing and shifting demands of the 21st century. 
(b) METHODOLOGIES.—In conducting the study, the 
Transportation Research Board shall build on the meth-
odologies examined and recommended in the report pre-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00498
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
499 
pared for the American Association of State Highway and 
Transportation Officials titled ‘‘National Cooperative 
Highway Research Program Project 20–24(79): Specifica-
tions for a National Study of the Future 3R, 4R, and Ca-
pacity Needs of the Interstate System’’, dated December 
2013. 
(c) CONTENTS OF STUDY.—The study— 
(1) shall include specific recommendations re-
garding the features, standards, capacity needs, ap-
plication of technologies, and intergovernmental roles 
to upgrade the Interstate System, including any revi-
sions to law (including regulations) that the Trans-
portation Research Board determines appropriate; 
and 
(2) is encouraged to build on the institutional 
knowledge in the highway industry in applying the 
techniques involved in implementing the study. 
(d) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out the study, the 
Transportation Research Board shall determine the need for 
reconstruction and improvement of the Interstate System 
by considering— 
(1) future demands on transportation infrastruc-
ture determined for national planning purposes, in-
cluding commercial and private traffic flows to serve 
future economic activity and growth; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00499
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
500 
(2) the expected condition of the current Inter-
state System over the period of 50 years beginning on 
the date of enactment of this Act, including long-term 
deterioration and reconstruction needs; 
(3) features that would take advantage of techno-
logical capabilities to address modern standards of 
construction, maintenance, and operations, for pur-
poses of safety, and system management, taking into 
further consideration system performance and cost; 
and 
(4) the resources necessary to maintain and im-
prove the Interstate System. 
(e) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the study, the 
Transportation Research Board— 
(1) shall convene and consult with a panel of na-
tional experts, including operators and users of the 
Interstate System and private sector stakeholders; and 
(2) is encouraged to consult with— 
(A) the Federal Highway Administration; 
(B) States; 
(C) planning agencies at the metropolitan, 
State, and regional levels; 
(D) the motor carrier industry; 
(E) freight shippers; 
(F) highway safety groups; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00500
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
501 
(G) other appropriate entities. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Transportation Research Board 
shall make available to the public on an Internet Web site 
the results of the study conducted under this section. 
(g) FUNDING.—From funds made available to carry 
out section 503(b) of title 23, United States Code, the Sec-
retary may use to carry out this section up to $5,000,000 
for fiscal year 2016. 
SEC. 6017. HIGHWAY EFFICIENCY. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary of 
Transportation for Research and Technology may ex-
amine the impact of pavement durability and sus-
tainability on vehicle fuel consumption, vehicle wear 
and tear, road conditions, and road repairs. 
(2) METHODOLOGY.—In carrying out the study, 
the Assistant Secretary shall— 
(A) conduct a thorough review of relevant 
peer-reviewed research published during at least 
the past 5 years; 
(B) analyze impacts of different types of 
pavement on all motor vehicle types, including 
commercial vehicles; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00501
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
502 
(C) specifically examine the impact of pave-
ment deformation and deflection; and 
(D) analyze impacts of different types of 
pavement on road conditions and road repairs. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the study, 
the Assistant Secretary shall consult with— 
(A) experts from the different modal admin-
istrations of the Department and from other Fed-
eral agencies, including the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology; 
(B) State departments of transportation; 
(C) local government engineers and public 
works professionals; 
(D) industry stakeholders; and 
(E) appropriate academic experts active in 
the field. 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Sec-
retary shall publish on a public Web site the results 
of the study. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include— 
(A) a summary of the different types of 
pavements analyzed in the study and the im-
pacts of pavement durability and sustainability 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00502
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
503 
on vehicle fuel consumption, vehicle wear and 
tear, road conditions, and road repairs; and 
(B) recommendations for State and local 
governments on best practice methods for im-
proving pavement durability and sustainability 
to maximize vehicle fuel economy, ride quality, 
and road conditions and to minimize the need 
for road and vehicle repairs. 
