[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 667 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 667

   To empower States with authority for most taxing and spending for 
  highway programs and mass transit programs, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 30, 1997

   Mr. Mack (for himself, Mr. Levin, Mr. Nickles, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. 
 Graham, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Coats, Mr. Kyl, Mr. McCain, Mr. Abraham, and 
  Mr. DeWine) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
                  referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To empower States with authority for most taxing and spending for 
  highway programs and mass transit programs, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Transportation Empowerment Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) the objective of the Federal highway program has been 
        to facilitate the construction of a modern freeway system that 
        promotes efficient interstate commerce by connecting all 
        States;
            (2) that objective has been attained, and the Interstate 
        System connecting all States is near completion;
            (3) each State has the responsibility of providing an 
        efficient transportation network for the residents of the 
        State;
            (4) each State has the means to build and operate a network 
        of transportation systems, including highways, that best serves 
        the needs of the State;
            (5) each State is best capable of determining the needs of 
        the State and acting on those needs;
            (6) the Federal role in highway transportation has, over 
        time, usurped the role of the States by taxing fuels used in 
        the States and then distributing the proceeds to the States 
        based on the Federal Government's perceptions of what is best 
        for the States;
            (7) the Federal Government has used the Federal gasoline 
        tax revenues to force all States to take actions that are not 
        necessarily appropriate for individual States;
            (8) the Federal distribution, review, and enforcement 
        process wastes billions of dollars on unproductive activities;
            (9) Federal mandates that apply uniformly to all 50 States, 
        regardless of the different circumstances of the States, cause 
        the States to waste billions of hard-earned tax dollars on 
        projects, programs, and activities that the States would not 
        otherwise undertake; and
            (10) Congress has expressed a strong interest in reducing 
        the role of the Federal Government by allowing each State to 
        manage its own affairs.
    (b) Purposes.-- The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to return to the individual States maximum 
        discretionary authority and fiscal responsibility for all 
        elements of the national transportation systems that are not 
        within the direct purview of the Federal Government;
            (2) to preserve Federal responsibility for the Dwight D. 
        Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways;
            (3) to preserve the responsibility of the Department of 
        Transportation for--
                    (A) design, construction, and preservation of 
                transportation facilities on Federal public lands;
                    (B) national programs of transportation research 
                and development and transportation safety; and
                    (C) emergency assistance to the States in response 
                to natural disasters;
            (4) to eliminate to the maximum extent practicable Federal 
        obstacles to the ability of each State to apply innovative 
        solutions to the financing, design, construction, operation, 
        and preservation of State and Federal transportation 
        facilities; and
            (5) with respect to transportation activities carried out 
        by States, local governments, and the private sector, to 
        encourage--
                    (A) competition among States, local governments, 
                and the private sector; and
                    (B) innovation, energy efficiency, private sector 
                participation, and productivity;

SEC. 3. CONTINUATION OF FUNDING FOR CORE HIGHWAY PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Funding.--For the purpose of carrying out title 23, 
        United States Code, the following sums are authorized to be 
appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund:
                    (A) Interstate maintenance program.--For the 
                Interstate maintenance program under section 119 of 
                title 23, United States Code, $5,000,000,000 for fiscal 
                year 1998, $5,100,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, 
                $5,300,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $5,400,000,000 for 
                fiscal year 2001, and $5,600,000,000 for fiscal year 
                2002.
                    (B) Interstate and indian reservation bridge 
                program.--For the Interstate and Indian reservation 
                bridge program under section 144 of that title 
                $1,183,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, $1,217,000,000 for 
                fiscal year 1999, $1,251,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, 
                $1,286,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, and $1,321,000,000 
                for fiscal year 2002.
                    (C) Federal lands highways program.--
                            (i) Indian reservation roads.--For Indian 
                        reservation roads under section 204 of that 
                        title $197,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, 
                        $202,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $208,000,000 
                        for fiscal year 2000, $214,000,000 for fiscal 
                        year 2001, and $220,000,000 for fiscal year 
                        2002.
                            (ii) Public lands highways.--For public 
                        lands highways under section 204 of that title 
                        $177,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, $182,000,000 
                        for fiscal year 1999, $187,000,000 for fiscal 
                        year 2000, $192,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, 
                        and $197,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
                            (iii) Parkways and park roads.--For 
                        parkways and park roads under section 204 of 
                        that title $86,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, 
                        $89,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $91,000,000 
                        for fiscal year 2000, $94,000,000 for fiscal 
                        year 2001, and $97,000,000 for fiscal year 
                        2002.
                            (iv) Highway safety programs.--For highway 
                        safety programs under section 402 of that title 
                        $171,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 
                        through 2002.
                            (v) Highway safety research and 
                        development.--For highway safety research and 
                        development under section 403 of that title 
                        $44,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1998 
                        through 2002.
            (2) Transferability of funds.--Section 104 of title 23, 
        United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (g) and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(g) Transferability of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--To the extent that a State determines 
        that funds made available under this title to the State for a 
        purpose are in excess of the needs of the State for that 
        purpose, the State may transfer the excess funds to, and use 
        the excess funds for, any surface transportation (including 
        mass transit and rail) purpose in the State.
            ``(2) Enforcement.--If the Secretary determines that a 
        State has transferred funds under paragraph (1) to a purpose 
        that is not a surface transportation purpose as described in 
        paragraph (1), the amount of the improperly transferred funds 
        shall be deducted from any amount the State would otherwise 
        receive from the Highway Trust Fund for the fiscal year that 
        begins after the date of the determination.''.
            (3) Federal-aid system.--Section 103(a) of title 23, United 
        States Code, is amended by striking ``systems are the 
        Interstate System and the National Highway System'' and 
        inserting ``system is the Interstate System''.
            (4) Interstate maintenance program.--
                    (A) Funding.--Section 104(b)(5) of title 23, United 
                States Code, is amended by striking subparagraph (B) 
                and inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Interstate maintenance.--For each of fiscal 
                years 1998 through 2002, for the Interstate maintenance 
                program under section 119, 1 percent to the Virgin 
                Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of 
                the Northern Mariana Islands and the remaining 99 
                percent apportioned as follows:
                            ``(i)(I) For each State with an average 
                        population density of 20 persons or fewer per 
                        square mile, and each State with a population 
                        of 1,500,000 persons or fewer and with a land 
                        area of 10,000 square miles or less, the 
                        greater of--
                                    ``(aa) a percentage share of 
                                apportionments equal to the percentage 
                                listed for the State in subclause (II); 
                                or
                                    ``(bb) a share determined under 
                                clause (ii).
                            ``(II) The percentage referred to in 
                        subclause (I)(aa) is as follows:

