Title 49 — Transportation
Part C · Chapter 249 — Northeast Corridor Improvement Program
§ 24911. Federal-State partnership for intercity passenger rail
Statutory text
Definitions.—
In this section:
Applicant.—
The term “applicant” means—
a State (including the District of Columbia);
a group of States;
an Interstate Compact;
a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States;
a political subdivision of a State;
Amtrak, acting on its own behalf or under a cooperative agreement with 1 or more States;
a federally recognized Indian Tribe; or
any combination of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (G).
Intercity rail passenger transportation.—
The term “intercity rail passenger transportation” has the meaning given the term in section 24102.
Northeast corridor.—
The term “Northeast Corridor” means—
the main rail line between Boston, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia;
the branch rail lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York; and
facilities and services used to operate and maintain lines described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
Grant Program Authorized.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall develop and implement a program for issuing grants to applicants, on a competitive basis, to fund capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service if an eligible applicant is involved;.1
Eligible Projects.—
The following capital projects, including acquisition of real property interests, are eligible to receive grants under this section:
A project to replace, rehabilitate, or repair infrastructure, equipment, or a facility used for providing intercity passenger rail service to bring such assets into a state of good repair.
A project to improve intercity passenger rail service performance, including reduced trip times, increased train frequencies, higher operating speeds, improved reliability, expanded capacity, reduced congestion, electrification, and other improvements, as determined by the Secretary.
A project to expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service.
A group of related projects described in paragraphs (1) through (3).
The planning, environmental studies, and final design for a project or group of projects described in paragraphs (1) through (4).
Project Selection Criteria.—
In selecting a project for funding under this section—
for projects located on the Northeast Corridor, the Secretary shall—
make selections consistent with the Northeast Corridor Project Inventory published pursuant to subsection (e)(1), unless when necessary to address materially changed infrastructure or service conditions, changes in project sponsor capabilities or commitments, or other significant changes since the completion of the most recently issued Northeast Corridor Project Inventory; and
for projects that benefit intercity and commuter rail services, only make such selections when Amtrak and the public authorities providing commuter rail passenger transportation at the eligible project location—
are in compliance with section 24905(c)(2); and
identify funding for the intercity passenger rail share, the commuter rail share, and the local share of the eligible project before the commencement of the project;
for projects not located on the Northeast Corridor, the Secretary shall—
give preference to eligible projects—
for which Amtrak is not the sole applicant;
that improve the financial performance, reliability, service frequency, or address the state of good repair of an Amtrak route; and
that are identified in, and consistent with, a corridor inventory prepared under the Corridor Identification and Development Program pursuant to section 25101; and
take into account—
the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed project, including anticipated private and public benefits relative to the costs of the proposed project, including—
effects on system and service performance, including as measured by applicable metrics set forth in part 273 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations);
effects on safety, competitiveness, reliability, trip or transit time, greenhouse gas emissions, and resilience;
anticipated positive economic and employment impacts, including development in areas near passenger stations, historic districts, or other opportunity zones;
efficiencies from improved connections with other modes; and
ability to meet existing or anticipated demand;
the degree to which the proposed project’s business plan considers potential private sector participation in the financing, construction, or operation of the proposed project;
the applicant’s past performance in developing and delivering similar projects, and previous financial contributions;
whether the applicant has, or will have—
the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the project;
satisfactory continuing access to the equipment or facilities; and
the capability and willingness to maintain the equipment or facilities;
if applicable, the consistency of the project with planning guidance and documents set forth by the Secretary or otherwise required by law;
whether the proposed project serves historically unconnected or underconnected communities; and
any other relevant factors, as determined by the Secretary; and
the Secretary shall reserve—
not less than 45 percent of the amounts appropriated for grants under this section for projects not located along the Northeast Corridor, of which not less than 20 percent shall be for projects that benefit (in whole or in part) a long-distance route; and
not less than 45 percent of the amounts appropriated for grants under this section for projects listed on the Northeast Corridor project inventory published pursuant to subsection (e)(1).
Long-term Planning.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall create a predictable project pipeline that will assist Amtrak, States, and the public with long-term capital planning by publishing a Northeast Corridor project inventory that—
identifies capital projects for Federal investment, project applicants, and proposed Federal funding levels under this section;
specifies the order in which the Secretary will provide grant funding to projects that have identified sponsors and are located along the Northeast Corridor, including a method and plan for apportioning funds to project sponsors for the 2-year period, which may be altered by the Secretary, as necessary, if recipients are not carrying out projects in accordance with the anticipated schedule;
takes into consideration the appropriate sequence and phasing of projects described in the Northeast Corridor capital investment plan developed pursuant to section 24904(a); 2
is consistent with the most recent Northeast Corridor service development plan update described in section 24904(d);3
takes into consideration the existing commitments and anticipated Federal, project applicant, sponsor, and other relevant funding levels for the next 5 fiscal years based on information currently available to the Secretary; and
is developed in consultation with the Northeast Corridor Commission and the owners of Northeast Corridor infrastructure and facilities.
Federal Share of Total Project Costs.—
Total project cost.—
The Secretary shall estimate the total cost of a project under this section based on the best available information, including engineering studies, studies of economic feasibility, environmental analyses, and information on the expected use of equipment or facilities.
Federal share.—
The Federal share of total costs for a project under this section shall not exceed 80 percent, except as specified under paragraph (4).
Treatment of amtrak revenue.—
If Amtrak is an applicant under this section, Amtrak may use ticket and other revenues generated from its operations and other sources to satisfy the non-Federal share requirements.
Letters of Intent; Phased Funding Agreements.—
Letters of intent.—
The Secretary may issue a letter of intent to a grantee under this section that—
announces an intention to obligate, for a major capital project under this section, an amount from future available budget authority specified in law that is not more than the amount stipulated as the financial participation of the Secretary in the project; and
states that the contingent commitment—
is not an obligation of the Federal Government; and
is subject to the availability of appropriations for grants under this section and subject to Federal laws in force or enacted after the date of the contingent commitment.
Phased funding agreements.—
In general.—
The Secretary may enter into a phased funding agreement with an applicant if—
the project is highly rated, based on the evaluations and ratings conducted pursuant to this section and the applicable notice of funding opportunity; and
the Federal assistance to be provided for the project under this section is more than $80,000,000.
Terms.—
A phased funding agreement shall—
establish the terms of participation by the Federal Government in the project;
establish the maximum amount of Federal financial assistance for the project;
include the period of time for completing the project, even if such period extends beyond the period for which Federal financial assistance is authorized;
make timely and efficient management of the project easier in accordance with Federal law; and
if applicable, specify when the process for complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and related environmental laws will be completed for the project.
Special financial rules.—
In general.—
A phased funding agreement under this paragraph obligates an amount of available budget authority specified in law and may include a commitment, contingent on amounts to be specified in law in advance for commitments under this paragraph, to obligate an additional amount from future available budget authority specified in law.
Statement of contingent commitment.—
The agreement shall state that the contingent commitment is not an obligation of the Government.
Interest and other financing costs.—
Interest and other financing costs of efficiently carrying out a part of the project within a reasonable time are a cost of carrying out the project under a phased funding agreement, except that eligible costs may not be more than the cost of the most favorable financing terms reasonably available for the project at the time of borrowing. The applicant shall certify, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the applicant has shown reasonable diligence in seeking the most favorable financing terms.
Failure to carry out project.—
If an applicant does not carry out the project for reasons within the control of the applicant, the applicant shall repay all Federal grant funds awarded for the project from all Federal funding sources, for all project activities, facilities, and equipment, plus reasonable interest and penalty charges allowable by law or established by the Secretary in the phased funding agreement. For purposes of this clause, a process for complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) that results in the selection of the no build alternative is not within the applicant’s control.
Crediting of funds received.—
Any funds received by the Government under this paragraph, except for interest and penalty charges, shall be credited to the appropriation account from which the funds were originally derived.
Congressional notification.—
In general.—
Not later than 30 days before issuing a phased funding agreement under paragraph (2) or a letter under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit written notification to—
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
Contents.—
The notification submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include—
a copy of the phased funding agreement or the proposed letter;
the criteria used under subsection (d) for selecting the project for a grant award; and
a description of how the project meets such criteria.
Appropriations required.—
In general.—
The Secretary may enter into phased funding agreements under this subsection that contain contingent commitments to incur obligations in such amounts as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
Appropriations required.—
An obligation or administrative commitment may be made under this section only when amounts are appropriated for such purpose.
Availability.—
Amounts appropriated for carrying out this section shall remain available until expended.
Grant Conditions.—
Except as specifically provided in this section, the use of any amounts appropriated for grants under this section shall be subject to the grant conditions under sections 22903 and 22905.
Annual Report on Phased Funding Agreements and Letters of Intent.—
Not later than the first Monday in February of each year, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives that includes—
a proposal for the allocation of amounts to be available to finance grants for projects under this section among applicants for such amounts;
evaluations and ratings, as applicable, for each project that has received a phased funding agreement or a letter of intent; and
recommendations for each project that has received a phased funding agreement or a letter of intent for funding based on the evaluations and ratings, as applicable, and on existing commitments and anticipated funding levels for the next 3 fiscal years based on information currently available to the Secretary.
Regional Planning Guidance Corridor Planning.—
The Secretary may withhold up to 5 percent of the total amount made available for this section to carry out planning and development activities related to section 25101, including—
providing funding to public entities for the development of service development plans selected under the Corridor Identification and Development Program;
facilitating and providing guidance for intercity passenger rail systems planning; and
providing funding for the development and refinement of intercity passenger rail systems planning analytical tools and models.
