Signed Legislation: Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (Part X)

Read part I of  Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015

SEC. 1412. SAFETY FOR USERS.

(a) In General- The Secretary shall encourage each State and metropolitan planning organization to adopt standards for the design of Federal surface transportation projects that provide for the safe and adequate accommodation (as determined by the State) in all phases of project planning, development, and operation, of all users of the surface transportation network, including motorized and nonmotorized users.

(b) Report- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall make available to the public a report cataloging examples of State law or State transportation policy that provides for the safe and adequate accommodation, in all phases of project planning, development, and operation of all users of the surface transportation network.

(c) Best Practices- Based on the report required under subsection (b), the Secretary shall identify and disseminate examples of best practices where States have adopted measures that have successfully provided for the safe and adequate accommodation of all users of the transportation network in all phases of project development and operation.

Follow the 1461

Share this on your social media!

SEC. 1413. DESIGN STANDARDS.

(a) In General- Section 109 of title 23, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (c)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) by striking `may take into account' and inserting `shall consider';

(ii) in subparagraph (B) by striking `and' at the end;

(iii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and

(iv) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:

`(C) cost savings by utilizing flexibility that exists in current design guidance and regulations; and'; and

(B) in paragraph (2)--

(i) in subparagraph (C) by striking `and' at the end;

(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (F); and

(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:

`(D) the publication entitled `Highway Safety Manual' of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials;

`(E) the publication entitled `Urban Street Design Guide' of the National Association of City Transportation Officials; and'; and

(2) in subsection (f) by inserting `pedestrian walkways,' after `bikeways,'.

(b) Design Standard Flexibility- Notwithstanding section 109(o) of title 23, United States Code, a State may allow a local jurisdiction to use a roadway design publication that is different from the roadway design publication used by the State in which the local jurisdiction is located for the design of a project on a roadway under the ownership of the local jurisdiction (other than a highway on the Interstate System) if--

(1) the local jurisdiction is a direct recipient of Federal funds for the project;

(2) the roadway design publication--

(A) is recognized by the Federal Highway Administration; and

(B) is adopted by the local jurisdiction; and

(3) the design complies with all other applicable Federal laws.

SEC. 1414. RESERVE FUND.

(a) Limitation-

(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding funding, authorizations of appropriations, and contract authority described in sections 1101, 1102, 3017, 4001, 5101, and 6002 of this Act, including the amendments made by such sections, sections 125 and 147 of title 23, United States Code, and section 5338(a) of title 49, United States Code, no funding, authorization of appropriations, and contract authority described in those sections for fiscal years 2019 through 2021 shall exist unless and only to the extent that a subsequent Act of Congress causes additional monies to be deposited in the Highway Trust Fund.

(2) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES- The limitation on funds provided in paragraph (1) shall not apply to--

(A) administrative expenses of the Federal Highway Administration under sections 104(a) and 608(a)(6) of title 23, United States Code;

(B) administrative expenses of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under section 4001(a)(6) of this Act;

(C) administrative expenses of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under section 5103 of this Act; and

(D) administrative expenses of the Federal Transit Administration under section 5338(h) of title 49, United States Code.

(b) Adjustments to Contract Authority-

(1) IN GENERAL- Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 104 the following:

`Sec. 105. Adjustments to contract authority

`(a) Calculation-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The President shall include in each of the fiscal year 2017 through 2021 budget submissions to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, for each of the Highway Account and the Mass Transit Account, a calculation of the difference between--

`(A) the actual level of monies deposited in that account for the most recently completed fiscal year; and

`(B) the estimated level of receipts for that account for the most recently completed fiscal year, as specified in paragraph (2).

