National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination: Federal Legislative Monitor

Transcription

1 National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination: Federal Legislative Monitor December 19, 2007 AUTHORIZATING LEGISLATION OF INTEREST Farm Bill Renewal HR 2419, Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of Introduced 5/22/07 by Rep Peterson (D-MN) Agriculture and Foreign Affairs s S 2302, Food and Energy Security Act of Introduced 11/2/07 by Sen Harkin (D-IA) Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry ) from House Agriculture, 7/19/07 ( ) 7/27/ ) from Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry, 11/2/07 Passed Senate (79-14) 12/14/07 In addition to commodity and agriculture provisions, the House bill changes the name of Food Stamps to Secure Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and its employment and training program authorization is extended through 2012, as are USDA s rural community and economic development programs. Senate bill also continues USDA programs through 2012, provides for expansion of the food stamps employment and training program, and establishes a program to address employment issues for disabled persons in rural areas. Head Start reauthorization HR 1429, Improving Head Start Act of Introduced 3/9/07 by Rep Kildee (D-MI) Education & Labor S 556, Head Start Conference report on HR 1429 (H.Rept ) from House ) from Senate ) issued Education and Labor Health, Education, 11/9/07, 3/14/07 Labor and Pensions House accepted (381-5/2/07, 2/14/07 36) 11/14/07 (365-48) Passed Senate Senate accepted (95-6/19/07 0) 11/14/07

2 for School ) 12/12/07 Readiness Act Introduced 2/12/07 by Sen Kennedy (D-MA) Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Reauthorizes Head Start program through House version would have required 10 percent of Head Start quality improvement funds to be spent on transportation (in the final bill, this setaside was transformed into one of several possible uses of additional program funds above initial authorized amounts), and would have provided for continued issuance of Head Start transportation safety regulations which include authority for waivers. As signed into law, current waiver authority is unchanged (which allows waivers for certain transportation safety rules as per 45 CFR 1310), and basis for Head Start transportation rules remains unchanged. The enacted version of this bill also calls for coordination between Head Start (and Early Head Start) programs and the activities of their local educational and pre-school agencies, for which coordinated transportation is listed as a possible activity. SCHIP reauthorization HR 3162, Children s Health and Medicare Protection Act of Introduced 7/24/07 by Rep Dingell (D-MI) Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means s HR 976, Small Business Tax Relief Act of Introduced 2/9/07 by Rep Rangel (D-NY) Ways & Means S 1893, Children s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of Introduced 7/26/07 by Sen Baucus (D-MT) Finance HR 3963, Children s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of Introduced 10/24/07 by Rep Dingell (D-MI) HR 3162 marked up and reported out (H.Rept , pt1) of House Ways & Means, 7/26/07 ( ) 8/1/07 HR 976 marked up and reported out (H.Rept ) of House Ways & Means, 2/12/07 (360-45) 2/16/07, with amendments to Senate amendments ( ) 9/25/07 HR3963 Passed House ( ), 10/25/07 S 1893 marked up and reported out of Senate Finance, 7/27/07 HR 976 passed Senate (68 31; with provisions of S 1893 et al included as an amendment) 8/2/07 Senate accepted with House amendments (67-29) 9/27/07 HR 3963 Passed Senate without amendment (64-30), 11/1/07 S 2499 Passed Senate (uc) 12/18/07 HR 976 vetoed by Pres Bush, 10/3/07 House failed to override veto ( ) 10/18/07 HR 3963 vetoed by Pres Bush, 12/12/07

3 Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, Oversight & Government Reform, Administration, and Education & Labor s S 2499 Introduced 12/18/07 by Sen Baucus (D- MT) HR 3162 extends and expands States Children s Health Insurance Program, with various modifications and offsets to Medicare and Medicaid, including extension of transitional Medicaid through Original House-passed version of HR 976 makes some tax reforms, including extension of WOTC through Senate-passed version of HR 976 includes SCHIP reauthorization, as well as reauthorization of Indian health programs. As sent to Pres Bush, final version of HR 976 focused on SCHIP, without WOTC, TMA or Indian health aspects. HR 3963 extends and expands SCHIP through FY 2012, places a moratorium on CMS rulemaking concerning school-based Medicaid services, and includes a $5 million (per year) childhood obesity demonstration project that includes required coordination with local transportation services. As passed by Senate, S 2499 extends SCHIP through 3/31/09, and makes modest changes to various aspects of Medicaid, Medicare and SCHIP. Community Health Centers reauthorization S 901, Health Centers Renewal Act of Introduced 3/15/07 by Sen Kennedy (D-MA) Referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions S 2333, Health Care Safety Net Act of Introduced 11/8/07 by Sen Kennedy (D-MA) Referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Reauthorizes CHCs and related programs through FY S 901 marked up and reported out from Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, 11/14/07 Trade Adjustment Assistance reauthorization HR 3920, Trade and Globalization

