An Act to amend and supplement the Federal-Aid Road Act approved July 11, 1916, to authorize appropriations for continuing the construction of highways; to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide additional revenue from the taxes on motor fuel, tires, and trucks and buses; and for other purposes.
PL 84-627 (H.R.10660), enacted 06/29/1956

374 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 STAT. 
Public Law 627 
CHAPTER 462 
June 29, 1956 
AN ACT 
———L^ 
•—-. To amend and supplement the Federal-Aid Road Act approved July 11, 1916, 
to authorize appropriations for continuing the construction of highways; to 
amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide additional revenue from 
the taxes on motor fuel, tires, and trucks and buses; and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ 
TITLE I—FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY ACT OF 
1956 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE FOR TITLE I. 
This title may be cited as the "Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956". 
SEC. 102. FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS. 
(a) (1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the purpose of 
carrying out the provisions of the Federal-Aid Road Act approved 
noSVIusc^soaf J^^y 11' 1^1^ (^^ ^t^*- ^^^)\ 
^^^ ^11 ^cts amendatory thereof and 
supplementary thereto, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated 
for the fiscal year ending June 30,1957, $125,000,000 in addition to any 
sums heretofore authorized for such fiscal year; the sum of $850,000,-
000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1958; and the sum of $875,-
000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1959. The sums herein 
authorized for each fiscal year shall be available for expenditure as 
follows: 
(A) 45 per centum for projects on the Federal-aid primary high-
way system. 
(B) 30 per centum for projects on the Federal-aid secondary high-
way system. 
(C) 25 per centum for projects on extensions of these systems 
within urban areas. 
(2) APPORTIONMENTS.—The sums aiuthorized by this section shall 
be apportioned among the several States in the manner now pro-
vided by law and in accordance with the formulas set forth in section 
4 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944, approved December 20, 
1944 (58 Stat. 838) : Pr^ovided, That the additional amount herein 
authorized for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1957, shall be appor-
tioned immediately upon enactment of this Act. 
(b) AVAILABILITY FOR EXPENDITURE.—Any sums apportioned to any 
State under this section shall be available for expenditure in that 
State for two years after the close of the fiscal year for which such 
sums are authorized, and any amounts so apportioned remaining 
unexpended at the end of such period shall lapse: Provided, 
That 
such funds shall be deemed to have been expended if a sum equal to 
the total of the sums herein and heretofore apportioned to the State 
is covered by formal agreements with the Secretary of Commerce 
for construction, reconstruction, or improvement of specific projects 
as provided in this title and prior Acts: Provided further, That in 
the case of those sums heretofore, herein, or hereafter apportioned 
to any State for projects on the Federal-aid secondary highway sys-
tem, the Secretary of Commerce may, upon the request of any State, 
discharge his responsibility relative to the plans, specifications, esti-
mates, surveys, contract awards, design, inspection, and construction 
of such secondary road projects by his receiving and approving a 
certified statement by the State highway department setting forth 
that the plans, design, and construction for such projects are in 
accord with the standards and procedures of such State applicable 
64 Stat. 785. 
70 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
375 
to projects in tliis category approved by liim: Provided further^ That 
such approval shall not be given unless such standards and procedures 
are in accordance with the objectives set forth in section 1 (b) of 
the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1950: And provided further. That 
nothing contained in the foregoing provisos shall be construed to 
relieve any State of its obligation now provided by law relative to 
maintenance, nor to relieve the Secretary of Commerce of his obli-
gation with respect to the selection of the secondary system or the 
location of projects thereon, to make a final inspection after construc-
tion of each project, and to require an adequate showing of the esti-
mated and actual cost of construction of each project. Any Federal-
aid primary, secondary, or urban funds released by the payment of 
the final voucher or by modification of the formal project agreement 
shall be credited to the same class of funds, primary, secondary, or 
urban, previously apportioned to the State and be immediately avail-
able for expenditure. 
(c) TRANSFERS or 
APPORTIONMENTS.—Not more than 20 per 
centum of the respective amounts apportioned to a State for any 
fiscal year from funds made available for expenditure under clause 
(A), clause (B), or clause (C) of subsection (a) (1) of this section, 
may be transferred to the apportionment made to such State under 
any other of such clauses, except that no such apportionment may 
be increased by more than 20 per centum by reason of transfers to 
it under this subsection: Provided, That such transfer is requested 
by the State highway department and is approved by the Governor 
of such State and the Secretary of Commerce as being in the public 
interest: Provided further, That the transfers hereinabove permitted 
for funds authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal years ending 
June 30, 1958, and June 30, 1959, shall likewise be permitted on the 
same basis for funds which may be hereafter authorized to be appro-
priated for any subsequent fiscal year: And provided further, 
That 
nothing herein contained shall be deemed to alter or impair the au-
thority contained in the last proviso to paragraph (b) of section 3 
of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944. 
SEC. 1
0
3
. 
FOREST 
HIGHWAYS 
AND 
FOREST 
DEVELOPMENT 
ROADS 
AND 
TRAILS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION or APPROPRIATIONS.—For the purpose of carry-
ing out the provisions of section 23 of the Federal Highway Act of 
1921 (42 Stat. 218), as amended and supplemented, there is hereby 
23 use 23. 
authorized to be appropriated (1) for forest highways the sum of 
$30,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1958, and a like sum 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1959; and (2) for forest develop-
ment roads and trails the sum of $27,000,000 for the fiscal year end-
ing June 30, 1958, and a like sum for the fiscal year ending June 30, 
1959: Provided, 
That with respect to any proposed construction or 
reconstruction of a timber access road, advisory public hearings shall 
be held at a place convenient or adjacent to the area of construction 
or reconstruction with notice and reasonable opportunity for inter-
ested persons to present their views as to the practicability and feasi-
bility of such construction or reconstruction: Provided further. 
That 
hereafter funds available for forest highways and forest develop-
ment roads and trails shall also be available for adjacent vehicular 
parking areas and for sanitary, water, and fire control facilities: And 
provided further. That the appropriation herein authorized for forest 
liighways shall be apportioned by the Secretary of Commerce for 
expenditure in the several States, Alaska, and Puerto Eico in accord-
ance with the provisions of section 3 of the Federal-Aid Highway 
64 stat. 786. 
A c t of 1950. 
*
^ 
23USC23 note. 
58 Stat. 839. 
376 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 STAT. 
(b) REPEAL or CERTAIN APPORTIONMENT PROCEDURES.—The provi-
sion of section 23 of the Federal Highway Act of 1921, as amended 
and supplemented, requiring apportionment of funds authorized for 
forest development roads and trails among the several States, Alaska, 
and Puerto Rico is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 104. ROADS AND TRAILS IN NATIONAL PARKS, ETC. 
(a) NATIONAL PARKS, ETC.—For the construction, reconstruction, 
and improvement of roads and trails, inclusive of necessary bridges, 
in national parks, monuments, and other areas administered by the 
National Park Service, including areas authorized to be established as 
national parks and monuments, and national park and monument ap-
proach roads authorized by the Act of January 31, 1931 (46 Stat. 
16 use 8a-8c. 
1053), as amended, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated the 
sum of $16,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1958, and a like 
sum for the fiscal year ending June 30,1959. 
(b) PARKWAYS.—For the construction, reconstruction, and improve-
ment of parkways, authorized by Acts of Congress, on lands to which 
title is vested in the United States, there is hereby authorized to be 
appropriated the sum of $16,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 
30, 1958, and a like sum for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1959. 
(c) INDIAN RESERVATIONS AND LANDS.—For the construction, im-
provement, and maintenance of Indian reservation roads and bridges 
and roads and bridges to provide access to Indian reservations and 
Indian lands under the provisions of the Act approved May 26, 1928 
25 use 3i8a. 
(45 Stat. 750), there is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum 
of $12,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1958, and a like sum 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1959: Provided^ That the location, 
type, and design of all roads and bridges constructed shall be approved 
by the Secretary of Commerce before any expenditures are made there-
on, and all such construction shall be under the general supervision of 
the Secretary of Commerce. 
SEC. 105. PUBLIC LANDS HIGHWAYS. 
For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of section 10 of 
the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1950 (64 Stat. 785), there is hereby 
authorized to be appropriated for the survey, construction, recon-
struction, and maintenance of main roads through unappropriated or 
unreserved public lands, nontaxable Indian lands, or other Federal 
reservations the additional sum of $2,000,000 for the fiscal year 
ending June 30, 1957, and the sum of $2,000,000 for the fiscal year 
ending June 30, 1958, and a like sum for the fiscal year ending June 
30, 1959. 
SEC. 106. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR FEDERAL DOMAIN ROADS, ETC. 
Any funds authorized herein for forest highways, forest develop-
ment roads and trails, park roads and trails, parkways, Indian roads, 
and public lands highways shall be available for contract upon appor-
tionment, or a date not earlier than one year preceding the beginning 
of the fiscal year for which authorized if no apportionment is required: 
Provided, That any amount remaining unexpended two years after 
the close of the fiscal year for which authorized shall lapse. The Sec-
retary of the department charged with the administration of such 
funds is hereby granted authority to incur obligations, approve proj-
ects, and enter into contracts under such authorizations, and his action 
in doing so shall be deem^ed a contractual obligation of the Federal 
Governinent for the payment of the cost thereof, and such funds shall 
be deemed to have been expended when so obligated. 
Any funds here-
tofore, herein, or hereafter authorized for any fiscal year for forest 
highways, forest development roads and trails, park roads and trails, 
parkways, Indian roads, and public lands highways shall be deemed 
70 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
377 
to have been expended if a sum equal to the total of the sums authorized 
for such fiscal year and previous fiscal years since and including the 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1955, shall have been obligated. 
Any of 
such funds released by payment of final voucher or modification of 
project authorizations shall be credited to the balance of unobligated 
authorizations and be immediately available for expenditure. 
SEC. 107. HIGHWAYS FOR ALASKA. 
(a) 
APPORTIONMENT; 
MATCHING; 
SELECTION or 
SYSTEMS.—The 
Territory of Alaska shall be entitled to share in funds herein or here-
after authorized for expenditure for projects on the Federal-aid pri-
mary and secondary highway systems, and extensions thereof within 
urban areas, under the Federal-Aid Road Act approved July 11,1916 
(39 Stat. 355), and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary note;"!use*so'al 
thereto, upon the same terms and conditions as the several States 
and Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and the Territory of Alaska shall be 
included in the calculations to determine the basis of apportionment 
of such funds, except that one-third only of the area of Alaska shall 
be used in the calculations to determine the area factor in the appor-
tionment of such funds: Provided^ That the Territory of Alaska shall 
contribute funds each fiscal year in an amount that shall be not less 
than 10 per centum of the Federal funds apportioned to it for such 
fiscal year, such contribution to be deposited in a special account in 
the Federal Treasury for use in conjunction with the Federal funds 
apportioned to the Territory. 
The system or systems of roads on 
which Federal-aid apportionments to the Territory of Alaska are 
to be expended shall be determined and agreed upon by the Governor 
of Alaska, the Territorial Highway Engineer of Alaska, and the 
Secretary of Commerce, without regard to the limitations contained 
in section 6 of the Federal Highway Act (42 Stat. 212), as amended 
^3 use 6. 
and supplemented. The Federal funds apportioned to the Territory 
of Alaska and the funds contributed by such Territory in accordance 
herewith may be expended by the Secretary of Commerce either 
directly or in cooperation with the Territorial Board of Road Com-
missioners of Alaska, and may be so expended separately or in com-
bination and without regard to the matching provisions of the Fed-
eral Highway Act (42 Stat. 212); and both such funds may be ex-
pended for the maintenance of roads within the system or systems of 
roads agreed upon under the same terms and conditions as for the con-
struction of such roads. 
