Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996
Became Public Law No: 104-50.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Aug 10, 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Transportation Title II: Related Agencies Title III: General Provisions Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 - Title I: Department of Transportation - Makes appropriations for FY 1996 (with specified rescissions, limitations on obligations and direct loans, and liquidations of contract authorizations) for: (1) the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (including funds to transfer residual rail and motor carriers functions from the Interstate Commerce Commission to the Department of Transportation); (2) the Coast Guard; (3) the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); (4) the Federal Highway Administration (FHA); (5) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; (6) the Federal Railroad Administration (including funds for Alaska Railroad rehabilitation, the Pennsylvania Station Redevelopment Project in New York City, and specified Rhode Island rail development); (7) the Federal Transit Administration; (8) the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; (9) the Research and Special Programs Administration; (10) the Office of the Inspector General; and (11) the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Title II: Related Agencies - Makes appropriations for FY 1996 for: (1) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board; (2) the National Transportation Safety Board; (3) the Interstate Commerce Commission (for severance, closing costs, and other sunset expenses); and (4) the Panama Canal Commission. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth specified prohibitions, limitations, permissions, and mandates with respect to the use of appropriations under this Act. (Sec. 308) Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to enter into grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions with any person, agency, U.S. instrumentality, any State or local government, any educational institution, and any other entity in execution of the Technology Reinvestment Project authorized under the Defense Conversion, Reinvestment and Transition Assistance Act of 1992 and related legislation. (Sec. 310) Requires the Secretary to distribute, on a ratio-formulated basis, Federal-aid highway State obligation limits for FY 1996 for Federal-aid highways. Prohibits a State from obligating more than 25 percent of its allocation for such projects during the first three months of FY 1996. Sets forth additional specified obligation limits for States during FY 1996. (Sec. 311) Limits funds available for salaries and expenses to no more than 100 political and presidential appointees in the Department of Transportation. Prohibits the assignment of such personnel on temporary detail outside of the Department. (Sec. 316) Prohibits the use of funds to establish a vessel traffic safety fairway less than five miles wide between the Santa Barbara Traffic Separation Scheme and the San Francisco Traffic Separation Scheme. (Sec. 317) Authorizes airports to transfer, without consideration, to the FAA any instrument landing systems which were purchased through a Federal airport aid or development program and which conform to FAA performance specifications. (Sec. 318) Prohibits the use of funds to award multiyear contracts for production end items that include: (1) economic order quantity or long lead time material procurement in excess of $10 million in any one year of the contract; (2) a cancellation charge greater than $10 million which at the time of obligation has not been appropriated to the limits of the Government's liability; or (3) a requirement that permits performance under the contract during the second and subsequent years without conditioning such performance upon the appropriation of funds. (Sec. 320) Prohibits the use of funds to enforce provisions of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 requiring States to use recycled rubber in their asphalt pavement. (Sec. 324) Prohibits the use of funds to place speed limit or distance signs using the metric system on any State highway. (Sec. 325) Requires tolls collected from motor vehicles on any bridge connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn, New York, and Staten Island, New York, to continue to be collected for only those vehicles exiting from such bridge in Staten Island. (Sec. 329) Declares the sense of the Congress that all equipment and products bought with funds under this Act should be American-made. Requires each Federal agency to give notice of this policy to any entity it provides financial assistance or contracts with. (Sec. 331) Subjects the acquisition by the U.S. Coast Guard of all 47-foot Motor Life Boats to open competition for all U.S. shipyards. (Sec. 332) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act for planning or construction of a sixth runway at the new Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado. (Sec. 335) Cancels permanently $25 million of the budgetary resources provided to the Department of Transportation. Directs the Secretary to reduce the existing field office structure and consolidate administrative activities. Authorizes the President to transmit to the Congress, in conjunction with the budget request, a plan for the reorganization of the Department's surface transportation activities and its relationship with the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. (Sec. 337) Prohibits the use of funds for employee training unless it is consistent with existing Federal employee training requirements. (Sec. 343) Authorizes the transfer of funds obligated for a road access project in West Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, to a road access project in Lake Charles, Louisiana. (Sec. 345) Directs the Secretary to identify successful telecommuting programs in the public and private sectors and provide to the public information regarding the establishment of such programs and their costs and benefits. (Sec. 346) Exempts the Indian Reservation roads program from any reduction in authorizations due to budget reductions. (Sec. 349) Amends Federal transportation law to grant congressional consent to the States to establish State infrastructure banks and to enter into interstate compacts establishing transportation infrastructure banks to promote regional or multi-State investment in transportation infrastructure. Authorizes a State or Interstate Compact Transportation Infrastructure Bank to make loans, issue debt, and provide other assistance to public or private entities constructing transportation projects, programs, or activities that are eligible to receive assistance under specified Federal provisions. Sets forth Infrastructure Bank requirements. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 350) Directs the Secretary to develop both a personnel management system and an acquisition management system for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (Sec. 354) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) administer and implement exemptions from certain odometer disclosure requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations; and (2) adopt or amend such exemptions for any class or category of vehicle deemed appropriate. (Sec. 355) Designates the FAA Technical Center at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona, New Jersey, as the William J. Hughes Technical Center. (Sec. 356) Prohibits the use of funds to close any multi-mission small boat stations or subunits. Authorizes the Secretary to implement management efficiencies within the small boat unit system, provided that no stations or subunits are closed. (Sec. 357) Makes specified funds available for certain surface transportation projects in Louisiana. (Sec. 359) Directs agency heads to achieve five percent reduction in the energy costs of Federal facilities. (Sec. 360) Requires the Secretary to study and report to a specified congressional committee about air fares. (Sec. 361) Makes specified funds available to establish the Institute for Railroad Safety. (Sec. 362) Urges Japan to honor the terms of the United States-Japan bilateral aviation agreement. Urges the President to: (1) identify strong and appropriate forms of countermeasures that could be taken against Japan for its violation of the agreement; and (2) promptly impose against Japan any necessary and appropriate countermeasures to ensure that Japan abides by the agreement. (Sec. 364) Amends Federal highway safety law and other Federal transportation law to repeal the establishment of the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Review Panel (thus abolishing them). Requires the Secretary (currently, the Review Panel) to annually analyze State laws and regulations and decide which ones are related to commercial motor vehicle safety. (Sec. 365) Amends Federal highway law to postpone from September 30, 1995 to September 30, 1997, the prohibition against apportionment of Federal highway funds for the National Highway System or the Interstate maintenance program unless the Congress approves a law designating the National Highway System. Designates the most recent National Highway System submitted by the Secretary as the National Highway System. Authorizes the Secretary to approve a State request for a change in the National Highway System if such change: (1) meets certain criteria established for the System; and (2) enhances the national transportation characteristics of it.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 393 - 29 (Roll no. 735).(consideration: CR H10761-10773)
The previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate.
Mr. Wolf brought up conference report H. Rept. 104-286 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 241.
Rule H. Res. 241 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 241 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 2002. Waiving all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration.
Conference report H. Rept. 104-286 filed. (text of conference report: CR H10488-10520)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 104-286 filed.(text of conference report: CR H10488-10520)
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Mr. Lightfoot asked unanimous consent that managers on the part of the House have until midnight on Oct. 20 to file a conference report on H.R. 2002. Agreed to without objection.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate appointed conferee Shelby in lieu of Gramm by unanimous consent.
Conference held.
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Wolf, DeLay, Regula, Rogers, Lightfoot, Packard, Callahan, Dickey, Livingston, Sabo, Durbin, Coleman, Foglietta, and Obey.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H8710)
The previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Coleman motion to instruct conferees on the part of the House to provide funding for the Federal-Aid Highways Progam at a level which is as close as possible to the level of the House-passed bill.
Mr. Coleman moved that the House instruct conferees.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Wolf asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and agree to a conference. (consideration: CR H8709)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate insists on its amendments asks for a conference, appoints conferees Hatfield; Domenici; Specter; Gramm; Gorton; Bond; Lautenberg; Byrd; Harkin; Mikulski; Reid. (consideration: CR S12122)
Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 98-1. Record Vote No: 383.
Mr. Orton appealed the ruling of the Chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the Chair.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Andrews amendment.
Mr. Wolf asked unanimous consent that the time for debate on the Andrews amendment, and all amendments thereto, be limited to not to exceed 20 minutes. Agreed to without objection.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Coleman amendment and announced that by voice vote, the amendment was agreed to. Mr. Wolf demanded a recorded vote and, pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 194, further proceedings were postponed.
LIMITATION ON DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous unanimous consent agreement, the House proceeded with up to forty minutes of debate on the Coleman (TX) amendment.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Wolf amendment and announced that by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Wolf demanded a recorded vote and, pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 194, further proceedings were postponed.