``States:
                                                            Percentage:
        Alabama............................................       2.02 
        Alaska.............................................       1.24 
        Arizona............................................       1.68 
        Arkansas...........................................       1.32 
        California.........................................       9.81 
        Colorado...........................................       1.23 
        Connecticut........................................       1.00 
        Delaware...........................................       0.40 
        District of Columbia...............................       0.13 
        Florida............................................       4.77 
        Georgia............................................       3.60 
        Hawaii.............................................       0.55 
        Idaho..............................................       0.70 
        Illinois...........................................       3.71 
        Indiana............................................       2.63 
        Iowa...............................................       1.13 
        Kansas.............................................       1.10 
        Kentucky...........................................       1.91 
        Louisiana..........................................       1.63 
        Maine..............................................       0.50 
        Maryland...........................................       1.64 
        Massachusetts......................................       1.68 
        Michigan...........................................       3.34 
        Minnesota..........................................       1.56 
        Mississippi........................................       1.23 
        Missouri...........................................       2.45 
        Montana............................................       0.95 
        Nebraska...........................................       0.73 
        Nevada.............................................       0.67 
        New Hampshire......................................       0.48 
        New Jersey.........................................       2.28 
        New Mexico.........................................       1.05 
        New York...........................................       4.27 
        North Carolina.....................................       2.83 
        North Dakota.......................................       0.63 
        Ohio...............................................       3.77 
        Oklahoma...........................................       1.55 
        Oregon.............................................       1.23 
        Pennsylvania.......................................       4.12 
        Puerto Rico........................................       0.50 
        Rhode Island.......................................       0.55 
        South Carolina.....................................       1.63 
        South Dakota.......................................       0.70 
        Tennessee..........................................       2.30 
        Texas..............................................       7.21 
        Utah...............................................       0.71 
        Vermont............................................       0.43 
        Virginia...........................................       2.61 
        Washington.........................................       1.75 
        West Virginia......................................       0.76 
        Wisconsin..........................................       1.91 
        Wyoming............................................       0.66.
                            ``(ii) For each State not described in 
                        clause (i), a share of the apportionments 
                        remaining determined in accordance with the 
                        following formula:
                                    ``(I) \1/9\ in the ratio that the 
                                total rural lane miles in each State 
                                bears to the total rural lane miles in 
                                all States with an average population 
                                density greater than 20 persons per 
                                square mile and all States with a 
                                population of more than 1,500,000 
                                persons and with a land area of more 
                                than 10,000 square miles.
                                    ``(II) \1/9\ in the ratio that the 
                                total rural vehicle miles traveled in 
                                each State bears to the total rural 
                                vehicle miles traveled in all States 
                                described in subclause (I).
                                    ``(III) \2/9\ in the ratio that the 
                                total urban lane miles in each State 
                                bears to the total urban lane miles in 
                                all States described in subclause (I).
                                    ``(IV) \2/9\ in the ratio that the 
                                total urban vehicle miles traveled in 
                                each State bears to the total urban 
                                vehicle miles traveled in all States 
                                described in subclause (I).
                                    ``(V) \3/9\ in the ratio that the 
                                total diesel fuel used in each State 
                                bears to the total diesel fuel used in 
                                all States described in subclause 
                                (I).''.
                    (B) Conforming amendments.--Section 119(f) of title 
                23, United States Code, is amended--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``If'' 
                        and inserting ``For each of fiscal years 1991 
                        through 1997, if''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting 
                        ``through fiscal year 1997'' after 
                        ``thereafter''.
            (5) Interstate bridge program.--Section 144 of title 23, 
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (d)--
                            (i) by inserting ``on the Federal-aid 
                        system or described in subsection (c)(3)'' 
