Urbanized area formula grants

Section 5307(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1)by striking paragraph (1)(E) and inserting the following:

(E)operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000, if— (i)the term of the grant does not exceed one year; and (ii)the funds are derived from grants awarded under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) pursuant to a request approved by the Secretary under paragraph (4); and

; and

(2)by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Use of grants for operating assistance in urbanized areas with a population of at least 200,000

(A)

Submission of requests

A recipient of a grant under paragraph (1)(A), (1)(B), or (1)(C) for an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000 may submit a request to the Secretary that all or any portion of the amounts of the grant be made available for operating costs under paragraph (1)(E). (B)

Information to be included in requests

A request submitted by a recipient under subparagraph (A) shall include— (i)documentation illustrating reduced tax revenue or appropriations of funds available to the recipient over the previous year; (ii)documentation of increased fuel costs or any other factor affecting the budget of the recipient for operating costs; and (iii)a certification that the amount requested under subparagraph (A) does not exceed the reductions in tax revenues and appropriations of funds documented under clause (i). (C)

Approval and disapproval of requests

The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a request submitted under subparagraph (A) based on— (i)the impact of approval or disapproval on the continuity and cost of service provided by the recipient; (ii)the impact of approval or disapproval on the ability of the recipient to meet goals established under sections 5303, 5304, and 5306; and (iii)an assessment of the information submitted under subparagraph (B). (D)

Deadline for consideration of requests

If the Secretary does not approve or disapprove a request submitted under subparagraph (A) on or before the 60th day following the date of receipt of the request, the request shall be deemed approved.