[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6495 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6495

  To authorize programs and activities to support transportation and 
    housing options that will assist American families in reducing 
             transportation costs, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 15, 2008

Mr. Blumenauer (for himself, Mrs. Tauscher, Mr. Shays, Mr. Inslee, Mr. 
   McNerney, and Ms. Solis) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in 
 addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Financial Services, and 
   Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To authorize programs and activities to support transportation and 
    housing options that will assist American families in reducing 
             transportation costs, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Transportation and 
Housing Choices for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Community transportation choices investment program.
Sec. 4. Public transportation improvement block grants.
Sec. 5. Improving community transit grants.
Sec. 6. National consumer awareness program.
Sec. 7. Credit for teleworking.
Sec. 8. Transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters.
Sec. 9. Increased uniform dollar limitation for all types of 
                            transportation fringe benefits.
Sec. 10. Clarification of Federal employee benefits.
Sec. 11. Eligibility of self-employed individuals to receive transit 
                            fringe benefits.
Sec. 12. Parking cash-out programs.
Sec. 13. Vanpool credit.
Sec. 14. Participation of Federal agencies in local transportation 
                            management associations.
Sec. 15. Disclosure of transit accessibility and transportation costs 
                            of housing.
Sec. 16. Location-efficient mortgage goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie 
                            Mac.
Sec. 17. Location-efficient mortgages education and outreach campaign.
Sec. 18. Grants for purchase or creation of affordable housing near 
                            transit.
Sec. 19. Accessible and efficient schools.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Gas prices have more than tripled since 2001, putting a 
        significant strain on American families and the economy.
            (2) On average, transportation costs are now Americans' 
        second largest expense after housing.
            (3) Polls show that Americans believe that gas prices will 
        continue to rise and they are looking to Congress for help.
            (4) Eighty-four percent of Americans rely on their own 
        transportation to get to and from work, annually spending on 
        average $2,052 on gas and 264 hours on their commute.
            (5) The cost of congestion, including added freight costs 
        and lost productivity for consumers, reached $78 billion in 
        2005 and resulted in 4.2 billion lost hours and 2.9 billion 
        gallons of wasted fuel.
            (6) One of the most effective ways to reduce transportation 
        costs and traffic congestion for American families is to offer 
        a broader range of transportation options as well as housing 
        choices that reduce transportation costs.
            (7) Transportation options can include public transit, 
        carpooling, biking, walking, and other alternatives to single-
        occupancy vehicle trips.
            (8) The Consumer Electronics Association recently estimated 
        that 4 to 6 million workers telecommute at least once a week, 
        saving an estimated 840 million gallons of fuel and reducing 
        carbon dioxide emissions by 10 to 14 million metric tons per 
        year.
            (9) A typical transit rider consumes less than half as much 
        gasoline on average than a person with no access to transit.
            (10) Public transportation saves over 4.2 billion gallons 
        of fuel each year.
            (11) At $4 per gallon gasoline, American families can save 
        $5.6 billion each year on gasoline costs by using transit.
            (12) Consumer demand for transit and other transportation 
        options is surging.
            (13) Public transportation ridership rose by 3.4 percent in 
        the first quarter of 2008, according to the American Public 
        Transportation Association.
            (14) More than 90 percent of public transportation 
        officials report that their ridership is up over the past 3 
        years.
            (15) Rising fuel prices have increased costs for public 
        transportation agencies. Public transportation agencies consume 
        more than 760 million gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline each 
        year. For every penny added to the cost of fuel, public 
        transportation agencies around the Nation face $7.6 million in 
        increased annual costs.
            (16) Bicycle commuters annually save on average $1,825 in 
        auto-related costs, conserve 145 gallons of gasoline, and avoid 
        50 hours of gridlock traffic.
            (17) Bicycles can be a viable option for the more than 50 
        percent of the working population commutes less than 5 miles to 
        work.
            (18) In 1969, approximately 50 percent of children in the 
        United States got to school by walking or bicycling, but in 
        2001 only 15 percent of students were walking or biking to 
        school .
            (19) Too few Americans live in communities equipped with 
        convenient and reliable access to public transportation or 
        other alternatives to driving a vehicle.
            (20) A study funded by the Environmental Protection Agency 
        found that residents of compact metropolitan areas drive about 
        25 percent less than those in sprawling areas.
            (21) Less than 5 percent of Americans live within one-half 
        mile of rail transit.
            (22) The Federal Government can help American families cope 
        with high gas prices by expanding alternatives and investing in 
        communities.