4 Assistance Act of Introduced 10/22/07 by Rep Rangel (D- NY) Referred to the House Ways & Means, Education & Labor, and Energy & Commerce s S 1848, Trade and Globalization Assistance Act of Introduced 7/23/07 by Sen Baucus (D-MT) Referred to the Senate Finance , part 1) from House Ways & Means, 10/29/07 ( ), 10/31/07 Among other features of TAA, House bill would continue authorization for supportive services benefits (including transportation services) for some dislocated workers; the overall scope of TAA is expanded to include service sector industries in addition to manufacturing. Regional Economic Development HR 3246 Introduced 7/31/07 by Rep Oberstar (D-MN) Transportation & and Financial Services s ) from House Transportation &, 8/1/07 Failed to pass House ( ) 9/17/07 ( ) 10/4/07 Would establish common framework for regional economic development commissions in Mississippi Delta, northern Great Plains, Southeast Crescent, southwestern US border, and northern (NY and New England) US border areas. Commissions would have grant-making powers, including grants for transportation projects. Each commission would have total federal authorization of $40.0 million in FY 2008, increasing annually to $60.0 million in FY Existing Delta and Northern Great Plains Regional Authorities would be folded into this legislation s authorizations. Transitional Medicaid Assistance continuation HR 3668, TMA, Abstinence Education and QI Programs Extension Act of (vv) 9/26/07 Passed Senate (uc) 9/27/ ) 9/29/07

5 Introduced 9/26/07 by Rep Dingell (D-MI) Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means s Continues Transitional Medicaid program through December 31, NAHASDA reauthorization HR 2786 Native American Housing Assistance and Self- Determination Reauthorization Act of Introduced 6/20/07 by Rep Kildee (D-MI) Financial Services S 2062 Native American Housing Assistance and Self- Determination Reauthorization Act of Introduced 9/18/07 by Sen Dorgan (D-ND) Indian Affairs ) from House Financial Services, 6/26/07 (333-75) 9/6/ ) from Senate Indian Affairs, 9/27/07 Reauthorizes HUD Native American housing block grant and loan guarantee program. HOPE VI reauthorization HR 3126 Introduced 7/23/07 by Rep Waters (D-CA) Financial Services HR 3524, HOPE VI Improvement and Reauthorization Act of Introduced 9/11/07 by Rep Waters (D-CA) Financial Services HR 3524 marked up and reported out from House Financial Services, 9/26/07

6 Reauthorizes HUD HOPE VI program through FY Transitional Medicaid Assistance continuation S 1701 Introduced 6/27/07 by Sen Baucus (D-MT) ( ) 7/11/07 Passed Senate (uc) 6/27/07 Continues Transitional Medicaid program through September 30, ) 7/18/07 RHED reauthorization HR 1982 Introduced 4/20/07 by Rep Hinojosa (D-TX) Financial Services ) from House Financial Services, 5/23/07 (350-49) 7/16/07 Reauthorizes HUD Rural Housing and Economic Development program through FY Indian Health Care reauthorization HR 1328, Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of Introduced 3/6/07 by Rep Pallone (D-NJ) Natural Resources, Energy & Commerce, and Ways & Means s S 1200, Indian Health Care Improvement Act Amendments of Introduced 4/24/07 by Sen Dorgan (D-ND) Indian Affairs reported out from House Natural Resources, 4/25/ ) from Senate Indian Affairs, 5/10/07 Reauthorizes Indian Health Service programs through Medical transportation, including non-emergency transportation, would continue to be an eligible activity.

