zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
FAA Community Accountability Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in considering flight paths or procedures as part of the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, to limit negative impacts on the human environment near airports. The FAA may give preference to overlays of existing flight paths or procedures to ensure compatibility with land use.

The FAA shall appoint an FAA Community Ombudsman for each of its regions to:

 act as a liaison with communities regarding problems related to the impact of commercial aviation on the human environment; monitor the impact of System implementation on communities near affected airports; make recommendations to address community concerns and improve the use of community comments in FAA decisionmaking; and report periodically on the impact of commercial aviation on the human environment and on FAA responsiveness to community concerns. The FAA, in implementing the System, may not treat the establishment or revision of a flight path or procedure as covered by a categorical exclusion if an Ombudsman or airport operator submits notification that: (1) extraordinary circumstances exist, or (2) the establishment or revision will have a significant adverse impact on the human environment near such airport. The FAA, before treating such establishment or revision as covered by a categorical exclusion, shall provide notice and an opportunity for comment to persons affected.

The bill requires the FAA to: (1) reconsider a flight path or procedure established or revised after February 14, 2012, as part of the implementation of the System if an Ombudsman or airport operator submits written notification that the establishment or revision is resulting in a significant adverse impact on the human environment near the airport, (2) provide notice of such reconsideration and an opportunity for public comment, (3) assess the impacts on the human environment, and (4) report on comments received, assessment results, and changes to be made.

Date: 2016-04-07
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Cybersecurity Standards for Aircraft to Improve Resilience Act of 2016 or the Cyber AIR Act

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to require domestic or foreign air carriers and manufacturers of aircraft or electronic control, communications, maintenance, or ground support systems for aircraft to disclose to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) any attempted or successful cyberattack against any system on board an aircraft or against any maintenance or ground support system for aircraft.

The FAA shall use the information obtained through such disclosures to: (1) improve the regulations (to be prescribed by DOT) to incorporate requirements relating to cybersecurity into the requirements for obtaining an air carrier operating certificate or a production certificate; and (2) notify air carriers, aircraft manufacturers, and other federal agencies of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in systems on board an aircraft or maintenance or ground support systems for aircraft.

In prescribing such regulations, DOT must require: (1) all entry points to the electronic systems of each aircraft operating in U.S. airspace and maintenance or ground support systems for such aircraft to be equipped with reasonable measures to protect against cyberattacks; and (2) the periodic evaluation of, and updates to, such measures for security vulnerabilities using best security practices.

The FAA must report to Congress annually on attempted and successful cyberattacks against any system on board an aircraft and against maintenance or ground support systems for aircraft.

The Commercial Aviation Communications Safety and Security Leadership Group shall: (1) be responsible for evaluating the cybersecurity vulnerabilities of certain broadband wireless communications equipment designed for consumer use on board aircraft; and (2) require the implementation by air carriers, manufacturers, and communications service providers of technical and operational security measures it deems necessary to prevent cyberattacks that exploit such equipment.

Date: 2016-04-07
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prohibit any air carrier that transports passengers by aircraft as a common carrier for compensation from reducing the size, width, padding, or pitch of seats; the amount of leg room per seat; or the width of aisles on such aircraft.

The FAA must prescribe regulations: (1) establishing minimum standards for space for the safety, health, and comfort of aircraft passengers; and (2) requiring each air carrier to prominently display on its website the amount of space available for each passenger on aircraft it operates.

Date: 2016-04-07
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Free Market Flights Act of 2016

This bill terminates on October 1, 2016, Department of Transportation authority to carry out the essential air service program.

The bill requires deposit in the Treasury for deficit reduction of any overflight fees collected by the Federal Aviation Administration for air traffic control and related services that would otherwise be made available for the program.

Date: 2016-04-13
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Safe, Convenient, Reliable, Efficient, Effective, Next-Generation, Functional, and Secure TSA Act of 2016 or the SCREEN FAST Act

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the Department of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program at three category X airports to reconfigure and install security systems that increase efficiency and reduce vulnerabilities in airport terminals, particularly those that have large open areas where screening occurs.

The TSA shall also establish a pilot program at those airports to develop and test prototypes of screening security systems and security checkpoint configurations to expedite the movement of passengers by deploying an array of technologies including passive and active systems, new types of security baggage and passenger screening systems, and new systems to address passenger and baggage anomalies.

