[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 127 (Monday, September 16, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H10387-H10426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 3675, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997

  Mr. LIVINGSTON submitted the following conference report and 
statement on the bill (H.R. 3675) making appropriations for the 
Department of Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes:

                  Conference Report (H. Rept. 104-785)

       The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the 
     two Houses on the amendments of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 
     3675) making appropriations for the Department of 
     Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 1997, and for other purposes, having 
     met, after full and free conference, have agreed to recommend 
     and do recommend to their respective Houses as follows:
       That the Senate recede from its amendments numbered 6, 7, 
     14, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 36, 50, 52, 60, 62, 64, 71, 80, 82, 
     88, 91, 95, 96, 97, 104, 113, 118, 121, 122, 124, 125, 126, 
     127, 128, 129, 131, 134, 136, 139, 140, 142, 150, 156, 158, 
     160, 161, 162, and 164.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendments of the Senate numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, 17, 25, 31, 
     32, 46, 47, 53, 56, 61, 63, 67, 69, 72, 93, 101, 102, 117, 
     119, 132, 137, 138, 141, 143, 144, 145, 146, 153, 154, 155, 
     159, 163, 165, 166, 168, 169, and 170, and agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 1.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 1, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $52,966,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 8.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 8, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $2,319,725,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 9.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 9, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:

[[Page H10388]]

       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $374,840,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 10.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 10, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $216,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 11.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 11, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $18,040,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 12.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 12, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $41,700,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 13.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 13, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $52,350,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 16.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 16, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: : Provided further, That none of the funds 
     in this Act may be obligated or expended to continue the 
     ``Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) 2000'' Program: Provided 
     further, That of the funds provided under this heading, 
     $1,000,000 is available only for a Coast Guard analysis of 
     future VTS system requirements which minimizes complexity and 
     is based upon an open systems architecture maximizing use of 
     off-the-shelf technology, to be conducted in cooperation with 
     the maritime community and local organizations affected by 
     the implementation of such systems; and the Senate agree to 
     the same.
       Amendment numbered 18.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 18, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $22,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 19.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 19, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:


                        PORT SAFETY DEVELOPMENT

       For necessary expenses for debt retirement of the Port of 
     Portland, Oregon, without further findings and 
     determinations, $5,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended.
       And the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 21.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 21, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $19,200,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 26.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 26, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $3,182,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 28.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 28, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $1,790,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 29.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 29, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $1,573,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 30.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 30, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $187,412,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 33.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 33, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $521,114,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 34.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 34, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $221,958,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 35.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 35, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $18,000,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 37.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 37, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $78,225,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 38.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 38, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:


                       STATE INFRASTRUCTURE BANKS

       To carry out the State Infrastructure Bank Pilot Program 
     (Public Law 104-59, section 350), $150,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary may 
     distribute these funds in a manner determined by the 
     Secretary to any State for which a State Infrastructure Bank 
     has been approved and the State has requested such funds: 
     Provided further, That no distribution of funds made 
     available under this heading shall be made prior to 180 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act: Provided further, 
     That the Secretary may approve State Infrastructure Banks for 
     more than 10 States: Provided further, That these funds shall 
     be used to advance projects or programs under the terms and 
     conditions of section 350: Provided further, That any State 
     that receives such funds may deposit any portion of those 
     funds into either the highway or transit account of the State 
     Infrastructure Bank: Provided further, That the Secretary 
     shall ensure that the Federal disbursements shall be at a 
     rate consistent with historic rates for the Federal-aid 
     highways program.
       And the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 39.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 39, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $80,900,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 40.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 40, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $51,712,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 41.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 41, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $168,100,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 42.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 42, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $168,100,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 43.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 43, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $128,700,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 44.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 44, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $11,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
        Amendment numbered 45.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 45, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $25,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 48.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 48, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $20,100,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 49.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 49, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $115,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 51.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 51, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $24,757,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 54.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 54, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:

[[Page H10389]]

       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $7,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 55.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 55, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $13,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 57.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 57, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $565,450,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 58.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 58, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $223,450,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 59.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 59, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $41,497,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 65.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 65, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $760,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 66.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 66, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $380,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 68.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 68, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $760,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 70.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 70, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $64,410,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 73.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 73, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $1,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 74.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 74, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $3,500,000 for the Canton-Akron-Cleveland 
     commuter rail project; ; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 75.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 75, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $22,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 76.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 76, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $11,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 77.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 77, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $15,250,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 78.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 78, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $661,000 for the DeKalb County, Georgia 
     light rail project; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 79.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 79, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $1,500,000 for the Denver Southwest Corridor 
     project; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 81.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 81, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $1,000,000 for the Griffin light rail 
     project; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 83.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 83, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $5,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 84.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 84, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $15,000,000 for the Jacksonville ASE 
     extension project; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 85.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 85, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $3,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 86.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 86, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert:  
     $2,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 87.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 87, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $70,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 89.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 89, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $33,191,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 90.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 90, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $1,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 92.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 92, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $3,039,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 94.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 94, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $500,000 for the New Jersey West Trenton 
     commuter rail project; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 98.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 98, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $2,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 99.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 99, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $3,000,000 for the Orange County transitway 
     project; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 100.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 100, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $10,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 103.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 103, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $2,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 105.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 105, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $35,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 106.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 106, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: , of which $10,000,000 may be available for 
     high-occupancy vehicle lane and corridor design costs; and 
     the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 107.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 107, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:

[[Page H10390]]

       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $13,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 108.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 108, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $32,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 109.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 109, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $27,500,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 110.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 110, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $1,500,000 for the San Diego-Mid-Coast 
     Corridor project;; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 111.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 111, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Restore the matter stricken by said amendment, amended to 
     read as follows: $4,750,000 for the San Juan Tren Urbano 
     project; ; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 112.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 112, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $3,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 114.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 114, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Delete the matter stricken by said amendment, and
       On page 33 line 12 of the House engrossed bill, H.R. 3675, 
     strike ``to Lakeland commuter rail'' and insert: Bay Regional 
     Rail: ; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 115.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 115, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum named in said amendment, insert: 
     $3,000,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 116.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 116, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $3,750,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 120.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 120, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $26,886,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 123.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 123, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $37,900,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 130.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 130, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of ``4 3/4 per centum'' named in said amendment, 
     insert: 4 1/4 per centum; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 133.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 133, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Delete the matter stricken by said amendment and delete the 
     matter inserted by said amendment, and
       On page 48 line 22 of the House engrossed bill, H.R. 3675, 
     strike ``: Provided further,'' and insert in lieu thereof a 
     period; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 135.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 135, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the sum proposed by said amendment, insert: 
     $1,250,000; and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 147.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 147, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       Retain the matter proposed by said amendment, amended as 
     follows:
       In lieu of ``Passenger Railroad Corporation'' named in said 
     amendment, insert: Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak); 
     and the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 148.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 148, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
       Sec. 349. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of 
     amounts made available under Federal Aviation Administration 
     ``Operations'', the FAA shall provide personnel at Dutch 
     Harbor, Alaska to provide real-time weather and runway 
     observation and other such functions to help ensure the 
     safety of aviation operations.
       And the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 149.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 149, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:

     SEC. 350. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VOLUNTARY SEPARATION 
                   INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.

       (a) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section--
       (1) the term ``agency'' means the following agencies of the 
     Department of Transportation:
       (A) the United States Coast Guard;
       (B) the Research and Special Programs Administration;
       (C) the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation;
       (D) the Office of the Secretary; and
       (E) the Federal Railroad Administration;
       (2) the term ``employee'' means an employee (as defined by 
     section 2105 of title 5, United States Code) who is employed 
     by the agency serving under an appointment without time 
     limitation, and has been currently employed for a continuous 
     period of at least 3 years, but does not include--
       (A) a reemployed annuitant under subchapter III of chapter 
     83 or chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, or another 
     retirement system for employees of the agency;
       (B) an employee having a disability on the basis of which 
     such employee is or would be eligible for disability 
     retirement under the applicable retirement system referred to 
     in subparagraph (A);
       (C) an employee who is in receipt of a specific notice of 
     involuntary separation for misconduct or unacceptable 
     performance;
       (D) an employee who, upon completing an additional period 
     of service as referred to in section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the 
     Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994 (5 U.S.C. 5597 
     note), would qualify for a voluntary separation incentive 
     payment under section 3 of such Act;
       (E) an employee who has previously received any voluntary 
     separation incentive payment by the Federal Government under 
     this section or any other authority and has not repaid such 
     payment;
       (F) an employee covered by statutory reemployment rights 
     who is on transfer to another organization;
       (G) any employee who, during the twenty-four month period 
     preceding the date of separation, has received a recruitment 
     or relocation bonus under section 5753 of title 5, United 
     States Code, or who, within the twelve month period preceding 
     the date of separation, received a retention allowance under 
     section 5754 of title 5, United States Code; or
       (H) any employee who, upon separation and application, 
     would be eligible for an immediate annuity under subchapter 
     III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, United States 
     Code (or another retirement system for employees of the 
     agency), other than an annuity subject to a reduction under 
     section 8339(h) or 8415(f) of such title (or corresponding 
     provisions of another retirement system for employees of the 
     agency).
       (b) Agency Strategic Plan.--
       (1) In general.--The head of an agency, prior to obligating 
     any resources for voluntary separation incentive payments, 
     shall submit to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Government Reform and 
     Oversight of the House of Representatives a strategic plan 
     outlining the intended use of such incentive payments and a 
     proposed organizational chart for the agency once such 
     incentive payments have been completed.
       (2) Contents.--The agency's plan shall include--
       (A) the positions and functions to be reduced or 
     eliminated, identified by organizational unit, geographic 
     location, occupational category and grade level;
       (B) the number and amounts of voluntary separation 
     incentive payments to be offered; and
       (C) a description of how the agency will operate without 
     the eliminated positions and functions.
       (c) Authority To Provide Voluntary Separation Incentive 
     Payments.--
       (1) In general.--A voluntary separation incentive payment 
     under this section may be paid by an agency to any employee 
     only to the extent necessary to eliminate the positions and 
     functions identified by the strategic plan.
       (2) Amount and treatment of payments.--A voluntary 
     separation incentive payment--
       (A) shall be paid in a lump sum after the employee's 
     separation;
       (B) shall be paid from appropriations or funds available 
     for the payment of the basic pay of the employees;
       (C) shall be equal to the lesser of--
       (i) an amount equal to the amount the employee would be 
     entitled to receive under section 5595(c) of title 5, United 
     States Code; or
       (ii) an amount determined by an agency head not to exceed 
     $25,000 in fiscal year 1997;
       (D) shall not be a basis for payment, and shall not be 
     included in the computation, of any other type of Government 
     benefit; and
       (E) shall not be taken into account in determining the 
     amount of any severance pay to which the employee may be 
     entitled under section 5595 of title 5, United States Code, 
     based on any other separation.

[[Page H10391]]

       (3) Limitation.--No amount shall be payable under this 
     section based on any separation occurring before the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, or after September 30, 1997.
       (d) Additional Agency Contributions to the Retirement 
     Fund.--
       (1) In general.--In addition to any other payments which it 
     is required to make under subchapter III of chapter 83 of 
     title 5, United States Code, an agency shall remit to the 
     Office of Personnel Management for deposit to the Treasury of 
     the United States to the credit of the Civil Service 
     Retirement and Disability Fund an amount equal to 15 percent 
     of the final basic pay of each employee of the agency who is 
     covered under subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of 
     title 5, United States Code, to whom a voluntary separation 
     incentive has been paid under this section.
       (2) Definition.--For the purpose of paragraph (1), the term 
     ``final basic pay'', with respect to an employee, means the 
     total amount of basic pay which would be payable for a year 
     of service by such employee, computed using the employee's 
     final rate of basic pay, and, if last serving on other than a 
     full-time basis, with appropriate adjustment therefor.
       (e) Effect of Subsequent Employment With the Government.--
     An individual who has received a voluntary separation 
     incentive payment under this section and accepts any 
     employment for compensation with the Government of the United 
     States, or who works for any agency of the United States 
     Government through a personal services contract, within 5 
     years after the date of the separation on which the payment 
     is based shall be required to pay, prior to the individual's 
     first day of employment, the entire amount of the incentive 
     payment to the agency that paid the incentive payment.
       (f) Reductions of Agency Employment Levels.--
       (1) In general.--The total number of funded employee 
     positions in an agency shall be reduced by one position for 
     each vacancy credited by the separation of any employee who 
     has received, or is due to receive, a voluntary separation 
     incentive payment under this section. For the purposes of 
     this subsection, positions shall be counted on a full-time-
     equivalent basis.
       (2) Enforcement.--The President, through the Office of 
     Management and Budget, shall monitor each agency and take any 
     action necessary to ensure that the requirements of this 
     subsection are met.
       (g) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect October 
     1, 1996.
       And the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 151.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 151, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:

     SEC. 351. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PENDING CHILD CUSTODY CASES IN 
                   SUPERIOR COURT OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 9 of title 11, 
     District of Columbia Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``Sec. 11-925. Rules regarding certain pending child custody 
       cases

       ``(a) In any pending case involving custody over a minor 
     child or the visitation rights of a parent of a minor child 
     in the Superior Court which is described in subsection (b)--
       ``(1) at any time after the child attains 13 years of age, 
     the party to the case who is described in subsection (b)(1) 
     may not have custody over, or visitation rights with, the 
     child without the child's consent; and
       ``(2) if any person had actual or legal custody over the 
     child or offered safe refuge to the child while the case (or 
     other actions relating to the case) was pending, the court 
     may not deprive the person of custody or visitation rights 
     over the child or otherwise impose sanctions on the person on 
     the grounds that the person had such custody or offered such 
     refuge.
       ``(b) A case described in this subsection is a case in 
     which--
       ``(1) the child asserts that a party to the case has been 
     sexually abusive with the child;
       ``(2) the child has resided outside of the United States 
     for not less than 24 consecutive months;
       ``(3) any of the parties to the case has denied custody or 
     visitation to another party in violation of an order of the 
     court for not less than 24 consecutive months; and
       ``(4) any of the parties to the case has lived outside of 
     the District of Columbia during such period of denial of 
     custody or visitation.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for 
     subchapter II of chapter 9 of title 11, D.C. Code, is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new item:

``11-925. Rules regarding certain pending child custody cases.''.

       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply to cases brought in the Superior Court of the District 
     of Columbia before, on, or after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (2) Continuation of provisions until termination.--The 
     provisions of section 11-925, District of Columbia Code (as 
     added by subsection (a)), shall apply to any case described 
     in paragraph (1) until the termination of the case.
       And the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 152.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 152, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
       Sec. 352. Not later than December 31, 1997, the 
     Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
       (a) take such action as may be necessary to provide for an 
     independent assessment of the acquisition management system 
     of the Federal Aviation Administration that includes a review 
     of any efforts of the Administrator in promoting and 
     encouraging the use of full and open competition as the 
     preferred method of procurement with respect to any contract 
     that involves an amount greater than $50,000,000; and
       (b) submit to the Congress a report on the findings of that 
     independent assessment: Provided, That for purposes of this 
     section, the term ``full and open competition'' has the 
     meaning provided that term in section 4(6) of the Office of 
     Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403(6)).
       And the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 157.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 157, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:
       Sec. 356. Of the funds made available to the Federal 
     Railroad Administration, up to $200,000 may be made available 
     from the Office of the Administrator to establish and operate 
     the Institute for Railroad Safety as authorized by the Swift 
     Rail Development Act of 1994.
       And the Senate agree to the same.
       Amendment numbered 167.
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate numbered 167, and agree to the same 
     with an amendment, as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed by said amendment, insert:

     SEC. 409. TRANSFER OF FUNDS AMONG MINNESOTA HIGHWAY PROJECTS.