(b) TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS.—Effective not more than ninety days 
after the approval of this Act, the functions, duties, and authority 
pertaining to the construction, repair, and maintenance of roads, 
tramways, ferries, bridges, trails, and other works in Alaska, con-
ferred upon the Department of the Interior and heretofore admin-
istered by the Secretary of the Interior under the Act of June 30,1932 
(47 Stat. 446; 48 U. S. C , sec. 321a and following), are hereby trans- 
^ use 485. 
ferred to the Department of Commerce, and thereafter shall be admin-
istered by the Secretary of Commerce, or under his direction, by such 
officer, or officers, as may be designated by him. 
(c) TRANSFER OF PERSONNEL, ETC.—There are hereby transferred 
to the Department of Commerce, to be employed and expended in 
connection with the functions, duties, and authority transferred to said 
Department by subsection (b) hereof, all personnel employed in con-
nection with any such functions, duties, or authority, and the unex-
pended balances of appropriations, allocations, or other funds now 
available, or that hereafter may be made availaole, for use in connec-
tion with such functions, duties, or authority; and the Department of 
the Interior is directed to turn over to the Secretary of Commerce all 
equipment, materials, supplies, papers, maps, and documents, or other 
378 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JXJNE 29, 1966 
[70 STAT. 
property (real or personal, and including office equipment and rec-
ords) used or held in connection with such functions, duties, and 
authority. 
(d) EFFECTUATION OF TRANSFER.—The Secretary of the Interior 
and the Secretary of Commerce shall take such steps as may be neces-
sary or appropriate to effect the transfer from the Department of the 
Interior to the Department of Commerce of the functions, duties, and 
authority, and the funds and property, as herein provided for. 
(e) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNCTIONS.—The Secretary of Commerce shall 
have power, by order or regulations, to distribute the functions, duties, 
and authority hereby transferred, and appropriations pertaining 
thereto, as he may deem proper to accomplish the economical and 
effective organization and administration thereof. 
SEC. 108. NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGH-
WAYS. 
(a) INTERSTATE SYSTEM.—It is hereby declared to be essential to 
the national interest to provide for the early completion of the "Na-
tional System of Interstate Highways", as authorized and designated 
^3 use 60.^ 
in accordance with section 7 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 
*
*
* ' ^* 
* 
(58 Stat. 838). It is the intent of the Congress that the Interstate 
System be completed as nearly as practicable over a thirteen-year 
period and that the entire System in all the States be brought to 
simultaneous completion. 
Because of its primary importance to the 
national defense, the name of such system is hereby changed to the 
"National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". 
Such Na-
tional System of Interstate and Defense Highways is hereinafter in 
• this Act referred to as the "Interstate System . 
(b) AU'IHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the purpose of ex-
pediting the construction, reconstruction, or improvement, inclusive 
of necessary bridges and tunnels, of the Interstate System, including 
extensions thereof through urban areas, designated in accordance with 
23 use 60^^ 
the provisions of section 7 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 
(58 Stat. 838), there is hereby authorized to be appropriated the addi-
tional sum of $1,000,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1957, 
which sum shall be in addition to the authorization heretofore made 
for that year, the additional sum of $1,700,000,000 for the fiscal year 
ending June 30, 1958, the additional sum of $2,000,000,000 for the 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1959, the additional sum of $2,200,000,000 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1960, the additional sum of 
$2,200,000,000 for the fiscalyear ending June 30, 1961, the additional 
sum of $2,200,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1962, the 
additional sum of $2,200,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 
1963, the additional sum of $2,200,000,000 for the fiscal year ending 
June 30, 1964, the additional sum of $2,200,000,000 for the fiscal year 
ending June 30, 1965, the additional sum of $2,200,000,000 for the 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, the additional sum of $2,200,000,000 
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967, the additional sum of 
$1,500,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1968, and the addi-
tional sum of $1,025,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969. 
(c) APPORTIONMENTS FOR 1957,1958, AND 1959.—The additional sums 
herein authorized for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1957, June 30, 
1958, and June 30,1959, shall be apportioned among the several States 
in the following manner: one-half in the ratio which the population 
of each State bears to the total population of all the States, as shown 
by the latest available Federal census: Provided^ That no State shall 
receive less than three-fourths of 1 per centum of the money so appor-
tioned ; and one-half in the manner now provided by law for the ap-
portionment of funds for the Federal-aid primary system. 
The addi-
tional sum herein authorized for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1957, 
Post, p. 381. 
70 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1966 
379 
shall be apportioned immediately upon enactment of this Act. The ad-
ditional sums herein authorized for the fiscal years ending June 30, 
1958, and June 30, 1959, shall be apportioned on a date not less than 
six months and not more than twelve months in advance of the begin-
ning of the fiscal year for which authorized. 
(d) APPORTIONMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT YEARS BASED UPON REVISED 
ESTIMATES OF COST.—All sums authorized by this section to be appro-
priated for the fiscal years 1960 through 1969, inclusive, shall be 
apportioned among the several States in the ratio which the estimated 
cost of completing the Interstate System in each State, as determined 
and approved in the manner provided in this subsection, bears to the 
sum of the estimated cost of completing the Interstate System in all 
of the States. 
Each apportionment herein authorized for the fiscal 
years 1960 through 1969, inclusive, shall be made on a date as far in 
advance of the beginning of the fiscal year for which authorized as 
practicable but in no case more than eighteen months prior to the 
beginning of the fiscal year for which authorized. As soon as the 
standards provided for in subsection (i) have been adopted, the 
Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the State highway de-
partments, shall make a detailed estimate of the cost of completing 
the Interstate System as then designated, after taking into account 
all previous apportionments made under this section, based upon 
such standards and in accordance with rules and regulations adopted 
by him and applied uniformly to all of the States. The Secretary .sti'ma'teTo^^c^n-
of Commerce shall transmit such estimate to the Senate and the House grass. 
of Representatives within ten days subsequent to January 2, 1958. 
Upon approval of such estimate by the Congress by concurrent resolu-
tion, the Secretary of Commerce shall use such approved estimate in 
making apportionments for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1960, 
June 30, 1961, and June 30, 1962. The Secretary of Commerce shall 
make a revised estimate of the cost of completing the then designated 
Interstate System, after taking into account all previous apportion-
ments made under this section, in the same manner as stated above, 
and transmit the same to the Senate and the House of Representatives 
within ten days subsequent to January 2, 1962. Upon approval of 
such estimate by the Congress by concurrent resolution, the Secretary 
of Commerce shall use such approved estimate in making apportion-
ments for the fiscal years ending June 30,1963, June 30,1964, June 30, 
1965, and June 30, 1966. The Secretary of Commerce shall make a 
revised estimate of the cost of completing the then designated Inter-
state System, after taking into account all previous apportionments 
made under this section, in the same manner as stated above, and 
transmit the same to the Senate and the House of Representatives 
within ten days subsequent to January 2, 1966, and annually there-
after through and including January 2, 1968. Upon approval of 
any such estimate by the Congress by concurrent resolution, the 
Secretary of Commerce shall use such approved estimate in making 
apportionments for the fiscal year which begins next following the 
fiscal year in which such report is transmitted to the Senate and the 
House of Representatives. 
Whenever the Secretary of Commerce, 
pursuant to this subsection, requests and receives estimates of cost 
from the State highway departments, he shall furnish copies of such 
estimates at the same time to the Senate and the House of Repre-
sentatives. 
(e) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share payable on account of any 
project on the Interstate System provided for by funds made available 
under the provisions of this section shall be increased to 90 per centum 
of the total cost thereof, plus a percentage of the remaining 10 per 
centum of such cost in any State containing unappropriated and un-
380 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1966 
[jO STAT. 
reserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands, individual and 
tribal, exceeding 5 per centum of the total area of all lands therein, 
equal to the percentage that the area of such lands in such State is 
of its total area: Provided^ That such Federal share payable on any 
project in any State shall not exceed 95 per centum of the total cost of 
such project. 
(f) AVAILABILITY FOR EXPENDITURE.—Any sums apportioned to 
any State under the provisions of this section shall be available for 
expenditure in that State for two years after the close of the fiscal year 
for which such sums are authorized: Provided, That such funds for 
any fiscal year shall be deemed to be expended if a sum equal to the 
total of the sums apportioned to the State specifically for the Inter-
state System for such fiscal year and previous fiscal years is covered 
by formal agreements with the Secretary of Commerce for the con-
struction, reconstruction, or improvement of specific projects under 
this section. 
(g) LAPSE OF AMOUNTS APPORTIONED.—Any amount apportioned 
to the States under the provisions of this section unexpended at the end 
of the period during which it is available for expenditure under the 
terms of subsection (f) of this section shall lapse, and shall immedi-
ately be reapportioned among the other States m accordance with the 
provisions of subsection (d) of this section: Provided, That any Inter-
state System funds released by the payment of the final voucher or by 
the modification of the formal project agreement shall be credited to 
the Interstate System funds previously apportioned to the State and 
be immediately available for expenditure. 
(h) 
CONSTRUCTION BY STATES IN ADVANCE OF APPORTIONMENT.— 
In any case in which a State has obligated all funds apportioned to 
it under this section and proceeds, subsequent to the date of enact-
ment of this Act, to construct (without the aid of Federal funds) 
any project (including one or more parts of any project) on the 
Interstate System, as designated at that time, in accordance with all 
procedures and all requirements applicable to projects financed under 
the provisions of this section (except insofar as such procedures 
and requirements limit a State to the construction of projects with 
the aid of Federal funds previously apportioned to it), the Secretary 
of Commerce, upon application by such State and his approval of 
such application, is authorized, whenever additional funds are appor-
tioned to such State under this section, to pay to such State from such 
funds the Federal share of the costs of construction of such project: 
Provided, That prior to construction of any such project, the plans 
and specifications therefor shall have been approved by the Secretary 
of Commerce in the same manner as other projects on the Interstate 
System: Provided 
further, That any such project shall conform to 
the standards adopted under subsection (i). 
In determining the ap-
portionment for any fiscal year under the provisions of subsection (d) 
of this section, any such project constructed by a State without the 
aid of Federal funds shall not be considered completed until an ap-
plication under the provisions of this subsection with respect to such 
project has been approved by the Secretary of Commerce. 
(i) STANDARDS.—The geometric and construction standards to be 
adopted for the Interstate System shall be those approved by the 
Secretary of Commerce in cooperation with the State highway de-
partments. 
Such standards shall be adequate to accommodate the 
types and volumes of traffic forecast for the year 1975. The right-
of-way width of the Interstate System shall be adequate to permit 
construction of projects on the Interstate System up to such stand-
ards. The Secretary of Commerce shall apply such standards uni-
formly throughout the States. Such standards shall be adopted by 
70 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 6 2 7 - J U N E 29, 1956 
381 
the Secretary of Commerce in cooperation with the State highway 
departments as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. 
(j) MAXIMUM WEIGHT AND WIDTH LIMITATIONS.—No funds au-
thorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year by this section shall be 
apportioned to any State within the boundaries of which the Inter-
state System may lawfully be used by vehicles with weight in excess of 
eighteen thousand pounds carried on any one axle, or with a tandem-
axle weight in excess of thirty-two thousand pounds, or with an overall 
gross weight in excess of 73,280 pounds, or with a width in excess of 96 
inches, or the corresponding maximum weights or maximum widths 
permitted for vehicles using the public highways of such State under 
laws or regulations established by appropriate State authority in effect 
on July 1,1956, whichever is the greater. 