                        after ``highway bridge'' each place it appears; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting ``on the Federal-aid 
                        system or described in subsection 
(c)(3)'' after ``highway bridges'' each place it appears;
                    (B) in the second sentence of subsection (e)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by adding ``and'' at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the 
                        comma at the end and inserting a period; and
                            (iii) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4);
                    (C) in the first sentence of subsection (l), by 
                inserting ``on the Federal-aid system or described in 
                subsection (c)(3)'' after ``any bridge'';
                    (D) in subsection (m), by inserting ``on the 
                Federal-aid system or described in subsection (c)(3)'' 
                after ``any bridge''; and
                    (E) in the first sentence of subsection (n), by 
                inserting ``for each of fiscal years 1991 through 
                1997,'' after ``of law,''.
            (6) National defense highways.--Section 311 of title 23, 
        United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``under 
                subsection (a) of section 104 of this title'' and 
                inserting ``to carry out this section''; and
                    (B) by striking the second sentence.
            (7) Termination of minimum allocation.--Section 157 of 
        title 23, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ``fiscal year 
                1992 and each fiscal year thereafter'' and inserting 
                ``each of fiscal years 1992 through 1997''; and
                    (B) in subsection (e), by striking ``the fiscal 
                years ending on or after September 30, 1983'' and 
                inserting ``fiscal years 1983 through 1997''.
            (8) Motor carrier safety grants.--Section 31104 of title 
        49, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 
                following:
            ``(6) not more than $90,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
        1998 through 2002.''; and
                    (B) in subsection (g)(1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``1993-1997'' and inserting ``1993 through 
                        2002'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``1993-1997'' and inserting ``1993 through 
                        2002''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                        ``1996, and 1997'' and inserting ``1996 through 
                        2002''.
    (b) Expenditures From Highway Trust Fund.--
            (1) Expenditures for core programs.--Section 9503(c) of the 
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to expenditures from 
        Highway Trust Fund) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraphs (1), (4)(A)(i), and (5)(A), by 
                striking ``October 1, 1997'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``October 1, 2002'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or'' 
                        at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                        ``1991.'' and inserting ``1991, or'';
                            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (D) 
                        the following:
                    ``(E) authorized to be paid out of the Highway 
                Trust Fund under the Transportation Empowerment Act.''; 
                and
                            (iv) by striking the last sentence and 
                        inserting the following:
        ``In determining the authorizations under the Acts referred to 
        in the preceding subparagraphs, such Acts shall be applied as 
        in effect on the date of enactment of the Transportation 
        Empowerment Act.'';
                    (C) in paragraphs (2)(A)(i) and (3), by striking 
                ``July 1, 2000'' each place it appears and inserting 
                ``July 1, 2003'';
                    (D) in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), by striking ``October 
                1, 1999'' and inserting ``October 1, 2002'';
                    (E) in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), by striking ``January 
                1, 1999'' and inserting ``October 1, 2001''; and
                    (F) in paragraph (6)(E), by striking ``September 
                30, 1997'' and inserting ``September 30, 2002''.
            (2) Amounts available for core program expenditures.--
        Section 9503 of such Code (relating to the Highway Trust Fund) 
        is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Core Programs Financing Rate.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
        the case of gasoline, special motor fuels, and diesel fuel, the 
        core programs financing rate is--
                    ``(A) after September 30, 1997, and before October 
                1, 1998, so much of the Highway Trust Fund financing 
                rate as does not exceed 12 cents per gallon,
                    ``(B) after September 30, 1998, and before October 
                1, 1999, so much of the Highway Trust Fund financing 
                rate as does not exceed 7 cents per gallon,
                    ``(C) after September 30, 1999, and before October 
                1, 2000, so much of the Highway Trust Fund financing 
                rate as does not exceed 4 cents per gallon,
                    ``(D) after September 30, 2000, and before October 
                1, 2001, so much of the Highway Trust Fund financing 
                rate as does not exceed 3 cents per gallon, and
                    ``(E) after September 30, 2001, the Highway Trust 
                Fund financing rate.
            ``(2) Application of rate.--In the case of fuels used as 
        described in paragraph (4)(D), (5)(B), or (6)(D) of subsection 
        (c), the core programs financing rate is zero.''.
    (c) Termination of Transfers to Mass Transit Account.--
            (1) In general.--Section 9503(e)(2) of such Code (relating 
        to Mass Transit Account) is amended by striking ``2 cents'' and 
        inserting ``2 cents (zero, on and after October 1, 1997)''.
            (2) Authorization to expend remaining balances in 
        account.--Section 9503(e)(3) of such Code is amended by 
        striking ``before October 1, 1997''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section take 
effect on October 1, 1997.