`(2) ESTIMATE- The estimated level of receipts specified in this paragraph are--

`(A) for the Highway Account--

`(i) for fiscal year 2015, $35,740,259,248;

`(ii) for fiscal year 2016, $35,498,000,000;

`(iii) for fiscal year 2017, $35,879,000,000;

`(iv) for fiscal year 2018, $36,084,000,000; and

`(v) for fiscal year 2019, $36,117,000,000; and

`(B) for the Mass Transit Account--

`(i) for fiscal year 2015, $5,048,527,972;

`(ii) for fiscal year 2016, $5,020,000,000;

`(iii) for fiscal year 2017, $5,024,000,000;

`(iv) for fiscal year 2018, $5,011,000,000; and

`(v) for fiscal year 2019, $4,981,000,000.

`(3) TECHNICAL CORRECTION- For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the term `actual level of monies deposited in that account' shall not include funding of the Highway Trust Fund provided by section 2002 of Public Law 114-41.

`(b) Adjustments to Contract Authority-

`(1) ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS- If the difference determined in a budget submission under subsection (a) for a fiscal year for the Highway Account or the Mass Transit Account is greater than zero, the Secretary shall on October 1 of the budget year of that submission--

`(A) make available for programs authorized from such account for the budget year a total amount equal to--

`(i) the amount otherwise authorized to be appropriated for such programs for such budget year; plus

`(ii) an amount equal to such difference; and

`(B) distribute the additional amount under subparagraph (A)(ii) to each of such programs in accordance with subsection (c).

`(2) REDUCTION- If the difference determined in a budget submission under subsection (a) for a fiscal year for the Highway Account or the Mass Transit Account is less than zero, the Secretary shall on October 1 of the budget year of that submission--

`(A) make available for programs authorized from such account for the budget year a total amount equal to--

`(i) the amount otherwise authorized to be appropriated for such programs for such budget year; minus

`(ii) an amount equal to such difference; and

`(B) apply the total adjustment under subparagraph (A)(ii) to each of such programs in accordance with subsection (c).

`(c) Distribution of Adjustment Among Programs-

`(1) IN GENERAL- In making an adjustment for the Highway Account or the Mass Transit Account for a budget year under subsection (b), the Secretary shall--

`(A) determine the ratio that--

`(i) the amount authorized to be appropriated for a program from the account for the budget year; bears to

`(ii) the total amount authorized to be appropriated for such budget year for all programs under such account;

`(B) multiply the ratio determined under subparagraph (A) by the applicable difference calculated under subsection (a); and

`(C) adjust the amount that the Secretary would otherwise have allocated for the program for such budget year by the amount calculated under subparagraph (B).

`(2) FORMULA PROGRAMS- For a program for which funds are distributed by formula, the Secretary shall add or subtract the adjustment to the amount authorized for the program but for this section and make available the adjusted program amount for such program in accordance with such formula.

`(3) AVAILABILITY FOR OBLIGATION- Adjusted amounts under this subsection shall be available for obligation and administered in the same manner as other amounts made available for the program for which the amount is adjusted.

`(d) Exclusion of Emergency Relief Program and Covered Administrative Expenses- The Secretary shall exclude the emergency relief program under section 125 and covered administrative expenses from--

`(1) an adjustment of funding under subsection (c)(1); and

`(2) any calculation under subsection (b) or (c) related to such an adjustment.

`(e) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated from the appropriate account or accounts of the Highway Trust Fund an amount equal to the amounts calculated under subsection (a) for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021.

`(f) Revision to Obligation Limitations-

`(1) IN GENERAL- If the Secretary makes an adjustment under subsection (b) for a fiscal year to an amount subject to a limitation on obligations imposed by section 1102 or 3017 of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015--

`(A) such limitation on obligations for such fiscal year shall be revised by an amount equal to such adjustment; and

`(B) the Secretary shall distribute such limitation on obligations, as revised under subparagraph (A), in accordance with such sections.

`(2) EXCLUSION OF COVERED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES- The Secretary shall exclude covered administrative expenses from--

`(A) any calculation relating to a revision of a limitation on obligations under paragraph (1)(A); and

`(B) any distribution of a revised limitation on obligations under paragraph (1)(B).

