[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5713 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5713

 To amend the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to ensure 
that the highest priority consideration is given to local comments when 
        selecting a toll pilot project, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 10, 2012

Mr. Butterfield (for himself, Mr. Watt, and Mr. Kissell) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
                           and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to ensure 
that the highest priority consideration is given to local comments when 
        selecting a toll pilot project, 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 ``Talk Before You Toll Act of 2012''.

SEC. 2. INTERSTATE SYSTEM RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION PILOT 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 1216(b)(4) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
Century (Public Law 105-178) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as 
        subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
                    ``(D) the State has solicited, received, and 
                published on its Web site public comments regarding the 
                facility and has disclosed whether the majority of such 
                comments approved or disapproved the facility, 
                including comments regarding the economic impact study, 
                environmental assessment, and any other documents 
                required to be submitted with the application;''.

SEC. 3. PRIORITY CONSIDERATION.

    Section 1216(b) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
Century (Public Law 105-178) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as 
        paragraphs (9) through (12), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) Priority consideration.--In addition to the selection 
        criteria listed in paragraph (4), the Secretary shall give the 
        highest priority consideration to local comments that both 
        approve and disapprove the proposed toll facility.
            ``(6) Periodic consideration.--Once a State begins the 
        application process under this subsection, the Secretary (or 
        the Secretary's designee) shall meet monthly with local 
        representatives of transportation and consumer advocacy groups 
        who reside near the location of the proposed toll facility to 
        discuss their views and recommendations for any changes or 
        modifications to the State's plans with respect to the 
        facility.
            ``(7) Public meeting.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                date of submission of the final facility management 
                plan under paragraph (3)(D)(i), the State shall hold at 
                least one public meeting to review the specifics of the 
                plan (especially details not disclosed prior to the 
                plan's final submission) and solicit participation and 
                comment from the public.
                    ``(B) Comments received.--
                            ``(i) In general.--During the public 
                        meeting and in the 30-day period following the 
                        date on which the meeting is held, the State 
                        shall accept comments on and suggestions for 
                        any changes to the facility management plan and 
                        written comments with respect to any of the 
                        comments or suggestions.
                            ``(ii) Publication and transmittal.--The 
                        State shall publish the comments and 
                        suggestions on its Web site and transmit the 
                        comments and suggestions, along with the 
                        minutes of the public meeting, to the 
                        Administrator of the Federal Highway 
                        Administration.
            ``(8) Federal highway administration.--Not later than 30 
        days after the date of receipt of the comments and suggestions 
        and the minutes of the public meeting referred to in paragraph 
        (8), the Administrator shall publish on the Web site of the 
        Federal Highway Administration all comments and suggestions 
        received by a State regarding the proposed toll facility. 
        Before making a final determination on a State's application, 
        the Administrator shall consider all such comments and 
        suggestions received.''.

SEC. 4. APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

    The amendments made by this Act shall apply to any State that has 
not completed a final application under section 1216(b) of the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105-178) as 
of the date of enactment of this Act.
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