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Bill > S1525


US S1525

US S1525
Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012


summary

Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

112th Congress

Bill Summary

Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 - Title I: Federal-Aid Highways - (Sec. 101) Continues through January 31, 2012 (Part-Year Funding Date), and authorizes appropriations through that date for, specified federal-aid highway programs under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Includes among extended funds those for: (1) the surface transportation research, development, and deployment program; (2) training and education; (3) the Bureau of Transportation Statistics; (4) university transportation research; and (5) intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research. Subjects funding for such programs generally to the same manner of distribution, administration, limitation, and availability for obligation, and in the same proportional amounts, as funds authorized to be appropriated for such programs and activities out of the Highway Trust Fund for FY2011. Subjects contract authority, however, between October 1, 2011, and January 31, 2012, to a specified pro rata limitation on obligations included in any Act making appropriations for FY2012 or a portion of that fiscal year. Waives this obligation limitation, though, for emergency relief and for the equity bonus program. (Sec. 102) Authorizes the appropriation of a pro rata amount of $422.425 million from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for administrative expenses of the federal-aid highway program for the period from October 1, 2011, through the Part-Year Funding Date. Title II: Additional Programs - (Sec. 201) Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to continue for the same period of time the authorized distribution of funds under such Act for coastal wetlands, recreational boating safety, projects under the Clean Vessel Act of 19921, boating infrastructure projects, and the National Outreach and Communications Program. Title III: Rescission - (Sec. 301) Rescinds permanently on September 1, 2012, $3.13 billion of the unobligated balances of funds apportioned before that date to each state under the federal-aid highway program. Exempts from such rescission certain funds distributed for: (1) the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings, (2) the highway safety improvement program, (3) safety incentives to prevent drunk driving, and (4) a specified division of apportionment of funds between urbanized areas of over 200,000 population and other areas. Requires the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to allow each state to determine the amount of the required rescission to be drawn from the programs to which the rescission applies.

AI Summary

This bill, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, extends federal funding and programs related to highways and transportation until January 31, 2012, continuing the authority and funding mechanisms established by previous acts like SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users). It ensures that programs such as surface transportation research, training, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, university transportation research, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) continue to receive funding at levels proportional to fiscal year 2011, with some exceptions for contract authority limitations that do not apply to emergency relief or the equity bonus program. Additionally, the bill extends funding for specific programs under the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, including those for coastal wetlands and recreational boating safety. Finally, it rescinds $3.13 billion in unobligated federal-aid highway funds by September 1, 2012, with exemptions for funds designated for railway-highway crossings, highway safety improvements, preventing drunk driving, and certain urbanized area allocations, allowing states to determine which programs will contribute to this rescission.

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 159. (on 09/08/2011)

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