[House Report 111-440]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 111-440
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SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
_______
March 12, 2010.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
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Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 1125]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 1125) supporting the goals
and ideals of National Public Works Week, and for other
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon
without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed
to.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 1125 recognizes the contribution of public works
professionals to communities across the country by facilitating
a resolution to recognize this year's National Public Works
Week, which will be observed from May 16, 2010, through May 22,
2010.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
``Public works'' is loosely defined as projects or programs
carried out by the federal or state government for the benefit
of the community. These projects and programs include:
transportation systems, such as rail, highways, and public
transit; levees; water supply infrastructure; sewage and refuse
disposal systems; public buildings; and other structures and
facilities.
Public works infrastructure, facilities, and services
provide safety, health, and economic assurances for both large
and small communities. These services could not be provided in
the efficient and effective method in which they are without
the skill of public works professionals, such as engineers,
administrators, and servicemen.
National Public Works Week is observed each year during the
month of May. Spearheaded by the American Public Works
Association, the following groups are also cosponsoring efforts
to increase awareness of the dedication of public works
professionals during this week: American Council of Engineering
Companies, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Shore
& Beach Preservation Association, The Associated General
Contractors of America, National Association of Clean Water
Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, American
Road and Transportation Builders Association, and Water
Environment Federation.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
H. Res. 1125, supporting the goals and ideals of National
Public Works Week, and for other purposes, recognizes the
significant diverse contributions that public works
professionals make every day to improve public infrastructure
in the United States and the communities that they serve. This
resolution highlights the importance to our nation, our
economy, and our citizens of public works infrastructure,
facilities, and services, including: transportation systems,
including aviation, highways, bridges, public transit, and
rail; gas and hazardous liquid pipelines; water supply
infrastructure, including levees, reservoirs, and other flood
damage reduction measures; sewage and refuse disposal systems;
and public buildings.
H. Res. 1125 states that the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Public
Works Week;
(2) recognizes and celebrates the 50th anniversary of
National Public Works Week; and
(3) urges citizens and communities throughout the
United States to pay tribute to these efforts from May
16 through May 22, 2010 together with the Federal
Government.
This resolution also notes the successful implementation of
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5)
(Recovery Act), and observes that work has begun on 10,348
projects totaling $22.8 billion, or 60 percent of the total
funds made available under the Act forhighway, transit, and
wastewater infrastructure formula programs. As of December 31, 2009,
these projects have created or sustained more than 300,000 direct, on-
project jobs.\1\ Total employment from these projects, including
direct, indirect, and induced jobs, totals more than 938,000 jobs.\2\
Job creation data, along with other transparency and accountability
information related to the Recovery Act, are released regularly by the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and reflect information
directly submitted to the Committee, on a monthly basis, by States,
Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and public transit agencies. The
Committee intends to update the data included in this resolution prior
to Floor consideration, if new information is available at that time.
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\1\Direct jobs are charged directly to the project, and include
workers employed to build a facility or upgrade equipment on-site.
Consistent with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) reports
pursuant to section 1201 of the Recovery Act, the number of direct jobs
is based on direct, on-project full-time-equivalent (FTE) job months.
One person working full time or two people working one-half time for
one month represents one FTE job month. FTE job months are calculated
by dividing cumulative job hours created or sustained by 173 hours (40
hours per week times 52 weeks divided by 12 months = 173 hours). In
addition, DOT is subject to additional reporting requirements pursuant
to section 1512 of the Recovery Act and Office of Management and Budget
guidance. In section 1512 reports, recipients report quarterly
employment by dividing the hours worked in the reporting quarter by the
hours in a full-time schedule in that quarter.
\2\Indirect jobs are not charged directly to the project, but are
embedded in materials costs and include positions at companies that
produce construction materials such as steel, sand, gravel, and
asphalt, or manufacture equipment such as new transit buses. Induced
jobs are positions that are created or sustained when employees spend
their increased incomes on goods and services. To calculate total
employment, which includes direct, indirect, and induced jobs, the
Committee assumed that an expenditure of $7,667 creates one FTE job
month ($92,000 creates one FTE job year). The multiplier is based upon
the Council of Economic Advisers' guidance.
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LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On April 1, 2009, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced H.
Res. 313, supporting the goals and ideals of National Public
Works Week for 2009. On April 2, 2009, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure met in an open session and
ordered H. Res. 313 reported favorably to the House by voice
vote with a quorum present. On April 21, 2009, the Committee
reported the resolution to the House. H. Rept. 110-80. On May
5, 2009, the House agreed to H. Res. 313 by voice vote under
suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
On March 2, 2010, Representative Thomas S. P. Perriello
introduced H. Res. 1125, supporting the goals and ideals of
National Public Works Week. On March 3, 2010, the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session and
ordered H. Res. 1125 reported favorably to the House by voice
vote with a quorum present.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
requires each committee report to include the total number of
votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to
report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter,
and the names of those members voting for and against. There
were no recorded votes taken in connection with ordering H.
Res. 1125 reported. A motion to order H. Res. 1125 reported
favorably to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a
quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1125
is a resolution of the House of Representatives, and therefore
does not have the force of law. As such, there is no cost
associated with this legislation for fiscal year 2010, or for
any fiscal year thereafter.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law is required.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and
objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that
authorizes funding, so no cost estimate nor comparison for any
measure that authorizes funding is required.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, the Committee is required to include a list
of congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited
tariff benefits, as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of
rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. H. Res.
1125 does not contain any earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits under clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of
rule XXI.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1125 is a resolution of
the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the
force of law. As such, clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII does not
apply.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
H. Res. 1125 contains no Federal mandates.
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 1125 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (P.L. 104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Res. 1125 makes no changes in existing law.