Any amount which is with-
held from apportionment to any State pursuant to the foregoing pro-
visions shall lapse: Provided, however, That nothing herein shall be 
construed to deny apportionment to any State allowing the operation 
within such State of any vehicles or combinations thereof that could ba 
lawfully operated within such State on July 1,1956. 
(k) 
TESTS To DETERMINE MAXIMUM DESIRABLE DIMENSIONS AND 
WEIGHTS.—The Secretary of Commerce is directed to take all action 
possible to expedite the conduct of a series of tests now planned or 
being conducted by the Highway Research Board of the National 
Academy of Sciences, in cooperation with the Bureau of Public Roads, 
the several States, and other persons and organizations, for the pur-
pose of determining the maximum desirable dimensions and weights 
for vehicles operated on the Federal-aid highway systems, including 
the Interstate System, and, after the conclusion of such tests, but not 
later than March 1, 1959, to make recommendations to the Congress 
with respect to such maximum desirable dimensions and weights. 
(1) INCREASE IN MILEAGE.—Section 7 of the Federal-Aid Highway 
Act of 1944 (58 Stat. 838), relating to the Interstate System, is hereby 
" "^^ ^°* 
amended by striking out "forty thousand", and inserting in lieu thereof 
"forty-one thousand": Provided, That the cost of completing any mile-
age designated from the one thousand additional miles autliorized by 
this subsection shall be excluded in making the estimates of cost for 
completing the Interstate System as provided in subsection (d) of 
this section. 
SEC. 109. ACQUISITION OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY FOR INTERSTATE SYSTEM. 
(a) FEDERAL ACQUISITION FOR STATES.—In any case in which the 
Secretary of Commerce is requested by any State to acquire any lands 
or interests in lands (including within the term "interests in lands", 
the control of access thereto from adjoining lands) required by such 
State for right-of-way or other purposes in connection with the pros-
ecution of any project for the construction, reconstruction, or improve-
ment of any section of the Interstate System, the Secretary of Com-
merce is authorized, in the name of the I aiited States and prior to the 
approval of title by the Attorney General, to acquire, enter upon, and 
take possession of such lands or interests in lands by purchase, dona-
tion, condemnation, or otherwise in accordance with the laws of the 
United States (including the Act of February 26,1931, 46 Stat. 1421), 
4o usc 2 s 8a-
•-C 
258e« 
(1) the Secretary of Commerce has determined either that 
such State is unable to acquire necessary lands or interests in 
lands, or is unable to acquire such lands or interests in lands with 
sufficient promptness; and 
(2) such State has agreed with the Secretary of Commerce to 
pay, at such time as may be specified by the Secretary of Com-
merce, an amount equal to 10 per centum of the costs incurred by 
382 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 S T A T . 
the Secretary of Commerce, in acquiring such lands or interests in 
lands, or such lesser percentage which represents the State's pro 
rata share of project costs as determined in accordance with sec-
tion 108 (e) of this title. 
The authority granted by this section shall also apply to lands and 
interests in lands received as grants of land from the United States 
and owned or held by railroads or other corporations. 
(b) COSTS OF ACQUISITION.—The costs incurred by the Secretary 
of Commerce in acquiring any such lands or interests in lands may 
include the cost of examination and abstract of title, certificate of title, 
advertising, and any fees incidental to such acquisition. All costs 
incurred by the Secretary of Commerce in connection with the acquisi-
tion of any such lands or interests in lands shall be paid from the funds 
for construction, reconstruction, or improvement of the Interstate 
System apportioned to the State upon the request of which such lands 
or interests in lands are acquired, and any sums paid to the Secretary 
of Commerce by such State as its share of the costs of acquisition of 
such lands or interests in lands shall be deposited in the Treasury to 
the credit of the appropriation for Federal-aid highways and shall be 
credited to the amount apportioned to such State as its apportionment 
of funds for construction, reconstruction, or improvement of the Inter-
^ 
state System, or shall be deducted from other moneys due the State for 
reimbursement under section 108 of this title. 
(c) CONVEYANCE OF ACQUIRED LANDS TO THE STATES.—The Secre-
tary of Commerce is further authorized and directed by proper deed, 
executed in the name of the United States, to convey any such lands or 
interests in lands acquired in any State under the provisions of this 
section, except the outside five feet of any such right-of-way in any 
State which does not provide control of access, to the State highway de-
partment of such State or such political subdivisions thereof as its 
laws may provide, upon such terms and conditions as to such lands or 
interests in lands as may be agreed upon by the Secretary of Com-
merce and the State highway (Apartment or political subdivisions to 
which the conveyance is to be made. Whenever the State makes pro-
vision for control of access satisfactory to the Secretary of Commerce, 
the outside five feet then shall be conveyed to the State by the Secre-
tary of Commerce, as herein provided. 
(d) RIGHTS-OF-WAY OVER PUBLIC LANDS.—^Whenever rights-of-
way, including control of access, on the Interstate System are required 
over public lands or reservations of the United States, the Secretary 
of Commerce may make such arrangements with the agency having 
jurisdiction over such lands as may be necessary to give the State or 
other person constructing the projects on such lands adequate rights-
of-way and control of access thereto from adjoining lands, and any 
such agency is hereby directed to cooperate with the Secretary of 
Commerce in this connection. 
SEC. 110. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS TO ACQUIRE RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND 
TO MAKE ADVANCES TO THE STATES. 
(a) ADVANCE RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITIONS.—For the purpose of 
facilitating the acquisition of rights-of-way on any of the Federal-
aid highway systems, including the Interstate System, in the most 
expeditious and economical manner, and recognizing that the acquisi-
tion of rights-of-way requires lengthy planning and negotiations if 
it is to be done at a reasonable cost, the Secretary of Commerce is 
hereby authorized, upon request of a State highway department, to 
make available to such State for acquisition of rights-of-way, in anti-
cipation of construction and under such rules and regulations as the 
Secretary of Commerce may prescribe, the funds apportioned to such 
State for expenditure on any of the Federal-aid highway systems, 
70 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1966 
888 
including the Interstate System: Provided^ That the agreement 
between the Secretary of Commerce and the State highway depart-
ment for the reimbursement of the cost of such rights-of-way shall 
provide for the actual construction of a road on such rights-of-way 
within a period not exceeding five years following the fiscal year in 
which such request is made: Provided further^ That Federal partici-
pation in the cost of rights-of-way so acquired shall not exceed the 
Federal pro rata share applicable to the class of funds from which 
Federal reimbursement is made. 
(b) ADVANCES TO STATES.—Section 6 of the Federal-Aid Highway 
Act of 1944 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
ss stat. 84i. 
"SEC. 6. If the Secretary of Commerce shall determine that it is 
necessary for the expeditious completion of projects on any of the 
Federal-aid highway systems, including the Interstate System, he may 
advance to any State out of any existing appropriations the Federal 
share of the cost of construction thereof to enable the State highway 
department to make prompt payments for acquisition of rights-of-
way, and for construction as it progresses. 
The sums so advanced 
shall be deposited in a special revolving trust fund, by the State offi-
cial authorized under the laws of the State to receive Federal-aid 
highway funds, to be disbursed solely upon vouchers approved by the 
State highway department for rights-of-way which have been or are 
being acquired, and for construction which has been actually per-
formed and approved by the Secretary of Commerce. 
Upon deter-
mination by the Secretary of Commerce that any part of the funds 
advanced to any State under the provisions of this section are no 
longer required, the amount of the advance which is determined to be 
in excess of current requirements of the State shall be repaid upon his 
demand, and such repayments shall be returned to the credit of the 
appropriation from which the funds were advanced. 
Any sums ad-
vanced and not repaid on demand shall be deducted from sums due 
the State for the Federal pro rata share of the cost of construction of 
Federal-aid projects." 
SEC. 111. RELOCATION OF UTILITY FACILITIES. 
(a) 
AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR KEIMBURSEMENT TO 
STATES.—Subject to the conditions contained in this section, whenever 
a State shall pay for the cost of relocation of utility facilities necessi-
tated by the construction of a project on the Federal-aid primary or 
secondary systems or on the Interstate System, including extensions 
thereof within urban areas, Federal funds may be used to reimburse 
the State for such cost in the same proportion as Federal funds are 
expended on the project: Provided, That Federal funds shall not be 
apportioned to the States under this section when the payment to the 
utility violates the law of the State or violates a legal contract between 
the utility and the State. 
(b) UTILITY DEFINED.—For the purposes of this section, the term 
"utility" shall include publicly, privately, and cooperatively owned 
utilities. 
(c) COST OF RELOCATION DEFINED.—For the purposes of this sec-
tion, the term "cost of relocation" shall include the entire amount paid 
by such utility properly attributable to such relocation after deduct-
ing therefrom any increase in the value of the new facility and any 
salvage value derived from the old facility. 
SEC. 112. AGREEMENTS RELATING TO USE OF AND ACCESS TO RIGHTS-
OF-WAY. 
All agreements between the Secretary of Commerce and the State 
liighway department for the construction of projects on the Interstate 
System shall contain a clause providing that the State will not add 
384 
PUBLIC LAW 62T-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 S T A T . 
any points of access to, or exit from, the project in addition to those 
approved by the Secretary in the plans for such project, without the 
prior approval of the Secretary. 
Such agreements shall also contain 
a clause providing that the State will not permit automotive service 
stations or other commercial establishments for serving motor vehicle 
users to be constructed or located on the rights-of-way of the Interstate 
System. 
Such agreements may, however, authorize a State or political 
subdivision thereof to use the air space above and below the established 
grade line of the highway pavement for the parking of motor vehicles 
provided such use does not interfere in any way with the free flow of 
traffic on the Interstate System. 
SEC. 113. TOLL ROADS, BRIDGES. AND TUNNELS. 
(a) APPROVAL AS PART or INTERSTATE SYSTEM.—Upon a finding by 
the Secretary of Commerce that such action will promote the devmop-
ment of an integrated Interstate System, the Secretary is authorized 
to approve as part of the Interstate System any toll road, bridge, or 
tunnel, now or hereafter constructed which meets the standards 
adopted for the improvement of projects located on the Interstate 
System, whenever such toll road, bridge, or tunnel is located on a route 
heretofore or hereafter designated as a part of the Interstate System: 
Provided^ That no Federal-aid highway funds shall be expended for 
the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of any such toll road 
except to the extent hereafter permitted by law: Provided 
further^ 
That no Federal-aid highw^ay funds shall be expended for the con-
struction, reconstruction, or improvement of any such toll bridge or 
tunnel except to the extent now or hereafter permitted by law. 
(b) APPROACHES HAVING OTHER USE.—The funds authorized under 
this title, or under prior Acts, shall be available for expenditure on 
projects approaching any toll road, bridge, or tunnel to a point where 
such project will have some use irrespective of its use for such toll road, 
bridge, or tunnel. 
(c) APPROACHES HAVING No OTHER USE.—The funds authorized 
under section 108 (b) of this title, or under prior Acts, shall be avail-
able for expenditure on Interstate System projects approaching any 
toll road on the Interstate System, even though the project has no use 
other than as an approach to such toll road: Provided^ That agreement 
satisfactory to the Secretary of Commerce has been reached with the 
State prior to approval of any such project (1) that the section of toll 
road will become free to the public upon the collection of tolls sufficient 
to liquidate the cost of the toll road or any bonds outstanding at the 
time constituting a valid lien against said section of toll road covered 
in the agreement and their maintenance and operation and debt service 
during the period of toll collections, and (2) that there is one or more 
reasonably satisfactory alternate free routes available to traffic by 
which the toll section of the System may be bypassed. 
(d) EFFECT ON CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS.—Nothing in this title shall 
23 use 9a. 
fee 
deemed to repeal the Act approved March 3,1927 (44 Stat. 1398), or 
subsection (g) of section 204 of the National Industrial Recovery Act 
23 use 9b. 
