zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Commute LESS Act of 2009 or the Commute-Leveraging Employer Support and Successes Act of 2009 - Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to revise the composition of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to include at least one representative designated by an employer advisory council established by this Act. Revises contents of MPO transportation plans prepared for metropolitan planning areas to include proposed activities and strategies to provide outreach to employers in the region to create and expand alternative commuting and commuter benefit programs (i.e. carpools, transit benefit, and telework programs). Requires each MPO to establish an employer advisory council consisting of representatives of employers within the MPO's boundaries. Requires an MPO transportation improvement program (TIP) to be developed in coordination with the advisory council and to include projects identified by it. Requires the advisory council to: (1) review how long-range transportation plans and TIPs will affect commuting habits; and (2) develop a commuter trip reduction plan. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to create and expand employer investment in transportation and commuter benefit programs. Requires a state receiving funding, in coordination with MPOs, to establish statewide goals for achieving reductions in vehicle miles traveled. Requires a recipient receiving federal-aid highway funding for a project with a value of $100 million or more or that will reduce traffic flow for more than 120 days to prepare, in coordination with the advisory council, a congestion mitigation plan for the project that includes funding for projects that reduce peak hour vehicle miles traveled along an impacted corridor. Requires the Secretary, when approving a major capital investment grant of $75 million or more for a major new fixed guideway capital project, to consider, among other things, the ability of the grant recipient to work with employers to get commuters to utilize the project. Directs the Secretary to require the grant applicant to include in its request a plan on how it intends to work with local employers and transportation management organizations to create and expand a commuter benefit program for the project.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Equity Act of 2009 - Addresses certain Federal Transit Administration (FTA) adjustments that require a "medium" for the cost-effectiveness rating used to evaluate fixed guideway projects for recommendation for Federal New Starts funding. Prohibits such adjustments from applying to new fixed guideway capital projects evaluated for: (1) major capital investment grants of $75 million or more; or (2) capital investment grants of less than $75 million, where the total estimated net capital project cost is less than $250 million.

Date: 2009-12-16
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Surface Transportation Savings Act of 2010 - Rescinds specified amounts authorized under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) for: (1) safety belt performance grants; (2) administrative expenses of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); (3) the National Driver Register; (4) NHTSA operations and research; and (5) transit formula and bus grants.

Date: 2010-06-25
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Surface Transportation Earmark Rescission, Savings, and Accountability Act - Rescinds certain unobligated amounts allocated under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) for: (1) high cost bridge projects; (2) congestion relief projects; (3) high priority corridor segments on the National Highway System; (4) rural and urban access projects and urban mobility projects; (5) innovative projects; and (6) priority intermodal transportation projects. Rescinds certain unobligated amounts allocated under the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (STURAA) for federal-aid system demonstration projects. Rescinds unobligated amounts under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) for certain high priority projects in which less than 10% of the amount authorized for such projects has been obligated. Repeals the designation of a specified segment of U.S. Route 322 as an addition to Corridor O in Pennsylvania on the Appalachian development highway system. Rescinds a specified amount of unallocated funds authorized for FY2005-FY2009 under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) for the high priority projects program. Requires the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to report to Congress on each authorized project in the following categories that has inactive funds or that has been completed in the previous fiscal year: (1) each high priority project authorization under TEA-21; (2) each project of national and regional significance, highway construction project in a corridor of national significance, high priority project authorization, and transportation improvement project under SAFETEA-LU; and (3) specified bridge program set-aside projects. Requires such report also to specify for each project the amount of funds authorized, any unobligated balance of funds, and a reference to its public law and section and project number.

Date: 2010-07-14
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Focusing Resources, Economic Investment, and Guidance to Help Transportation Act of 2010 - Declares U.S. policy with respect to freight transportation. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) an Office of Freight Planning and Development. Directs the Secretary to develop a long-term National Freight Freight Transportation Strategic Plan to guide planning and investments in the national transportation system to move freight. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop new or improve existing tools to support an outcome-oriented, performance-based approach to evaluate proposed freight-related and other transportation projects; (2) facilitate the collection of transportation-related data to support a broad range of evaluation methods and techniques to assist in making transportation investment decisions; and (3) consider improvements to the Commodity Flow Survey that reduce identified freight data gaps and deficiencies and help evaluate forecasts of transportation demand. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a competitive grant program for capital investment projects that improve the efficiency of the national transportation system to move freight; and (2) give priority to projects with the highest system performance improvement relative to their benefit-cost analysis. Limits the federal share of project net capital costs at 80%. Requires a grant recipient to submit to the Secretary: (1) a project management plan and an annual financial plan for a project with a total cost of $500 million or more; and (2) an annual financial plan for a project with a total cost of $100 million or more. Repeals specified prohibitions against the transfer of amounts from the Highway Trust Fund to the Port Infrastructure Development Fund.