       (a) In General.--Such portions of the amounts appropriated 
     for the Minnesota highway projects described in subsection 
     (b) that have not been obligated as of December 31, 1996, 
     shall be made available to carry out the 34th Street Corridor 
     Project in Moorhead, Minnesota, authorized by section 
     149(a)(5)(A)(iii) of the Surface Transportation and Uniform 
     Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-17; 101 
     Stat. 181) (as amended by section 340(a) of the National 
     Highway System Designation Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-59; 
     109 Stat. 607)).
       (b) Projects.--The Minnesota highway projects described in 
     this subsection are--
       (1) the project for Saint Louis County authorized by 
     section 149(a)(76) of the Surface Transportation and Uniform 
     Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-17; 101 
     Stat. 192); and
       (2) the project for Nicollet County authorized by item 159 
     of section 1107(b) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation 
     Efficiency Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-240; 105 Stat. 2056).
       Sec. 410. Item 52 in the table contained in Section 
     1106(a)(2) and items 19 and 20 in the table contained in 
     Section 1107(b) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation 
     Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2037-2059) are each amended 
     by inserting ``Mifflin, Fulton and Clearfield,'' after 
     ``Franklin,''.
       And the Senate agree to the same.
     Frank R. Wolf,
     Tom DeLay,
     Ralph Regula,
     Harold Rogers,
     Jim Lightfoot,
     Ron Packard,
     Sonny Callahan,
     Jay Dickey,
     Martin Olav Sabo,
     Richard J. Durbin (except amendments 150 and 151 and 
     amendment 158),
     Ronald Coleman,
     Thomas M. Foglietta,
     David R. Obey,
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Mark O. Hatfield,
     Pete V. Domenici (except amendment 150),
     Arlen Specter,
     Christopher S. Bond,
     Slade Gorton,
     Richard C. Shelby,
     Frank R. Lautenberg,
     Robert C. Byrd (except amendment 150),
     Tom Harkin,
     Barbara Mikulski,
                               Managers on the Part of the Senate.

       JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE

       The managers on the part of the House and the Senate at the 
     conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on 
     amendments of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 3675) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Transportation and 
     related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     1997, and for other purposes, submit the following joint 
     statement to the House of Representatives and the Senate in 
     explanation of the effect of the action agreed upon by the 
     managers and recommended in the accompanying conference 
     report.


                        congressional directives

       The conferees agree that Executive Branch propensities 
     cannot substitute for Congress' own statements concerning the 
     best evidence of Congressional intentions; that is, the 
     official reports of the Congress. Report language included by 
     the House that is not changed by the report of the Senate, 
     and Senate report language that is not changed by the 
     conference is approved by the committee of conference. The 
     statement of the managers, while repeating some report 
     language for emphasis, is not intended to negate the language 
     referred to above unless expressly provided herein.

[[Page H10392]]

                     program, project and activity

       During fiscal year 1997, for the purposes of the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 
     99-177), as amended, with respect to funds provided for the 
     Department of Transportation and related agencies, the terms 
     ``program, project and activity'' shall mean any item for 
     which a dollar amount is contained in an appropriations Act 
     (including joint resolutions providing continuing 
     appropriations) or accompanying reports of the House and 
     Senate Committees on Appropriations, or accompanying 
     conference reports and joint explanatory statements of the 
     committee of conference. In addition, the reductions made 
     pursuant to any sequestration order to funds appropriated for 
     ``Federal Aviation Administration, facilities and equipment'' 
     and for ``Coast Guard, Acquisition, construction, and 
     improvements'' shall be applied equally to each ``budget 
     item'' that is listed under said accounts in the budget 
     justifications submitted to the House and Senate Committees 
     on Appropriations as modified by subsequent appropriations 
     Acts and accompanying committee reports, conference reports, 
     or joint explanatory statements of the committee of 
     conference. The conferees recognize that adjustments to the 
     above allocations may be required due to changing program 
     requirements or priorities. The conferees expect any such 
     adjustment, if required, to be accomplished only through the 
     normal reprogramming process.


                staffing increases provided by congress

       The conferees direct the Department of Transportation to 
     fill expeditiously any positions added in this bill, without 
     regard to agency-specific staffing targets which may have 
     been previously established to meet the mandated government-
     wide staffing reductions. The conferees support the overall 
     staffing reductions, and have made reductions in the bill 
     which more than offset staffing increases provided for a 
     small number of specific activities.

                 TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

                        Office of the Secretary


                         salaries and expenses

       Amendment No. 1: appropriates $52,966,000 for salaries and 
     expenses of the office of the secretary, instead of 
     $53,816,000 as proposed by the House and $53,376,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement includes the following changes to 
     the budget request for this office:

Reductions in staff:
                                          -2 public affairs sp-$150,000
                                                   -2 attorney -200,000
           -1 staff assistant, immediate office of the deputy se-60,000
                         -5 procurement analysts, office of a-1,000,000
Information technology and support...........................-1,000,000

       Child safety seats.--The conferees understand that no less 
     than six entities within the department may be involved in 
     child safety seat design and that there may be little, if 
     any, departmental oversight of this activity. Therefore, 
     within sixty days after the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary shall designate one person within the office of the 
     Secretary to the role of coordinating child safety seat 
     design and report to both the House and Senate committees on 
     Appropriations the individual assigned to this position and a 
     timetable to resolve key design issues.
       Amendment No. 2: Includes language as proposed by the 
     Senate that provides such sums as necessary to investigate 
     anti-competitive practices in air transportation. The House 
     bill contained no similar provision.


           transportation planning, research, and development

       The conferees are concerned that throughout the United 
     States rising costs and fragmentation of regional bus systems 
     may have significant financial and service implications. 
     Nowhere is this more evident than in the national capital 
     region. Accordingly, within the $3,000,000 appropriated for 
     transportation planning, research, and development 
     activities, the conferees direct the Secretary of 
     Transportation to make available sufficient resources to the 
     Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to commission 
     an independent study to analyze how to meet current and 
     future bus transportation needs for the greater Washington 
     metropolitan region through the year 2020. The report is to 
     be submitted to both the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations by September 30, 1997.
       The conference agreement includes $100,000 to continue the 
     department's ongoing analysis of impacts on the United States 
     and Mexico related to motor carrier impacts of the North 
     America Free Trade Agreement.


                        payments to air carriers

                (liquidation of contract authorization)

                    (airport and airway trust fund)

            (including rescission of contract authorization)

       Amendment No. 3: appropriates $25,900,000 to liquidate 
     contract authority obligations for payments to air carriers 
     as proposed by the Senate instead of $10,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House.
       Amendment No. 4: Limits obligations for payments to air 
     carriers to $25,900,000 as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $10,000,000 as proposed by the House.
       Amendment No. 5: Rescinds $12,700,000 in contract authority 
     from the payments to air carriers program as proposed by the 
     Senate instead of $28,600,000 as proposed by the House. The 
     conference agreement rescinds contract authority that is not 
     available for obligation due to annual limits on obligations.


                            rental payments

       Amendment No. 6: Appropriates $127,447,000 for rental 
     payments as proposed by the House instead of $129,500,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 7: Provides $17,294,000 in rental payments 
     from ``Federal-aid highways, Limitation on general operating 
     expenses'' as proposed by the House instead of $17,192,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.

                              Coast Guard


                           operating expenses

       Amendment No. 8: Appropriates $2,319,725,000 for Coast 
     Guard operating expenses instead of $2,609,100,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $2,331,350,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate. The conference agreement assumes that an additional 
     $300,000,000 will be provided in the Department of Defense 
     Appropriations Act, 1997 for Coast Guard support of national 
     security missions, as assumed in the Senate bill.
       The following table summarizes the budget estimate, House 
     and Senate recommendations, and the conference agreement by 
     budget activity:

[[Page H10393]]

     [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH16SE96.000
     


[[Page H10394]]

     [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH16SE96.001
     


[[Page H10395]]

       The conference agreement includes the following adjustments 
     to the budget estimate:

Pay and Allowances:
                                                     Bonuses and-$3,000
Operations and Support:
                                     Maintenance and logistics -413,000
                                                       Distri-2,726,000
                                              Ammunition and -2,000,000
Recruiting and Training Support:
                                    Professional training and-2,000,000
Coast Guard-Wide Centralized Services:
                                                               -179,000
Account-Wide Adjustments:
                                                 Miscellaneo-2,5000,000
                                      Boat safety administratio-304,000
                                                 Non-operatio-1,000,000
                                                      General-7,000,000

       Reprogramming violations.--In last year's action, the 
     appropriations conferees expressed concern over the Coast 
     Guard's misinterpretation and violation of the existing 
     Congressional reprogramming guidelines, and requested the 
     Office of the Secretary to redistribute the guidelines to 
     each operating administration. Despite this action, however, 
     the Coast Guard reprogrammed millions of dollars for 
     streamlining activities without specific Congressional 
     concurrence, and submitted a reprogramming request after the 
     fact. The conferees are very concerned about these continued 
     breaches in the Coast Guard's application of appropriated 
     funds, and hope that by the time of next year's 
     appropriations hearings, the Coast Guard can develop a system 
     of internal controls which assure the Congress that this 
     pattern of frequent violations will no longer occur.
       Abandoned barges, Houston, TX--The conferees agree to 
     provide $1,5000,000 for Coast Guard removal of abandoned 
     barges in the Houston ship channel and the San Jacinto River, 
     and the Coast Guard is directed to use such funds only for 
     that purpose. The House bill included $2,000,000 for this 
     purpose.
       Marine fire and safety association--The conferees agree to 
     provide $297,000 for the marine fire and safety association 
     for fire fighting and oilspill response contingency plans on 
     the Columbia River.
       Drug interdiction activities--The conferees do not agree to 
     the House's allocation of funding for specific drug 
     interdiction activities based on Coast Guard statements that 
     this allocation was based on incomplete and outdated 
     information. However, the conferees urge the Coast Guard to 
     allocate their drug interdiction resources, to the extent 
     possible, in a manner consistent with directives of the 
     Congress in the authorization process.
       Air Station Chicago--The conferees understand that the 
     Coast Guard has proposed to relocate Air Station Chicago--
     currently located in Glenview, Illinois--to Muskegon, 
     Michigan and that budgetary considerations played a 
     significant role in this decision. The conferees understand 
     the need for the Coast Guard to relocate from Glenview in 
     light of that facility's location at a military installation 
     slated for closure and redevelopment pursuant to the Base 
     Closure Act, and also understand the need for the Coast Guard 
     to conserve budgetary resources. The conferees further note 
     that the proposed relocation is in compliance with the 
     directive accompanying the fiscal year 1996 appropriation, 
     which directed the Coast Guard to maintain a presence in 
     southern Lake Michigan. However, in light of concerns 
     regarding the search and rescue response time from Muskegon 
     to points in southern Lake Michigan, the conferees request 
     that, prior to undertaking this proposed relocation, the 
     Coast Guard provide to the House and Senate Transportation 
     Appropriations Subcommittees data demonstrating that the 
     relocation will not adversely affect boating safety in the 
     southern Lake Michigan area.


              acquisition, construction, and improvements

       Amendment No. 9: Appropriates $374,840,000 for Acquisition, 
     construction, and improvements instead of $358,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $393,100,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       A table showing the distribution of this appropriation by 
     project as included in the fiscal year 1997 budget estimate, 
     House bill, Senate bill, and the conference agreement 
     follows:

[[Page H10396]]

     [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH16SE96.002
     


[[Page H10397]]

     [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH16SE96.003
     


[[Page H10398]]

       Amendment No. 10: Provides $216,500,000 to acquire, repair, 
     renovate, or improve vessels, small boats and related 
     equipment instead of $205,600,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $227,960,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 11: Provides $18,040,000 to acquire new 
     aircraft and increase aviation capability instead of 
     $18,300,000 as proposed by the House and $19,040,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 12: Provides $41,700,000 for the equipment 
     instead of $39,900,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $46,200,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 13: Provides $52,350,000 for shore facilities 
     and aids to navigation facilities instead of $47,950,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $52,900,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 14: Provides $46,250,000 for personnel 
     compensation and benefits as proposed by the House instead of 
     $47,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. This provides an 
     increase of 3.5 percent above the fiscal year 1996 enacted 
     level.
       Amendment No. 15: Deletes language proposed by the House 
     which would require the disposal of Coast Guard property 
     located in Wildwood, New Jersey in a manner resulting in 
     saving during fiscal year 1997 of $20,000,000. The conferees 
     understand that other federal agencies are interested in this 
     property, and GSA property disposal procedures in such cases 
     make any savings unlikely.
       Amendment No. 16: Includes House prohibition of funds for 
     continuing the Vessel Traffic Services 2000 program, and 
     allocates $1,000,000 for a study of available technical 
     solutions which minimize complexity and cost in any follow-on 
     VTS programs, as director in the Senate report.
       The conferees are disappointed that, up to this point, the 
     Coast Guard has been unable to develop a compromise position 
     between the desires of the agency for the relatively high-
     tech, expensive VTS 2000 system and the needs of local port 
     communities for affordable vessel traffic services. The Coast 
     Guard is still unable to present the Congress with a firm 
     cost estimate or siting plan for VTS 2000 systems, and has 
     not resolved the issue of who will ultimately pay the 
     operating costs of the system. Recent reviews of the program 
     by the U.S. General Accounting Office and the National 
     Academy of Sciences did not endorse this program as currently 
     structured. Given the questions of support and concerns but 
     which entities will pay to operate the system, the conferees 
     agree that the presently configured VTS 2000 program should 
     be ended.
       However, the need for state-of-the-art vessel traffic 
     services remains in some ports, especially New Orleans, which 
     was the lead port for the VTS 2000 concept. Although these 
     requirements have existed for may years, the safety benefits 
     of such systems have been delayed while the Coast Guard 
     conducted lengthy studies and the program experienced 
     internal budget reduction. Under the current schedule, many 
     ports would not receive VTS capability for another seven to 
     ten years.
       The conferees can no longer accept further Coast Guard 
     delays in delivering the safety benefits of vessel traffic 
     systems to critical ports around the country, particularly 
     since, as the VTS 2000 schedule slipped and costs rose, 
     systems have been developed and fielded by private industry 
     which satisfy many of the ports' VTS requirements. The 
     conferees firmly believe that, with greater user involvement 
     and a dedication to truly off-the-shelf technology, the Coast 
     Guard can and should implement VTS services at critical ports 
     such as New Orleans more quickly than the ten year 
     implementation schedule of VTS 2000. To move forward with 
     this new effort, the conference agreement provides $1,000,000 
     for the Coast Guard to identify minimum user requirements for 
     new VTS systems in consultation with local officials, 
     waterway users, and port authorities. This study should also 
     review user fee options and private/public partnerships.
       The conferees hope that, at the end of fiscal year 1997, 
     the Coast Guard will be able to propose a viable new 
     production program, supported by local communities, which 
     will provide near-term safety benefits. The conferees also 
     agree to leave any unobligated VTS 2000 funds in place to 
     support this follow-on effort. The House had proposed a 
     rescission of those funds, as described under amendment 
     numbered 17.


              acquisition, construction, and improvements

                             (rescissions)

       Amendment No. 17: Deletes rescissions totaling $3,7555,000 
     proposed by the House. The conference agreement allows any 
     unobligated funds to be used for follow-on activities, as 
     previously described, but not for VTS 2000. The Coast Guard 
     should consider these funds as having been reprogrammed.


                environmental compliance and restoration

       Amendment No. 18: Appropriates $22,000,000 for 
     Environmental compliance and restoration instead of 
     $21,000,000 as proposed by the House and $23,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. The conference agreement includes the 
     following breakdown of funds:

Site-specific cleanup and restoration projects..............$15,000,000
Environmental compliance......................................2,800,000
Personnel.....................................................4,200,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total....................................................22,000,000

       The conferees recognize that funding for specific projects 
     will have to be adjusted to reflect the reduced appropriation 
     level. The Coast Guard is accorded the discretion to allocate 
     such reductions without triggering the formal reprogramming 
     process.