`(g) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions apply:

`(1) BUDGET YEAR- The term `budget year' means the fiscal year for which a budget submission referenced in subsection (a)(1) is submitted.

`(2) COVERED ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES- The term `covered administrative expenses' means the administrative expenses of--

`(A) the Federal Highway Administration, as authorized under section 104(a);

`(B) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as authorized under section 4001(a)(6) of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015; and

`(C) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as authorized under section 31110 of title 49.

`(3) HIGHWAY ACCOUNT- The term `Highway Account' means the portion of the Highway Trust Fund that is not the Mass Transit Account.

`(4) MASS TRANSIT ACCOUNT- The term `Mass Transit Account' means the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund established under section 9503(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.'.

(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT- The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 104 the following:

`105. Adjustments to contract authority.'.

SEC. 1415. ADJUSTMENTS.

(a) In General- On July 1, 2018, of the unobligated balances of funds apportioned among the States under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, a total of $6,000,000,000 is permanently rescinded.

(b) Exclusions From Rescission- The rescission under subsection (a) shall not apply to funds distributed in accordance with--

(1) sections 104(b)(3) and 130(f) of title 23, United States Code;

(2) sections 133(d)(1)(A) of such title;

(3) the first sentence of section 133(d)(3)(A) of such title, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of MAP-21 (Public Law 112-141);

(4) sections 133(d)(1) and 163 of such title, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59); and

(5) section 104(b)(5) of such title, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of MAP-21 (Public Law 112-141).

(c) Distribution Among States- The amount to be rescinded under this section from a State shall be determined by multiplying the total amount of the rescission in subsection (a) by the ratio that--

(1) the unobligated balances subject to the rescission as of September 30, 2017, for the State; bears to

(2) the unobligated balances subject to the rescission as of September 30, 2017, for all States.

(d) Distribution Within Each State- The amount to be rescinded under this section from each program to which the rescission applies within a State shall be determined by multiplying the required rescission amount calculated under subsection (c) for such State by the ratio that--

(1) the unobligated balance as of September 30, 2017, for such program in such State; bears to

(2) the unobligated balances as of September 30, 2017, for all programs to which the rescission applies in such State.

SEC. 1416. NATIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING, HYDROGEN, PROPANE, AND NATURAL GAS FUELING CORRIDORS.

(a) In General- Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 150 the following:

`Sec. 151. National electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors

`(a) In General- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015, the Secretary shall designate national electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors that identify the near- and long-term need for, and location of, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, hydrogen infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure at strategic locations along major national highways to improve the mobility of passenger and commercial vehicles that employ electric, hydrogen fuel cell, propane, and natural gas fueling technologies across the United States.

`(b) Designation of Corridors- In designating the corridors under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--

`(1) solicit nominations from State and local officials for facilities to be included in the corridors;

`(2) incorporate existing electric vehicle charging stations, hydrogen fueling stations, propane fueling stations, and natural gas fueling corridors designated by a State or group of States; and

`(3) consider the demand for, and location of, existing electric vehicle charging stations, hydrogen fueling stations, propane fueling stations, and natural gas fueling infrastructure.

`(c) Stakeholders- In designating corridors under subsection (a), the Secretary shall involve, on a voluntary basis, stakeholders that include--

`(1) the heads of other Federal agencies;

`(2) State and local officials;

`(3) representatives of--

`(A) energy utilities;

`(B) the electric, fuel cell electric, propane, and natural gas vehicle industries;

`(C) the freight and shipping industry;

`(D) clean technology firms;

`(E) the hospitality industry;

`(F) the restaurant industry;

`(G) highway rest stop vendors; and

`(H) industrial gas and hydrogen manufacturers; and

`(4) such other stakeholders as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

`(d) Redesignation- Not later than 5 years after the date of establishment of the corridors under subsection (a), and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall update and redesignate the corridors.

