S 2308 — A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to modify the threshold for small start projects under the fixed guideway capital investment grant program, to allow certain environmental review expenditures to count for purposes of non-Federal matches, and for other purposes.

Summary

This bill modifies grants available through the Department of Transportation (DOT) that support the development, expansion, and improvement of fixed guideway transportation systems (e.g., light rail and bus rapid transit). The modifications include (1) counting the costs of complying with federal environmental laws towards grant requirements for nonfederal matching contributions, and (2) requiring DOT to maintain a dashboard to track the status of, and other information about, grant applications and projects.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html July 12, 2021

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Also cites: 42 U.S.C. § 4370m-2

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill modifies definitions and thresholds for small start projects and allows certain environmental review expenditures to count toward non-Federal matching funds.

• 49 U.S.C. § 5309(a)

  (2) Commuter or destination-based bus rapid transit project.--The term `commuter or destination-based bus rapid transit project' means a small start project utilizing buses-- (A) in which the project represents a substantial investment in a defined corridor, as demonstrated by features that emulate the services provided by commuter rail or other rail fixed guideway public transportation systems, including-- (i) defined stations; (ii) traffic signal or access to managed lanes for public transportation vehicles; (iii) short headway services for a substantial part of weekdays; and (iv) any other features the Secretary may determine support a long-term corridor investment; and (B) in which-- (i) the majority of the project does not operate in a separated right-of-way dedicated for public transportation use during peak periods; and (ii) a substantial portion of the project operates in a highway right-of-way.

  Defines 'commuter or destination-based bus rapid transit project' to include specific characteristics for small start projects.

• 49 U.S.C. § 5309(a)(8)(A)

  $100,000,000 → $320,000,000

  Increases the threshold for Federal assistance for small start projects from $100 million to $320 million.

• 49 U.S.C. § 5309(a)(8)(B)

  $300,000,000 → $400,000,000

  Raises the total estimated net capital cost limit for small start projects from $300 million to $400 million.

• 49 U.S.C. § 5309(l)

  (9) Environmental review expenditures.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to a project that receives a grant under this section, an expenditure made to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) before the project enters project development may be considered as an expenditure that helps meet the non-Federal financial commitment required for that project under this section.

  Allows certain environmental review expenditures to count toward the non-Federal match for projects receiving grants.

• 49 U.S.C. § 5309(o)

  (2)

  Removes the existing requirement in subsection (o) for reporting project review processes.

• 49 U.S.C. § 5309(o)(3)

  Program dashboard.-- (A) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and maintain on a publicly available website a fixed guideway capital investment grant program dashboard. (B) Requirements.--The dashboard established under subparagraph (A) shall contain-- (i) the amount of funding appropriated to the program under this section for each fiscal year for each program component, including funding for core capacity improvement projects, small start projects, and new fixed guideway capital projects, if specific amounts are appropriated for each program component; (ii) the amount of funding allocated from the program under this section for each fiscal year to each program component, including core capacity improvement projects, small start projects, and new fixed guideway capital projects; and (iii) the amount of funding obligated from the program under this section to each program component, including core capacity improvement projects, small start projects, and new fixed guideway capital projects.

  Requires the establishment of a publicly available dashboard to track funding and project details for fixed guideway capital investment grants.

Action History

1. July 12, 2022

   Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-739.

2. July 12, 2022

   Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.

3. July 12, 2021

   Introduced in Senate

4. July 12, 2021

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Sponsors

• Raphael G. Warnock · Primary

Subjects