Footnotes
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015
Pub. L. 114–94 div. A title XI § 11302(a) · 129 Stat. 1312
Enacted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911
Added Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11302(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1648
Source evidence
Code source credit
Added Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11302(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1648Enacted provision · exact public law section
(a) Amendment.— Chapter 249 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 24910 the following: “§ 24911. Federal-State partnership for state of good repair “(a) Definitions.— In this section: “(1) Applicant.— The term ‘applicant’ means— “(A) a State (including the District of Columbia); “(B) a group of States; “(C) an Interstate Compact; “(D) a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States; “(E) a political subdivision of a State; “(F) Amtrak, acting on its own behalf or under a cooperative agreement with 1 or more States; or “(G) any combination of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F). “(2) Capital project.— The term ‘capital project’ means— “(A) a project primarily intended to replace, rehabilitate, or repair major infrastructure assets utilized for providing intercity rail passenger service, including tunnels, bridges, stations, and other assets, as determined by the Secretary; or “(B) a project primarily intended to improve intercity passenger rail performance, including reduced trip times, increased train frequencies, higher operating speeds, and other improvements, as determined by the Secretary. “(3) Intercity rail passenger transportation.— The term ‘intercity rail passenger transportation’ has the meaning given the term in section 24102. “(4) Northeast corridor.— The term ‘Northeast Corridor’ means— “(A) the main rail line between Boston, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia; “(B) the branch rail lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, New York; and “(C) facilities and services used to operate and maintain lines described in subparagraphs (A) and (B). “(5) Qualified railroad asset.— The term ‘qualified railroad asset’ means infrastructure, equipment, or a facility that— “(A) is owned or controlled by an eligible applicant; “(B) is contained in the planning document developed under section 24904 and for which a cost-allocation policy has been developed under section 24905(c), or is contained in an equivalent planning document and for which a similar cost-allocation policy has been developed; and “(C) was not in a state of good repair on the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015. “(b) Grant Program Authorized.— The Secretary of Transportation shall develop and implement a program for issuing grants to applicants, on a competitive basis, to fund capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog with respect to qualified railroad assets. “(c) Eligible Projects.— Projects eligible for grants under this section include capital projects to replace or rehabilitate qualified railroad assets, including— “(1) capital projects to replace existing assets in-kind; “(2) capital projects to replace existing assets with assets that increase capacity or provide a higher level of service; “(3) capital projects to ensure that service can be maintained while existing assets are brought to a state of good repair; and “(4) capital projects to bring existing assets into a state of good repair. “(d) Project Selection Criteria.— In selecting an applicant for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall— “(1) give preference to eligible projects for which— “(A) Amtrak is not the sole applicant; “(B) applications were submitted jointly by multiple applicants; and “(C) the proposed Federal share of total project costs does not exceed 50 percent; and “(2) take into account— “(A) the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed project, including anticipated private and public benefits relative to the costs of the proposed project, including— “(i) effects on system and service performance; “(ii) effects on safety, competitiveness, reliability, trip or transit time, and resilience; “(iii) efficiencies from improved integration with other modes; and “(iv) ability to meet existing or anticipated demand; “(B) the degree to which the proposed project’s business plan considers potential private sector participation in the financing, construction, or operation of the proposed project; “(C) the applicant’s past performance in developing and delivering similar projects, and previous financial contributions; “(D) whether the applicant has, or will have— “(i) the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the project; “(ii) satisfactory continuing control over the use of the equipment or facilities; and “(iii) the capability and willingness to maintain the equipment or facilities; “(E) if applicable, the consistency of the project with planning guidance and documents set forth by the Secretary or required by law; and “(F) any other relevant factors, as determined by the Secretary. “(e) Northeast Corridor Projects.— “(1) Compliance with usage agreements.— Grant funds may not be provided under this section to an eligible recipient for an eligible project located on the Northeast Corridor unless Amtrak and the public authorities providing commuter rail passenger transportation on the Northeast Corridor are in compliance with section 24905(c)(2). “(2) Capital investment plan.— When selecting projects located on the Northeast Corridor, the Secretary shall consider the appropriate sequence and phasing of projects as contained in the Northeast Corridor capital investment plan developed pursuant to section 24904(a). “(f) Federal Share of Total Project Costs.— “(1) Total project cost.— The Secretary shall estimate the total cost of a project under this section based on the best available information, including engineering studies, studies of economic feasibility, environmental analyses, and information on the expected use of equipment or facilities. “(2) Federal share.— The Federal share of total costs for a project under this section shall not exceed 80 percent. “(3) Treatment of amtrak revenue.— If Amtrak is an applicant under this section, Amtrak may use ticket and other revenues generated from its operations and other sources to satisfy the non-Federal share requirements. “(g) Letters of Intent.— “(1) In general.— The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, issue a letter of intent to a grantee under this section that— “(A) announces an intention to obligate, for a major capital project under this section, an amount from future available budget authority specified in law that is not more than the amount stipulated as the financial participation of the Secretary in the project; and “(B) states that the contingent commitment— “(i) is not an obligation of the Federal Government; and “(ii) is subject to the availability of appropriations for grants under this section and subject to Federal laws in force or enacted after the date of the contingent commitment. “(2) Congressional notification.— “(A) In general.— Not later than 30 days before issuing a letter under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit written notification to— “(i) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; “(ii) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; “(iii) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and “(iv) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. “(B) Contents.— The notification submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include— “(i) a copy of the proposed letter; “(ii) the criteria used under subsection (d) for selecting the project for a grant award; and “(iii) a description of how the project meets such criteria. “(3) Appropriations required.— An obligation or administrative commitment may be made under this section only when amounts are appropriated for such purpose. “(h) Availability.— Amounts appropriated for carrying out this section shall remain available until expended. “(i) Grant Conditions.— Except as specifically provided in this section, the use of any amounts appropriated for grants under this section shall be subject to the grant conditions under section 24405.” .Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2018
Pub. L. 115–141 div. L title I · 132 Stat. 348
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(e)(1)
Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “transportation at the eligible project location” for “transportation”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “transportation at the eligible project location” for “transportation”.Enacted provision · exact public law
TITLE I DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary salaries and expenses For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary, $112,813,000, of which not to exceed $3,001,000 shall be available for the immediate Office of the Secretary; not to exceed $1,040,000 shall be available for the immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary; not to exceed $20,555,000 shall be available for the Office of the General Counsel; not to exceed $10,331,000 shall be available for the Office of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy; not to exceed $14,019,000 shall be available for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs; not to exceed $2,546,000 shall be available for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs; not to exceed $29,356,000 shall be available for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration; not to exceed $2,142,000 shall be available for the Office of Public Affairs; not to exceed $1,760,000 shall be available for the Office of the Executive Secretariat; not to exceed $11,318,000 shall be available for the Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response; and not to exceed $16,745,000 shall be available for the Office of the Chief Information Officer: Provided, That the Secretary of Transportation is authorized to transfer funds appropriated for any office of the Office of the Secretary to any other office of the Office of the Secretary: Provided further, That no appropriation for any office shall be increased or decreased by more than 7 percent by all such transfers: Provided further, That notice of any change in funding greater than 7 percent shall be submitted for approval to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That not to exceed $60,000 shall be for allocation within the Department for official reception and representation expenses as the Secretary may determine: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, excluding fees authorized in Public Law 107–71, there may be credited to this appropriation up to $2,500,000 in funds received in user fees: Provided further, That none of the funds provided in this Act shall be available for the position of Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. research and technology For necessary expenses related to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, $23,465,109, of which $2,618,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2020, and of which $15,000,000, to remain available until expended, is for new competitive grants under 49 U.S.C. 5505 to a national center for congestion research and a national center for infrastructure research: Provided, That such amounts are in addition to amounts previously provided for such program: Provided further, That such amounts for additional national centers are provided notwithstanding 49 U.S.C. 5505(c)(2)(A): Provided further, That there may be credited to this appropriation, to be available until expended, funds received from States, counties, municipalities, other public authorities, and private sources for expenses incurred for training: Provided further, That any reference in law, regulation, judicial proceedings, or elsewhere to the Research and Innovative Technology Administration shall continue to be deemed to be a reference to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology of the Department of Transportation. national infrastructure investments For capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure, $1,500,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2020: Provided, That the Secretary of Transportation shall distribute funds provided under this heading as discretionary grants to be awarded to a State, local government, transit agency, or a collaboration among such entities on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact: Provided further, That projects eligible for funding provided under this heading shall include, but not be limited to, highway or bridge projects eligible under title 23, United States Code; public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code; passenger and freight rail transportation projects; and port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry): Provided further, That of the amount made available under this heading, the Secretary may use an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 for the planning, preparation or design of projects eligible for funding under this heading: Provided further, That grants awarded under the previous proviso shall not be subject to a minimum grant size: Provided further, That the Secretary may use up to 20 percent of the funds made available under this heading for the purpose of paying the subsidy and administrative costs of projects eligible for Federal credit assistance under chapter 6 of title 23, United States Code, if the Secretary finds that such use of the funds would advance the purposes of this paragraph: Provided further, That in distributing funds provided under this heading, the Secretary shall take such measures so as to ensure an equitable geographic distribution of funds, an appropriate balance in addressing the needs of urban and rural areas, and the investment in a variety of transportation modes: Provided further, That a grant funded under this heading shall be not less than $5,000,000 and not greater than $25,000,000: Provided further, That not more than 10 percent of the funds made available under this heading may be awarded to projects in a single State: Provided further, That the Federal share of the costs for which an expenditure is made under this heading shall be, at the option of the recipient, up to 80 percent: Provided further, That the Secretary shall give priority to projects that require a contribution of Federal funds in order to complete an overall financing package: Provided further, That not less than 30 percent of the funds provided under this heading shall be for projects located in rural areas: Provided further, That for projects located in rural areas, the minimum grant size shall be $1,000,000 and the Secretary may increase the Federal share of costs above 80 percent: Provided further, That projects conducted using funds provided under this heading must comply with the requirements of subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code: Provided further, That the Secretary shall conduct a new competition to select the grants and credit assistance awarded under this heading: Provided further, That the Secretary may retain up to $25,000,000 of the funds provided under this heading, and may transfer portions of those funds to the Administrators of the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the Maritime Administration to fund the award and oversight of grants and credit assistance made under the National Infrastructure Investments program: Provided further, That none of the funds provided in the previous proviso may be used to hire additional personnel: Provided further, That the Secretary shall not use the Federal share as a selection criteria in awarding projects: Provided further, That the Secretary shall issue the Notice of Funding Opportunity under the previous proviso no later than 60 days after enactment of this Act: Provided further, That the Notice of Funding Opportunity shall require application submissions 90 days after the publishing of such Notice: Provided further, That of the applications submitted under the previous two provisos, the Secretary shall make grants no later than 270 days after enactment of this Act in such amounts that the Secretary determines. national surface transportation and innovative finance bureau For necessary expenses for the administration of the National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau (the Bureau) within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, $3,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary of Transportation shall use such amount for the necessary expenses to fulfill the responsibilities of the Bureau, as detailed in section 9001 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114–94) (49 U.S.C. 116): Provided further, That the Secretary is required to receive the advance approval of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations prior to exercising the authorities of 49 U.S.C. 116(h): Provided further, That the program be available to other Federal agencies, States, municipalities and project sponsors seeking Federal transportation expertise in obtaining financing. financial management capital For necessary expenses for upgrading and enhancing the Department of Transportation’s financial systems and re-engineering business processes, $6,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2020. cyber security initiatives For necessary expenses for cyber security initiatives, including necessary upgrades to wide area network and information technology infrastructure, improvement of network perimeter controls and identity management, testing and assessment of information technology against business, security, and other requirements, implementation of Federal cyber security initiatives and information infrastructure enhancements, and implementation of enhanced security controls on network devices, $15,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2019. office of civil rights For necessary expenses of the Office of Civil Rights, $9,500,000. transportation planning, research, and development For necessary expenses for conducting transportation planning, research, systems development, development activities, and making grants, to remain available until expended, $14,000,000: Provided, That of such amount, $1,500,000 shall be for necessary expenses of the Interagency Infrastructure Permitting Improvement Center (IIPIC): Provided further, That there may be transferred to this appropriation, to remain available until expended, amounts transferred from other Federal agencies for expenses incurred under this heading for IIPIC activities not related to transportation infrastructure: Provided further, That the tools and analysis developed by the IIPIC shall be available to other Federal agencies for the permitting and review of major infrastructure projects not related to transportation only to the extent that other Federal agencies provide funding to the Department as provided for under the previous proviso. working capital fund For necessary expenses for operating costs and capital outlays of the Working Capital Fund, not to exceed $202,245,000, shall be paid from appropriations made available to the Department of Transportation: Provided, That such services shall be provided on a competitive basis to entities within the Department of Transportation: Provided further, That the above limitation on operating expenses shall not apply to non-DOT entities: Provided further, That no funds appropriated in this Act to an agency of the Department shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund without majority approval of the Working Capital Fund Steering Committee and approval of the Secretary: Provided further, That no assessments may be levied against any program, budget activity, subactivity or project funded by this Act unless notice of such assessments and the basis therefor are presented to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and are approved by such Committees. minority business resource center program For necessary expenses of the Minority Business Resource Center, the provision of financial education outreach activities to eligible transportation-related small businesses, the monitoring of existing loans in the guaranteed loan program, and the modification of such loans of the Minority Business Resource Center, $500,301, as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 332; Provided, That notwithstanding that section, these funds may be for business opportunities related to any mode of transportation. small and disadvantaged business utilization and outreach For necessary expenses for small and disadvantaged business utilization and outreach activities, $4,646,000, to remain available until September 30, 2019: Provided, That notwithstanding 49 U.S.C. 332, these funds may be used for business opportunities related to any mode of transportation. payments to air carriers (airport and airway trust fund) In addition to funds made available from any other source to carry out the essential air service program under 49 U.S.C. 41731 through 41742, $155,000,000, to be derived from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to remain available until expended: Provided, That in determining between or among carriers competing to provide service to a community, the Secretary may consider the relative subsidy requirements of the carriers: Provided further, That basic essential air service minimum requirements shall not include the 15-passenger capacity requirement under subsection 41732(b)(3) of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act or any other Act shall be used to enter into a new contract with a community located less than 40 miles from the nearest small hub airport before the Secretary has negotiated with the community over a local cost share: Provided further, That amounts authorized to be distributed for the essential air service program under subsection 41742(b) of title 49, United States Code, shall be made available immediately from amounts otherwise provided to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration: Provided further, That the Administrator may reimburse such amounts from fees credited to the account established under section 45303 of title 49, United States Code. Sec. 101. administrative provisions—office of the secretary of transportation None of the funds made available in this Act to the Department of Transportation may be obligated for the Office of the Secretary of Transportation to approve assessments or reimbursable agreements pertaining to funds appropriated to the modal administrations in this Act, except for activities underway on the date of enactment of this Act, unless such assessments or agreements have completed the normal reprogramming process for Congressional notification. Sec. 102. The Secretary shall post on the Web site of the Department of Transportation a schedule of all meetings of the Council on Credit and Finance, including the agenda for each meeting, and require the Council on Credit and Finance to record the decisions and actions of each meeting. Sec. 103. In addition to authority provided by section 327 of title 49, United States Code, the Department’s Working Capital Fund is hereby authorized to provide partial or full payments in advance and accept subsequent reimbursements from all Federal agencies from available funds for transit benefit distribution services that are necessary to carry out the Federal transit pass transportation fringe benefit program under Executive Order No. 13150 and section 3049 of Public Law 109–59: Provided, That the Department shall maintain a reasonable operating reserve in the Working Capital Fund, to be expended in advance to provide uninterrupted transit benefits to Government employees: Provided further, That such reserve will not exceed one month of benefits payable and may be used only for the purpose of providing for the continuation of transit benefits: Provided further, That the Working Capital Fund will be fully reimbursed by each customer agency from available funds for the actual cost of the transit benefit. Federal Aviation Administration operations (airport and airway trust fund) For necessary expenses of the Federal Aviation Administration, not otherwise provided for, including operations and research activities related to commercial space transportation, administrative expenses for research and development, establishment of air navigation facilities, the operation (including leasing) and maintenance of aircraft, subsidizing the cost of aeronautical charts and maps sold to the public, the lease or purchase of passenger motor vehicles for replacement only, in addition to amounts made available by Public Law 112–95, $10,211,754,000, to remain available until September 30, 2019, of which $8,851,000,000 shall be derived from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, of which not to exceed $7,692,786,000 shall be available for air traffic organization activities; not to exceed $1,310,000,000 shall be available for aviation safety activities; not to exceed $22,587,000 shall be available for commercial space transportation activities; not to exceed $801,506,000 shall be available for finance and management activities; not to exceed $60,000,000 shall be available for NextGen and operations planning activities; not to exceed $112,622,000 shall be available for security and hazardous materials safety; and not to exceed $212,253,000 shall be available for staff offices: Provided, That not to exceed 5 percent of any budget activity, except for aviation safety budget activity, may be transferred to any budget activity under this heading: Provided further, That no transfer may increase or decrease any appropriation by more than 5 percent: Provided further, That any transfer in excess of 5 percent shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds under section 405 of this Act and shall not be available for obligation or expenditure except in compliance with the procedures set forth in that section: Provided further, That not later than March 31 of each fiscal year hereafter, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall transmit to Congress an annual update to the report submitted to Congress in December 2004 pursuant to section 221 of Public Law 108–176: Provided further, That the amount herein appropriated shall be reduced by $100,000 for each day after March 31 that such report has not been submitted to the Congress: Provided further, That not later than March 31 of each fiscal year hereafter, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a companion report that describes a comprehensive strategy for staffing, hiring, and training flight standards and aircraft certification staff in a format similar to the one utilized for the controller staffing plan, including stated attrition estimates and numerical hiring goals by fiscal year: Provided further, That the amount herein appropriated shall be reduced by $100,000 per day for each day after March 31 that such report has not been submitted to Congress: Provided further, That funds may be used to enter into a grant agreement with a nonprofit standard-setting organization to assist in the development of aviation safety standards: Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act shall be available for new applicants for the second career training program: Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act shall be available for the Federal Aviation Administration to finalize or implement any regulation that would promulgate new aviation user fees not specifically authorized by law after the date of the enactment of this Act: Provided further, That there may be credited to this appropriation, as offsetting collections, funds received from States, counties, municipalities, foreign authorities, other public authorities, and private sources for expenses incurred in the provision of agency services, including receipts for the maintenance and operation of air navigation facilities, and for issuance, renewal or modification of certificates, including airman, aircraft, and repair station certificates, or for tests related thereto, or for processing major repair or alteration forms: Provided further, That of the funds appropriated under this heading, not less than $165,000,000 shall be used to fund direct operations of the current 253 air traffic control towers in the contract tower program, including the contract tower cost share program, and any airport that is currently qualified or that will qualify for the program during the fiscal year: Provided further, That not later than 30 days after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall transmit to Congress the final disposition of the Benefit Cost Analysis for applications for participation in the Contract Tower Program and for reevaluation of Cost-share Program participants pending as of January 1, 2016, as mandated by section 119C of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115–31): Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act for aeronautical charting and cartography are available for activities conducted by, or coordinated through, the Working Capital Fund: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act or any other Act may be used to eliminate the Contract Weather Observers program at any airport. facilities and equipment (airport and airway trust fund) For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, for acquisition, establishment, technical support services, improvement by contract or purchase, and hire of national airspace systems and experimental facilities and equipment, as authorized under part A of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, including initial acquisition of necessary sites by lease or grant; engineering and service testing, including construction of test facilities and acquisition of necessary sites by lease or grant; construction and furnishing of quarters and related accommodations for officers and employees of the Federal Aviation Administration stationed at remote localities where such accommodations are not available; and the purchase, lease, or transfer of aircraft from funds available under this heading, including aircraft for aviation regulation and certification; to be derived from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, $3,250,000,000, of which $498,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2019, $2,602,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2020, and $150,000,000 shall remain available until expended: Provided, That there may be credited to this appropriation funds received from States, counties, municipalities, other public authorities, and private sources, for expenses incurred in the establishment, improvement, and modernization of national airspace systems: Provided further, That no later than March 31, the Secretary of Transportation shall transmit to the Congress an investment plan for the Federal Aviation Administration which includes funding for each budget line item for fiscal years 2019 through 2023, with total funding for each year of the plan constrained to the funding targets for those years as estimated and approved by the Office of Management and Budget. research, engineering, and development (airport and airway trust fund) For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, for research, engineering, and development, as authorized under part A of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code, including construction of experimental facilities and acquisition of necessary sites by lease or grant, $188,926,000, to be derived from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That there may be credited to this appropriation as offsetting collections, funds received from States, counties, municipalities, other public authorities, and private sources, which shall be available for expenses incurred for research, engineering, and development. grants-in-aid for airports (liquidation of contract authorization) (limitation on obligations) (airport and airway trust fund) (including transfer of funds) For liquidation of obligations incurred for grants-in-aid for airport planning and development, and noise compatibility planning and programs as authorized under subchapter I of chapter 471 and subchapter I of chapter 475 of title 49, United States Code, and under other law authorizing such obligations; for procurement, installation, and commissioning of runway incursion prevention devices and systems at airports of such title; for grants authorized under section 41743 of title 49, United States Code; and for inspection activities and administration of airport safety programs, including those related to airport operating certificates under section 44706 of title 49, United States Code, $3,000,000,000, to be derived from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and to remain available until expended: Provided, That none of the funds under this heading shall be available for the planning or execution of programs the obligations for which are in excess of $3,350,000,000 in fiscal year 2018, notwithstanding section 47117(g) of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That none of the funds under this heading shall be available for the replacement of baggage conveyor systems, reconfiguration of terminal baggage areas, or other airport improvements that are necessary to install bulk explosive detection systems: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 47109(a) of title 49, United States Code, the Government’s share of allowable project costs under paragraph (2) for subgrants or paragraph (3) of that section shall be 95 percent for a project at other than a large or medium hub airport that is a successive phase of a multi-phased construction project for which the project sponsor received a grant in fiscal year 2011 for the construction project: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, of funds limited under this heading, not more than $111,863,000 shall be available for administration, not less than $15,000,000 shall be available for the Airport Cooperative Research Program, not less than $33,210,000 shall be available for Airport Technology Research, and $10,000,000, to remain available until expended, shall be available and transferred to “Office of the Secretary, Salaries and Expenses” to carry out the Small Community Air Service Development Program: Provided further, That in addition to airports eligible under section 41743 of title 49, such program may include the participation of an airport that serves a community or consortium that is not larger than a small hub airport, according to FAA hub classifications effective at the time the Office of the Secretary issues a request for proposals. grants-in-aid for airports For an additional amount for “Grants-In-Aid for Airports”, to enable the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for projects as authorized by subchapter 1 of chapter 471 and subchapter 1 of chapter 475 of title 49, United States Code, $1,000,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2020: Provided, That amounts made available under this heading shall be derived from the general fund, and such funds shall not be subject to apportionment formulas, special apportionment categories, or minimum percentages under chapter 471: Provided further, That the Secretary shall distribute funds provided under this heading as discretionary grants to airports: Provided further, That the Secretary shall give priority consideration to projects at (a) nonprimary airports that are classified as Regional, Local, or Basic airports and are not located within a Metropolitan or Micropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, or (b) primary airports that are classified as Small or Nonhub airports: Provided further, That the Federal share payable of the costs for which a grant is made under this heading to a nonprimary airport shall be 100 percent: Provided further, That the amount made available under this heading shall not be subject to any limitation on obligations for the Grants-in-Aid for Airports program set forth in any Act: Provided further, That the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may retain up to 0.5 percent of the funds provided under this heading to fund the award and oversight by the Administrator of grants made under this heading. Sec. 110. administrative provisions—federal aviation administration None of the funds in this Act may be used to compensate in excess of 600 technical staff-years under the federally funded research and development center contract between the Federal Aviation Administration and the Center for Advanced Aviation Systems Development during fiscal year 2018. Sec. 111. None of the funds in this Act shall be used to pursue or adopt guidelines or regulations requiring airport sponsors to provide to the Federal Aviation Administration without cost building construction, maintenance, utilities and expenses, or space in airport sponsor-owned buildings for services relating to air traffic control, air navigation, or weather reporting: Provided, That the prohibition of funds in this section does not apply to negotiations between the agency and airport sponsors to achieve agreement on “below-market” rates for these items or to grant assurances that require airport sponsors to provide land without cost to the Federal Aviation Administration for air traffic control facilities. Sec. 112. The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may reimburse amounts made available to satisfy 49 U.S.C. 41742(a)(1) from fees credited under 49 U.S.C. 45303 and any amount remaining in such account at the close of that fiscal year may be made available to satisfy section 41742(a)(1) for the subsequent fiscal year. Sec. 113. Amounts collected under section 40113(e) of title 49, United States Code, shall be credited to the appropriation current at the time of collection, to be merged with and available for the same purposes of such appropriation. Sec. 114. None of the funds in this Act shall be available for paying premium pay under subsection 5546(a) of title 5, United States Code, to any Federal Aviation Administration employee unless such employee actually performed work during the time corresponding to such premium pay. Sec. 115. None of the funds in this Act may be obligated or expended for an employee of the Federal Aviation Administration to purchase a store gift card or gift certificate through use of a Government-issued credit card. Sec. 116. None of the funds in this Act may be obligated or expended for retention bonuses for an employee of the Federal Aviation Administration without the prior written approval of the Assistant Secretary for Administration of the Department of Transportation. Sec. 117. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds made available under this Act or any prior Act may be used to implement or to continue to implement any limitation on the ability of any owner or operator of a private aircraft to obtain, upon a request to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, a blocking of that owner’s or operator’s aircraft registration number from any display of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aircraft Situational Display to Industry data that is made available to the public, except data made available to a Government agency, for the noncommercial flights of that owner or operator. Sec. 118. None of the funds in this Act shall be available for salaries and expenses of more than eight political and Presidential appointees in the Federal Aviation Administration. Sec. 119. None of the funds made available under this Act may be used to increase fees pursuant to section 44721 of title 49, United States Code, until the Federal Aviation Administration provides to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a report that justifies all fees related to aeronautical navigation products and explains how such fees are consistent with Executive Order 13642. Sec. 119A. None of the funds in this Act may be used to close a regional operations center of the Federal Aviation Administration or reduce its services unless the Administrator notifies the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations not less than 90 full business days in advance. Sec. 119B. None of the funds appropriated or limited by this Act may be used to change weight restrictions or prior permission rules at Teterboro airport in Teterboro, New Jersey. Sec. 119C. None of the funds provided under this Act may be used by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to withhold from consideration and approval any application for participation in the Contract Tower Program, or for reevaluation of Cost-share Program participants, pending as of January 1, 2016, as long as the Federal Aviation Administration has received an application from the airport, and as long as the Administrator determines such tower is eligible using the factors set forth in the Federal Aviation Administration report, Establishment and Discontinuance Criteria for Airport Traffic Control Towers (FAA–APO–90–7 as of August, 1990). Sec. 119D. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds made available in this Act may be obligated or expended to limit the use of an Organization Designation Authorization’s (ODA) delegated functions documented in its procedures manual on a type certification project unless the Administrator documents a systemic airworthiness noncompliance performance issue as a result of inspection or oversight that the safety of air commerce requires a limitation with regard to a specific authorization or where an ODA’s capability has not been previously established in terms of a new compliance method or design feature: Provided, That in such cases FAA shall work with the ODA holder if requested to develop the capability to execute that function safely, efficiently and effectively. Federal Highway Administration limitation on administrative expenses (highway trust fund) (including transfer of funds) Not to exceed $439,443,925, together with advances and reimbursements received by the Federal Highway Administration, shall be obligated for necessary expenses for administration and operation of the Federal Highway Administration. In addition, $3,248,000 shall be transferred to the Appalachian Regional Commission in accordance with section 104(a) of title 23, United States Code. federal-aid highways (limitation on obligations) (highway trust fund) Funds available for the implementation or execution of Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs authorized under titles 23 and 49, United States Code, and the provisions of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act shall not exceed total obligations of $44,234,212,000 for fiscal year 2018: Provided, That the Secretary may collect and spend fees, as authorized by title 23, United States Code, to cover the costs of services of expert firms, including counsel, in the field of municipal and project finance to assist in the underwriting and servicing of Federal credit instruments and all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of servicing such credit instruments: Provided further, That such fees are available until expended to pay for such costs: Provided further, That such amounts are in addition to administrative expenses that are also available for such purpose, and are not subject to any obligation limitation or the limitation on administrative expenses under section 608 of title 23, United States Code. (liquidation of contract authorization) (highway trust fund) For the payment of obligations incurred in carrying out Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs authorized under title 23, United States Code, $44,973,212,000 derived from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), to remain available until expended. highway infrastructure programs There is hereby appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation $2,525,000,000: Provided, That the amounts made available under this heading shall be derived from the general fund, shall be in addition to any funds provided for fiscal year 2018 in this or any other Act for “Federal-aid Highways” under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, and shall not affect the distribution or amount of funds provided in any other Act: Provided further, That section 1101(b) of Public Law 114–94 shall apply to funds made available under this heading: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, $1,980,000,000 shall be set aside for activities eligible under section 133(b)(1)(A) of title 23, United States Code, $15,800,000 shall be set aside for activities eligible under the Puerto Rico Highway Program as described in section 165(b)(2)(C) of such title, $4,200,000 shall be set aside for activities eligible under the Territorial Highway Program, as described in section 165(c)(6) of such title, and $300,000,000 shall be set aside for the nationally significant Federal lands and tribal projects program under section 1123 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114–94): Provided further, That the funds made available under this heading for activities eligible under section 133(b)(1)(A) of title 23, United States Code, shall be apportioned to the States in the same ratio as the obligation limitation for fiscal year 2018 is distributed among the States in section 120(a)(5) of this Act: Provided further, That the funds made available under this heading for activities eligible under section 133(b)(1)(A) of title 23, United States Code, shall be suballocated in the manner described in section 133(d) of such title, except that the set-aside described in section 133(h) of such title shall not apply to funds made available under this heading: Provided further, That the funds made available under this heading for activities eligible under section 133(b)(1)(A) of such title shall be administered as if apportioned under chapter 1 of such title and shall remain available through September 30, 2021: Provided further, That, except as provided in the following proviso, the funds made available under this heading for activities eligible under the Puerto Rico Highway Program and activities eligible under the Territorial Highway Program shall be administered as if allocated under sections 165(b) and 165(c), respectively, of such title and shall remain available through September 30, 2021: Provided further, That the funds made available under this heading for activities eligible under the Puerto Rico Highway Program shall not be subject to the requirements of sections 165(b)(2)(A) or 165(b)(2)(B) of such title: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 1123(h) of the FAST Act, the funds made available under this heading for the nationally significant Federal lands and tribal projects program in section 1123 of such Act shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, $225,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2021, shall be set aside for a competitive highway bridge program for States that have a population density of less than 100 individuals per square mile: Provided further, That the funds made available by the previous proviso shall be (1) used for highway bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects on public roads that demonstrate cost savings by bundling multiple highway bridge projects and (2) administered as if apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code: Provided further, That for purpose of the previous two provisos, the Secretary shall calculate population density figures based on the latest available data from the decennial census conducted under section 141(a) of title 13, United States Code. Sec. 120. administrative provisions—federal highway administration (a) For fiscal year 2018, the Secretary of Transportation shall— (1) not distribute from the obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways— (A) amounts authorized for administrative expenses and programs by section 104(a) of title 23, United States Code; and (B) amounts authorized for the Bureau of Transportation Statistics; (2) not distribute an amount from the obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways that is equal to the unobligated balance of amounts— (A) made available from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for previous fiscal years the funds for which are allocated by the Secretary (or apportioned by the Secretary under sections 202 or 204 of title 23, United States Code); and (B) for which obligation limitation was provided in a previous fiscal year; (3) determine the proportion that— (A) the obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways, less the aggregate of amounts not distributed under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection; bears to (B) the total of the sums authorized to be appropriated for the Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs (other than sums authorized to be appropriated for provisions of law described in paragraphs (1) through (11) of subsection (b) and sums authorized to be appropriated for section 119 of title 23, United States Code, equal to the amount referred to in subsection (b)(12) for such fiscal year), less the aggregate of the amounts not distributed under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection; (4) distribute the obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways, less the aggregate amounts not distributed under paragraphs (1) and (2), for each of the programs (other than programs to which paragraph (1) applies) that are allocated by the Secretary under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act and title 23, United States Code, or apportioned by the Secretary under sections 202 or 204 of that title, by multiplying— (A) the proportion determined under paragraph (3); by (B) the amounts authorized to be appropriated for each such program for such fiscal year; and (5) distribute the obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways, less the aggregate amounts not distributed under paragraphs (1) and (2) and the amounts distributed under paragraph (4), for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs that are apportioned by the Secretary under title 23, United States Code (other than the amounts apportioned for the National Highway Performance Program in section 119 of title 23, United States Code, that are exempt from the limitation under subsection (b)(12) and the amounts apportioned under sections 202 and 204 of that title) in the proportion that— (A) amounts authorized to be appropriated for the programs that are apportioned under title 23, United States Code, to each State for such fiscal year; bears to (B) the total of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the programs that are apportioned under title 23, United States Code, to all States for such fiscal year. (b) Exceptions From Obligation Limitation.— The obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways shall not apply to obligations under or for— (1) section 125 of title 23, United States Code; (2) section 147 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 (23 U.S.C. 144 note; 92 Stat. 2714); (3) section 9 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1981 (95 Stat. 1701); (4) subsections (b) and (j) of section 131 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (96 Stat. 2119); (5) subsections (b) and (c) of section 149 of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (101 Stat. 198); (6) sections 1103 through 1108 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2027); (7) section 157 of title 23, United States Code (as in effect on June 8, 1998); (8) section 105 of title 23, United States Code (as in effect for fiscal years 1998 through 2004, but only in an amount equal to $639,000,000 for each of those fiscal years); (9) Federal-aid highway programs for which obligation authority was made available under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 107) or subsequent Acts for multiple years or to remain available until expended, but only to the extent that the obligation authority has not lapsed or been used; (10) section 105 of title 23, United States Code (as in effect for fiscal years 2005 through 2012, but only in an amount equal to $639,000,000 for each of those fiscal years); (11) section 1603 of SAFETEA–LU (23 U.S.C. 118 note; 119 Stat. 1248), to the extent that funds obligated in accordance with that section were not subject to a limitation on obligations at the time at which the funds were initially made available for obligation; and (12) section 119 of title 23, United States Code (but, for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2018, only in an amount equal to $639,000,000). (c) Redistribution of Unused Obligation Authority.— Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary shall, after August 1 of such fiscal year— (1) revise a distribution of the obligation limitation made available under subsection (a) if an amount distributed cannot be obligated during that fiscal year; and (2) redistribute sufficient amounts to those States able to obligate amounts in addition to those previously distributed during that fiscal year, giving priority to those States having large unobligated balances of funds apportioned under sections 144 (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of Public Law 112–141) and 104 of title 23, United States Code. (d) Applicability of Obligation Limitations to Transportation Research Programs.— (1) In general.— Except as provided in paragraph (2), the obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways shall apply to contract authority for transportation research programs carried out under— (A) chapter 5 of title 23, United States Code; and (B) title VI of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. (2) Exception.— Obligation authority made available under paragraph (1) shall— (A) remain available for a period of 4 fiscal years; and (B) be in addition to the amount of any limitation imposed on obligations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs for future fiscal years. (e) Redistribution of Certain Authorized Funds.— (1) In general.— Not later than 30 days after the date of distribution of obligation limitation under subsection (a), the Secretary shall distribute to the States any funds (excluding funds authorized for the program under section 202 of title 23, United States Code) that— (A) are authorized to be appropriated for such fiscal year for Federal-aid highway programs; and (B) the Secretary determines will not be allocated to the States (or will not be apportioned to the States under section 204 of title 23, United States Code), and will not be available for obligation, for such fiscal year because of the imposition of any obligation limitation for such fiscal year. (2) Ratio.— Funds shall be distributed under paragraph (1) in the same proportion as the distribution of obligation authority under subsection (a)(5). (3) Availability.— Funds distributed to each State under paragraph (1) shall be available for any purpose described in section 133(b) of title 23, United States Code. Sec. 121. Notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, funds received by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics from the sale of data products, for necessary expenses incurred pursuant to chapter 63 of title 49, United States Code, may be credited to the Federal-aid highways account for the purpose of reimbursing the Bureau for such expenses: Provided, That such funds shall be subject to the obligation limitation for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs. Sec. 122. Not 23 USC 313 note. less than 15 days prior to waiving, under his or her statutory authority, any Buy America requirement for Federal-aid highways projects, the Secretary of Transportation shall make an informal public notice and comment opportunity on the intent to issue such waiver and the reasons therefor: Provided, That the Secretary shall provide an annual report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on any waivers granted under the Buy America requirements. Sec. 123. None of the funds provided in this Act to the Department of Transportation may be used to provide credit assistance unless not less than 3 days before any application approval to provide credit assistance under sections 603 and 604 of title 23, United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation provides notification in writing to the following committees: the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations; the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Senate; and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives: Provided, That such notification shall include, but not be limited to, the name of the project sponsor; a description of the project; whether credit assistance will be provided as a direct loan, loan guarantee, or line of credit; and the amount of credit assistance. Sec. 124. None of the funds in this Act may be used to make a grant for a project under section 117 of title 23, United States Code, unless the Secretary, at least 60 days before making a grant under that section, provides written notification to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations of the proposed grant, including an evaluation and justification for the project and the amount of the proposed grant award: Provided, That the written notification required in the previous proviso shall be made no later than 180 days after enactment of this Act. Sec. 125. For this fiscal year, the Federal Highway Administration shall reinstate Interim Approval IA–5, relating to the provisional use of an alternative lettering style on certain highway guide signs, as it existed before its termination, as announced in the Federal Register on January 25, 2016 (81 Fed. Reg. 4083). Sec. 126. (a) A State or territory, as defined in section 165 of title 23, United States Code, may use for any project eligible under section 133(b) of title 23 or section 165 of title 23 and located within the boundary of the State or territory any earmarked amount, and any associated obligation limitation: Provided, That the Department of Transportation for the State or territory for which the earmarked amount was originally designated or directed notifies the Secretary of Transportation of its intent to use its authority under this section and submits a quarterly report to the Secretary identifying the projects to which the funding would be applied. Notwithstanding the original period of availability of funds to be obligated under this section, such funds and associated obligation limitation shall remain available for obligation for a period of 3 fiscal years after the fiscal year in which the Secretary of Transportation is notified. The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out with funds made available under this section shall be the same as associated with the earmark. (b) In this section, the term “earmarked amount” means— (1) congressionally directed spending, as defined in rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, identified in a prior law, report, or joint explanatory statement, which was authorized to be appropriated or appropriated more than 10 fiscal years prior to the current fiscal year, and administered by the Federal Highway Administration; or (2) a congressional earmark, as defined in rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives identified in a prior law, report, or joint explanatory statement, which was authorized to be appropriated or appropriated more than 10 fiscal years prior to the current fiscal year, and administered by the Federal Highway Administration. (c) The authority under subsection (a) may be exercised only for those projects or activities that have obligated less than 10 percent of the amount made available for obligation as of October 1 of the current fiscal year, and shall be applied to projects within the same general geographic area within 50 miles for which the funding was designated, except that a State or territory may apply such authority to unexpended balances of funds from projects or activities the State or territory certifies have been closed and for which payments have been made under a final voucher. (d) The Secretary shall submit consolidated reports of the information provided by the States and territories each quarter to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. Sec. 127. Section 127 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “(u) Vehicles in North Dakota.