(4g Stat. 200), and such Acts are hereby amended to include tunnels 
as well as bridges. 
SEC. 114. DETERMINATION OF POLICY WITH RESPECT TO REIMBURSE-
MENT FOR CERTAIN HIGHWAYS. 
It is hereby declared to be the intent and policy of the Congress to 
determine whether or not the Federal Government should equitably 
reimburse any State for a portion of a highway which is on the Inter-
state System, whether toll or free, the construction of which has been 
completed subsequent to August 2, 1947, or which is either in actual 
use or under construction by contract, for completion, awarded not 
later than June 30, 1957: Provided^ That such highway meets the 
Report to Con-
gress. 
70 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1966 
386 
standards required by this title for the Interstate System. 
The time, 
method, and amounts of such reimbursement, if any, shall be deter-
mined by the Congress following a study which the Secretary of Com-
merce is hereby authorized and directed to conduct, in cooperation 
with the State highway departments, and other agencies as may be 
required, to determine which highways in the Interstate System meas-
ure up to the standards required by this title, including all related 
factors of cost, depreciation, participation of Federal funds, and any 
other items relevant thereto. A complete report of the results of such 
study shall be submitted to the Congress within ten days subsequent 
to January 2, 1958. 
SEC. 115. PREVAILING RATE OF WAGE. 
(a) AppiiicATiON OF DAVIS-BACON ACT.—The Secretary of Com-
merce shall take such action as may be necessary to insure that all 
laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors 
on the initial construction work performed on highway projects on 
the Interstate System authorized under section 108 of this title shall 
be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on the same type 
of work on similar construction in the immediate locality as deter-
mined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Act of August 
ao, 1935, known as the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U. S. C , sec. 276-a). 
to^usVa^^e-
(b) CONSULTATION W I T H STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS; PREDE- 276«.6. 
j'ERMiNATiON OF RATES.—In Carrying out the duties of the foregoing 
subsection, the Secretary of Labor shall consult with the highway 
department of the State in which a project on the Interstate System 
is to be performed. After giving due regard to the information thus 
obtained, he shall make a predetermination of the minimum wages 
to be paid laborers and mechanics in accordance with the provisions 
of the foregoing subsection which shall be set out in each project 
advertisement for bids and in each bid proposal form and shall be 
made a part of the contract covering the project. 
SEC. 116. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY WITH RESPECT TO FEDERAL-AID 
HIGHWAY PROGRAM. 
(a) ACCELERATION or PROGRAM.—It is hereby declared to be in the 
national interest to accelerate the construction of the Federal-aid 
highway systems, including the Interstate System, since many of 
such highways, or portions thereof, are in fact inadequate to meet the 
needs of local and interstate commerce, the national and the civil 
defense. 
(b) COMPLETION OF INTERSTATE SYSTEM; PROGRESS REPORT ON FED-
ERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAM.—It is further declared that one of the 
most important objectives of this Act is the prompt completion of the 
Interstate System. 
Insofar as possible in consonance with this ob-
jective, existing highways located on an interstate route shall be used 
to the extent that such use is practicable, suitable, and feasible, it be-
ing the intent that local needs, to the extent practicable, suitable, and 
feasible, shall be given equal consideration with the needs of interstate 
commerce. 
The Secretary of Commerce is hereby directed to submit ^^•f'"* to c o n 
to the Congress not later than February 1, 1959, a report on the prog- """"" 
ress made in attaining the objectives set forth in this subsection and in 
subsection (a), together with recommendations. 
(c) Pupxic HEARINGS.—Any State highway department which sub-
mits plans for a Federal-aid highway project involving the bypassing 
of, or going through, any city, town, or village, either incorporated or 
unincorporated, shall certify to the Commissioner of Public Roads that 
it has had public hearings, or has afforded the opportunity for such 
hearings, and has considered the economic effects of such a location: 
Provided^ That, if such hearings have been held, a copy of the tran-
gr«ss. 
69225 O - 5 7 - 2 9 (Vol. 70) 
386 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1966 
[70 STAT. 
script of said hearings shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Pub-
lic Roads, together with the certification. 
(d) PARTICIPATION BY SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.—It is hereby 
declared to be in the national interest to encourage and develop the 
actual and potential capacity of small business and to utilize this im-
portant segment of our economy to the fullest practicable extent in 
construction of the Federal-aid highway systems, including the Inter-
state System. 
In order to carry out that intent and encourage full and 
free competition, the Secretary of Commerce should assist, insofar as 
feasible, small business enterprises in obtaining contracts in connection 
with the prosecution of the highway program. 
SEC. 117. HIGHWAY SAFETY STUDY. 
The Secretary of Commerce is authorized and directed to make a 
full and complete investigation and study for the purpose of deter-
mining what action can be taken by the Federal Government to pro-
mote the public welfare by increasing highway safety in the United 
States. 
In making such investigation and study the Secretary of 
Commerce shall give consideration to— 
(1) the need for Federal assistance to State and local govern-
ments in the enforcement of necessary highway safety and speed 
requirements and the forms such assistance should take; 
(2) the advisability and practicability of uniform State and 
local highway safety and speed laws and what steps should be 
taken by the Federal Government to promote the adoption of 
such uniform laws; 
(3) possible means of promoting highway safety in the manu-
facture of the various types of vehicles used on the highways; 
(4) educational programs to promote highway safety; 
(5) the design and physical cnaracteristics of highways; and 
(6) such other matters as it may deem advisable and appro-
priate. 
The Secretary of Commerce shall report his findings, together with 
such recommendations as he may deem advisable, to the Congress not 
later than March 1, 1959. The Secretary of Commerce shall conduct 
such study and investigation under the general authority contained in 
68 stau 74. 
scctiou 10 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1954; except that the 
23 use 21-1. 
amount expended for the purposes of this section shall not exceed 
$200,000. 
SEC. 118. EMERGENCY FUND. 
Section 7 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1952 (66 Stat. 158) 
is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 7. There is hereby authorized an emergency fund in the 
amount of $30,000,000 for expenditure by the Secretary of Commerce, 
in accordance with the provisions of the Federal-Aid Road Act 
23 u 
1*0^4!* and •'^PPi'^ved July 11,1916, as amended and supplemented, after receipt of 
note; 16 usc 503. an application therefor from the highway department of any State, in 
the repair or reconstruction of highways and bridges on the Federal-
aid highway systems, including the Interstate System, which he shall 
find have suffered serious damage as the result of disaster over a wide 
area, such as by floods, hurricanes, tidal waves, earthquakes, severe 
storms, landslides, or other catastrophes in any part of the United 
States. The appropriation of such moneys as may be necessary for 
the establishment of the fund in accordance with the provisions of 
this section and for its replenishment on an annual basis is hereby 
authorized: Provided^ That pending the appropriation of such sum, 
or its replenishment, the Secretary of Commerce may expend, from 
existing Federal-aid highway appropriations, such sums as may be 
necessary for the immediate prosecution of the work herein author-
Report to Con 
gress. 
70 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
387 
ized, such appropriations to be reimbursed from the appropriation 
herein authorized when made: Provided further^ That no expenditures 
shall be made hereunder with respect to any such catastrophe in any 
State unless an emergency has been declared by the Governor of such 
State and concurred in by the Secretary of Commerce: Promded 
fur-
ther^ That the Federal share payable on account of any repair or recon-
struction project provided for by funds made available under this 
section shall not exceed 50 per centum of the cost thereof: Arid pro-
vided further^ That the funds herein authorized shall be available for 
use on any projects programed and approved at any time during the 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1956, and thereafter, which meet the pro-
visions of this section, including projects which may have been 
previously approved during the fiscal year ending June 30,1956, from 
any other category of funds under the Federal-Aid Road Act approved 
July 11, 1916, as amended and supplemented." 
SEC. 119. DEFINITION OF CONSTRUCTION. 
The definition of the term "construction" in section 1 of the Federal-
Aid Highway Act of 1944 is hereby amended by inserting after "map- 
ss stau ||^«^^^^ 
ping" the following: "(including the establishment of temporary and 
permanent geodetic markers in accordance with specifications of the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey in the Department of Commerce)". 
SEC. 120. ARCHEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL SALVAGE. 
Funds authorized by this title to be appropriated, to the extent 
approved as necessary by the highway department of any State, may 
be used for archeological and paleontological salvage in that State 
in compliance with the Act entitled "An Act for the preservation of 
American antiquities", approved June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225), and 
le use 431-433. 
State laws where applicable. 
SEC. 121. MAPPING. 
In carrying out the provisions of this title the Secretary of Com-
merce may, wherever practicable, authorize the use of photogram-
metric methods in mapping, and the utilization of commercial enter-
prise for such services. 
SEC. 122. RELATIONSHIP OF THIS TITLE TO OTHER ACTS; EFFECTIVE 
DATE. 
All provisions of the Federal-Aid Road Act approved July 11,1916, 
^9 stat^sss. ^^^ 
together with all Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, note; le use 503. 
not inconsistent with this title, shall remain in full force and effect 
and be applicable hereto. All Acts or parts of Acts in any way incon-
sistent with the provisions of this title are hereby repealed. This title 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
TITLE II—HIGHWAY REVENUE ACT OF 
1956 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE FOR TITLE II. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This title may be cited as the "Highway Reve-
nue Act of 1956". 
(b) AMENDMENT OF 1954 CODE.—^Whenever in this title an amend-
ment is expressed in terms of an amendment to a section or other pro-
vision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other 
provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. 
SEC. 202. INCREASE IN TAXES ON DIESEL FUEL AND ON SPECIAL 
MOTOR FUELS. 
(a) DIESEL FUEL.—Subsection (a) of section 4041 (relating to tax 
26'1;ic*4oVi** 
on diesel fuel) is amended by striking out "2 cents a gallon" and in-
388 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 STAT. 
serting in lieu tliereof "3 cents a gallon", and by adding after para-
graph (2) the following: 
"In the case of a liquid taxable under this subsection sold for use or 
used as a fuel in a diesel-powered highway vehicle (A) which (at the 
time of such sale or use) is not registered, and is not required to be reg-
istered, for highway use under the laws of any State or foreign 
country, or (B) which, in the case of a diesel-powered highway vehicle 
owned by the United States, is not used on the highway, the tax im-
posed by paragraph (1) or by paragraph (2) shall be 2 cents a gallon 
in lieu of 3 cents a gallon. 
If a liquid on which tax was imposed by 
paragraph (1) at the rate of 2 cents a gallon by reason of the preceding 
sentence is used as a fuel in a diesel-powered highway vehicle (A) 
which (at the time of such use) is registered, or is required to be 
registered, for highway use under the laws of any State or foreign 
country, or (B) which, in the case of a diesel-powered highway vehicle 
owned by the United States, is used on the highway, a tax of 1 cent 
a gallon shall be imposed under paragraph (2)." 
(b) SPECIAL MOTOR FUELS.—Subsection (b) of section 4041 (relat-
ing to special motor fuels) is amended by striking out "2 cents a 
gallon" and inserting in lieu thereof "3 cents a gallon", and by adding 
after paragraph (2) the following: 
"In the case of a liquid taxable under this subsection sold for use or 
used otherwise than as a fuel for the propulsion of a highway vehicle 
(A) which (at the time of such sale or use) is registered, or is required 
to be registered, for highway use under the laws of any State or 
foreign country, or (B) which, in the case of a highway vehicle owned 
by the United States, is used on the highway, the tax imposed by 
paragraph (1) or by paragraph (2) shall be 2 cents a gallon in lieu 
of 3 cents a gallon. 