Date: 2010-07-29
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to waive, through FY2009, any requirement that would otherwise require a state or local government to contribute non-federal funds toward the cost of a covered transportation program or activity authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFTETEA-LU) or an amendment made by that Act. Declares, however, that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit a state or local government from contributing non-federal funds toward the cost of a covered transportation program or activity.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
National Metro Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation, notwithstanding certain prohibitions, to: (1) develop, implement, and enforce national safety standards for transit agencies operating heavy rail on fixed guideways; and (2) require such standards to include National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regarding crashworthiness, emergency access and egress, event recorders, and hours of service.

Date: 2009-07-23
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability in Transportation Projects Through Public Inspection Act of 2011 - Requires public employees to perform construction inspections on all surface transportation projects receiving federal funding.

Date: 2011-01-19
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Surface Transportation Savings Act of 2011 - Rescinds specified amounts authorized for FY2010 and for October 1, 2010-March 4, 2011, under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) for: (1) safety belt performance grants; (2) administrative expenses of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); (3) the National Driver Register; (4) NHTSA operations and research; and (5) transit formula and bus grants.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Smart Technologies for Communities Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish the Smart Communities Technology Initiative to provide grants to eligible entities to develop pilot programs to serve as model deployment sites for large scale installation and operation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to improve safety, efficiency, system performance, and return on investment.

Date: 2011-03-10
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Surface Transportation Savings Act of 2011 - Rescinds specified amounts authorized for FY2010 and FY2011 under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) for: (1) safety belt performance grants, (2) administrative expenses of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), (3) the National Driver Register, (4) NHTSA operations and research, and (5) transit formula and bus grants. Requires all rescinded funds to be used for deficit reduction.

Date: 2011-03-14
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Surface Transportation Earmark Rescission, Savings, and Accountability Act of 2011 - Rescinds unobligated balances for: (1) specified transportation projects designated prior to 1998, and (2) specified high priority project authorizations under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) in which less than 10% authorized for such projects has been obligated. Rescinds a specified amount of authorizations for FY2005-FY2009 for certain undesignated high priority highway projects under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

Date: 2011-03-14
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Commuter Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish a uniform monthly benefit amount of $200 for all types of transportation fringe benefits (commuting reimbursements, transit passes, parking, and bicycle commuting reimbursements) and allow a cost-of-living adjustment for such benefit amount beginning after 2012; (2) make self-employed individuals eligible for transit pass fringe benefits; (3) require certain employers who have an average of 50 employees during the calendar year to offer a parking cash-out program under which an employer offers employees a cash allowance equal to the regular amount paid by the employer for parking; (4) allow a 10% business tax credit for investment in commuter vans with a seating capacity of at least 7, but not more than 15, adults that are placed in service before January 1, 2019; and (5) permit employees to exclude from gross income for income tax purposes transit passes and reimbursements of bicycle commuting expenses in the same month.

Date: 2011-05-11
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Taxation
High Risk Rural Roads Safety Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to carry out a program to improve the safety of high risk rural roads. Requires the Secretary to apportion formulated percentages of federal funds to states to carry out specified projects and activities to improve the safety of such roads. Prescribes the federal share of project costs at 90%. Authorizes a state to use not more than 1.25% or $100,000 (whichever is greater) of apportioned funds for a road safety assessment program.

Date: 2011-06-03
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Infrastructure Improvements on Federal Lands Act of 2011 - Makes eligible for federal-aid highway assistance preventive maintenance activities on federal lands highways the appropriate federal land management agency demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) are a cost-effective means of extending the useful life of such a highway. Authorizes the use of Federal Lands Highway Program funds for: (1) trails used primarily for transportation; and (2) maintenance of highways, roads, parkways, and trails used primarily for transportation located on public lands, national parks, and Indian reservations, provided such maintenance will improve the asset management of such facilities. Sets the federal share of the cost of a high priority project located on public lands or an Indian reservation, or in a national park or wildlife refuge, at 100%. Makes eligible for federal-aid highway assistance any projects in the vicinity of a federally owned or managed park, refuge, or recreational area open to the general public (Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program) that: (1) are part of an alternative transportation program in which implementation is expected to last more than one year; or (2) involve capital investment grants financing operating costs of fixed guideway projects and systems, buses and related equipment, and bus-related facilities for which capital investment grant assistance has been provided. Earmarks 60% of funds made available to the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program each fiscal year for qualified alternative transportation projects in national parks.