— A vehicle limited or prohibited under this section from operating on a segment of the Interstate System in the State of North Dakota may operate on such a segment if such vehicle— “(1) has a gross vehicle weight of 129,000 pounds or less; “(2) other than gross vehicle weight, complies with the single axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a); and “(3) is authorized to operate on such segment under North Dakota State law.” . Sec. 128. Section 1105(c)(89) of Public Law 102–240, as amended, is amended to read as follows: “(89) I–57 Corridor Extension as follows: In Arkansas, the corridor shall follow United States Route 67 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, from I–40 to United States Route 412, then continuing generally northeast to the State line, and in Missouri, the corridor shall continue generally north from the Arkansas State line to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and then follow United States Route 60 to I–57.” . Sec. 129. Section 1012(e) of Public Law 102–240 is amended by inserting “(1)” before “Notwithstanding” and adding at the end the following: “(2) Upon the request of any State Department of Transportation that was authorized to enter into a tolling agreement under section 120(c) of Public Law 100–17 (101 STAT. 159), the Secretary is authorized to modify the agreement entered into under Public Law 100–17, as follows. The Secretary shall authorize the use of excess toll revenues for any other purpose for which Federal funds may be obligated under title 23, United States Code, provided the State— “(A) certifies annually that the tolled facility is being adequately maintained; and “(B) agrees to comply with the audit requirements in section 129(a)(3)(B) of title 23, United States Code. “(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2), ‘excess toll revenues’ means revenues in excess of amounts necessary for operation and maintenance; debt service; reasonable return on investment of any private person or entity that may be authorized by the State to operate and maintain the facility; and any cost necessary for improvement, including reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation.” . Sec. 129A. Section 127(a)(10) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read— “(10) With respect to Interstate Routes 89, 93, and 95 in the State of New Hampshire— “(A) State laws (including regulations) concerning vehicle weight limitations that were in effect on January 1, 1987, and are applicable to State highways other than the Interstate System, shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection; and “(B) effective June 30, 2016, a combination of truck-tractor and dump trailer equipped with 6 axles or more with a gross weight of up to 99,000 pounds shall be permitted if the distances between the extreme axles, excluding the steering axle, is 28 feet or more.” . Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration motor carrier safety operations and programs (liquidation of contract authorization) (limitation on obligations) (highway trust fund) For payment of obligations incurred in the implementation, execution and administration of motor carrier safety operations and programs pursuant to section 31110 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, $283,000,000, to be derived from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), together with advances and reimbursements received by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the sum of which shall remain available until expended: Provided, That funds available for implementation, execution or administration of motor carrier safety operations and programs authorized under title 49, United States Code, shall not exceed total obligations of $283,000,000 for “Motor Carrier Safety Operations and Programs” for fiscal year 2018, of which $9,073,000, to remain available for obligation until September 30, 2020, is for the research and technology program, and of which $34,824,000, to remain available for obligation until September 30, 2020, is for information management. motor carrier safety grants (liquidation of contract authorization) (limitation on obligations) (highway trust fund) (including transfer of funds) For payment of obligations incurred in carrying out sections 31102, 31103, 31104, and 31313 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, $374,800,000, to be derived from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) and to remain available until expended: Provided, That funds available for the implementation or execution of motor carrier safety programs shall not exceed total obligations of $374,800,000 in fiscal year 2018 for “Motor Carrier Safety Grants”; of which $298,900,000 shall be available for the motor carrier safety assistance program, $31,800,000 shall be available for the commercial driver’s license program implementation program, $43,100,000 shall be available for the high priority activities program, and $1,000,000 shall be available for the commercial motor vehicle operators grant program: Provided further, That of the unobligated amounts provided for Commercial Vehicle Information Systems Network Development or other Motor Carrier Safety grants in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105–178), SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109–59), or other appropriation or authorization acts prior to fiscal year 2017, $87,000,000 in additional obligation limitation is provided for the modernization and maintenance of border facilities, and shall remain available until September 30, 2022: Provided further, That of the unobligated amounts provided for Commercial Vehicle Information Systems Network Development or other Motor Carrier Safety grants in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105–178), SAFETEA–LU (Public Law 109–59), or other appropriation or authorization acts prior to fiscal year 2017, $100,000,000 in additional obligation limitation is provided for a highly automated vehicle research and development program and shall remain available until expended, of which not less than $60,000,000 shall be for demonstration grants, and of which not less than $38,000,000 shall be for research activities: Provided further, That the activities funded by the previous proviso may be accomplished through direct expenditure, direct research activities, grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, intra or interagency agreements, or other agreements with public organizations: Provided further, That such amounts, payments, and obligation limitation as may be necessary to carry out highly automated vehicle research and development program activities may be transferred and credited to appropriate accounts of other participating Federal agencies: Provided further, That $187,000,000 for payment of obligations incurred in carrying out this section shall be derived from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), to be available until expended. Sec. 130. administrative provisions—federal motor carrier safety administration Funds appropriated or limited in this Act shall be subject to the terms and conditions stipulated in section 350 of Public Law 107–87 and section 6901 of Public Law 110–28. Sec. 131. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall send notice of 49 CFR section 385.308 violations by certified mail, registered mail, or another manner of delivery, which records the receipt of the notice by the persons responsible for the violations. Sec. 132. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Transportation by this Act or any other Act may be obligated or expended to implement, administer, or enforce the requirements of section 31137 of title 49, United States Code, or any regulation issued by the Secretary pursuant to such section, with respect to the use of electronic logging devices by operators of commercial motor vehicles, as defined in section 31132(1) of such title, transporting livestock as defined in section 602 of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471) or insects. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration operations and research For expenses necessary to discharge the functions of the Secretary, with respect to traffic and highway safety authorized under chapter 301 and part C of subtitle VI of title 49, United States Code, $189,075,000, of which $40,000,000 shall remain available through September 30, 2019. operations and research (liquidation of contract authorization) (limitation on obligations) (highway trust fund) For payment of obligations incurred in carrying out the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 403, section 4011 of the FAST Act (Public Law 114–94), and chapter 303 of title 49, United States Code, $149,000,000, to be derived from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) and to remain available until expended: Provided, That none of the funds in this Act shall be available for the planning or execution of programs the total obligations for which, in fiscal year 2018, are in excess of $149,000,000, of which $143,700,000 shall be for programs authorized under 23 U.S.C. 403 and $5,300,000 shall be for the National Driver Register authorized under chapter 303 of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That within the $149,000,000 obligation limitation for operations and research, $20,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2019, and shall be in addition to the amount of any limitation imposed on obligations for future years. highway traffic safety grants (liquidation of contract authorization) (limitation on obligations) (highway trust fund) For payment of obligations incurred in carrying out provisions of 23 U.S.C. 402, 404, and 405, and section 4001(a)(6) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, to remain available until expended, $597,629,000, to be derived from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account): Provided, That none of the funds in this Act shall be available for the planning or execution of programs the total obligations for which, in fiscal year 2018, are in excess of $597,629,000 for programs authorized under 23 U.S.C. 402, 404, and 405, and section 4001(a)(6) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, of which $261,200,000 shall be for “Highway Safety Programs” under 23 U.S.C. 402; $280,200,000 shall be for “National Priority Safety Programs” under 23 U.S.C. 405; $29,900,000 shall be for “High Visibility Enforcement Program” under 23 U.S.C. 404; $26,329,000 shall be for “Administrative Expenses” under section 4001(a)(6) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act: Provided further, That none of these funds shall be used for construction, rehabilitation, or remodeling costs, or for office furnishings and fixtures for State, local or private buildings or structures: Provided further, That not to exceed $500,000 of the funds made available for “National Priority Safety Programs” under 23 U.S.C. 405 for “Impaired Driving Countermeasures” (as described in subsection (d) of that section) shall be available for technical assistance to the States: Provided further, That with respect to the “Transfers” provision under 23 U.S.C. 405(a)(8), any amounts transferred to increase the amounts made available under section 402 shall include the obligation authority for such amounts: Provided further, That the Administrator shall notify the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations of any exercise of the authority granted under the previous proviso or under 23 U.S.C. 405(a)(8) within 5 days. Sec. 140. administrative provisions—national highway traffic safety administration An additional $130,000 shall be made available to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, out of the amount limited for section 402 of title 23, United States Code, to pay for travel and related expenses for State management reviews and to pay for core competency development training and related expenses for highway safety staff. Sec. 141. The limitations on obligations for the programs of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration set in this Act shall not apply to obligations for which obligation authority was made available in previous public laws but only to the extent that the obligation authority has not lapsed or been used. Sec. 142. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to obligate or award funds for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Roadside Survey. Sec. 143. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to mandate global positioning system (GPS) tracking in private passenger motor vehicles without providing full and appropriate consideration of privacy concerns under 5 U.S.C. chapter 5, subchapter II. Sec. 144. In addition to the amounts made available under the heading, “Operations and Research (Liquidation of Contract Authorization) (Limitation on Obligations) (Highway Trust Fund)” for carrying out the provisions of section 403 of title 23, United States Code, $11,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2019, shall be made available to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from the general fund, of which not to exceed $5,000,000 shall be available to provide funding for grants, pilot program activities, and innovative solutions to reduce alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities and other causes of the recent increase in highway fatalities from impaired driving in collaboration with eligible entities under section 403 of title 23, United States Code, and not to exceed $6,500,000 shall be available to continue a high visibility enforcement paid-media campaign regarding highway-rail grade crossing safety in collaboration with the Federal Railroad Administration. Federal Railroad Administration safety and operations For necessary expenses of the Federal Railroad Administration, not otherwise provided for, $221,698,000, of which $15,900,000 shall remain available until expended, and of which up to $350,000 shall be available for the Secretary of Transportation to assist Class II and Class III railroads in preparing to apply and applying for direct loans and loan guarantees for eligible projects pursuant to sections 501 through 504 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–210) to also remain available until expended. railroad research and development For necessary expenses for railroad research and development, $40,600,000, to remain available until expended. railroad rehabilitation and improvement financing program For the cost of direct loans and loan guarantees pursuant to sections 501 through 504 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–210), as amended, $25,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended: Provided further, That the Secretary of Transportation is authorized to issue direct loans and loan guarantees pursuant to sections 501 through 504 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–210), as amended, such authority shall exist as long as any such direct loan or loan guarantee is outstanding: Provided further, That, for direct loans and loan guarantees issued pursuant to sections 501 through 504 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–210), as amended, the Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, shall define each cohort as the loans provided for that fiscal year, creating individual fiscal year cohorts for each fiscal year in which a loan was provided from the date of enactment of Public Law 105–178 to the date of enactment of Public Law 114–94: Provided further, That, when all obligations attached to a cohort as defined under the previous proviso have been satisfied, the Secretary shall repay the credit risk premiums of loans in the cohort, with interest accrued thereon, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act or, for a cohort with obligations that have not yet been satisfied, not later than 60 days after the date on which all obligations attached to the cohort have been satisfied: Provided further, That the Secretary shall not treat the repayment of a loan after the date of enactment of Public Law 114–94 as precluding, limiting, or negatively affecting the satisfaction of the obligation of its cohort for a fiscal year prior to the enactment of Public Law 114–94. federal-state partnership for state of good repair For necessary expenses related to Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Grants as authorized by section 24911 of title 49, United States Code, $250,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary may withhold up to one percent of the amount provided under this heading for the costs of award and project management oversight of grants carried out under section 24911 of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That section 24911(e)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking “transportation” and inserting “transportation at the eligible project location”. consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements For necessary expenses related to Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grants, as authorized by section 24407 of title 49, United States Code, $592,547,000, to remain available until expended, of which $250,000,000 shall be available for eligible projects under section 24407(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, for the implementation of positive train control systems, and of which $35,547,000 shall be available for eligible projects under section 24407(c)(2) of title 49, United States Code, that contribute to the initiation or restoration of intercity passenger rail service: Provided, That the Secretary shall not preclude projects from consideration for funding under the previous proviso due to a lack of agreement among the funding recipients, operator, and host railroad regarding access to and use of the host railroad facilities, if an agreement or order for the use of such facilities may occur under section 24308 of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That section 24405(f) of title 49, United States Code, shall not apply to projects for the implementation of positive train control systems otherwise eligible