SEC. 3. COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION CHOICES INVESTMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall carry out a 
grant program to support community efforts to invest in transportation 
alternatives and travel demand management strategies.
    (b) Award of Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants under the 
program on a competitive basis. The Secretary give priority to 
proposals that will have the biggest impact on reducing single 
occupancy vehicle trips.
    (c) Eligible Entities.--The following entities shall be eligible to 
receive grants under the program:
            (1) State and local governments.
            (2) Metropolitan planning organizations.
            (3) Rural planning organizations.
    (d) Eligible Activities.--Amounts received in grants under the 
program may be used to plan for, facilitate, and provide initial 
support for any of the following activities:
            (1) Transportation demand management programs, including 
        support for transportation management associations.
            (2) Carpool or telecommuting projects.
            (3) Planning, design, acquisition of rights-of-way, 
        construction, improvement, and management of streets, pathways, 
        and public transportation facilities to facilitate expanded 
        bicycle and pedestrian mobility and access.
            (4) Intelligent transportation improvements, including 
        traffic management systems that reduce congestion and idling 
        (other than projects to increase roadway capacity).
            (5) Participation in market-based programs to reduce travel 
        demand, such as car or bicycle sharing and pay-as-you-drive 
        insurance.
    (e) Application.--
            (1) In general.--To receive a grant under the program, an 
        eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in 
        such form and manner as the Secretary prescribes.
            (2) Contents.--An application under this subsection shall 
        contain, at a minimum, information detailing how the project to 
        be funded using the grant funds would provide for a shift in 
        the use of transportation modes by encouraging walking, biking, 
        or using public transportation as an alternative to driving a 
        motor vehicle. The applicant shall also describe the project 
        goals and objectives and the methods by which the impacts and 
        performance of the project will be measured against the project 
        goals and objectives. For activities expected to be ongoing, 
        the applicant shall describe how the project's operating costs 
        will be financially sustained beyond the end of the grant.
    (f) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of an activity 
funded under the program may not exceed 80 percent of the cost of the 
activity.
    (g) Cooperation.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall 
work with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, as 
necessary, to coordinate the activities under this section with the 
Smart Growth program of the Environmental Protection Agency.
    (h) Administrative Expenses.--Not to exceed 4 percent of the 
amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year may 
be used by the Secretary for administrative expenses.
    (i) Maximum Amount.--Not more than $500,000 in grants received by a 
recipient in a fiscal year under this section may be used for a single 
project.
    (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2009 through 2011. Such sums shall remain available until 
expended.

SEC. 4. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BLOCK GRANTS.

    (a) Authorizations of Appropriations.--
            (1) Urbanized area formula grants.--In addition to amounts 
        allocated under section 5338(b)(2)(B) of title 49, United 
        States Code, to carry out section 5307 of such title, there is 
        authorized to be appropriated $725,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2008 and 2009 to carry out such section 5307. Such funds 
        shall be apportioned, not later than 7 days after the date on 
        which the funds are appropriated, in accordance with section 
        5336 (other than subsections (i)(1) and (j)) of such title but 
        may not be combined or commingled with any other funds 
        apportioned under such section 5336.
            (2) Formula grants for other than urbanized areas.--In 
        addition to amounts allocated under section 5338(b)(2)(G) of 
        title 49, United States Code, to carry out section 5311 of such 
        title, there is authorized to be appropriated $125,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to carry out such section 
        5311. Such funds shall be apportioned, not later than 7 days 
        after the date on which the funds are appropriated, in 
        accordance with such section 5311 but may not be combined or 
        commingled with any other funds apportioned under such section 
        5311.
    (b) Use of Funds.--Notwithstanding sections 5307 and 5311 of title 
49, United States Code, the Secretary of Transportation may make grants 
under such sections from amounts appropriated under subsection (a) only 
for one or more of the following:
            (1) Technology upgrades to make public transportation 
        systems more rider friendly, including--
                    (A) creating and publicizing trip-finder sites 
                online;
                    (B) providing access to real time schedule 
                information through digital displays at public 
                transportation facilities and wireless tools;
                    (C) synchronizing payment methods amongst different 
                modes of transportation; and
                    (D) providing for online trip planners and 
                interactive service maps and mobile access to these 
                tools.
            (2) Fare subsidies or free-ride days to reduce costs to 
        consumers.
            (3) Technical assistance for accommodating increased 
        ridership.
            (4) Maintenance and upgrades to improve service.
            (5) Purchasing of fuel to run buses to ensure the 
        maintenance of current levels of service and fare prices or to 
        expand service options.
            (6) Station upgrades that enhance pedestrian and bicycle 
        access or improve rider experience.
            (7) Planning and design for new public transportation 
        projects, extension of existing public transportation projects, 
        and intercity passenger rail projects.
    (c) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of an activity 
funded under the program may not exceed 80 percent of the cost of the 
activity.
    (d) Period of Availability.--Funds appropriated under this section 
shall remain available for a period of 2 fiscal years.

