WASHINGTON – This morning, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved legislation that authorizes funding for surface transportation projects over the next six years. The bill, known as The DRIVE Act, includes priorities championed by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).

Senator Fischer released the following statement after today’s markup:

“Today, the Senate took a major step toward addressing America’s transportation challenges. Through bipartisan cooperation, we have advanced a bill that authorizes funding for important transportation projects for six years – which I have strongly advocated since my first year in office. We will now be able to provide the first step for greater certainty to our states, businesses, families, and the travelling public.

“I am pleased to have worked with Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Boxer to ensure Nebraska’s interests are protected through this legislation. Together, we were able to prioritize freight movement, advance regulatory relief to accelerate project delivery, and improve support for our rural communities.”

This morning, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee approved a new bill that authorizes funding for surface transportation projects over the next six years. The legislation, known as the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act was introduced by U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), EPW Committee chairman; Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), EPW Committee ranking member; David Vitter (R-La.), chairman of the EPW Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and Tom Carper (D-Del.), senior member of the EPW Committee.

Fischer Provisions

Senator Fischer announced two key provisions she fought to include in the legislation, which enhance project flexibility for states and streamline the environmental review process. These provisions were drafted in consultation with key transportation stakeholders in Nebraska, including officials from the Nebraska Department of Roads.

1. Sec. 1102: Improves the Programmatic Agreement process for categorical exclusions (CEs) to allow states to determine whether consultation with a relevant resource agency is necessary. Fischer’s provision establishes procedures – based on a template developed by the Transportation Secretary – allowing states, in addition to the federal government, to determine which state or federal agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Historical Society, etc.) must be consulted prior to beginning an infrastructure project.

2. Sec. 1111: Provides technical assistance to states that want to assume responsibility for reviews of CEs. Categorical exclusions are a category of projects that do not have a significant impact on the environment, triggering a less arduous level of environmental review. Fischer’s provision would help states provide their own certification regarding the appropriate level of environmental review of certain projects, rather than wasting time waiting for the federal government to provide the assessments.

Other Key Provisions:

·         Regulatory Relief for Rural Areas: Grants the Transportation Secretary new authority to provide much-needed regulatory relief and flexibility for rural road and bridge projects. It also accelerates the project delivery process and seeks to eliminate duplicative environmental reviews.

·         More Accountability and Transparency: Requires the Transportation Secretary to publicly post on a website all funding data for highway projects. This data will include the time and costs associated with federal environmental regulations so Congress can provide better oversight.

·         Project Bundling: Allows projects to bundle together with other similar projects to streamline the approval process. Bundling would also allow smaller projects to have the same access to funds and financing normally dedicated to larger projects.

·         National Freight Program: Establishes the National Freight Program, which provides flexibility for states to spend federal funds on critical rural and urban corridors in coordination with state transportation plans.

·         Rural Corridors: Allows states to designate rural roads as critical freight corridors, especially if they provide access to grain elevators or “other regionally significant agricultural facilities.” The program also helps states target projects that increase the efficiency, reliability, and affordability of freight transportation.

Click here to view the text of The DRIVE Act.

Click here to view a summary of the bill, courtesy of the EPW Committee.

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