[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 183 (Friday, November 17, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S17332-S17333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM DESIGNATION ACT

  Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise to voice my support for the 
National Highway System Designation Act of 1995.
  It shows Congress' continued commitment to returning authority to our 
partners in State governments. On March 22, President Clinton signed 
into law Senate Bill 1, a bill to stop unfunded Federal mandates on 
State and 

[[Page S 17333]]
local governments. At that time, this country's elected leaders 
affirmed their belief in the 10th Amendment.
  The National Highway System bill continues that commitment by 
stopping not only future mandates, but by addressing current mandates. 
In fact, section 205, ``Relief from Mandates,'' speaks clearly to that 
concern.
  The No. 1 issue for the Idaho Department of Transportation in this 
bill is the suspension of the Management Systems provision that burdens 
them with onerous paperwork requirements. They're spending valuable 
time and resources on federally-mandated paperwork instead of doing the 
work on roads, bridges and other needed projects. This bill frees the 
States from excessive Federal bureaucracy.
  S. 440 removes the federally-mandated crumb rubber asphalt 
requirement. In some States, like Idaho, crumb rubber in road surfaces 
just doesn't work. The climatic conditions aren't right. That's not to 
say crumb rubber won't work somewhere else. In this bill we turn the 
mandate into a grant program to encourage pilot projects so any State 
that wants to utilize recycled tires in their road projects may do so. 
But the key is, the States will have that option. I need to 
congratulate Chairman Chafee for developing this innovative grant 
program.
  This legislation also allows States to set their own maximum speed 
limits. Some will argue that this is a threat to public safety. I say 
this is not anti-safety, it's pro-States rights. We have 50 governors, 
State legislatures, and law enforcement agencies that can determine 
what is the best and safest for their citizens. They care just as much 
as those of us in Washington, DC do about safety. But there are parts 
of Idaho where conditions may permit a different speed limit. Congress 
must let those local authorities decide what's best.
  Another mandate we eliminate is the penalties for non-compliance of 
motorcycle helmet laws. Now I'm not one to advocate unsafe usage of any 
motor vehicle, but I think it's wrong to blackmail a State by 
threatening to withhold Federal highway funds if they don't strictly 
enforce a Federal helmet law. Once again, State police authorities and 
lawmakers in each of our 50 States knows what's the best for their 
residents.
  S. 440 establishes designation of thousands of miles of highways 
under the Federal system, making them eligible for Federal funding--
$6.5 billion in highway funds will be released to States as soon as 
this bill is signed into law. Under this bill, States will be able to 
address their most pressing highway and bridge repair and construction 
projects. Nearly 90 percent of all American residents will live within 
five miles of an NHS route. That is good for rural States like my home 
State of Idaho. Improved and efficient road systems will speed up 
commerce and trade and will be an economic boon for our cities, 
counties and businesses.
  Another benefit for the motoring public is the public-private 
partnership for safety. S. 440 allows public companies to install 
emergency roadside telephone call boxes. I'm pleased that the conferees 
accepted my amendment requiring at least 20 percent of those call boxes 
be installed in rural areas. My State of Idaho has hundreds of miles of 
isolated highways. In many of these areas, a phone could be a lifesaver 
for a stranded motorist. I would like to see more of these partnerships 
utilized by this Congress to meet important needs.
  Finally, Mr. President, I'm proud that this bill finally provides 
funding for the National Recreational Trails Act. I take great pride in 
completing the task begun by my good friend and predecessor, Steve 
Symms, who is the author of the Recreational Trails Act. Unfortunately, 
Congress has been collecting money from off-road vehicle gasoline taxes 
for this program, but has not made it available for trails. This bill 
provides $30 million over the next 2 years for States to build, repair, 
and maintain hiking, biking, snowmobile, equestrian, and off road 
vehicle trails. States will also have the money too for recreational 
trails that are accessible to our disabled citizens.
  I hope the President signs this bill. It is a winner for all 
Americans. And, it does not raise one dime in taxes. This bill utilizes 
the funds already collected from our nation's motorists and deposited 
in the highway trust fund. We need to get those dollars out of the bank 
and into the States where they can do the most good.

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