under section 24407(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That amounts available under this heading for projects selected for commuter rail passenger transportation may be transferred by the Secretary, after selection, to the appropriate agencies to be administered in accordance with chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That the Secretary shall not limit eligible projects from consideration for funding for planning, engineering, environmental, construction, and design elements of the same project in the same application: Provided further, That unobligated balances remaining after four years from the date of enactment may be used for any eligible project under section 24407(c) of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That the Secretary may withhold up to one percent of the amount provided under this heading for the costs of award and project management oversight of grants carried out under section 24407 of title 49, United States Code. restoration and enhancement For necessary expenses related to Restoration and Enhancement Grants, as authorized by section 24408 of title 49, United States Code, $20,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary may withhold up to one percent of the funds provided under this heading to fund the costs of award and project management and oversight. northeast corridor grants to the national railroad passenger corporation To enable the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for activities associated with the Northeast Corridor as authorized by section 11101(a) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (division A of Public Law 114–94), $650,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary may retain up to one-half of 1 percent of the funds provided under both this heading and the “National Network Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation” heading to fund the costs of project management and oversight of activities authorized by section 11101(c) of division A of Public Law 114–94: Provided further, That in addition to the project management oversight funds authorized under section 11101(c) of division A of Public Law 114–94, the Secretary may retain up to an additional $5,000,000 of the funds provided under this heading to fund expenses associated with the Northeast Corridor Commission established under section 24905 of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That of the amounts made available under this heading and the “National Network Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation” heading, not less than $50,000,000 shall be made available to bring Amtrak-served facilities and stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. national network grants to the national railroad passenger corporation To enable the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for activities associated with the National Network as authorized by section 11101(b) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (division A of Public Law 114–94), $1,291,600,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary may retain up to an additional $2,000,000 of the funds provided under this heading to fund expenses associated with the State-Supported Route Committee established under section 24712 of title 49, United States Code: Provided further, That up to $5,000,000 of the amount provided under this heading shall be available for costs associated with any matters Amtrak may elect to bring before the Surface Transportation Board related to passenger rail service: Provided further, That at least $50,000,000 of the amount provided under this heading shall be available for the development, installation and operation of railroad safety technology, including the implementation of a positive train control system, on State-supported routes as defined under section 24102(13) of title 49, United States Code, on which positive train control systems are not required by law or regulation. Sec. 150. administrative provisions—federal railroad administration None of the funds provided to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation may be used to fund any overtime costs in excess of $35,000 for any individual employee: Provided, That the President of Amtrak may waive the cap set in the previous proviso for specific employees when the President of Amtrak determines such a cap poses a risk to the safety and operational efficiency of the system: Provided further, That the President of Amtrak shall report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations each quarter within 30 days of such quarter of the calendar year on waivers granted to employees and amounts paid above the cap for each month within such quarter and delineate the reasons each waiver was granted: Provided further, That the President of Amtrak shall report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 60 days of enactment of this Act, a summary of all overtime payments incurred by the Corporation for 2017 and the three prior calendar years: Provided further, That such summary shall include the total number of employees that received waivers and the total overtime payments the Corporation paid to those employees receiving waivers for each month for 2017 and for the three prior calendar years. Federal Transit Administration administrative expenses For necessary administrative expenses of the Federal Transit Administration’s programs authorized by chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, $113,165,000: Provided, That none of the funds provided or limited in this Act may be used to create a permanent office of transit security under this heading: Provided further, That upon submission to the Congress of the fiscal year 2019 President’s budget, the Secretary of Transportation shall transmit to Congress the annual report on New Starts, including proposed allocations for fiscal year 2019. transit formula grants (liquidation of contract authorization) (limitation on obligations) (highway trust fund) For payment of obligations incurred in the Federal Public Transportation Assistance Program in this account, and for payment of obligations incurred in carrying out the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 5305, 5307, 5310, 5311, 5312, 5314, 5318, 5329(e)(6), 5335, 5337, 5339, and 5340, as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, and section 20005(b) of Public Law 112–141, and section 3006(b) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, $10,300,000,000, to be derived from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund and to remain available until expended: Provided, That funds available for the implementation or execution of programs authorized under 49 U.S.C. 5305, 5307, 5310, 5311, 5312, 5314, 5318, 5329(e)(6), 5335, 5337, 5339, and 5340, as amended by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, and section 20005(b) of Public Law 112–141, and section 3006(b) of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, shall not exceed total obligations of $9,733,353,407 in fiscal year 2018: Provided further, That the Federal share of the cost of activities carried out under section 5312 shall not exceed 80 percent, except that if there is substantial public interest or benefit, the Secretary may approve a greater Federal share. transit infrastructure grants For an additional amount for buses and bus facilities grants under section 5339 of title 49, United States Code, state of good repair grants under section 5337 of such title, high density state apportionments under section 5340(d) of such title, and the bus testing facilities under sections 5312 and 5318 of such title, $834,000,000 to remain available until expended: Provided, That $400,000,000 shall be available for grants as authorized under section 5339 of such title, of which $209,104,000 shall be available for the buses and bus facilities formula grants as authorized under section 5339(a) of such title, $161,446,000 shall be available for the buses and bus facilities competitive grants as authorized under section 5339(b) of such title, and $29,450,000 shall be available for the low or no emission grants as authorized under section 5339(c) of such title: Provided further, That $400,000,000 shall be available for the state of good repair grants as authorized under section 5337 of such title: Provided further, That $30,000,000 shall be available for the high density state apportionments as authorized under section 5340(d) of such title: Provided further, That $2,000,000 shall be available for the bus testing facility as authorized under section 5318 of such title: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 5318(a) of such title, $2,000,000 shall be available for the operation and maintenance of bus testing facilities by institutions of higher education selected pursuant to section 5312(h) of such title: Provided further, That the Secretary shall enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with, or make a grant to, each institution of higher education selected pursuant to section 5312(h) of such title, to operate and maintain a facility to conduct the testing of low or no emission vehicle new bus models using the standards established pursuant to section 5318(e)(2) of such title: Provided further, That the term “low or no emission vehicle” has the meaning given the term in section 5312(e)(6) of such title: Provided further, That the Secretary shall pay 80 percent of the cost of testing a low or no emission vehicle new bus model at each selected institution of higher education: Provided further, That the entity having the vehicle tested shall pay 20 percent of the cost of testing: Provided further, That a low or no emission vehicle new bus model tested that receives a passing aggregate test score in accordance with the standards established under section 5318(e)(2) of such title, shall be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of section 5318(e) of such title: Provided further, That amounts made available by this heading shall be derived from the general fund: Provided further, That the amounts made available under this heading shall not be subject to any limitation on obligations for transit programs set forth in any Act. technical assistance and training For necessary expenses to carry out 49 U.S.C. 5314, $5,000,000. capital investment grants For necessary expenses to carry out fixed guideway capital investment grants under section 5309 of title 49, United States Code, $2,644,960,000 to remain available until September 30, 2021: Provided, That of the amounts made available under this heading, $2,252,508,586 shall be obligated by December 31, 2019: Provided further, That $5,050,000 from unobligated amounts appropriated for the buses and bus facilities program under section 5309 of such title from fiscal years 2000 to 2005 shall remain available until September 30, 2021 to carry out section 5309: Provided further, That of the amounts made available under this heading, $1,506,910,000 shall be available for projects authorized under section 5309(d) of such title, $715,700,000 shall be available for projects authorized under section 5309(e) of such title, $400,900,000 shall be available for projects authorized under section 5309(h) of such title: Provided further, That the Secretary shall continue to administer the capital investment grant program in accordance with the procedural and substantive requirements of section 5309 of such title. grants to the washington metropolitan area transit authority For grants to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority as authorized under section 601 of division B of Public Law 110–432, $150,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary of Transportation shall approve grants for capital and preventive maintenance expenditures for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority only after receiving and reviewing a request for each specific project: Provided further, That prior to approving such grants, the Secretary shall certify that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is making progress to improve its safety management system in response to the Federal Transit Administration’s 2015 safety management inspection: Provided further, That the Secretary shall determine that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has placed the highest priority on those investments that will improve the safety of the system before approving such grants: Provided further, That the Secretary, in order to ensure safety throughout the rail system, may waive the requirements of section 601(e)(1) of division B of Public Law 110–432. Sec. 160. administrative provisions—federal transit administration The limitations on obligations for the programs of the Federal Transit Administration shall not apply to any authority under 49 U.S.C. 5338, previously made available for obligation, or to any other authority previously made available for obligation. Sec. 161. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds appropriated before October 1, 2017, under any section of chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, that remain available for expenditure, may be transferred to and administered under the most recent appropriation heading for any such section. Sec. 162. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), none of the funds in this or any other Act may be available to advance in any way a new light or heavy rail project towards a full funding grant agreement as defined by 49 U.S.C. 5309 for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas if the proposed capital project is constructed on or planned to be constructed on Richmond Avenue west of South Shepherd Drive or on Post Oak Boulevard north of Richmond Avenue in Houston, Texas. (b) The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, may attempt to construct or construct a new fixed guideway capital project, including light rail, in the locations referred to in subsection (a) if— (1) voters in the jurisdiction that includes such locations approve a ballot proposition that specifies routes on Richmond Avenue west of South Shepherd Drive or on Post Oak Boulevard north of Richmond Avenue in Houston, Texas; and (2) the proposed construction of such routes is part of a comprehensive, multi-modal, service-area wide transportation plan that includes multiple additional segments of fixed guideway capital projects, including light rail for the jurisdiction set forth in the ballot proposition. The ballot language shall include reasonable cost estimates, sources of revenue to be used and the total amount of bonded indebtedness to be incurred as well as a description of each route and the beginning and end point of each proposed transit project. Sec. 163. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds made available in this Act shall be used to enter into a full funding grant agreement for a project with a New Starts share greater than 51 percent. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation is hereby authorized to make such expenditures, within the limits of funds and borrowing authority available to the Corporation, and in accord with law, and to make such contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations, as provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation Control Act, as amended, as may be necessary in carrying out the programs set forth in the Corporation’s budget for the current fiscal year. operations and maintenance (harbor maintenance trust fund) For necessary expenses to conduct the operations, maintenance, and capital asset renewal activities of those portions of the St. Lawrence Seaway owned, operated, and maintained by the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, $40,000,000, to be derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, pursuant to Public Law 99–662: Provided, That of the amounts made available under this heading, not less than $19,500,000 shall be used on asset renewal activities and shall remain available through September 30, 2020. Maritime Administration maritime security program For necessary expenses to maintain and preserve a U.S.-flag merchant fleet to serve the national security needs of the United States, $300,000,000, to remain available until expended. operations and training For necessary expenses of operations and training activities authorized by law, $513,642,000, of which $22,000,000 shall remain available until expended for maintenance and repair of training ships at State Maritime Academies, and of which $300,000,000 shall remain available until expended for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Program, including funds for construction, planning, administration, and design of school ships in accordance with section 3505 of Public Law 114–328, as applicable, with unobligated balances from previous appropriations for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Program also available for and merged into this appropriation; and of which $2,400,000 shall remain available through September 30, 2019, for the Student Incentive Program at State Maritime Academies, and of which $1,800,000 shall remain available until expended for training ship fuel assistance payments, and of which $52,000,000 shall remain available until expended for facilities maintenance and repair, equipment, and capital improvements at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and of which $3,000,000 shall remain available through September 30, 2019, for Maritime Environment and Technology Assistance program authorized under section 50307 of title 46, United States Code, and of which $7,000,000 shall remain available until expended for the Short Sea Transportation Program (America’s Marine Highways) to make grants for the purposes authorized under sections 55601(b)(1) and (3) of title 46, United States Code: Provided, That not later than January 12, 2019, the Administrator of the Maritime Administration shall transmit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations the annual report on sexual assault and sexual harassment at the United States Merchant Marine Academy as required pursuant to section 3507 of Public Law 110–417. assistance to small shipyards To make grants to qualified shipyards as authorized under section 54101 of title 46, United States Code, as amended by Public Law 113–281, $20,000,000 to remain available until expended. ship disposal For necessary expenses related to the disposal of obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet of the Maritime Administration, $116,000,000, to remain available until expended. maritime guaranteed loan (title xi) program account (including transfer of funds) For the cost of guaranteed loans, $30,000,000, of which $27,000,000 shall remain available until expended: Provided, That such costs, including the costs of modifying such loans, shall be defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended: Provided further, That not to exceed $3,000,000 shall be for administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed loan program, which shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriations for “Operations and Training”, Maritime Administration. Sec. 170. administrative provisions—maritime administration Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, in addition to any existing authority, the Maritime Administration is authorized to furnish utilities and services and make necessary repairs in connection with any lease, contract, or occupancy involving Government property under control of the Maritime Administration: Provided, That payments received therefor shall be credited to the appropriation charged with the cost thereof and shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That