SEC. 4. INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FUND.

    (a) Balance of Core Programs Financing Rate Deposited in Fund.--
Section 9503 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by 
section 3(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Establishment of Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund.--
            ``(1) Creation of fund.--There is established in the 
        Highway Trust Fund a separate fund to be known as the 
        `Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund' consisting of such 
        amounts as may be transferred or credited to the Infrastructure 
        Special Assistance Fund as provided in this subsection or 
        section 9602(b).
            ``(2) Transfers to infrastructure special assistance 
        fund.--On the first day of each fiscal year, the Secretary, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall 
        determine the excess (if any) of--
                    ``(A) the sum of--
                            ``(i) the amounts appropriated in such 
                        fiscal year to the Highway Trust Fund under 
                        subsection (b) which are attributable to the 
                        core programs financing rate for such year, 
                        plus
                            ``(ii) the amounts appropriated in such 
                        fiscal year to the Highway Trust Fund under 
                        subsection (b) which are attributable to taxes 
                        under sections 4051, 4061, 4071, and 4481 for 
                        such year, over
                    ``(B) the amount appropriated under subsection (c) 
                for such fiscal year,
        and shall transfer such excess to the Infrastructure Special 
        Assistance Fund.
            ``(3) Expenditures from infrastructure special assistance 
        fund.--
                    ``(A) Transitional assistance.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (iv), during fiscal years 1998 through 
                        2001, $1,000,000,000 in the Infrastructure 
                        Special Assistance Fund shall be available to 
                        States for transportation-related program 
                        expenditures.
                            ``(ii) State share.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Except as 
                                provided in clause (v), each State is 
                                entitled to a share of the amount 
                                specified in clause (i) upon enactment 
                                of legislation providing 1 of the 2 
                                funding mechanisms described in clause 
                                (iii).
                                    ``(II) Determination of state 
                                share.--For purposes of subclause (I), 
                                each State's share shall be determined 
                                in the following manner:
                                            ``(aa) Multiply the 
                                        percentage of the amounts 
                                        appropriated in the latest 
                                        fiscal year for which such data 
                                        are available to the Highway 
Trust Fund under subsection (b) which is attributable to taxes paid by 
highway users in the State, by the amount specified in clause (i). If 
the result does not exceed $15,000,000, the State's share equals 
$15,000,000. If the result exceeds $15,000,000, the State's share is 
determined under item (bb).
                                            ``(bb) Multiply the 
                                        percentage determined under 
                                        item (aa), by the amount 
                                        specified in clause (i) reduced 
                                        by an amount equal to 
                                        $15,000,000 times the number of 
                                        States the share of which is 
                                        determined under item (aa).
                            ``(iii) Legislative funding mechanisms.--A 
                        funding mechanism is described in this clause 
                        as follows:
                                    ``(I) A funding mechanism which 
                                results in revenues for transportation-
                                related projects in the State for 
                                fiscal year 2002 and each succeeding 
                                fiscal year which are equal to the 
                                excess of--
                                            ``(aa) the mean annual 
                                        average of distributions from 
                                        the Highway Trust Fund to the 
                                        State for fiscal years 1992 
                                        through 1997; over
                                            ``(bb) the distributions 
                                        from the Highway Trust Fund to 
                                        the State for such fiscal year 
                                        attributable to the core 
                                        programs financing rate for 
                                        such year.
                                    ``(II) A funding mechanism which 
                                results in an increase in the State 
                                rate of tax on motor fuels equal to the 
                                decrease in the rate of tax on such 
                                fuels under section 4081 for fiscal 
                                year 2002 and any succeeding fiscal 
                                year.
                            ``(iv) Distribution of remaining amount.--
                        If after September 30, 2001, a portion of the 
                        amount specified in clause (i) remains, the 
                        Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary 
                        of Transportation, shall, on October 1, 2001, 
                        apportion the portion among the States which 
                        received a share of such amount under clause 
                        (ii) and which are not described in clause (v) 
                        using the percentages determined under clause 
                        (ii)(II)(aa) for such States.
                            ``(v) Enforcement of funding mechanism 
                        requirement.--If a State, which enacted 
                        legislation providing for a funding mechanism 
                        described in clause (iii), terminates such 
                        mechanism before fiscal year 2002, the State's 
                        share determined under clauses (ii) and (iv) 
                        shall be deducted from any amount the State 
                        would otherwise receive from the Highway Trust 
                        Fund for fiscal year 2002.
                    ``(B) Additional expenditures from fund.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Amounts in the 
                        Infrastructure Special Assistance Fund, in 
                        excess of the amount specified in subparagraph 
                        (A)(i), shall be available, as provided by 
                        appropriation Acts, to the States for any 
                        surface transportation (including mass transit 
                        and rail) purpose in such States, and the 
                        Secretary shall apportion such excess amounts 
                        among all States using the percentages 
                        determined under clause (ii)(II)(aa) for such 
                        States.
                            ``(ii) Enforcement.--If the Secretary 
                        determines that a State has used amounts under 
                        clause (i) for a purpose which is not a surface 
                        transportation purpose as described in clause 
                        (i), the improperly used amounts shall be 
                        deducted from any amount the State would 
                        otherwise receive from the Highway Trust Fund 
                        for the fiscal year which begins after the date 
                        of the determination.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section takes 
effect on October 1, 1997.

