I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2156 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 28, 2009 Mr. Tonko (for himself, Mr. Arcuri, Mr. Schauer, Mr. Teague, Mr. Perriello, Ms. Markey of Colorado, Ms. Titus, Mr. Hall of New York, and Mr. Nadler of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To implement a pilot program to establish truck parking facilities.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Jason’s Law.
2.
Truck parking facilities
(a)
Establishment
In cooperation with appropriate State, regional, and local governments, the Secretary of Transportation shall implement a pilot program to address the shortage of long-term parking for commercial motor vehicles on the National Highway System. (b)
Allocation of funds
(1)
In general
The Secretary of Transportation shall allocate funds made available to carry out this section among States, metropolitan planning organizations, and local governments. (2)
Applications
To be eligible for an allocation under this section, a State (as defined in section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code), metropolitan planning organization, or local government shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3)
Eligible projects
Funds allocated under this subsection shall be used by the recipient for projects described in an application approved by the Secretary. Such projects shall serve the National Highway System and may include the following: (A)Constructing safety rest areas (as defined in section 120(c) of title 23, United States Code) that include parking for commercial motor vehicles. (B)Constructing commercial motor vehicle parking facilities adjacent to commercial truck stops and travel plazas. (C)Opening existing facilities to commercial motor vehicle parking, including inspection and weigh stations and park-and-ride facilities. (D)Promoting the availability of publicly or privately provided commercial motor vehicle parking on the National Highway System using intelligent transportation systems and other means. (E)Constructing turnouts along the National Highway System for commercial motor vehicles. (F)Making capital improvements to public commercial motor vehicle parking facilities currently closed on a seasonal basis. (G)Improving the geometric design of interchanges on the National Highway System to improve access to commercial motor vehicle parking facilities. (4)
Priority
In allocating funds made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that— (A)demonstrate a severe shortage of commercial motor vehicle parking capacity in the corridor to be addressed; (B)have consulted with affected State and local governments, community groups, private providers of commercial motor vehicle parking, and motorist and trucking organizations; and (C)demonstrate that their proposed projects are likely to have positive effects on highway safety, traffic congestion, or air quality. (c)
Report to congress
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the pilot program. (d)
Funding
(1)
In general
There is authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2015. (2)
Contract authority
Funds authorized under this subsection shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except that such funds shall not be transferable and shall remain available until expended, and the Federal share of the cost of a project under this section shall be determined in accordance with sections 120(b) and 120(c) of such title. (e)
Treatment of projects
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, projects funded under this section shall be treated as projects on a Federal-aid system under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code.