rental payments under any such lease, contract, or occupancy for items other than such utilities, services, or repairs shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. Sec. 171. None of the funds available or appropriated in this Act shall be used by the United States Department of Transportation or the United States Maritime Administration to negotiate or otherwise execute, enter into, facilitate or perform fee-for-service contracts for vessel disposal, scrapping or recycling, unless there is no qualified domestic ship recycler that will pay any sum of money to purchase and scrap or recycle a vessel owned, operated or managed by the Maritime Administration or that is part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet: Provided, That such sales offers must be consistent with the solicitation and provide that the work will be performed in a timely manner at a facility qualified within the meaning of section 3502 of Public Law 106–398: Provided further, That nothing contained herein shall affect the Maritime Administration’s authority to award contracts at least cost to the Federal Government and consistent with the requirements of 54 U.S.C. 308704, section 3502, or otherwise authorized under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration operational expenses For necessary operational expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, $23,000,000: Provided, That the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a final rule to expand the applicability of comprehensive oil spill response plans within 5 days of enactment of this Act. hazardous materials safety For expenses necessary to discharge the hazardous materials safety functions of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, $59,000,000, of which $7,570,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That up to $800,000 in fees collected under 49 U.S.C. 5108(g) shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury as offsetting receipts: Provided further, That there may be credited to this appropriation, to be available until expended, funds received from States, counties, municipalities, other public authorities, and private sources for expenses incurred for training, for reports publication and dissemination, and for travel expenses incurred in performance of hazardous materials exemptions and approvals functions. pipeline safety (pipeline safety fund) (oil spill liability trust fund) For expenses necessary to conduct the functions of the pipeline safety program, for grants-in-aid to carry out a pipeline safety program, as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 60107, and to discharge the pipeline program responsibilities of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, $162,000,000, of which $23,000,000 shall be derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and shall remain available until September 30, 2020; and of which $131,000,000 shall be derived from the Pipeline Safety Fund, of which $64,736,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2020; and of which $8,000,000 shall be derived from fees collected under 49 U.S.C. 60302 and deposited in the Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility Safety Account for the purpose of carrying out 49 U.S.C. 60141 and shall remain available until September 30, 2020: Provided, That not less than $1,058,000 of the funds provided under this heading shall be for the One-Call State grant program. emergency preparedness grants (emergency preparedness fund) Notwithstanding the fiscal year limitation specified in 49 U.S.C. 5116, not more than $28,318,000 shall be made available for obligation in fiscal year 2018 from amounts made available by 49 U.S.C. 5116(h), and 5128(b) and (c): Provided, That notwithstanding 49 U.S.C. 5116(h)(4), not more than 4 percent of the amounts made available from this account shall be available to pay administrative costs: Provided further, That none of the funds made available by 49 U.S.C. 5116(h), 5128(b), or 5128(c) shall be made available for obligation by individuals other than the Secretary of Transportation, or his or her designee. Office of Inspector General salaries and expenses For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector General to carry out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, $92,152,000: Provided, That the Inspector General shall have all necessary authority, in carrying out the duties specified in the Inspector General Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 3), to investigate allegations of fraud, including false statements to the government (18 U.S.C. 1001), by any person or entity that is subject to regulation by the Department of Transportation: Provided further, That the funds made available under this heading may be used to investigate, pursuant to section 41712 of title 49, United States Code: (1) unfair or deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition by domestic and foreign air carriers and ticket agents; and (2) the compliance of domestic and foreign air carriers with respect to item (1) of this proviso. General Provisions—Department of Transportation Sec. 180. (a) During the current fiscal year, applicable appropriations to the Department of Transportation shall be available for maintenance and operation of aircraft; hire of passenger motor vehicles and aircraft; purchase of liability insurance for motor vehicles operating in foreign countries on official department business; and uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901–5902). (b) During the current fiscal year, applicable appropriations to the Department and its operating administrations shall be available for the purchase, maintenance, operation, and deployment of unmanned aircraft systems that advance the Department’s, or its operating administrations’, missions. (c) Any unmanned aircraft system purchased or procured by the Department prior to the enactment of this Act shall be deemed authorized. Sec. 181. Appropriations contained in this Act for the Department of Transportation shall be available for services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the rate for an Executive Level IV. Sec. 182. (a) No recipient of funds made available in this Act shall disseminate personal information (as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2725(3)) obtained by a State department of motor vehicles in connection with a motor vehicle record as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2725(1), except as provided in 18 U.S.C. 2721 for a use permitted under 18 U.S.C. 2721. (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary shall not withhold funds provided in this Act for any grantee if a State is in noncompliance with this provision. Sec. 183. None of the funds in this Act shall be available for salaries and expenses of more than 110 political and Presidential appointees in the Department of Transportation: Provided, That none of the personnel covered by this provision may be assigned on temporary detail outside the Department of Transportation. Sec. 184. Funds received by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Railroad Administration from States, counties, municipalities, other public authorities, and private sources for expenses incurred for training may be credited respectively to the Federal Highway Administration’s “Federal-Aid Highways” account and to the Federal Railroad Administration’s “Safety and Operations” account, except for State rail safety inspectors participating in training pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 20105. Sec. 185. (a) None of the funds provided in this Act to the Department of Transportation may be used to make a loan, loan guarantee, line of credit, or discretionary grant unless the Secretary of Transportation notifies the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations not less than 3 full business days before any project competitively selected to receive any discretionary grant award, letter of intent, loan commitment, loan guarantee commitment, line of credit commitment, or full funding grant agreement is announced by the Department or its modal administrations: Provided, That the Secretary gives concurrent notification to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations for any “quick release” of funds from the emergency relief program: Provided further, That no notification shall involve funds that are not available for obligation. (b) In addition to the notification required in subsection (a), none of the funds made available in this Act to the Department of Transportation may be used to make a loan, loan guarantee, line of credit, cooperative agreement or discretionary grant unless the Secretary of Transportation provides the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a comprehensive list of all such loans, loan guarantees, lines of credit, cooperative agreement or discretionary grants that will be announced not less the 3 full business days before such announcement: Provided, That the requirement to provide a list in this subsection does not apply to any “quick release” of funds from the emergency relief program: Provided further, That no list shall involve funds that are not available for obligation. Sec. 186. Rebates, refunds, incentive payments, minor fees and other funds received by the Department of Transportation from travel management centers, charge card programs, the subleasing of building space, and miscellaneous sources are to be credited to appropriations of the Department of Transportation and allocated to elements of the Department of Transportation using fair and equitable criteria and such funds shall be available until expended. Sec. 187. Amounts made available in this or any prior Act that the Secretary determines represent improper payments by the Department of Transportation to a third-party contractor under a financial assistance award, which are recovered pursuant to law, shall be available— (1) to reimburse the actual expenses incurred by the Department of Transportation in recovering improper payments: Provided, That amounts made available in this Act shall be available until expended; and (2) to pay contractors for services provided in recovering improper payments or contractor support in the implementation of the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002: Provided, That amounts in excess of that required for paragraphs (1) and (2)— (A) shall be credited to and merged with the appropriation from which the improper payments were made, and shall be available for the purposes and period for which such appropriations are available: Provided further, That where specific project or accounting information associated with the improper payment or payments is not readily available, the Secretary may credit an appropriate account, which shall be available for the purposes and period associated with the account so credited; or (B) if no such appropriation remains available, shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts: Provided further, That prior to the transfer of any such recovery to an appropriations account, the Secretary shall notify the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations of the amount and reasons for such transfer: Provided further, That for purposes of this section, the term “improper payments” has the same meaning as that provided in section 2(d)(2) of Public Law 107–300. Sec. 188. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if any funds provided in or limited by this Act are subject to a reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, transmission of said reprogramming notice shall be provided solely to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, and said reprogramming action shall be approved or denied solely by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations: Provided, That the Secretary of Transportation may provide notice to other congressional committees of the action of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on such reprogramming but not sooner than 30 days following the date on which the reprogramming action has been approved or denied by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. Sec. 189. Funds appropriated in this Act to the modal administrations may be obligated for the Office of the Secretary for the costs related to assessments or reimbursable agreements only when such amounts are for the costs of goods and services that are purchased to provide a direct benefit to the applicable modal administration or administrations. Sec. 190. The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to carry out a program that establishes uniform standards for developing and supporting agency transit pass and transit benefits authorized under section 7905 of title 5, United States Code, including distribution of transit benefits by various paper and electronic media. Sec. 191. The Department of Transportation may use funds provided by this Act, or any other Act, to assist a contract under title 49 U.S.C. or title 23 U.S.C. utilizing geographic, economic, or any other hiring preference not otherwise authorized by law, or to amend a rule, regulation, policy or other measure that forbids a recipient of a Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration grant from imposing such hiring preference on a contract or construction project with which the Department of Transportation is assisting, only if the grant recipient certifies the following: (1) that except with respect to apprentices or trainees, a pool of readily available but unemployed individuals possessing the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the work that the contract requires resides in the jurisdiction; (2) that the grant recipient will include appropriate provisions in its bid document ensuring that the contractor does not displace any of its existing employees in order to satisfy such hiring preference; and (3) that any increase in the cost of labor, training, or delays resulting from the use of such hiring preference does not delay or displace any transportation project in the applicable Statewide Transportation Improvement Program or Transportation Improvement Program. This title may be cited as the “Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2018”.Department of Transportation Reports Harmonization Act
Pub. L. 115–420 § 7(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV) · 132 Stat. 5444
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(i)
Pub. L. 115–420 substituted “22905” for “24405”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 115–420 substituted “22905” for “24405”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(IV) in section 24911(i), by striking “24405” and inserting “22905”; andPassenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(1) · 135 Stat. 429
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(1), substituted “for intercity passenger rail” for “for state of good repair” in section catchline
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(1), substituted “for intercity passenger rail” for “for state of good repair” in section catchline.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) in the section heading, by striking “for state of good repair” and inserting “for intercity passenger rail”;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(2)(A)(i) · 135 Stat. 429
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(a)(1)(G)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(i), (iii), added subpar. (G). Former subpar. (G) redesignated (H) to reflect the probable intent of Congress, see below
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(1)(G). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(i), (iii), added subpar. (G). Former subpar. (G) redesignated (H) to reflect the probable intent of Congress, see below.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(i) in subparagraph (F), by striking “or” at the end;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(2)(A)(iv) · 135 Stat. 429
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(a)(1)(H)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(iv), which directed amendment of “subsection” (H), as redesignated, by substituting “(G)” for “(F)”, was executed by making the substitution in subpar. (H), as redesignated, to reflect the probable intent of Congress
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(1)(H). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(iv), which directed amendment of “subsection” (H), as redesignated, by substituting “(G)” for “(F)”, was executed by making the substitution in subpar. (H), as redesignated, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(iv) in subsection (H), as redesignated, by striking “(F)” and inserting “(G)”;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(2)(A)(ii) · 135 Stat. 429
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(a)(1)(H)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(ii), which directed the redesignation of “subsection” (G) as (H), was executed by redesignating subpar. (G) as (H), to reflect the probable intent of Congress
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(ii), which directed the redesignation of “subsection” (G) as (H), was executed by redesignating subpar. (G) as (H), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(ii) by redesignating subsection (G) as subsection (H);Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(2)(B) · 135 Stat. 429
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(a)(2)(4)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(B), (C), redesignated pars. (3) and (4) as (2) and (3), respectively
Struck · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(a)(2)(4)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(B), (C), struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text of par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘capital project’ means—
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(B), (C), redesignated pars. (3) and (4) as (2) and (3), respectively, and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text of par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘capital project’ means—“(A) a project primarily intended to replace, rehabilitate, or repair major infrastructure assets utilized for providing intercity rail passenger service, including tunnels, bridges, stations, and other assets, as determined by the Secretary; or “(B) a project primarily intended to improve intercity passenger rail performance, including reduced trip times, increased train frequencies, higher operating speeds, and other improvements, as determined by the Secretary.”
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (5); andPassenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(2)(B) · 135 Stat. 429
Struck · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(a)(5)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(B), struck out par. (5). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘qualified railroad asset’ means infrastructure, equipment, or a facility that—
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(B), struck out par. (5). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘qualified railroad asset’ means infrastructure, equipment, or a facility that—“(A) is owned or controlled by an eligible applicant; “(B) is contained in the planning document developed under section 24904 and for which a cost-allocation policy has been developed under section 24905(c), or is contained in an equivalent planning document and for which a similar cost-allocation policy has been developed; and “(C) was not in a state of good repair on the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015.”