                        port safety development

       Amendment No. 19: Appropriates $5,000,000 for debt 
     retirement of the Port of Portland, Oregon as proposed by the 
     Senate, and makes a technical change to the language 
     proposed. The House bill included no similar appropriation.


                         alteration of bridges

       Amendment No. 20: Appropriates $16,000,000 for Alteration 
     of obstructive bridges as proposed by the House instead of 
     $10,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conferees agree 
     that these funds should be allocated as described in the 
     House report.


               research, development, test and evaluation

       Amendment No. 21: Appropriates $19,200,000 for Research, 
     development, test and evaluation instead of $19,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $19,550,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate. The conferees agree to the following adjustments to 
     the budget estimate:

Ship Structure Committee; Support for committee...............-$214,000
Servicewide Safety and Environmental Compliance: Pollution prev-200,000
Command, Control, and Computers and Intelligence: Advanced 
  communications systems........................................-86,000
Technology Base:.......................................................
  Future technology assessment.................................-200,000
  Select projects..............................................-400,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Net adjustment...........................................-1,100,000


                              boat safety

       Amendment No. 22: Appropriates $35,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House instead of $10,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. 
     The conferees agree that this safety program should be fully 
     funded at the authorized level. The Senate level assumed the 
     enactment of new authorizing legislation which would make the 
     boat safety program a mandatory appropriation, and which is 
     strongly opposed by the House appropriations conferees.


                    federal aviation administration

                               operations

       Amendment No. 23: Appropriates $4,900,000,000 for 
     operations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as 
     proposed by the House instead of $4,899,957,000 as proposed 
     by the Senate. This appropriation represents an increase of 
     $254,288,000 (five percent) above the fiscal year 1996 
     appropriation, and is sufficient to support the hiring of 500 
     new air traffic controllers, 367 new aviation safety 
     inspectors and other regulatory oversight personnel, and an 
     increase of 8.9 percent in funding for field maintenance of 
     air traffic control equipment.
       The following table summarizes the House and Senate 
     recommendations and the conference agreement by budget 
     activity:

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[[Page H10401]]

       Sanford-Lee County, NC airport.--The conference agreement 
     includes no site-specific earmarks, either direct or implied, 
     for particular airport projects. However, the conferees urge 
     the FAA administrator to give expeditious consideration to 
     accelerated construction of the new Sanford-Lee County 
     Airport in North Carolina, in the hope that the project can 
     be completed as quickly as possible.
       Lancaster, PA airport.--The conference agreement includes 
     no site-specific earmarks, either direct or implied, for 
     particular airport projects. However, the conferees urge the 
     FAA administrator to give the environmental assessment for a 
     proposed runway at Lancaster Airport in Pennsylvania 
     expeditious consideration, in the hope that the project can 
     be completed as quickly as possible.
       Williamsport-Lycoming County, PA airport.--The conferees 
     commend to the FAA's attention the growing need for a runway 
     extension project at the Williamsport-Lycoming County, PA 
     Airport. The conferees note that the primary runway is 
     currently 6,449 feet long. If it is extended to 7,000 feet, 
     there would be opportunities for improved safety, larger 
     aircraft, and regional air freight service, which would 
     contribute significantly to economic development. 
     Accordingly, the conferees urge FAA to give expeditious 
     consideration to the environmental assessment of the 
     Williamsport-Lycoming Airport's proposed runway extension 
     project.
       ASOS/contract weather observers.--The conferees are aware 
     of the significant concerns of air traffic controllers that 
     funds in the President's budget are not adequate to meet the 
     requirement for contract weather observations. In response, 
     the FAA has developed a plan to supplement those observations 
     with additional activities required of air traffic 
     controllers. The conferees agree that controllers are not 
     optimally trained to make precise weather observations, and 
     such activities impinge on their other important safety 
     duties. Therefore, the conference agreement provides an 
     additional $1,000,000 for contract weather observers at the 
     highest priority sites.
       ASOS/EL Paso International Airport.--The conferees 
     reiterate strong concern expressed in the House report over 
     the reliability of weather reporting performed by the 
     automated surface observing system (ASOS) in the absence of 
     contract weather observers at the El Paso International 
     Airport. The conferees urge the FAA to move expeditiously to 
     reinstate contract weather observation activities at this 
     facility.
       Aviation security.--The conference agreement provides 
     $72,872,000 for aviation security activities, an increase of 
     $951,000 above the budget estimate. Given the heightened 
     security posture at domestic airports and the need for 
     greater attention in some areas, the conferees believe 
     additional resources are warranted at this time.
       Administration of airports.--The conferees agree to provide 
     $43,250,000 for this activity, as proposed by the Senate. The 
     FAA administrator is granted the flexibility to allocate the 
     reduction in this program.
       Cargo security program.--The conference agreement provides 
     $10,500,000 for an expanded cargo security program, in light 
     of a recent aviation accident investigation calling into 
     question the effectiveness of current activities in this 
     area. The Senate bill includes $9,950,000 for this effort, 
     consistent with a budget amendment received in July 1996. The 
     conferees have information indicating that the higher level 
     of funding is needed for this program due to more recent 
     budget estimates. Given the priority of this program and its 
     impact on aviation safety, the conferees are providing these 
     funds even though difficult reductions are required in other 
     areas of the budget.
       Mid-America Aviation Resource Consortium.--The conferees 
     expect the FAA to continue the agency's commitment to the 
     Mid-America Aviation Resource Consortium (MARC) in Minnesota, 
     and have included $1,700,000 in the bill for this purpose. 
     These funds are to be used in Minnesota to support the air 
     traffic controller training program and to continue research 
     for the FAA, curriculum development, follow-up on MARC 
     graduates, and to develop other materials as needed for FAA-
     related projects. The conferees also direct the FAA to 
     release these funds to MARC not less than thirty days after 
     enactment of this Act.
       The conferees further expect the FAA to develop a long-term 
     plan for training en route controllers. The conferees also 
     expect the FAA to develop long-term projections for air 
     traffic controllers needed to safely maintain our air traffic 
     control system. The conferees are very disappointed in the 
     FAA's lack of long-term planning as it relates to both air 
     traffic control training and controller needs. MARC has a 
     successful track record at placing students directly in the 
     field, and the conferees both support and encourage this 
     cost-effective manner of training.
       Amendment No. 24: Provides that, of the total amount 
     provided, $1,642,500,000 shall be derived from the airport 
     and airway trust fund as proposed by the House instead of 
     $2,742,602,000 as proposed by the Senate. The conference 
     agreement provides the maximum amount allowable under 
     existing authorization guidelines. According to the FAA, this 
     level of trust fund spending, combined with other amounts in 
     the bill, should be sufficient to support FAA programs 
     without interruption until approximately September 1997, 
     assuming current aviation taxes on passenger tickets, jet 
     fuel, cargo waybills, and other items are not extended beyond 
     the date in current law (December 31, 1996). However, the 
     conferees wish to point out that the current situation 
     results once again in general fund taxpayers subsidizing the 
     aviation system in this country far beyond the benefits they 
     receive.
       Amendment No. 25: Provides that $75,000,000 in new user 
     fees may be established by the FAA, as proposed by the 
     Senate, instead of $30,000,000 as proposed by the House. The 
     President's budget requested $150,000,000 in new fees. As 
     shown in amendment numbered 27, the conference agreement 
     stipulates that the only new fee authorized is an 
     ``overflight'' fee, for services provided to aircraft which 
     traverse U.S.-controlled airspace without taking off from, or 
     landing in, the United States. The FAA estimates that, were 
     such collections to begin immediately in the fiscal year, 
     approximately $109,000,000 could be collected. The conference 
     agreement accepts the fee on a trial basis, and the lower 
     level allows implementation to begin later in the fiscal year 
     to allow a longer review and consultation process with 
     affected parties.
       The conferees accept that some additional user fees may be 
     necessary to accommodate the rising operational costs of the 
     agency. However, there is still great concern that any fee 
     proposed be able to meet the test of a user fee, and not be a 
     tax. The FAA is currently developing an improved cost 
     accounting system which may improve the credibility of user 
     fees proposed in future years. The conferees support the 
     continued development of this system as a vital tool in 
     evaluating future user fee requests. In addition, the 
     conferees believe that aviation user fees, where they are 
     successful around the world, involve significant advance 
     consultation with those parties paying the fee, as well as 
     detailed accounting for, and explanation of, costs being 
     incurred by the agency. Given the relative ease with which 
     user fees can be raised, the existence of a strong, two-way 
     consultation process is essential for controlled agency costs 
     and maintaining political consensus for such a system. Should 
     expansion of the user fee concept be proposed in future 
     years, the conferees will consider whether a well-formulated 
     consultation process has been developed in concert with the 
     specific fee schedules.
       Amendment No. 26: Provides a final general fund share of 
     the overall appropriation estimated at $3,182,500,000 instead 
     of $2,127,398,000 as proposed by the House and $2,082,355,000 
     as proposed by the Senate. This figure is the total 
     appropriation minus offsetting collections from additional 
     user fees and minus the share of total expenses derived from 
     the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.
       Amendment No. 27: Provides that the only additional user 
     fees authorized as offsetting collections are ``overflight'' 
     fees, as proposed by the House. The Senate bill contained no 
     similar provision.


                        facilities and equipment

                    (airport and airway trust fund)

       Amendment No. 28: Appropriates $1,790,000,000 for 
     Facilities and equipment instead of $1,800,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $1,788,700,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The following table summarizes the fiscal year 1997 budget 
     estimate, House and Senate recommended levels, and the 
     conference agreement by budget activity:

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[[Page H10403]]

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[[Page H10404]]

     [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH16SE96.008
     


[[Page H10405]]

       Automated surface observing system (ASOS).--The conference 
     agreement includes $10,000,000 specifically for the FAA to 
     acquire 55 new automated surface observing system (ASOS) 
     units; $1,275,000 for ASOS units in Alaska that still await 
     commissioning; and $1,369,000 for activities included in the 
     President's budget request. Given the budgetary shortfalls in 
     this program, the conferees direct the FAA not to reprogram 
     these funds to other purposes.
       Hazardous materials management.--The conferees direct the 
     FAA to give high priority to hazardous materials issues at 
     the FAA Technical Center in New Jersey out of the $15,000,000 
     provided.
       Runway incursion technologies.--Last year, the Congress 
     provided $2,000,000 for loop technology and surface detection 
     to assist in runway incursion reduction. The conferees direct 
     the department to report to the House and Senate Committees 
     on Appropriations by November 30, 1996 regarding the status 
     of this funding and development of a prototype system.
       Amendment No. 29: Specifies that $1,573,000 of the total 
     amount provided shall be available for three years, instead 
     of $1,583,000,000 as proposed by the House and $1,571,700,000 
     as proposed by the Senate. This is the total appropriation 
     for budget activities one through four.


                 research, engineering, and development

                    (airport and airway trust fund)

       Amendment No. 30: Appropriates $187,412,000 for Research, 
     engineering, and development instead of $185,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $188,490,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate. The following table summarizes the fiscal year 1997 
     budget estimate, House and Senate recommended levels, and the 
     conference agreement:

[[Page H10406]]

     [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH16SE96.009
     

[[Page H10407]]


       Weather.--The conference agreement provides $13,000,000, as 
     proposed by the House, for research to improve aviation 
     safety under hazardous weather conditions. The amount 
     provided shall include the following specific allocations for 
     projects described in the House and Senate reports:

Windshear/downdraft research, Juneau, AK.......................$400,000
Project SOCRATES..............................................1,589,000
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)...............4,600,000

       National Center for Atmospheric Research.--The conference 
     agreement includes $4,600,000 specifically for aviation 
     weather research and related activities coordinated by the 
     National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and assisted 
     by the NOAA's Forecast Systems Laboratory, the National 
     Severe Storms Laboratory, and other organizations. The 
     conferees consider this work to be of high priority, and 
     direct the FAA not to use these funds for in-house staffing 
     or to reprogram any of these funds to other purposes. The FAA 
     is requested to report to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations by December 31, 1996 detailing the specific 
     activities to be financed with these funds and the expected 
     obligation dates.
       The conferees are disappointed that the FAA is not placing 
     a higher priority on aviation weather safety research, and is 
     not yet taking a leadership role in this area, as recommended 
     recently by the National Academy of Sciences. The conferees 
     urge the FAA to develop a more vigorous and effective program 
     of weather research beginning with the fiscal year 1998 
     budget request.
       System security technology.--The conference agreement fully 
     funds the administration's request of $36,055,000 for 
     aviation security technology, as proposed by the Senate. 
     Within this amount, $27,397,000 is provided for research and 
     development into new devices to detect explosives and 
     weapons, and $1,361,000 is provided to harden aircraft 
     against the effects of explosions.


                       GRANTS-IN-AID FOR AIRPORTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

       Amendment No. 31: Limits obligations under the grants-in-
     aid for airports program to $1,460,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate instead of $1,300,000,000 as proposed by the House. 
     This is an increase of $10,000,000 above the fiscal year 1996 
     level and $110,000,000 above the administration's request.
       Letters of intent.--The conferees echo the Senate's concern 
     with FAA's ability to estimate airport development projects' 
     impact on system-wide-capacity, and therefore direct that FAA 
     be granted the authority to award new letters of intent 
     (LOIs) only after scheduled LOI payments fall to less than 50 
     percent of total airport improvement program (AIP) 
     discretionary funds. The conferees do not agree with the 
     Senate's directions that FAA enter into any new LOIs at this 
     time. However, the conferees recognize the priority and need 
     for capacity enhancements at our nation's airports and do not 
     intend to preclude meritorious projects from receiving funds. 
     The conferees encourage the FAA to award discretionary grants 
     to these projects consistent with existing evaluation 
     criteria.
       Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.--With respect to the 
     Senate language regarding consideration of a possible letter 
     of intent for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the 
     conferees agree the FAA shall consider the LOI application 
     from the airport subject to the completion of the required 
     FAA/federal environmental review process, including the 
     issuance of a record of decision.
       Airport property lease/transfers.--The conferees recognize 
     the important contribution that aeronautical higher education 
     programs can make to the U.S. air transportation system. In 
     recognition of this contribution, the conferees direct that 
     non-profit, accredited universities or colleges offering 
     aeronautical higher education programs desiring to establish 
     or expand campus operations on airport property may negotiate 
     and execute lease or purchase transactions up to, but no 
     greater than, the established aeronautical use rate at the 
     host airport.