SEC. 6018. MOTORCYCLE SAFETY. 
(a) STUDY.—The Assistant Secretary for Research and 
Technology of the Department of Transportation may enter 
into an agreement, within 45 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, with the National Academy of Sciences 
to conduct a study on the most effective means of preventing 
motorcycle crashes. 
(b) PUBLICATION.—The Assistant Secretary may make 
available the findings on a public Web site within 30 days 
after receiving the results of the study from the National 
Academy of Sciences. 
SEC. 6019. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVEL-
OPMENT. 
Section 5118 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00503
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
504 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) coordinate, as appropriate, with other 
Federal agencies.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) COOPERATIVE RESEARCH.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—As part of the program es-
tablished in subsection (a), the Secretary may carry 
out cooperative research on hazardous materials 
transport. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL ACADEMIES.—The Secretary may 
enter into an agreement with the National Academies 
to support such research. 
‘‘(3) RESEARCH.—Research conducted under this 
subsection may include activities related to— 
‘‘(A) emergency planning and response, in-
cluding information and programs that can be 
readily assessed and implemented in local juris-
dictions; 
‘‘(B) risk analysis and perception and data 
assessment; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00504
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
505 
‘‘(C) commodity flow data, including vol-
untary collaboration between shippers and first 
responders for secure data exchange of critical 
information; 
‘‘(D) integration of safety and security; 
‘‘(E) cargo packaging and handling; 
‘‘(F) hazmat release consequences; and 
‘‘(G) materials and equipment testing.’’. 
SEC. 6020. WEB-BASED TRAINING FOR EMERGENCY RE-
SPONDERS. 
Section 5115(a) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, including online curriculum as ap-
propriate,’’ after ‘‘a current curriculum of courses’’. 
SEC. 6021. TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY WORK-
ING GROUP. 
To improve the scientific pursuit and research proce-
dures concerning transportation, the Assistant Secretary for 
Research and Technology may convene an interagency 
working group to— 
(1) develop within 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act a national transportation research 
framework; 
(2) identify opportunities for coordination be-
tween the Department and universities and the pri-
vate sector, and prioritize these opportunities; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00505
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
506 
(3) identify and develop a plan to implement 
best practices for moving transportation research re-
sults out of the laboratory and into application; and 
(4) identify and develop a plan to address re-
lated workforce development needs. 
SEC. 6022. COLLABORATION AND SUPPORT. 
The Secretary may solicit the support of, and identify 
opportunities to collaborate with, other Federal research 
agencies and national laboratories to assist in the effective 
and efficient pursuit and resolution of research challenges 
identified by the Secretary. 
SEC. 6023. PRIZE COMPETITIONS. 
Section 502(b)(7) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (D)— 
(A) 
by 
inserting 
‘‘(such 
as 
www.challenge.gov)’’ after ‘‘public website’’; 
(B) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) 
as clauses (iv) and (v), respectively; 
(C) by inserting after clause (ii) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iii) the process for participants to 
register for the competition;’’; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00506
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
507 
(D) in clause (iv) (as redesignated by sub-
paragraph (B)) by striking ‘‘prize’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘cash prize purse’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘prize’’ both 
places it appears and inserting ‘‘cash prize purse’’; 
(3) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through 
(K) as subparagraphs (G) through (L), respectively; 
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(F) USE
OF
FEDERAL
FACILITIES; CON-
SULTATION WITH FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—An in-
dividual or entity is not ineligible to receive a 
cash prize purse under this paragraph as a re-
sult of the individual or entity using a Federal 
facility or consulting with a Federal employee 
related to the individual or entity’s participa-
tion in a prize competition under this para-
graph unless the same facility or employee is 
made available to all individuals and entities 
participating in the prize competition on an eq-
uitable basis.’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (G) (as redesignated by 
paragraph (3) of this section)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00507
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
508 
(A) in clause (i)(I) by striking ‘‘competi-
tion’’ and inserting ‘‘prize competition under 
this paragraph’’; 
(B) in clause (ii)(I)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘participation in a 
competition’’ and inserting ‘‘participation 
in a prize competition under this para-
graph’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘competition activi-
ties’’ and inserting ‘‘prize competition ac-
tivities’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.— 
‘‘(I) PROHIBITION ON REQUIRING 
WAIVER.—The Secretary may not re-
quire a participant to waive claims 
against the Department arising out of 
the unauthorized use or disclosure by 
the Department of the intellectual 
property, trade secrets, or confidential 
business information of the partici-
pant. 