If a liquid on which tax was imposed by para-
graph (1) at the rate of 2 cents a gallon by reason of the preceding 
sentence is used as a fuel for the propulsion of a highway vehicle (A) 
which (at the time of such use) is registered, or is required to be 
registered, for highway use under the laws of any State or foreign 
country, or (B) which, in the case of a highway vehicle owned by the 
United States, is used on the highway, a tax of 1 cent a gallon shall be 
imposed under paragraph (2)." 
(c) RATE REDUCTION.—Subsection (c) of section 4041 (relating to 
rate reduction) is amended to read as follows: 
"(c) RATE REDUCTION.—On and after July 1, 1972— 
"(1) the taxes imposed by this section shall be ll^ cents a gal-
lon; and 
"(2) the second and third sentences of subsections (a) and (b) 
shall not apply." 
SEC. 203. INCREASE IN TAX ON TRUCKS, TRUCK TRAILERS, BUSES, 
ETC. 
26^1cr406V* 
^^ much of paragraph (1) of section 4061 (a) (relating to tax 
on trucks, truck trailers, buses, etc.) as precedes "Automobile truck 
chassis" is amended to read as follows: 
"(1) Articles taxable at 10 percent, except that on and after 
July 1,1972, the rate shall be 5 percent—". 
SEC. 2«4. INCREASE IN TAXES ON TIRES OF THE TYPE USED ON 
HIGHWAY VEHICLES; TAX ON TREAD RUBBER, ETC. 
fl'^icf^io'n^ 
(^) I ^ GENERAL.—Section 4071 (relating to tax on tires and tubes) 
is amended to read as follows: 
-SEC. 4071. IMPOSITION OF TAX. 
"(a) IMPOSITION AND RATE OF TAX.—There is hereby imposed upon 
the following articles, if wholly or in part of rubber, sold by the 
manufacturer, producer, or importer, a tax at the following rates: 
70 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
" (1) Tires of the type used on highway vehicles, 8 cents a pound. 
" (2) Other tires, 5 cents a pound. 
" ^3) Inner tubes for tires, 9 cents a pound. 
" (4) Tread rubber, 3 cents a pound. 
"(b) DETERMINATION OF WEIGHT.—For purposes of this section, 
weight shall be based on total weight, except that in the case of tires 
such total weight shall be exclusive of metal rims or rim bases. 
Total 
weight of the articles shall be determined under regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary or his delegate. 
" (c) RATE REDUCTION.—On and after July 1,1972— 
"(1) the tax imposed by paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall 
be 5 cents a pound; and 
"(2) paragraph (4) of subsection (a) shall not apply." 
(b) TREAD RUBBER DEFINED.—Section 4072 (defining the term 
26^scf*407¥* 
"rubber") is amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 4072. DEFINITIONS. 
"(a) RUBBER.—For purposes of this chapter, the term 'rubber' in-
cludes synthetic and substitute rubber. 
"(b) TREAD RUBBER.—For purposes of this chapter, the term 'tread 
rubber' means any material— 
" (1) which is commonly or commercially known as tread rubber 
or camelback; or 
" (2) which is a substitute for a material described in paragraph 
(1) and is of a type used in recapping or retreading tires. 
"(c) TIRES or THE TYPE USED ON HIGHWAY VEHICLES.—For pur-
poses of this part, the term 'tires of the type used on highway vehicles' 
means tires of the type used on— 
"(1) motor vehicles which are highway vehicles, or 
" (2) vehicles of the type used in connection with motor vehicles 
which are highway vehicles." 
(c) 
EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN TREAD RUBBER FROM TAX.—Section 
4073 (relating to exemptions) is amended by adding at the end thereof 
^^ "^^ ^^3* 
the following new subsection: 
"(c) 
EXEMPTION FROM TAX ON TREAD RUBBER IN CERTAIN CASES.— 
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary or his delegate, the tax 
imposed by section 4071 (a) (4) shall not apply to tread rubber sold 
by the manufacturer, producer, or importer, to any person for use by 
such person otherwise than in the recapping or retreading of tires of 
the type used on highway vehicles." 
(d) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for part I I of 
subchapter A of chapter 32 is amended by striking out 
"Sec. 4072. Definition of rubber." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"Sec. 4072. Definitions." 
SEC. 205. INCREASE IN TAX ON GASOLINE. 
Section 4081 (relating to tax on gasoline) is amended to read as 
^e use 408i. 
follows: 
"SEC. 4081. IMPOSITION OF TAX. 
"(a) I N GENERAL.—There is hereby imposed on gasoline sold by 
the producer or importer thereof, or by any producer of gasoline, a 
tax of 3 cents a gallon. 
"(b) RATE REDUCTION.—On and after July 1,1972, the tax imposed 
by this section shall be IV2 cents a gallon." 
SEC. 206. TAX ON USE OF CERTAIN VEHICLES. 
(a) IMPOSITION OF TAX.—Chapter 36 (relating to certain other ex- 
l%^rfi^^ l^Ii 1 
cise taxes) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new 4474. 
subchapter: 
390 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 S T A T . 
"Subchapter D—Tax on Use of Certain Vehicles 
"Sec. 4481. Imposition of tax. 
"Sec. 4482. Definitions. 
"Sec. 4483. Exemptions. 
"Sec. 4484. Cross reference. 
"SEC. 4481. IMPOSITION OF TAX. 
"(a) IMPOSITION OF TAX.—A tax is hereby imposed on the use of 
any highway motor vehicle which (together with the semitrailers 
and trailers customarily used in connection with highway motor 
vehicles of the same type as such highway motor vehicle) has a tax-
able gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds, at the rate of $1.50 a 
year for each 1,000 pounds of taxable gross weight or fraction thereof. 
"(b) B Y WHOM PAID,—The tax imposed by this section shall be 
'' 
' 
paid by the person in whose name the highway motor vehicle is, or 
is required to be, registered under the law of the State in which such 
vehicle is, or is required to be, registered, or, in case the highway 
motor vehicle is owned by the United States, by the agency or 
instrumentality of the United States operating such vehicle. 
"(c) PRORATION OF TAX.—If in any year the first use of the highway 
motor vehicle is after July 31, the tax shall be reckoned proportion-
ately from the first day of the month in which such use occurs to and 
including the 30th day of June following. 
"(d) ONE PAYMENT PER YEAR.—If the tax imposed by this sec-
tion is paid with respect to any highway motor vehicle for any year, 
no further tax shall be imposed by this section for such year with 
respect to such vehicle. 
"(e) PERIOD TAX IN EFFECT.—The tax imposed by this section shall 
apply only to use after June 30,1956, and before July 1,1972. 
"SEC. 4482. DEFINITIONS. 
"(a) HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE.—For purposes of this subchapter, 
the term 'highway motor vehicle' means any motor vehicle which is 
a highway vehicle. 
"(b) TAXABLE GROSS WEIGHT.—For purposes of this subchapter, 
the term 'taxable gross weight', when used with respect to any high-
way motor vehicle, means the sum of— 
"(1) the actual unloaded weight of— 
"(A) such highway motor vehicle fully equipped for 
service, and 
"(B) the semitrailers and trailers (fully equipped for 
' 
service) customarily used in connection with highway motor 
vehicles of the same type as such highway motor vehicle, and 
"(2) the weight of the maximum load customarily carried on 
highway motor vehicles of the same type as such highway motor 
vehicle and on the semitrailers and trailers referred to in para-
graph ( 1 ) ( B ) . 
Taxable gross weight shall be determined under regulations prescribed 
I80*. o 
by the Secretary or his delegate (which regulations may include 
formulas or other methods for determining the taxable gross weight 
of vehicles by classes, specifications, or otherwise). 
"(c) OTHER DEFINITIONS,—For purposes of this subchapter— 
"(1) STATE.—The term 'State' means a State, a Territory of 
the United States, and the District of Columbia. 
"(2) YEAR.—The term'year'means the one-year period begin-
ning on July 1, 
" (3) USE.—The term 'use' means use in the United States on the 
public highways. 
. i> f
-
. o ' 
.t-?*'^ Xfi 
70 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
391 
"SEC. 4483. EXEMPTIONS. 
" (a) 
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL EXEMPTION.—^Under regula-
tions prescribed by the Secretary or his delegate, no tax shall be im-
posed by section 4481 on the use of any highway motor vehicle by any 
State or any political subdivision of a State. 
"(b) EXEMPTION FOR UNITED STATES.—The Secretary may author-
ize exemption from the tax imposed h^ section 4481 as to the use by 
the United States of any particular highway motor vehicle, or class 
of highway motor vehicles, if he determines that the imposition of such 
tax with respect to such use will cause substantial burden or expense 
which can be avoided by granting tax exemption and that full benefit 
of such exemption, if granted, will accrue to the United States. 
"(c) CERTAIN TRANSIT-TYPE BUSES.—Under regulations prescribed 
by the Secretary or his delegate, no tax shall be imposed by section 
4481 on the use of any bus which is of the transit type (rather than 
of the intercity type) by a person who, for the last 3 months of the 
preceding year (or for such other period as the Secretary or his dele-
gate may by regulations prescribe for purposes of this subsection), 
met the 60-percent passenger fare revenue test set forth in section 
6421 (b) (2) as applied to the period prescribed for purposes of this 
subsection. 
"SEC. 44S4. CROSS REFERENCE. 
"For penalties and administrative provisions applicable to this 
subchapter, see subtitle F." 
(b) MODE AND TIME OF COLLECTION OF TAX.—Section 6302 (b) (re- 
ll^sPc^iot 
lating to discretion as to method of collecting tax) is amended by 
inserting "section 4481 of chapter 36," after "33,". 
(c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of subchapters for chapter 
36 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: 
"Subchapter D. Tax on use of certain vehicles." 
SEC. 207. FLOOR STOCKS TAXES. 
(a) IMPOSITION OF TAXES.—Subchapter F of chapter 32 (special pro- 
j^g'^xfs^c t^i'i 
visions applicable to manufacturers excise taxes) is amended by re- 4226. 
numbering section 4226 as 4227 and by inserting after section 4225 the 
following new section: 
"SEC. 4226. FLOOR STOCKS TAXES. 
"(a) 
I N GENERAL,— 
" ( 1 ) 1956 TAX ON TRUCKS, TRUCK TRAILERS, BUSES, ETC.—Oil a n y 
article subject to tax under section 4061 (a) (1) (relating to tax 
^^nte, p. 388. 
on trucks, truck trailers, buses, etc.) which, on July 1,1956, is held 
by a dealer for sale, there is hereby imposed a floor stocks tax at 
the rate of 2 percent of the price for which the article was pur-
chased by such dealer. 
If the price for which the article was sold 
by the manufacturer, producer, or importer is established to the 
satisfaction of the Secretary or his delegate, then in lieu of the 
amount specified in the preceding sentence, the tax imposed by this 
paragraph shall be at the rate of 2 percent of the price for which 
the article was sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer. 
"(2) 1956 T
A
X ON TIRES OF THE TYPE USED O
N HIGHWAY VE-
HICLES.—On tires subject to tax under section 4071 (a) (1) (as 
Ante, p. 388. 
amended by the Highway Revenue Act of 1956) which, on July 
1, 1956, are held— 
"(A) by a dealer for sale, 
"(B) for sale on, or in connection with, other articles held 
by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of such other 
articles, or 
392 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 STAT. 
"(C) for use in the manufacture or production of other 
articles, 
there is hereby imposed a floor stocks tax at the rate of 3 cents 
a pound. 
The tax imposed by this paragraph shall not apply to 
any tire which is held for sale by the manufacturer, producer, or 
4
2
^
1
9 "^^ 42 18, 
importer of such tire or which will be subject under section 4218 
(a) (2) or 4219 to the manufacturers excise tax on tires. 