SEC. 5. RETURN OF EXCESS TAX RECEIPTS TO STATES.

    (a) In General.--Section 9503(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Return of excess tax receipts to states for surface 
        transportation purposes.--
                    ``(A) In general.--On the first day of each of 
                fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001, the Secretary, 
in consultation with the Secretary of the Transportation, shall--
                            ``(i) determine the excess (if any) of--
                                    ``(I) the amounts appropriated in 
                                such fiscal year to the Highway Trust 
                                Fund under subsection (b) which are 
                                equivalent to the taxes attributable to 
                                the excess of--
                                            ``(aa) the Highway Trust 
                                        Fund financing rate for such 
                                        year, over
                                            ``(bb) the core programs 
                                        financing rate for such year, 
                                        over
                                    ``(II) the amounts so appropriated 
                                which are equivalent to the taxes 
                                described in paragraphs (4)(D), (5)(B), 
                                and (6)(D), and
                            ``(ii) allocate the amount determined under 
                        clause (i) among the States (as defined in 
                        section 101 of title 23, United States Code) 
                        for surface transportation (including mass 
                        transit and rail) purposes so that--
                                    ``(I) the percentage of that amount 
                                allocated to each State, is equal to
                                    ``(II) the percentage of the amount 
                                determined under clause (i)(I) paid 
                                into the Highway Trust Fund in the 
                                latest fiscal year for which such data 
                                are available which is attributable to 
                                highway users in the State.
                    ``(B) Enforcement.--If the Secretary determines 
                that a State has used amounts under subparagraph (A) 
                for a purpose which is not a surface transportation 
                purpose as described in subparagraph (A), the 
                improperly used amounts shall be deducted from any 
                amount the State would otherwise receive from the 
                Highway Trust Fund for the fiscal year which begins 
                after the date of the determination.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section takes 
effect on October 1, 1997.

SEC. 6. INTERSTATE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION COMPACTS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Infrastructure bank.--The term ``infrastructure bank'' 
        means a surface transportation infrastructure bank established 
        under an interstate compact under subsection (b)(5) and 
        described in subsection (d).
            (2) Participating states.--The term ``participating 
        States'' means the States that are parties to an interstate 
        compact entered into under subsection (b).
            (3) Surface transportation.--The term ``surface 
        transportation'' includes mass transit and rail.
            (4) Surface transportation project.--The term ``surface 
        transportation project'' means a surface transportation 
        project, program, or activity described in subsection (b).
    (b) Consent of Congress.--In order to increase public investment, 
attract needed private investment, and promote an intermodal 
transportation network, Congress grants consent to States to enter into 
interstate compacts to--
            (1) promote the continuity, quality, and safety of the 
        Interstate System;
            (2) develop programs to promote and fund surface 
        transportation safety initiatives and establish surface 
        transportation safety standards for the participating States;
            (3) conduct long-term planning for surface transportation 
        infrastructure in the participating States;
            (4) develop design and construction standards for 
        infrastructure described in paragraph (3) to be used by the 
        participating States; and
            (5) establish surface transportation infrastructure banks 
        to promote regional or other multistate investment in 
        infrastructure described in paragraph (3).
    (c) Financing.--An interstate compact established by participating 
States under subsection (b) to carry out a surface transportation 
project may provide that, in order to carry out the compact, the 
participating States may--
            (1) accept contributions from a unit of State or local 
        government or a person;
            (2) use any Federal or State funds made available for that 
        type of surface transportation project;
            (3) on such terms and conditions as the participating 
        States consider advisable--
                    (A) borrow money on a short-term basis and issue 
                notes for the borrowing; and
                    (B) issue bonds; and
            (4) obtain financing by other means permitted under Federal 
        or State law, including surface transportation infrastructure 
        banks under subsection (d).
    (d) Infrastructure Banks.--
            (1) In general.--An infrastructure bank may--
                    (A) make loans;
                    (B) under the joint or separate authority of the 
                participating States with respect to the infrastructure 
                bank, issue such debt as the infrastructure bank and 
                the participating States determine appropriate; and
                    (C) provide other assistance to public or private 
                entities constructing, or proposing to construct or 
                initiate, surface transportation projects.
            (2) Forms of assistance.--
                    (A) In general.--An infrastructure bank may make a 
                loan or provide other assistance described in 
                subparagraph (C) to a public or private entity in an 
                amount equal to all or part of the construction cost, 
                capital cost, or initiation cost of a surface 
                transportation project.
                    (B) Subordination of assistance.--The amount of any 
                loan or other assistance described in subparagraph (C) 
                that is received for a surface transportation project 
                under this section may be subordinated to any other 
                debt financing for the surface transportation project.
                    (C) Other assistance.--Other assistance referred to 
                in subparagraphs (A) and (B) includes any use of funds 
                for the purpose of--
                            (i) credit enhancement;
                            (ii) a capital reserve for bond or debt 
                        instrument financing;
                            (iii) bond or debt instrument financing 
                        issuance costs;
                            (iv) bond or debt issuance financing 
                        insurance;
                            (v) subsidization of interest rates;
                            (vi) letters of credit;
                            (vii) any credit instrument;
                            (viii) bond or debt financing instrument 
                        security; and
                            (ix) any other form of debt financing that 
                        relates to the qualifying surface 
                        transportation project.
            (3) No obligation of united states.--
                    (A) In general.--The establishment under this 
                section of an infrastructure bank does not constitute a 
                commitment, guarantee, or obligation on the part of the 
                United States to any third party with respect to any 
                security or debt financing instrument issued by the 
                bank. No third party shall have any right against the 
                United States for payment solely by reason of the 
                establishment.
                    (B) Statement on instrument.--Any security or debt 
                financing instrument issued by an infrastructure bank 
                shall expressly state that the security or instrument 
                does not constitute a commitment, guarantee, or 
                obligation of the United States.
    (e) Effective Date.--This section takes effect on October 1, 1997.

