transport report - national conference of state legislatures · rahall (d-wv) announced a panel to...
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Offices: NCSL Headquarters, 7700 East First Place, Denver, CO 80230 State-Federal Relations, 444 N. Capitol Street, NW, Suite 515, Washington, DC 20001
NCSL President-Elect Testifies
about MAP-21 Implementation
Photo: NCSL President-Elect Starr testifies before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit on April 25.
On April 25, NCSL President-Elect
Senator Bruce Starr (R-Ore.) told a House
subcommittee how the implementation of
the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st
Century Act (MAP-21)—the law that funds
and authorizes federal surface
transportation programs—is faring at the
state level. Starr also highlighted how
states are exploring ways to pay for
transportation projects, from gas tax
increases to sales taxes to charging users
based on the number of miles they travel.
Next Secretary of Transportation?
On May 22. the Senate Commerce,
Science and Transportation Committee
approved the nomination of Anthony
Federal News and Trends . 1 2
NCSL Legislative Summit ..... 3
States and Amtrak Costs ........ 3
Public-Private Partnerships .. 4
New NCSL Esources ............. 4
Other New Reports ................ 5
IN THIS ISSUE:
TRANSPORT REPORT
June 2013 Volume 4: Issue 4
News, Trends and Analysis Provided by NCSL’s Transportation Programs
FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION
NEWS AND TRENDS
Foxx—now mayor of Charlotte, N.C.— to
be the next U.S. Secretary of
Transportation. Foxx still must be
confirmed by the full Senate.
NCSL Analyzes Budget and CR
NCSL has released an analysis of the FY
2013 Continuing Resolution and the
president’s FY 2014 Department of
Transportation Budget for their impacts on
transportation programs and funding.
New Traffic Safety Guidelines
On May 30, the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a
new policy on automated or “self-driving”
vehicles. NHTSA also released guidelines
on April 23 asking automakers to help
reduce “distracted driving” by limiting the
functions of in-vehicle electronic devices.
NHTSA recently reported a 5.3 percent
rise in traffic deaths from 2011 to 2012—
the first year-to-year increase since 2005.
See this NCSL Info Alert for more details.
More Sandy Aid
On March 29, $1.4 billion in Hurricane
Sandy-related aid was announced for
transit agencies in the affected region.
Ben Husch
State-Federal Relations
NCSL-D.C.
202-624-7779
Jaime Rall
Transportation Program
NCSL-Denver
303-856-1417
NCSL CONTACTS:
2
Senate OKs Marketplace Fairness
On May 6, the Senate approved the
Marketplace Fairness Act (S. 743), which
would allow states to require remote
sellers to collect and remit state sales tax
for those businesses with more than $1
million in annual out-of-state sales. Both
Maryland and Virginia passed bills this
year that would direct some of the revenue
gained from the Marketplace Fairness Act
to state transportation projects. The
legislation now moves to the House where
its prospects are uncertain.
Senate Approves WRDA
On May 15, the full Senate approved the
reauthorization of the Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA), legislation that
authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to carry out water infrastructure
projects. The House Transportation and
Infrastructure committee has yet to
release its version of the legislation. See
this NCSL Info Alert for more information.
Amtrak’s FY 2014 Budget Proposal
On March 27, President Obama asked
Congress to provide Amtrak with $2.65
billion for FY 2014: $373 million in
operating support, $2.065 billion in capital
support and $212 million for debt service.
Amtrak saw its ridership grow by nearly 1
percent in the last year, and March set an
all-time single-month record.
New Vets' Transportation Program
On April 2, the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule
to establish a new grant program that will
support transportation options for veterans
in rural areas. The program was created
as part of the Caregivers and Veterans
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.
International Bridge Approved
On April 19, the U.S. Department of State
granted Michigan approval for a new
bridge between Detroit and Windsor,
Ontario, saying it “would serve the national
interest.” The two existing international
connections across the Detroit River are
the busiest border crossings in the north.
Congress Avoids FAA Furloughs…
On April 26, Congress passed the
Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 to give
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
the flexibility to use $253 million of funds
already appropriated to prevent further air
traffic control staff furloughs. Shortly
following passage, the FAA suspended all
employee furloughs due to sequestration.
… and FAA Doesn't Close Towers
On May 10, U.S. Secretary of
Transportation LaHood announced that
the FAA can fulfill its required budget cuts
under the sequester without closing 149
contract air traffic towers. The FAA faces
$637 million in sequester-related cuts.
Special Freight Panel Established
On April 15, House Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Bill
Shuster (R-PA) and Ranking Member Nick
Rahall (D-WV) announced a panel to
examine our nation’s freight system and
formulate a national freight plan.
Did you know?
There's been so
much federal
transportation
news lately, we
couldn't fit it all in
this newsletter!
For more details
on the latest
Congressional
activities, federal
administration
updates and
announcements
from the U.S.
Department of
Transportation
that affect the
states, check out
this May
2013 Federal
Transportation
Update from
NCSL's D.C.
team.
3
y r
It’s well-known that states are struggling to
pay for roads and bridges. This year,
states will also pick up part of the tab for
Amtrak routes within their borders.