"(3) 1956 TAX O
N TREAD RUBBER.—On tread rubber subject to 
Ante, p. 389. 
tax uuder section 4071 (a) (4) (as amended by the Highway 
' 
Revenue Act of 1956) which, on July 1,1956, is held by a dealer, 
there is hereby imposed a floor stocks tax at the rate of 3 cents 
a pound. 
The tax imposed by this paragraph shall not apply 
in the case of any person if such person establishes, to the satis-
faction of the Secretary or his delegate, that all tread rubber 
held by him on July 1, 1956, will be used otherwise than in the 
recapping or retreading of tires of the type used on highway 
Ante, p. 389. 
vehicles (as defined in section 4072 (c)). 
"(4) 1956 T
A
X ON GASOLINE.—On gasoliue subject to tax under 
Antti, p. 389. 
section 4081 which, on July 1, 1956, is held by a dealer for sale, 
there is hereby imposed a floor stocks tax at the rate of 1 cent a 
gallon. The tax imposed by this paragraph shall not apply to 
gasoline in retail stocks held at the place where intended to be 
sold at retail, nor to gasoline held for sale by a producer or im-
porter of gasoline. 
Po«t, p. 393. 
«^^^ OVERPAYMENT OF FIJOOR STOCKS TAXES.—Section 6416 shall 
>
g '... 
apply in respect of the floor stocks taxes imposed by this section, so as 
to entitle, subject to all provisions of section 6416, any person paying 
such floor stocks taxes to a credit or refund thereof for any of the rea-
sons specified in section 6416. 
"(c) MEANING OF TERMS.—For purposes of subsection (a), the 
terms 'dealer' and 'held by a dealer' have the meaning assigned to them 
Intra. 
by sectiou 6412 (a) (3). 
"(d) DUE DATE OF TAXES.—The taxes imposed by subsection (a) 
shall be paid at such time after September 30, 1956, as may be pre-
scribed by the Secretary or his delegate." 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for subchapter 
F of chapter 32 is amended by striking out 
"Sec. 4226. Cross references." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"Sec. 4226. Floor stocks taxes. 
"Sec. 4227. Cross references." 
SEC. 208. CREDIT OR REFUND OF TAX. 
26 use 6412. 
(a) FLOOR STOCKS KEFUNDS.—So much of section 6412 (relating 
to floor stocks refunds) as precedes subsection (d) is amended to read 
as follows: 
"SEC. 6412. FLOOR STOCKS REFUNDS. 
"(a) I N GENERAL.— 
" (1) PASSENGER AUTOMOBILES, ETC.—^Where before April 1,1957, 
26 use 4061. 
any article subject to the tax imposed by section 4061 (a) (2) 
has been sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer and on 
such date is held by a dealer and has not been used and is intended 
for sale, there shall be credited or refunded (without interest) to 
the manufacturer, producer, or importer an amount equal to the 
difference between the tax paid by such manufacturer, producer, 
or importer on his sale of the article and the amount of tax made 
applicable to such article on and after April 1, 1957, if claim for 
such credit or refund is filed with the Secretary or his delegate 
on or before August 10, 1957, based upon a request submitted to 
70 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
^^^ 
the manufacturer, producer, or importer before July 1, 1957, by 
the dealer who held the article in respect of which the credit or 
refund is claimed, and, on or before August 10, 1957, reimburse-
ment has been made to such dealer by such manufacturer, pro-
ducer, or importer for the tax reduction on such article or written 
consent has been obtained from such dealer to allowance of such 
credit or refund. 
"(2) TRUCKS AND BUSES, TIRES, TREAD RUBBER, AND GASOLINE.— 
Where before July 1, 1972, any article subject to the tax imposed 3-^" *•' PP* ^*^' 
by section 4061 (a) (1), 4071 (a) (1) or (4), or 4081 has been 
sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer and on such date 
is held by a dealer and has not been used and is intended for sale 
(or, in the case of tread rubber, is intended for sale or is held for 
use), there shall be credited or refunded (without interest) to the 
manufacturer, producer, or importer an amount equal to the dif-
ference between the tax paid by such manufacturer, producer, or 
importer on his sale of the article and the amount of tax made 
applicable to such article on and after July 1, 1972, if claim for 
such credit or refund is filed with the Secretary or his delegate 
on or before November 10, 1972, based upon a request submitted 
to the manufacturer, producer, or importer before October 1, 
1972, by the dealer who held the article in respect of which the 
credit or refund is claimed, and, on or before November 10, 1972, 
reimbursement has been made to such dealer by such manufac-
turer, producer, or importer for the tax reduction on such article 
or written consent has been obtained from such dealer to allow-
ance of such credit or refund. 
No credit or refund shall be allow-
able under this paragraph with respect to gasoline in retail stocks 
held at the place where intended to be sold at retail, nor with 
respect to gasoline held for sale by a producer or importer of 
gasoline. 
"(3) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section— 
"(A) The term 'dealer' includes a wholesaler, jobber, dis-
tributor, or retailer, or, in the case of tread rubber subject to 
tax under section 4071 (a) (4), includes any person (other 
Ante, p, 389. 
than the manufacturer, producer, or importer thereof) who 
holds such tread rubber for sale or use. 
"(B) An article shall be considered as 'held by a dealer' 
if title thereto has passed to such dealer (whether or not 
delivery to him has been made), and if for purposes of con-
sumption title to such article or possession thereof has not at 
any time been transferred to any person other than a dealer. 
" (b) LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY FOR CREDIT OR REFUND.—No manu-
facturer, producer, or importer shall be entitled to credit or refund 
under subsection (a) unless he has in his possession such evidence of 
the inventories with respect to which the credit or refund is claimed 
as may be required by regulations prescribed under this section. 
"(c) OTHER LAWS APPLICABLE.—All provisions of law, including 
penalties, applicable in respect of the taxes imposed by sections 4061, 
4071, and 4081 shall, insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with 
Ante, PP. ass, 
subsections (a) and (b) of this section, apply in respect of the credits ^* ' 
and refunds provided for in subsection (a) to the same extent as if 
such credits or refunds constituted overpayments of such taxes." 
(b) SPECIAL CASES.—Section 6416 (b) (2) (special cases in which 
^ ' • ' P* ^ ' 
tax payments considered overpayments) is amended by striking out 
the period at the end of subparagraph (I) and inserting in lieu thereof 
a semicolon, and by adding at the end thereof the following: 
" ( J ) In the case of a liquid in respect of which tax was 
^'«' P* 3*^* 
paid under section 4041 (a) (1) at the rate of 3 cents a gal-
394 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 STAT. 
Ion, used or resold for use as a fuel in a diesel-powered high-
way vehicle (i) which (at the time of such use or resale) is not 
registered, and is not required to be registered, for highway 
use under the laws of any State or foreign country, or (ii) 
which, in the case of a diesel-powered highway vehicle owned 
by the United States, is not used on the highway; except that 
the amount of any overpayment by reason of this subpara-
graph shall not exceed an amount computed at the rate of 1 
cent a gallon; 
"(K) 
In the case of a liquid in respect of which tax was 
Ante, p. 388. 
pai(j under section 4041 (b) (1) at the rate of 3 cents a gal-
lon, used or resold for use otherwise than as a fuel for the 
propulsion of a highway vehicle (i) which (at the time of 
such use or resale) is registered, or is required to be regis-
tered, for highway use under the laws of any State or foreign 
country, or (ii) which, in the case of a highway vehicle owned 
by the United States, is used on the highway; except that 
the amount of any overpayment by reason of this subpara-
graph shall not exceed an amount computed at the rate of 
1 cent a gallon; 
"(L) In the case of a liquid in respect of which tax was 
Ante, p. 387. 
paid under section 4041 at the rate of 3 cents a gallon, used 
during any calendar quarter in vehicles while engaged in fur-
nishing scheduled common carrier public passenger land 
transportation service along regular routes; except that (i) 
this subparagraph shall apply only if the 60 percent passen-
'"fra- 
ger fare revenue test set forth in section 6421 (b) (2) is met 
with respect to such quarter, and (ii) the amount of such 
overpayment for such quarter shall be an amount determined 
by multiplying 1 cent for each gallon of liquid so used by the 
percentage which such person's tax-exempt passenger fare 
revenue (as defined in section 6421 (d) (2)) derived from such 
scheduled service during such quarter was of his total passen-
ger fare revenue (not including the tax imposed by section 
4261, relating to the tax on transportation of persons) derived 
from such scheduled service during such quarter; 
"(M) In the case of tread rubber in respect of which tax 
Ante, p. 389. 
^^g paid uuder section 4071 (a) (4), used or resold for use 
otherwise than in the recapping or retreading of tires of the 
Ante, p. 389. 
type used on highway vehicles (as defined in section 4072 
(c)), unless credit or refund of such tax is allowable under 
subsection (b) (3)." 
(c) PAYMENTS TO ITLTIMATE PURCHASERS.—Subchapter B of chapter 
2 6'^ifs°c 6 4^11- ^^ (relating to rules of special application for abatements, credits, and 
6420. 
refunds) is amended by renumbering section 6421 as 6422 and by in-
Ante, p. 87. 
sertiug after section 6420 the following new section: 
"SEC. 6421. GASOLINE USED FOR CERTAIN NONHIGHWAY PURPOSES 
OR BY LOCAL TRANSIT SYSTEMS. 
"(a) NoNHiGHWAY ITsES.—If gasoline is used otherwise than as a 
fuel in a highway vehicle (1) which (at the time of such use) is reg-
istered, or is required to be registered, for highway use under the laws 
of any State or foreign country, or (2) which, in the case of a high-
way vehicle owned by the United States, is used on the highway, the 
Secretary or his delegate shall pay (without interest) to the ultimate 
purchaser of such gasoline an amount equal to 1 cent for each gallon 
of gasoline so used. 
"(b) 
LOCAL TRANSIT SYSTEMS.— 
" (1) ALLOWANCE.—If gasoline is used during any calendar quar-
ter in vehicles while engaged in furnishing scheduled common 
70 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
395 
carrier public passenger land transi^ortation service along regu-
lar routes, the Secretary or his delegate shall, subject to the pro-
visions of paragraph (2), pay (without interest) to the ultimate 
purchaser of such gasoline the amount determined by multiply-
ing— 
" (A) 1 cent for each gallon of gasoline so used, by 
"(B) the percentage which the ultimate purchaser's tax-
exempt passenger fare revenue derived from such scheduled 
service during such quarter was of his total passenger fare 
revenue (not including the tax imposed by section 4261, 
26'uscf*426°i^* 
relating to the tax on transportation of persons) derived from 
such scheduled service during such quarter. 
"(2) LIMITATION.—Paragraph (1) shall apply in resi^ect of 
gasoline used during any calendar quarter only if at least 60 per-
cent of the total passenger fare revenue (not including the tax 
imposed by section 4261, relating to the tax on transportation of 
persons) derived during such quarter from scheduled service 
described in paragraph (1) by the person filing the claim was at-
tributable to tax-exempt passenger fare revenue derived during 
such quarter by such person from such scheduled service. 
"(c) TIME FOR FILING CLAIM ; PERIOD COVERED.—Not more than one 
claim may be filed under subsection (a), and not more than one claim 
may be filed under subsection (b), by any person with respect to 
gasoline used during the one-year period ending on June 30 of any 
year. No claim shall be allowed under this section with respect to any 
one-year period unless filed on or before September 30 of the year 
in which such one-year period ends. 
"(d) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section— 
"(1) GASOLINE.—The term 'gasoline' has the meaning given to 
such term by section 4082 (b). 
