[House Report 114-129]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


114th Congress       }                              {     Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session         }                              {    114-129
===================================================================
 
 DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT,
      AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2016

                                _______
                                

  May 27, 2015.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

        Mr. Diaz-Balart, from the Committee on Appropriations, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                            [together with]

                             MINORITY VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 2577]

    The Committee on Appropriations submits the following 
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making 
appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and 
Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2016.

                        INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT

_______________________________________________________________________

                                                            Page number

                                                            Bill Report
Title I--Department of Transportation......................     2
                                                                      5
Title II--Department of Housing and Urban Development......    71
                                                                     70
Title III--Related Agencies................................   141
                                                                    102
Title IV--General Provisions...............................   148
                                                                    107

                     PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY

    During fiscal year 2016, for the purposes of the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 
99-177), as amended, with respect to appropriations contained 
in the accompanying bill, the terms ``program, project, and 
activity'' (PPA) shall mean any item for which a dollar amount 
is contained in appropriations acts (including joint 
resolutions providing continuing appropriations) and 
accompanying reports of the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations, or accompanying conference reports and joint 
explanatory statements of the committee of conference. This 
definition shall apply to all programs for which new budget 
(obligational) authority is provided, as well as to 
discretionary grants and discretionary grant allocations made 
through either bill or report language. In addition, the 
percentage reductions made pursuant to a sequestration order to 
funds appropriated for facilities and equipment, Federal 
Aviation Administration, shall be applied equally to each 
budget item that is listed under said account 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 Committee expects that the operating plans will address 
each number listed in the reports, and warns that efforts to 
operate programs at levels contrary to the levels recommended 
and directed in these reports would not be advised.

              OPERATING PLANS AND REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES

    The Committee includes a provision (Sec. 405) establishing 
the authority by which funding available to the agencies funded 
by this act may be reprogrammed for other purposes. The 
provision specifically requires the advance approval of the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations of any proposal 
to reprogram funds that:
           creates a new program;
           eliminates a program, project, or activity 
        (PPA);
           increases funds or personnel for any PPA for 
        which funds have been denied or restricted by the 
        Congress;
           redirects funds that were directed in such 
        reports for a specific activity to a different purpose;
           augments an existing PPA in excess of 
        $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less;
           reduces an existing PPA by $5,000,000 or 10 
        percent, whichever is less; or
           creates, reorganizes, or restructures 
        offices different from the congressional budget 
        justifications or the table at the end of the Committee 
        report, whichever is more detailed.
    The Committee retains the requirement that each agency 
submit an operating plan to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations not later than 60 days after enactment of this 
Act to establish the baseline for application of reprogramming 
and transfer authorities provided in this Act. Specifically, 
each agency must provide a table for each appropriation with 
columns displaying the budget request; adjustments made by 
Congress; adjustments for rescissions, if appropriate; and the 
fiscal year enacted level. The table shall delineate the 
appropriation both by object class and by PPA. The report also 
must identify items of special Congressional interest. In 
certain instances, the Committee may direct the agency to 
submit a revised operating plan for approval or may direct 
changes to the operating plan if the plan is not consistent 
with the directives of the conference report and statement of 
the managers.
    The Committee expects the agencies and bureaus to submit 
reprogramming requests in a timely manner and to provide a 
thorough explanation of the proposed reallocations, including a 
detailed justification of increases and reductions and the 
specific impact of proposed changes on the budget request for 
the following fiscal year. Any reprogramming request shall 
include any out-year budgetary impacts and a separate 
accounting of program or mission impacts on estimated carryover 
funds. Reprogramming procedures shall apply to funds provided 
in this bill, unobligated balances from previous appropriations 
Acts that are available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal 
year 2016, and non-appropriated resources such as fee 
collections that are used to meet program requirements in 
fiscal year 2016.
    The Committee expects each agency to manage its programs 
and activities within the amounts appropriated by Congress. The 
Committee reminds agencies that reprogramming requests should 
be submitted only in the case of an unforeseeable emergency or 
a situation that could not have been anticipated when 
formulating the budget request for the current fiscal year. 
Except in emergency situations, reprogramming requests should 
be submitted no later than June 26, 2016. Further, the 
Committee notes that when a Department or agency submits a 
reprogramming or transfer request to the Committees on 
Appropriations and does not receive identical responses from 
the House and Senate, it is the responsibility of the 
Department to reconcile the House and Senate differences before 
proceeding and, if reconciliation is not possible, to consider 
the request to reprogram funds unapproved.
    The Committee would also like to clarify that this section 
applies to Working Capital Funds and that no funds may be 
obligated from working capital fund accounts to augment 
programs, projects or activities for which appropriations have 
been specifically rejected by the Congress, or to increase 
funds or personnel for any PPA above the amounts appropriated 
by this Act.

                CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET JUSTIFICATIONS

    Budget justifications are the primary tool used by the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations to evaluate the 
resource requirements and fiscal needs of agencies. The 
Committee is aware that the format and presentation of budget 
materials is largely left to the agency within presentation 
objectives set forth by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). In fact, OMB Circular A-11, part 1 specifically 
instructs agencies to consult with congressional committees 
beforehand. The Committee expects that all agencies funded 
under this Act will heed this directive.
    The Committee expects all of the budget justifications to 
provide the data needed to make appropriate and meaningful 
funding decisions. In the fiscal year 2015 report (H. Rpt. 113-
464) the Committee highlighted the lack of pertinent 
information and detail and provided very clear direction:

        the content has shrunk, especially in many salaries and 
        expenses accounts. Every dollar, full-time equivalent/
        full-time position, and activity should be represented 
        and accounted for. Grant and technical assistance 
        accounts need more detail on how the funds were spent, 
        and are proposed to be spent.

    However, the response from the various agencies, especially 
some of the modal administrations in DOT, is woefully 
deficient. This is not a complicated directive--just provide 
substantive details on the request.
    The Committee continues the direction that justifications 
submitted with the fiscal year 2017 budget request by agencies 
funded under this Act contain the customary level of detailed 
data and explanatory statements to support the appropriations 
requests at the level of detail contained in the funding table 
included at the end of this report. Among other items, agencies 
shall provide a detailed discussion of proposed new 
initiatives, proposed changes in the agency's financial plan 
from prior year enactment, detailed data on all programs, and 
comprehensive information on any office or agency 
restructurings. At a minimum, each agency must also provide 
adequate justification for funding and staffing changes for 
each individual office and materials that compare programs, 
projects, and activities that are proposed for fiscal year 2017 
to the fiscal year 2016 enacted levels.
    The Committee is aware that the analytical materials 
required for review by the Committee are unique to each agency 
in this Act. Therefore, the Committee expects that each agency 
will coordinate with the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations in advance on its planned presentation for its 
budget justification materials in support of the fiscal year 
2017 budget request.

                    SURFACE AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION

    In order to be aware of how funds are allocated and spent, 
the Committee continues the direction to the Department of 
Transportation to report to the Committees on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate within 45 days of 
enactment of any surface extension or reauthorization on how 
the Department will enact the provisions of such extension or 
reauthorization, the allocations by state, and the effects on 
all the accounts in the Highway Trust Fund.

                 TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

                        Office of the Secretary

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $105,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       113,657,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       105,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -8,657,000
 

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The bill provides $105,000,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the offices comprising the Office of the Secretary 
of Transportation (OST). The Committee's recommendation is the 
same as the 2015 enacted level and $8,657,000 below the 
request. The Committee's recommendation includes individual 
funding for each of these offices as has been done in prior 
years. The following table (dollars in thousands) compares the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level to the fiscal year 2016 budget 
request and the Committee's recommendation by office. The 
Committee strongly urges the Department to manage hiring and 
attrition in 2015 to meet these levels for 2016. Reductions are 
also encouraged in the areas of travel and contracts.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 2015 Enacted     2016 Request   2016 House Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary......................................           $2,696           $2,734           $2,734
Deputy Secretary.............................................            1,011            1,025            1,025
Executive Secretariat........................................            1,714            1,769            1,769
Policy.......................................................            9,800           11,796            9,310
Small Business...............................................            1,414               --               --
Intelligence and Security....................................           10,600           10,793           10,793
Chief Information Officer....................................           15,500           16,880           15,937
General Counsel..............................................           19,900           20,609           20,066
Government Affairs...........................................            2,500            2,546            2,500
Budget.......................................................           12,500           13,867           12,808
Administration...............................................           25,365           27,611           26,029
Public Affairs...............................................            2,000            2,029            2,029
Innovative Finance...........................................            - - -            2,000            - - -
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total: Salaries and Expenses...........................          105,000         113,657*          105,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Differences due to rounding.

    Immediate Office of the Secretary.--The immediate Office of 
the Secretary has primary responsibility to provide overall 
planning, direction, and control of departmental affairs.
    Immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary.--The Office of 
the Deputy Secretary has primary responsibility to assist the 
Secretary in the overall planning, direction, and control of 
departmental affairs. The Deputy Secretary serves as the chief 
operating officer of the Department of Transportation.
    Executive Secretariat.--The Executive Secretariat assists 
the Secretary and Deputy Secretary in carrying out their 
responsibilities by controlling and coordinating internal and 
external documents.
    Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.--
The budget request proposed merging the Office of Small and 
Disadvantaged Business Utilization with the appropriation for 
Minority Business Outreach to create one office addressing the 
needs of these stakeholders. The Committee's recommendation 
reflects this reorganization and funds are provided under the 
header ``Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and 
Outreach.''
    Office of the Chief Information Officer.--The Office of the 
Chief Information Officer serves as the principal advisor to 
the Secretary on information resources and information systems 
management. Increases over fiscal year 2015 are provided for 
additional contractual services requirements, but not requested 
new FTE.
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Governmental 
Affairs.--The Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Governmental Affairs is responsible for coordinating all 
Congressional, intergovernmental, and consumer activities of 
the Department.
    The bill continues a provision (Sec. 185) that requires the 
Department to notify the Committees on Appropriations no fewer 
than three business days before any discretionary grant award, 
letter of intent, loan, loan guarantee, line of credit 
commitment or full funding grant agreement totaling $750,000 or 
more is announced by the Department or its modal 
administrations from: (1) the Federal Highway Administration; 
(2) the airport improvement program of the Federal Aviation 
Administration; (3) the Federal Railroad Administration; (4) 
any program of the Federal Transit Administration other than 
the formula grants; (5) the Maritime Administration; and (6) 
any grant funded with the National Infrastructure Investments 
account. Such notification shall include the date on which the 
official announcement of the grant is to be made and no such 
announcement shall involve funds that are not available for 
obligation. The habit adopted by this Administration of 
selecting only certain congressional offices to receive the 
benefit of a four day advance notice is disingenuous and 
contrary to the spirit of the provision, which was created to 
give all offices an equal notice for any award.
    Office of the General Counsel.--The Office of the General 
Counsel provides legal services to the Office of the Secretary 
and coordinates and reviews the legal work of the chief 
counsels' offices of the operating administrations. The funding 
recommendation does not include new FTE.
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and 
Programs.--The Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs is 
responsible for developing, reviewing, and presenting budget 
resource requirements for the Department to the Secretary, 
Congress, and the Office of Management and Budget. Increases 
over fiscal year 2015 are provided for two new positions (one 
FTE).
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration.--The 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration serves as 
the principal advisor to the Secretary on department-wide 
administrative matters and the responsibilities include 
leadership in acquisition reform and human capital. Increases 
over fiscal year 2015 are provided to avoid furloughs, fully 
fund rent expenses, and add two full year positions.
    Office of Public Affairs.--The Office of Public Affairs is 
responsible for the Department's press releases, articles, 
briefing materials, publications, and audio-visual materials.
    Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response.--
The Office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response is 
responsible for intelligence, security policy, preparedness, 
training and exercises, national security, and operations.
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Innovative Finance.--
The Committee's recommendation does not include $2,000,000 as 
requested to create this new office. The Department is 
encouraged to continue evaluating public-private partnerships 
and financing at the modal level and meetings of the Credit 
Council.
    Office of the Under Secretary of Transportation for 
Policy.--The Office of the Under Secretary of Transportation 
for Policy serves as the Department's chief policy officer, and 
is responsible for the coordination and development of 
departmental policy and legislative initiatives; international 
standards development and harmonization; aviation and other 
transportation-related trade negotiations; the performance of 
policy and economic analysis; and the execution of the 
Essential Air Service program.
    The Department's fiscal year 2016 OST budget request 
contained a number of new offices, FTE, and programs--new 
safety offices, a new and expanded permitting office, and a new 
group of data and technology experts, just to name a few. In 
the view of this Committee, even in a non-sequester budget 
environment, these offices are nothing but bureaucratic 
redundancy. Nowhere in the budget justifications for the 
creation of these new offices did the Department describe what 
savings would be achieved by the creation of new offices. 
Instead, the Department offered that these new offices would 
exist to oversee and coordinate with existing offices, or 
formalize and expand on working groups already working well. 
The Committee seeks to streamline Department operations and 
eliminate waste and duplication in order to keep down the costs 
of government. The Committee directs OST specifically, and the 
Department as a whole generally, to look across the various 
offices to identify how to better coordinate cross-cutting 
issues within existing resources. Further, the Committee 
directs OST to give a serious look to how the Office of Policy, 
the Research and Technology office, and the Transportation 
Planning, Research and Development office can realign their 
existing resources to better meet critical and relevant issues 
and avoid redundancy and duplication. There are plenty of 
resources in terms of FTE and funds. The Department needs to 
better align those resources to address the Nation's 
priorities.
    Equipage loan guarantee.--Section 221 of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 proposed a loan guarantee 
program to equip aircraft with the avionics required to meet 
the mandate that all aircraft be equipped with ``ADS-B Out'' 
avionics by 2020. The Committee directs the Secretary of 
Transportation to work with stakeholders to evaluate how such a 
loan guarantee program can address the outstanding need for 
general aviation avionics upgrades required to meet the 2020 
deadline. In addition, the Secretary is directed to provide a 
report to the Committee that outlines the policies, procedures, 
and organizational structure required to establish such a loan 
guarantee program no later than 180 days after enactment of 
this Act.
    Congressional budget justifications.--It's a stunning 
revelation to consider how much effort and resources are spent 
at a staff level every year crafting budgets that are based on 
mythical encompassing authorizing legislation that may or may 
not get submitted to the Congress, and has little chance of 
getting enacted. A better use of resources would be to 
effectively and efficiently account for the funds provided and 
first submit a budget in line with existing accounts.
    The Department is directed to include in the budget 
justification funding levels for the prior year, current year, 
and budget year for all programs, activities, initiatives, and 
program elements. Each budget submitted by the Department must 
also include a detailed justification for the incremental 
funding increases and additional FTEs being requested above the 
enacted level, by program, activity, or program element.
    OST must include a discussion in its justification of 
changes from the current year to the request, plus a crosswalk 
of all accounts, existing and proposed, from one year to the 
next. To ensure that each adjustment is identified, the 
Committee directs OST in future congressional justifications to 
include detailed information in tabular format, which 
identifies specific changes in funding from the current year to 
the budget year for each office, including each office within 
OST, and every mode and office within the Department.
    Operating plan.--The Committee directs the Department to 
submit an operating plan for fiscal year 2016 signed by the 
Secretary for review by the Committees on Appropriations within 
60 days of the bill's enactment. The operating plan should 
include funding levels for the various offices, programs, and 
initiatives detailed down to the object class or program 
element covered in the budget justification and supporting 
documents, documents referenced in the House and Senate 
reports, and the statement of the managers (i.e. not simply the 
activities called out in bill language). Should the Department 
create, alter, discontinue, or otherwise change any program as 
described in the Department's budget justification, those 
changes must be a part of the Department's operating plan.
    Finally, the Department shall submit with the operating 
plan a summary of the DOT reporting requirements contained in 
the Act, the House and Senate reports, and the statement of the 
managers. The Committee requests a number of reports to gather 
information and conduct oversight. The summary should include 
Inspector General and Government Accountability Office reports 
as well.
    General provisions.--The Committee renews its direction to 
justify each general provision proposed either in its relevant 
modal congressional justification or in the OST congressional 
justification. If the budget proposes to drop or delete a 
general provision, the Department is directed to explain the 
change as well. Several modal budget volumes, including OST, 
failed to comply with this very simple and basic requirement.
    Bill language.--The bill continues language that permits up 
to $2,500,000 of fees to be credited to the Office of the 
Secretary for salaries and expenses, limits reception and 
representation expenses to $60,000, and allows for a transfer 
of up to five percent between offices.