7 SELECTED ANNUAL FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS FY 2008 Consolidated HR 2764 Introduced 6/18/07 by Rep Lowey (D-NY) Original measure Original measure Two House marked up and marked up and amendments to reported out of House reported out of Senate Senate measure served as FY 2008 (H.Rept. (S.Rept. Consolidated ) 6/18/ ) 6/28/07 ; Passed Senate (81- accepted in House 6/22/07 ( ) 12) 9/6/07 ( and ) 12/17/07 Senate accepted ( ) and further amended (70-25) consolidated appropriations, 12/18/07 Originally the State and Foreign Operations appropriation, the final House amendments to this bill included FY 2008 appropriations for USDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch, Military-VA, State-Foreign Operations, Transportation-HUD, and defense/disaster/emergency supplemental appropriations. 3 rd FY 2008 Continuing Resolution HJRes 69 Introduced 12/12/07 by Rep Obey (D-WI) 12/13/07 (385-27) Passed Senate (uc) 12/13/ ) 12/14/07 Provides for government-wide spending through 12/21/07. FY 2008 Labor-HHS- Education HR 3043 Introduced 7/13/07 by Rep Obey (D-WI) S 1710 Introduced 6/27/07 by Sen Harkin (D-IA) ) from House, 7/13/07 ( ) 7/19/ ) from Senate, 6/27/07 Passed Senate (75-19) 10/23/07 Conference report (H.Rept , including both HR 3043 and HR 2642) issued 11/5/07 House accepted ( ) 11/6/07 Senate rejected (point of order, based on 47-

8 46 vote that failed to waive rules), 11/6/07 Senate passed amended HR 3043 (56-37), 11/6/07 House accepted Senate amendment ( ), 11/8/07 President vetoed, 11/13/07 House failed to override veto ( ) 11/15/07 Among the line items in this appropriation: WIA programs, including migrants, Native Americans, youth, adults and dislocated workers - $3.6 billion, Title V older worker programs - $530.9 million, refugee assistance - $652.4 million, Title XX Social Services Block Grant - $1.7 billion, Head Start - $7.0 billion, Child Care Development Block Grant - $2.1 billion, Community Services Block Grant programs - $706.1 million, Safe & Stable Families - $434.1 million, ), IDEA programs - $12.4 billion, TANF is presumed at $16.5 billion, Medicaid at $208.9 billion. Provisions of this bill included in final amendments to HR FY 2008 DOT-HUD HR 3074 Introduced 7/18/07 by Rep Olver (D-MA) S 1789 Introduced 7/16/07 by Sen Murray (D-WA) Conference report (H.Rept ) ) from House ) from Senate issued 11/13/07 House accepted (270-, 7/18/07, 7/16/07 147) 11/14/07 (268- Passed Senate (88-7) 153) 7/24/07 9/12/07 Among the line items in this appropriation: FTA Section $4.3 billion, FTA Section $127.0 million, FTA Section $506.5 million, FTA Section $156.0 million, FTA Section $87.5 million), HUD HOPE VI - $120.0 million, HUD HOPWA - $300.1 million, HUD RHED - $17.0 million, HUD CDBG programs - $4.0 billion, HUD Section $735.0 million, HUD Section $237.0 million, HUD NAHASDA - $630.0 million. Conference agreement would allocate $75 for states intercity passenger rail initiatives (subject to statewide transportation planning requirements), directs DOT to work with HUD (using a $500,000 appropriation) on coordinating transit and affordable housing strategies, and encourages FTA to carry out research on older adult mobility.. Provisions of this bill included in final amendments to HR FY 2008 Defense HR 3222 Introduced 7/30/07 by Rep Murtha (D-PA) Conference report (H.Rept ) ) from House ) from Senate issued 11/6/07 House accepted (400-