`(e) Report- During designation and redesignation of the corridors under this section, the Secretary shall issue a report that--

`(1) identifies electric vehicle charging infrastructure, hydrogen infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure and standardization needs for electricity providers, industrial gas providers, natural gas providers, infrastructure providers, vehicle manufacturers, electricity purchasers, and natural gas purchasers; and

`(2) establishes an aspirational goal of achieving strategic deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, hydrogen infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure in those corridors by the end of fiscal year 2021.'.

(b) Conforming Amendment- The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 150 the following:

`151. National electric vehicle charging, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling corridors.'.

(c) Operation of Battery Recharging Stations in Parking Areas Used by Federal Employees-

(1) AUTHORIZATION-

(A) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of General Services may install, construct, operate, and maintain on a reimbursable basis a battery recharging station in a parking area that is in the custody, control, or administrative jurisdiction of the General Services Administration for the use of only privately owned vehicles of employees of the General Services Administration, tenant Federal agencies, and others who are authorized to park in such area to the extent such use by only privately owned vehicles does not interfere with or impede access to the equipment by Federal fleet vehicles.

(B) DELEGATION- The Administrator of General Services may install, construct, operate, and maintain on a reimbursable basis a battery recharging station in a parking area that is in the custody, control, or administrative jurisdiction of another Federal agency, at the request of such agency, or delegate such authority to another Federal agency to the extent such use by only privately owned vehicles does not interfere with or impede access to the equipment by Federal fleet vehicles.

(C) USE OF VENDORS- The Administrator of General Services, with respect to subparagraphs (A) and (B), or the head of a Federal agency delegated authority, with respect to subparagraph (B), may carry such subparagraph through a contract with a vendor, under such terms and conditions (including terms relating to the allocation between the Federal agency and the vendor of the costs of carrying out the contract) as the Administrator or the head of the Federal agency, as the case may be, and the vendor may agree to.

(2) IMPOSITION OF FEES TO COVER COSTS-

(A) FEES- The Administrator of General Services or the head of the Federal agency delegated authority under paragraph (1)(B) shall charge fees to the individuals who use the battery recharging station in such amount as is necessary to ensure that the respective agency recovers all of the costs such agency incurs in installing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the station.

(B) DEPOSIT AND AVAILABILITY OF FEES- Any fees collected by the Administrator of General Services or the Federal agency, as the case may be, under this paragraph shall be--

(i) deposited monthly in the Treasury to the credit of the respective agency's appropriations account for the operations of the building where the battery recharging station is located; and

(ii) available for obligation without further appropriation during--

(I) the fiscal year collected; and

(II) the fiscal year following the fiscal year collected.

(3) NO EFFECT ON EXISTING PROGRAMS FOR HOUSE AND SENATE- Nothing in this subsection may be construed to affect the installation, construction, operation, or maintenance of battery recharging stations by the Architect of the Capitol--

(A) under Public Law 112-170 (2 U.S.C. 2171), relating to employees of the House of Representatives and individuals authorized to park in any parking area under the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives on the Capitol Grounds; or

(B) under Public Law 112-167 (2 U.S.C. 2170), relating to employees of the Senate and individuals authorized to park in any parking area under the jurisdiction of the Senate on the Capitol Grounds.

(4) NO EFFECT ON SIMILAR AUTHORITIES- Nothing in this subsection may be construed as repealing or limiting any existing authorities of a Federal agency to install, construct, operate, or maintain battery recharging stations.

(5) ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 10 years, the Administrator of General Services shall submit to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works a report describing--

(A) the number of battery recharging stations installed by the Administrator on its own initiative under this subsection;

(B) requests from other Federal agencies to install battery recharging stations;

(C) delegations of authority to other Federal agencies under this subsection; and

(D) the status and disposition of requests from other Federal agencies.

(6) FEDERAL AGENCY DEFINED- In this subsection, the term `Federal agency' has the meaning given that term in section 102 of title 40, United States Code.

(7) EFFECTIVE DATE- This subsection shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2016 and each succeeding fiscal year.

SEC. 1417. FERRIES.