SEC. 5. IMPROVING COMMUNITY TRANSIT GRANTS.

    (a) Project Justification.--Section 5309(e)(4) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); 
        and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
                    ``(E) determine the project effectiveness based on 
                the project's--
                            ``(i) effectiveness in reducing per capita 
                        vehicle miles traveled in the transportation 
                        corridor served, including reductions in 
                        vehicle miles traveled related to higher 
                        density development and improved land use 
                        surrounding the project;
                            ``(ii) ability to achieve higher density 
                        development along the corridor served as a 
                        result of the project as compared with the 
                        surrounding metropolitan area; and
                            ``(iii) potential for reducing per capita 
                        greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the 
                        project and the anticipated changes in land 
                        use, density, and economic development within 
                        the transportation corridor served.''.
    (b) Project Justification Factors.--Section 5309(e) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (8); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) Weight of project justification factors.--For 
        purposes of making the evaluation required under paragraph (4), 
        the Secretary shall give equal weight to each listed factor.
            ``(7) Additional project justification factor.--For 
        purposes of making the evaluation required under paragraph (4), 
        the Secretary shall not consider any factor quantifying travel 
        time savings.''.

SEC. 6. NATIONAL CONSUMER AWARENESS PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall carry out a 
national consumer awareness program (in this section referred to as the 
``program'') to educate the public on the environmental, energy, and 
economic benefits of transportation alternatives to the single 
occupancy vehicle, including carpooling, vanpooling, transit, and 
bicycles.
    (b) Grants.--
            (1) Purposes.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
        shall make grants to establish, expand, and enhance local 
        marketing and educational campaigns that promote the benefits 
        of alternative transportation and reducing motor vehicle trips.
            (2) Eligible recipients.--The following entities shall be 
        eligible to receive a grant under this subsection:
                    (A) State and city departments of transportation.
                    (B) Metropolitan planning organizations.
                    (C) Rural planning organizations.
                    (D) City, county, and State governments.
                    (E) Universities and school districts.
                    (F) Public transportation agencies.
                    (G) Councils of government.
            (3) Eligible activities.--Grant funds made available under 
        this subsection may be used for the following purposes:
                    (A) Public forums to educate and receive feedback.
                    (B) Ride sharing programs and outreach.
                    (C) Print materials.
                    (D) Employer programs.
                    (E) Distributing and publicizing information on 
                alternatives to single occupancy vehicle trips.
                    (F) Creating, upgrading, and promoting Internet 
                websites that offer online access to services that 
                consumers would otherwise have to drive a motor vehicle 
                to access.
                    (G) Research and analysis of the effectiveness or 
                benefits of the activities described in this paragraph.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2009 through 2011. Such sums shall remain available until 
expended.

SEC. 7. CREDIT FOR TELEWORKING.