9 , 7/30/07 (395-13), 8/5/07, 9/12/07 Passed Senate (vv) 10/3/07 15) 11/8/07 Senate accepted (vv) 11/8/ ) 11/13/07 In addition to making annual appropriation for defense spending, the enacted version of this bill included a government-wide continuing resolution through 12/14/07. FY 2008 Military and Veterans HR 2642 Introduced 6/11/07 by Rep Edwards (D-TX) S 1645 Introduced 6/18/07 by Sen Reed (D-RI) ) from House, 6/11/07 6/15/07 (409-2) ) from Senate 6/18/07 Passed Senate (97-1) 9/6/07 Conference report (H.Rept , including both HR 3043 and HR 2642) issued 11/5/07 House accepted ( ) 11/6/07 Senate rejected (point of order, based on vote that failed to waive rules), 11/6/07 House version includes $37.1 billion in veterans health services; Senate would appropriate $37.2 billion, and calls upon VA to establish a transportation pilot program.. Provisions of this bill included in final amendments to HR FY 2008 Commerce- Justice-Science HR 3093 Introduced 7/19/07 by Rep Mollohan (D-WV) S 1745 Introduced 6/29/07 by Sen Mikulski (D-MD) , pt I) from House, 7/19/07 Supplemental report (H.Rept , pt II) from House, 7/25/07 ( ) 7/26/ ) from Senate 6/29/07 Passed Senate (75-19) 10/16/07. Provisions of this bill included in final amendments to HR FY 2008 Continuing Resolution HJRes 52 Introduced 9/25/07 by Rep Obey (D-WI) and Passed Senate (94-1) 9/26/07 (404-14) 9/27/ ) 9/29/07

10 Budget s Provides for government-wide spending through 11/16/07. FY 2008 USDA HR 3161 Introduced 7/24/07 by Rep DeLauro (D-CT) S 1859 Introduced 7/24/07 by Sen Kohl (D-WA) ) from House, 7/24/07 (237-18) 8/2/ ) from Senate 7/24/07 House bill includes $319.6 million in Food Stamp Employment & Training; Senate bill assumes a similar amount.. Provisions of this bill included in final amendments to HR FY 2008 Homeland Security HR 2638 Introduced 6/8/07 by Rep Price (D-NC) S 1644 Introduced 6/18/07 by Sen Byrd (D-WV) ) from House, 6/5/07 6/15/07 ( ) ) from Senate 6/14/07 Passed Senate (89-4) 7/26/07 House and Senate bills include $400 million for state and local public transit and intercity rail security grants, and $11 million (House; $12 million in Senate) for intercity bus security grants. Provisions of this bill included in final amendments to HR FY 2008 Interior HR 2643 Introduced 6/11/07 by Rep Dicks (D-WA) S 1696 Introduced 6/26/07 by Sen Feinstein (D-CA) ) from House ) from Senate, 6/11/07, 6/26/07 Supplemental House report (H.Rept , pt 2) issued 6/22/07

11 6/27/07 ( ) House and Senate versions both include $3.0 billion for Indian Health Service. Provisions of this bill included in final amendments to HR FY 2007 Supplemental HR 2206, HR 2207 Both bills introduced 5/8/07 by Rep Obey (D-WI) and Budget s HR 2206 passed House 5/10/07 ( ) HR 2207 passed House 5/10/07 ( ) HR 2206 passed Senate 5/17/07 (vv) Amended HR 2206 accepted by House (2 votes: and ) and Senate (80-14) 5/24/ ) 5/25/07 This second version (following veto of HR 1591) of a supplemental appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan expenses and assorted domestic spending priorities, including funds for various disaster, emergency and veterans relief priorities, was considered and passed by the House as a pair of two separate bills, which were conjoined in the Senate in preparation for conference consideration. As passed, includes FTA assistance specifically for Katrina-related assistance, amends Head Start transportation rules, increases federal minimum wage (to $5.85/hr on 7/24/07, $6.55/hr on 7/24/08, and $7.25/hr on 7/24/09), extends and expands WOTC. FY 2008 Budget Resolution SConRes 21 Introduced 3/16/07 by Sen Conrad (D-ND) Budget HConRes 99 Introduced 3/23/07 by Rep Spratt (D-SC) Budget ) of House Budget 3/23/07 3/29/07 ( ) reported out of Senate Budget 3/16/07 Passed Senate 3/23/07 (52-47) Conference report (H.Rept , issued 5/16/07) accepted by House and Senate 5/17/07 Establishes federal budget for FY 2008 FY 2007 Supplemental HR 1591 Introduced 3/20/07 by Rep Obey (D-WI) S 965 Introduced 3/22/07 by Sen Byrd (D-WV) ) of House 3/20/07 3/23/07 ( ) ) of Senate 3/22/07 Passed Senate 3/29/07 (51-47) Conference report (H.Rept , issued 4/24/07) accepted by House (4/25/07) and Senate (4/26/07) Vetoed 5/1/07

12 In addition to providing supplemental appropriations for Iraq and Afghanistan, would appropriate funds for various disaster, emergency and veterans relief priorities. Would include supplemental appropriations for Katrina- and Rita-related transit projects. Would make Head Start transportation rule fully effective within 30 days of enactment. Would increase federal minimum wage and expand WOTC. Final FY 2007 Continuing Resolution HJRes 20 Introduced 1/29/07 by Rep Obey (D-WI) 1/31/07 ( ) Passed Senate 2/14/07 (81-15) 110-5) 2/15/07 Continues federal spending largely at current rates through 9/30/07. Funds transit and highway programs at full levels guaranteed under SAFETEA-LU. No funding is identified for project earmarks identified in House or Senate versions of FY 2007 appropriations, except as required under prior authorizations (eg, SAFETEA-LU earmarks will be honored). FEDERAL LEGISLATION ON RELATED ISSUES Energy Policy HR 6, CLEAN Energy Act of Introduced 1/21/07 by Rep Rahall (D-WV) Ways & Means, Natural Resources, Rules and Budget s HR 3221 Introduced 7/30/07 by Rep Pelosi (D-CA) Energy & Commerce, Education & Labor, Foreign Affairs, Small Business, Science & Technology, Agriculture, Oversight & Government Reform, Natural Resources, Transportation &, and Armed Services HR 6 passed House ( ) 1/18/07 HR 3221 passed House ( ) 8/4/07 HR 6 passed Senate, with amendments (65-27) 6/21/07 House received and amended Senate amendments to HR 6 ( ), 12/6/07 Senate received and passed a further amended HR 6 (86-8), 12/13/07 House accepted final Senate amendments to HR 6 (314 to HR 6 ( ), 12/18/07

13 s As passed by the House, HR 3221 includes additional $750 million per year in Sec 5307, and additional $100 million per year in Sec 5311, to offset costs for transit fare reductions and service expansions (at 100% federal share), and also increases federal share for Clean Air Act compliance in FTA-funded projects to 100%. There also is a five-site vanpool demonstration program under the House bill. None of these provisions were in the earlier, House-passed bill (HR 6), nor were they in the Senate-passed version of HR 6. The final Senate-passed version of HR 6 includes an energy efficiency and conservation block grant program of $2.0 billion per year to local, state and tribal governments for various possible measures, including transportation improvements; it also gives states the option of increasing the federal share for CMAQ projects up to 100% AMT Relief and miscellaneous tax reforms HR 3996, Temporary Tax Relief Act of Introduced 10/30/07 by Rep Rangel (D- NY) Ways & Means HR 4351, AMT Relief Act of Introduced 12/11/07 by Rep Rangel (D- NY) Ways & Means HR 3996 Marked up and reported out (H.Rept ) from House Ways & Means, 11/2/07 ( ), 11/9/07 HR 4351 passed House ( ), 12/12/07 HR 3996 Passed Senate (88-5), 12/6/07 HR 3996 Primarily provides AMT relief for affected individuals, but extends numerous other tax programs, including NMTC. HR 4351 focuses even more exclusively on AMT relief. Over the Road Bus Accessibility HR 3985, Over the Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act of Introduced 10/29/07 by Rep DeFazio (D- OR) Transportation & ) from the House Transportation &, 10/31/07 (374-0), 12/12/07 Would give FMCSA authority to regulate ADA compliance among intercity bus operators.

14 Senior Housing amendments HR 2930, Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of Introduced 6/28/07 by Rep Mahoney (D-FL) Financial Services ) from House Financial Services, 9/25/07 (vv) 12/5/07 Expands scope of HUD Sec 202 senior housing program, potentially increasing demand for transportation or other Sec 202 supportive services. FAA reauthorization HR 2881, FAA Reauthorization Act of Introduced 6/27/07 by Rep Oberstar (D-MN) Referred to the House Transportation and Infrrastructure HR 3539, Airport and Airway Trust Fund Financing Act of Introduced 9/17/07 by Rep Rangel (D-NY) Ways & Means and Transportation & s S 1300, Aviation Investment and Modernization Act of Introduced 5/3/07 by Sen Rockefeller (D- WV) Commerce, Science & Transportation S 2345, American Investment and Improvement Act of Introduced 11/13/07 by Sen Baucus (D- MT) HR 2881 marked up and reported out (H.Rept ) from House Transportation &, 6/28/07 ( ), 9/20/07 HR 3539 marked up and reported out (H.Rept , part 1) from House Ways & Means, 9/18/07; provisions of this bill included in HR 2881 as passed by House 9/20/07 S 1300 marked up and reported out (S.Rept ) from Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation, 5/16/07 S 2345 marked up and reported out (S.Rept ) from Senate Finance, 11/13/07