‘‘(II) PROHIBITION
ON
GOVERN-
MENT ACQUISITION OF INTELLECTUAL 
PROPERTY RIGHTS.—The Federal Gov-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00508
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
510 
able to the extent provided by appropria-
tions Acts’’; 
(ii) in subclause (II) by striking ‘‘and 
metropolitan planning organizations’’ and 
inserting ‘‘metropolitan planning organiza-
tions, and private sector for-profit and non-
profit entities’’; and 
(iii) in subclause (III) by inserting 
‘‘for-profit or nonprofit’’ after ‘‘private sec-
tor’’; 
(B) in clause (ii) by striking ‘‘prize 
awards’’ and inserting ‘‘cash prize purses’’; 
(C) in clause (iv)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘competition’’ after ‘‘A 
prize’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the prize’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘the cash prize purse’’; 
(D) in clause (v)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘amount of a prize’’ 
and inserting ‘‘amount of a cash prize 
purse’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘competition’’ after 
‘‘announcement of the prize’’; and 
(iii) in subclause (I) by inserting 
‘‘competition’’ after ‘‘prize’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00510
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
511 
(E) in clause (vi) by striking ‘‘offer a prize’’ 
and inserting ‘‘offer a cash prize purse’’; and 
(F) in clause (vii) by striking ‘‘cash prizes’’ 
and inserting ‘‘cash prize purses’’; 
(9) in subparagraph (K) (as redesignated by 
paragraph (3) of this section) by striking ‘‘or pro-
viding a prize’’ and inserting ‘‘a prize competition or 
providing a cash prize purse’’; and 
(10) in subparagraph (L)(ii) (as redesignated by 
paragraph (3) of this section)— 
(A) in subclause (I) by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than March 1 
of each year, the Secretary’’; and 
(B) in subclause (II)— 
(i) in item (cc) by striking ‘‘cash 
prizes’’ both places it appears and inserting 
‘‘cash prize purses’’; and 
(ii) in item (ee) by striking ‘‘agency’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Department’’. 
SEC. 6024. GAO REPORT. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
make available to the public a report that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00511
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
512 
(1) assesses the status of autonomous transpor-
tation technology policy developed by public entities 
in the United States; 
(2) assesses the organizational readiness of the 
Department to address autonomous vehicle technology 
challenges; and 
(3) recommends implementation paths for auton-
omous transportation technology, applications, and 
policies that are based on the assessment described in 
paragraph (2). 
SEC. 6025. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM PUR-
POSES. 
Section 514(b) of title 23, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (8) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (9) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) to assist in the development of cybersecu-
rity standards in cooperation with relevant modal 
administrations of the Department of Transportation 
and other Federal agencies to help prevent hacking, 
spoofing, and disruption of connected and automated 
transportation vehicles.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00512
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
513 
SEC. 6026. INFRASTRUCTURE INTEGRITY. 
Section 503(b)(3)(C) of title 23, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) in clause (xviii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in clause (xix) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’ ; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(xx) corrosion prevention measures 
for the structural integrity of bridges.’’. 
TITLE VII—HAZARDOUS 
MATERIALS TRANSPORTATION 
SEC. 7001. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Hazardous Materials 
Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2015’’. 