                        RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $13,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        14,582,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        11,386,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -1,614,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -3,196,000
 

    The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and 
Technology coordinates, facilitates, and reviews the 
Department's research and development programs and activities; 
coordinating and developing positioning, navigation and timing 
(PNT) technology; maintaining PNT policy, coordination and 
spectrum management; managing the Nationwide Differential 
Global Positioning System; and overseeing and providing 
direction to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the 
Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office, the 
University Transportation Centers program, the Volpe National 
Transportation Systems Center and the Transportation Safety 
Institute.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation provides $11,386,000 for 
research and technology activities, $3,196,000 below the budget 
request and $1,614,000 below fiscal year 2015. The 
recommendation does not include new FTE or funds to realign 
cost share percentages between offices and functions under this 
header.

                   NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $500,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     1,250,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       100,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      -400,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................    -1,150,000,000
 

    The National Infrastructure Investment program (also know 
as TIGER grants) was created in the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide grants to state and local 
governments to improve the Nation's transportation 
infrastructure. The infrastructure investment program awards 
funds on a competitive basis to grantees selected because of 
the significant impact they will have on the Nation, a 
metropolitan area, or region.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $100,000,000 for National 
Infrastructure Investment grants, $400,000,000 below the 2015 
level and $1,150,000,000 below the request. Funds are 
discretionary from the General Fund of the Treasury and 
available until September 30, 2018.
    The Committee provides funds for highway and bridge 
projects, transit projects, freight rail projects, and port 
infrastructure investments, including land ports of entry--the 
most critical areas to preserving, expanding, and improving our 
Nation's transportation infrastructure. The bill retains 
language directing an equitable distribution of funds and 
stipulates that not less than 10 percent of the funds shall be 
for projects in rural areas. Further, not more than 20 percent 
of the funds may be awarded to projects in a single state. Up 
to 20 percent of the funds may be used for the subsidy and 
administrative costs of projects eligible for Transportation 
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act assistance. Bill 
language is included to limit grants to a minimum of $2,000,000 
and a maximum of $15,000,000 in urban areas, and a minimum of 
$1,000,000 in rural areas. The Federal share for projects 
funded under this header is limited to 50 percent of the 
project cost in urban areas, and 80 percent in rural areas. The 
Secretary is directed to give priority to projects that require 
a Federal contribution to complete overall financing. All 
projects must comply with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 
40, United States Code. Further, the Secretary may utilize up 
to $5,000,000 of the funds available to fund the oversight and 
administrative requirements in the various modes.
    The Department is directed to report to the Committees on 
Appropriations by June 30, 2016 outlining the evaluation 
criteria and selection process used for determining TIGER grant 
awards. Since 2009, Congress has appropriated billions in 
taxpayer dollars to fund TIGER projects that are supposed to 
have a significant national or regional impact. After the first 
round of awards, GAO and the DOT OIG raised various concerns as 
to how the TIGER applications were selected for award. Since 
that time, these highly competitive projects have continued to 
garner significant interest as a way to address infrastructure 
needs throughout the country. Thus it is imperative that the 
projects are selected on a transparent, merit-based set of 
criteria.

        INTERAGENCY INFRASTRUCTURE PERMITTING IMPROVEMENT CENTER

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        $4,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -4,000,000
 

    The Interagency Infrastructure Permitting Improvement 
Center is requested to more formally expand the interagency 
working group created to cut infrastructure permitting and 
review timelines, and implement the Presidential Memorandum on 
Modernizing Infrastructure Permitting.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation does not include funds for the 
creation of a new office. The Department requested $4,000,000 
and four new FTE. The Committee encourages the Department to 
continue with the existing dashboard working group to 
facilitate infrastructure permitting across agencies.

                      FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CAPITAL

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $5,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         5,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         1,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -4,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -4,000,000
 

    The Financial Management Capital program continues funding 
beyond the deployment of DOT's multi-year project to upgrade 
DOT's financial systems, processes and reporting capabilities.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $1,000,000 for new reporting 
capabilities from the Department's financial management 
systems, $4,000,000 below the budget request and the prior 
year.

                       CYBER SECURITY INITIATIVE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $5,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         8,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         7,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        +2,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -1,000,000
 

    The Cyber Security Initiative is a new effort to close 
performance gaps in the Department's cybersecurity. The 
initiative includes support for essential program enhancements, 
infrastructure improvements and contractual resources to 
enhance the security of the Department's computer network and 
reduce the risk of security breaches.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation provides $7,000,000 to support 
the Secretary's cyber security initiative, which is $2,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,000,000 below 
the budget request.

                          DATA ACT COMPLIANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        $3,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -3,000,000
 

    The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) 
(P.L. 113 101) created another set of requirements for agencies 
to report financial data.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation does not include funds for 
DATA Act activities. The Department requested $3,000,000. The 
Committee encourages the Department to refine existing 
reporting and financial statement capabilities to meet DATA Act 
goals without expending significant amounts of resources.

                         U.S. DIGITAL SERVICES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        $9,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -9,000,000
 

    The U.S digital services team is requested to provide 
private sector best practices in the disciplines of design, 
software engineering, and product management to DOT's most 
important services in consultation with DOT's Chief Information 
Officer.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation does not include funds for the 
creation of this new office. The Department requested 
$9,000,000 and 41 term-limited FTE.

                         OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $9,600,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         9,678,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         9,600,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................           -78,000
 

    The Office of Civil Rights is responsible for advising the 
Secretary on civil rights and equal opportunity issues, and 
ensuring the full implementation of the civil rights laws and 
departmental civil rights policies in all official actions and 
programs. This office is responsible for enforcing laws and 
regulations that prohibit discrimination in federally operated 
and federally assisted transportation programs and enabling 
access to transportation providers. The Office of Civil Rights 
also handles all civil rights cases affecting Department of 
Transportation employees.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $9,600,000 for the Office of Civil 
Rights, the same as the fiscal year 2015 funding level and 
$78,000 below the budget request.

           TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $6,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        10,019,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         5,976,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................           -24,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -4,043,000
 

    This appropriation finances research activities and studies 
related to the planning, analysis, and information development 
used in the formulation of national transportation policies and 
plans. It also finances the staff necessary to conduct these 
efforts. The overall program is carried out primarily through 
contracts with other federal agencies, educational 
institutions, nonprofit research organizations, and private 
firms.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,976,000 for 
transportation planning, research, and development, which is 
$24,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $4,043,000 
below the budget request.
    Of the funds provided, the recommendation includes a total 
of $4,958,000 for salaries and expenses. Further, the 
recommendation provides $888,000 for activities in the 
following areas: aviation data modernization, profit essentials 
software, the Mexico-U.S. civil aviation forum, air carrier 
fitness case management system, the National Export Initiative 
($273,000), freight planning for national exports, the 
international transportation forum, open skies agreements, and 
the business aviation initiative.
    Open skies evaluation.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $50,000 for international regulatory cooperation and 
research, $50,000 for the airline alliance and joint venture 
competition research, and $30,000 for global carrier research. 
These funds will enable DOT to conduct economic analyses and 
review competition and regulatory standards to ensure that U.S. 
airlines and consumers realize the benefits of open skies 
agreements, especially as they relate to low-cost airlines and 
other emerging international competitors.
    The Committee is aware of concerns raised by some U.S. 
airlines and their employees with regard to existing open skies 
agreements and the issue of whether subsidies have resulted in 
market distortions. The Committee understands that an 
interagency process has been established to allow stakeholders 
to provide information to help inform any potential U.S. 
Government response to such allegations, including requesting 
consultations, as provided for under existing open skies 
agreements. The Committee directs the Department to ensure full 
consideration of comments from stakeholders and report to the 
Committees on Appropriations on its review of stakeholder 
input, including any potential corrective actions within the 
framework of existing open skies agreements, within 90 days of 
enactment.

                          WORKING CAPITAL FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $181,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................       181,500,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      +181,500,000
 

    The working capital fund was created to provide common 
administrative services to the operating administrations and 
outside entities that contract for the fund's services. The 
working capital fund operates on a fee-for-service basis and 
receives no direct appropriations; it is fully self-sustaining 
and must achieve full cost recovery.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $181,500,000 on 
the Working Capital Fund (WCF), the same as provided in 2015. 
The Administration did not propose a WCF legislative 
limitation. The Committee continues to stipulate that the 
limitation is only for services provided to the Department of 
Transportation, not other entities. Further, the Committee 
directs that, as much as possible, services shall be provided 
on a competitive basis.

               MINORITY BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Limitation on
                                         Appropriation      guaranteed
                                                              loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......         $925,000    ($18,367,000)
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......          933,000            - - -
Recommended in the bill...............          933,000     (18,367,000)
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....            8,000    (+18,367,000)
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....            - - -            - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Through the Short Term Lending Program, the minority 
business resource center assists disadvantaged, minority, and 
women-owned businesses with obtaining short-term working 
capital for DOT and DOT-funded transportation-related 
contracts. The program enables qualified businesses to obtain 
loans at two percentage points above the prime interest rate 
with DOT guaranteeing up to 75 percent of the loan.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total of $933,000 for the 
resource center, the same as the budget request and $8,000 more 
than the 2015 amounts. Of the funds provided, $336,000 is to 
cover the subsidy costs of guaranteed loans and $597,000 is for 
administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed loan 
program. The Committee recommends a limitation on guaranteed 
loans of $18,367,000, the same as the limitation in fiscal year 
2015.

       SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION AND OUTREACH

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................     $4,513,000\1\
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         4,518,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         4,518,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................            +5,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 
\1\The total of the fiscal year appropriations for Small and
  Disadvantaged Business Utilization ($1,414,000) and Minority Business
  Outreach ($3,099,000).

    The fiscal year 2016 budget proposes to merge the salaries 
and expenses of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization with the minority business outreach program to 
provide contractual support to small and disadvantaged 
businesses and provide information dissemination and technical 
and financial assistance to empower those businesses to compete 
for contracting opportunities with DOT and DOT-funded contracts 
or grants for transportation-related projects.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends the budget request of $4,518,000 
for small and disadvantaged business utilization and outreach, 
which is $5,000 more than the 2015 level.
    The Committee encourages the Department to partner with 
hispanic serving institutions and historically black colleges 
and universities for research and information dissemination 
with regards to minority owned businesses.

                         SAFE TRANSPORT OF OIL

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        $5,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -5,000,000
 

    DOT is requesting funds to address safety concerns emerging 
from the transport of the nation's domestic energy products. 
Funds could be used for intermodal coordination, research, or 
response.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation does not include funds for the 
creation of this new office. The Department requested 
$5,000,000. The Committee has made investments in specific 
modes and encourages the Department to continue working through 
the modes to address concerns surrounding the transportation of 
energy products.

                        PAYMENTS TO AIR CARRIERS

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $155,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       175,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       155,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -20,000,000
 

    The Essential Air Service program (EAS) was created by the 
Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 as a ten-year measure to 
continue air service to communities that had received air 
service prior to deregulation. The program currently provides 
subsidies to air carriers serving small communities that meet 
certain criteria.
    The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 
1996 authorized the collection of ``overflight fees''. 
Overflight fees are a type of user fee collected by the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) from aircraft that neither take 
off from, nor land in, the United States. The FAA Modernization 
and Reform Act of 2012 increased the authorized level of 
overflight fee collection, and increased the amount that the 
Department can apply to the EAS program. The budget request 
estimates that fee will provide $108,379,000 for the EAS 
program in fiscal year 2016.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    For fiscal year 2016, the Committee includes $155,000,000 
in discretionary funding for the EAS program, which is equal to 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $20,000,000 below the 
budget request.
    The following table shows the discretionary, mandatory, and 
total program levels for the EAS program:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Appropriation     Mandatory     Total program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2015 Appropriation...........................................    $155,000,000    $108,199,000    $263,199,000
FY 2016 Request.................................................     175,000,000     108,379,000     283,379,000
Committee Recommendation........................................     155,000,000     108,379,000     263,379,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee remains concerned about the growing costs 
associated with the EAS program. While limiting the program to 
current sites and eliminating the requirement that EAS carriers 
utilize 15-passenger aircraft have helped mitigate some of the 
cost growth, the Committee believes that the Department should 
continue to explore reforms to the program that will create 
greater competition among carriers and control overall costs.
    The Committee directs the Department to utilize all the 
overflight fees collected for this program to alleviate the 
discretionary funding requirement for the program.

  ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

    Section 101. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting the Office of the Secretary of Transportation from 
approving assessments or reimbursable agreements pertaining to 
funds appropriated to the operating administrations in this 
Act, unless such assessments or agreements have completed the 
normal reprogramming process for Congressional notification.
    Section 102. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
the Secretary or his designee to work with States and State 
legislators to consider proposals related to the reduction of 
motorcycle fatalities.
    Section 103. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
the Department to use the Working Capital Fund to provide 
transit benefits to Federal employees.
    Section 104. The Committee continues the provision 
regarding administrative requirements of DOT's Credit Council.
    Section 105. The Committee includes a new provision, as 
requested, regarding the timing of Federal transit benefits 
payments from the Working Capital Fund.