Date: 2011-06-03
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Environmental Review Cooperation Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to carry out a demonstration program to allow a state or local government to assume the Secretary's responsibilities for environmental review and approval of highway projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 through implementation of the state's environmental laws instead of federal environmental laws. Authorizes the Secretary to allow a state or local government to participate in the demonstration program only if: (1) the state's environmental laws provide a substantially equivalent level of environmental protection as applicable federal laws, (2) program participation by the state or local government will not diminish protection of the environment, and (3) the head of the state agency or local government with primary jurisdiction over highway matters enters into a written agreement with the Secretary. Revises and makes permanent the surface transportation project delivery pilot program. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a state, as a condition of participation in the program, to forego project delivery methods otherwise permissible for highway projects. Authorizes a state to assume highway project responsibilities administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), but not the responsibilities of any other modal administration within DOT. Repeals the limitation to Alaska, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas of state participation in the program. Allows program participation by all states. Prescribes a special rule to permit a state participating in the program on September 30, 2009, to continue in the program and not be required to submit an application.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Rural County Mandate Relief Act of 2011 - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) from issuing, implementing, or enforcing a minimum retroreflectivity level standard for a traffic control device under the jurisdiction of a state or local government. Directs the Secretary to modify the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 2009 Edition, to eliminate federal minimum retroreflectivity level standards for traffic control devices and the schedule for their implementation. (Replacement of regulatory, warning, and post-mounted guide [except street name] signs is required by January 22, 2015. Replacement of street name signs and overhead guide signs is required by January 22, 2018.) Repeals the requirement that the Secretary revise the Manual to include a federal standard for a minimum level of retroreflectivity for pavement markings and signs on all public roads.

Date: 2011-07-07
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Funding Flexibility Act - Revises the surface transportation program to eliminate the requirement that states set-aside a specified amount of their apportionment of surface transportation program funds for transportation enhancement activities.

Date: 2011-09-23
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Clean Construction Act of 2011 - Requires all off-road diesel equipment and on-road diesel equipment operating for at least 80 hours over the life of a federal-aid highway construction project or public transportation construction project within a PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance area to have diesel emission control technology installed. Applies the same requirement to all covered equipment used on a covered public transportation construction project within a PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance area. Defines: (1) "off-road diesel equipment" as a vehicle (including covered equipment) that is powered by a nonroad diesel engine of at least 50 horsepower and not intended for highway use; and (2) "on-road diesel equipment" as any self-propelled vehicle that operates on diesel fuel, is designed to transport persons or property on a street or highway, and has a gross vehicle weight of at least 14,000 pounds. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to approve as part of the federal share of cost of a federal-aid highway construction project or public transportation construction project an amount equal to the state expenditure for acquiring and installing diesel emission control technology, if the state expenditure meets certain criteria. Directs the Secretary and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to establish jointly a streamlined process to ensure that states may: (1) quantify the emissions reductions achieved under this Act; and (2) include such reductions in state implementation plans for national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards under the Clean Air Act to demonstrate progress toward, attainment of, or maintenance of such standards.

Date: 2011-10-06
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Local Flexibility for Transit Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to make urbanized area formula grants for the operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population over 200,000 to a designated recipient, direct recipient, or subrecipient that provides public transportation in the area operating less than 100 buses in fixed-route service in the area during peak service hours. Authorizes a designated recipient or direct recipient that operates at least 100 buses in fixed-route service during peak service hours in an urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 to use grant funds for the operating costs of public transportation equipment and facilities in such projects if: (1) the recipients are certified by the Secretary as being in a crisis period; and (2) the recipients' percentage of revenue for the operating costs of public transportation equipment and facilities from non-federal sources (excluding system-generated revenue) is equal to the previous fiscal year's revenue, or the revenue is derived from dedicated sources. Specifies percentage limitations on the use of funds for urbanized areas with populations between 200,000 and 500,000, between 500,000 and 1 million, and over 1 million. Defines "crisis period" to mean that: (1) the unemployment rate within the recipients' service area is 7% or higher for the preceding month, or (2) the national average retail price of regular gasoline during a quarter has increased by more than 10%.