                 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FRANCHISE FUND

       Amendment No. 32: Provides for the establishment of a new 
     administrative services franchise funds within the FAA, as 
     proposed by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar 
     provision. The conferees agree to the establishment of such a 
     fund on trial basis, and will review the effectiveness and 
     cost efficiency of the fund in next year's appropriations 
     hearings.

                     Federal Highway Administration


                Limitation on General Operating Expenses

       Amendment No. 33: Limits general operating expenses of the 
     Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to $521,114,000, 
     instead of $510,981,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $534,846,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 34: Provides for the extended availability of 
     $221,958,000 for contract programs of the Federal Highway 
     Administration, instead of $214,698,000 as proposed by the 
     House and $234,840,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The recommended funding distribution by program and 
     activity of the administrative expenses and research and 
     development programs of the FHWA is as follows:

        Program/Activity                               Conference level
Administrative expenses....................................$250,156,000
Motor carrier safety administrative expenses.................49,000,000
Contract programs:
                                               Research and technology:
    Highway research and development.........................68,035,000
    Intelligent transportation systems......................122,000,000
    Technology deployment....................................13,999,000
    National advanced driving simulator................................
    Local technical assistance................................2,866,000
    National Highway Institute................................4,327,000
    Disadvantaged business enterprises........................9,506,000
    International transportation................................475,000
    International scanning activities..................................
    South Africa program...............................................
    Rehabilitation of TFHRC.....................................500,000
    Technical assistance to Russia..............................200,000
    Transportation investment analysis..........................250,000
    Federal-lands contamination site clean-up.................2,500,000
    Cost allocation study.......................................300,000
  Accountwide adjustments....................................-3,000,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total...................................................521,114,000

       The highway research and development and intelligent 
     transportation systems programs by activity are as follows:

Highway research and development:
  Safety.....................................................$8,768,000
  Pavements..................................................20,000,000
  Structures.................................................14,558,000
  Environment.................................................5,517,000
  Right-of-way..................................................322,000
  Policy......................................................5,401,000
  Planning....................................................5,969,000
  Motor carrier...............................................7,500,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total....................................................68,035,000
                                                       ================

Intelligent transportation systems:
  Research and development..................................$29,000,000
  Automated highway systems..................................22,000,000
  Architecture and standards..................................5,000,000
  Operational tests..........................................56,000,000
  Evaluations.................................................2,000,000
  Program support.............................................8,000,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total...................................................122,000,000

       Office of motor carriers.--The conference agreement 
     provides $49,000,000 for the office of motor carriers' 
     administrative expenses within the FHWA's limitation on 
     general operating expenses. The conference agreement includes 
     the following adjustments to the budget request:

Outreach and education........................................-$400,000
NAFTA implementation...........................................-200,000
Administrative expenses, including travel......................-400,000
Exemption and waivering monitoring.............................+300,000
Commerical drivers licensing program...........................+200,000

       Pilot safety rating program.--Before February 1, 1998, FHWA 
     shall develop a pilot project that would encourage those 
     carriers identified as having safety or compliance problems 
     through the Commercial Vehicle Information System (CVIS) to 
     procure the assistance of a third party safety service to 
     work with the carrier in improving safety performance during 
     the six month monitoring period following the receipt of a 
     CVIS warning letter. Whenever appropriate, FHWA may defer 
     imposing civil penalties, consistent with the provisions of 
     the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1984, but shall not do so in 
     those cases in which evidence of serious safety violations 
     (as defined in the Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1990) are 
     found. In such cases, FHWA must follow its existing 
     enforcement policies. FHWA shall consider the assistance 
     provided by the third party service as a justification to 
     reduce any penalties as provided under 49 U.S.C. section 
     521(b)(2)(C). Furthermore, the conferees recognize that the 
     safety ratings assigned to motor carriers should be based 
     primarily on actual performance on the highway (inspection 
     and crash data), and should also take into account compliance 
     with non-paperwork safety regulations, especially regulations 
     identified as critical and acute.
       Highway research and development.--The conference agreement 
     deletes the Senate's direction that $100,000 of the funds 
     provided for highway research and development be used by a 
     major national organization dedicated to grade crossing 
     safety. The conference agreement has included sufficient 
     resources for grade crossing safety activities under the 
     Federal Railroad Administration's research and development 
     account.
       Pavements.--The conference agreement includes sufficient 
     resources to develop a systematic approach to expanded waste 
     utilization using aging tests to ensure long-term physical 
     and environmental performance of applications using a variety 
     of recycled and waste materials.
       Structures.--The conference agreement provides sufficient 
     resources for the research

[[Page H10408]]

     and development of composite pilings and the use and testing 
     of calcium magnesium acetate as a non-corrosive anti-icer on 
     new concrete and metal surfaces on bridges in Chicago.
       Environment.--The conference agreement provides $14,558,000 
     for environmental research and development and includes 
     sufficient resources to identify at the National Center for 
     Physical Acoustics scientific issues which impede accurate 
     noise prediction.
       Motor carrier research.--The conference agreement provides 
     $7,500,000 for motor carrier research and includes $500,000 
     to develop better scientific and empirical basis for the out-
     of-service criteria and to ensure that the inspection process 
     is more closely tied to crash reduction measures.
       Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research and 
     development.--The conference agreement provides $29,000,000 
     for ITS research and development. Within these funds, the 
     conferees have provided $7,000,000 for commercial vehicle 
     operations (CVO) research and development, including 
     $5,100,000 for SAFER/MCSAP sites, and $11,000,000 for crash 
     avoidance research.
       ITS operational tests.--The conference agreement provides 
     $56,000,000 for operational tests. Within these funds, the 
     conferees have provided $2,000,000 for mainstreaming training 
     activities and $11,900,000 for completion of the CVISN and 
     its prototype testing and substantial progress on the pilot 
     projects. The conferees direct that none of the funds 
     provided for the CVISN project be used for evaluation 
     purposes. In addition, within the funds provided for 
     commercial vehicle operations, the conference agreement 
     includes $500,000 to advance the concept and technology of 
     automated compliance review. The conference agreement deletes 
     the Senate directive that $500,000 of the funds for traffic 
     control be used to support the work of a public/private 
     coalition to address the institutional issues of incident 
     management.
       ITS automated highway systems (AHS).--The conference 
     agreement provides $22,000,000 for the AHS and includes funds 
     to incorporate commercial vehicles into the AHS program.
       ITS evaluations.--The conference agreement provides 
     $2,000,000 for ITS evaluations. The conferees agree not to 
     specify a minimum on the level of resources to be used to 
     analyze the costs and benefits of the CVISN prototype/pilot 
     program.
       Technology assessment and deployment.--The conference 
     agreement provides $13,999,000 for technology assessment and 
     deployment and includes sufficient resources to conduct the 
     office of highway safety's ongoing outreach activities.
       Technical assistance to Russia.--The conference agreement 
     includes $200,000 to further the FHWA's ongoing technical 
     assistance program to Russia.


                          Federal-Aid Highways

                      (Limitation on Obligations)

                          (Highway Trust Fund)

       Amendment No. 35: Limits obligations for the federal-aid 
     highways program to $18,000,000,000 instead of 
     $17,550,000,000 as proposed by the House and $17,650,000,000 
     as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement deletes the Senate references of 
     priority designations and set-asides within the Federal 
     Highway Administration's discretionary grant programs.
       The conferees direct that within the total provided for the 
     intelligent transportation systems program, funding shall be 
     available for the following projects in the amounts specified 
     below:

        Project                                        Conference level
Utah advanced traffic management system......................$5,000,000
Hazardous materials intermodal monitoring system..............2,000,000
Houston, Texas................................................2,000,000
Texas transportation institute..................................600,000
Inglewood, California.........................................1,000,000
Minnesota Guidestar...........................................3,600,000
I-10 Mobile, Alabama causeway.................................2,000,000
Mobile, Alabama advanced traffic management system............1,000,000
National transportation center, Oakdale, New York.............2,500,000
Nashville, Tennessee traffic guidance system..................1,000,000
Operation Respond, Maryland...................................1,000,000
Green light CVO project, Oregon...............................7,000,000
Pennsylvania Turnpike.........................................3,000,000
National Capital region congestion mitigation.................3,500,000
Advanced transportation weather information system, University of North 
  Dakota......................................................1,000,000
National advanced driving simulator..........................14,000,000
Kansas City, Missouri (region)................................2,500,000
United States/Canada CVO......................................1,500,000
TRANSCOM, New York/New Jersey.................................2,250,000
Rochester, New York congestion management.....................1,500,000
Urban transportation safety systems center, Philadelphia........500,000
New York State Thruway........................................3,000,000
Advanced railroad/highway crossings...........................2,000,000
Rensselaer County, I-90 connector (reprogrammed funds \1\)..(2,000,000)

\1\ These funds are reprogrammed from the Southern State Parkway, New 
York Inform System.

       National capital region congestion mitigation.--The 
     conferees are aware of the specialized analysis and 
     evaluations associated with the national capital ITS 
     deployment and support the Virginia Department of 
     Transportation's (VDOT) plan to allocate $500,000 of the 
     funds made available for this initiative for modeling the 
     regional impacts of a traveler information project. The 
     conferees direct the FHWA, working with VDOT, to ensure that 
     this analysis is conducted in a manner which fully identifies 
     the impacts and benefits of the showcase program from a 
     regional basis.
       Los Alamos National Laboratory.--The conferees note that 
     the level of mobile source emissions is increasing in the 
     United States, raising concerns about the impact of 
     transportation on air quality. The conferees urge the 
     department to work with Los Alamos National Laboratory on an 
     integrated evaluation tool at the laboratory that combines 
     advanced measurement and modeling tools with innovative 
     policy approaches.
       The conferees direct that any funding provided for 
     intelligent transportation systems be used only in support 
     of, or for research on, intelligent transportation systems 
     and not for construction of buildings in fiscal year 1997.
       The director of the joint program office shall ensure that 
     the operations of each of the ITS projects funded with either 
     GOE or ISTEA funds is consistent with the national systems 
     architecture and the purposes of section 6053(b) of ISTEA. 
     These projects shall contribute to the implementation of the 
     standards development work and shall promote interoperability 
     of ITS systems among the states.
       The conferees have also included sufficient funding for the 
     ITS rural initiative, as proposed in the fiscal year 1997 
     budget.
       The conferees support the widest possible distribution of 
     all published reports resulting from the ITS program to 
     anyone at reasonable costs. The director of the joint program 
     office shall encourage the timely distribution of such 
     publications in electronic forms through clearinghouses.
       Orange County toll road.--Any agreement entered into by the 
     Secretary of Transportation under the provisions of title IV 
     of this Act must specify that all construction contingency 
     reserves are to be exhausted before the line of credit 
     provided in that section is drawn upon; however, any other 
     contingency reserves, such as environmental reserves, need 
     not be exhausted and may remain in place. This provision is 
     intended to make more efficient use of prior appropriations 
     to the underlying project by permitting substitution of a 
     federal line of credit for a portion of the project's 
     construction reserves, but it is not intended to affect or 
     involve required environmental reserves in any way.
       Highway Beautification Act.--The conferees are aware that 
     the FHWA has announced that it is revising regulations 
     governing outdoor advertising along certain federal-aid 
     highways in order to reduce the complexity of these 
     regulations and emphasizing the role of the states regarding 
     effective control of such advertising. As part of FHWA's 
     review of this issue, the FHWA shall prepare a report that 
     discusses the feasibility, including necessary statutory 
     revisions, of allowing a state to implement common sense 
     exemptions to existing prohibitions on the posting of ``for 
     sale'' signs along certain federal-aid highways if such 
     exemptions respond to unique needs or issues relevant to the 
     state. The conferees agree that this report shall be 
     submitted to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations no later than January 31, 1997.


                      right-of-way revolving fund

                      (limitation on direct loans)

                          (highway trust fund)

       Amendment No. 36: Restores language proposed by the House 
     and stricken by the Senate that prohibits new obligations for 
     right-of-way acquisition during fiscal year 1997 and deletes 
     language proposed by the Senate that would have provided 
     $8,000,000 for new direct loans.


                      motor carrier safety grants

                (liquidation of contract authorization)

                          (highway trust fund)

       Amendment No. 37: Limits obligations for motor carrier 
     safety grants to $78,225,000 instead of $77,425,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $79,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conferees agree to the following program allocations:

Basic grants to states......................................$60,000,000
Traffic enforcement...........................................7,800,000
Hazardous materials training..................................1,500,000
Research and development........................................500,000
Public education................................................500,000
CDL enforcement...............................................1,000,000
Truck and bus accidents.......................................1,750,000
Uniformity grants.............................................2,500,000
Uniformity working groups.......................................350,000
Commercial vehicle information system.........................1,500,000
Administrative expenses.........................................825,000

       Out-of-service verification activities.--The conferees 
     agree that, within the basic grant program, $1,000,000 shall 
     be for out-of-service verification activities, of which at 
     least

[[Page H10409]]

     $500,000 shall be for new and innovative covert operations 
     strategies.
       Assistance to border states.--The conferees direct that, 
     within the basic grant program, $1,000,000 shall be for 
     Mexican border enforcement activities instead of $750,000 as 
     proposed by the House.
       Travel.--In each of the respective reports, both the House 
     and Senate directed the office of motor carriers (OMC) to 
     hold its federal grants conference in conjunction with the 
     Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conference because 
     most inspectors and state motor vehicle personnel attend the 
     CVSA conference. Combining these two conferences would be a 
     wise use of scarce travel resources. However, the conferees 
     understand that OMC is planning its own conference, 
     disregarding House and Senate directives. The conferees again 
     direct OMC to combine these two conferences as a means to 
     control costs.


                       state infrastructure banks

       Amendment No. 38: Appropriates $150,000,000 from the 
     general fund for the state infrastructure bank pilot program 
     instead of $250,000,000 from the highway trust fund as 
     proposed by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       The conference agreement includes language that prohibits 
     the distribution of funds provided under this Act until 180 
     days after enactment to ensure that all states have 
     sufficient time to submit applications for consideration.
       The conference agreement deletes the Senate's directive 
     that funds be provided from the state infrastructure bank 
     pilot program for the Alameda corridor project.


             National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

                        Operations and Research

       Amendment No. 29; Appropriates $80,900,000 from the general 
     fund for operations and research activities of the National 
     Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) instead of 
     $81,895,000 as proposed by the House and $80,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.


