Rural Highway Safety Act

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

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 1, 1997

Rural Highway Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a two-lane rural highway safety program to ensure the systematic reconstruction of rural two-lane arterial and collector highways of substantial length that are not on the National Highway System. Requires the program to include safe alignment and cross-section design, safe roadside conditions, safety appurtenances, durable and safe pavement design, grade crossing safety, and traffic engineering. Requires program cooperation with States and the private sector. Provides for State apportionment of program funds in accordance with a ratio based on the number of qualifying two-lane highway miles in such State and its percentage of rural populations. Requires a report from the Secretary to the Congress on program results. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1998 through 2003.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Kerrey, J. Robert [D-NE] · D–NE

Committees

Environment and Public Works Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]

Legislative record

Actions

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

Oct 1, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Oct 1, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10293-10294)
Oct 1, 1997
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Oct 1, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

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.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1243 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.

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Discuss S.1243, 105th Congress: Rural Highway Safety Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1243

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-10-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1243/BILLS-105s1243is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:14:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1243 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1243 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

Discuss S.1243, 105th Congress: Rural Highway Safety Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1243

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-10-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1243/BILLS-105s1243is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:14:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1243 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1243 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

Discuss S.1243, 105th Congress: Rural Highway Safety Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1243

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-10-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1243/BILLS-105s1243is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:14:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1243 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1243 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

Discuss S.1243, 105th Congress: Rural Highway Safety Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/1243

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1997-10-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/s1243/BILLS-105s1243is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:14:33Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1243 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.