Date: 2016-05-25
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Volunteer Pilot Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 to provide liability protection to volunteers of a volunteer pilot nonprofit organization that arranges flights for public benefit in the case of harm caused by an act or omission of a volunteer on behalf of the organization. Volunteers shall not be liable if they: (1) were operating an aircraft in furtherance of the purpose of, and acting within the scope of their volunteer responsibilities on behalf of, the nonprofit organization; (2) were properly licensed and insured for the operation of the aircraft; (3) were in compliance with all requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration for recent flight experience; and (4) did not cause the harm through willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed by the volunteer.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Law
Cuban Airport Security Act of 2016

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to report to Congress on specified aspects of security measures at Cuban airports that: (1) are served by U.S. aircraft operators, or (2) serve as last point of departure locations for foreign air carriers. The Government Accountability Office shall submit to Congress an audit of the report.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall establish agreements with the Government of Cuba to allow:

 the Federal Air Marshal Service to conduct missions on regularly scheduled passenger air flights between the United States and Cuba, and TSA inspectors to access all areas of last point of departure airports in Cuba to assess security. No agreement dated on or after January 1, 2016, to expand air flights between the United States and Cuba may be permitted until: (1) the required report and audit have been submitted, (2) the required agreements have been established, and (3) specified hiring and training requirements have been met.

DHS, rather than the Department of Transportation, shall: (1) assess the effectiveness of security standards at foreign airports, and (2) take other specified actions if an airport fails to maintain effective security measures.

Date: 2016-09-06
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to:

 notify air carriers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening personnel of TSA's 3-1-1 Liquids Rule Exemption guidelines allowing baby formula, breast milk, and juice on aircraft; and include training on all special procedures under TSA's travel guidelines for TSA security screening personnel.

Date: 2016-09-08
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Emergency management
This bill requires air carriers to provide a 10-hour rest period to a flight attendant who is scheduled to a duty period of up to 14 hours. Current regulations generally mandate a nine-hour rest period but allow an eight-hour rest period under certain circumstances.

Air carriers must comply with specified fatigue risk management plan requirements, subject to civil penalties.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
NextGen Accountability Act

This bill amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish annual Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) performance goals for each of the national airspace system performance metrics to meet identified performance metric baselines with respect to NextGen projects.

The bill amends the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act to revise contents of an annual Department of Transportation report to Congress regarding an integrated work plan for the NextGen. The plan shall include, among other things, a description of the progress made in meeting NextGen performance goals relative to the performance metrics.

The bill revises requirements for the award of bonuses to the FAA Chief NextGen Officer. The FAA, for purposes of the award of such bonuses, shall also consider any progress made toward meeting the NextGen performance goals.

The bill revises certain performance goals set forth in the annual performance agreement between the FAA and the NextGen Officer to include quantifiable NextGen airspace efficiency, productivity, capacity, and safety performance objectives.

Date: 2016-12-05
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Strengthening American Transportation Security Act of 2016

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the personnel system used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides insufficient workplace protections for its workforce and such personnel should be entitled to protections under the civil service system applicable to all federal employees.

The bill repeals personnel authorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation governing the conditions of employment for TSA employees, thus making TSA employees subject to the personnel management system applicable to all other federal employees.

Within 60 days after the enactment of this bill or an earlier date set by DHS: (1) all TSA personnel management policies, directives, letters, and guidelines and any DHS human resources management system shall cease to be effective with respect to TSA employees; and (2) TSA employees shall become subject to labor provisions applicable to other federal transportation employees.

The bill sets forth transition rules that protect the pay rates and other rights of TSA employees. DHS shall consult with the labor organization certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to carry out the conversion of TSA employees and positions to the civil service system.

The provisions of this bill do not affect the prohibitions against disloyalty and asserting the right to strike against the federal government.

Date: 2016-12-08
Topic: Transportation (Air Travel)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1986 to repeal the prohibition against use of certain funds for any segment of the downtown Los Angeles to San Fernando Valley Metro Rail project unless the Southern California Rapid Transit District notifies the Urban Mass Transportation Administration that no part of the Metro Rail project will tunnel through any zone designated as a potential risk zone or high potential risk zone for methane gas. Amends federal transportation law to extend the special rule for the allocation of urbanized area formula grants through FY2009. Sets forth the maximum amounts to be allocated for such grants for FY2008 and FY2009.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transit System Flexibility Protection Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make public transportation formula grants for operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000 if the state or regional authority providing public transportation for the area operates less than 100 buses in fixed-route service in the area during peak service hours.

Date: 2007-01-30
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Public Transportation and Rail Security Assistance Act of 2007 - Requires the public transportation security assessment (a risk assessment of a public transportation system conducted pursuant to specified provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) of each public transportation system to identify: (1) the critical assets of the public transportation system; (2) threats to those assets; (3) security weaknesses in the public transportation system; (4) redundant and backup systems required in the event of an incident; and (5) the extent to which public transportation employees have received training in security awareness and emergency response procedures. Requires a public transportation agency that receives an assessment to develop a prioritized plan of needed capital and operational security improvements. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to develop: (1) a national public transportation security needs assessment (national assessment) to determine the costs of needed capital and operational security improvements for each system; and (2) a security plan for U.S. railroads. Makes grants to eligible public transportation agencies for certain capital security improvements and operational security improvements. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide notification of all credible terrorist threats against public transportation assets in the United States. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and issue guidelines for a public transportation employee security training program. Requires a public transportation agency that receives a public transportation security assessment to develop, and submit for the Secretary of Transportation's approval, an employee training program in accordance with such guidelines. Makes grants to private operators of over-the-road buses for certain system-wide security improvements to their operations. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit to Congress a preliminary report that includes an assessment of the over-the-road bus security grant program. Allows a rail carrier, a rail shipper, or railroad contractor or railroad labor organization to report a security vulnerability, cargo information, security plan, or security training program to specified individuals.

Date: 2007-03-13
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Reduce Individuals' Dependence on Energy Act of 2007 or the RIDE Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a deduction from gross income for transportation expenses on federal, state, or local government mass transit facilities.

Date: 2007-05-23
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Taxation
Free Way Act of 2008 - Prohibits a state from collecting a toll from an operator of a high occupany vehicle (HOV) that was permitted to use a HOV lane in the state at no cost before December 31, 2007. (Currently, a state is allowed to collect a toll from any operator of a HOV vehicle that uses an HOV lane in the state.)

Date: 2008-05-08
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Creating Opportunities to Motivate Mass-transit Utilization to Encourage Ridership Act of 2008 or the Commuter Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a refundable tax credit for 50% of the cost of transit passes provided on a tax-free basis to employees.

Date: 2008-05-13
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Taxation
Transportation and Housing Choices for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) carry out a competitive grant program that supports community efforts to invest in transportation alternatives and travel demand management strategies; and (2) award grants to eligible entities, giving priority to activity proposals for reducing single occupancy vehicle trips. Provides certain formula grant funding for specified improvement activities to increase use of public transportation. Requires the Secretary to award grants for a national consumer awareness program on the environmental, energy, and economic benefits of transportation alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle, including carpooling, vanpooling, transit, and bicycles. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a telework tax credit of up to $400 per year; (2) include a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement as a qualified transportation fringe benefit, excludable from gross income; (3) equalize and increase to $200, with a modified cost-of-living adjustment, the tax exclusion for both transportation and parking fringe benefits; (4) make self-employed individuals eligible for transit pass fringe benefits; (5) include employer-established parking cash-out programs as qualified transportation fringe benefits; and (6) allow a vanpool (general business) tax credit. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to: (1) incorporate transportation costs associated with location of housing into affordability standards for allocating low-income housing tax credits related to rental assistance vouchers or other affordable housing programs; and (2) develop a model transportation cost field for Multiple Listing Services to measure transportation costs associated with the location of a home. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) Charter Act and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) Act to include the use of location-efficient mortgages among their purposes. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to require the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to establish graduated annual goals for the purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac of location-efficient mortgages for single-family, owner-occupied homes. Requires the Secretary of HUD to make grants to states to construct or acquire affordable housing that is location-efficient. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to include high schools in the safe routes to school program.