Section 147 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(h) Redistribution of Unobligated Amounts- The Secretary shall--

`(1) withdraw amounts allocated to eligible entities under this section that remain unobligated by the end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the amounts were allocated; and

`(2) in the fiscal year beginning after a fiscal year in which a withdrawal is made under paragraph (1), redistribute the funds withdrawn, in accordance with the formula specified under subsection (d), among eligible entities with respect to which no amounts were withdrawn under paragraph (1).'.

SEC. 1418. STUDY ON PERFORMANCE OF BRIDGES.

(a) In General- Subject to subsection (c), the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration shall commission the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on the performance of bridges that are at least 15 years old and received funding under the innovative bridge research and construction program (in this section referred to as the `program') under section 503(b) of title 23, United States Code (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59) in meeting the goals of that program, which included--

(1) the development of new, cost-effective innovative material highway bridge applications;

(2) the reduction of maintenance costs and lifecycle costs of bridges, including the costs of new construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of deficient bridges;

(3) the development of construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time and traffic congestion;

(4) the development of engineering design criteria for innovative products and materials for use in highway bridges and structures;

(5) the development of cost-effective and innovative techniques to separate vehicle and pedestrian traffic from railroad traffic;

(6) the development of highway bridges and structures that will withstand natural disasters, including alternative processes for the seismic retrofit of bridges; and

(7) the development of new nondestructive bridge evaluation technologies and techniques.

(b) Contents- The study commissioned under subsection (a) shall include--

(1) an analysis of the performance of bridges that received funding under the program in meeting the goals described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (a);

(2) an analysis of the utility, compared to conventional materials and technologies, of each of the innovative materials and technologies used in projects for bridges under the program in meeting the needs of the United States in 2015 and in the future for a sustainable and low lifecycle cost transportation system;

(3) recommendations to Congress on how the installed and lifecycle costs of bridges could be reduced through the use of innovative materials and technologies, including, as appropriate, any changes in the design and construction of bridges needed to maximize the cost reductions; and

(4) a summary of any additional research that may be needed to further evaluate innovative approaches to reducing the installed and lifecycle costs of highway bridges.

(c) Public Comment- Before commissioning the study under subsection (a), the Administrator shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the study proposal.

(d) Data From States- Each State that received funds under the program shall provide to the Transportation Research Board any relevant data needed to carry out the study commissioned under subsection (a).

(e) Deadline- The Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study commissioned under subsection (a) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1419. RELINQUISHMENT OF PARK-AND-RIDE LOT FACILITIES.

A State transportation agency may relinquish park-and-ride lot facilities or portions of park-and-ride lot facilities to a local government agency for highway purposes if authorized to do so under State law if the agreement providing for the relinquishment provides that--

(1) rights-of-way on the Interstate System will remain available for future highway improvements; and

(2) modifications to the facilities that could impair the highway or interfere with the free and safe flow of traffic are subject to the approval of the Secretary.

SEC. 1420. PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) In General- The Secretary may establish a pilot program that allows a State to utilize innovative approaches to maintain the right-of-way of Federal-aid highways within such State.

(b) Limitation- A pilot program established under subsection (a) shall--

(1) terminate after not more than 6 years;

(2) include not more than 5 States; and

(3) be subject to guidelines published by the Secretary.

(c) Report- If the Secretary establishes a pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, not more than 1 year after the completion of the pilot program, submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the results of the pilot program.

SEC. 1421. INNOVATIVE PROJECT DELIVERY EXAMPLES.

Section 120(c)(3)(B) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in clause (iv) by striking `or' at the end;

(2) by redesignating clause (v) as clause (vi); and

(3) by inserting after clause (iv) the following:

`(v) innovative pavement materials that have a demonstrated life cycle of 75 or more years, are manufactured with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce construction-related congestion by rapidly curing; or'.

SEC. 1422. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS TO ENCOURAGE POLLINATOR HABITAT AND FORAGE ON TRANSPORTATION RIGHTS-OF-WAY.