                        Operations and Research

                          (Highway Trust Fund)

       Amendment No. 40: Appropriates $51,712,000 from the highway 
     trust fund for operations and research of the National 
     Highway Traffic Safety Administration instead of $50,377,000 
     as proposed by the House and $53,195,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       The conference agreement for operations and research 
     (general fund and highway trust fund combined) includes the 
     following adjustments to the budget request:

Safety performance:
  Vehicle safety standards....................................+$340,000
  New car assessment program...................................-750,000
  Fuel economy program.......................................-1,500,000
Safety assurance:
  Vehicle safety compliance....................................-186,000
  Auto safety hotline..........................................-300,000
  Odometer fraud................................................-40,000
  Vehicle domestic content labeling............................-500,000
Highway safety program:
  Safe communities.............................................-900,000
  Alcohol, drug, and state program.............................-200,000
  Target population education..................................-137,000
  State and communities program evaluation.....................-900,000
  Speed enforcement............................................+100,000
  State motor vehicle services.................................-423,000
  Rail-highway demonstration program.........................-3,000,000
  Older driver.................................................+100,000
  Fatigue....................................................+1,000,000
Research and analysis:
  Crash avoidance efforts....................................-3,000,000
  Fund NADS within ITS program..............................-10,500,000
  Data analysis program........................................-465,000
  State data program...........................................-800,000
  Partnership for next generation vehicles...................-2,500,000
General administration:
  Strategic planning...........................................-250,000
  Economic analysis............................................-100,000
Office of the administrator:
  International harmonization...................................+60,000
Accountwide adjustments:
  Training......................................................-50,000
  Non-pay inflation............................................-300,000
  Computer support.............................................-500,000

       Vehicle safety performance standards.--The conferees 
     provide $929,000 for vehicle safety performance, an increase 
     of $340,000 from the budget request. This additional funding 
     should be used toward establishing a federal motor vehicle 
     safety standard for frontal offset crash testing. The 
     conferees direct NHTSA to work with interested parties, 
     including the automotive industry, to develop such a standard 
     under established rulemaking procedures. The conferees 
     believe that such a standard will enhance automobile safety 
     for all consumers. Further, these activities should reflect 
     ongoing efforts to enhance international harmonization of 
     safety standards. NHTSA should be prepared to provide a 
     status report to the House and Senate Appropriations 
     Committees on standards development and harmonization with 
     current European and Australian offset crash tests during the 
     fiscal year 1998 hearings.
       New car assessment program.--The conference agreement 
     provides $2,792,000 for the new car assessment program. 
     Funding is allocated in the following manner: $1,695,000 for 
     frontal impact testing; $850,000 for side impact testing; and 
     $247,000 for promotional activities. The conferees note that 
     there are substantial differences between the U.S. side 
     impact standard and the new European standard. These 
     differences are inconsistent with the need for the 
     international harmonization of motor vehicle safety 
     standards. Therefore, NHTSA is directed to submit a report to 
     the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations by April 
     30, 1997, on the agency's plan for achieving harmonization of 
     the side impact standard.
       The conferees have not funded a new frontal offset test as 
     part of the NCAP program and note that there is no motor 
     vehicle safety standard for this test. However, the conferees 
     have provided $340,000 under the vehicle safety standard 
     program for NHTSA to begin work on establishing a frontal 
     offset standard.
       Vehicle domestic content labeling audit.--The conferees 
     were unable to provide funding for the vehicle domestic 
     content labeling audit; however, this does not prejudice the 
     project from receiving consideration for funding in future 
     appropriation bills.
       State and communities program evaluation.--The conferees 
     have provided $100,000 to conduct a field evaluation of 
     breath alcohol ignition interlock devices. Many states have 
     been experimenting with programs requiring the use of these 
     devices as a condition of probation or for early relicensing 
     of impaired driving repeat offenders. Since the effectiveness 
     of these programs is not well documented, this evaluation 
     should, among other things, determine if these devices are 
     successful in preventing drunk drivers from becoming repeat 
     offenders.
       Speed enforcement.--The conference agreement provides 
     $556,000 for speed and unsafe driving, including $100,000 to 
     undertake a study on the effect of repealing the national 
     speed limit, as required by the National Highway System 
     Designation Act of 1995.
       Older driver research.--The conferees have provided 
     $544,000 for older driver research, an increase of $100,000 
     above the budget request. These additional funds are to be 
     provided to continue activities to improve older driver 
     performance, as directed by the Senate.
       Driver fatigue.--The conference agreement includes 
     $1,000,000 to analyze the role of driver fatigue, sleep 
     disorders, and inattention. NHTSA should collaborate directly 
     with the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research to 
     conduct and assess public information activities in these 
     three areas and submit a report to the House and Senate 
     Appropriations Committees by May 1, 1997 that describes these 
     collaborative efforts.
       Child passenger safety.--The conferees direct that $137,000 
     be used for education and outreach activities to inform 
     parents of potential dangers of automobile airbag deployment 
     in connection with infant and child car seats. This effort 
     can either be supported from appropriated funds or pledged 
     contributions by a coalition of automobile manufacturers, air 
     bag suppliers, insurance companies, and safety organizations.
       Motor vehicle services.--The conference agreement directs 
     that up to $200,000 from the section 402 administrative 
     takedown account shall be used to provide evaluations and 
     technical assistance to states on motor vehicle services.
       Biomechanics.--The conference agreement provides $7,450,000 
     for biomechanics, of which $250,000 shall be for research on 
     child safety seats and their interaction with airbags. This 
     funding shall be used to conduct a comprehensive, 
     interdisciplinary study involving pediatric trauma experts, 
     engineers, and epidemiologists on means to prevent additional 
     deaths and injuries. Research is already being conducted in 
     this area by Children's Hospital in Philadelphia in 
     conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania School of 
     Engineering.
       Bicycle safety.--The conferees note that children aged 5 to 
     14 are the most common victims of bicycle injuries, with 
     bicycling the fourth leading cause of death for that age 
     group. Of the 500,000 bicycle injuries occurring in the 
     United States each year, the age group 5 to 14 accounts for 
     more than 50 percent. To address this alarming development 
     and the existing gap in research dedicated to prevention of 
     bicycle accidents, the conferees urge NHSTA to provide 
     necessary support to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and 
     Carnegie--Mellon University for human factors research geared 
     to utilizing advanced technology and medical science to 
     investigate how bicycle accidents occur in the first place, 
     and to design and implement a prevention program.
       International harmonization.--The conferees have provided 
     $246,000 for international harmonization, as proposed by the 
     House. This funding should be used to harmonize international 
     research efforts, help emerging markets adopt current vehicle 
     safety standards, and reduce or eliminate incompatibilities 
     among various safety regulations.


                     highway traffic safety grants

                (liquidation of contract authorization)

                          (highway trust fund)

       Amendment No. 41: Appropriates $168,100,000 to liquidate 
     contract authority obligations for highway traffic safety 
     grants instead of $167,100,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $169,100,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 42. Limits obligations for highway traffic 
     safety grants to $168,100,000

[[Page H10410]]

     instead of $167,100,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $169,100,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 43. Provides $128,700,000 for state and 
     community highway safety grants instead of $127,700,000 as 
     proposed by the House and 129,700,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 44. Provides $11,500,000 for Section 
     1003(a)(7) highway safety grants instead of $11,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $12,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 45. Provides $25,500,000 for Section 410 
     alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures instead of 
     $26,000,000 as proposed by the House and $25,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 46. Provides $5,468,000 for administering 
     state and community highway safety programs as proposed by 
     the Senate instead of $5,268,000 as proposed by the House.

                    Federal Railroad Administration


                      office of the administrator

       Amendment No. 47. Appropriates $16,739,000 for the Office 
     of the Administrator as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $16,469,000 as proposed by the House.
       Ravenna, Ohio connection.--The conferees directed the 
     Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to study, in 
     conjunction with Amtrak, the State of Ohio, and affected 
     freight railroads, the feasibility of constructing a railway 
     connection in Ravenna, Ohio that would restore Amtrak service 
     to the cities of Youngstown and Ravenna and provide service 
     to New Castle, Pennsylvania. Of the total funds appropriated, 
     not less than $200,000 shall be available to conduct this 
     study, which should address, among other items, closure and 
     safety enhancements to a highway-rail grade crossing located 
     at the site. it is the intention of the conferees that should 
     the $200,000 for the study not be fully spent, excess funds 
     be available for environmental assessment of the Ravenna 
     connection, provided that state and/or local funds have been 
     pledged.
       Rail Safety Institute.--The conference agreement includes a 
     general provision that permits FRA to establish a Rail Safety 
     Institute and provides $200,000 from the office of the 
     administrator to establish and operate this institute.
       Train whistle ban.--In implementing section 20153 of title 
     49, United States Code, the conferees encourage the Secretary 
     of Transportation to document the impact on communities of 
     any new requirements for the sounding of train whistles or 
     horns at highway-rail grade crossings, while keeping in mind 
     the paramount importance of safety. In exercising the 
     statutory authority to provide for exceptions to the horn 
     sounding requirement, the Secretary should consider the 
     safety records of individual highway-rail grade crossings and 
     provide exceptions where there is no significant history of 
     loss of life or serious personal injury. The Secretary is 
     also strongly encouraged to consider comprehensive local rail 
     safety enforcement and public education programs as 
     supplementary safety measures. Where it is determined that 
     new physical supplementary safety measures are necessary, 
     particular characteristics of the crossing and the views of 
     the affected community should be considered. Finally, the 
     Secretary is strongly encouraged to work in close partnership 
     with communities affected by this law and to provide such 
     communities with technical assistance.


                   railroad research and development

       Amendment No. 48. Appropriates $20,100,000 for railroad 
     research and development instead of $20341,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $20,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The 
     conference agreement includes the following changes to the 
     budget request:

Reductions in new program initiatives.......................$-2,725,000
Delete funding for maglev initiative.........................-1,000,000
Hold environmental program to 1996 level.......................-400,000
Offset for high unobligated balances...........................-640,000
Increase Operation Lifesaver...................................+300,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Net reduction...........................................$-4,465,000

       Mitigation study.--The conference agreement includes 
     $100,000 to conduct a study on the impacts of reopening the 
     Stampede Pass rail line operated by Burlington Northern-Santa 
     Fe Railroad. This study shall be conducted by the FRA in 
     conjunction with officials from the city of Auburn, 
     Washington, which will provide local matching funds to 
     complete the study.
       Amtrak privatization study.--The conferees encourage FRA to 
     conduct a study on the privatization of intercity passenger 
     rail service. Such a study may investigate the alternatives 
     of: (a) a passenger system operating under the franchise of a 
     public or private national coordinating authority with 
     service provided by one of more private operators; (b) 
     privatization of Amtrak with significant, sustainable, and 
     stable sources of capital funding; and (c) federal withdrawal 
     from all intercity passenger rail funding responsibility. The 
     study should also quantify the costs of the Federal 
     Government of any privatization options outlined above. The 
     study should seek analysis and options from a variety of 
     groups, as outlined in the Senate report, and should be 
     submitted to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations by August 1, 1997.
       Positive train control.--The conferees commend the FRA for 
     its consideration of a demonstration project proposal 
     involving positive train contain technologies, which would 
     develop on-board locomotive train control devices that could 
     be applied by railroads using a variety of technologies, and 
     would be tested on the rail line between Manassas, Virginia 
     through Hagerstown, Maryland to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
       Micro-superconducting magnetic energy storage.--The 
     conferees have become aware of the effectiveness of micro-
     superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) technology in 
     preventing power outages in certain manufacturing industries 
     and its potential for generating energy savings and enhancing 
     safety in the railroad industry. Accordingly, the conferees 
     direct the Department to report to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations by April 1, 1997 on the 
     feasibility of utilizing micro-SMES technology to provide 
     cost effective energy regeneration and energy savings 
     capability along the northeast corridor for both Amtrak and 
     commuter rail operations.


                 Northeast Corridor Improvement Program

       Amendment No. 49: Appropriates $115,000,000 for the 
     Northeast Corridor Improvement Program instead of 
     $200,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The House bill 
     contained no similar appropriation for this program.
       North Philadelphia station.--The conferees note continued 
     delays in the completion of the rehabilitation of the North 
     Philadelphia train station. The conferees direct Amtrak to 
     spend previously appropriated funds by September 1, 1997.


            Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Program

       Amendment No. 50: Deletes loan guarantees of $75,000,000 
     and an associated appropriation of $4,158,000 for the 
     railroad rehabilitation and improvement program proposed by 
     the Senate. The House bill contained no similar loan 
     guarantees or appropriation.


                    Next Generation High-Speed Rail

       Amendment No. 51: Appropriates $24,757,000 for next 
     generation high-speed rail studies, corridor planning, 
     development, demonstration, and implementation instead of 
     $19,757,000 as proposed by the House and $26,525,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement provides total funding 
     (appropriation plus contract authority remaining in the trust 
     fund) of $26,178,000, to be allocated as follows:

Advanced train control:
  State of Oregon............................................$3,000,000
  Flexible blocks.............................................1,000,000
Nonelectric locomotives:
  Transportation technology center............................3,000,000
  Advanced propulsion project.................................2,000,000
  New York nonelectric locomotives............................4,000,000
Grade crossing hazards and innovative technologies............5,000,000
Track and structures:
  State of Oregon.............................................5,650,000
  Other states..................................................850,000
Planning technology.............................................428,000

       Northwest high-speed rail projects.--A total of $8,650,000 
     is provided for the State of Oregon, including $5,650,000 for 
     tracks, signals, and grade crossing improvements within the 
     Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, Washington segment of the 
     Pacific Northwest high-speed rail corridor; and $3,000,000 
     for extending the positive train separation system, modeling, 
     and testing within the corridor. This will complement State 
     and local investment being made in this FRA-designated high-
     speed rail corridor to achieve two hour service between 
     Portland and Eugene, Oregon. No matching funds shall be 
     required for this project.
       Amendment No. 52: Provides that next generation high-speed 
     rail funds may be made available for track and signal 
     improvements as proposed by the House instead of track, 
     signal, and station improvements as proposed by the Senate.


                     alaska railroad rehabilitation

       Amendment No. 53: Appropriates $10,000,000 for Alaska 
     railroad rehabilitation as proposed by the Senate. The House 
     bill contained no similar provision.


                     rhode island rail development

       Amendment No. 54: Appropriates $7,000,000 for the Rhode 
     Island rail development project instead of $4,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $10,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 55: Directs the Providence and Worcester 
     Railroad to reimburse Amtrak and/or the Federal Railroad 
     Administration up to the first $13,000,000 in legal damages 
     if damages occur resulting from provision of vertical 
     clearances in excess of those required for present freight 
     operations instead of $10,000,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $16,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.


                     direct loan financing program

       Amendment No. 56: Deletes appropriation of $58,680,000 in 
     direct loan financing for the Alameda Corridor and the 
     limitation on direct loans of $400,000,000 proposed by the 
     House. The Senate bill contained no similar appropriation.


         grants to the national railroad passenger corporation

       Amendment No. 57: Appropriates $565,450,000 for the 
     National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) instead of

[[Page H10411]]

     $462,000,000 as proposed by the House and $592,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Route and service changes.--On August 8, 1996, Amtrak 
     announced a major restructuring plan that, among other items, 
     discontinued service on certain routes beginning November, 
     1996. Some of the affected states have expressed an interest 
     in ``buying back'' their service; however, certain 
     legislatures will not convene again until 1997. These states 
     will not have the ability to consider additional funding 
     sources for these services before the routes are terminated. 
     The conferees are aware that the department has ruled, in the 
     past, that using congestion mitigation and air quality (CMAQ) 
     improvement program funding for operational support for 
     intercity rail service is possible, if states are willing to 
     approve this use of funding. The conferees urge Amtrak, in 
     conjunction with the department and the affected states, to 
     consider the use of CMAQ funding in the short term to support 
     service along terminated routes until state legislatures meet 
     to decide whether to ``buy back'' services, or take other 
     action necessary to permit services to continue.
       Amendment No. 58: Provides $223,450,000 for capital 
     improvements of Amtrak instead of $120,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $250,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.