Date: 2011-10-13
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
American Jobs Preservation Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from issuing a public interest waiver of Buy American requirements under the highway, public transportation, aviation, or passenger rail programs before considering the potential impacts of that waiver on domestic manufacturing employment. Requires the Secretary to issue a statement detailing the short- and long-term impact of each of those public interest waivers on domestic manufacturing employment.

Date: 2011-12-13
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Keep Americans Working Building Our Transportation Infrastructure Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to publish on the Internet any request for a waiver of Buy American requirements under the highway, public transportation, aviation, or passenger rail programs and provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the intent to issue a waiver. Requires the Secretary, upon deciding to grant such a waiver, to: (1) publish in the Federal Register, before the decision takes effect, a detailed written justification of the waiver; (2) provide the public with notice of the decision and an opportunity to comment on it for a reasonable period, but no less than 15 days; and (3) review those comments. Authorizes the Secretary to terminate or modify a waiver decision based on comments received after the decision takes effect. Repeals existing Buy American waiver requirements under the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010.

Date: 2011-12-13
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Nation Building Here at Home Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish a transformational infrastructure competitive grant program to award grants to state and local governments, transit agencies, and port authorities for certain public transportation projects (including water infrastructure projects) with potential to significantly impact a metropolitan area, a region, or all of the United States. Specifies the federal share of project costs at 100%. Requires the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in projects funded under this Act to have been produced in the United States, except in specified circumstances. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a Nation Building Here at Home Financing Initiative.

Date: 2012-04-16
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
TIGER Grants for Job Creation Act - Makes supplemental appropriations of $500 million for each of FY2013 and FY2014 for the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program for national infrastructure investment projects for states, local governments, and transit agencies.

Date: 2012-06-20
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Modernizing of Documentation and Elimination of Redundant Identification and Security Credentials Act or MODERN Security Credentials Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to consolidate and harmonize the DHS security threat assessment process for transportation workers. Revises the criteria for disqualifying an individual for employment with an air carrier, foreign air carrier, airport operator, or government. Prohibits an air carrier, foreign air carrier, airport operator, or government from employing individuals that: (1) have been disqualified from being issued a biometric or other transportation security card, or (2) pose a threat to transportation or national security. Authorizes a disqualified individual to seek a waiver of such requirements. Expands the list of criminal offenses that disqualify an individual temporarily or permanently from being issued a biometric transportation security card if convicted. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to issue final regulations prohibiting commercial motor vehicle operators and shippers from transporting a security-sensitive material without holding a valid transportation security card. Directs the Secretary to prohibit Mexican or Canadian licensed commercial motor vehicle operators from transporting a security-sensitive material in the United States without being subjected to, and not disqualified as a result of, a security background records check by a federal agency which is similar to the background records check required for U.S. commercial motor vehicle operators transporting security-sensitive materials. Deems individuals who have obtained a hazardous materials endorsement to have met the background check requirements for issuance of a transportation security card. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to issue biometric transportation security cards to commercial motor vehicle operators transporting security-sensitive material. Requires the Secretary of DHS to establish a task force on disqualifying crimes.

Date: 5/3/2011
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Family Account to Save on Transportation Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain employer-provided transportation benefits (i.e., commuting and parking costs, transit passes) under tax-qualified flexible spending arrangements, for the two-year period beginning after the enactment of this Act..

Date: 2011-05-09
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Taxation
Clean Construction Act of 2011 - Requires all off-road diesel equipment and on-road diesel equipment operating for at least 80 hours over the life of a federal-aid highway construction project or public transportation construction project within a PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance area to have diesel emission control technology installed. Applies the same requirement to all covered equipment used on a covered public transportation construction project within a PM2.5 nonattainment or maintenance area. Defines: (1) "off-road diesel equipment" as a vehicle (including covered equipment) that is powered by a nonroad diesel engine of at least 50 horsepower and not intended for highway use; and (2) "on-road diesel equipment" as any self-propelled vehicle that operates on diesel fuel, is designed to transport persons or property on a street or highway, and has a gross vehicle weight of at least 14,000 pounds. Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to approve as part of the federal share of cost of a federal-aid highway construction project or public transportation construction project an amount equal to the state expenditure for acquiring and installing diesel emission control technology, if the state expenditure meets certain criteria.