SEC. 7. FEDERAL-AID FACILITY PRIVATIZATION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has 
        the meaning provided in section 105 of title 5, United States 
        Code.
            (2) Privatization.--The term ``privatization'' means the 
        disposition or transfer of a transportation infrastructure 
        asset, whether by sale, lease, or similar arrangement, from a 
        State or local government to a private party.
            (3) State or local government.--The term ``State or local 
        government'' means the government of--
                    (A) any State;
                    (B) the District of Columbia;
                    (C) any commonwealth, territory, or possession of 
                the United States;
                    (D) any county, municipality, city, town, township, 
                local public authority, school district, special 
                district, intrastate district, regional or interstate 
                government entity, council of governments, or agency or 
                instrumentality of a local government; or
                    (E) any federally recognized Indian tribe.
            (4) Transportation infrastructure asset.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``transportation 
                infrastructure asset'' means any surface-
                transportation-related asset financed in whole or in 
                part by the Federal Government, including a road, 
                tunnel, bridge, or mass-transit-related or rail-related 
                asset.
                    (B) Exclusion.--The term does not include any 
                transportation-related asset on the Interstate System 
(as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code).
    (b) Privatization Initiatives by State and Local Governments.--The 
head of each Executive agency shall--
            (1) assist State and local governments in efforts to 
        privatize the transportation infrastructure assets of the State 
        and local governments; and
            (2) subject to subsection (c), approve requests from State 
        and local governments to privatize transportation 
        infrastructure assets and waive or modify any condition 
        relating to the original Federal program that funded the asset.
    (c) Criteria.--The head of an Executive agency shall approve a 
request described in subsection (b)(2) if--
            (1) the State or local government demonstrates that a 
        market mechanism, legally enforceable agreement, or regulatory 
        mechanism will ensure that the transportation infrastructure 
        asset will continue to be used for the general objectives of 
        the original Federal program that funded the asset (which shall 
        not be considered to include every condition required for the 
        recipient of Federal funds to have obtained the original 
        Federal funds), so long as needed for those objectives; and
            (2) the private party purchasing or leasing the 
        transportation infrastructure asset agrees to comply with all 
        applicable conditions of the original Federal program.
    (d) Lack of Obligation To Repay Federal Funds.--A State or local 
government shall have no obligation to repay to any agency of the 
Federal Government any Federal funds received by the State or local 
government in connection with a transportation infrastructure asset 
that is privatized under this section.
    (e) Use of Proceeds.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a State or local 
        government may use proceeds from the privatization of a 
        transportation infrastructure asset to the extent permitted 
        under applicable conditions of the original Federal program.
            (2) Recovery of certain costs.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law, the State or local government shall be 
        permitted to recover from the privatization of a transportation 
        infrastructure asset--
                    (A) the capital investment in the transportation 
                infrastructure asset made by the State or local 
                government;
                    (B) an amount equal to the unreimbursed operating 
                expenses in the transportation infrastructure asset 
                paid by the State or local government; and
                    (C) a reasonable rate of return on the investment 
                made under subparagraph (A) and expenses paid under 
                subparagraph (B).