                    Federal Aviation Administration

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible 
for the safety and development of civil aviation and for the 
evolution of a national system of airports. The Federal 
Government's regulatory role in civil aviation began with the 
creation of an Aeronautics Branch within the Department of 
Commerce pursuant to the Air Commerce Act of 1926. This Act 
instructed the Secretary of Commerce to foster air commerce; 
designate and establish airways; establish, operate, and 
maintain aids to navigation; arrange for research and 
development to improve such aids; issue airworthiness 
certificates for aircraft and major aircraft components; and 
investigate civil aviation accidents. In the Civil Aeronautics 
Act of 1938, these activities were subsumed into a new, 
independent agency named the Civil Aeronautics Authority.
    After further administrative reorganizations, Congress 
streamlined regulatory oversight in 1957 with the creation of 
two separate agencies, the Federal Aviation Agency and the 
Civil Aeronautics Board. When the Department of Transportation 
began its operations on April 1, 1967, the Federal Aviation 
Agency was renamed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
and became one of several modal administrations within the 
department. The Civil Aeronautics Board was later phased out 
with enactment of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, and 
ceased to exist at the end of 1984. FAA's mission expanded in 
1995 with the transfer of the Office of Commercial Space 
Transportation from the Office of the Secretary and contracted 
in December 2001 with the transfer of civil aviation security 
activities to the new Transportation Security Administration.
    The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 authorized FAA 
programs through 2015 with several new mandates to improve the 
National Airspace System (NAS), including provisions regarding 
the NextGen program for Air Traffic Control and provisions 
regarding the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in civilian 
airspace.
    FAA Reform.--The authorization for the programs and 
activities of the Federal Aviation Administration is set to 
expire on September 30, 2015. A key issue in the 
reauthorization of FAA is whether to reform the structure of 
the FAA to give the agency more independence and control over 
agency resources. The Committee believes that congressional 
oversight of agency resources is necessary to ensure 
accountability for program performance and a sustained focus on 
aviation safety. As reforms are contemplated, the Committee 
believes that consideration should be given to the maintenance 
of a high standard of air traffic, technical and safety 
expertise; the impact of potential reforms on the cost of air 
travel for the consumer; the preservation of existing forums of 
public input; and the ability to sustain air traffic services 
in small communities. The Committee looks forward to engaging 
with the authorizing committee and stakeholders as various FAA 
reform proposals are considered.

                               OPERATIONS

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $9,740,700,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     9,915,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     9,847,700,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      +107,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -67,300,000
 

    This appropriation provides funds for the operation, 
maintenance, communications, and logistical support of the air 
traffic control and air navigation systems. It also covers 
administrative and managerial costs for the FAA's regulatory, 
international, medical, engineering and development programs as 
well as policy oversight and overall management functions.
    The operations appropriation includes the following major 
activities: (1) operation on a 24-hour daily basis of a 
national air traffic system; (2) establishment and maintenance 
of a national system of aids to navigation; (3) establishment 
and surveillance of civil air regulations to ensure safety in 
aviation; (4) development of standards, rules and regulations 
governing the physical fitness of airmen as well as the 
administration of an aviation medical research program; (5) 
administration of the acquisition, and research and development 
programs; (6) headquarters, administration and other staff 
offices; and (7) development, printing, and distribution of 
aeronautical charts used by the flying public.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $9,847,700,000 for FAA operations, 
which is $107,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $67,300,000 less than the budget request.
    The following table shows a comparison of the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level, the budget request, and the Committee 
recommendation by budget activity:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Committee
                                                          FY 2015 enacted    FY 2016 request     recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Traffic Organization...............................     $7,396,654,000     $7,505,293,000     $7,505,293,000
Aviation Safety........................................      1,218,458,000      1,258,411,000      1,258,411,000
Commercial Space Transportation........................         16,605,000         18,114,000         16,605,000
Finance and Management.................................        756,047,000        764,621,000        725,000,000
NextGen and Operations Planning........................         60,089,000         60,582,000         60,089,000
Staff Offices..........................................        292,847,000        207,099,000        282,302,000
Security and Hazardous Materials Safety................              - - -       100,880,0001              - - -
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Total..............................................      9,740,700,000      9,915,000,000      9,847,700,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The Budget request breaks out Security and Hazardous Materials Safety from Staff Offices. Recommendation
  leaves these resources in Staff Offices.

    Justification of general provisions.--The Committee 
continues its direction to provide a justification for each 
general provision proposed in the FAA budget and therefore 
expects the fiscal year 2016 budget to include adequate 
information on each proposed general provision.

                     TRUST FUND SHARE OF FAA BUDGET

    The bill derives $8,831,250,000 of the total operations 
appropriation from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The 
balance of the appropriation, $1,016,450,000, will be drawn 
from the general fund of the Treasury.

                        AIR TRAFFIC ORGANIZATION

    The bill provides $7,505,293,000 for the air traffic 
organization, which is $108,639,000 above the 2015 enacted 
level and the same as the budget request.
    Contract tower program.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $154,400,000 for the contract tower program, including 
the contract tower cost-share program. The Committee continues 
to support the program as a safe, cost-efficient mechanism for 
providing air traffic services to pilots and local communities. 
The Committee notes that there are some contract towers that 
are more than 40 years of age and are non-compliant with OSHA 
standards. FAA should make every effort to address the urgent 
capital needs at these aged facilities.
    Chicago O'Hare International Airport.--The Committee 
directs the FAA to continue to work expeditiously to identify 
short and long term mitigation measures to address local 
concerns that have been raised as a result of the O'Hare 
Modernization Program at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. 
The FAA is expected to provide a progress report on these 
measures to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this 
Act.
    Aeronautical navigation products.--The Committee directs 
the FAA to submit a report to the House and Senate Committees 
on Appropriations no later than 90 days after the enactment of 
the Act on the Department's plans to competitively develop and 
field new, modern digital information products and web services 
that in turn will eventually allow the Department to reduce 
staffing within the Aeronautical Navigations Products division, 
satisfy NextGen data requirements, and improve safety. The plan 
should include details on planned funding by fiscal year, the 
Department's acquisition strategy and timetable, and how these 
modern tools will be integrated into the oversight and 
management of these important programs.

                            AVIATION SAFETY

    The Committee provides $1,258,411,000 for aviation safety, 
which is $39,953,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and the same as the budget request.
    The Committee continues its direction requiring the 
Secretary to provide annual reports regarding the use of the 
funds provided, including, but not limited to, the total full-
time equivalent staff years in the offices of aircraft 
certification and flight standards, total employees, vacancies, 
and positions under active recruitment.
    Aircraft certification.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $222,336,000 for the Aircraft Certification Service, 
an increase of $7,045,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and the same as the budget request. This funding level 
will provide an additional 29 positions to address the 
increased workload in unmanned aircraft systems as well as 
support for risk based decision making to advance the use of 
Organization Delegation Authorization (ODA) in certification 
processes. The Committee remains concerned that delays in FAA 
certification of new aircraft and related technologies will 
impact the economic health and competitiveness of the U.S. 
aerospace industry. The Committee strongly supports the ODA 
program. The use of delegated authority in aircraft 
certification is a longstanding and essential practice in 
aviation. The Committee commends FAA for its intention to move 
to a systems and risk-based approach to oversight and allow 
manufacturers to fully use the authority provided by existing 
laws and regulation. However, doing so represents a significant 
shift for the FAA workforce that poses a number of challenges 
for the Agency to execute. The impact on the certification 
workforce in size and skill sets presents uncertainties that 
will need to be addressed by FAA. The Committee expects FAA to 
focus on areas that contribute to the greatest improvements 
while advancing new technologies into the marketplace without 
sacrificing safety. The Committee directs FAA to provide a 
status report regarding its efforts to improve the ODA 
oversight process, and train its workforce in systems and risk-
based ODA oversight, no later than 180 days after enactment.
    Unmanned aircraft systems.--Given the rise in the number of 
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) sightings at our nation's 
airports, the Committee urges the FAA to assess the threat 
posed by any potential interference with airport operations. 
The FAA is directed to assess the feasibility of integrating 
proven UAS mitigation technology with airport operations in 
order to detect, identify and track both the air vehicle and 
ground controller to explicitly identify the UAS without 
interference to existing airport operations. This assessment 
should review techniques to defeat an errant or hostile UAS 
without causing any collateral damage to essential navigation 
systems, wireless communications, the general public or other 
airport operations. The Committee directs that FAA to provide a 
letter report on its findings no later than 180 days after 
enactment of this Act.
    One engine inoperative policy.--The Committee directs FAA 
to carefully consider all comments that are submitted on the 
proposed policy regarding the impact of one engine inoperative 
procedures in obstruction evaluation aeronautical studies and 
to work with relevant stakeholders to preserve safety and 
efficiency while balancing the important needs of communities, 
airports and airport users.
    Global tracking of airline flights and recovery of flight 
data.--The Committee is aware that March 2015 marked the one-
year anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines 
Flight MH 370. This tragedy and the costly, inconclusive search 
for the missing aircraft underscore the need for international 
standards on flight tracking and the transmission and recovery 
of flight data.
    Over the past year, the International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO) has convened meetings with member states 
and industry representatives on the global tracking of airline 
flights and has issued a recommendation calling for the 
adoption of Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety Systems 
(GADSS). Under GADSS, all commercial aircraft built after 2020 
would have to be equipped with a series of complimentary, 
performance-based technological capabilities, including 
deployable recorders, which together would ensure rapid 
location of downed aircraft and Black Box recovery. The 
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued similar 
recommendations.
    The Committee supports these efforts and believes the 
United States must lead the international community on aviation 
safety and recovery issues. The Committee therefore expects FAA 
to work collaboratively with NTSB and its ICAO partners to 
expeditiously identify and implement international standards 
for flight tracking in accordance with these recommendations. 
Further, the Committee directs FAA to provide a report to the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the agency's 
efforts to support ICAO's work in this area, including an 
update on the deployment initiative to demonstrate 
technological feasibility, as well as an evaluation of the 
costs and benefits of installing automatic deployable flight 
data recorders and other relevant technologies.
    Temporary flight restrictions.--The FAA issues temporary 
flight restrictions (TFRs) to restrict aircraft from operating 
within a defined area to protect persons or property in the air 
or on the ground. The Committee expects FAA to give careful 
consideration to the use and duration of TFRs issued for large 
events that present increased security risks. In addition, the 
Committee requests that the FAA evaluate the impact of any 
potential changes to TFRs that would have an impact on air 
traffic management.

                    COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION

    The Committee recommends $16,605,000 for the Office of 
Commercial Space Transportation, which is the same as the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,509,000 below the budget 
request.
    The Committee understands that current FAA regulations 
requiring launch providers to clearly obtain insurance to cover 
property damage in the event of an accident fail to address the 
status of state and local property. With the rapid growth in 
the number of state spaceports over the last decade, as well as 
anticipated growth over the next several years, the Committee 
urges FAA to issue regulations for those developments involving 
Federal property assigned to a State government, particularly 
those developments located at Federal ranges, the State 
government should qualify as a contractor or Government Launch 
Participant with the right to make claims under 14 C.F.R. 
440.9(d).
    The Committee supports utilizing NASA's super heavy-lift 
launch capability, the Space Launch System (SLS), to execute 
commercial missions to low Earth orbit and beyond low Earth 
orbit destinations. The Committee applauds actions taken by the 
FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation confirming the 
FAA's willingness to leverage its existing launch licensing 
authority to encourage private sector investment in lunar 
systems that will work in tandem with SLS and Orion, by 
ensuring that commercial activities can be conducted on a non-
interference basis. The Committee urges the FAA to continue to 
add details, such as specified zones of exclusive operation on 
the lunar surface.

                         FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT

    The Committee recommends $725,000,000 for finance and 
management activities, which is $31,047,000 below the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $39,621,000 below the budget 
request.
    Workforce diversity.--The Committee directs FAA to continue 
to update the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on 
the diversity of the controller workforce. The Committee notes 
that revised hiring procedures yielded a class of developmental 
controllers that represent a more diverse demographic. The 
Committee remains interested in the success of these new 
controllers and requests a briefing on their progress no later 
than March 1, 2016.

                    NEXTGEN AND OPERATIONS PLANNING

    The Committee recommends $60,089,000 for NextGen and 
Operations Planning, which is the same as the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and the $493,000 below the budget request.

                             STAFF OFFICES

    The budget request proposes to create a new Security and 
Hazardous Materials Safety Office with resources from Staff 
Offices. The Committee recommends maintaining these resources 
within Staff Offices. The Committee recommends $282,302,000 for 
Staff Offices, which is $10,545,000 below the enacted level and 
$25,677,000 below the budget request for both Staff Offices and 
the Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Office.

                             BILL LANGUAGE

    Second career training program.--The bill retains language 
prohibiting the use of funds for the second career training 
program. This prohibition has been in annual appropriations 
Acts for many years and is included in the President's budget 
request.
    Aviation user fees.--The bill includes a limitation carried 
for several years prohibiting funds from being used to finalize 
or implement any new unauthorized user fees.
    Aeronautical charting and cartography.--The bill maintains 
the provision prohibiting funds in this Act from being used to 
conduct aeronautical charting and cartography (AC&C) activities 
through the working capital fund (WCF).
    Credits.--This bill includes language allowing funds 
received from specified public, private, and foreign sources 
for expenses incurred to be credited to the appropriation.

                        FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $2,600,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     2,855,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     2,500,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      -100,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -355,000,000
 