(a) In General- Section 319 of title 23, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subsection (a) by inserting `(including the enhancement of habitat and forage for pollinators)' before `adjacent'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

`(c) Encouragement of Pollinator Habitat and Forage Development and Protection on Transportation Rights-of-Way- In carrying out any program administered by the Secretary under this title, the Secretary shall, in conjunction with willing States, as appropriate--

`(1) encourage integrated vegetation management practices on roadsides and other transportation rights-of-way, including reduced mowing; and

`(2) encourage the development of habitat and forage for Monarch butterflies, other native pollinators, and honey bees through plantings of native forbs and grasses, including noninvasive, native milkweed species that can serve as migratory way stations for butterflies and facilitate migrations of other pollinators.'.

(b) Provision of Habitat, Forage, and Migratory Way Stations for Monarch Butterflies, Other Native Pollinators, and Honey Bees- Section 329(a)(1) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting `provision of habitat, forage, and migratory way stations for Monarch butterflies, other native pollinators, and honey bees,' before `and aesthetic enhancement'.

SEC. 1423. MILK PRODUCTS.

Section 127(a) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(13) MILK PRODUCTS- A vehicle carrying fluid milk products shall be considered a load that cannot be easily dismantled or divided.'.

SEC. 1424. INTERSTATE WEIGHT LIMITS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

Section 127(a) of title 23, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`(14) EMERGENCY VEHICLES-

`(A) IN GENERAL- With respect to an emergency vehicle, the following weight limits shall apply in lieu of the maximum and minimum weight limits specified in this subsection:

`(i) 24,000 pounds on a single steering axle.

`(ii) 33,500 pounds on a single drive axle.

`(iii) 62,000 pounds on a tandem axle.

`(iv) A maximum gross vehicle weight of 86,000 pounds.

`(B) EMERGENCY VEHICLE DEFINED- In this paragraph, the term `emergency vehicle' means a vehicle designed--

`(i) to be used under emergency conditions to transport personnel and equipment; and

`(ii) to support the suppression of fires and mitigation of other hazardous situations.'.

SEC. 1425. VEHICLE WEIGHT LIMITATIONS--INTERSTATE SYSTEM.

Section 127 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(m) Covered Heavy-Duty Tow and Recovery Vehicles-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The vehicle weight limitations set forth in this section do not apply to a covered heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicle.

`(2) COVERED HEAVY-DUTY TOW AND RECOVERY VEHICLE DEFINED- In this subsection, the term `covered heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicle' means a vehicle that--

`(A) is transporting a disabled vehicle from the place where the vehicle became disabled to the nearest appropriate repair facility; and

`(B) has a gross vehicle weight that is equal to or exceeds the gross vehicle weight of the disabled vehicle being transported.

`(n) Operation of Vehicles on Certain Texas Highways- If any segment in Texas of United States Route 59, United States Route 77, United States Route 281, United States Route 84, Texas State Highway 44, or another roadway is designated as Interstate Route 69, a vehicle that could operate legally on that segment before the date of such designation may continue to operate on that segment, without regard to any requirement under this section.

`(o) Certain Logging Vehicles in Wisconsin-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall waive, with respect to a covered logging vehicle, the application of any vehicle weight limit established under this section.

`(2) COVERED LOGGING VEHICLE DEFINED- In this subsection, the term `covered logging vehicle' means a vehicle that--

`(A) is transporting raw or unfinished forest products, including logs, pulpwood, biomass, or wood chips;

`(B) has a gross vehicle weight of not more than 98,000 pounds;

`(C) has not less than 6 axles; and

`(D) is operating on a segment of Interstate Route 39 in Wisconsin from mile marker 175.8 to mile marker 189.'.

SEC. 1426. NEW NATIONAL GOAL, PERFORMANCE MEASURE, AND PERFORMANCE TARGET.

(a) National Goal- Section 150(b) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(8) INTEGRATED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- To improve road conditions in economically distressed urban communities and increase access to jobs, markets, and economic opportunities for people who live in such communities.'.