15 Finance In House, HR 3539 was handled as a separate financing bill, then merged with HR 2881 prior to House passage. As reported in Senate, S 2345 primarily reauthorizes aviation programs, but does include some amendments surrounding the Highway Trust Fund that do not have a direct transit impact; S 2345 slated to be merged into S 1300 on Senate floor. Transportation Finance S 2021, Build America Bonds Act of Introduced 9/6/07 by Sen Wyden (D-OR) Finance Would authorize $50 billion in bonding authority for transportation infrastructure projects, including transit facilities. Minnesota Relief HR 3311 Introduced 8/2/07 by Rep Oberstar (D-MN) Transportation and reported out from House Transportation and, 8/2/07 (421-0) 8/3/07 Passed Senate (uc) 8/3/07 House accepted Senate amendment 8/4/ ) 8/6/07 Provides $250.0 million in highway relief funds to replace I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. Also includes $5.0 million in transit operating assistance (out of Sec 5309) at 100% federal share (net of fares) until bridge is returned to service. Homeland Security Reforms HR 1 Introduced 1/5/07 by Rep Thompson (D- MS) Homeland Security, Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means s S 4 Introduced 1/4/07 by Sen Reid (D-NV) ( ) 1/9/07 reported out from Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, 2/15/07 Passed Senate (uc) 7/9/07 Conference report (H.Rept , issued 7/25/07) accepted by Senate (85-8) on 7/26/07 and by House (371-40) on 7/27/ ) 8/3/07

16 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs As signed into law, this legislation includes provisions calling for DOT to establish a National Strategy for Public Transportation Security, calls upon FTA to submit security risk assessments of all major transit systems and a sampling of bus-only and rural transit systems, and authorizes (but does not guarantee) discretionary funds to be awarded to transit systems based on their relative risks (these authorizations are for $650 million in FY 2008, $750 million in FY 2009, $900 million in FY 2010, and $1.1 billion in FY 2011); the legislation also provides for training, research and analysis WMATA Supplemental Funding HR 401, National Capital Transportation Amendments Act of Introduced 1/11/07 by Rep Tom Davis (R- VA) Oversight and Government Reform S 1446 Introduced 5/22/07 by Sen Cardin (D-MD) Homeland Security and Governmental reported (H.Rept ) out of House Oversight and Government Reform 4/18/ ) of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 8/1/07 Affairs Would authorize an additional stream of federal funds for Washington (DC) Metro, contingent on certain federal and state conditions. SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections HR 1195 Introduced 2/27/07 by Rep Oberstar (D-MN) Transportation and HR 3248 Introduced 7/31/07 by Rep Oberstar (D-MN) Transportation and HR 1195 marked up and reported out (H.Rept ) from House Transportation &, 3/1/07 3/26/07 (voice vote) HR 3248 Passed House (422-1) 8/1/07 HR 1195 marked up and reported out from Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs (5/16/07) and Environment and Public Works (6/6/07) s. S1611 marked up and ) from Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, 6/13/07

17 S1611 Introduced 6/13/07 by Sen Dodd (D-CT) Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Makes numerous technical and typographical corrections to SAFETEA-LU, some of which have significant effects on transportation research; transit modifications are nominal. As passed by House, HR 3248 includes all provisions of House-passed HR 1195, plus extension of transitional FTA Section 5307 operating assistance through FY Veterans Health Reforms HR 2874 Introduced 6/27/07 by Rep Michaud (D-ME) Veterans Affairs ) from House Veterans Affairs, 7/27/07 7/30/07 Makes numerous reforms to veterans and military health programs, including a $3 million annual authorization of grants through FY 2012 for innovative transportation options to veterans in remote rural areas. Charitable Vehicle Use Tax Rate HR 2020 Introduced 4/24/07 by Rep Platts (D-PA) Ways & Means HR 1827 Introduced 3/29/07 by Rep Petri (R-WI) Ways & Means S 1220 Introduced 4/25/07 by Sen Schumer (D-NY) Finance S 403 Introduced 1/26/07 by Sen Feingold (D-WI) Finance Would establish tax-deductible charitable vehicle use mileage rate to be equal to business use mileage rate.