SEC. 8. REDUCTION IN TAXES ON GASOLINE, DIESEL FUEL, AND SPECIAL FUELS 
              FUNDING HIGHWAY TRUST FUND.

    (a) Reduction in Tax Rate.--
            (1) In general.--Section 4081(a)(2)(A) of the Internal 
        Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to rates of tax) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``18.3 cents'' and 
                inserting ``6.3 cents''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``24.3 cents'' and 
                inserting ``6.3 cents''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 6427(b)(2)(A) of such 
        Code is amended by striking ``7.4 cents'' and inserting ``1.9 
        cents''.
    (b) Reduction in Highway Trust Fund Financing Rate.--Section 
9503(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining Highway Trust 
Fund financing rate) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``11.5 cents per 
        gallon (14 cents per gallon after September 30, 1995)'' and 
        inserting ``2 cents per gallon'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``17.5 cents per 
        gallon (20 cents per gallon after September 30, 1995)'' and 
        inserting ``2 cents per gallon'';
            (3) by striking subparagraph (B) and by redesignating 
        subparagraphs (C) through (E) as subparagraphs (B) through (D), 
        respectively; and
            (4) in subparagraph (D) (as redesignated by paragraph 
        (3))--
                    (A) by striking ``11.5 cents'' and inserting ``2 
                cents''; and
                    (B) by striking ``17.5 cents'' and inserting ``2 
                cents''.
    (c) Additional Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 4041(a)(1)(C)(iii)(I) of such Code is amended 
        by striking ``(4.3 cents per gallon after September 30, 1999)'' 
        and inserting ``(6.3 cents per gallon for the period beginning 
        after September 30, 2001, and ending before October 1, 2004, 
        and 4.3 cents per gallon after September 30, 2004)''.
            (2) Section 4041(m)(1)(A) of such Code is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``1999, and'' at the 
                end and inserting ``2001,''; and
                    (B) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the 
                following:
                            ``(ii) 6.3 cents per gallon for the period 
                        beginning after September 30, 2001, and ending 
                        before October 1, 2004, and
                            ``(iii) 4.3 cents per gallon after 
                        September 30, 2004.''.
            (3) Section 4081(d)(1) of such Code is amended by striking 
        ``October 1, 1999'' and inserting ``October 1, 2004''.
            (4) Section 6421(e)(2)(B)(iv) of such Code is amended--
                    (A) in subclause (I), by striking ``January 1, 
                2000'' and inserting ``October 1, 2004''; and
                    (B) in subclause (II), by striking ``December 31, 
                1999'' and inserting ``September 30, 2004''.
            (5) Section 9503(b) of such Code is amended--
                    (A) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking 
                ``October 1, 1999'' both places it appears and 
                inserting ``October 1, 2004'';
                    (B) in the heading of paragraph (2), by striking 
                ``october 1, 1999'' and inserting ``october 1, 2004'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``after September 
                30, 1999, and before July 1, 2000'' and inserting 
                ``after September 30, 2004, and before July 1, 2005''; 
                and
                    (D) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``before October 
                1, 2000,'' after ``paragraph (1)''.
            (6) Section 9503(f)(4) of such Code is amended by striking 
        ``June 30, 2000'' and inserting ``September 30, 2002''.
    (d) Floor Stock Refunds.--
            (1) In general.--If--
                    (A) before October 1, 2001, tax has been imposed 
                under section 4081 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
                on any liquid; and
                    (B) on such date such liquid is held by a dealer 
                and has not been used and is intended for sale;
        there shall be credited or refunded (without interest) to the 
        person who paid such tax (in this subsection referred to as the 
        ``taxpayer'') an amount equal to the excess of the tax paid by 
        the taxpayer over the amount of such tax which would be imposed 
        on such liquid had the taxable event occurred on such date.
            (2) Time for filing claims.--No credit or refund shall be 
        allowed or made under this subsection unless--
                    (A) claim therefor is filed with the Secretary of 
                the Treasury before April 1, 2002; and
                    (B) in any case where liquid is held by a dealer 
                (other than the taxpayer) on October 1, 2001--
                            (i) the dealer submits a request for refund 
                        or credit to the taxpayer before January 1, 
                        2002; and
                            (ii) the taxpayer has repaid or agreed to 
                        repay the amount so claimed to such dealer or 
                        has obtained the written consent of such dealer 
                        to the allowance of the credit or the making of 
                        the refund.
            (3) Exception for fuel held in retail stocks.--No credit or 
        refund shall be allowed under this subsection with respect to 
        any liquid in retail stocks held at the place where intended to 
        be sold at retail.
            (4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        terms ``dealer'' and ``held by a dealer'' have the respective 
        meanings given to such terms by section 6412 of such Code; 
        except that the term ``dealer'' includes a producer.
            (5) Certain rules to apply.--Rules similar to the rules of 
        subsections (b) and (c) of section 6412 and sections 6206 and 
        6675 of such Code shall apply for purposes of this subsection.
    (e) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        amendments made by this section shall apply to fuel removed 
        after September 30, 2001.
            (2) Additional conforming amendments.--The amendments made 
        by subsection (c) take effect on October 1, 1997.