Date: 2011-05-12
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Senior Transportation and Mobility Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the program providing formula grants to states for the special public transportation needs of older individuals and the disabled to allow states to use a portion of those grants to operate and maintain the capital assets acquired under that program. Sets the federal share of the costs of the mobility management activities such grants may cover at 90%. (Mobility management activities are designed to improve coordination among public and other transportation service providers.) Requires the National Transit Database to include information on the public transportation formula grant program for older individuals and the disabled, and the public transportation formula grant program for nonurban areas. Requires metropolitan planning organizations and states to involve older individuals and the disabled in metropolitan and statewide transportation planning. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to enter into a cooperative agreement with the National Center on Senior Transportation to: (1) provide technical assistance to transit and human services organizations, (2) disseminate best practices regarding transportation for older individuals, and (3) make grants to nonprofit organizations to test innovative and replicable approaches for addressing the mobility needs of older individuals. Requires the FTA to make grants to nonprofit aging services organizations to offer mobility management services, and develop and implement enhanced technology to support those services.

Date: 2011-12-05
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act when carrying out certain personnel decisions with respect to the employment of air transportation passenger and property screeners.

Date: 2011-12-14
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Revises membership requirements for and reduces to nine the number of members on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Makes corresponding reductions in the number of members appointed by the governors of Virginia and Maryland, the mayor of the District of Columbia, and the President.

Reduces from 10 to 5 the number of votes required to approve bond issues and the annual budget.

Makes conforming amendments to the District of Columbia Regional Airports Authority Act of 1985.

Limits members to one term.

Prescribes certain term limits for the first six members appointed by the governor of Virginia.

Date: 2013-01-15
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Multimodal Opportunities Via Enhanced Freight Act of 2013 or MOVE Freight Act of 2013 - Defines the "national freight network" as a network composed of highways, railways, navigable waterways, seaports, airports, freight intermodal connectors, and aerotropolis transportation systems most critical to the multimodal movement of freight.

Revises requirements for establishment and designation of a national freight network.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to establish a national freight network for efficient movement of freight on highways (as currently), railways, and navigable waterways, as well as into and out of inland ports, seaports, and airports.

Recharacterizes the primary freight network as multimodal, including critical rail corridors, critical intermodal connections, and critical inland port, seaport, and airport infrastructure.

Directs the Secretary to require (currently, encourage) states to develop state freight plans for immediate and long-range planning activities and investments with respect to freight. Requires states to coordinate with neighboring states to ensure multistate network continuity and connectivity.

Directs the Secretary to establish a competitive grant program for capital investment projects that improve the efficiency of the national transportation system to move freight.

Limits the federal share of project net capital costs to 80%.

Requires a grant recipient to submit to the Secretary: (1) a project management plan and an annual financial plan for a project with a total cost of $500 million or more, or (2) an annual financial plan for a project with a total cost of $100 million or more.

Date: 2013-03-05
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the sale or transport of equines (horses and other members of the equidae family) or their parts (including flesh, meat, and viscera), or the importing or exporting of equines or their parts into or out of the United States, by any person who knows or should have known that such equines are to be slaughtered for human consumption as food.

Date: 2013-03-12
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Partnership to Build America Act of 2013 - Establishes the American Infrastructure Fund (AIF) as a wholly-owned government corporation to provide bond guarantees and make loans to state and local governments and non-profit infrastructure providers for transportation, energy, water, communications, or educational facility infrastructure projects (Qualified Infrastructure Projects [QIPs]). Requires AIF also to make equity investments in QIPs such entities sponsor.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the AIF, to issue American Infrastructure Bonds with an aggregate face value of $50 billion. Requires proceeds from the sale of the bonds to be deposited into the AIF.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow U.S. corporations to exclude from gross income qualified cash dividend amounts received during a taxable year from a foreign-controlled corporation equal to the face value of qualified infrastructure bonds the corporation has purchased.

Prohibits allowance of a foreign tax credit to the excluded portion of any dividend received by a U.S. corporation. Prohibits also the allowance of a deduction for expenses related to that excludable portion.

Date: 2013-05-22
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2013 - Establishes the National Infrastructure Development Bank as a wholly owned government corporation.