(b) Performance Measure- Section 150(c) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(7) INTEGRATED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- The Secretary shall establish measures for States to use to assess the conditions, accessibility, and reliability of roads in economically distressed urban communities.'.

(c) Performance Target- Section 150(d)(1) of such title is amended by striking `and (6)' and inserting `(6), and (7)'.

SEC. 1427. SERVICE CLUB, CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION, OR RELIGIOUS SERVICE SIGNS.

Notwithstanding section 131 of title 23, United States Code, and part 750 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), a State may allow the maintenance of a sign of a service club, charitable association, or religious service that was erected as of the date of enactment of this Act and the area of which is less than or equal to 32 square feet, if the State notifies the Federal Highway Administration.

SEC. 1428. WORK ZONE AND GUARD RAIL SAFETY TRAINING.

(a) In General- Section 1409 of SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 401 note) is amended--

(1) by striking the section heading and inserting `work zone and guard rail safety training'; and

(2) in subsection (b) by adding at the end the following:

`(4) Development, updating, and delivery of training courses on guard rail installation, maintenance, and inspection.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by striking the item relating to section 1409 and inserting the following:

`Sec. 1409. Work zone and guard rail safety training.'.

SEC. 1429. MOTORCYCLIST ADVISORY COUNCIL.

(a) In General- The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, and in consultation with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, shall appoint a Motorcyclist Advisory Council to coordinate with and advise the Administrator on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists, including--

(1) barrier design;

(2) road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and

(3) the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.

(b) Composition- The Council shall consist of not more than 10 members of the motorcycling community with professional expertise in national motorcyclist safety advocacy, including--

(1) at least--

(A) 1 member recommended by a national motorcyclist association;

(B) 1 member recommended by a national motorcycle riders foundation;

(C) 1 representative of the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators;

(D) 2 members of State motorcyclists' organizations;

(E) 1 member recommended by a national organization that represents the builders of highway infrastructure;

(F) 1 member recommended by a national association that represents the traffic safety systems industry; and

(G) 1 member of a national safety organization; and

(2) at least 1, but not more than 2, motorcyclists who are traffic system design engineers or State transportation department officials.

SEC. 1430. IMPROVEMENT OF DATA COLLECTION ON CHILD OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE CRASHES.

(a) In General- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise the crash investigation data collection system of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to include the collection of the following data in connection with vehicle crashes whenever a child restraint system was in use in a vehicle involved in a crash:

(1) The type or types of child restraint systems in use during the crash in any vehicle involved in the crash, including whether a five-point harness or belt-positioning booster.

(2) If a five-point harness child restraint system was in use during the crash, whether the child restraint system was forward-facing or rear-facing in the vehicle concerned.

(b) Consultation- In implementing subsection (a), the Secretary shall work with law enforcement officials, safety advocates, the medical community, and research organizations to improve the recordation of data described in subsection (a) in police and other applicable incident reports.

(c) Report- Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on child occupant crash data collection in the crash investigation data collection system of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pursuant to the revision required by subsection (a).

SEC. 1431. HIGHWAY WORK ZONES.

It is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Highway Administration should--

(1) do all within its power to protect workers in highway work zones; and

(2) move rapidly to finalize regulations, as directed in section 1405 of MAP-21 (126 Stat. 560), to protect the lives and safety of construction workers in highway work zones from vehicle intrusions.

SEC. 1432. STUDY ON STATE PROCUREMENT OF CULVERT AND STORM SEWER MATERIALS.

(a) In General- The Secretary shall evaluate the methods in which States procure culvert and storm sewer materials and the impact of those methods on project costs, including the extent to which such methods take into account environmental principles, engineering principles, and the varying needs of projects based on geographic location.

(b) Report- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).

Read part XI of  Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015

Join the conversation in the comments!
Read the 1461 Comment Guidelines.

1461 reaches over 1.5 Million People!