    The Facilities and Equipment (F&E) account is the principal 
means for modernizing and improving air traffic control and 
airway facilities. The appropriation also finances major 
capital investments required by other agency programs, 
experimental research and development facilities, and other 
improvements to enhance the safety and capacity of the airspace 
system.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of 
$2,500,000,000, for the FAA's facilities and equipment program, 
$100,000,000 below the level provided in fiscal year 2015 and a 
decrease of $355,000,000 below the budget request. The bill 
provides that, of the total amount recommended, $2,040,000,000 
is available for obligation until September 30, 2018 and 
$460,000,000 (the amount for personnel and related expenses) is 
available until September 30, 2016. These obligation 
availabilities are consistent with past appropriations Acts.
    The following table provides funding levels for facilities 
and equipment activities and budget line items.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Program                 FY 2016 Request   FY 2016 House
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity 1--Engineering, Development,
 Test and Evaluation
    Advanced Technology Development         $21,300,000      $20,000,000
     and Prototyping..................
    NAS Improvement of System Support         1,000,000        1,000,000
     Laboratory.......................
    William J. Hughes Technical Center       19,050,000       12,049,000
     Facilities.......................
    William J. Hughes Technical Center       12,200,000       12,200,000
     Infrastructure Sustainment.......
    Separation Management Portfolio...       26,500,000       18,000,000
    Improved Surface/TFDM Portfolio...       17,000,000       17,000,000
    On Demand NAS Portfolio...........       11,000,000        8,000,000
    Environment Portfolio.............        1,000,000        1,000,000
    Improved Multiple Runway                  8,000,000        7,000,000
     Operations Portfolio.............
    NAS Infrastructure Portfolio......       11,000,000       11,000,000
    NextGen Support Portfolio.........       10,000,000       10,000,000
    Performance Based Navigation &           13,000,000
     Metroplex Portfolio..............
                                       -----------------------13,000,000
        Total Activity 1..............      151,050,000      130,249,000
Activity 2--Air Traffic Control
 Facilities and Equipment
a. En Route Programs
    En Route Automation Modernization        79,400,000       75,000,000
     (ERAM)--System Enhancements and
     Tech Refresh.....................
    En Route Communications Gateway           2,650,000        2,650,000
     (ECG)............................
    Next Generation Weather Radar             6,500,000        6,500,000
     (NEXRAD)--Provide................
    ARTCC and CERAP Building                 74,200,000       50,000,000
     Improvements/Plant Improvements..
    ARTCC and CERAP Building                 13,700,000        5,729,000
     Improvements/Plant Improvements..
    Air/Ground Communications                 9,750,000        3,900,000
     Infrastructure...................
    Air Traffic Control En Route Radar        5,810,000        5,100,000
     Facilities Improvements..........
    Voice Switching and Control System        9,900,000        9,900,000
     (VSCS)...........................
    Oceanic Automation System.........       20,000,000       10,000,000
    Next Generation Very High                43,600,000       35,000,000
     Frequency Air/Ground
     Communications (NEXCOM)..........
    System-Wide Information Management       37,400,000       37,400,000
    ADS-B NAS Wide Implementation.....       45,200,000      184,600,000
    Windshear Detection Service.......        5,200,000        4,300,000
    Collaborative Air Traffic                 9,800,000        9,800,000
     Management Technologies WP2 & WP3
    Time Based Flow Management               42,600,000       40,000,000
     Portfolio........................
    ATC Beacon Interrogator (ATCBI)--         1,000,000        1,000,000
     Sustainment......................
    NextGen Weather Processors........        7,000,000        7,000,000
    Airborne Collision Avoidance             10,800,000       10,800,000
     System X (ACASX).................
    Data Communications in Support of       234,900,000      234,900,000
     NG Air Transportation System.....
        Subtotal En Route Programs....      659,410,000      733,579,000
b. Terminal Programs
    Airport Surface Detection                13,500,000        5,436,000
     Equipment--Model X (ASDE-X)......
    Terminal Doppler Weather Radar            4,900,000        1,900,000
     (TDWR)--Provide..................
    Standard Terminal Automation             81,100,000       81,100,000
     Replacement System (STARS) (TAMR
     Phase 1).........................
    Terminal Automation Modernization/      159,350,000      159,350,000
     Replacement Program (TAMR Phase
     3)...............................
    Terminal Automation Program.......        7,700,000        3,000,000
    Terminal Air Traffic Control             45,500,000       45,500,000
     Facilities--Replace..............
    ATCT/Terminal Radar Approach             58,990,000       45,040,000
     Control (TRACON) Facilities--
     Improve..........................
    Terminal Voice Switch Replacement         6,000,000        2,000,000
     (TVSR)...........................
    NAS Facilities OSHA and                  39,600,000       39,600,000
     Environmental Standards
     Compliance.......................
    Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR-9)        3,800,000        3,800,000
    Terminal Digital Radar (ASR-11)           9,900,000        9,900,000
     Technology Refresh and Mobile
     Airport Surveillance Radar (MASR)
    Runway Status Lights..............       24,170,000       24,170,000
    National Airspace System Voice           53,550,000       45,000,000
     System (NVS).....................
    Integrated Display System (IDS)...       23,300,000       16,917,000
    Remote Monitoring and Logging             4,700,000        3,930,000
     System (RMLS)....................
    Mode S Service Life Extension            16,300,000        8,100,000
     Program (SLEP)...................
    Surveillance Interface                   23,000,000        4,000,000
     Modernization....................
    Voice Recorder Replacement Program        3,000,000        1,000,000
     (VRRP)...........................
    Integrated Terminal Weather System        5,400,000        4,400,000
     (ITWS)...........................
    Contingency Funding--Flight and           9,000,000        9,000,000
     Interfacility ATC Data Interface
     Modernization....................
        Subtotal Terminal Programs....      592,760,000      513,143,000
c. Flight Service Programs
    Aviation Surface Observation              8,000,000        8,000,000
     System (ASOS)....................
    Future Flight Services Program....        3,000,000        3,000,000
    Alaska Flight Service Facility            2,650,000        2,650,000
     Modernization (AFSFM)............
    Weather Camera Program............        1,000,000          200,000
        Subtotal Flight Service              14,650,000       13,850,000
         Programs.....................
d. Landing and Navigational Aids
 Program
    VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range           4,500,000        4,500,000
     (VOR) with Distance Measuring
     Equipment (DME)..................
    Instrument Landing System (ILS)--         7,000,000        7,000,000
     Establish........................
    Wide Area Augmentation System            80,600,000       93,600,000
     (WAAS) for GPS...................
    Runway Visual Range (RVR) and             6,000,000        6,000,000
     Enhanced Low Visibility
     Operations (ELVO)................
    Approach Lighting System                  3,000,000        3,000,000
     Improvement Program (ALSIP)......
    Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)        3,000,000        3,000,000
    Visual NAVAIDS--Establish/Expand..        2,000,000        2,000,000
    Instrument Flight Procedures              3,371,000        2,400,000
     Automation (IFPA)................
    Navigation and Landing Aids--             3,000,000        3,000,000
     Service Life Extension Program
     (SLEP)...........................
    VASI Replacement--Replace with            5,000,000        5,000,000
     Precision Approach Path Indicator
    GPS Civil Requirements............       27,000,000       10,000,000
    Runway Safety Areas--Navigational        30,000,000       30,000,000
     Mitigation.......................
        Subtotal Landing and                174,471,000      169,500,000
         Navigational Aids Programs...
e. Other ATC Facilities Programs
    Fuel Storage Tank Replacement and        18,700,000       10,000,000
     Management.......................
    Unstaffed Infrastructure                 39,640,000       25,000,000
     Sustainment......................
    Aircraft Related Equipment Program        9,000,000        5,000,000
    Airport Cable Loop Systems--             12,000,000        5,000,000
     Sustained Support................
    Alaskan Satellite                        12,500,000       10,000,000
     Telecommunications Infrastructure
     (ASTI)...........................
    Facilities Decommissioning........        6,000,000        5,700,000
    Electrical Power Systems--Sustain/      124,970,000       75,000,000
     Support..........................
    FAA Employee Housing and Life             2,500,000        2,500,000
     Safety Shelter System Service....
    Energy Management and Compliance          2,000,000        2,000,000
     (EMC)............................
    Child Care Center Sustainment.....        1,600,000        1,600,000
    FAA Telecommunications                    1,000,000        1,000,000
     Infrastructure...................
        Subtotal Other ATC Facilities       229,910,000      142,800,000
         Programs.....................
                                       ---------------------------------
            Total Activity 2..........    1,671,201,000    1,572,872,000
Activity 3--Non-Air Traffic Control
 Facilities and Equipment
a. Support Equipment
    Hazardous Materials Management....       26,400,000       20,000,000
    Aviation Safety Analysis System          20,200,000       11,900,000
     (ASAS)...........................
    Logistics Support Systems and             4,000,000        4,000,000
     Facilities (LSSF)................
    National Air Space (NAS) Recovery        12,000,000       12,000,000
     Communications (RCOM)............
    Facility Security Risk Management.       15,000,000       14,300,000
    Information Security..............       12,000,000       12,000,000
    System Approach for Safety               18,900,000       18,900,000
     Oversight (SASO).................
    Aviation Safety Knowledge                 7,500,000        7,500,000
     Management Environment (ASKME)...
    Aerospace Medical Equipment Needs         2,500,000        1,500,000
     (AMEN)...........................
    System Safety Management Portfolio       17,000,000       17,000,000
    National Test Equipment Program...        4,000,000        2,000,000
    Mobile Assets Management Program..        4,800,000        4,000,000
    Aerospace Medicine Safety                 3,000,000        3,000,000
     Information Systems (AMSIS)......
    Tower Simulation System (TSS)             7,000,000        4,000,000
     Technology Refresh...............
        Subtotal Support Equipment....      154,300,000      132,100,000
b. Training, Equipment and Facilities
    Aeronautical Center Infrastructure       15,200,000       12,000,000
     Modernization....................
    Distance Learning.................        1,500,000        1,000,000
        Subtotal Training, Equipment         16,700,000       13,000,000
         and Facilities...............
                                       ---------------------------------
            Total Activity 3..........      171,000,000      145,100,000
Activity 4--Facilities and Equipment
 Mission Support
a. System Support and Services
    System Engineering and Development       35,000,000       32,000,000
     Support..........................
    Program Support Leases............       46,700,000       40,000,000
    Logistics and Acquisition Support        11,000,000       10,000,000
     Services.........................
    Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center        18,800,000       18,350,000
     Leases...........................
    Transition Engineering Support....       19,200,000       14,000,000
    Technical Support Services               23,000,000       17,429,000
     Contract (TSSC)..................
    Resource Tracking Program (RTP)...        4,000,000        3,000,000
    Center for Advanced Aviation             60,000,000       50,000,000
     System Development (CAASD).......
    Aeronautical Information                  5,000,000        5,000,000
     Management Program...............
    Cross Agency NextGen Management...        3,000,000        2,000,000
                                       ---------------------------------
        Total Activity 4..............      225,700,000      191,779,000
Activity 5--Personnel and Related
 Expenses
    Personnel and Related Expenses....      470,049,000      460,000,000
Activity 6--Sustain ADS-B services and
 Wide Area Augmentation Services
 (WAAS) GEOs
    Activity 6--Sustain ADS-B               166,000,000                0
     services, WAAS GEOs..............
                                       ---------------------------------
            SUB TOTAL ALL ACTIVITIES..    2,855,000,000    2,500,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Engineering, development, test and evaluation (Activity 
1).--The programs funded in the engineering, development, test 
and evaluation activity are considered pre-implementation 
funding for various NextGen efforts. Unlike major acquisition 
programs, these projects are not provided a baseline by FAA and 
do not receive the program oversight given to other procurement 
programs. The Committee expects to understand how funding in 
this activity has advanced specific NextGen programs for 
enhancing capacity and reducing delays at congested airports. 
The Committee directs the IG to examine how these investments 
are managed and what specific outcomes have been achieved to 
improve the Nation's air transportation system.
    NextGen--Separation management portfolio.--The Committee 
remains interested in space-based Automatic Dependent 
Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) as a means to enhance safety, 
increase capacity, and further the Equip 2020 initiative 
through early benefits. The Committee recommendation includes 
the amount in the budget estimate for space-based ADS-B and 
directs the FAA to identify resources from unobligated 
Facilities and Equipment funds to ensure the agency will be 
able to keep pace with neighboring air navigation service 
providers in adjacent oceanic airspace who have committed to 
using space-based ADS-B in 2018 to track aircraft and offer 
reduced separation services over the oceans. The Committee 
expects the agency to make a final investment decision 
regarding space-based ADS-B no later than May 31, 2016 and 
report back to the Committee within 30 days of that decision.
    Multi-Function Phased Array Radar program.--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of the Multi-Function Phased Array 
Radar (MPAR) program in the development and implementation of 
the next generation weather and aircraft radar surveillance 
network. Significant challenges require the collaborative 
inter-agency planning and research and development strategies 
for the future success of the program. The Committee directs 
that the FAA continue to collaborate with the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the MPAR research and 
development effort and participate in an interagency committee 
with NOAA and other stakeholders to help formulate key 
requirements for development and eventual acquisition strategy. 
Additionally, the Committee directs the FAA to work with NOAA 
to facilitate a full evaluation of operational and other 
benefits associated with a fully digital, dual-polarization 
MPAR system, including but not limited, to weather 
surveillance, fine-scale numerical weather prediction, tracking 
of cooperative and uncooperative aircraft, discrimination of 
biological targets and small unmanned aerial systems, clutter 
suppression, data communication, and system reliability. The 
FAA should collaborate with NOAA to create a business case 
analysis of the MPAR program which considers operational 
feasibility and includes yearly costs and milestones.
    Performance-based navigation.--The Committee provides 
$13,000,000 for Performance Based Navigation (PBN), which is 
$13,500,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the 
same as the budget request. The Committee recognizes that PBN 
is the essential stepping stone to NextGen and a top investment 
priority for industry. The IG reported that at the large 
airports where the FAA has implemented advanced PBN procedures, 
only about 2 percent of eligible airline flights actually used 
them. The Committee is concerned about the obstacles that are 
hindering FAA's efforts to increase use of PBN routes that have 
been highlighted in FAA, industry, and IG reports. Challenges 
include outdated controller policies and procedures governing 
PBN, the lack of standard training for pilots and controllers, 
and the lack of automated controller tools to effectively 
manage and sequence aircraft. The FAA has deployed the Time 
Based Flow Management automation tool, which can help 
controllers manage PBN operations at high altitude, but it is 
not yet used consistently across the nation. The Committee 
directs FAA to work with air traffic controllers to develop a 
plan for when and how it can introduce and widely use 
automation that can maximize the benefits of NextGen 
initiatives, such as PBN. Further, the Committee urges the FAA 
to substantively engage with local communities before the 
implementation of new flight paths and procedures, even when 
not mandated by law. The Committee believes this will yield 
positive benefits.
    Automatic dependent surveillance--broadcast.--The Committee 
provides $184,600,000 for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-
Broadcast (ADS-B) implementation, the full amount requested for 
ADS-B in the ``Air Traffic Control Facilities and Equipment'' 
activity (Activity 2) and the ``Sustain ADS-B Services''' 
(Activity 6). The Committee recommendation rejects the request 
to create a new Activity 6, and instead provides ADS-B 
resources for both of these activities in Activity 2. ADS-B is 
the Agency's effort to transition to satellite-based navigation 
systems. FAA has mandated that airspace users equip with new 
ADS-B avionics by 2020. FAA is taking steps to work with 
industry and address concerns about the mandate through the 
``Equip 2020 Work Group''. The Committee requests that the FAA 
keep the Committee informed of the outcomes and commitment of 
the working group.
    Data communications.--The Committee has provided 
$234,900,000 for Data Communications (Data Comm), an increase 
of $84,560,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the 
same as the budget request. The Committee notes that the Data 
Comm program has been identified at a priority NextGen activity 
by the NextGen Advisory Committee for its promise to deliver 
near term benefits.
    Runway status lights.--Reducing runway incursions is a high 
priority for improving aviation safety, and the Committee 
commends the FAA for initiating the runway status lights (RWSL) 
program to respond to NTSB's safety recommendations. Due to 
budget constraints and unanticipated construction costs, 
however, in fiscal year 2014, the FAA split the program into 
two phases and is currently implementing RWSL at 17 airports. 
For the airports in phase II, the FAA has formed surface safety 
initiatives teams to recommend approaches for improving surface 
safety, including RWSL. The Committee directs FAA to submit a 
report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees no 
later than 180 days after enactment that details the status and 
analysis of the surface safety initiatives teams for each phase 
II airport that has elected to remain in the program. FAA 
should review the suitability of installing RWSL at airports 
being equipped with airport surface surveillance capabilities 
and include strategies for reducing the costs of installing and 
supporting RWSL.
    Omni-directional range/minimum operating network.--The 
Committee commends the FAA on the issuance of the December 15, 
2014 market survey to assess the feasibility and effectiveness 
of outsourcing the service provision of the Very High Frequency 
(VHF) Omni-Directional Range (VOR) Minimum Operating Network 
(VOR MON). Based on the responses to the survey, the Committee 
urges the FAA to continue this initiative by expanding the 
scope of the service based model to include tactical air 
navigation (TACAN) and distance measuring equipment (DME). In 
addition, the FAA shall provide the Committee with program 
milestones for implementation of the service based strategy.
    Tactical air navigation system.--The Committee is aware of 
the aging en-route TACAN and its continued importance to 
military aircraft. This navigation system provides the user 
with bearing and distance (slant-range) to a ground or ship-
borne station. The existing TACAN system was installed in the 
early 1980s with the FAA en-route VHF Omni-Directional Range 
(VOR). While new Area Navigation (RNAV) systems will bring 
certain benefits, RNAV upgrades remain several years off for 
many military aircraft. The Committee directs the Secretary to 
submit a report to the Committee on the Department's long term 
en-route TACAN maintenance and modernization plan to address 
this aging asset and the significant costs to transition to 
RNAV.
    ADS-B services and wide area augmentation services.--The 
Committee does not include a new activity, as proposed in the 
budget, for ADS-B and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) 
leases, but instead provides funding for these purposes in the 
ADS-B and WAAS core program lines in the ``Air Traffic Control 
Facilities and Equipment'' Activity (Activity 2).