Makes the Bank's Board of Directors responsible for monitoring and overseeing energy, environmental, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure projects. Authorizes the Board to: (1) make senior and subordinated direct loans and loan guarantees to assist in the financing or refinancing of an infrastructure project, (2) issue public benefit bonds and provide financing to infrastructure projects, and (3) pay an interest subsidy to the issuer of American Infrastructure Bonds.

Requires the Board to establish an Executive Committee, headed by the chief executive officer, to establish requirements and make recommendations for project proposals to be considered for financial assistance.

Requires the Bank to establish a Risk Management Committee, headed by the chief risk officer, which shall: (1) create financial, credit, and operational risk management guidelines for the Bank; (2) set guidelines to ensure diversification of lending activities by both geographic region and infrastructure project type; (3) create conforming standards for all financial assistance provided by the Bank; (4) monitor financial, credit, and operational exposure of the Bank; (5) provide financial recommendations to the Board; and (6) ensure that the aggregate amount of interest subsidies provided for American Infrastructure Bonds in a given calendar year do not exceed 28% of interest payable under all such Bonds.

Requires the Bank to establish an audit committee, headed by a chief compliance officer, to be responsible for auditing and accounting activities.

Requires the Board to approve criteria established by the Executive Committee, with public input, for determining project eligibility for financial assistance. Sets forth criteria to be considered by the Board for each type of infrastructure project. Requires the Executive Committee to conduct an analysis that considers the economic, environmental, and social benefits and costs of each project under consideration, prioritizing projects that contribute to economic growth, lead to job creation, and are of regional or national significance.

Requires any financial assistance for an infrastructure project to be repayable from dedicated revenue sources that also secure the infrastructure project obligations. Limits the amount of assistance under this Act to 50% of reasonably anticipated project costs.

 Exempts all bonds issued by the Bank, and the interest on or credits with respect to such bonds, from state or local government taxation.

Sets forth requirements regarding compliance of assisted projects with wage rate, domestic content, and buy American statutes.

Requires the Board to establish an American Infrastructure Bond program. Establishes in the Treasury the National Infrastructure Development Bank Trust Fund into which an amount estimated to equal the tax receipts attributable to interest payable under such Bonds is to be appropriated.

Date: 2013-06-27
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Freedom of Travel Act of 2013 - Prohibits the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from performing any security screening operations except: (1) screening passengers and property; and (2) prescribing standards for the employment of air carrier personnel and, as appropriate, airport security personnel. Nullifies any Act authorizing the TSA to perform any other security screening operations.

Amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to repeal the authority of the DHS Secretary, acting through the TSA Administrator, to develop Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams to augment security of public transportation.

Date: 2013-06-28
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 9, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Transportation Security Acquisition Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to:

 develop and update biennially a strategic five-year technology investment plan, which may include a classified addendum to report sensitive transportation security risks, technology vulnerabilities, or other sensitive security information; and publish the plan in an unclassified form in the public domain. Directs the Administrator, before acquiring any security-related technology, to analyze whether acquisition is justified. Requires the Administrator, 30 days before any TSA award of a contract for acquisitions exceeding $30 million, to report to Congress the results of the analysis and certify that the transportation security benefits justify the contract cost.

Requires the appropriate TSA acquisition official to establish certain performance baseline requirements before any TSA security-related technology acquisition. Requires that official to review and assess each acquisition for meeting the baseline requirements and to report the results to Congress.

Requires the Administrator, before procuring additional quantities of equipment to fulfill a TSA mission need, to utilize, to the extent practicable, any existing units in the TSA's inventory to meet that need.

Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on TSA's performance record in meeting its goals for contracting with small businesses.

Directs the Administrator to execute all responsibilities set forth in this Act in a manner consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and TSA policies and directives.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) assess TSA's implementation of GAO recommendations regarding the acquisition of security-related technology made before enactment of this Act, and (2) evaluate TSA's progress in implementing this Act.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on the feasibility of tracking TSA security-related technology, including software solutions, through automated information and data capture technologies.

(Sec. 6) Directs the GAO to evaluate TSA's testing and evaluation process relating to security-related technology.

(Sec. 7) Declares that no additional appropriations are authorized to carry out this Act.

Date: 2013-07-18
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safe And Fair Environment on Highways Achieved through Underwriting Levels Act of 2013 or SAFE HAUL Act of 2013 - Revises certain minimum financial responsibility requirements to increase from $750,000 to $4.422 million the minimum level of financial responsibility sufficient to satisfy established liability coverage for motor carriers or motor private carriers providing property transportation. Requires the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to adjust such amount annually for inflation relating to medical care.