Date: 2008-07-15
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Gas Price Relief for Schools Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to a state or local government unit responsible for providing school bus transportation to a public school system to assist it in offsetting increases in school bus transportation operating costs due to higher fuel prices.

Date: 2008-07-24
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1986 to repeal the prohibition against use of certain funds for any segment of the downtown Los Angeles to San Fernando Valley Metro Rail project unless the Southern California Rapid Transit District notifies the Urban Mass Transportation Administration that no part of the Metro Rail project will tunnel through any zone designated as a potential risk zone or high potential risk zone for methane gas.

Date: 2007-02-06
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007 - Establishes in the executive branch the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation to carry out this Act under the authorities of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. Requires the Foundation to award grants, increasingly for study in nontraditional study abroad destinations, to: (1) U.S. students; (2) nongovernmental institutions that provide and promote study abroad opportunities for U.S. students, in consortium with institutions of higher education (IHEs); and (3) IHEs, individually or in consortium.

Date: 2007-03-27
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: International affairs
Complete Streets Act of 2008 - Amends the surface transportation program to require state and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to: (1) adopt a policy statement that ensures that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users as well as children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on streets and highways within the public right-of-way; and (2) apply such policy to Transportation Improvement Program projects as well as to all aspects of the transportation project development process. Requires states and MPOs to certify that each road project has been reviewed for compliance with the policy statement and enhances the safety, convenience, and accessibility for all users of the transportation system to the extent reasonably possible. Requires the U.S. Access Board to issue final standards for accessibility of new construction and alterations of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to require the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to conduct complete streets research to assist states and MPOs in developing and implementing plans, projects, procedures, policies, and training that comply with the policy statement.

Date: 2008-03-03
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), with respect to the alternatives analysis program, to change the FY2006-FY2007 project for the South Carolina Department of Transportation Light Rail study to the South Carolina Department of Transportation Corridor study. Revises the item descriptions for certain bus and bus-related facilities projects for FY2006-FY2009. Makes amounts obligated for such projects in FY2006 available for obligation through FY2009.

Date: 2008-06-02
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Designates the Liberty Memorial at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National World War I Memorial.

Date: 2008-09-25
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Commemorations
Patent Reform Act of 2008 - Amends federal patent law to define terms, including "inventor," "joint inventor," and "effective filing date of a claimed invention." Modifies the conditions under which a patent may be obtained, including basing patent granting in part on filing dates (often referred to as a "first-to-file" system). Repeals provisions relating to inventions made abroad and provisions allowing statutory invention registration. Requires that a subsequent patent application which names an inventor or joint inventor in a previous application apply as though filed on the date of the previous application. Repeals provisions providing for interfering patent civil actions. Allows an applicant to request a derivation proceeding. Allows a third party assignee or a person with a proprietary interest to file a patent application. Allows tripling of royalty damages. Sets forth criteria for calculating reasonable royalties. Replaces provisions relating to optional inter partes reexamination procedures with post-grant review procedure provisions. Replaces the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and specifies its responsibilities. Revises civil action venue requirements. Allows the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to set its fees. Prohibits, subject to exception, holding a patent invalid or unenforceable based on misconduct before the USPTO, but allows a court to order a reissue application. Allows a civil penalty for intentional, materially deceptive conduct. Shields a financial institution that infringes by using a check collection system from the infringement remedies of civil actions, injunctions, damages, and attorney's fees. Applies the amendment made by this paragraph to any civil action for infringement pending or filed on or after enactment of this Act. Establishes the United States Patent and Trademark Office Public Enterprise Fund, transfers to it the amounts in the Patent and Trademark Office Appropriation Account, and makes Fund amounts available without fiscal year limitation for all ordinary and reasonable expenses.