    (a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to foreign tax credit, 
etc.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 30D. TELEWORK CREDIT.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an eligible taxpayer, 
there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this 
chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the qualified 
teleworking expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer during such year.
    ``(b) Maximum Credit.--
            ``(1) Per teleworker limitation.--The credit allowed by 
        subsection (a) for a taxable year with respect to qualified 
        teleworking expenses paid or incurred by or on behalf of an 
        individual teleworker shall not exceed $400.
            ``(2) Reduction for teleworking less than full year.--In 
        the case of an individual who is in a teleworking arrangement 
        for less than a full taxable year, the amount referred to 
        paragraph (1) shall be reduced by an amount which bears the 
        same ratio to $400 as the number of months in which such 
        individual is not in a teleworking arrangement bears to 12. For 
        purposes of the preceding sentence, an individual shall be 
        treated as being in a teleworking arrangement for a month if 
        the individual is subject to such arrangement for any day of 
        such month.
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Eligible taxpayer.--The term `eligible taxpayer' 
        means--
                    ``(A) in the case of an individual, an individual 
                who performs services for an employer under a 
                teleworking arrangement, or
                    ``(B) in the case of an employer, an employer for 
                whom employees perform services under a teleworking 
                arrangement.
            ``(2) Teleworking arrangement.--The term `teleworking 
        arrangement' means an arrangement under which an employee 
        teleworks for an employer at least 1 day per week.
            ``(3) Qualified teleworking expenses.--The term `qualified 
        teleworking expenses' means expenses paid or incurred under a 
        teleworking arrangement--
                    ``(A) for purchase or installation of any 
                electronic information or telecommunication equipment 
                which is used to enable an individual to telework, or
                    ``(B) for any telecommunications service, or 
                Internet access (or related services), relating to the 
                use of such equipment.
            ``(4) Telework.--The term `telework' means to perform work 
        functions, using electronic information and communication 
        technologies, thereby reducing or eliminating the physical 
        commute to and from the traditional worksite.
    ``(d) Limitation Based on Amount of Tax.--
            ``(1) Liability for tax.--The credit allowable under 
        subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess 
        (if any) of--
                    ``(A) the regular tax for the taxable year, reduced 
                by the sum of the credits allowable under subpart A and 
                the preceding sections of this subpart, over
                    ``(B) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable 
                year.
            ``(2) Carryforward of unused credit.--If the amount of the 
        credit allowable under subsection (a) for any taxable year 
        exceeds the limitation under paragraph (1) for the taxable 
        year, the excess shall be carried to the succeeding taxable 
        year and added to the amount allowable as a credit under 
        subsection (a) for such succeeding taxable year.
    ``(e) Special Rules.--
            ``(1) Basis reduction.--For purposes of this subtitle, the 
        basis of any property for which a credit is allowable under 
        subsection (a) shall be reduced by the amount of such credit 
        (determined without regard to subsection (d)).
            ``(2) Recapture.--The Secretary shall, by regulations, 
        provide for recapturing the benefit of any credit allowable 
        under subsection (a) with respect to any property which ceases 
        to be property eligible for such credit.
            ``(3) Property used outside united states, etc., not 
        qualified.--No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) 
        with respect to any property referred to in section 50(b) or 
        with respect to the portion of the cost of any property taken 
        into account under section 179.
            ``(4) Election not to take credit.--No credit shall be 
        allowed under subsection (a) for any expense if the taxpayer 
        elects to have this section not apply with respect to such 
        expense.
            ``(5) Denial of double benefit.--No deduction or credit 
        (other than under this section) shall be allowed under this 
        chapter with respect to any expense which is taken into account 
        in determining the credit under this section.
    ``(f) Reporting Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of an eligible taxpayer who 
        is an employer, no credit shall be allowed under this section 
        for qualified teleworking expenses of the employer with respect 
        to such employer's employees unless the taxpayer submits to the 
        Secretary (in such form and manner as the Secretary may 
        prescribe)--
                    ``(A) the survey described in paragraph (2), and
                    ``(B) a detailed description of the teleworking 
                policies of the employer, including a description of--
                            ``(i) which employees of the employer are 