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (5); andPassenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(3) · 135 Stat. 429
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(b)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(3), substituted “, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service if an eligible applicant is involved;” for “with respect to qualified railroad assets”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(3), substituted “, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service if an eligible applicant is involved;” for “with respect to qualified railroad assets”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(3) in subsection (b), by striking “with respect to qualified railroad assets” and inserting “, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service if an eligible applicant is involved;”;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(4) · 135 Stat. 429
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(c)(e)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(4), added subsecs. (c) to (e)
Struck · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(c)(e)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(4), struck out former subsecs. (c) to (e) which, respectively, related to projects eligible for grants under this section, set out various project selection criteria, and gave conditions on funds to be used for Northeast Corridor projects
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(4), added subsecs. (c) to (e) and struck out former subsecs. (c) to (e) which, respectively, related to projects eligible for grants under this section, set out various project selection criteria, and gave conditions on funds to be used for Northeast Corridor projects.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(4) by striking subsections (c) through (e) and inserting the following: “(c) Eligible Projects.— The following capital projects, including acquisition of real property interests, are eligible to receive grants under this section: “(1) A project to replace, rehabilitate, or repair infrastructure, equipment, or a facility used for providing intercity passenger rail service to bring such assets into a state of good repair. “(2) A project to improve intercity passenger rail service performance, including reduced trip times, increased train frequencies, higher operating speeds, improved reliability, expanded capacity, reduced congestion, electrification, and other improvements, as determined by the Secretary. “(3) A project to expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service. “(4) A group of related projects described in paragraphs (1) through (3). “(5) The planning, environmental studies, and final design for a project or group of projects described in paragraphs (1) through (4). “(d) Project Selection Criteria.— In selecting a project for funding under this section— “(1) for projects located on the Northeast Corridor, the Secretary shall— “(A) make selections consistent with the Northeast Corridor Project Inventory published pursuant to subsection (e)(1), unless when necessary to address materially changed infrastructure or service conditions, changes in project sponsor capabilities or commitments, or other significant changes since the completion of the most recently issued Northeast Corridor Project Inventory; and “(B) for projects that benefit intercity and commuter rail services, only make such selections when Amtrak and the public authorities providing commuter rail passenger transportation at the eligible project location— “(i) are in compliance with section 24905(c)(2); and “(ii) identify funding for the intercity passenger rail share, the commuter rail share, and the local share of the eligible project before the commencement of the project; “(2) for projects not located on the Northeast Corridor, the Secretary shall— “(A) give preference to eligible projects— “(i) for which Amtrak is not the sole applicant; “(ii) that improve the financial performance, reliability, service frequency, or address the state of good repair of an Amtrak route; and “(iii) that are identified in, and consistent with, a corridor inventory prepared under the Corridor Identification and Development Program pursuant to section 25101; and “(B) take into account— “(i) the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed project, including anticipated private and public benefits relative to the costs of the proposed project, including— “(I) effects on system and service performance, including as measured by applicable metrics set forth in part 273 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); “(II) effects on safety, competitiveness, reliability, trip or transit time, greenhouse gas emissions, and resilience; “(III) anticipated positive economic and employment impacts, including development in areas near passenger stations, historic districts, or other opportunity zones; “(IV) efficiencies from improved connections with other modes; and “(V) ability to meet existing or anticipated demand; “(ii) the degree to which the proposed project’s business plan considers potential private sector participation in the financing, construction, or operation of the proposed project; “(iii) the applicant’s past performance in developing and delivering similar projects, and previous financial contributions; “(iv) whether the applicant has, or will have— “(I) the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the project; “(II) satisfactory continuing access to the equipment or facilities; and “(III) the capability and willingness to maintain the equipment or facilities; “(v) if applicable, the consistency of the project with planning guidance and documents set forth by the Secretary or otherwise required by law; “(vi) whether the proposed project serves historically unconnected or underconnected communities; and “(vii) any other relevant factors, as determined by the Secretary; and “(3) the Secretary shall reserve— “(A) not less than 45 percent of the amounts appropriated for grants under this section for projects not located along the Northeast Corridor, of which not less than 20 percent shall be for projects that benefit (in whole or in part) a long-distance route; and “(B) not less than 45 percent of the amounts appropriated for grants under this section for projects listed on the Northeast Corridor project inventory published pursuant to subsection (e)(1). “(e) Long-term Planning.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall create a predictable project pipeline that will assist Amtrak, States, and the public with long-term capital planning by publishing a Northeast Corridor project inventory that— “(1) identifies capital projects for Federal investment, project applicants, and proposed Federal funding levels under this section; “(2) specifies the order in which the Secretary will provide grant funding to projects that have identified sponsors and are located along the Northeast Corridor, including a method and plan for apportioning funds to project sponsors for the 2-year period, which may be altered by the Secretary, as necessary, if recipients are not carrying out projects in accordance with the anticipated schedule; “(3) takes into consideration the appropriate sequence and phasing of projects described in the Northeast Corridor capital investment plan developed pursuant to section 24904(a); “(4) is consistent with the most recent Northeast Corridor service development plan update described in section 24904(d); “(5) takes into consideration the existing commitments and anticipated Federal, project applicant, sponsor, and other relevant funding levels for the next 5 fiscal years based on information currently available to the Secretary; and “(6) is developed in consultation with the Northeast Corridor Commission and the owners of Northeast Corridor infrastructure and facilities.” ;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(5) · 135 Stat. 429
Inserted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(f)(2)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(5), inserted “, except as specified under paragraph (4)” after “80 percent”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(5), inserted “, except as specified under paragraph (4)” after “80 percent”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(5) in subsection (f)(2), by inserting “, except as specified under paragraph (4)” after “80 percent”;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(6)(A) · 135 Stat. 429
Inserted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(A), inserted “; Phased Funding Agreements” after “Intent” in heading
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(A), inserted “; Phased Funding Agreements” after “Intent” in heading.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting “; Phased Funding Agreements” after “Intent”;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(6)(B) · 135 Stat. 429
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(1)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(B), substituted “Letters of intent” for “In general” in introductory provisions
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(1)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(B), substituted “may” for “shall, to the maximum extent practicable,” in introductory provisions
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(B), substituted “Letters of intent” for “In general” in heading and “may” for “shall, to the maximum extent practicable,” in introductory provisions.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(B) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking “In general” and inserting “Letters of intent”; and (ii) by striking “shall, to the maximum extent practicable,” and inserting “may”;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(6)(C) · 135 Stat. 429
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(2); 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(3)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(C), (D), added par. (2)
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(2); 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(3)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(C), (D), redesignated former par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g)(2), (3). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(C), (D), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(6)(E)(i) · 135 Stat. 429
Inserted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(3)(A)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(E)(i), inserted “a phased funding agreement under paragraph (2) or” after “issuing” in introductory provisions
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(E)(i), inserted “a phased funding agreement under paragraph (2) or” after “issuing” in introductory provisions.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(i) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting “a phased funding agreement under paragraph (2) or” after “issuing”; andPassenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(6)(E)(ii) · 135 Stat. 429
Inserted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(3)(B)(i)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(E)(ii), inserted “the phased funding agreement or” after “a copy of”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(E)(ii), inserted “the phased funding agreement or” after “a copy of”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting “the phased funding agreement or” after “a copy of”; andPassenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(6)(F) · 135 Stat. 429
Amended · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(4)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(F), designated existing provisions as subpar. (B)
Inserted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(4)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(F), inserted heading
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(4)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(F), added subpar. (A)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(F), designated existing provisions as subpar. (B), inserted heading, and added subpar. (A).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(F) in paragraph (4), as redesignated— (i) by striking “An obligation” and inserting the following: “(B) Appropriations required.— An obligation” ; and (ii) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as added by clause (i), the following: “(A) In general.— The Secretary may enter into phased funding agreements under this subsection that contain contingent commitments to incur obligations in such amounts as the Secretary determines are appropriate.” ;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(6)(C) · 135 Stat. 429
Redesignated · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(g)(4)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(C), redesignated par. (3) as (4)
Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(C), redesignated par. (3) as (4).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(7) · 135 Stat. 429
Substituted · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(i)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(7), substituted “sections 22903 and 22905” for “section 22905”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(7), substituted “sections 22903 and 22905” for “section 22905”.Enacted provision · exact public law section
(7) in subsection (i), by striking “section 22905” and inserting “sections 22903 and 22905”; andPassenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021
Pub. L. 117–58 § 22307(a)(8) · 135 Stat. 429
Added · 49 U.S.C. § 24911(j); 49 U.S.C. § 24911(k)
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(8), added subsecs. (j) and (k)
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsecs. (j), (k). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(8), added subsecs. (j) and (k).Enacted provision · exact public law section
(8) by adding at the end the following: “(j) Annual Report on Phased Funding Agreements and Letters of Intent.— Not later than the first Monday in February of each year, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives that includes— “(1) a proposal for the allocation of amounts to be available to finance grants for projects under this section among applicants for such amounts; “(2) evaluations and ratings, as applicable, for each project that has received a phased funding agreement or a letter of intent; and “(3) recommendations for each project that has received a phased funding agreement or a letter of intent for funding based on the evaluations and ratings, as applicable, and on existing commitments and anticipated funding levels for the next 3 fiscal years based on information currently available to the Secretary. “(k) Regional Planning Guidance Corridor Planning.— The Secretary may withhold up to 5 percent of the total amount made available for this section to carry out planning and development activities related to section 25101, including— “(1) providing funding to public entities for the development of service development plans selected under the Corridor Identification and Development Program; “(2) facilitating and providing guidance for intercity passenger rail systems planning; and “(3) providing funding for the development and refinement of intercity passenger rail systems planning analytical tools and models.” .
26 of 27 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Expansion and Rail Safety Act of 2021, referred to in subsec. (e), is the date of enactment of title II of div. B of Pub. L. 117–58, which was approved .
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(B)(v), (C)(iv), is Pub. L. 91–190, , 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.
Amendments2018–2021 · 3 rounds
2021
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(1), substituted “for intercity passenger rail” for “for state of good repair” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a)(1)(G). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(i), (iii), added subpar. (G). Former subpar. (G) redesignated (H) to reflect the probable intent of Congress, see below.
Subsec. (a)(1)(H). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(iv), which directed amendment of “subsection” (H), as redesignated, by substituting “(G)” for “(F)”, was executed by making the substitution in subpar. (H), as redesignated, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(A)(ii), which directed the redesignation of “subsection” (G) as (H), was executed by redesignating subpar. (G) as (H), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (a)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(B), (C), redesignated pars. (3) and (4) as (2) and (3), respectively, and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text of par. (2) read as follows: “The term ‘capital project’ means—
“(A) a project primarily intended to replace, rehabilitate, or repair major infrastructure assets utilized for providing intercity rail passenger service, including tunnels, bridges, stations, and other assets, as determined by the Secretary; or
“(B) a project primarily intended to improve intercity passenger rail performance, including reduced trip times, increased train frequencies, higher operating speeds, and other improvements, as determined by the Secretary.”
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(2)(B), struck out par. (5). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘qualified railroad asset’ means infrastructure, equipment, or a facility that—
“(A) is owned or controlled by an eligible applicant;
“(B) is contained in the planning document developed under section 24904 and for which a cost-allocation policy has been developed under section 24905(c), or is contained in an equivalent planning document and for which a similar cost-allocation policy has been developed; and
“(C) was not in a state of good repair on the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015.”
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(3), substituted “, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service if an eligible applicant is involved;” for “with respect to qualified railroad assets”.
Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(4), added subsecs. (c) to (e) and struck out former subsecs. (c) to (e) which, respectively, related to projects eligible for grants under this section, set out various project selection criteria, and gave conditions on funds to be used for Northeast Corridor projects.
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(5), inserted “, except as specified under paragraph (4)” after “80 percent”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(A), inserted “; Phased Funding Agreements” after “Intent” in heading.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(B), substituted “Letters of intent” for “In general” in heading and “may” for “shall, to the maximum extent practicable,” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (g)(2), (3). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(C), (D), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).
Subsec. (g)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(E)(i), inserted “a phased funding agreement under paragraph (2) or” after “issuing” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (g)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(E)(ii), inserted “the phased funding agreement or” after “a copy of”.
Subsec. (g)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(F), designated existing provisions as subpar. (B), inserted heading, and added subpar. (A).
Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(6)(C), redesignated par. (3) as (4).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(7), substituted “sections 22903 and 22905” for “section 22905”.
Subsecs. (j), (k). Pub. L. 117–58, § 22307(a)(8), added subsecs. (j) and (k).
2019
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 115–420 substituted “22905” for “24405”.
2018
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted “transportation at the eligible project location” for “transportation”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective , see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Credits
2015–2021 · 4 acts
- 2015Added Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11302(a), , 129 Stat. 1648
- 2018amended Pub. L. 115–141, div. L, title I, , 132 Stat. 994
- 2019Pub. L. 115–420, § 7(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV), , 132 Stat. 5447
- 2021Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title II, § 22307(a), , 135 Stat. 725.
Show as published
(Added Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, § 11302(a), , 129 Stat. 1648; amended Pub. L. 115–141, div. L, title I, , 132 Stat. 994; Pub. L. 115–420, § 7(b)(3)(A)(i)(IV), , 132 Stat. 5447; Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title II, § 22307(a), , 135 Stat. 725.)