Date: 2008-09-25
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Commerce
Flexibility Incentive Grant Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a flexibility incentive grant pilot program to encourage states to establish new sources of revenue for public transportation projects and services and to reward states for creating more flexibility in the use of their existing transportation funds. Requires the Secretary to make a grant for FY2010-FY2013 to: (1) each state whose increase in expenditures for public transportation projects and services over the preceding fiscal year was 10% or more and aggregate expenditures for such projects and services was $1 billion or less; (2) each large state whose increase in expenditures for such projects and services over the preceding fiscal year was 1% or more and aggregate expenditures for such projects and services was more than $1 billion; (3) each state that established in the first preceding fiscal year a dedicated source of revenue (i.e., state motor fuels tax, sales tax, or other specified sources of revenue) for carrying out public transportation projects and services that was not in effect in the second preceding fiscal year and which will result in a 10% increase of state funds expended for such projects and services within two years after such implementation; and (4) each state that in the preceding fiscal year amended state law or the state constitution to allow restricted highway funds to also be used for public transportation projects and services. Sets forth certain grant eligibility requirements. Directs the Secretary to conduct, and report to Congress on, a study to evaluate the pilot program.

Date: 2009-03-31
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Job Corps Act of 2009 - Requires the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to establish: (1) a National Joint Workforce Development Council; and (2) regional workforce development councils and governing boards in each of its 10 regions. Replaces the current discretionary grant and contract programs addressing human resource needs as they apply to public transportation activities. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator, to establish programs for the award of grants to: (1) nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to introduce disconnected youth (ages 16 through 24 who are out of school and unemployed) to careers in the transit industry by providing them with basic skills education and pre-apprenticeship skills; (2) partnerships of transit agencies and unions representing non-managerial employees (partnerships), as well as providers of management and technical programs for managerial employees, to develop education programs to improve job skills of transit employees and to provide education and training to assist individuals to enter the transit profession; and (3) the same or similar partnerships to develop special projects to increase education opportunities for disadvantaged transit industry individuals, including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented in transit management, by providing student scholarships, pre-entry preparation, and retention activities.

Date: 2009-05-19
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal public transportation safety program to improve the safety of, and reduce the number of accidents involving, rail fixed guideway public transportation systems and public transportation bus systems that receive federal assistance. Requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations to establish a federal certification program for employees and contractors who carry out state public transportation safety program activities in compliance with this Act. Delineates requirements for state preemption of federal law with respect to public transportation safety. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out certain public transportation safety program activities, including inspection and testing of public transportation systems and accident prevention and investigation. Allows a state to establish a state public transportation safety program that complies with federal regulations and policies issued by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants or enter into agreements to carry out such state programs, including to: (1) train employees to administer the program; and (2) enforce federal and state public transportation safety laws and regulations. Grants the Secretary enforcement authority for violations of public transportation safety, including alcohol and controlled substances testing. Authorizes the Secretary immediately, without regard to ordinary administrative procedure, to order restrictions and prohibitions to abate an emergency situation.

Date: 2010-02-22
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation and Housing Affordability Transparency Act - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop publicly a transportation affordability index that measures the transportation costs associated with the location of a home, both on a neighborhood and regional basis. Requires HUD to make the index publicly available through the Internet, as well as to Multiple Listing Services for real estate, regional and metropolitan planning organizations, local housing and planning agencies, and states, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and transportation management agencies. Requires HUD to: (1) incorporate transportation costs associated with the location of housing into affordability measures and standards for HUD housing programs; (2) provide related information and resources to states to encourage them to incorporate transportation costs into their housing and land use plans; (3) work with regional and local government entities to integrate housing, transportation, and other costs associated with location into long-range transportation, land use, housing and community development, or investment plans; and (4) work with federal agencies to incorporate the transportation affordability index.

Date: 2010-07-22
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Housing and community development
Commuter Bill of Rights Act of 2010 - Establishes the Commuter Transit Rights Commission. Requires the Commission to make recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation in the form of a Commuter Bill of Rights which includes: (1) a list of situations in which a provider of public transportation will implement its contingency plan during an emergency; (2) recommendations for minimum standards that a plan must meet, including the provision of food, water, restrooms, ventilation, and medical services, as well as the distribution of certain critical information to commuters on a disabled or delayed train or other transit vehicle; and (3) recommendations for federal regulations on commuter safety during emergencies. Authorizes the Secretary to provide competitive grants to providers of public transportation to develop and implement contingency plans that fulfill the Bill of Rights. Requires the Secretary to review the Bill of Rights and issue regulations to require providers of public transportation to comply with the Bill's recommended standards. Requires the Secretary to use the Bill of Rights to develop related federal policies. Authorizes the Secretary to assess penalties or sanctions against providers of public transportation who fail to submit, obtain approval of, or adhere to its contingency plan. Requires the Secretary to establish a consumer hotline telephone number for public transportation complaints.