Ellric 4o s"* 
"(2) TAX-EXEMPT PASSENGER FARE REVENUE.—The term 'tax-
exempt passenger fare revenue' means revenue attributable 
to fares which were exempt from the tax imposed by section 4261 
by reason of section 4262 (b) (relating to the exemption for com- 
2
^
6 use 42 e 1, 
mutation travel, etc.). 
"(e) 
E X E M P T SALES; O T H E R PAYMENTS OR REFUNDS AVAILABLE.— 
"(1) EXEMPT SALES.—No amount shall be paid under this sec-
tion with respect to any gasoline which the Secretary or his dele-
gate determines was exempt from the tax imposed by section 4081. 
Ante, p. 389. 
The amount which (but for this sentence) would be payable under 
this section with respect to any gasoline shall be reduced by any 
other amount which the Secretary or his delegate determines is 
payable under this section, or is refundable under anj provision 
of this title, to any person with respect to such gasoline. 
"(2) GASOLINE USED ON FARMS.—This section shall not apply 
in respect of gasoline which was (within the meaning of para-
graphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 6420 (c)) used on a farm for 
Ante. p. 87. 
farming purposes. 
"(f) APPLICABLE LAWS.— 
"(1) I N GENERAL.—All provisions of law, including penalties, 
applicable in respect of the tax imposed by section 4081 shall, 
insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with this section, apply 
in respect of the payments provided for in this section to the same 
extent as if such payments constituted refunds of overpayments 
of the tax so imposed. 
"(2) EXAMINATION OF BOOKS AND WITNESSES.—For the purpose 
of ascertaining the correctness of any claim made under this sec-
tion, or the correctness of any payment made in respect of any 
such claim, the Secretary or his delegate shall have the authority 
Ante, p. 389. 
396 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 STAT. 
26ljlc*76o°l* 
granted by i)aragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 7602 (relat-
ing to examination of books and witnesses) as if the claimant 
were the person liable for tax. 
"(g) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary or his delegate may b^^ regula-
tions prescribe the conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of 
this section, under which payments may be made under this section. 
"(h) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall apply only with respect 
to gasoline purchased after June 30,1956, and before July 1, 1972. 
''(i) CROSS REFERENCES.— 
~ V 
"(1) For reduced rate of tax in case of diesel fuel and special 
motor fuels used for certain nonhighway purposes, see subsections 
(a) and (b) of section 4041. 
'Ui. fy 
"(2) For partial refund of tax in case of diesel fuel and special 
„. 
motor fuels used for certain nonhighway purposes, see section 
^ 
6416 (b) (2) (J) and (K). 
"(3) For partial refund of tax in case of diesel fuel and special 
motor fuels used by local transit systems, see section 6416 (b) 
(2) (L). 
"(4) For civil penalty for excessive claims under this section, 
' 
see section 6675. 
"(5) For fraud penalties, etc., see chapter 75 (section 7201 
and following, relating to crimes, other offenses, and for-
feitures)." 
.. ^j .,'., 
(d) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
"*"'*' P
* ^°' 
(1) Section 6206 (relating to special rules applicable to exces-
sive claims) is amended— 
(A) by striking out "SECTION 6420'* in the heading and 
inserting in lieu thereof "SECTIONS 6420 AND 6421**; 
(B) by inserting after "6420" in the first sentence thereof 
"or 6421"; and 
(C) by inserting after "6420" in the second sentence thereof 
"or 6421, as the case may be". 
Ante, p. 90. 
^2) Section 6675 (relating to excessive claims for gasoline used 
on farms) is amended— 
V 
., 
(A) by striking out "FOR GASOLINE USED ON 
'
^ 
FARMS" in the heading and inserting in lieu thereof "WITH 
RESPECT 
TO 
THE 
USE 
OF 
CERTAIN 
GASOLINE**; 
(B) by inserting after "6420 (relating to gasoline used on 
farms)" in subsection (a) thereof "or 6421 (relating to gaso-
line used for certain nonhighway purposes or by local transit 
systems)"; and 
(C) by inserting after "6420" in subsection (b) thereof "or 
6421, as the case may be,". 
(3) Section 7210 (relating to failure to obey summons) is 
amended by inserting after "sections 6420 (e) (2), the following: 
"6421 (f) (2),". 
^*«' P
* ^^' 
(4) Section 7603 (relating to service of summons) and 7604 
(relating to enforcement of summons) and the first sentence of 
section 7605 (relating to time and place of examination) are each 
amended by inserting after "section 6420 (e) (2)" wherever it 
appears a comma and the following: "6421(f) (2),". 
The second 
sentence of section 7605 is amended by inserting after "section 
6420 (e) (2)" the following: "or 6421 (f) (2)". 
(e) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
^*®' p* ^°' 
(1) Section 4084 is amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 4084. CROSS REFERENCES. 
"(1) For provisions to relieve farmers from excise tax in the 
case of gasoline used on the farm for farming purposes, see 
section 6420. 
"(2) For provisions to relieve purchasers of gasoline from excise 
tax in the case of gasoline used for certain nonhighway purposes or 
by local transit systems, see section 6421." 
Ante, p. 91. 
70 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
8d7 
(2) T h e table of sections for subpart A of p a r t I I I of sub- 
Ante, p. 90. 
chapter A of chapter 32 is amended by striking out 
"Sec. 4084. Relief of farmers from tax in case of gasoline used on 
the farm." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"Sec. 4084. Cross references." 
(3) The table of sections for subchapter A of chapter 63 is 
Ante. p. 91. 
amended by striking out 
"Sec. 6206. Special rules applicable to excessive claims under sec-
tion 6420." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"Sec. 6206. Special rules applicable to excessive claims under sec-
tions 6420 and 6421." 
(4) The table of sections for subchapter B of chapter 65 is 
Ante. p. 91. 
amended by striking out 
"Sec. 6421. Cross references." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"Sec. 6421. Gasoline used for certain nonhighway purposes or by 
local transit systems. 
"Sec. 6422. Cross references." 
(5) Section 6504 is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
^^^' 
P- ^i* 
following: 
"(14) Assessments to recover excessive amounts paid under sec-
tion 6421 (relating to gasoline used for certain nonhighway purposes 
or by local transit systems) and assessments of civil penalties under 
section 6675 for excessive claims under section 6421, see section 
6206." 
(6) Section 6511 (f) is amended by adding at the end thereof 
^*«^ P* ^^* 
the following: 
"(6) For limitations in case of payments under section 6421 
(relating to gasoline used for certain nonhighway purposes or by 
local transit systems), see section 6421 (c)." 
(7) Section 6612 (c) is amended by striking out "and" before 
'*"'•' P* ^i* 
"6420" and by inserting before the period at the end thereof the 
following: ", and 6421 (relating to payments in the case of gasoline used 
for certain nonhighway purposes or by local transit systems)". 
(8) The table of sections for subchapter B of chapter 68 is 
Ante. p. 91. 
amended by striking out 
"Sec. 6675. Excessive claims for gasoline used on farms." 
and inserting in lieu thereof 
"Sec. 6675. Excessive claims with respect to the use of certain 
gasoline." 
SEC. 209. HIGHWAY TRUST FUND. 
(a) CREATION OF TRUST F U N D . — T h e r e is hereby established in the 
Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the "High-
way Trust F u n d " 
(hereinafter in this section called the "Trust 
F u n d " ) . 
The Trust F u n d shall consist of such amounts as may be 
appropriated or credited to the Trust F u n d as provided in this section. 
(b) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—It is hereby declared to be the policy 
of the Congress that if it hereafter appears— 
(1) that the total receipts of the Trust F u n d (exclusive of 
advances under subsection ( d ) ) will be less than the total ex-
penditures from such F u n d (exclusive of repayments of such 
advances); or 
398 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 ST A T . 
a*: .a 
Ante, pp. 
Ante, p« 
89, 387. 
389. 
Ante, p. 388. 
Ante, p. 389. 
Ante, p. 390. 
Ante, p. 391. 
i4nte, pp. 
Ante, p. 
Ante, p. 
Ante, p. 
y4nte, p. 
, 89, 387. 
389. 
388. 
389. 
390. 
f?n 
(2) that the distribution of the tax burden among the various 
classes of persons using the Federal-aid highways, or otherwise 
deriving benefits from such highways, is not equitable, 
the Congress shall enact legislation in order to bring about a balance 
of total receipts and total expenditures, or such equitable distribu-
tion, as the case may be. 
(c) TRANSFER TO TRUST FUND OF AMOUNTS EQUIVALENT TO CERTAIN 
TAXES.— 
(1) I N GENERAL.^-There is hereby appropriated to the Trust 
Fund, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, amounts equivalent to the following percentages of the 
taxes received in the Treasury before July 1, 1972, under the 
following provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or 
under the corresponding provisions of prior revenue laws) — 
(A) 100 percent of the taxes received after June 30, 1956, 
under sections 4041 (taxes on diesel fuel and special motor 
fuels), 4071 (a) (4) (tax on tread rubber), and 4081 (tax on 
gasoline); 
(B) 20 percent of the tax received after June 30, 1956, and 
before July 1,1957, under section 4061 (a) (1) (tax on trucks, 
buses, etc.); 
(C) 50 percent of the tax received after June 30, 1957, 
under section 4061 (a) (1) (tax on trucks, buses, etc.); 
(D) 3714 percent of the tax received after June 30, 1956, 
and before July 1, 1957, under section 4071 (a) (1) (tax on 
tires of the type used on highway vehicles); 
(E) 100 percent of the taxes received after June 30, 1957, 
under section 4071 (a) (1), (2), and (3) (taxes on tires of the 
type used on highway vehicles, other tires, and inner tubes); 
, 
(F) 100 percent of the tax received under section 4481 (tax 
on use of certain vehicles) ; and 
(G) 100 percent of the floor stocks taxes imposed by section 
4226 (a). 
In the case of any tax described in subparagraph ^A), (B), or 
(D), amounts received during the fiscal year ending June 30, 
1957, shall be taken into account only to the extent attributable 
to liability for tax incurred after June 30,1956. 
(2) 
LIABILITIES INCURRED BEFORE JULY 1, 1972, FOR NEW OR IN-
CREASED TAXES.—There is hereby appropriated to the Trust Fund, 
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, 
amounts equivalent to the following percentages of the taxes 
which are received in the Treasury after June 30,1972, and before 
July 1, 1973, and which are attributable to liability for tax in-
curred before July 1, 1972, under the following provisions of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954— 
(A) 100 percent of the taxes under sections 4041 (taxes on 
diesel fuel and special motor fuels), 4071 (a) (4) (tax on 
tread rubber), and 4081 (tax on gasoline); 
(B) 20 percent of the tax under section 4061 (a) (1) (tax 
on trucks, buses, etc.) ; 
(C) 3714 percent of the tax under section 4071 (a) (1) 
(tax on tires of the type used on highway vehicles); and 
(D) 100 percent of the tax under section 4481 (tax on use 
of certain vehicles). 
(3) METHOD OF TRANSFER.—The amounts appropriated by para-
graphs (1) and (2) shall be transferred at least monthly from the 
general fund of the Treasury to the Trust Fund on the basis of 
estimates by the Secretary of the Treasury of the amounts, re-
ferred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), received in the Treasury. 
|::i 
70 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
399 
Proper adjustments shall be made in the amounts subsequently 
transferred to the extent prior estimates Avere in excess of or less 
than the amounts required to be transferred. 
(d) ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO TRUST FUND.—There are hereby 
authorized to be appropriated to the Trust Fund, as repayable ad-
A^ances, such additional sums as may be required to make the expendi-
tures referred to in subsection (f). 