                        eligible to telework,
                            ``(ii) any employer goals relating to 
                        teleworking, and any progress with respect to 
                        such goals, and
                            ``(iii) any materials or resources of the 
                        employer intended to promote or enable 
                        teleworking.
            ``(2) Call for telework data survey.--The Secretary shall, 
        in consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, 
        establish, make publicly available to taxpayers, and update as 
        appropriate, a survey designed to track teleworking trends 
        among employers allowed credits under this section.
            ``(3) Report to congress.--Not later than October 15 of 
        each calendar year, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress, 
        and make publicly available on the Internet and at the offices 
        of the Internal Revenue Service, a report, which shall include 
        a summary of the information contained in the submissions under 
        paragraph (1) for taxable years ending in the previous calendar 
        year.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (a) of section 1016 of such 
Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (36), by 
striking the period at the end of paragraph (37) and inserting ``, 
and'', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(38) to the extent provided in section 30D(e), in the 
        case of amounts with respect to which a credit has been allowed 
        under section 30B.''
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart B of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 30D. Telework credit.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 8. TRANSPORTATION FRINGE BENEFIT TO BICYCLE COMMUTERS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 132(f) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Any qualified bicycle commuting 
                reimbursement.''.
    (b) Limitation on Exclusion.--Paragraph (2) of section 132(f) of 
such Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
(A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) and 
inserting ``, and'', and by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(C) the applicable annual limitation in the case 
                of any qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement.''.
    (c) Definitions.--Paragraph (5) of section 132(f) of such Code is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) Definitions related to bicycle commuting 
                reimbursement.--
                            ``(i) Qualified bicycle commuting 
                        reimbursement.--The term `qualified bicycle 
                        commuting reimbursement' means, with respect to 
                        any calendar year, any employer reimbursement 
                        during the 15-month period beginning with the 
                        first day of such calendar year for reasonable 
                        expenses incurred by the employee during such 
                        calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and 
                        bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if 
                        such bicycle is regularly used for travel 
                        between the employee's residence and place of 
                        employment.
                            ``(ii) Applicable annual limitation.--The 
                        term `applicable annual limitation' means, with 
                        respect to any employee for any calendar year, 
                        the product of $50 multiplied by the number of 
                        qualified bicycle commuting months during such 
                        year.
                            ``(iii) Qualified bicycle commuting 
                        month.--The term `qualified bicycle commuting 
                        month' means, with respect to any employee, any 
                        month during which such employee--
                                    ``(I) regularly uses the bicycle 
                                for a substantial portion of the travel 
                                between the employee's residence and 
                                place of employment, and
                                    ``(II) does not receive any benefit 
                                described in subparagraph (A), (B), or 
                                (C) of paragraph (1).''.
    (d) Constructive Receipt of Benefit.--Paragraph (4) of section 
132(f) of such Code is amended by inserting ``(other than a qualified 
bicycle commuting reimbursement)'' after ``qualified transportation 
fringe''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 9. INCREASED UNIFORM DOLLAR LIMITATION FOR ALL TYPES OF 
              TRANSPORTATION FRINGE BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Section 132(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 (relating to limitation on exclusion) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``$100'' in subparagraph (A) and inserting 
        ``$200'', and
            (2) by striking ``$175'' in subparagraph (B) and inserting 
        ``$200''.
    (b) Inflation Adjustment Conforming Amendments.--Subparagraph (A) 
of section 132(f)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to 
inflation adjustment) is amended--
            (1) by striking the last sentence,
            (2) by striking ``1999'' and inserting ``2009'', and
            (3) by striking ``1998'' and inserting ``2008''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 10. CLARIFICATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