SEC. 9. MASS TRANSPORTATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 5338 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 5338. Authorizations
    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Transportation to carry out this chapter--
            ``(1) $844,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, of which--
                    ``(A) $397,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                sections 5307 and 5309;
                    ``(B) $92,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                section 5311; and
                    ``(C) the amount remaining after allocation under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be used at the 
                discretion of the Secretary, including for capital 
                expenditure under this chapter;
            ``(2) $868,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, of which--
                    ``(A) $304,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                sections 5307 and 5309;
                    ``(B) $95,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                section 5311; and
                    ``(C) the amount remaining after allocation under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be used at the 
                discretion of the Secretary, including for capital 
                expenditure under this chapter;
            ``(3) $889,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, of which--
                    ``(A) $212,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                sections 5307 and 5309;
                    ``(B) $97,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                section 5311; and
                    ``(C) the amount remaining after allocation under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be used at the 
                discretion of the Secretary, including for capital 
                expenditure under this chapter;
            ``(4) $916,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which--
                    ``(A) $119,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                sections 5307 and 5309;
                    ``(B) $100,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                section 5311; and
                    ``(C) the amount remaining after allocation under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be used at the 
                discretion of the Secretary, including for capital 
                expenditure under this chapter; and
            ``(5) $941,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, of which--
                    ``(A) $27,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                sections 5307 and 5309;
                    ``(B) $103,000,000 shall be used to carry out 
                section 5311; and
                    ``(C) the amount remaining after allocation under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be used at the 
                discretion of the Secretary, including for capital 
                expenditure under this chapter.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section takes 
effect on October 1, 1997.

SEC. 10. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
after consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress 
describing such technical and conforming amendments to titles 23 and 
49, United States Code, and such technical and conforming amendments to 
other laws, as are necessary to bring those titles and other laws into 
conformity with the policy embodied in this Act and the amendments made 
by this Act.

SEC. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE CONTINGENT UPON CERTIFICATION OF DEFICIT 
              NEUTRALITY.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to ensure that--
            (1) this Act will become effective only if the Director of 
        the Office of Management and Budget certifies that this Act is 
        deficit neutral;
            (2) discretionary spending limits are reduced to capture 
        the savings realized in devolving transportation functions to 
        the State level pursuant to this Act; and
            (3) the tax reduction made by this Act is not scored under 
        pay-as-you-go and does not inadvertently trigger a 
        sequestration.
    (b) Effective Date Contingency.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act 
shall take effect only if--
            (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
        (referred to in this section as the ``Director'') submits the 
        report as required in subsection (c); and
            (2) the report contains a certification by the Director 
        that, based on the required estimates, the reduction in 
        discretionary outlays resulting from the reduction in contract 
        authority is at least as great as the reduction in revenues for 
        each fiscal year through fiscal year 2002.
    (c) OMB Estimates and Report.--
            (1) Requirements.--Not later than 5 calendar days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall--
                    (A) estimate the net change in revenues resulting 
                from this Act for each fiscal year through fiscal year 
                2002;
                    (B) estimate the net change in discretionary 
                outlays resulting from the reduction in contract 
                authority under this Act for each fiscal year through 
                fiscal year 2002;
                    (C) determine, based on those estimates, whether 
                the reduction in discretionary outlays is at least as 
                great as the reduction in revenues for each fiscal year 
                through fiscal year 2002; and
                    (D) submit to the Congress a report setting forth 
                the estimates and determination.
            (2) Applicable assumptions and guidelines.--
                    (A) Revenue estimates.--The revenue estimates 
                required under paragraph (1)(A) shall be predicated on 
                the same economic and technical assumptions and 
                scorekeeping guidelines that would be used for 
                estimates made pursuant to section 252(d) of the 
                Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
                1985 (2 U.S.C. 902(d)).
                    (B) Outlay estimates.--The outlay estimates 
                required under paragraph (1)(B) shall be determined by 
                comparing the level of discretionary outlays resulting 
                from this Act with the corresponding level of 
                discretionary outlays projected in the baseline under 
                section 257 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
                Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 907).
    (d) Conforming Adjustment to Discretionary Spending Limits.--Upon 
compliance with the requirements specified in subsection (b), the 
Director shall adjust the adjusted discretionary spending limits for 
each fiscal year through fiscal year 2002 under section 601(a)(2) of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 665(a)(2)) by the 
estimated reductions in discretionary outlays under subsection 
(c)(1)(B).
    (e) Paygo Interaction.--Upon compliance with the requirements 
specified in subsection (b), no changes in revenues estimated to result 
from the enactment of this Act shall be counted for the purposes of 
section 252(d) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 902(d)).
                                 <all>