Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4239
Sponsor: Rep. Mica, John L. [R-FL-7]
Introduced: 2012-03-22 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Aging
Air quality
Alaska
California
Caribbean area
Child safety and welfare
Denali Commission
Disability and paralysis
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Federal-Indian relations
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Hawaii
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Indian lands and resources rights
Infrastructure development
Intergovernmental relations
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Motor carriers
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Nevada
Outdoor recreation
Public transit
Public-private cooperation
Puerto Rico
Railroads
Regional and metropolitan planning
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Roads and highways
Rural conditions and development
Sales and excise taxes
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
U.S. territories and protectorates
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: 
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to reduce the amount apportioned for a surface transportation program, project, or activity for FY2012 by amounts apportioned or allocated under the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, Part II for the period from October 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012.
 
Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, Part II to continue through June 30, 2012, and authorizes appropriations through that date for, specified federal-aid highway programs under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Includes among extended funds those for: (1) the surface transportation research, development, and deployment program; (2) training and education; (3) the Bureau of Transportation Statistics; (4) university transportation research; and (5) intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research. 
 
Subjects funding for such programs generally to the same manner of distribution, administration, limitation, and availability for obligation, however, at three-quarters of the total amount, as funds authorized to be appropriated for such programs and activities out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for FY2011. 
 
Subjects contract authority, however, between October 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012, for such programs to a specified pro rata limitation on obligations included in any Act making appropriations for FY2012 or a portion of that fiscal year. Waives this obligation limitation, though, for emergency relief and for the equity bonus program. 
 
Extends the allocation of certain transportation program funds to: (1) states for specific programs, including the Interstate and National Highway System program, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program, the highway safety improvement program, the Surface Transportation program, and the Highway Bridge program; and (2) the territories and Puerto Rico. Prohibits use of program funds for a high-speed MAGLEV system between Las Vegas, Nevada, and Anaheim, California. 
 
Authorizes the appropriation of $294,641,438 from the HTF (other than the Mass Transit Account) for administrative expenses of the federal-aid highway program for the period from October 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012.
 
Amends SAFETEA-LU to extend for the same period the authorization of appropriations for specified National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety programs (including NHTSA administrative expenses) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) programs. 
 
Extends, from October 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012, the funding for hazardous materials (hazmat) research projects. 
 
Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to continue for the same period of time the authorized distribution of funds under such Act for coastal wetlands, recreational boating safety, projects under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, boating infrastructure projects, and the National Outreach and Communications Program. 
 
Extends, from October 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012, the allocation of capital investment grant funds for federal transit programs, including the metropolitan planning program and the state planning and research program. 
 
Extends the special rule authority of the Secretary to award urbanized area formula grants to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000. 
 
Allocates, from October 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012, certain amounts for formula and bus grants and capital investment grants for: (1) certain new fixed guideway capital projects; (2) new fixed guideway ferry systems and extension projects in Alaska and Hawaii; (3) payments to the Denali Commission for docks, waterfront development projects, and related transportation infrastructure; (4) ferry boats or ferry terminal facilities; (5) a set-aside for the national fuel cell bus technology development program; (6) projects in nonurbanized areas; (7) intermodal terminal projects; and (8) bus testing. 
 
Extends the apportionment of nonurbanized area formula grants for public transportation on Indian reservations. 
 
Extends, from October 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012, the apportionment of capital investment grant funds for certain fixed guideway modernization projects. 
 
Extends for that same period the authorization appropriations from the HTF Mass Transit Account for: (1) formula and bus grant projects, (2) capital investment grants, (3) transit research, and (4) administration expenses. 
 
Extends, from October 1, 2011, through June 30,2012, certain SAFETEA-LU programs, including: (1) the contracted paratransit pilot program, (2) the public-private partnership pilot program, (3) project authorizations for final design and construction and preliminary engineering of specified fixed guideway projects, and (4) the elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities pilot program. 
 
Extends certain allocations for national research and technology programs. 
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through June 30, 2012, authority for expenditures from the: (1) HTF Highway and Mass Transit accounts, (2) Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and (3) Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. 
 
Extends through June 30, 2012, excise taxes on: (1) fuel used by certain buses, (2) certain alcohol fuels, (3) gasoline (other than aviation gasoline) and diesel fuel or kerosene, (4) certain heavy trucks and trailers, and (5) tires. Extends the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund tax. 
 
Extends through FY2013 the excise tax on certain heavy vehicles. 
 
Extends through June 30, 2012, the exemptions from excise taxes on: (1) certain sales, and (2) motor vehicles used by a state and local government. 
 
Extends the transfer of: (1) certain highway excise taxes to the HTF, and (2) motorboat fuel taxes from the HTF into the land and water conservation fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by voice vote.
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Failed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by voice vote.
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1775-1776)
action_date: 2012-03-29
text: VACATING ORDERED ROLL CALL VOTE - Mr. Mica asked unanimous consent that the ordering of the yeas and nays on the motion that the House suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4239, as amended, be vacated to the end that the Chair put the question de novo. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4239.
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1600-1609; text of measure as introduced: CR H1600-1603)
action_date: 2012-03-27
text: Mr. Mica moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Science, Space, and Technology, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-03-22
text: Introduced in House