LIMITATION ON DEBATE - Mr. Wolf asked unanimous consent that all debate on the Wolf amendment and all amendments thereto be limited to 20 minutes. Agreed to without objection.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7588-7609)
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2002 as unfinished business.
Mr. Wolf asked unanimous consent that debate on the Coleman amendment, regarding section 343 of the bill, if offered, would be limited to 40 minutes. Agreed to without objection.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Hefley amendment and announced that by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Hefley demanded a recorded vote and, pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 194, further proceedings were postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hefley amendment.
Mr. Wolf asked unanimous consent that debate on the Hefley amendment and all amendments thereto be limited to 10 minutes. Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Shuster raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Shuster stated that language in the bill (Page 54, lines 3-24) was not in order as it imposed additional duties. The Chair sustained the point of order.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Smith (MI) amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Smith (MI) demanded a recorded vote and, pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 194, further proceedings were postponed.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Smith (MI) amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Smith (MI) amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Filner amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Morella amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the Danner amendment.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Smith (MI) amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Smith (MI) demanded a recorded vote and, pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 194, further proceedings were postponed.
The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Smith (MI) amendment.
Mr. Smith (MI) asked unanimous consent that the time for debate on the amendment be extended for an additional 5 minutes, for a total time of not to exceed 20 minutes. Agreed to without objection.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the Foglietta amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Foglietta objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present and made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to the H. Res. 194, the Chairman postponed further consideration on the amendment. By unanimous consent, the point of no quorum was withdrawn.
Mr. Wolf asked unanimous consent that the time for debate on the Foglietta amendment, and all amendments thereto, be limited to not to exceed 40 minutes. Agreed to without objection.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the LaTourette amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. LaTourette demanded a recorded vote and, made a point of order that a quorum was not present, pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 194, a vote on the amendment was postponed until later today. The point of order regarding a quorum was withdrawn.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 15 minutes of debate on the LaTourette amendment.
LIMITATION ON DEBATE - Mr. Wolf asked unanimous consent that all time on debate for all amendments to title I, and all amendments thereto be limited to 15 minutes each, with the exception of the DeFazio amendment which is limited to 20 minutes; and the Foglietta and the Solomon amendments which are not included in the request. Agreed to without objection.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7507-7539)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2002 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Wolf moved that the Committee rise.
Mr. Shuster raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Shuster stated that the provision on page 20, lines 17-19, regarding the Safe Communities Program is unauthorized and therefore not in order. The Chair sustained the point of order.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with thirty minutes of general debate.
TIME LIMITATION - Mr. Wolf asked unanimous consent that general debate be limited to thirty minutes. Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Doug Bereuter to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 194 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2002 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instruction is allowed. The rule waives clause 3 of rule XIII (requiring a committee bill report contain the text of the statute being repealed within that committee bill) and section 401 (a) of the Budget Act (prohibiting consideration of legislation, as reported, providing new contract authority) against consideration of the bill. The rule also waives clause 6 (prohibiting reappropriation). Measure will be read by title. Bill is open to amendments. Provides for the consideration of an amendment by Mr. Solomon printed in Part 2 of the report accompanying this resolution. The amendment is not subject to amendment or to a demand for a division of the question in the House or Committee of the Whole. All points of order are waived against the amendment. Members who have pre-printed their amendmen...
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 194. (consideration: CR H7397-7412)
Rule H. Res. 194 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 194 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2002 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without installowed. The rule waives clause 3 of rule XIII (requiring a committee bill report contain the text of the statute being repealed within that committee bill) and section 401 (a) of the Budget Act (prohibiting consideration of legislation, as reported, providing new contract authority) against consideration of the bill. The rule also waives clause 6 (prohibiting reappropriation). Measure will be read by title. Bill is open to amendments. Provides for the consideration of an amendment by Mr. Solomon printed in Part 2 of the report accompanying this resolution.The amendment is not subject to amendment or to a demand for a division of the question in the House or Committee of the Whole. All points of order are waived against the amendment.Members who have pre-printed their amendmen...
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 88.
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 104-177, by Mr. Wolf.
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 104-177, by Mr. Wolf.
Introduced in House
Ordered to be Reported.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Final Day of Subcommittee Mark-up.
First Day of Subcommittee Mark-up.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Final Day of Subcommittee Hearings.
First Day of Subcommittee Hearings.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation.
Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
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