ROCKS Act
Bill: S.1672 | Sponsor: Sen. Kelly, Mark (D-AZ)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Rebuilding Our Communities by Keeping aggregates Sustainable Act of 2021 or the ROCKS Act
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a working group of stakeholders (e.g., state, tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies) with knowledge and expertise in the production and transportation of materials used in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure projects to conduct a study on access to such materials, including access to stone, sand, and gravel.

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group 
 to conduct a study on access to certain resources for infrastructure 
                   projects, 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 ``Rebuilding Our Communities by 
Keeping aggregates Sustainable Act of 2021'' or the ``ROCKS Act''.

SEC. 2. WORKING GROUP ON COVERED RESOURCES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Covered resource.--The term ``covered resource'' means 
        a common variety material used in transportation infrastructure 
        construction and maintenance, including stone, sand, and 
        gravel.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, and each territory or 
        possession of the United States.
            (4) Working group.--The term ``Working Group'' means the 
        Working Group established under subsection (b).
    (b) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a working group to 
conduct a study on access to covered resources for infrastructure 
projects.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint to the 
        Working Group individuals with knowledge and expertise in the 
        production and transportation of covered resources.
            (2) Representation.--The Working Group shall include not 
        less than 1 representative of each of the following:
                    (A) State departments of transportation.
                    (B) State agencies associated with covered 
                resources protection.
                    (C) State planning and geologic survey and mapping 
                agencies.
                    (D) Commercial motor vehicle operators, including 
                small business operators and operators who transport 
                covered resources.
                    (E) Covered resources producers.
                    (F) Construction contractors.
                    (G) Labor organizations.
                    (H) Metropolitan planning organizations and 
                regional planning organizations.
                    (I) Indian Tribes, including Tribal elected 
                leadership or Tribal transportation officials.
                    (J) Any other stakeholders that the Secretary 
                determines appropriate.
            (3) Termination.--The Working Group shall terminate 180 
        days after the date on which the Secretary receives the report 
        under subsection (f)(1).
    (d) Duties.--In carrying out the study required under subsection 
(b), the Working Group shall analyze--
            (1) the use of covered resources in transportation projects 
        funded with Federal dollars;
            (2) how the proximity of covered resources to such projects 
        affects the cost and environmental impact of those projects;
            (3) whether and how State, Tribal, and local transportation 
        and planning agencies consider covered resources when 
        developing transportation projects; and
            (4) any challenges for transportation project sponsors 
        regarding access and proximity to covered resources.
    (e) Consultation.--In carrying out the study required under 
subsection (b), the Working Group shall consult with, as appropriate--
            (1) chief executive officers of States;
            (2) State, Tribal, and local transportation and planning 
        agencies;
            (3) other relevant State, Tribal, and local agencies, 
        including State agencies associated with covered resources 
        protection;
            (4) members of the public with industry experience with 
        respect to covered resources;
            (5) other Federal entities that provide funding for 
        transportation projects; and
            (6) any other stakeholder the Working Group determines 
        appropriate.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Working group report.--Not later than 2 years after the 
        date on which the Working Group is established, the Working 
        Group shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes--
                    (A) the findings of the study required under 
                subsection (b), including a summary of comments 
                received during the consultation process under 
                subsection (e); and
                    (B) any recommendations to preserve access to and 
                reduce the costs and environmental impacts of covered 
                resources for infrastructure projects.
            (2) Departmental report.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date on which the Secretary receives the report under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public 
        Works of the Senate a summary of the findings under the report 
        and any recommendations, as appropriate.
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