                             BILL LANGUAGE

    Capital investment plan.--The bill continues to require the 
submission of a five-year capital investment plan.

                 RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENT

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $156,750,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       166,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       156,750,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -9,250,000
 

    This appropriation provides funding for long-term research, 
engineering and development programs to improve the air traffic 
control system and to raise the level of aviation safety, as 
authorized by the Airport and Airway Improvement Act and the 
Federal Aviation Act. The appropriation also finances the 
research, engineering and development needed to establish or 
modify federal air regulations.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $156,750,000, the same as the 
enacted level and a decrease of $9,250,000 below the budget 
request.
    The Committee recommendation includes the following funding 
levels for Research, Engineering, and Development programs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Program                 FY 2016 Request   FY 2016 House
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire Research & Safety................       $6,643,000       $6,000,000
Propulsion & Fuel Systems.............        3,034,000        2,500,000
Advanced Materials/Structural Safety..        3,625,000        3,000,000
Aircraft Icing/Digital System Safety..        6,920,000        6,000,000
Continued Air Worthiness..............        8,987,000        8,987,000
Aircraft Catastrophic Failure                 1,433,000        1,433,000
 Prevention Research..................
Flightdeck/Maintenance/System                 9,947,000        6,802,000
 Integration Human Factors............
Safety System Management..............        6,063,000        6,063,000
Air Traffic Control/Technical                 5,995,000        5,410,000
 Operations Human Factors.............
Aeromedical Research..................       10,255,000        8,467,000
Weather Research......................       18,253,000       15,388,000
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research....        9,635,000       12,635,000
NextGen--Alternative Fuels for General        5,833,000        7,000,000
 Aviation.............................
                                       ---------------------------------
    Total Safety......................       96,623,000       89,685,000
NextGen--Wake Turbulence..............        8,680,000        8,680,000
NextGen--Air Ground Integration.......        8,875,000        8,875,000
NextGen--Weather Technology in the            4,116,000        4,116,000
 Cockpit..............................
Commercial Space (in FY 15 buried in          3,000,000        1,000,000
 NextGen Air Ground Integration per FY
 14 congressional language)...........
                                       ---------------------------------
    Total Economic Competiveness......       24,671,000       22,671,000
Environment & Energy..................       15,061,000       15,061,000
NextGen Environmental Research--             23,823,000       23,823,000
 Aircraft Technologies, Fuels and
 Metrics..............................
Environmental Sustainability..........       38,884,000       38,884,000
System Planning and Resource                  2,377,000        2,100,000
 Management...........................
WJHTC Lab Facilities..................        3,445,000        3,410,000
Mission Support.......................        5,822,000        5,510,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    Total.............................      166,000,000      156,750,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Unmanned aircraft systems research.--The FAA has 
established six UAS test sites, which are expected to provide 
valuable information for developing the regulatory framework 
for UAS integration. However, the FAA will need to ensure it 
develops a comprehensive plan to identify research priorities, 
including how data from test site operations will be gathered, 
analyzed, and used. The Committee recognizes these challenges 
and provides $12,635,000 for Unmanned Aircraft Systems 
Research, which is $3,000,000 above the budget request. These 
additional funds are provided to help meet the FAA's UAS 
research goals of system safety and data gathering, aircraft 
certification, command and control link challenges, control 
station layout and certification, sense and avoid, and 
environmental impacts.
    NextGen-alternative fuels for general aviation.--The 
Committee provides $7,000,000 for alternative fuels research 
for general aviation, which is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $1,167,000 above the budget request. 
During the complex transition of the general aviation piston 
fleet to an unleaded fuel, an increase in funding above last 
year is merited to move from research to a phase focused on 
coordinating and facilitating the fleet-wide evaluation, 
certification and deployment of an unleaded fuel and to help 
overcome any market issues that prevent it from moving forward. 
The Committee recognizes this is a multi-year effort and looks 
forward to updates on the continued progress on this initiative 
as it effectively balances environmental improvement with 
aviation safety, technical challenges, and economic impact.
    NextGen environmental research--aircraft technologies, 
fuels and metrics.--The Committee provides $23,823,000 for the 
FAA's NextGen environmental research aircraft technologies, 
fuels and metrics program, which is $809,000 above the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and the same as the budget request. In 
addition, the Committee continues to support the FAA's 
continuous, lower energy emissions, and noise program (CLEEN). 
The CLEEN program has helped to advance the research and 
development of advanced engine and airframe technologies that 
conserve more fuel and produce fewer emissions than current 
technologies.

                       GRANTS-IN-AID FOR AIRPORTS

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Liquidation of
                                         contract        Limitation on
                                      authorization       obligations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015...     $3,200,000,000     $3,350,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016..      3,500,000,000      2,900,000,000
Recommended in the bill...........      3,600,000,000      3,350,000,000
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year           +400,000,000              - - -
     2015.........................
    Budget request, fiscal year          +100,000,000       +450,000,000
     2016.........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The bill includes a liquidating cash appropriation of 
$3,600,000,000 for grants-in-aid for airports, authorized by 
the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, as amended, 
which is $400,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 level and 
$100,000,000 above the budget request. This funding provides 
for liquidation of obligations incurred pursuant to contract 
authority and annual limitations on obligations for grants-in-
aid for airport planning and development, noise compatibility 
and planning, the military airport program, reliever airports, 
airport program administration, and other authorized 
activities.

                       LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS

    The bill includes a limitation on obligations of 
$3,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2016, which is the same as the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $450,000,000 above the 
budget request.
    The Committee understands that current FAA regulations 
requiring commercial space launch providers to clearly obtain 
insurance to cover property damage in the event of an accident 
fail to address the status of state and local property. With 
the rapid growth in the number of state spaceports over the 
last decade as well as anticipated growth over the next several 
years, the Committee believes the FAA should update regulations 
for those developments involving Federal property assigned to a 
State government, particularly those developments located at 
Federal ranges, the State government should qualify as a 
contractor or Government Launch Participant with the right to 
make claims under 14 C.F.R. 440.9(d).

                  ADMINISTRATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS

    Airport administrative expenses.--Within the overall 
obligation limitation, the bill includes $107,100,000 for the 
administration of the airports program by the FAA. This funding 
level is the same as the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the 
budget request.
    Airport cooperative research program (ACRP).--The 
recommendation includes $15,000,000 which is the same as the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the budget request. The ACRP 
was established through Section 712 of the Vision 100--Century 
of Aviation Reauthorization Act (P.L. 108-176) to identify 
shared problem areas facing airports that can be solved through 
applied research but are not adequately addressed by existing 
Federal research programs.
    Airport technology research.--The recommendation includes a 
minimum of $31,000,000 for the FAA's airport technology 
research program which is $1,250,000 above the enacted level 
and the same as the budget request. The funds provided for this 
program are utilized to conduct research in the areas of 
airport pavement; airport marking and lighting; airport rescue 
and firefighting; airport planning and design; wildlife hazard 
mitigation; and visual guidance.

                             BILL LANGUAGE

    Runway incursion prevention systems and devices.--
Consistent with prior year appropriations Acts, the bill allows 
funds under this limitation to be used for airports to procure 
and install runway incursion prevention systems and devices.

       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

    Section 110. The Committee retains a provision limiting the 
number of technical work years at the Center for Advanced 
Aviation Systems Development to 600 in fiscal year 2016.
    Section 111. The Committee retains a provision prohibiting 
FAA from requiring airport sponsors to provide the agency 
`without cost' building construction, maintenance, utilities 
and expenses, or space in sponsor-owned buildings, except in 
the case of certain specified exceptions.
    Section 112. The Committee continues a provision allowing 
reimbursement for fees collected and credited under 49 U.S.C. 
45303.
    Section 113. The Committee retains a provision allowing 
reimbursement of funds for providing technical assistance to 
foreign aviation authorities to be credited to the operations 
account.
    Section 114. The Committee retains a provision prohibiting 
the FAA from paying Sunday premium pay except in those cases 
where the individual actually worked on a Sunday.
    Section 115. The Committee retains a provision prohibiting 
FAA from using funds to purchase store gift cards or gift 
certificates through a government-issued credit card.
    Section 116. The Committee includes a provision that 
requires approval from the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Administration of the Department of Transportation for 
retention bonuses for any FAA employee.
    Section 117. The Committee includes a provision that 
requires the Secretary to block the display of an owner or 
operator's aircraft registration number in the Aircraft 
Situational Display to Industry program, upon the request of an 
owner or operator.
    Section 118. The Committee includes a provision that limits 
the number of FAA political appointees to 9.
    Section 119. The Committee includes a provision that 
prohibits funds for any increase in fees for navigational 
products until the FAA has reported a justification for such 
fees to the Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 119A. The Committee includes a provision that 
requires the FAA to notify the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations at least 90 days before closing a regional 
operations center or reducing the services it provides.
    Section 119B. The Committee includes a provision 
prohibiting funds to change weight restrictions or prior 
permission rules at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey.

                     Federal Highway Administration

    The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides 
financial assistance to the states to construct and improve 
roads and highways. It also provides technical assistance to 
other agencies and organizations involved in road building 
activities. Title 23 of the United States Code and other 
supporting statutes provide authority for the activities of the 
FHWA. Funding is provided by contract authority, while program 
levels are established by annual limitations on obligations, as 
set forth in appropriations Acts.

                   AUTHORIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

    At this time, it remains unclear what authorization law (or 
laws) will be effective during fiscal year 2016. Therefore, the 
Committee must recommend appropriations for programs without 
authorization and the Committee's recommendations for FHWA are 
contingent upon reauthorization.
    The Committee therefore provides only minimal bill language 
that sets the overall FHWA obligation limitation for fiscal 
year 2016, contingent upon authorization. It is the Committee's 
intention that appropriations made by this bill will be wholly 
contingent on a reauthorization of the highway program and will 
be distributed only in accordance with the new authorization 
law.

                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015\1\....................      $426,100,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       442,248,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       429,348,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        +3,248,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -12,900,000
 
\1\Does not include $3,248,000 transferred to the Appalachian Regional
  Commission.

    The limitation on administrative expenses caps the amount, 
from within the limitation on obligations, that FHWA may spend 
on salaries and expenses necessary to conduct and administer 
the federal-aid highway program, highway-related research, and 
most other federal highway programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a limitation on FHWA 
administrative expenses of $429,348,000 including $3,248,000 
transferred to the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). After 
accounting for $3,248,000 transferred to ARC in fiscal year 
2015, the recommendation is the same as the enacted level. The 
recommendation is $12,900,000 below the budget request.
    Adequate oversight.--The Committee believes that FHWA must 
carefully balance mission priorities with oversight 
responsibilities when exercising discretion over budgetary 
resources. The agency requires adequate administrative funding 
to maintain its leadership and oversight role. Without 
qualified staff and necessary operational investments, FHWA 
will not be able to maintain the many functions critical to 
supporting its state and local partners in the delivery of a 
safe and efficient transportation network. Recent hiring 
freezes and delays in key information technology investments 
threaten to undermine FHWA's ability to administer core 
Federal-aid highway and highway safety programs. The Committee 
directs the Department to allocate contract authority adequate 
to support the Committee's recommendation for administrative 
expenses and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

                          FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Fiscal year 2015   Fiscal year 2016    Recommended in
                        Program                               enacted           request\1\          the bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal-aid highways (obligation limitation)...........         40,256,000         50,568,248         40,256,000
Exempt contract authority..............................            739,000            739,000            739,000
    Total program level................................         40,995,000         51,307,248         40,995,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes $500,000,000 requested for a new program called Fixing and Accelerating Surface Transportation.