                     Federal Transit Administration


                        administrative expenses

       Amendment No. 59: Appropriates $41,497,000 for 
     administrative expenses of the Federal Transit Administration 
     instead of $41,367,000 as proposed by the House and 
     $42,147,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement includes the following reductions 
     to the budget request:

Reduce amounts for organizational training....................-$500,000
Eliminate director, office of communications and external affairs and 
  executive assistant positions................................-150,000

       The conferees have agreed to provide sufficient resources 
     to hire four additional community planners.


                             formula grants

       Amendment No. 60: Appropriates $490,000,000 from the 
     general fund for formula grants to the Federal Transit 
     Administration as proposed by the House instead of 
     $218,335,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 61: Provides for a total program level of 
     $2,149,185,000 as proposed by the Senate, instead of 
     $2,052,925,000 as proposed by the House.
       Amendment No. 62: Deletes the words ``notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law'' proposed by the Senate. The House 
     bill contained no similar provision.


                     transit planning and research

       The conference report includes a total of $85,500,000 for 
     transit planning and research, of which $22,000,000 shall be 
     available for national planning and research activities. The 
     conferees direct that within the funding level provided for 
     transit planning and research, the Federal Transit 
     Administration shall make available the following amounts for 
     the programs and activities listed below:

Hennepin community works program, Hennepin County, Minnesota...$500,000
Project ACTION................................................2,000,000
Advanced technology transit bus...............................6,500,000
Advanced transportation and alternative fueled technologies consortia 
  program.....................................................1,500,000
Southeast Iowa, commuter feasibility study.......................50,000
Santa Barbara Transportation Institute..........................500,000
Fuel cell bus technology......................................7,500,000
Computer integrated transit environment (CITME) at Greater Cleveland 
  RTA.........................................................1,000,000

       Fuel cell bus technology.--The conferees agree that funding 
     provided for fuel cell bus technology shall be available only 
     for research and development of fuel cell buses and directly 
     related support facilities and equipment in accordance with 
     FTA policy and regulation.
       Advanced lead-acid battery consortium (ALABC).--The 
     conferees have previously expressed support for the 
     technology development and deployment program of the ALABC, 
     and note that the FTA has been directed to provide a total of 
     $1,500,000 to the ALABC in Public Laws 104-19 and 104-50. The 
     conferees understand that FTA has awarded $750,000 of this 
     total and direct the FTA to complete the award of the balance 
     of $750,000 to the ALABC no later than December 31, 1996.


                          discretionary grants

                      (limitation on obligations)

                          (highway trust fund)

       Amendment No. 63: Limits obligations for the discretionary 
     grants program to $1,900,000,000 as proposed by the Senate 
     instead of $1,665,000,000 proposed by the House.
       Amendment No. 64: Deletes the words ``notwithstanding any 
     provision of law'' proposed by the Senate. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 65: Limits obligations for fixed guideway 
     modernization of $760,000,000 instead of $666,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $725,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 66: Limits obligations for the replacement, 
     rehabilitation, and purchase of buses and related equipment 
     and the construction of bus-related facilities to 
     $380,000,000 instead of $333,000,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $375,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Bus and bus-related facilities.--The conference agreement 
     provides $380,000,000 for the replacement, rehabilitation, 
     and purchase of buses and related equipment and the 
     construction of bus-related facilities. The conferees agree 
     that the recommended funding is to be distributed as follows:

State of Arizona: Sun Tran maintenance facility..............$1,000,000
State of Arkansas:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................2,700,000
  Little Rock, Central AR Transit buses and bus loading statio1,000,000
State of California:
  Eureka intermodal transportation center.....................1,000,000
  Folsom buses..................................................500,000
  Foothills transit bus maintenance facility..................4,750,000
  Lake Tahoe, South Shore Transport., coordinated transit syst1,266,000
  Long Beach buses and bus facilities.........................1,000,000
  Los Angeles County MTA, ATTB prototype buses................3,173,000
  Los Angeles neighborhood initiative (LANI)..................1,500,000
  Mendocino County buses........................................600,000
  North Orange County buses.....................................200,000
  Norwalk buses and bus facilities............................1,000,000
  Riverside County buses and bus facilities...................1,000,000
  San Francisco buses.........................................4,275,000
  San Joaquin RTD downtown transit center (livable communities2,750,000
  San Ysidro border intermodal center.........................1,000,000
  Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District buses and bus fa2,000,000
  Santa Cruz metropolitan transit district bus facility.......2,000,000
  City of Fairfield buses.....................................1,400,000
  Sonoma County park and ride facilities......................1,000,000
  Thousand Oaks multimodal center...............................600,000
  Yolo County buses...........................................2,000,000
State of Colorado: Fort Collins and Greeley buses.............1,000,000
State of Connecticut: Bridgeport, buses and bus facilities....1,000,000
State of Delaware: Statewide buses and bus facilities.........7,000,000
State of Florida:
  Miami Beach electric battery buses..........................1,000,000
  Tampa (Hillsborough area RTD), HARTline buses...............2,800,000
  Palm Beach County, buses and bus facilities.................1,000,000
  LYNX buses..................................................4,500,000
  Metropolitan Dade County, buses and bus facilities..........5,000,000
  Volusia County buses (Votran)...............................1,500,000
  Ybor buses and bus facilities...............................1,000,000
State of Georgia:
  Chatham bus facility........................................1,060,000
  MARTA buses.................................................2,000,000
State of Illinois: Statewide buses and bus facilities........11,000,000
State of Indiana:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................3,750,000
  Indianapolis metro, new buses...............................1,000,000
  South Bend intermodal facility..............................5,500,000
State of Iowa:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................3,721,580
  Regions 6, 13, 14, 15, and 16...............................1,270,900
  Cedar Rapids park and ride lots.............................1,192,000
  Cedar Rapids hybrid electric bus consortium...................893,000
  Des Moines..................................................1,192,000
  Fort Dodge park and ride facility.............................693,360
  Iowa City.....................................................855,760
  Ottumwa........................................................61,400
  Sioux City (includes intermodal center).....................2,160,000
  Waterloo intermodal bus facility..............................665,000
State of Kansas:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................1,000,000
  Johnson City bus maintenance center.........................2,200,000
Commonwealth of Kentucky:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................4,000,000
  Owensboro vans................................................100,000
State of Louisiana: Statewide buses and bus facilities.......16,500,000
State of Maryland: Statewide buses and bus facilities.........5,000,000

[[Page H10412]]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
  Gallagher transportation terminal...........................1,000,000
  Hyannis, Cape Cod intermodal transportation center..........3,250,000
  South Station intermodal center.............................1,000,000
  Springfiel, Union Station intermodal facility.................750,000
  Worcester Union Station.....................................3,000,000
State of Michigan: Statewide buses and bus facilities (includes ISTEA 
  earmark)...................................................14,500,000
State of Minnesota: Metropolitan Council Transit Operations buses and 
  bus facilities..............................................6,000,000
State of Mississippi:
  Jackson buses...............................................1,000,000
  Jackson downtown multimodal transit center..................3,500,000
State of Missouri:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................9,250,000
  South St. Louis buses and bus facilities....................1,750,000
  Kansas City buses (KCATA)...................................2,650,000
  Kansas City Trolley Corp, replacement trolleys................320,000
  Kansas City Union Station intermodal........................6,500,000
State of Nevada:
  Clark County bus facilities.................................3,300,000
  Reno, Regional Transportation Commission buses..............1,735,000
State of New Jersey: New Jersey transit, Clean Air Act bus fleet 
  improvements................................................3,000,000
State of New Mexico: Albuquerque URICA bus project............2,000,000
State of New York:
  Alternative bus fuels fueling facilities: Brooklyn, Bronx, and 
    Manhattan.................................................6,000,000
  Broome County buses.........................................1,000,000
  Chemung County intermodal center............................1,500,000
  Crossroads intermodal station...............................1,000,000
  Elmira buses and bus facilities.............................1,000,000
  Long Island bus alternative fuels fueling facilities........1,900,000
  New Rochelle intermodal facility............................1,250,000
  New York City natural gas buses............................10,000,000
  Rochester-Genesse RTA buses.................................1,750,000
  Syracuse buses..............................................2,000,000
  Utica buses support vehicles................................1,200,000
  Westchester County bus facilities.............................500,000
State of North Carolina: Statewide buses and bus facilities...4,000,000
State of North Dakota: Bismarck and Mandan (Bis-Man Transit) intermodal 
  center......................................................1,500,000
State of Ohio:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities.........................27,500,000
  Triskett bus garage and facilities (including CITME)........1,500,000
State of Oregon:
  Central City streetcar......................................5,000,000
  Eugene Lane Transit District buses and station..............2,550,000
  Hood River buses..............................................175,000
  Salem downtown transit center...............................1,850,000
  Portland, buses and South bus mall extension................9,000,000
  Wilsonville transit vehicles..................................250,000
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................1,440,000
  Altoona (ISTEA earmark).....................................3,000,000
  Armstrong Mid-County buses and bus facilities.................262,000
  Berks Area Reading Transit intermodal facility................400,000
  Cambria County buses and bus facilities.....................1,029,000
  Indiana County buses..........................................680,000
  Lehigh and North Hampton Transportation buses.................400,000
  Mid Mon Valley Transit buses...................................80,000
  North Philadelphia Intermodal center........................1,000,000
  Scranton buses and bus facilities...........................1,000,000
  SEPTA.......................................................8,000,000
  Somerset County vans..........................................120,000
  Williamsport buses and bus facilities.......................2,000,000
  Erie intermodal complex.....................................2,000,000
  Philadelphia: Alternative fueled vehicles...................4,000,000
State of South Carolina: Spartanburg intermodal facility......1,500,000
State of Tennessee: Statewide buses and bus facilities........2,500,000
State of Texas:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................2,200,000
  Brazos Valley woodlands town center project.................1,350,000
  Corpus Christi buses and bus facilities.....................1,000,000
  East Texas, Liberty, Montgomery, and Polk Counties service e3,000,000
  El Paso buses and bus facilities............................2,500,000
  Galveston trolley maintenance.................................500,000
State of Utah:
  City of Logan buses and bus facilities......................2,400,000
  Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics buses and facilities....5,600,000
  Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympic intermodal centers.......5,500,000
State of Vermont:
  Statewide buses and bus facilities..........................1,250,000
  Burlington multimodal center................................1,500,000
  Rutland intermodal station....................................700,000
  Urban and rural buses and bus facilities....................2,750,000
Commonwealth of Virginia:
  Reston internal bus system, buses.............................500,000
  Richmond downtown intermodal station.......................10,000,000
  Virginia Beach intermodal facility..........................1,000,000
State of Washington:
  Bremerton buses and bus facilities..........................2,000,000
  Chelan-Douglas multimodal center--Amtrak platform...........1,000,000
  Everett intermodal center...................................3,000,000
  Thurston County Intercity transit buses.....................1,000,000
  Port Angeles buses and bus facilities.......................1,000,000
  Seattle, Metro/King County multimodal.......................4,000,000
  Tacoma Dome.................................................4,500,000
State of West Virginia: Charleston, renovate maintenance facil3,180,000
State of Wisconsin: Statewide buses and bus facilities.......11,900,000
State of Wyoming: Fremont County, Shoshone and Arapahoe Nation's buses 
  and facility................................................1,000,000

       State of Illinois.--The conferees have provided $11,000,000 
     to the Illinois Department of Transportation for replacement 
     buses and transit equipment. This amount includes funds for 
     replacement buses for the following transit agencies: 
     $840,000 for Champaign-Urbana; $960,000 for Madison County; 
     $960,000 for Rock Island; $960,000 for Springfield; $480,000 
     for rural paratransit, and $1,770,000 for Pace. In addition, 
     $5,000,000 is provided for a new bus communications system 
     for the Chicago Transit Authority.
       State of Louisiana.--the conference agreement includes 
     $16,500,000 for the State of Louisiana to be distributed as 
     follows: $986,000 for buses in Alexandria; $1,323,000 for 
     buses in Baton Rouge; $1,984,000 for buses in Jefferson 
     Parish; $752,000 for an intermodal facility in Lafayette; 
     $310,000 for buses in Lake Charles; $964,000 for vans for the 
     Louisiana DOTD; $295,000 for buses in Monroe; $9,020,000 for 
     buses and bus facilities in New Orleans; and $866,000 for a 
     bus facility in Shreveport.
       State of Michigan.--The conference agreement includes 
     $14,500,000 of the State of Michigan, which includes funding 
     provided by section 3035 (kk) of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act. Funds are to be distributed as 
     follows: $1,230,000 for a bus facility in Lansing; $2,000,000 
     for buses and facilities for SMART; $2,000,000 for bus 
     facilities for GRATA; $2,000,000 for bus facilities in Flint; 
     $640,000 for bus facilities in Kalkaska; $1,000,000 for an 
     intermodal facility in Dearborn; $1,000,000 for buses and bus 
     facilities in Kalamazoo; $2,000,000 for an intermodal 
     facility in Detroit; and $2,630,000 for statewide buses and 
     facilities.
       Amendment No. 67: Reprograms $8,890,000 of funds made 
     available in previous appropriations Acts for new fix 
     guideway systems as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $10,510,000 as proposed by the House.
       The conferees recommend that a total of $56,956,000 of 
     funds made available in previous appropriations Acts be 
     reprogrammed. The following amounts have been reallocated 
     from various projects to new starts funding in fiscal year 
     1997:

Fiscal year 1992:
  Detroit....................................................$4,890,000
  San Jose-Gilroy.............................................4,000,000
  Fiscal year 1995: New Bedford/Fall River......................744,000
Chicago Central Area Circulator balances.....................47,322,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total....................................................56,956,000

       Should additional funds from previous appropriations remain 
     unobligated and become

