PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.409 / 110th Congress

To amend title 23, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish national tunnel inspection standards for the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway tunnels, and for other purposes.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Official summary

Version 36 · Passed House amended · Jan 22, 2008

Amends federal highway law to direct the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to establish: (1) a national highway tunnel inspection program, including standards for the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway tunnels; (2) a training and certification program for highway tunnel inspectors; and (3) a national inventory of highway tunnels. Provides for funding.

Includes tunnel construction, rehabilitation, and operational improvements (including safety inspection of such tunnels) as eligible projects under the federal surface transportation program.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-8] · D–MA

Committees

  • Environment and Public Works Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
17 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

  2. The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  3. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H365)

  5. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H365)

  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 409.

  7. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H365-367)

  8. Mr. DeFazio moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  9. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 278.

  10. Reported by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 110-454.

  11. Reported by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 110-454.

  12. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  13. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  14. Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Discharged.

  15. Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

  16. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

  17. Introduced in House

  18. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.409 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.409 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.409 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.409 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources