ROUTES Act
Bill: H.R.2595 | Sponsor: Rep. Pence, Greg (R-IN)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success Act or the ROUTES Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative at the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The purpose of the initiative is to (1) improve analysis of rural projects applying for DOT discretionary grants, including ensuring that project costs, local resources, and the larger benefits to the American people and economy are appropriately considered; and (2) provide rural communities with technical assistance for meeting transportation infrastructure investment needs in a financially sustainable manner.
To carry out the mission of the initiative, DOT must establish the ROUTES Council.

To establish a Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic 
              Success Initiative, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Opportunities to Use 
Transportation for Economic Success Act'' or the ``ROUTES Act''.

SEC. 2. RURAL OPPORTUNITIES TO USE TRANSPORTATION FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS 
              INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success 
Initiative (hereinafter referred to as the ``ROUTES Office''), to--
            (1) improve analysis of rural projects applying for 
        Department of Transportation discretionary grants, including 
        ensuring that project costs, local resources, and the larger 
        benefits to the American people and the economy are 
        appropriately considered; and
            (2) provide rural communities with technical assistance for 
        meeting the Nation's transportation infrastructure investment 
        need in a financially sustainable manner.
    (b) Objectives.--The ROUTES Office shall--
            (1) collect input from knowledgeable entities and the 
        public on the benefits of rural transportation projects, the 
        technical and financial assistance required for constructing 
        and operating rural transportation infrastructure and services, 
        and barriers and opportunities to funding such rural 
        transportation projects;
            (2) evaluate data on rural transportation challenges and 
        determining methods to align the Department of Transportation's 
        discretionary funding and financing opportunities with the 
        needs of rural communities for meeting National transportation 
        goals; and
            (3) educate rural communities about applicable Department 
        of Transportation discretionary grants, developing effective 
        methods to evaluate rural projects in discretionary grant 
        programs, and communicating those methods through program 
        guidance.
    (c) ROUTES Council.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the ROUTES 
        Council (hereinafter referred to as the ``Council'') to--
                    (A) organize, guide, and lead the ROUTES Office; 
                and
                    (B) coordinate rural-related funding programs and 
                assistance among the modal administrations.
            (2) Membership.--
                    (A) In general.--The Council shall be composed of 
                the following officers of the Department of 
                Transportation, or their designees:
                            (i) The Under Secretary of Transportation 
                        for Policy.
                            (ii) The General Counsel.
                            (iii) The Chief Financial Officer and 
                        Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs.
                            (iv) The Assistant Secretary for Research 
                        and Technology.
                            (v) The Administrators of the--
                                    (I) Federal Aviation 
                                Administration;
                                    (II) Federal Highway 
                                Administration;
                                    (III) Federal Railroad 
                                Administration; and
                                    (IV) Federal Transit 
                                Administration.
                            (vi) The Chief Infrastructure Funding 
                        Officer.
                            (vii) The Assistant Secretary of Government 
                        Affairs.
                            (viii) The Director of the Office of Public 
                        Affairs.
                    (B) Chair.--The Under Secretary of Transportation 
                for Policy shall be the Chair of the Council.
                    (C) Additional members.--The Secretary of 
                Transportation or the Chair of the Council may 
                designate additional members to serve on the Council.
            (3) Additional modal input.--To address issues related to 
        safety and transport of rural commodities, the Council shall 
        consult with the Administrators (or their designees) of the--
                    (A) Maritime Administration;
                    (B) Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development 
                Corporation; and
                    (C) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
            (4) Duties.--Members of the Council shall--
                    (A) participate in all meetings and relevant 
                Council activities and be prepared to share information 
                relevant to rural transportation infrastructure 
                projects and issues;
                    (B) provide guidance and leadership on rural 
                transportation infrastructure issues and represent the 
                work of the Council and Department of Transportation on 
                such issues to external stakeholders; and
                    (C) recommend initiatives to the Chair of the 
                Council to consider, establish, and staff any resulting 
                activities or working groups.
            (5) Meetings.--The Council shall meet bimonthly.
            (6) Work products and deliverables.--The Council may 
        develop work products or deliverables to meet its goals, 
        including--
                    (A) an annual report to Congress describing Council 
                activities for the past year and expected activities 
                for the coming year;
                    (B) any recommendations to enhance the 
                effectiveness of Department of Transportation 
                discretionary grant programs regarding rural 
                infrastructure issues; and
                    (C) other guides and reports for relevant groups 
                and the public.
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