[[Page H10413]]

     available for reallocation, the conferees direct the 
     Administrator to reprogram these funds no earlier than 15 
     days after notification to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations and only to those projects that have existing 
     full funding grant agreements on the date of enactment of 
     this Act, to the extent that those projects are likely to be 
     capable of obligating these funds in the course of fiscal 
     year 1997.
       Seattle-Tacoma commuter rail.--The conference agreement 
     does not reallocate $1,620,000 from funds previously provided 
     by the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 1992 (Public Law 102-143) for the 
     Seattle-Tacoma commuter rail project, as proposed by the 
     House. The conferees have been informed that the Federal 
     Transit Administration is prepared to obligate these funds by 
     the end of fiscal year 1996.
       Amendment No. 68: Limits obligations for new fixed guideway 
     systems to $760,000,000 instead of $666,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House and $800,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement provides for the following 
     distribution of the recommended funding for new fixed guide 
     guideways system as follows:
Alaska-Hollis to Ketchikan ferry project.....................$6,390,000
Atlanta-North Springs project................................64,410,000
Baltimore LRT extension project..............................10,260,000
Boston Piers (MOS-2) project.................................30,000,000
Burlington-Charlotte, Vermont communter rail project..........1,000,000
Canton-Akron-Cleveland communter rail project.................3,500,000
Chicago transit improvements.................................22,500,000
Cincinnati Northeast/Northern Kentucky rail line project......3,000,000
DART North Central light rail extension project..............11,000,000
Dallas-Fort Worth RAILTRAN project...........................15,250,000
DeKalb County, Georgia light rail project.......................661,000
Denver Southwest corridor project.............................1,500,000
Florida Tri-County Communter Rail (Tri-Rail) project..........9,000,000
Griffin light rail project....................................1,000,000
Houston Regional Bus project.................................40,590,000
Jackson, Mississippi, intermodal corridor.....................5,500,000
Jacksonville ASE extension project...........................15,000,000
Kansas City Southtown corridor project........................3,000,000
Little Rock, Arkansas, Junction Bridge project................2,000,000
Los Angeles MOS-3 project....................................70,000,000
Los Angeles-San Diego communter rail project..................1,500,000
MARC Communter Rail improvements project.....................33,191,000
Metro-Dade Transit east-west corridor, Florida, project.......1,500,000
Miami-North 27th Avenue project...............................1,000,000
Memphis, Tennessee Regional Rail Plan.........................3,039,000
Morgantown, West Virginia Personal Rapid Transit System.......4,240,000
New Jersey Urban Core/Hudson-Bergen LRT project..............10,000,000
New Jersey Urban Core/Secaucus project......................105,530,000
New Jersey West Trenton communter rail project..................500,000
New Orleans Canal Street corridor project.....................8,000,000
New Orleans Desire Streetcar project..........................2,000,000
New York Queens Connection project...........................35,020,000
Northern Indiana commuter rail project..........................500,000
Oklahoma City, MAPS corridor transit system...................2,000,000
Orange County transitway project..............................3,000,000
Orlando Lynx light rail project...............................2,000,000
Pittsburgh Airport busway project............................10,000,000
Portland South/North light rail transit project...............6,000,000
Portland Westside/Hillsboro Extension project...............138,000,000
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, regional transit plan.2,000,000
Sacramento LRT Extension project..............................6,000,000
Salt Lake City-South LRT project.............................35,000,000
St. Louis Metrolink project..................................13,500,000
St. Louis-St Clair Extension project.........................32,000,000
San Francisco Bay Area--BART airport extension/San Jose Tasma27,500,000
San Diego Mid-Coast Corridor project..........................1,500,000
San Juan Tren Urbano project..................................4,750,000
Seattle-Renton-Tacoma light rail project......................3,000,000
Staten Island-Midtown Ferry service project.....................375,000
Tampa Bay regional rail project...............................2,000,000
Virginia Rail Express Richmond to Washington commuter rail pro3,000,000
Whitehall Ferry Terminal, New York, New York..................3,750,000

       Amendment No. 69: Provides $6,390,000 for the Alaska-Hollis 
     to Ketchikan ferry project, as proposed by the Senate. The 
     House bill contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 70: Provides $64,410,000 for the Atlanta-
     North Springs project instead of $66,820,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $62,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 71: Provides $10,260,000 for the Baltimore-
     LRT Extension project as proposed by the House instead of 
     $5,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 72: Provides $30,000,000 for the Boston 
     Piers-MOS-2 project as proposed by the Senate instead of 
     $40,181,000 as proposed by the House.
       Amendment No. 73: Provides $1,000,000 for the Burlington-
     Charlotte, Vermont commuter rail project instead of 
     $2,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The House bill 
     contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 74: Provides $3,500,000 for the Canton-Akron 
     Cleveland commuter rail project instead of $5,500,000 as 
     proposed by the House. The Senate bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 75: Provides $22,500,000 for transit 
     improvements in the Chicago downtown area instead of 
     $25,000,000 as proposed by the House and $20,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. Improvements include, but are not 
     limited to: installing a cab signal system for the State 
     Street subway; renovations of the State Street subway 
     continuous station platform; renovation of the CTA subway 
     station and mezzanine at the Jackson/Van Buren subway 
     station; mezzanine and platform rehabilitation of the CTA 
     Grand/State subway station; and design work for Ravenswood/
     Douglas Branch rehabilitation.
       Amendment No. 76: Provides $11,000,000 for the DART North 
     Central light rail extension project instead of $10,000,000 
     as proposed by the House and $12,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 77: Provides $15,250,000 for the Dallas-Fort 
     Worth RAILTRAN project instead of $12,500,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $18,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 78: Provides $661,000 for the DeKalb County, 
     Georgia light rail project, instead of $1,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House. The Senate bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 79: Provides $1,500,000 for the Denver 
     Southwest Corridor project, instead of $3,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House. The Senate bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 80: Provides $9,000,000 for the Florida Tri-
     County commuter rail project as proposed by the House instead 
     of $20,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 81: Provides $1,000,000 for the Griffin light 
     rail project instead of $2,000,000 as proposed by the House. 
     The Senate bill contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 82: Provides $40,590,000 for the Houston 
     Regional Bus project as proposed by the House, instead of 
     $24,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 83: Provides $5,500,000 for the Jackson, 
     Mississippi Intermodal Corridor, instead of $7,400,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 84: Provides $15,000,000 for the Jacksonville 
     ASE extension project, instead of $15,300,000 as proposed by 
     the House. The Senate bill contained no similar 
     appropriation. The conferees agree that this appropriation 
     shall complete the Federal Government's financial 
     participation in the automated skyway extension project, as 
     authorized in section 3035(ww) of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act.
       Amendment No. 85: Provides $3,000,000 for the Kansas City 
     Southtown corridor project instead of $1,500,000 as proposed 
     by the House and $3,600,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 86: Provides $2,000,000 for the Little Rock, 
     Arkansas Junction Bridge project instead of $6,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 87: Provides $70,000,000 for the Los Angeles 
     MOS-3 project instead of $90,000,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $55,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Congress has stated clearly that airport funds should not 
     be used for non-airport purposes. Moreover, the House 
     Subcommittee on Transportation Appropriations as stated that 
     it will consider any action to divert revenue illegally from 
     airports in all its decisions regarding funding for 
     transportation projects within its jurisdiction. The 
     conferees are troubled by reports that the City of Los 
     Angeles may be considering the illegal diversion of airport 
     revenues to the city's general fund. Accordingly, the 
     conferees direct that the FTA may only award up to fifty 
     percent of the funding provided for the Los Angeles MOS-3 
     project in this Act to the Los Angeles Metropolitan 
     Transportation Authority prior to April 1, 1997, provided the 
     department's inspector general (IG) certifies in writing that 
     no revenue has been diverted illegally from the Los Angeles 
     airports to

[[Page H10414]]

     the City of Los Angeles since the enactment of this Act. 
     Similarly, no additional funds may be apportioned after that 
     date unless the IG certifies that no illegal airport revenues 
     diversion has occurred during the fiscal year. It is the 
     intent of the conferees that the IG conduct an expeditious 
     review of this matter so as to not unduly delay the award of 
     funds to the project.
       Amendment No. 88: Provides $1,500,000 for the Los Angeles-
     San Diego commuter rail project as proposed by the House. The 
     Senate bill contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 89: Provides $33,191,000 for the MARC 
     Commuter Rail Improvement project instead of $27,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $50,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 90: Provides $1,500,000 for the Metro-Dade 
     Transit east-west corridor, Florida project instead of 
     $5,00,000 as proposed by the Senate. The House bill contained 
     no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 91: Provides $1,000,000 for the Miami-North 
     27th Avenue project as proposed by the House. The Senate bill 
     contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 92: Provides $3,039,000 for the Memphis, 
     Tennessee Regional Rail plan instead of $2,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $6,400,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 93: Provides $4,240,000 for the Morgantown, 
     West Virginia Personal Rapid Transit System as proposed by 
     the Senate. The House bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 94: Provides $500,000 for the New Jersey West 
     Trenton commuter rail project instead of $1,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House. The Senate bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 95: Provides $8,000,000 for the New Orleans 
     Canal Street Corridor project as proposed by the House, 
     instead of $10,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 96: Provides $2,000,000 for the New Orleans 
     Desire Streetcar project as proposed by the House. The Senate 
     bill contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 97: Provides $500,000 for the Northern 
     Indiana commuter rail project as proposed by the House. The 
     Senate bill contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 98: Provides $2,000,000 for the Oklahoma 
     City, MAPS corridor transit system instead of $10,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 99: Provides $3,000,000 for the Orange County 
     transitway project instead of $5,000,000 as proposed by the 
     House. The Senate bill contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 100: Provides $10,000,000 for the Pittsburgh 
     Airport busway project instead of $15,100,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate. The House bill contained no similar 
     appropriation.
       Amendment No. 101: Provides $6,000,000 for the Portland 
     South/North light rail transit project as proposed by the 
     Senate. The House bill contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 102: Provides $138,000,000 for the Portland-
     Westside/Hillsboro Extension project as proposed by the 
     Senate, instead of $90,000,000 as proposed by the House.
       Amendment No. 103: Provides $2,000,000 for the Research 
     Triangle Park, North Carolina regional transit plan instead 
     of $5,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The House bill 
     contained no similar appropriation.
       Amendment No. 104: Provides $6,000,000 for the Sacramento 
     LRT Extension project as proposed by the House instead of 
     $7,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 105: Provides $35,000,000 for the Salt Lake 
     City-South LRT project instead of $20,000,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $58,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 106: Retains with modification House language 
     stricken by the Senate relating to high-occupancy vehicle 
     lane and corridor design costs. The conferees agree that 
     $10,000,000 of the funds appropriated for this project may be 
     available for high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane and corridor 
     design costs. The conferees direct FTA to review the HOV and 
     corridor design costs with respect to this project and report 
     back to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on 
     future funding estimates of these activities prior to the 
     hearings on the fiscal year 1998 budget.
       Amendment No. 107: Provides $13,500,000 for St. Louis 
     Metrolink instead of $30,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. 
     The House bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 108: Provides $32,000,000 for the St. Louis-
     St. Clair Extension project instead of $20,000,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $45,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 109: Provides $27,500,000 for the San 
     Francisco Area-BART airport extension/San Jose Tasman West 
     LRT projects instead of $35,000,000 as proposed by the House 
     and $20,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       Although both the House and Senate's accompanying reports 
     noted the significant progress having been made by BART, each 
     identified significant outstanding concerns and conditions 
     that must be met prior to the issuance of a full funding 
     grant agreement, and, in the Senate report, of a letter of no 
     prejudice. The conferees note that the California statutory 
     amendments required by the House have been enacted. The 
     conferees reiterate all other conditions contained in each 
     report including the sixty day notice to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations, but have agreed to remove the 
     Senate condition that all litigation be resolved prior to the 
     issuance of a full funding grant agreement or a letter of no 
     prejudice. The conferees note that the FTA provided an 
     updated status to the House and Senate Committees on August 
     19, 1996; however, the conferees agree that this letter does 
     not satisfy the requirement--nor resolve all of the concerns 
     identified in the conference report accompanying the 
     Department of Transportation and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act for fiscal year 1996 or the House and 
     Senate reports accompanying this Act--that the FTA notify 
     House and Senate Committees on Appropriations sixty days 
     prior to the issuance of a full funding grant agreement or 
     letter of no prejudice that each of the Committees' concerns 
     have been resolved. Such notification shall include detailed 
     financial analysis to demonstrate compliance with 49 U.S.C. 
     5309(e).
       For example, the conferees understood that the FTA expected 
     to approve BART's finance plan by the end of August and sign 
     a full funding grant agreement by early October. The 
     conferees note that BART's finance plan assumes a 
     $200,000,000 contribution from the San Francisco 
     International Airport, and understand that the airport has 
     now identified revenue bonds as its source of funds. However, 
     under the airport's agreement with the airlines, it could not 
     formally approve the bonds until after September 2, 1996. On 
     July 1, 1996, the airport submitted its proposed financial 
     plan to the FAA for approval. Upon FAA's review and 
     certification that the airport's proposed financial plan is 
     consistent with federal transportation law and regulations, 
     and the approval of the airport's commission, the airport 
     plans to issue revenue bonds. BART and the airport then 
     expect to execute a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 
     project budget, schedule, construction, insurance, 
     maintenance, and operating responsibilities. The conferees 
     direct that the FTA not execute a full funding grant 
     agreement until (1) the FAA reviews and certifies that the 
     airport's financial contribution is consistent with federal 
     transportation policy and regulations; (2) the MOU is signed; 
     and (3) the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations are 
     provided a full sixty days to review the project's status and 
     notify the FTA in writing that its concerns have been fully 
     resolved. Only after receiving such congressional 
     notification shall the FTA enter into a full funding grant 
     agreement that limits federal costs of the project to not 
     more than $750,000,000, including all unanticipated 
     contingencies, interest, and other financing costs. If, after 
     sixty days, neither Committee (1) has notified the FTA that 
     any of its concerns remain unresolved or (2) has informed the 
     FTA that additional information is required in order for the 
     Committee to determine whether the concerns are resolved, the 
     FTA may execute a full funding grant agreement in accordance 
     with the directives contained in this report. The conferees 
     agree that a full funding grant agreement shall specifically 
     require that BART, the project sponsors and financiers accept 
     full financial responsibility for all project cost increases 
     and overruns.
       Amendment No. 110: Provides $1,500,000 for the San Diego-
     Mid-Coast Corridor project instead of $3,000,000 as proposed 
     by the House. The Senate bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 111: Provides $4,750,000 for the San Juan 
     Tren Urbano project instead of $9,500,000 as proposed by the 
     House. The Senate bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 112: Provides $3,000,000 for the Seattle-
     Renton-Tacoma light rail project instead of $5,000,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. The House bill contained no similar 
     provision.
       Amendment No. 113: Provides $375,000 for the Staten Island-
     Midtown Ferry service project as proposed by the House. The 
     Senate bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 114: Deletes ``and'' as proposed by the 
     Senate and changes the name of the Tampa to Lakeland commuter 
     rail project in the House engrossed bill to the Tampa Bay 
     Regional Rail project.
       Amendment No. 115: Provides $3,000,000 for the Virginia 
     Rail Express Richmond to Washington commuter rail project 
     instead of $8,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. The House 
     bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 116: Provides $3,750,000 for the Whitehall 
     ferry terminal, New York, New York, instead of $2,500,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $5,000,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.


                       mass transit capital fund

                (liquidation of contract authorization)

                          (highway trust fund)

       Amendment No. 117: Appropriates $2,300,000,000 to liquidate 
     contract authority obligations for mass transit capital 
     programs as proposed by the Senate instead of $2,000,000,000 
     as proposed by the House.


             washington metropolitan area transit authority

       Amendment No. 118: Appropriates $200,000,000 for 
     construction of the Washington, D.C. metrorail system as 
     proposed by the House instead of $198,510,000 as proposed by 
     the Senate.

             Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation


                       operations and maintenance

                    (harbor maintenance trust fund)

       Amendment No. 119: Appropriates $10,337,000 for operations 
     and maintenance of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development 
     Corporation as proposed by the Senate instead of $10,037,000 
     as proposed by the House.
       Performance-based organization report.--In July, 1996, the 
     Department of Transportation

[[Page H10415]]

     proposed legislation to restructure the Seaway into a 
     performance-based organization (PBO). Given the late date of 
     the legislation and the dramatic impact of establishing the 
     Seaway Corporation as a PBO, neither the House and Senate 
     Committees on Appropriations nor the appropriate authorizing 
     committees have had sufficient opportunity to review the 
     proposal.
       The conferees direct the General Accounting Office to 
     submit a report to the House and Senate Committees on 
     Appropriations, the House Transportation and Infrastructure 
     Committee, and the Senate Commerce Committee evaluating the 
     performance-based organization concept, with a specific 
     emphasis on the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development 
     Corporation. This report shall address financing mechanisms, 
     accountability, Congressional oversight, management 
     structure, regional impacts, and safety concerns, and shall 
     be provided to the committees by May 15, 1997.

              Research and Special Programs Administration


                     research and special programs

       Amendment No. 120: Appropriates $26,886,000 for research 
     and special programs instead of $23,929,000 as proposed by 
     the House and $27,675,000 as proposed by the Senate.
       The conference agreement distributes the research and 
     special programs appropriation and 197 full-time equivalent 
     staff positions as follows:

                                                                        
                                                    Amount     Positions
                                                                        
Hazardous materials safety.....................   $15,472,000       131 
Research and technology........................     3,580,000        13 
Emergency transportation.......................       993,000         7 
Program support................................     6,841,000        46 
                                                                        

  The conference agreement includes the following adjustments to the 
budget request:

Hazardous materials safety:
  Personnel, compensation and benefits......................+$1,111,000
  Operating expenses...........................................+569,000
  Information systems..........................................+125,000
  Research and analysis........................................+315,000
  Hazmat training..............................................+225,000
  Information dissemination....................................+315,000
Research and technology:
  Operating expenses............................................-17,000
  Technology development.....................................-3,908,000
  Technology applications......................................-600,000

       Hazardous materials safety positions.--The conferees 
     provide the Administrator with the discretion to transfer up 
     to two hazmat safety positions and $200,000 into program 
     support.
       Hazardous materials rulemaking.--The conferees understand 
     that the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) 
     is currently evaluating comments received in relation to a 
     proposal intended to achieve uniformity and streamline the 
     application and enforcement of federal hazardous materials 
     regulations. As currently drafted, the proposed regulations 
     may add thousands of dollars annually in increased compliance 
     costs to farmers and agribusinesses without improving safety. 
     The conferees strongly encourage RSPA to give serious 
     consideration to establishing an agriculture exemption 
     consistent with similar exemptions already granted by the 
     department.


                            pipeline safety

                         (pipeline safety fund)

       Amendment No. 121: Appropriates $30,988,000 for pipeline 
     safety as proposed by the House instead of $31,278,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 122: Provides $28,460,000 from the pipeline 
     safety fund as proposed by the House instead of $28,750,000 
     as proposed by the Senate. The conference agreement includes 
     the following reductions from the budget request:

Operating expenses............................................-$383,000
Information systems............................................-290,000
Training and information dissemination..........................-67,000
Research and development.......................................-500,000
Grants.......................................................-1,800,000
                                                       ________________
                                                       
    Total reduction..........................................-3,040,000

                      Office of Inspector General


                         salaries and expenses

       Amendment No. 123: Appropriates $37,900,000 for salaries 
     and expenses of the office of inspector general instead of 
     $39,450,000 as proposed by the House and $39,700,000 as 
     proposed by the Senate. The conference agreement reflects the 
     reduction of $1,900,000 for contract audits, as described in 
     amendment numbered 124.
       Amendment No. 124: Provides that none of the funds provided 
     for the office of inspector general may be used for contract 
     audits, as proposed by the House. The Senate bill included 
     $1,900,000 for contract audits. The conferees agree with the 
     House's position that such audits should be paid for by the 
     operating administrations, and not by the Inspector General. 
     This is consistent with recommendations made by OMB in its 
     December 3, 1992 Interagency Task Force Report on the Federal 
     Contract Audit Process, and would require those agencies 
     receiving the direct benefit of the service to pay for it. 
     Since the IG will no longer be providing funds for these 
     audits, the results from the application of those funds 
     should no longer be included in the IG's semi-annual reports 
     to the Congress. In addition, the conferees agree that the 
     office of inspector general should continue to serve in a 
     coordinating role between the operating administrations and 
     the Defense Contract Audit Agency, in order to streamline the 
     administration of this process.

                      Surface Transportation Board


                         salaries and expenses

       Amendment No. 125: Deletes language proposed by the Senate 
     which prohibits appropriated funds from being used to 
     increase fees for services in connection with rail maximum 
     rate complaints. The House bill contained no similar 
     provision.
       The conferees believe that following the final decision by 
     the Surface Transportation Board on its user fee schedule for 
     fiscal year 1997, which was issued on August 14, 1996, it 
     would be imprudent to impose additional restrictions on what 
     type and/or amount of user fees that the Board can collect. 
     Following the termination of the Interstate Commerce 
     Commission, both the Congress and the administration 
     suggested that the Surface Transportation Board reduce its 
     reliance on general fund appropriations. As such, earlier 
     this year, the Board planned to increase existing fees and 
     adopt new fees where none had been previously imposed, to 
     better reflect the costs the Board incurs in providing 
     services to the public. After announcing its original plans 
     to raise fees, a significant number of concern were outlined 
     by the affected parties. After considering these concerns, 
     the Board decided to establish fees that will be 
     significantly lower than those originally proposed and 
     substantially below the costs to the agency of providing 
     these services. Any party that experiences hardship from the 
     fee increase may request relief under the Board's fee-waiver 
     procedures. While the conferees are reluctant to restrict the 
     Board's ability to set fees, the Board should be mindful of 
     raising fees to unreasonable levels.

                     Title III--General Provisions

       Amendment No. 126: Includes ``program,'' as proposed by the 
     House instead of ``program;'' as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 127: Includes ``program, and'' as proposed by 
     the House instead of ``program;'' as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 128: Deletes language proposed by the Senate 
     that would have set aside from the federal-aid highways 
     obligation limitation $5,000,000 for construction skill 
     training; $5,000,000 for congestion pricing pilot program; 
     $15,000,000 for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge; $30,000,000 for 
     Appalachian Regional Commission highway construction; and 
     $15,000,000 for the Symms National Recreational Trails 
     program. The House bill contained no similar provisions.
       Amendment No. 129: Includes ``Provided'' as proposed by the 
     House instead of ``Provided further'' as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 130: Provides for a one-time increase in the 
     administrative takedown of the federal-aid highways program 
     in fiscal year 1997 to 4\1/4\ percent instead of 4\3/4\ 
     percent as proposed by the Senate. The House bill contained 
     no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 131: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate that prohibits the use of funds to prepare, propose or 
     promulgate any regulations that prescribe changes in the 
     corporate average fuel economy standards for automobiles.
       Amendment No. 132: Retains language proposed by the Senate 
     that would permit the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration to expend funds for a sixth runway at the new 
     Denver International Airport if safety conditions warrant the 
     obligation instead of prohibiting funds as proposed by the 
     House.
       Amendment No. 133: Deletes both House and Senate language 
     on the expenditure of funds for the collection of airline 
     statistics by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) 
     and makes a technical change to the House engrossed bill. The 
     conferees note that section 6006(b) of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) specifies that BTS 
     compile, analyze and publish ``a comprehensive set of 
     transportation statistics'' and that the conference report 
     accompanying ISTEA states, ``data management by [BTS] shall 
     not be limited to highway transportation, but is extended to 
     include rail, highways, ships and air transport.'' Therefore, 
     the conferees believe that funds provided by section 6006(b) 
     of ISTEA can be used for the purpose of collecting airline 
     statistics should the Department elect to do so.
       Amendment No. 134: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate that prohibits the use of funds for improvements to 
     the Miller Highway in New York City, New York.
       Amendment No. 135: Limits the necessary expenses of 
     advisory committees to $1,250,000 instead of $850,000 as 
     proposed by the House and $1,050,000 as proposed by the 
     Senate.
       Amendment No. 136: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate that prohibits funds other than those appropriated to 
     pay for activities of the Surface Transportation Board.
       Amendment No. 137: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that exempts the National Railroad Passenger Corporation 
     (Amtrak) from certain state and local laws relative to the 
     northeast corridor improvement project. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.

[[Page H10416]]

       Amendment No. 138: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that increases the authorization for funding the Westside 
     light rail project from $515,000,000 to $555,000,000. The 
     House bill contained no similar authorization.
       Amendment No. 139: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate that permits funds made available to the State of 
     Michigan under section 3035(kk) of the Intermodal Surface 
     Transportation Efficiency Act to be used for the purchase of 
     buses and bus-related equipment and facilities.
       Amendment No. 140: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate that provides $2,400,000 for the National Civil 
     Aviation Review Commission.
       Amendment No. 141: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that makes funds available to Kauai, Hawaii, in Public Laws 
     103-122 and 103-331 available for operating assistance. The 
     House bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 142: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate that transfers a certain lighthouse in Montauk, New 
     York.
       Amendment No. 143: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that would require that improvements identified by section 
     1069(t) of Public Law 102-240 and funded pursuant to section 
     118(c)(2) of title 23, United States Code shall not be 
     treated as an allocation for interstate maintenance. The 
     House bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 144: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that makes receipts collected from users of the Department of 
     Transportation's fitness centers available to support the 
     operation and maintenance of those facilities. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 145: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that prohibits the National Transportation Safety Board to 
     plan, conduct, or enter into any contract to study the 
     feasibility of allowing individuals who are more than 60 
     years of age to pilot commercial aircraft. The House bill 
     contained similar language under title V.
       Amendment No. 146: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that limits cash awards for certain employees of the 
     Department of Transportation to $25,448,300. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 147: Makes technical change to language 
     proposed by the Senate that exempts the National Railroad 
     Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) from state or local laws 
     relating to abandoned or unclaimed ticket refunds. The House 
     bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 148: Makes technical changes to language 
     proposed by the senate that relates to aviation operations 
     staffing at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The House bill contained no 
     similar provision.
       Amendment No. 149: Modifies language proposed by the Senate 
     that provides voluntary separation payments to certain 
     employees of the Department of Transportation. Modifications 
     include limiting the period during which voluntary separation 
     payments can be made to fiscal year 1997 and denying 
     voluntary separation payment benefits to those individuals 
     eligible to receive full retirement benefits. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 150: Deletes language proposed by the Senate 
     relating to the reporting of excise tax data and the impact 
     on the allocation of federal-aid highway funds. The House 
     bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 151: Deletes sense of the Senate language to 
     establish the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation 
     as a performance-based organization and incorporates text of 
     H.R. 1855, a bill restricting the authority of the Superior 
     Court of the District of Columbia over certain cases 
     involving child custody.
       Amendment No. 152: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     which directs an independent assessment of the Federal 
     Aviation Administration acquisition system, and deletes a 
     Sense of the Congress provision regarding Federal Aviation 
     Administration procurement proposed by the Senate. The House 
     bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 153: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     relating to the transportation of sugar beets on longer 
     combination vehicles in the State of Nebraska. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 154: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that relates to state incentive payments for rail-highway 
     crossings. The House bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 155: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     that prohibits the Coast Guard from enforcing regulations 
     regarding animal fats and vegetable oils. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 156: Deletes language proposed by the Senate 
     that would make eligible certain deteriorating conditions on 
     roadways for federal-aid highways emergency relief funds. The 
     House bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 157: Includes language that provides that up 
     to $200,000 may be made available for the Railroad Safety 
     Institute from funds made available to the administrator of 
     the Federal Railroad Administration instead of language 
     proposed by the Senate that shall provide up to $500,000 from 
     funds made available to the Federal Railroad Administration. 
     The House bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 158: Deletes language proposed by the Senate 
     relating to train whistle requirements. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 159: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     prohibiting funds to levy penalties on the States of Maine or 
     New Hampshire based on non-compliance with federal vehicle 
     weight limitations. The House bill contained no similar 
     provision.

               Title IV--Miscellaneous Highway Provisions

       Amendment No. 160: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate relating to semitrailer units operating on U.S. Route 
     15 in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
       Amendment No. 161: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate relating to the reallocation of previously provided 
     funds for the construction of a new bridge and approaches 
     over the Mobile River in Alabama.
       Amendment No. 162: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate relating to the reallocation of previously provided 
     funds for the construction of intermodal port facilities in 
     the U.S. Virgin Islands.
       Amendment No. 163: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     relating to authorizations for grade crossings in Nassau and 
     Suffolk counties in New York. The House bill contained no 
     similar provision.
       Amendment No. 164: Restores House language stricken by the 
     Senate relating to the authorization of a traffic improvement 
     demonstration project in Michigan.
       Amendment No. 165: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     relating to previously provided funds for road construction 
     in Indiana. The House bill contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 166: Includes language proposed by the Senate 
     relating to previously appropriated funds for a highway 
     safety improvement project in Michigan. The House bill 
     contained no similar provision.
       Amendment No. 167: Modifies language proposed by the Senate 
     relating to the transfer of funds among highway projects in 
     Minnesota and includes language relating to previously 
     provided funds for road construction in Pennsylvania. The 
     House bill contained no similar provision.

                 Title V--Additional General Provisions

       Amendment No. 168: Strikes the heading for title V as 
     proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 169: Deletes House language that places a 
     limitation on new loan guarantees for certain railroad 
     projects as proposed by the Senate.
       Amendment No. 170: Deletes House language that prohibits 
     the National Transportation Safety Board to plan, conduct, or 
     enter into any contract to study the feasibility of allowing 
     individuals who are more than 60 years of age to pilot 
     commercial aircraft as proposed by the Senate. This provision 
     is included under amendment number 145.


                   conference total--with comparisons

       The total new budget (obligational) authority for the 
     fiscal year 1997 recommended by the Committee of Conference, 
     with comparisons to the fiscal year 1996 amount, the 1997 
     budget estimates, and the House and Senate bills for 1997 
     follow:

New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal year 1996...$11,918,532,831
Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal 12,633,915,627
House bill, fiscal year 1997.............................12,551,311,000
Senate bill, fiscal year 1997............................12,560,535,000
Conference agreement, fiscal year 1997...................12,601,169,000
Conference agreement compared with:
  New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal year 1996....+682,636,169
  Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal y-32,746,627
  House bill, fiscal year 1997..............................+49,858,000
  Senate bill, fiscal year 1997.............................+40,634,000

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[[Page H10426]]

     Frank R. Wolf,
     Tom DeLay,
     Ralph Regula,
     Harold Rogers,
     Jim Lightfoot,
     Ron Packard,
     Sonny Callahan,
     Jay Dickey,
     Martin Olav Sabo,
     Richard J. Durbin (except amendments 150 and 151 and 
     amendment 158),
     Ronald Coleman,
     Thomas A. Foglietta,
     David R. Obey,
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Mark O. Hatfield,
     Pete V. Domenici (except amendment 150),
     Arlen Specter,
     Christopher S. Bond,
     Slade Gorton,
     Richard C. Shelby,
     Frank R. Lautenberg,
     Robert C. Byrd (except amendment 150),
     Tom Harkin,
     Barbara Mikulski,
     Managers on the Part of the Senate.

                          ____________________