Date: 2010-07-30
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Bus Uniform Standards and Enhanced Safety Act of 2009 or the BUSES Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to require: (1) monitoring of the safety performance of motorcoach service providers and other commercial motor carriers of passengers; and (2) progressive interventions to correct unsafe practices, and if they are not corrected, an enforcement action. Authorizes the Secretary to organize special enforcement strike forces to target commercial motor vehicle operators when appropriate. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations to establish minimum training requirements for motorcoach drivers; (2) review testing requirements for a commercial driver's license passenger endorsement; (3) develop requirements for the testing of medical examiners who examine commercial motor vehicle operators for physical fitness and seek to be listed in the national registry; (4) review annually the implementation of the commercial driver's license requirements of at least 10 states to assess the validity of physical examination reports and medical certificates submitted by certified medical examiners; and (5) establish the national registry of medical examiners. Sets forth additional Medical Review Board functions. Requires the Secretary to review and report to Congress on federal commercial motor vehicle safety inspection standards. Revises federal motor carrier registration requirements. Directs the Secretary to prescribe federal motor vehicle safety standards for occupant protection systems for new and existing motorcoaches. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a qualified motorcoach safety credit to a taxpayer for the costs of new and existing motorcoaches to comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standards. Requires the Secretary to provide grants (not to exceed $20,000 per vehicle) to motorcoach operators to assist with the cost of retrofitting motorcoaches in order to comply with such federal standards. Amends the Small Business Act to grant the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) the authority to make SBA loans and loan guarantees to motorcoach operators to retrofit their buses and motorcoaches for occupant protection.

Date: 2/23/2009
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Rural Transit Improvement and Flexibility Act of 2009 - Revises the apportionment of nonurbanized formula grants for amounts remaining after apportionment for grants to Indian tribes for public transportation on Indian reservations for FY2006-FY2009. Increases from 20% to 25% the amount of remaining funds to be apportioned to a state based on its land area. Decreases correspondingly from 80% to 75% the amount of remaining funds to be apportioned to a state based on population in nonurbanized areas. Limits to 25% of its apportionment for a formula grant for a capital project for the special needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities the amount a state may use for operating costs of equipment and facilities. Limits a grant for operating assistance from exceeding 50% of the net operating project costs. Increases such limit to 62.5% of the government share of project costs in the case of a state containing nontaxable Indian lands, individual and tribal, and public domain lands (both reserved and unreserved), national forests, and national parks and monuments. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot program for the award of grants to states to establish transit centers to improve transit service (buses and other transit vehicles) in urbanized areas with a population of less than 200,000 and in nonurbanized areas.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Northern Virginia Metrorail Extension Act of 2011 - Authorizes alternatives analysis and preliminary engineering for specified Metrorail new fixed guideway capital projects in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Commute LESS Act of 2011 or Commute-Leveraging Employer Support and Successes Act of 2011 - 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 (DOT) 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: 2011-01-11
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Private Investment in Commuter Vanpooling Act of 2011 - Allows the local matching share provided by a public transportation capital project assistance recipient to include expenditures by a private commuter vanpooling service provider to acquire rolling stock (vans). Authorizes such a private provider to use vanpool revenues exceeding operating costs to acquire such vans, if there is a binding agreement requiring the vans to be used in the state or local government's service area.

Date: 2011-02-09
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Job Corps Act of 2011 - Requires the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to establish: (1) a National Joint Workforce Development Council, and (2) regional workforce development councils and governing boards in each of its 10 regions. Replaces the current discretionary grant and contract programs addressing human resource needs as they apply to public transportation activities. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator, to establish programs for the award of grants to: (1) nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to introduce disconnected youth (ages 16 through 24 who are out of school and unemployed) to careers in the transit industry by providing them with basic skills education and pre-apprenticeship skills; (2) partnerships of transit agencies and unions representing non-managerial employees (partnerships), as well as providers of management and technical programs for managerial employees, to develop education programs to improve job skills of transit employees and to provide education and training to assist individuals to enter the transit profession; and (3) the same or similar partnerships to develop special projects to increase education opportunities for disadvantaged transit industry individuals, including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented in transit management, by providing student scholarships, pre-entry preparation, and retention activities.