    The federal-aid highways program is designed to aid in the 
development, operations, and management of an intermodal 
transportation system that is economically efficient and 
environmentally sound, to provide the foundation for the nation 
to compete in the global economy, and to move people and goods 
safely.
    Federal-aid highways and bridges are managed through a 
federal-state partnership. States and localities maintain 
ownership of and responsibility for the maintenance, repair and 
new construction of roads. State highway departments have the 
authority to initiate federal-aid projects, subject to FHWA 
approval of the plans, specifications, and cost estimates. The 
Federal government provides financial support, on a 
reimbursable basis, for construction and repair through 
matching grants.
    Programs included within the federal-aid highways program 
are financed from the highway trust fund. The federal-aid 
highways program is funded by contract authority, and 
liquidating cash appropriations are subsequently provided to 
fund outlays resulting from obligations incurred under contract 
authority. The Committee sets, through the annual 
appropriations process, an overall limitation on the total 
contract authority that can be obligated under the program in a 
given year.
    Because the structure of the federal-aid highways program 
for fiscal year 2016 is unknown at this time due to lack of 
authorizing legislation, the Committee includes no detailed 
summaries of particular programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total program level of 
$40,995,000,000 for the activities of FHWA in fiscal year 2016, 
contingent upon reauthorization. This amount is the same as 
fiscal year 2015 and $10,312,248,000 below the budget request. 
Included within the recommended amount is an obligation 
limitation of $40,256,000,000 and $739,000,000 in contract 
authority that is exempt from the obligation limitation.
    Railway-highway crossings.--The Committee directs the 
Secretary to encourage states to prioritize projects involving 
grade separation, with special emphasis on high-risk junctions 
involving rail and road traffic.
    Comprehensive freight networks.--The safe and efficient 
transportation of freight across our nation is vital to our 
economy. Section 1115 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 
21st Century Act (MAP-21) required FHWA to establish a 27,000-
mile primary freight network to help focus resources to improve 
the movement of freight. DOT's proposed freight network 
includes gaps particularly with regard to the connections to 
international land ports of entry. DOT has indicated that a 
41,000-mile network would be more comprehensive and would 
result in a connected and multimodal freight network system. 
The Committee encourages the authorizing committees of 
jurisdiction to consider expanding the freight network system 
in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill. 
The Committee directs FHWA to work with the authorizing 
committees to identify a freight network that connects to high-
volume land ports of entry.
    Streamlining of environmental impact reviews.--The 
Committee continues to monitor FHWA efforts to carry out the 
provisions of MAP-21. The Committee recognizes the efforts by 
the Department to implement provisions designed to streamline 
environmental impact review processes and encourages the 
Department to continue efforts to work cooperatively with other 
federal and state agencies. The Committee urges the Department 
to continue participating in the facilitation of environmental 
impact process improvements for regional and national 
transportation projects, and to coordinate with relevant 
federal agencies, state and local governments, and other public 
interest groups.
    Marine highway infrastructure.--The Committee encourages 
FHWA to study the inclusion of marine highway infrastructure 
projects, such as the design and construction of innovative 
barge designs and adaptable port terminal infrastructure, 
within the surface transportation program or national highway 
performance program, and what impact such projects would have 
on the Department's goals for those programs.
    Technology and innovation deployment program.--The 
Committee supports the technology and innovation deployment 
program's efforts to improve the safety, efficiency, 
reliability, and performance of the nation's transportation 
infrastructure. The Committee also notes the growing need to 
accelerate the adoption of proven practices, technologies, and 
materials that lead to faster construction, such as the use of 
carbon fiber composite materials in bridge replacement and 
rehabilitation. The Committee encourages FHWA to continue to 
support these innovative technologies.
    Other technologies such as GIS-based asset management 
practices on a cloud-based platform can help improve and 
optimize traffic through real-time traffic information, 
advanced structural monitoring of key assets, electrochemical-
based fatigue crack growth detection, map-based identification 
of assets and construction plans, and regional and corridor-
based truck traffic routing. These technologies, when applied 
as part of a comprehensive asset management plan, can save 
money, extend service life, and support risk-informed 
prioritization of capital expenditures. The Committee 
encourages the Department to use funds authorized under 503(c) 
of title 23, United States Code, for the demonstration and 
deployment of innovative asset management technologies.
    Accelerated bridge construction.--According to FHWA, nearly 
one fourth of the nation's bridges require repair, 
rehabilitation, or replacement, or are not designed to current 
standards. On-site construction can lead to significantly 
decreased mobility and safety. To help reduce these impacts, 
and produce long-lasting bridges, the Committee encourages the 
Department to have one of the TIER-1 University Transportation 
Centers focus on accelerated bridge construction.
    Transportation infrastructure finance and innovation act 
program.--The Committee notes the significant role of 
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act credit 
assistance in expanding the capacity of the federal-aid 
highways program to deliver projects. The Committee encourages 
FHWA to fully obligate amounts available for credit assistance, 
and to complete new credit agreements with eligible project 
sponsors in a timely manner.

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................     $40,995,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016\1\.................      51,307,248,000
Recommended in the bill.............................      40,995,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015...................               - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016..................     -10,312,248,000
 
\1\Includes $500,000,000 requested for a new program called Fixing and
  Accelerating Surface Transportation.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a liquidating cash appropriation 
of $40,995,000,000, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 
enacted and $10,312,248,000 below the budget request. This is 
the amount required to pay the outstanding obligations of the 
highway program at levels provided in this Act and prior 
appropriations Acts.

       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

    Section 120. The Committee continues a provision that 
distributes obligation authority among federal-aid highway 
programs. The provision has been updated to be consistent with 
changes to the underlying authorizing statute and is contingent 
on reauthorization.
    Section 121. The Committee continues a provision that 
credits funds received by the Bureau of Transportation 
Statistics to the federal-aid highways account.
    Section 122. The Committee continues a provision that 
provides requirements for any waiver of the Buy America Act.
    Section 123. The Committee continues a provision that 
requires congressional notification before the Department 
provides credit assistance under the TIFIA program.
    Section 124. The Committee adds a provision that aligns 
certain federal and state truck weight requirements in the 
State of Idaho.
    Section 125. The Committee adds a provision that modifies 
certain federal truck trailer length requirements.
    Section 126. The Committee adds a provision that includes 
the State of Kansas under an agricultural exemption from 
federal truck trailer length requirements.
    Section 127. The Committee adds a provision that increases 
the set-aside for highway-railroad grade crossings.

              Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was 
established within the Department of Transportation (DOT) by 
Congress through the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 
1999. FMCSA's mission is to promote safe commercial motor 
vehicle operations and reduce truck and bus crashes. FMCSA 
works with federal, state, and local entities, the motor 
carrier industry, highway safety organizations, and the public 
to further its mission.
    FMCSA resources are used to prevent and mitigate commercial 
vehicle accidents through regulation, enforcement, stakeholder 
training, technological innovation, and improved information 
systems. FMCSA also is responsible for enforcing Federal motor 
carrier safety and hazardous materials regulations for all 
commercial vehicles entering the United States along its 
southern and northern borders.

                   AUTHORIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

    It remains unclear what authorization law (or laws) will be 
effective during fiscal year 2016. Therefore, the Committee 
must recommend appropriations for programs without 
authorization and the Committee's recommendations for FMCSA are 
contingent upon reauthorization.
    It is the Committee's intention that appropriations made by 
this bill will be wholly contingent on reauthorization and will 
be distributed only in accordance with the new authorization 
law.

              MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Liquidation of Contract    Limitation on
                                    Authorization         Obligations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year               $271,000,000     ($271,000,000)
 2015.......................
Budget request, fiscal year               329,180,000      (329,180,000)
 2016.......................
Recommended in the bill.....              259,000,000      (259,000,000)
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year              -12,000,000      (-12,000,000)
 2015.......................
  Budget request, fiscal                  -70,180,000      (-70,180,000)
 year 2016..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This limitation controls FMCSA spending on salaries, 
operating expenses, and research. It provides resources to 
support motor carrier safety program activities and to maintain 
the agency's administrative infrastructure. This funding 
supports nationwide motor carrier safety and consumer 
enforcement efforts, including the Compliance, Safety, and 
Accountability Program, regulation and enforcement of freight 
transport, and federal safety enforcement at the U.S. borders. 
These resources also fund regulatory development and 
implementation, information management, research and 
technology, grants to States and local partners, safety 
education and outreach, and the safety and consumer telephone 
hotline.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $259,000,000 in liquidating cash 
for motor carrier safety operations and programs. The Committee 
also recommends limiting obligations from the highway trust 
fund to $259,000,000 for motor carrier safety operations and 
programs in fiscal year 2016. These levels, which are 
contingent upon reauthorization, are $12,000,000 below fiscal 
year 2015 and $70,180,000 below the budget request.
    Within the amounts provided for operations and programs, 
the Committee recommends $1,000,000 for commercial motor 
vehicle operator grants, which provide commercial motor vehicle 
operators with critical safety training. This amount, which is 
contingent upon reauthorization, is $1,300,000 below fiscal 
year 2015 and $1,000,000 above the budget request. These funds 
are not moved into the Motor Carrier Safety Grants account as 
requested.
    The Committee continues bill language specifying funding 
amounts for the research and technology program and for 
information management, and making those amounts available 
until September 30, 2018.
    Commercial driver license tests.--New drivers must obtain a 
commercial driver license (CDL) in order to begin work as a 
commercial vehicle operator but in some states CDL applicants 
are unnecessarily forced to wait up to 45 days to take their 
skills test. The Committee is concerned that these CDL testing 
delays are causing many qualified drivers to endure an 
unnecessarily long wait to be eligible for employment. The 
Committee directs FMCSA to consider steps it can take to ensure 
that qualified drivers are able to promptly enter the 
workforce. The Committee urges FMCSA to work with states to 
lower skills testing wait times to no more than seven days. The 
Committee encourages FMCSA to inform states with current delay 
times of more than seven days of the availability of third-
party testers including schools, carriers, or other approved 
contractors that administer CDL skills tests. Anecdotal 
evidence indicates that states currently using the full range 
of testing options, including third-party testing, often have 
more reasonable wait times.
    Advanced safety technologies.--The Committee supports the 
use of safety features on all motor vehicles and is concerned 
about the need for commercial operators to receive exemptions 
every two years from regulations that have not been updated for 
advances in safety technology such as lane departure warning 
and autonomous emergency braking. The need to renew these 
exemptions is unnecessarily burdensome for industry and creates 
uncertainty for both manufacturers and drivers. The Committee 
believes these exemptions could be revised to be without ending 
dates until such time as FMCSA determines a reason for 
revocation. This would allow FMCSA to continue its review of 
these safety matters without imposing unnecessary costs and 
uncertainty on the industry.

                      MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Liquidation of Contract    Limitation on
                                    Authorization         Obligations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year               $313,000,000     ($313,000,000)
 2015.......................
Budget request, fiscal year               339,343,000      (339,343,000)
 2016.......................
Recommended in the bill.....              313,000,000      (313,000,000)
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year                    - - -              - - -
 2015.......................
  Budget request, fiscal                  -26,343,000      (-26,343,000)
 year 2016..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    FMCSA's motor carrier safety grants are used to support 
compliance reviews in the states, identify and apprehend 
traffic violators, conduct roadside inspections, and conduct 
safety audits of new entrant carriers. Additionally, grants are 
provided to states for safety enforcement at the U.S. borders, 
improvement of state commercial driver's license oversight 
activities, and improvements in linking states' motor vehicle 
registration systems and carrier safety data.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $313,000,000 in liquidating cash 
for this program, as well as a $313,000,000 limitation on 
obligations, in fiscal year 2016. These levels, which are 
contingent upon reauthorization, are the same as fiscal year 
2015 enacted and $26,343,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee recommends the following obligation 
limitations for grants funded under this account:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motor carrier safety assistance program..............     ($218,000,000)
Commercial driver's license program improvement             (30,000,000)
 grants..............................................
Border enforcement grants program....................       (32,000,000)
Performance and registration information system              (5,000,000)
 management grants...................................
Commercial vehicle information systems and networks         (25,000,000)
 deployment program..................................
Safety data improvement grants.......................        (3,000,000)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    New entrant audits.--Of the funds made available for the 
motor carrier safety assistance program, the Committee 
recommends $32,000,000 for audits of new entrant motor 
carriers, which is the same as fiscal year 2015.

 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

    Section 130. The Committee continues language subjecting 
the funds appropriated in this Act to the terms and conditions 
included in prior appropriations Acts regarding Mexico-
domiciled motor carriers.
    Section 131. The Committee continues language that requires 
FMCSA to send notice of 49 CFR section 385.308 violations by 
certified mail, registered mail, or some other manner of 
delivery which records receipt of the notice by the persons 
responsible for the violations.
    Section 132. The Committee continues with modification 
language to suspend enforcement of the restart provisions of 
the hours of service regulation that went into effect on July 
1, 2013 unless the Secretary and the Department of 
Transportation Inspector General determine that a mandated 
study has met statutory requirements and that the results of 
such study demonstrate improvements across all outcomes.
    Section 133. The Committee continues language that 
prohibits funds from being used to deny an application to renew 
a hazardous materials safety permit unless a carrier has the 
opportunity to present its own corrective actions and the 
Secretary determines such actions are insufficient.
    Section 134. The Committee adds language that prohibits 
funds from being used to issue regulations that increase levels 
of minimum financial responsibility for motor carriers.
    Section 135. The Committee adds language that prohibits 
funds from being used for a wireless roadside inspection 
program until 180 days after the Secretary makes specific 
certifications to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations.

             National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
was established in March of 1970 to administer motor vehicle 
and highway safety programs. It was the successor agency to the 
National Highway Safety Bureau, which was housed in the Federal 
Highway Administration.
    NHTSA's mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and 
reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes, through 
education, research, safety standards and enforcement activity. 
To accomplish these goals, NHTSA establishes and enforces 
safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor 
vehicle equipment, investigates safety defects in motor 
vehicles, and conducts research on driver behavior and traffic 
safety.
    NHTSA provides grants and technical assistance to state and 
local governments to enable them to conduct effective local 
highway safety programs. Together with state and local 
partners, NHTSA works to reduce the threat of drunk, impaired, 
and distracted drivers, and to promote policies and devices 
with demonstrated safety benefits including helmets, child 
safety seats, airbags, and graduated licenses.
    NHTSA establishes and ensures compliance with fuel economy 
standards, investigates odometer fraud, establishes and 
enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations, and provides consumer 
information on a variety of motor vehicle safety topics.

                   AUTHORIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016

    At this time, it remains unclear what authorization law (or 
laws) will be effective during fiscal year 2016. Therefore, the 
Committee must recommend appropriations for programs without 
authorization and the Committee's recommendations for NHTSA are 
contingent upon reauthorization.
    It is the Committee's intention that appropriations made by 
this bill will be wholly contingent on reauthorization and will 
be distributed only in accordance with the new authorization 
law.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $836,500,000, which is $6,500,000 
above fiscal year 2015 and $71,500,000 below the budget 
request.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2015 enacted                      Committee
                                                                                  2016 request    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and research (general fund and highway trust fund)     $268,500,000     $331,000,000     $275,000,000
Highway traffic safety grants (highway trust fund)...........      561,500,000      577,000,000      561,500,000
    Total....................................................      830,000,000      908,000,000      836,500,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee recommends funding levels that provide NHTSA 
with sufficient resources to continue its critical work 
improving the safety of passenger travel on the nation's 
highway system.

                        OPERATIONS AND RESEARCH

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   (General      (Highway trust
                                                                   fund)\1\          fund)            Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015..............................     $130,000,000     $138,500,000     $268,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016.............................      179,000,000      152,000,000      331,000,000
Recommended in the bill......................................      150,000,000      125,000,000      275,000,000
Bill compared to:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015............................      +20,000,000      -13,500,000       +6,500,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016...........................      -29,000,000      -27,000,000      -56,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\For comparison purposes, the table does not reflect the budget proposal to fund all of NHTSA's Operations and
  Research activities with mandatory budget authority.