    Section 7905 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(C) by inserting ``and'' after 
                the semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a period; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (4); and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A) by amending subparagraph (A) to 
        read as follows:
                    ``(A) a qualified transportation fringe as defined 
                in section 132(f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
                1986;''.

SEC. 11. ELIGIBILITY OF SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE TRANSIT 
              FRINGE BENEFITS.

    (a) In General.--Subparagraph (E) of section 132(f)(5) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term'' and inserting the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), the term'', and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new clause:
                            ``(ii) Self-employed individuals eligible 
                        for transit pass fringe benefit.--For purposes 
                        of paragraph (1)(B), such term includes an 
                        individual who is an employee within the 
                        meaning of section 401(c)(1).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 12. PARKING CASH-OUT PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Subparagraph (C) of section 132(f)(5) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The term'' and inserting the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--The term''.
            (2) by adding at the end of clause (i), as amended by 
        paragraph (1), the following: ``Such term shall not include any 
        parking with respect to any specified employer unless such 
        employer establishes a parking cash-out program.'', and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new clauses:
                            ``(ii) Specified employer.--For purposes of 
                        this subparagraph, the term `specified 
                        employer' means any employer who--
                                    ``(I) employs on average 50 or more 
                                employees during the calendar year,
                                    ``(II) leases the parking 
                                facilities referred to in clause (i),
                                    ``(III) can separately determine 
                                the amount paid per parking space 
                                leased, and
                                    ``(IV) can reduce the number of 
                                parking space leased (on a basis not 
                                less frequently than monthly) without 
                                penalty.
                            ``(iii) Parking cash-out program.--For 
                        purposes of this subparagraph, the term 
                        `parking cash-out program' means a program 
                        established by the employer under which--
                                    ``(I) the employer offers employees 
                                a cash allowance equal to the regular 
                                amount paid by the employer for parking 
                                for a single employee under clause (i) 
                                in lieu of the parking referred to in 
                                clause (i), and
                                    ``(II) any employee electing the 
                                cash allowance shall certify to the 
                                employer that the employee will comply 
                                with guidelines established by the 
                                employer to avoid neighborhood parking 
                                problems and violation of such 
                                guidelines are enforced by the employer 
                                by termination of eligibility of such 
                                employee for such cash allowance and 
                                employer sponsored parking.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to parking provided during calendar years beginning after 
December 31, 2008.

SEC. 13. VANPOOL CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

``SEC. 45Q. VANPOOL CREDIT.

    ``(a) General Rule.--For purposes of section 38, the vanpool credit 
for any taxable year is an amount equal to 10 percent of the qualified 
vanpool expenditures of the taxpayer for the taxable year.
    ``(b) Qualified Vanpool Expenditures.--For purposes of this 
section, the term `qualified vanpool expenditures' means the aggregate 
amount paid or incurred by the employer during the taxable year to 
provide transportation described in section 132(f)(1)(A).''.
    (b) Credit Treated as Part of General Business Credit.--Section 
38(b) of such Code is amended by striking ``plus'' at the end of 
paragraph (32), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (33) and 
inserting ``, plus'', and by adding at the end of following new 
paragraph:
            ``(34) the vanpool credit determined under section 
        45Q(a).''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 45Q. Vanpool credit.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2008.

SEC. 14. PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL AGENCIES IN LOCAL TRANSPORTATION 
              MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS.

    It is the sense of Congress that Federal agencies should 
participate in local transportation management associations to 
encourage more efficient use of transportation and parking resources.

SEC. 15. DISCLOSURE OF TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS 
              OF HOUSING.

    (a) Affordability Index.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall, to the maximum extent practicable and in a manner 
consistent with current research--
            (1) incorporate transportation costs associated with the 
        location of housing into affordability measures and standards 
        used to allocate low-income housing tax credits in connection 
        with vouchers for rental assistance under section 8 of the 
        United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) or other 
        affordable housing programs;
            (2) work with States to incorporate transportation into the 
        housing plans for the States; and
            (3) consult with those associations that use affordability 
        indexes to incorporate transportation costs into the 
        affordability indexes of the association.
    (b) Model Transportation Cost Field for Use by Multiple Listing 
Service.--
            (1) Development.--The Secretary shall, through a public 
        process, develop a model transportation cost field that can be 
        used by Multiple Listing Services for real estate listings to 
        measure certain transportation costs associated with the 
        location of a home.
            (2) Participation.--In developing the model transportation 
        cost field, the Secretary shall work with realtors, 
        homebuilders, smart growth experts, transportation planners, 
        and others.
            (3) Factors.--The field developed under this section for a 
        property may take into consideration the following factors:
                    (A) Bus, transit, and other public transportation 
                options within \1/2\ and 1 mile of the property.
                    (B) The costs associated with traveling to work, 
                school, shopping, and other facilities.
                    (C) If available, the average daily vehicle miles 
                traveled for the community in which the property is 
                located.
                    (D) The availability and accessibility of services 
                in the neighborhood, including grocery stores, parks, 
                bike lanes, community centers, restaurants, coffee 
                shops, medical facilities, laundry/cleaners, libraries, 
                schools, plazas/town squares, and day care facilities.
            (4) Technology transfer.--Upon development of the field 
        under this section, the Secretary shall make the field 
        available to Multiple Listing Service entities and metropolitan 
        planning organizations to incorporate the field into their 
        Multiple Listing Service programs.
            (5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        $3,000,000 for the purposes of carrying out this section, of 
        which--
                    (A) 70 percent shall be available for development 
                of the model transportation cost field; and
                    (B) 30 percent shall be available for outreach to 
                Multiple Listing Service program to promote the use of 
                the new transportation cost field.