(e) MANAGEMENT OF TRUST FUND.— 
(1) I N GENERAL.—It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the „,^*P°'"* *° ^ ° " -
Treasury to hold the Trust Fund, and (after consultation with 
the Secretary of Commerce) to report to the Congress not later 
than the first day of March of each year on the financial condition 
and the results of the operations of the Trust Fund during the 
preceding fiscal year and on its expected condition and operations 
during each fiscal year thereafter up to and including the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1973. Such report shall be printed as a 
House document of the session of the Congress to which the report 
is made. 
(2) INVESTMENT.—It shall be the duty of the Secretary of 
the Treasury to invest such portion of the Trust Fund as is not, 
in his judgment, required to meet current withdrawals. 
Such 
investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of 
the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal 
and interest by the United States. For such purpose such ob-
ligations may be acquired (A) on original issue at par, or (B) 
by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price. The 
purposes for which obligations of the United States may be 
issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act, as amended, are 40 stat. 288. 
hereby extended to authorize the issuance at par of special obliga-
tions exclusively to the Trust Fund. 
Such special obligations 
shall bear interest at a rate equal to the average rate of interest, 
computed as to the end of the calendar month next preceding 
the date of such issue, borne by all marketable interest-bearing 
obligations of the United States then forming a part of the Pub-
lic Debt; except that where such average rate is not a multiple 
of one-eighth of 1 percent, the rate of interest of such special 
obligations shall be the multiple of one-eighth of 1 percent next 
lower than such average rate. 
Such special obligations shall be 
issued only if the Secretary of the Treasury determines that the 
purchase of other interest-bearing obligations of the United 
States, or of obligations guaranteed as to both principal and in-
terest by the United States on original issue or at the market 
price, is not in the public interest. 
Advances to the Trust Fund 
pursuant to subsection (d) shall not be invested. 
(3) SALE OF OBLIGATIONS.—Any obligation acquired by the 
Trust Fund (except special obligations issued exclusively to the 
Trust Fund) may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the 
market price, and such special obligations may be redeemed at 
par plus accrued interest. 
(4) INTEREST AND CERTAIN PROCEEDS.—The interest on, and the 
proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in 
the Trust Fund shall be credited to and form a part of the Trust 
Fund. 
(f) EXPENDITURES FROM TRUST FUND.— 
(1) FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY PROGRAM.—Amounts in the Trust 
Fund shall be available, as provided by appropriation Acts, for 
making expenditures after June 30,1956, and before July 1,1972, 
to meet those obligations of the United States heretofore or here-
after incurred under the Federal-Aid Road Act approved July 
31 u s e 774. 
400 
PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 ST 
A T . 
39 Stat. 35 5. 
23 u s e 48 and 
note; 16 USC 503. 
Ante, p . 87. 
Ante, p. 394. 
Ante, p . 393. 
Ante, p . 388. 
Ante, p . 389. 
Ante, p. 389. 
11,1916, as amended and supplemented, which are attributable to 
Federal-aid highways (including those portions of general admin-
istrative expenses of the Bureau of Public Roads payable from 
such appropriations). 
(2) REPAYMENT OF ADVANCES FROM GENERAL FUND.—Advances 
made pursuant to subsection (d) shall be repaid, and interest on 
such advances shall be paid, to the general fund of the Treasury 
when the Secretary of the Treasury determines that moneys are 
available in the Trust Fund for such purposes. 
Such interest 
shall be at rates computed in the same manner as provided in 
subsection (e) (2) for special obligations and shall be compounded 
annually. 
(3) TRANSFERS FROM TRUST FUND FOR GASOLINE USED ON FARMS 
AND F
O
R CERTAIN OTHER PURPOSES.—The Secretary of the Treasury 
shall pay from time to time from the Trust Fund into the general 
fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the amounts paid 
before July 1,1973, under sections 6420 (relating to amounts paid 
in resfvect of gasoline used on farms) and 6421 (relating to 
amounts paid in respect of gasoline used for certain nonhighway 
purposes or by local transit systems) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1954 on the basis of claims filed for periods beginning 
after June 30, 1956, and ending before July 1, 1972. 
(4) FLOOR STOCKS REFUNDS.—The Secretary of the Treasury 
shall pay from time to time from the Trust Fund into the general 
fund of the Treasury amounts equivalent to the following per-
centages of the floor stocks refunds made before July 1, 1973, 
under section 6412 (a) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954— 
(A) 40 percent of the refunds in respect of articles subject 
to the tax imposed by section 4061 (a) (1) of such Code 
(trucks, buses, etc.) ; 
(B) 100 percent of.the refunds in respect of articles sub-
ject to tax under section 4071 (a) (1) or (4) of such Code 
(tires of the type used on highway vehicles and tread rubber); 
and 
(C) 66% percent of the refunds in respect of gasoline 
subject to tax under section 4081 of such Code. 
(g) ADJUSTMENTS OF APPORTIONMENTS.—The Secretary of the 
Treasury shall from time to time, after consultation with the Secre-
tary of Commerce, estimate the amounts which will be available in 
the Highway Trust Fund (excluding repayable advances) to defray 
the expenditures which will be required to be made from such fund. 
In any case in which the Secretary of the Treasury determines that, 
after all other expenditures required to be made from the Highway 
Trust Fund have been defrayed, the amounts which will be available 
in such fund (excluding repayable advances) will be insufficient to 
defray the expenditures which will be required as a result of the ap-
portionment to the States of the amounts authorized to be appropri-
ated for any fiscal year for the construction, reconstruction, or im-
provement of the Interstate System, he shall so advise the Secretary 
of Commerce and shall further advise the Secretary of Commerce as 
to the amount which, after all other expenditures required to be made 
from such fund have been defrayed, will be available in such fund 
(excluding repayable advances) to defray the expenditures required 
as a result of apportionment to the States of Federal-aid higliway 
funds for the Interstate System for such fiscal year. The Secretary 
of Commerce shall determine the percentage which such amount is 
of the amount authorized to be appropriated for such fiscal year for 
the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of the Interstate 
System and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, shall there-
70 S T A T . ] 
PUBLIC LAW 6 2 7 - J U N E 29, 1956 
401 
after apportion to the States for such fiscal year for the construction, 
reconstruction, or improvement of the Interstate System, in lieu of the 
amount which but for the provisions of this subsection would be so 
apportioned, the amount obtained by multiplying the amount author-
ized to be appropriated for such fiscal year by such percentage. When-
ever the Secretary of the Treasury determines that there will be avail-
able in the Highway Trust Fund (excluding repayable advances) 
amounts which, after all other expenditures required to be made from 
such fund have been defrayed, will be available to defray the expendi-
tures required as a result of the apportionment of any Federal-aid 
highway funds for the Interstate System previously withheld from 
apportionment for any fiscal year, he shall so advise the Secretary of 
Commerce and the Secretary of Commerce shall apportion to the 
States such portion of the funds so withheld from apportionment as 
the Secretary of the Treasury has advised him may be so apportioned 
without causing expenditures from the Highway Trust Fund for the 
Interstate System to exceed amounts available in such fund (excluding 
repayable advances) to defray such expenditures. Any funds appor-
tioned pursuant to the provisions of the preceding sentence shall re-
main available for expenditure until the close of the third fiscal year 
following that in which apportioned. 
SEC. 210. INVESTIGATION AND REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to make available to 
the Congress information on the basis of which it may determine 
what taxes should be imposed by the United States, and in what 
amounts, in order to assure, insofar as practicable, an equitable dis-
tribution of the tax burden among the various classes of persons 
using the Federal-aid highways or otherwise deriving benefits from 
such highways. 
(b) STUDY AND INVESTIGATION.—In order to carry out the purpose 
of this section, the Secretary of Commerce is hereby authorized and 
directed, in cooperation with other Federal officers and agencies (par-
ticularly the Interstate Commerce Commission) and with the State 
highway departments, to make a study and investigation of— 
(1) the effects on design, construction, and maintenance of 
Federal-aid highways of (A) the use of vehicles of different 
dimensions, weights, and other specifications, and (B) the fre-
quency of occurrences of such vehicles in the traffic stream, 
(2) the proportionate share of the design, construction, and 
maintenance costs of the Federal-aid highways attributable to 
each class of persons using such highways, such proportionate 
share to be based on the effects referred to in paragraph (1) and 
the benefits derived from the use of such highways, and 
(3) any direct and indirect benefits accruing to any class which 
derives benefits from Federal-aid highways, in addition to benefits 
from actual use of such highways, which are attributable to public 
expenditures for such highways. 
(c) COORDINATION W I T H OTHER STUDIES.—The Secretary of Com-
merce shall coordinate the study and investigation required by this 
section with— 
(1) the research and other activities authorized by section 10 
of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1954, and 
^8 stat. 74. 
(2) the tests referred to m section 108 (k) of this Act. 
(d) KEPORTS ON STUDY AND INVESTIGATION.—The Secretary of Com-
merce shall report to the Congress the results of the study and inves-
tigation required by this section. The final report shall be made as 
soon as possible but in no event later than March 1,1959. On or before 
March 1, 1957, and on or before March 1, 1958, the Secretary of Com-
merce shall report to the Congress the progress that has been made in 
23 use 21-1. 
69225 O -57 -30 (Vol. 70) 
402 
PUBLIC LAW 628-JUNE 29, 1956 
[70 ST A T . 
carrying out the study and investigation required by this section. 
Each such report shall be printed as a House document of the session 
of the (vongress to which the report is made. 
(e) FUNDS FOR STUDY AND INVESTIGATION.—There are hereby au-
thorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund such sums 
as may be necessary to enable the Secretary of Commerce to carry out 
the provisions of this section. 
SEC. 211. EFFECTIVE DATE OF TITLE. 
This title shall take effect on the date of its enactment, except that the 
amendments made by sections 202, 203, 204, and 205 shall take effect 
on July 1,1956. 
TITLE III—SEPARABILITY 
SEC. 301. SEPARABILITY. 
If any section, subsection, or other provision of this Act or the appli-
cation thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the re-
mainder of this Act and the application of such section, subsection, or 
other provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected 
thereby. 
Approved June 29, 1956. 
June 29, 1956 
[H. R. 7247] 
Public Law 628 
CHAPTER 
463 
AN ACT 
Relating to recognition of gain or loss in certain railroad reorganizations and 
to amend section 108 (b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
minu/^^^'^^"* f7mj5e6? States of America in Congress assembled^ That part IV of sub-
68A*stat. 121. 
chapter C of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is 
26 use 371-373. j^^j-g^^y amended by adding at the end thereof the following new 
section: 
"SEC. 374. GAIN OR LOSS NOT RECOGNIZED IN CERTAIN RAILROAD 
REORGANIZATIONS. 
"(a) EXCHANGES BY CORPORATIONS.— 
"(1) NONRECOGNITION or GAIN OR LOSS.—No gain or loss shall 
be recognized if property of a railroad corporation, as defined in 
section 77 (m) of the Bankruptcy Act (49 Stat. 922; 11 U. S. C. 
205), is transferred after July 31, 1955, in pursuance of an order 
of the court having jurisdiction of such corporation— 
"(A) in a receivership proceeding, or 
"(B) in a proceeding under section 77 of the Bankruptcy 
Act, 
to another railroad corporation (as defined in section 77 (m) of 
the Bankruptcy Act) organized or made use of to effectuate a 
plan of reorganization approved by the court in such proceeding, 
in exchange solely for stock or securities in such other railroad 
corporation. 
"(2) 
GAIN FROM EXCHANGES NOT SOLELY IN KIND.—If an ex-
change would be within the provisions of paragraph (1) if it 
were not for the fact that the property received in exchange con-
sists not only of stock or securities permitted by paragraph (1) 
to be received without the recognition of gain, but also of other 
property or money, then—