Date: 2011-03-03
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Bus Uniform Standards and Enhanced Safety Act of 2011 or the BUSES Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to require: (1) monitoring of the safety performance of motorcoach service providers and other commercial motor carriers of passengers; and (2) progressive interventions to correct unsafe practices, and if they are not corrected, an enforcement action. Authorizes the Secretary to organize special enforcement strike forces to target commercial motor vehicle operators when appropriate. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prescribe regulations to establish minimum training requirements for motorcoach drivers, (2) review testing requirements for a commercial driver's license passenger endorsement, (3) develop requirements for the testing of medical examiners who examine commercial motor vehicle operators for physical fitness and seek to be listed in the national registry, (4) review annually the implementation of the commercial driver's license requirements of at least 10 states to assess the validity of physical examination reports and medical certificates submitted by certified medical examiners, and (5) establish the national registry of medical examiners. Sets forth additional Medical Review Board functions. Requires the Secretary to review and report to Congress on federal commercial motor vehicle safety inspection standards. Revises federal motor carrier registration requirements. Directs the Secretary to prescribe federal motor vehicle safety standards for occupant protection systems for new and existing motorcoaches. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a qualified motorcoach safety credit to a taxpayer for the costs of new and existing motorcoaches to comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standards. Requires the Secretary to provide grants (not to exceed $20,000 per vehicle) to motorcoach operators to assist with the cost of retrofitting motorcoaches in order to comply with such federal standards. Amends the Small Business Act to grant the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) the authority to make SBA loans and loan guarantees to motorcoach operators to retrofit their buses and motorcoaches for occupant protection.

Date: 2011-04-06
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Requires states, at a minimum, to cooperate with affected nonmetropolitan local officials responsible for transportation through regional transportation planning organizations to develop and implement long-range statewide transportation plans and statewide transportation improvement programs, with emphasis on addressing the transportation needs of nonmetropolitan areas of the state. Defines a regional transportation planning organization as a multi-jurisdictional organization composed of nonmetropolitan local officials (or their designees) and representatives of local transportation systems who all volunteer for such organization.

Date: 2011-04-14
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Transportation Flexible Savings Accounts 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.

Date: 2011-05-02
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Taxation
Providing Gas Price Relief Through Public Transportation Act of 2011 - Authorizes additional FY2011-FY2012 appropriations for formula grants to both urbanized and nonurbanized areas for the operating and capital costs of public transportation (including intercity bus service) equipment and facilities, but only if grant recipients: (1) reduce or do not increase fares, (2) do not reduce service, (3) expand service, (4) acquire clean fuel or alternative fuel vehicle-related equipment or facilities, or (5) establish or expand commuter matching services. Requires a 100% federal share of a grant project involving acquisition of clean fuel or alternative fuel vehicle-related equipment or facilities to comply with the Clean Air Act. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to direct the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to issue guidance on nationwide implementation of the transit pass transportation fringe benefits program for federal employees. Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to carry out vanpool demonstration projects.

Date: 2011-05-06
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Technology Helps Revamp, Evaluate, and Expedite Designs Act of 2011 or THREE-D Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to identify and encourage the use of advanced technologies, including 3-dimensional modeling and simulation software, during environmental, planning, financial management, design, simulation, and construction processes of federal-aid highway projects. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and implement incentives to accelerate the use of such technologies on such projects.

Date: 2011-06-02
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Community Transit Promotion Act of 2011 - Revises cost-sharing requirements for Department of Transportation (DOT) grants for job access service projects (designed to transport welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals to and from jobs and employment-related activities), reverse commute projects (designed to transport residents of urbanized areas and other than urbanized areas to suburban employment opportunities), and new freedom program projects (that assist individuals with disabilities with public transportation services and alternatives, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services). Increases the maximum operating assistance grant amount for such projects from 50% to 80% of the net operating project costs. Adds fare box revenues and service agreements with a transit provider as sources for the remainder of net project costs.

Date: 2011-09-22
Topic: Transportation (Mass)
Subject: Transportation and public works