Enacted in 2008, the federal Passenger
Rail Investment and Improvement Act
(PRIIA) required states to share costs for
short-distance Amtrak corridor services
within five years of enactment—and now
that deadline is right around the corner.
According to a recent article, 19 states
must cover such costs by October 2013 or
see routes close; most states have agreed
to pay. Continued operation of existing
state-supported routes in 15 states will
also be subject to the new requirements.
NCSL’s Legislative Summit is the largest policy conference of its kind, with more than 5,000 attendees and hundreds of sessions where you
can discuss hot policy topics and hone your legislative skills.
This year: Learn about pros and cons of new transportation technologies, how transit projects can spark economic
activity, and ways to pay for needed infrastructure.
ADVANCE RATES AVAILABLE THROUGH JULY 23!
STATES TO SHARE (MORE) AMTRAK COSTS
Did you know?
NCSL's meeting
agendas allow
you to sort the
sessions by track,
topic or NCSL
committee.
Looking for
sessions at this
year's Legislative
Summit about
infrastructure,
state budgets,
K-12 education,
jobs, pensions,
energy supply and
other hot topics?
Check out the
newly-posted
Summit agenda
here.
4
In April, Maryland enacted significant new
legislation to authorize state participation in
public-private partnerships. Including
Maryland. 33 states and Puerto Rico now
have enacted laws that authorize the state
to embark on these partnerships. Ohio and
Virginia also passed PPP-related bills this
year, while North Carolina, New Jersey and
Oregon still have bills pending in 2013
sessions. For more details, see the
searchable, online NCSL Transportation
Funding and Finance Legislation Database.
9th Annual US P3 Infrastructure Forum 2013
June 18-19, 2013 | Crowne Plaza, Times Square, New York
Reduced registration rate available to NCSL members!
The US P3 Infrastructure Forum, organized by InfraAmericas, is the premier annual
gathering about public-private partnerships for infrastructure developers, investors,
financiers, state and federal public officials and regional transportation authorities. Now in its
ninth year, the forum attracts over 350 key public and private sector participants every year.
InfraAmericas is offering a reduced registration rate for NCSL members (legislators or
legislative staff). For more information or to register, contact Kate Salkeld at InfraAmericas.
Pain at the Pump
This article in the June issue of State Legislatures magazine asks
whether gas taxes are the future of transportation funding.
Buckling Up in Front and Back Seats
Did you know most seat belt laws only cover front-seat occupants?
This NCSL LegisBrief looks at state seat belt laws and related issues.
Life on the Fast Track
Read this article to discover how states and cities are finding ways to
meet the growing demand for transit and rider-friendly communities.
MARYLAND ENACTS NEW PPP LEGISLATION
UPCOMING PPP MEETING OPPORTUNITY
Save the Date:
June 21
Free NCSL Webinar on Alternative
Fuel Vehicles!
On June 21, the NCSL Energy, Transportation and Agriculture Committee will host a free E-Learning Webinar on how state policies can help or hinder the emerging market for alternative fuel vehicles. Watch your e-mail for more details!
NEW NCSL RESOURCES
5
NEW TRANSPORTATION REPORTS
Tracking 2013 State Funding Proposals
Both the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) and Transportation for America are now tracking state proposals
to fund transportation infrastructure. (As, of course, is NCSL.)
U.S. Driving Trends
Advisor Perspectives and U.S. PIRG recently released analyses of the
decline in U.S. driving activity, especially among younger adults. (For more,
see these articles in the Washington Post, DC Streetsblog and the Atlantic.)
Traffic Safety Updates
In April, the Governors Highway Safety Association reported a spike in
motorcyclist deaths in 2012, and the Texas Transportation Institute issued a
report noting that hands-free texting apps provide no safety benefit for drivers.
Transportation Options for Older Adults
A new AARP report details how transportation services for older adults and
persons with disabilities are funded, and this 50-state ITN America resource
tracks policies that aid the use of private resources for senior transportation.
The New Real Estate Mantra: Location Near Public Transportation
A Center for Neighborhood Technology report finds that residential properties
near transit keep their value better than those without transit access.
Transportation Energy Futures Study
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a study on avenues to reduce
petroleum use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation
sector by more than 80 percent by 2050.
More on Alternative Fuels and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
In April, the Congressional Research Service assessed challenges to getting
plug-in hybrids and electric cars on U.S. roads, as the Consumer Federation
of America found that many new cars already meet 2017 efficiency standards.
How to Get the NCSL Transport Report: More than 2,000 federal, state, local and private
sector transportation stakeholders receive this newsletter each month. If you'd like to get
NCSL’s Transport Report in your inbox, e-mail [email protected] with your contact details.
All our past issues are online at http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=21636.
Did you know?
NCSL has publicly
accessible,
searchable online
databases that track
bills in all 50 states
concerning traffic
safety,
transportation
funding and finance,
and other state
policy topics. Plus,
check out our newly
expanded database
of bills that aim to
improve
transportation
access and mobility
for people who have
challenges
accessing
transportation
options due to
income, disability or
age.