Date: 2013-07-18
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Essential Transportation Worker Identification Credential Assessment Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress and the Comptroller General (GAO) a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the transportation security card program at enhancing security and reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels. Requires the assessment to be conducted, to the extent practicable, by a national laboratory within the DHS laboratory network or a maritime security university-based center within the DHS centers of excellence network.

Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a corrective action plan responding to the assessment which: (1) includes an implementation plan with benchmarks, and (2) shall be considered in any DHS rulemaking with respect to the transportation security card program.

Directs the Comptroller General, within 120 days after the corrective action plan is issued, to: (1) review the extent to which it implements the recommendations of the national laboratory or the maritime security university-based center and of the Comptroller General, and (2) inform Congress as to the plan's responsiveness to such recommendations.

Prohibits the Secretary from issuing a final rule requiring the use of transportation security card readers until: (1) the Comptroller General informs Congress that the submission is responsive to the GAO recommendations, and (2) the Secretary issues an updated list of transportation security card readers that are compatible with active transportation security cards.

Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on implementation of the plan at least 18 months after it is issued, and every 6 months thereafter for the ensuing 3-year period.

Declares that no additional funds are authorized to carry out this Act. Requires this Act to be carried out using amounts otherwise available for the purpose.

Date: 2013-09-27
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability in Transportation Projects Through Public Inspection Act of 2013 - Requires public employees to perform construction inspections on all surface transportation projects receiving federal funding.

Date: 2013-11-21
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Local Hire Act - Authorizes a state to establish local hiring bid specifications or consider the hiring of local workers in the evaluation of bids and proposals for federal-aid highway projects. Authorizes recipients of federal assistance likewise to establish such specifications or consider local hiring in the evaluation of bids and proposals for public transportation projects.

Date: 2013-11-22
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
State Transportation and Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act (STIFIA) - Revises and reauthorizes the state infrastructure bank program for FY2013 and FY2014.

Date: 2014-01-14
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Orphan Earmarks Act - Rescinds all unobligated amounts of funds earmarked for the Department of Transportation (DOT) if more than 90% of the dollar amount of that earmark remains available for obligation at the end of the 9th fiscal year after it was first made available. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to delay any such rescission for one year if an additional obligation of the earmark is likely to occur during the 10th fiscal year after it was first made available.

Requires each agency head to identify and report every project that is an earmark with an unobligated balance at the end of a fiscal year to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who shall report a listing and accounting for such earmarks to Congress and to the public via the OMB website.

Date: 2014-05-22
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Economics and public finance
TIFIA 2.0 Act - Amends the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to revise the Department of Transportation (DOT) TIFIA program of direct loans, loan guarantees, and credit for surface transportation projects.

Establishes in the Treasury a TIFIA Revolving Fund.

Requires the set-aside of up to 10% of Fund amounts for rural infrastructure projects (as similarly required in current funding law).

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to transfer from the Fund to the general fund of the Treasury amounts equal to moneys deposited in the Fund as a result of the repayment of principal and interest on direct loans for transportation infrastructure projects before enactment of this Act.

Revises project eligibility requirements.

Date: 2014-06-20
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Repairing Our Aging Roads Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to issue Transportation Bonds in the aggregate of up to $2 billion to each state for transportation infrastructure projects.

Establishes in the Treasury 50 separate State Transportation Trust Funds consisting of amounts derived from the sale and issuance of Transportation Bonds to construct or improve state transportation infrastructure.

Requires an offsetting reduction, equal to the dollar amount of bonds issued, in any discretionary account in any appropriation Act.

Date: 2014-06-24
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works
National Freight Network Trust Fund Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the National Freight Network Trust Fund, from which expenditures shall be made to fund awards under the National Freight Network Grant Program. Appropriates to the Fund amounts equivalent to 5% of the import duties imposed under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Establishes such Program in the Department of Transportation (DOT), under which the Secretary of Transportation shall make grants to states, regional or local transportation organizations, or port authorities to assist projects that improve the performance of the national freight network. Directs the Secretary to evaluate and select projects on a competitive basis by considering their potential to:

 generate national economic benefits, improve the performance of key corridors and gateways, reduce congestion, improve transportation safety, and enhance the network. Requires the Secretary to update the national freight network every five years.

Date: 2014-07-14
Topic: Transportation (General)
Subject: Transportation and public works