    The operations and research appropriations support 
research, demonstrations, technical assistance, and national 
leadership for highway safety programs. Many of these programs 
are conducted in partnership with state and local governments, 
the private sector, universities, research units, and various 
safety associations and organizations. These programs address 
alcohol and drug countermeasures, vehicle occupant protection, 
traffic law enforcement, emergency medical and trauma care 
systems, traffic records and licensing, traffic safety 
evaluations, motorcycle safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, 
pupil transportation, distracted and drowsy driving, young and 
older driver safety programs, and development of improved 
accident investigation procedures.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $275,000,000, which is $6,500,000 
above fiscal year 2015 enacted and $56,000,000 below the budget 
request. Of this total, $150,000,000 is from the general fund 
for operations and vehicle safety research, and $125,000,000 is 
from the highway trust fund for operations and behavioral 
highway safety research. The Committee rejects the request to 
fund vehicle safety activities out of the highway trust fund 
rather than the general fund. The recommendation includes a 
$2,000,000 increase for the new car assessment program, a 
$5,000,000 increase for safety defects investigation, a 
$3,000,000 increase for crash avoidance, and a $4,100,000 
increase for vehicle electronics and emerging technologies.
    Highway-rail grade crossing safety.--NHTSA has vast 
experience in addressing driver behaviors that threaten highway 
safety. Highway-rail grade crossings pose a major risk to 
highway safety and are an ongoing challenge for the safety 
community. Eliminating the most hazardous grade crossings will 
help reduce the risk to automobile and train passengers. The 
Committee urges NHTSA to work with states to target resources 
toward the most hazardous crossings. Additionally, increased 
public awareness will help educate drivers on the dangers of 
entering active highway-rail grade crossings. Therefore, the 
Committee provides $6,500,000 for NHTSA to develop a high 
visibility enforcement paid-media campaign in the area of 
highway-rail grade crossing safety. The Committee directs NHTSA 
to coordinate these resources with the media on other highway 
safety campaigns, and to work collaboratively with the Federal 
Railroad Administration on the campaign's message development.
    Emerging technology research.--As vehicle safety features 
continue to advance, it is imperative that NHTSA have a clear 
understanding of various new technologies and implications for 
cybersecurity. Understanding how these advances are evolving 
and converging will ensure that consumers, regulators, and 
safety advocates are best able to navigate and implement these 
technologies. To forward this understanding, the Committee 
recommendation funds amounts requested for vehicle electronics 
and emerging technology research, and amounts requested for 
crash avoidance.
    Drug-impaired driving.--The Committee is concerned that 
incidents of impaired driving are rising, especially as states 
consider measures to decriminalize marijuana. A 2015 GAO report 
on drug-impaired driving found that NHTSA's public awareness 
programs do not explicitly include information on the dangers 
of drug-impaired driving and that a reliance on terms like 
``sober'' and ``drunk'' in campaign slogans excludes the 
dangers of driving after consuming drugs like marijuana. GAO 
also found that state officials cite a need for public 
education more explicitly focused on drugged driving, 
particularly on impairment due to marijuana, prescription 
drugs, and over-the-counter medications. GAO recommends that 
NHTSA identify specific actions that the agency can take, in 
addition to its currently planned efforts, to support state 
efforts to increase public awareness of drug-impaired driving. 
The Committee directs NHTSA to follow GAO's recommendation. 
NHTSA shall deliver a plan to the House and Senate Committees 
on Appropriations within 90 days of enactment that identifies 
and details these additional actions and provides a schedule of 
when and how they will be implemented.
    Distracted driving research alternatives.--NHTSA continues 
to conduct and rely on diverse research methodologies, 
including laboratory, simulator, test track, and naturalistic 
studies to understand and address the complex nature of 
distracted driving. NHTSA has a long history of using 
laboratory, simulator and test track methodologies as evidenced 
by 19 studies the agency has conducted over the past 12 years 
and has recently added naturalistic studies to expand its 
understanding of distracted driving. The Committee encourages 
NHTSA to continue conducting and using diverse methodologies in 
the agency's efforts to address this challenging and risky 
driving behavior.
    Plastics and polymer-based composite materials.--The 
Committee recognizes the importance that plastics and polymer-
based composite materials play in reducing vehicle weight and 
improving fuel economy. They provide vehicle manufacturers with 
innovative tools to reduce fuel consumption and, by 
association, vehicle emissions. As manufacturers plan for 
future fleets, composite materials offer benefits for meeting 
new targets established under federal fuel efficiency 
standards. The Committee recognizes that composite 
manufacturing is a new and growing industry and encourages 
NHTSA to work with industry partners to accelerate the 
advancement of the state of the art for computer modeling of 
advanced plastic and polymer composites. This includes testing 
and evaluation techniques as well as validation of polymer-
based composite safety performance in structural applications 
for the automotive industry. NHTSA should help facilitate 
cooperation between DOT, the Department of Energy, and industry 
stakeholders for the development of safe, light-weight 
automotive designs.
    Vehicle safety and fuel economy rulemaking and research 
priority plan.-- The Committee commends NHTSA for its effort to 
keep the public abreast of its long term plans for ensuring 
motor vehicle safety. Documents such as the NHTSA Vehicle 
Safety and Fuel Economy Rulemaking and Research Priority Plan 
2011-2013 published in 2011 provide researchers, manufacturers, 
and consumers with a road map and timeline of how the agency 
plans to proceed with specific reforms. The Committee 
encourages NHTSA to reengage the public through biennial 
updates of the priority plan in an effort to ensure that all 
stakeholders are prepared for actions being considered.
    Child vehicle heatstroke prevention.--The Committee 
commends NHTSA for its work to educate the public on the 
dangers involving heatstroke in young children. These efforts 
have raised awareness and resulted in changes in behavior by 
parents and others. In order to sustain this progress, the 
Committee urges NHTSA to continue its prevention campaign 
including engagement with stakeholders. The Committee further 
urges NHTSA to focus on those states that experience the most 
child deaths per capita, and to utilize existing communications 
platforms, such as dynamic highway message signs, to enhance 
ongoing awareness programs during the hot weather season.

                     HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Liquidation of
                                       contract          Limitation on
                                     authorization        obligations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.        $561,500,000      ($561,500,000)
Budget request, fiscal year 2016         577,000,000       (577,000,000)
Recommended in the bill.........         561,500,000       (561,500,000)
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year                   - - -             (- - -)
 2015...........................
  Budget request, fiscal year            -15,500,000       (-15,500,000)
 2016...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The highway traffic safety state grant programs authorized 
under MAP-21 include: highway safety programs, national 
priority safety programs, and the high visibility enforcement 
program.
    These grant programs provide resources to states for 
highway safety programs that are data-driven and that meet 
states' most pressing highway safety problems. They are a 
critical asset in reducing highway traffic fatalities and 
injuries.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $561,500,000 in liquidating cash 
from the highway trust fund to pay outstanding obligations of 
the highway safety grant programs at the levels provided in 
this Act and prior appropriations Acts. The Committee also 
recommends limiting the obligations from the highway trust fund 
in fiscal year 2016 for the highway traffic safety grants 
programs to $561,500,000. These levels are the same as fiscal 
year 2015 enacted and $15,500,000 below the budget request. The 
recommendation includes $5,574,000 for in-vehicle alcohol 
detection device research.
    The Committee recommends the following funding allocations 
for grant programs:

 
 
 
Highway safety programs..............................     ($235,000,000)
National priority safety programs....................      (272,000,000)
High visibility enforcement program..................       (29,000,000)
Administrative expenses..............................       (25,500,000)
 

      ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY 
                             ADMINISTRATION

    Section 140. The Committee continues a provision that 
provides limited funding for travel and related expenses 
associated with state management reviews and highway safety 
core competency development training.
    Section 141. The Committee continues a provision that 
exempts from the current fiscal year's obligation limitation 
any obligation authority that was made available in previous 
public laws.
    Section 142. The Committee continues a provision that 
prohibits funding for the national highway safety advisory 
committee.
    Section 143. The Committee continues a provision that 
prohibits funding for NHTSA's national roadside survey.
    Section 144. The Committee continues a provision that 
prohibits funds from being used to mandate global positioning 
system tracking without providing full and appropriate 
consideration of privacy concerns under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 5, 
subchapter II.

                    Federal Railroad Administration

    The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) was established 
by the Department of Transportation Act, on October 15, 1966. 
The FRA plans, develops, and administers programs and 
regulations to promote the safe operation of freight and 
passenger rail transportation in the United States. The U.S. 
railroad system consists of over 650 railroads with 200,000 
freight employees, 171,000 miles of track, and 1.35 million 
freight cars. In addition, the FRA continues to oversee grants 
to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) with 
the goal of assisting Amtrak with improvements to its passenger 
service and physical infrastructure.

                         SAFETY AND OPERATIONS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $186,870,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       203,800,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       186,870,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -16,930,000
 

    The safety and operations account provides funding for 
FRA's safety program activities related to passenger and 
freight railroads. Funding also supports salaries and expenses 
and other operating costs related to FRA staff and programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $186,870,000 for safety and 
operations, which is equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $16,930,000 below the budget request. Of the amount 
provided under this heading, $15,400,000 is available until 
expended. Funding includes $1,060,000 to hire 16 new grade 
crossing managers and $265,000 to hire four trespass prevention 
managers.
    FRA hiring and vacancies.--Retaining employees and filling 
vacant positions has been an on-going challenge for FRA. On 
September 25, 2014, FRA finalized its Strategic Human Capital 
Plan, a document that includes strategies to recruit, retain, 
and align personnel with a changing environment. FRA has 
employed new strategies and appears to be making some progress 
in filling positions. However, as of April 10, 2015, the agency 
had 99 vacancies, a total of 11 percent of the agency's 933 
authorized positions. More than half of the vacancies (56) are 
in the office of railroad safety, and the overwhelming majority 
of those (43) are safety inspectors. The Committee directs FRA 
to provide the House and Senate Committees on Appropriation 
with comprehensive hiring and vacancy reports on a quarterly 
basis.
    Grade crossing safety.--According to FRA, from fiscal year 
2013 to 2014, the number of collisions at highway-railroad 
grade crossings increased by 12 percent and the number of 
fatalities remained a constant 249. However, on a calendar year 
basis, the number of fatalities increased by more than 15 
percent. Since the beginning of this year, three tragic 
collisions in New York, North Carolina and California resulted 
in 7 fatalities and dozens of injuries. Rail grade crossing 
safety is a multi-modal safety challenge for the Department of 
Transportation. The Committee notes that the Acting FRA 
Administrator has reached out to law enforcement officials to 
increase awareness of the dangers at highway-railroad grade 
crossings and to urge additional oversight at crossings that 
present the highest risk. The Committee directs the FRA to 
require each State to develop and implement a State grade 
crossing action plan, which identifies specific solutions to 
improve safety at high risk crossings. In addition, the 
Committee directs FRA to require completion of plans no later 
than 18 months after enactment of this Act and to make each 
plan publicly available on its website. Further, FRA should 
collaborate with the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration on efforts to increase public awareness of the 
dangers at highway-railroad grade crossings and with the 
Federal Highway Administration to urge States to utilize 
highway safety improvement program funds to eliminate the grade 
crossings that pose the greatest risk.
    Congestion at international rail crossings.--Last year, the 
Committee directed the Government Accountability Office (GAO) 
to conduct an assessment of the best practices to reduce rail 
border crossing times and associated street blockage on the 
United States side of the border. The Committee understands 
GAO's review will examine the impact of reduced staff changing 
times, pre-clearance options for train operators on either side 
of the border, and train operator locations. GAO has commenced 
its review and the Committee looks forward to the final report 
and findings.
    Passenger Rail between Mexico & United States.--The 
Committee understands that standards or protocols for passenger 
rail between the United States and Mexico do not currently 
exist. The Committee encourages FRA to work with all relevant 
state and Federal agencies and their Mexican counterparts to 
study what standards and protocols are needed to facilitate a 
passenger and freight rail line between the United States and 
Mexico, in Texas, and other international land crossings.
    Transportation of crude oil by rail.--There have been three 
accidents involving crude oil shipments since the beginning of 
2015, occurring in West Virginia, Illinois, and North Dakota. 
On April 17, 2015, the FRA Acting Administrator, in 
coordination with the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety 
Administration, announced a package of targeted actions to 
address some of the issues identified in recent crude oil and 
ethanol train accidents. It issued a new emergency order 
limiting trains carrying large amounts of class 3 flammable 
liquid through highly populated areas to 40 mph in High Threat 
Urban Areas. In addition, it issued a safety advisory that 
strengthened brake and mechanical inspections on trains 
transporting large quantities of flammable liquids, and 
directed the industry to decrease the threshold for wayside 
detectors that measure wheel impacts. Another safety advisory 
directed that information about the train and its cargo 
immediately be available for use by emergency responders and 
Federal investigators. In addition, on May 1, 2015 DOT 
announced a final and comprehensive rule aimed at improving the 
safe transport of high hazard flammable liquids.
    Positive train control (PTC).--Section 104 of the Rail 
Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) of 2008 required specified 
freight and passenger railroads to deploy positive train 
control systems by December 31, 2015, on regularly scheduled 
passenger commuter lines and lines that carry poisonous or 
toxic-inhalation-hazard materials. During the Committee's March 
25, 2015 hearing on FRA's fiscal year 2016 budget request, 
FRA's Acting Administrator acknowledged that full system build-
out of PTC will not occur by the deadline. The Committee notes 
that the authorizing committees of jurisdiction are considering 
legislation that could address some of the issues associated 
with the PTC deadline. Full implementation of PTC will enhance 
the safety and efficiency of railroad operations; therefore, 
the Committee urges affected railroads to move aggressively to 
implement this important technology. The Committee directs FRA 
to provide progress updates on railroads' PTC implementation.
    Multi-state planning.--The Committee urges the FRA to 
engage stakeholders in the southeastern region of the United 
States to develop a multi-state planning process for improving 
the intercity passenger rail network. The Committee directs FRA 
to provide an update on this effort to the House and Senate 
Appropriations Committees within 180 days of enactment.
    State-supported passenger rail.--Section 209 of the 
Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act (PRIIA) required 
Amtrak and affected states to develop and implement a 
standardized methodology for establishing and allocating 
operating and capital costs for State-supported Amtrak routes. 
As states and Amtrak progress in implementation of the section 
209 cost-allocation methodology, the Committee urges FRA to 
provide the Section 209 Working Group appropriate technical and 
operational assistance.

                   RAILROAD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $39,100,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        39,250,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        39,100,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................          -150,000
 

    The railroad research and development program provides 
science and technology support for FRA's policy and regulatory 
efforts. The program's objectives are to reduce the frequency 
and severity of railroad accidents through scientific 
advancement, and to support technological innovations in 
conventional and high speed railroads.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $39,100,000 
for railroad research and development, which is $150,000 below 
the fiscal year 2016 budget request and equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level.
    The funding level includes $2,000,000 to improve safety 
practices and safety training for Class II and Class III 
freight railroads. This supports FRA's initiative to partner 
with short-line and regional railroads to build a stronger, 
sustainable safety culture in this segment of the rail 
industry. The initiative will support safety compliance 
assessments and training on short lines that transport crude 
oil.

       RAILROAD REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT FINANCING PROGRAM

    The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing 
(RRIF) program was established by Public Law 109-178 to provide 
direct loans and loan guarantees to state and local 
governments, government-sponsored entities, and railroads. 
Credit assistance under the program may be used for 
rehabilitating or developing rail equipment and facilities. No 
federal appropriation is required to implement the program, 
because a non-federal partner may contribute the subsidy amount 
required by the Credit Reform Act of 1990 in the form of a 
credit risk premium.
    The Committee maintains bill language specifying that no 
new direct loans or loan guarantee commitments may be made 
using federal funds for the payment of any credit premium 
amount during fiscal year 2016.

                    RAIL SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................    $2,325,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................    -2,325,000,000
 
\1\The Administration's budget requested $2,325,000,000 in mandatory
  spending from the Highway Trust Fund for a new rail service
  improvement program.

    The FRA budget documents include a new rail service 
improvement program. The program is a new, unauthorized 
program.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends no funding for the rail service 
improvement program in fiscal year 2016. The recommendation is 
the same as the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, and 
$2,325,000,000 below the budget request.

                 CURRENT PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE PROGRAM

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................  \1\$2,450,000,00
                                                                       0
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................    -2,450,000,000
 
\1\The Administration requested $2,450,000,000 in mandatory spending
  from the Highway Trust Fund for a rail service improvement program,
  which includes funding for both capital and operating grants.

