Establishment of gasoline reimbursement pilot program

(a)

Establishment of pilot program

(1)

Grant program to States

The Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall establish a 3-year pilot program to provide States with grant funds to reimburse commuters for the cost of gasoline for not more than 30 miles a day in accordance with this section. (2)

Grant awards

The Administrator shall provide grant funds to a State based on the number of commuter vehicles in such State using the attribution tables for the number of vehicle miles traveled in each State to determine the number of commuting vehicles. (3)

Formula

The administrator shall apportion funds to a State in a ratio that— (A)the total number of commuting vehicles in each State; bears to (B)the total number of commuting vehicles in all States. (b)

Reimbursement levels

Except as provided in subsection (e), a commuter who operates a commuter vehicle that has an estimated fuel economy rating by the Environmental Protection Agency— (1)of less than 35 miles per gallon on the highway is eligible to receive from a State $0.04 per mile, not to exceed 30 miles per day for not more than 5 days a week and 50 weeks a year; and (2)of 35 or more miles per gallon on the highway is eligible to receive $0.05 per mile, not to exceed 30 miles per day for not more than 5 days a week and 50 weeks a year. (c)

Reimbursement trigger

Reimbursement by a commuter will only be available if the average cost of gasoline across the country, as calculated by the American Automobile Association and reported in the daily fuel gauge report, exceeds $2.75 per gallon and the State has sufficient grant funds to provide such reimbursement. (d)

Reimbursement distribution

Each State that receives a grant under this section shall establish— (1)an application process for eligible drivers to receive reimbursement; and (2)a schedule for reimbursement for such drivers on a monthly or quarterly basis. (e)

Commuter exception

A commuter who receives any reimbursement for mileage from an employer is not eligible to receive reimbursement from a State under this section. (f)

Non-commuter reimbursement

A senior driver and a driver who does not use a commuter vehicle are eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 2,000 miles per year for miles driven in the United States. (g)

Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply: (1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. (2)

Commuter

The term commuter means an individual, not including an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, who uses a commuter vehicle as transportation to and from a place of employment in the United States. (3)

Commuter vehicle

The term commuter vehicle means a passenger vehicle, light truck, or sport utility vehicle if used as transportation to and from a place of employment in the United States. (4)

Eligible driver

The term eligible driver means a non-commuter described in subsection (e) and a commuter. (5)

Senior citizen

The term senior driver means a driver who is 65 years of age or older. (6)

State

The term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. (h)

Reporting requirements

(1)

Reports to Administrator

Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section and each year thereafter during the pilot program, each State that receives funds under this Act shall submit a report to the Administrator regarding implementation of the program. (2)

Reports to Congress

Beginning not later than 180 days after the date the Administrator receives a report under paragraph (1) and each year thereafter during the pilot program, the Administrator shall submit a report to Congress regarding the effectiveness of State gasoline reimbursement program, including any recommendations for changes to the program. (i)

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010.