18 Transportation Security HR 1401, Rail and Public Transportation Security Act of Introduced 3/8/07 by Rep Thompson (D- MS) Homeland Security and Transportation and s S 184, Surface Transportation and Rail Security Act of Introduced 1/4/07 by Sen Inouye (D-HI) Commerce, Science & Transportation , part I) from House Homeland Security, 3/13/07 3/27/07 ( ) ) from Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation 2/13/07 House bill authorizes DHS-administered program of transit security grants (up to $880 million/year) in addition to rail and motorcoach security grants. Senate version does not include transit provisions. Transportation Fringe Benefits S 712, Commuter Benefits Equity Act of Introduced 2/28/07 by Sen Schumer (D-NY) Finance HR 1475 Introduced 3/12/07 by Rep McGovern (D- MA) Ways & Means and Oversight & Government Reform s Raises and equalizes qualified transportation fringe benefit amount at $200 per month, for both parking and transit benefits. Public Transit Security

19 S 763, Public Transportation Terrorism Prevention Act of Introduced 3/5/07 by Sen Dodd (D-CT) Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs ) from Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, 3/5/07 Provides for DHS grants to promote public transit security, authorizes funds and requires participation in public transit information sharing and analysis center, directs DHS to establish public transit work security training programs, and requires review and state-level coordination of public transit security assessments. Provisions of this bill are included in HR 1 (qv), as submitted to Pres. Bush. Katrina, Rita, Wilma Relief HR 1144 Introduced 2/16/07 by Rep Clyburn (D-SC) Transportation and ) from House Transportation and, 3/1/07 Would increase federal share for FEMA payments related to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma to 100%. Minimum Wage Increase HR 2, Fair Minimum Wage Act of Introduced 1/5/07 by Rep George Miller (D- CA) Education & Labor 1/10/07 ( ) Passed Senate 2/1/07 (94-3) Legislation would increase federal minimum wage in stages to $7.25 per hour. Senate version includes tax-related provisions (including further expansion of WOTC) not found in House bill. Provisions of this bill incorporated into final version of HR 2206 (qv) Urban Transit Operating Assistance Flexibility HR 734 Introduced 1/30/07 by Rep Pitts (R-PA) Transportation &

20 S 406 Introduced 1/26/07 by Sen Hutchison (R-TX) Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Would allow transit systems in urbanized areas with populations greater than 200,000 that have fleets of less than 100 vehicles to use FTA Sec 5307 funds for operating assistance. Head Start Transportation Rule Delay S 707, PREEMIE Act Introduced 4/5/05 by Sen Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 12/9/ ) from Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 7/31/06 Passed Senate 8/1/ ) 12/22/06 Most of this bill focuses on research to improve the health of premature infants. The final section of this bill delays the implementation date of Head Start s transportation rules until June 30, 2007, unless a Head Start authorization is passed before that date. Following Senate passage 8/1/06, it was accepted by the House without further amendment. Tax Credits and Related Issues HR 6111, Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 Introduced 9/19/06 by Rep Tauscher (D-CA) Ways & Means 12/5/06 Passed Senate 12/7/06 Amended measure accepted by House and Senate 12/8/ ) 12/20/06 As signed into law, this measure extends, modifies and consolidates the Welfare-to-Work and Work Opportunity Tax Credits, extends and modifies the New Markets Tax Credit program, and extends Transitional Medicaid, among other provisions. This report on the status of selected federal legislation is a product of the National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination. The National Resource Center is operated by the Community Transportation Association of America under a cooperative agreement with the Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Dept. of Transportation. All information in this monitor is taken from the Congressional Record and websites hosted by agencies of the U.S. Congress. The National Resource Center s federal legislative monitor is updated on a weekly basis when Congress is in session; its editor is Chris Zeilinger of the Community Transportation Association. Please send an to zeilinger@ctaa.org with any questions, comments or corrections.