SEC. 7002. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 5128 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 5128. Authorization of appropriations 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary to carry out this chapter (except 
sections 5107(e), 5108(g)(2), 5113, 5115, 5116, and 5119)— 
‘‘(1) $53,000,000 for fiscal year 2016; 
‘‘(2) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; 
‘‘(3) $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
‘‘(4) $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00513
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
514 
‘‘(5) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
‘‘(6) $62,000,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
‘‘(b) HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
EMERGENCY
PRE-
PAREDNESS FUND.—From the Hazardous Materials Emer-
gency Preparedness Fund established under section 5116(h), 
the Secretary may expend, for each of fiscal years 2016 
through 2021— 
‘‘(1) $21,988,000 to carry out section 5116(a); 
‘‘(2) $150,000 to carry out section 5116(e); 
‘‘(3) $625,000 to publish and distribute the 
Emergency 
Response 
Guidebook 
under 
section 
5116(h)(3); and 
‘‘(4) $1,000,000 to carry out section 5116(i). 
‘‘(c) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TRAINING GRANTS.— 
From the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness 
Fund established pursuant to section 5116(h), the Secretary 
may expend $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
through 2021 to carry out section 5107(e). 
‘‘(d) CREDITS TO APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) EXPENSES.—In addition to amounts other-
wise made available to carry out this chapter, the 
Secretary may credit amounts received from a State, 
Indian tribe, or other public authority or private en-
tity for expenses the Secretary incurs in providing 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00514
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
515 
training to the State, Indian tribe, authority, or enti-
ty. 
‘‘(2) 
AVAILABILITY
OF
AMOUNTS.—Amounts 
made available under this section shall remain avail-
able until expended.’’. 
SEC. 7003. NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND DISASTER RE-
SPONSE. 
Section 5103 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as 
subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTERS AND EMER-
GENCIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may by order 
waive compliance with any part of an applicable 
standard prescribed under this chapter without prior 
notice and comment and on terms the Secretary con-
siders appropriate if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(A) it is in the public interest to grant the 
waiver; 
‘‘(B) the waiver is not inconsistent with the 
safety of transporting hazardous materials; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00515
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
516 
‘‘(C) the waiver is necessary to facilitate the 
safe movement of hazardous materials into, from, 
and within an area of a major disaster or emer-
gency that has been declared under the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
‘‘(2) PERIOD OF WAIVER.—A waiver under this 
subsection may be issued for a period of not more 
than 60 days and may be renewed upon application 
to the Secretary only after notice and an opportunity 
for a hearing on the waiver. The Secretary shall im-
mediately revoke the waiver if continuation of the 
waiver would not be consistent with the goals and ob-
jectives of this chapter. 
‘‘(3) STATEMENT OF REASONS.—The Secretary 
shall include in any order issued under this section 
the reason for granting the waiver.’’. 
SEC. 7004. ENHANCED REPORTING. 
Section 5121(h) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘transmit to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate’’ and inserting ‘‘make available to 
the public on the Department of Transportation’s Internet 
Web site’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00516
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
517 
SEC. 7005. WETLINES. 
(a) WITHDRAWAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall withdraw 
the proposed rule described in the notice of proposed rule-
making issued on January 27, 2011, entitled ‘‘Safety Re-
quirements for External Product Piping on Cargo Tanks 
Transporting Flammable Liquids’’ (76 Fed. Reg. 4847). 
(b) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall 
prohibit the Secretary from issuing standards or regula-
tions regarding the safety of external product piping on 
cargo tanks transporting flammable liquids after the with-
drawal is carried out pursuant to subsection (a). 
SEC. 7006. IMPROVING PUBLICATION OF SPECIAL PERMITS 
AND APPROVALS. 
Section 5117 of title 49, United States Code, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘an application for a spe-
cial permit’’ and inserting ‘‘an application for a 
new special permit or a modification to an exist-
ing special permit’’; and 
(B) by inserting after the first sentence the 
following: ‘‘The Secretary shall make available to 
the public on the Department of Transportation’s 
Internet Web site any special permit other than 
a new special permit or a modification to an ex-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00517
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
518 
isting special permit and shall give the public an 
opportunity to inspect the safety analysis and 
comment on the application for a period of not 
more than 15 days.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘publish’’ and inserting 
‘‘make available to the public’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘in the Federal Register’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘180’’ and inserting ‘‘120’’; 
and 
(D) by striking ‘‘the special permit’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘a special permit 
or approval’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) DISCLOSURE OF FINAL ACTION.—The Secretary 
shall periodically, but at least every 120 days— 
‘‘(1) publish in the Federal Register notice of the 
final disposition of each application for a new special 
permit, modification to an existing special permit, or 
approval during the preceding quarter; and 
‘‘(2) make available to the public on the Depart-
ment of Transportation’s Internet Web site notice of 
the final disposition of any other special permit dur-
ing the preceding quarter.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00518
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
519 
SEC. 7007. GAO STUDY ON ACCEPTANCE OF CLASSIFICA-
TION EXAMINATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall evaluate and transmit to the Sec-
retary, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
a report on the standards, metrics, and protocols that the 
Secretary uses to regulate the performance of persons ap-
proved to recommend hazard classifications pursuant to sec-
tion 173.56(b) of title, 49, Code of Federal Regulations 
(commonly referred to as ‘‘third-party labs’’). 
(b) EVALUATION.—The evaluation required under sub-
section (a) shall— 
(1) identify what standards and protocols are 
used to approve such persons, assess the adequacy of 
such standards and protocols to ensure that persons 
seeking approval are qualified and capable of per-
forming classifications, and make recommendations to 
address any deficiencies identified; 
(2) assess the adequacy of the Secretary’s over-
sight of persons approved to perform the classifica-
tions, including the qualification of individuals en-
gaged in the oversight of approved persons, and make 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00519
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
520 
recommendations to enhance oversight sufficiently to 
ensure that classifications are issued as required; 
(3) identify what standards and protocols exist 
to rescind, suspend, or deny approval of persons who 
perform such classifications, assess the adequacy of 
such standards and protocols, and make recommenda-
tions to enhance such standards and protocols if nec-
essary; and 
(4) include annual data for fiscal years 2005 
through 2015 on the number of applications received 
for new classifications pursuant to section 173.56(b) 
of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, of those ap-
plications how many classifications recommended by 
persons approved by the Secretary were changed to 
another classification and the reasons for the change, 
and how many hazardous materials incidents have 
been attributed to a classification recommended by 
such approved persons in the United States. 
(c) ACTION PLAN.—Not later than 120 days after re-
ceiving the report required under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall make available to the public a plan describing 
any actions the Secretary will take to establish standards, 
metrics, and protocols based on the findings and rec-
ommendations in the report to ensure that persons approved 
to perform classification examinations required under sec-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00520
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
537 
(B) as soon as practicable after completion 
of the updated analysis under subparagraph (A), 
solicit public comment on the analysis for a pe-
riod of not more than 30 days; and 
(C) not later than 60 days after the end of 
the public comment period under subparagraph 
(B), post the final updated regulatory impact 
analysis on the Department of Transportation’s 
Internet Web site. 
(2) DETERMINATION.—Not later than 180 days 
after the report date, the Secretary shall— 
(A) determine, based on whether the final 
regulatory impact analysis described in para-
graph (1)(C) demonstrates that the benefits, in-
cluding safety benefits, of the applicable ECP 
brake system requirements exceed the costs of 
such requirements, whether the applicable ECP 
brake system requirements are justified; 
(B) if the applicable ECP brake system re-
quirements are justified, publish in the Federal 
Register the determination and reasons for such 
determination; and 
(C) if the Secretary does not publish the de-
termination under subparagraph (B), repeal the 
applicable ECP brake system requirements. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:27 Oct 29, 2015
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00537
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H3763.RH
H3763
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with BILLS