SEC. 16. LOCATION-EFFICIENT MORTGAGE GOALS FOR FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE 
              MAC.

    (a) Purposes.--
            (1) Fannie mae.--Section 301 of the Federal National 
        Mortgage Association Charter Act (12 U.S.C. 1716) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(6) promote and facilitate the use of location-efficient 
        mortgages.''.
            (2) Freddie mac.--Subsection (b) of section 301 of the 
        Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act (12 U.S.C. 1451 
        note) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(5) to promote and facilitate the use of location-
        efficient mortgages.''.
    (b) Goals for Mortgage Purchases.--The Housing and Community 
Development Act of 1992 is amended by inserting after section 1334 (12 
U.S.C. 4564) the following new section:

``SEC. 1334A. LOCATION-EFFICIENT MORTGAGES GOALS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director shall establish annual goals for 
the purchase by each enterprise of mortgages, for single-family, owner-
occupied housing, of location-efficient mortgages.
    ``(b) Targets.--The annual goals under this section for each 
enterprise for purchase of location-efficient mortgages shall be as 
follows:
            ``(1) During the years 2009 through 2013, 5 percent of the 
        mortgages for single-family, owner-occupied homes that are 
        purchased during each such year by the enterprise.
            ``(2) During the years 2014 through 2018, 10 percent of 
        such mortgages that are purchased during each such year by the 
        enterprise.
            ``(3) During 2019 and each year thereafter, 15 percent such 
        mortgages that are purchased during each such year by the 
        enterprise.
    ``(c) Plan and Reports.--The Director shall require each 
enterprise--
            ``(1) not later than 2009, to develop and submit to the 
        Director a plan that provides for the use and purchase of 
        location-efficient mortgages in a manner designed to help 
        achieve a significant reduction in the number of vehicle miles 
        traveled; and
            ``(2) submit a report to the Congress annually that 
        describes the extent of mortgage purchases described in 
        subsection (b) and of compliance with the goal established 
        pursuant to such subsection.
    ``(d) Reports.--Not later than December 31 of each year from 2012 
through 2018, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
submit to the Congress a report that--
            ``(1) identifies the potential markets for location-
        efficient mortgages for single-family housing and any existing 
        barriers to wider use of such products; and
            ``(2) identifies any correlations between defaults on 
        mortgages for single-family or multifamily housing and the 
        extent of the location efficiency of such housing.
    ``(e) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `location 
efficient mortgage' means a mortgage loan under which the income of the 
borrower, for purposes of qualification for such loan, is considered to 
be increased by not less than $1 for each $1 of savings projected to be 
realized by the borrower because the location of the home for which 
loan is made results in decreased transportation costs for the 
household of the borrower.''.
    (c) Reports, Enforcement, and Conforming Amendments.--Title XIII of 
the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b) of section 1324 (12 U.S.C. 4542(b))--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and 1334'' and 
                inserting ``1334, and 1334A'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as 
                paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following 
                new paragraph:
            ``(4) aggregate and analyze appropriate data to assess the 
        compliance of each enterprise with the location-efficient 
        mortgages goal;'';
            (2) in subsection (a) of section 1331 (12 U.S.C. 4561(a))--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' before ``a central 
                cities''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period at the end of 
                the first sentence the following: ``, and location-
                efficient mortgages goals pursuant to section 1334A'';
            (3) in section 1335 (12 U.S.C. 4565)--
                    (A) in the matter in subsection (a) that precedes 
                paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``and'' before ``the 
                        central cities''; and
                            (ii) by inserting after ``section 1334,'' 
                        the following: ``, and the location-efficient 
                        mortgages goals pursuant to section 1334A'';
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``and 1334'' and 
                inserting ``, 1334, and 1334A''; and
            (4) in section 1336 (12 U.S.C. 4566)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) of subsection (a), by striking 
                ``and 1334'' and inserting ``, 1334, and 1334A''; and
                    (B) by striking ``or 1334'' each place such term 
                appears and inserting ``, 1334, or 1334A''.

SEC. 17. LOCATION-EFFICIENT MORTGAGES EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGN.

    The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall carry out a 
public awareness, education, and outreach campaign to inform and 
educate residential lenders and prospective mortgagors regarding the 
availability, benefits, advantages, and terms of location-efficient 
mortgages, including location-efficient mortgages that meet the 
requirements of section 1334A of the Housing and Community Development 
Act of 1992, and other mortgages having location-efficiency features 
and to publicize such availability, benefits, advantages, and terms. 
Such actions may include entering into a contract with an appropriate 
entity to publicize and market such mortgages through appropriate 
media.

SEC. 18. GRANTS FOR PURCHASE OR CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEAR 
              TRANSIT.

    (a) Grant Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall, to the extent amounts are available for grants under 
this section, make grants to States for financial assistance in 
constructing or acquiring housing that is affordable and location-
efficient.
    (b) Requirements for Housing.--For purposes of this section:
            (1) Affordability.--Housing shall be considered affordable 
        only if the housing is affordable, in accordance with 
        requirements that the Secretary shall establish, for rental or 
        purchase by low-income families, as such term is defined in 
        section 3 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
        1437a).
            (2) Location efficiency.--Housing shall be considered 
        location-efficient only if the housing is on land located not 
        further than one-half mile from a transit stop.
    (c) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, a State, through an appropriate State agency, shall submit to 
the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require.
    (d) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may approve an 
application of a State for a grant under this section only if the 
Secretary determines that the State will use the funds from the grant 
to carry out a program that--
            (1) provides financial assistance for the construction or 
        preservation of housing that meets the requirements of 
        subsection (b); and
            (2) includes such compliance and audit requirements as the 
        Secretary determines are necessary to ensure that the program 
        is operated in a sound and effective manner.
    (e) Limitation on Aggregate Grant Amount.--The aggregate amount of 
grants made under this section to any single State may not exceed 
$2,500,000
    (f) Administrative Expenses.--Of any amounts made available for 
grants under this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not 
more than 15 percent for administrative expenses of the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development in carrying out this section.
    (g) Reports.--
            (1) To secretary.--Each State that receives a grant under 
        this section shall submit a report to the Secretary, for each 
        year during which amounts from such grant are expended for 
        activities described in subsection (a), describing the State's 
        program for constructing or preserving location-efficient 
        affordable housing for which the grant was made and the 
        progress of the program.
            (2) To congress.--Not later than September 30 of each year 
        that any grants are made under this section, the Secretary 
        shall submit a report to the Congress describing the total 
        amount of such grants provided under this section to each State 
        during the fiscal year ending on such date and evaluating the 
        effectiveness of the grants made under this section in 
        achieving the purposes of this section.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Fund for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2011 
such sums as may be necessary for grants under this section.

SEC. 19. ACCESSIBLE AND EFFICIENT SCHOOLS.

    (a) Inclusion of High Schools in Safe Routes to School Program.--
Section 1404 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (23 U.S.C. 402 note; 119 
Stat. 1228) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``primary and middle schools'' in 
        subsection (a), subsection (c)(1)(A), and subsection (c)(1)(B) 
        and inserting ``primary, middle, and high schools''; and
            (2) in subsection (k)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading by striking ``Primary 
                and middle schools'' and inserting ``Primary, middle, 
                and high schools'';
                    (B) by striking ``primary and middle schools'' and 
                inserting ``primary, middle, and high schools''; and
                    (C) by striking ``eighth grade'' and inserting 
                ``twelfth grade''.
    (b) Expansion of Safe Routes to School Program.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the safe routes to school 
program authorized by section 1404 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (23 U.S.C. 402 
note; 119 Stat. 1228)--
            (1) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
            (2) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
            (3) $600,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 
        2013.
                                 <all>