    In fiscal year 2016, the FRA requested a new current 
passenger rail service program that replaces the National 
Passenger Rail program.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends no funding for the current 
passenger rail service program in fiscal year 2016 instead; the 
Committee provides funds for this purpose under the heading, 
``Grants to the National Passenger Railroad Program''. The 
recommendation is the same as the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $2,450,000,000 below the budget request.

     Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)

    Amtrak operates trains over 20,000 miles of track owned by 
freight railroad carriers, and over about 654 miles of its own 
track, most of which is on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) from 
Washington, D.C., to Boston, Massachusetts. Amtrak operates 
both electrified trains, which can achieve speeds of up to 150 
mph on the highest quality track on the NEC, and diesel 
locomotives, which currently can achieve speeds between 74-110 
miles per hour.
    Amtrak runs a deficit each year and requires a federal 
subsidy to cover both operating losses and capital investments. 
In the past, it was impossible to discern from Amtrak's or 
FRA's budget request or other publically available data, 
Federal funding required to operate Amtrak's network by line of 
business. In fact, funding requests consistently exceeded 
operating losses by one-third. Amtrak is requesting funds in a 
clearer structure, by four lines of business. Amtrak budget 
request details revenues and expenses by each line of business. 
It is now transparent to Congress and the American taxpayers 
where Amtrak is using its Federal appropriations.
    Congressional budget justification.--The Committee 
appreciates the level of detail in the fiscal year 2016 budget 
justifications and directs Amtrak to continue to submit 
justifications with a similar level of detail in all future 
budget years.
    The Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015 (PRRIA 
2015).--The U.S. House of Representatives passed PRRIA 2015 by 
a 316:101 margin on March 4, 2015. The bill developed a new 
structure for Amtrak that delineated the funding for Amtrak 
into two lines of business: the Northeast Corridor Improvement 
Fund; and the National Network, which includes long-distance 
trains and state supported routes; and overhead. It also 
includes authorizations for national infrastructure 
investments, or capital projects. The Committee looks forward 
to the enactment of a final bill.

    Operating Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................   \1\$250,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................              \2\0
Recommended in the bill...............................    \3\288,500,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       +38,500,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 
\1\The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015,
  allowed Amtrak to transfer up to $50,000,000 if and to the extent that
  operating losses exceeded $250,000,000. Amtrak's operating loss
  totaled $289,600,000 in fiscal year 2015. A total of $39,600,000 of
  capital funds were transferred to offset operating losses.
\2\FRA's budget request for Amtrak assumed a new structure for the
  Corporation. It requested $2,450,000,000 for the Current Passenger
  Rail account, which includes both operating and capital funds for
  Amtrak.
\3\The appropriation allows transfers of up to $20,000,000 if and to the
  extent that Amtrak's operating losses exceed $288,500,000 in fiscal
  year 2016.

    Northeast Corridor profits are expected to increase to 
$366,800,000, an all-time high. However, losses on long-
distance and state supported routes increased slightly and 
result in a total operating loss of $288,500,000 for the 
Corporation, mainly due to losses on the long-distance routes. 
The Corporation expects to require $1,100,000 fewer Federal 
dollars to subsidize the operation in fiscal year 2016 than it 
required in fiscal year 2015. The table below reflects the 
profitability, or lack thereof, of each of Amtrak's lines of 
business.

                                                            AMTRAK'S OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS)
                                                                   By Line of Business
                                                                     FY 2011-FY 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                            FY 2015          FY 2016
                 Line of business                       FY 2011          FY 2012         FY 2013\1\        FY 2014         (Forecast)       (Request)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast Corridor................................     $255,000,000     $283,000,000     $289,600,000     $286,300,000     $356,900,000     $366,800,000
State Corridors...................................    (148,000,000)    (156,000,000)    (161,400,000)     (88,600,000)     (94,900,000)     (93,100,000)
Long Distance Routes..............................    (554,000,000)    (558,000,000)    (587,000,000)    (614,700,000)    (628,400,000)    (639,200,000)
National Assets...................................        1,000,000       69,000,000      100,400,000       77,000,000       76,900,000       76,900,000
Total Profit/(Loss)...............................    (446,000,000)    (362,000,000)    (358,400,000)    (340,000,000)    (289,600,000)    (288,500,000)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The fiscal year 2013 figures include Hurricane Sandy impacts, which resulted in an operating loss of $50,000,000.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $288,500,000 for operating grants 
for Amtrak, equal to the amount of operating losses Amtrak 
expects to sustain in fiscal year 2016. This amount is 
$38,500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted appropriation; 
but $1,100,000 less than the total operating subsidy after 
accounting for $39,600,000 in capital funds transfers in fiscal 
year 2015. For fiscal year 2016, the Committee includes a 
provision allowing Amtrak to transfer up to $20,000,000 in 
capital funds to the extent that the corporation's operating 
losses exceed $288,500,000.
    Food, beverage and first class services.--Although Amtrak 
has consistently incurred losses on its food and beverage and 
first class service, the Corporation has developed a food and 
beverage plan that will end losses on food and beverage service 
in 2019. As the table below demonstrates, total food and 
beverage revenue has increased, and costs are fairly stable, 
resulting in some improvement in cost recovery. The Corporation 
continues to incur losses in this area, as expenses--
particularly labor expenses--overwhelm revenues. In fiscal year 
2016, Amtrak anticipates that losses will decrease to 
$53,200,000, and cost recovery will increase to 74 percent.

          AMTRAK'S FOOD AND BEVERAGE LOSSES AND COST RECOVERY

                                                                FISCAL YEAR 2011-FY 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                              FY 2015         FY 2016
                                                              FY 2011         FY 2012         FY 2013         FY 2014       (Forecast)      (Forecast)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue.................................................    $121,500,000    $132,900,000    $134,400,000    $138,600,000    $143,900,000    $153,100,000
Expenses................................................     206,000,000     204,900,000     207,400,000     214,400,000     203,800,000     206,300,000
Loss....................................................    (84,600,000)    (72,000,000)    (73,000,000)    (75,800,000)    (59,900,000)    (53,200,000)
Cost Recovery...........................................             59%             65%             65%             65%             71%             74%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the tables below indicate, the major contributor to food 
and beverage losses is labor costs. The average fully loaded 
hourly compensation for the nearly 1,300 food and beverage 
employees ranged from $38.91 to $50.46 in fiscal year 2015. 
Amtrak's last negotiated labor agreement expired in January 
2015, and a new one is currently under negotiation.
    The Committee notes that on March 26, 2015, Amtrak's 
president announced that the corporation will make changes to 
non-agreement retirement benefits, specifically pension and 
retiree medical plans, effective this summer. The new policy 
will not eliminate any benefits that employees have already 
accrued. Amtrak's press release stated that the Corporation is 
an outlier compared to its competitors and can no longer 
sustain the growing financial burden of its retirement 
benefits. Amtrak stated that after modification, retiree 
benefits will be more consistent with other companies in the 
industry and other for-profit companies. These changes will 
affect approximately 3,000 managers, or about 15 percent of the 
workforce. It will result in almost $7,000,000 cash and 
$150,000,000 non-cash (liability) savings in fiscal year 2016 
and additional amounts in the outyears. The Committee applauds 
Amtrak for making these hard choices and encourages Amtrak to 
consider similar measures to save taxpayers funds.

                 FOOD AND BEVERAGE LOSSES BY ROUTE TYPE

                                                               FISCAL YEAR 2015 (FORECAST)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Revenues                        Expenses
                                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------
                         Routes                              Food and                                                       Profit/Loss    Cost Recovery
                                                             Beverage     On-Board Labor    Commissary     Total Direct
                                                              Revenue                                          Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast Corridor......................................     $44,500,000     $14,400,000     $19,400,000     $33,800,000     $10,700,000          131.6%
State-supported.........................................      27,300,000      17,400,000      16,000,000      33,400,000     (6,100,000)            81.7
Long-Distance...........................................      72,200,000      85,700,000      50,900,000     136,600,000    (64,400,000)            52.8
                          Total                              143,900,000     117,500,000      86,300,000     203,800,000    (59,900,000)            70.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 FOOD AND BEVERAGE LOSSES BY ROUTE TYPE

                                                               FISCAL YEAR 2016 (FORECAST)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Revenues                        Expenses
                                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------
                         Routes                              Food and                                                       Profit/Loss    Cost Recovery
                                                             Beverage     On-Board Labor    Commissary     Total Direct
                                                              Revenue                                          Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast Corridor......................................     $47,200,000     $15,000,000     $19,500,000     $34,600,000     $12,600,000          136.4%
State-supported.........................................      29,300,000      18,100,000      15,700,000      33,800,000     (4,500,000)            86.6
Long-Distance...........................................      76,600,000      87,300,000      50,600,000     137,900,000    (61,300,000)            55.1
    Total...............................................     153,100,000     120,500,000      85,800,000     206,300,000    (53,200,000)            74.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Long distance routes accounted for the majority of food and 
beverage losses. While the Northeast Corridor will fully cover 
its costs and make a profit, the long distance routes will 
incur a loss and only recover a little over half of its food 
and beverage costs.
    Amtrak has implemented some efficiency improvements and 
continues to do so. Amtrak's OIG report dated October 31, 2013 
stated that past actions resulted in limited efficiency gains 
because they were applied to the existing business model and 
were balanced by increased labor costs.
    Amtrak Overtime.--Overtime expenses rose in calendar year 
2014 to $213,212,097, an increase of 14 percent above calendar 
year 2013. Overtime earned constituted nearly 17 percent of 
total wages for the corporation in calendar year 2014.

                       AMTRAK WAGES AND OVERTIME

 
                                               AGREEMENT EMPLOYEES
                                      Calendar Year 2011-Calendar Year 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           CY 2011            CY 2012            CY 2013            CY 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Straight time Wages.................       $957,800,000       $977,200,000     $1,022,700,000     $1,046,300,000
Overtime Wages......................        201,773,400        163,539,500        186,808,700        213,212,100
Total Wages.........................      1,159,573,400      1,140,739,500      1,209,508,700      1,259,512,100
Overtime as a Percentage of Wage....              17.4%              14.3%              15.4%              16.9%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee has included a provision for four years that 
limits overtime to $35,000 per employee, and allows Amtrak's 
president to waive this restriction for specific employees for 
safety or operational efficiency reasons. As the table below 
shows, the number of employees that earned more than $35,000 in 
overtime totaled 1,197, an increase of 17 percent above 
calendar year 2013. Amtrak overtime payments to those that 
exceeded $35,000 per year totaled $58,648,300, an increase of 
nearly 20 percent above 2013. According to the corporation, 
overtime for employees earning over $35,000 per year increased 
because of the deterioration of on-time performance of many 
long-distance trains and vacancies and absences.

                            AMTRAK OVERTIME

 
                                  OVERTIME EARNINGS EXCEEDING $35,000 PER YEAR
                                      Calendar Year 2011-Calendar Year 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           CY 2011            CY 2012            CY 2013            CY 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Overtime Wages for employees          $54,818,000        $32,681,000        $49,082,458        $58,648,000
 that exceed $35,000 per year.......
Number of Employees with Overtime                 1,123                703              1,022              1,197
 Exceeding $35,000 per year.........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To ensure the Corporation continues to make progress 
managing its personnel and focusing on overtime reduction, the 
Committee includes bill language consistent with prior years, 
that limits overtime to $35,000 per employee, allows Amtrak's 
president to waive this restriction for specific employees for 
safety or operational efficiency reasons, and requires 
notification to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations quarterly regarding waivers granted. It also 
requires Amtrak to submit an annual report summarizing overtime 
payments incurred by the corporation for calendar year 2015 and 
the three prior years. The summary shall include total number 
of employees that received waivers, total overtime payments 
paid to employees receiving waivers for each month for 2015 and 
the prior three calendar years.
    Reduced price fares.--The bill continues a provision that 
prohibits funding on routes where Amtrak is offering 50 percent 
or more off the normal, peak fare.

  CAPITAL AND DEBT SERVICE GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER 
                              CORPORATION

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $1,140,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016\1\...................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................       850,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      -290,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 
\1\FRA's budget request for Amtrak assumed a new structure for the
  Corporation. It requested $2,450,000,000 for the Current Passenger
  Rail account, which includes both operating and capital funds for
  Amtrak.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $850,000,000 for capital grants 
and debt service compliance with the Americans with 
Disabilities Act. The Committee's recommendation is 
$290,000,000 below the level enacted in fiscal year 2015.
    Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory 
Commission.--The Committee recommends up to $3,000,000. The 
Committee directs the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and 
Operations Advisory Commission to submit its fiscal year 2017 
budget request to the Appropriations Committees in similar 
format and substance as those submitted by other executive 
agencies of the federal government.
    Capital planning.--Amtrak OIG's report dated September 27, 
2013 found that Amtrak had significant weaknesses in its 
capital planning process, and did not consistently employ sound 
business practices. The report stated that Amtrak approved 
purchases without a needs assessment or without identifying how 
a project would relate the financial and non-financial goals of 
the company. In the summer of 2014, Amtrak issued a corporate-
wide policy for developing sound project proposals and 
improving business practices. The corporation has continued to 
strengthen that document. To ensure Amtrak continues to focus 
on sound financial practices, the Committee includes bill 
language requiring a business case analysis on capital 
investments that exceed $10,000,000 in life cycle costs.

       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION

    Section 150. The Committee retains a provision which allows 
FRA to receive and use cash or spare parts to repair and 
replace damaged automated track inspection cars and equipment 
in connection with the automated track inspection program.
    Section 151. The Committee continues a provision that 
limits overtime to $35,000 per employee, allows Amtrak's 
president to waive this restriction for specific employees for 
safety or operational efficiency reasons, and requires 
notification to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 30 days of granting such waivers. It also 
requires Amtrak to submit an annual report summarizing overtime 
payments incurred by the Corporation for calendar year 2015 and 
the prior three years. The summary shall include total number 
of employees that received waivers, total overtime payments 
paid to employees receiving waivers for each month for 2015 and 
the prior three calendar years.

                     Federal Transit Administration

    The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) was established as 
a component of the Department of Transportation on July 1, 
1968, when most of the functions and programs under the Federal 
Transit Act (78 Stat. 302; 49 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) were 
transferred from the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development. Known as the Urban Mass Transportation 
Administration until enactment of the Intermodal Surface 
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, the Federal Transit 
Administration administers federal financial assistance 
programs for planning, developing, and improving comprehensive 
mass transportation systems in both urban and non-urban areas.
    The most recent authorization for the programs under the 
Federal Transit Administration is contained in the Moving Ahead 
for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) (P.L. 112-141) 
and extensions. Annual Appropriations Acts included annual 
limitations on obligations for the transit formula grants 
programs, and direct appropriations of budget authority from 
the General Fund of the Treasury for the FTA's administrative 
expenses, research programs, and capital investment grants. The 
transit programs authorized under MAP-21 expire on May 31, 
2015.

                        ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $105,933,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       114,400,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       102,933,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -3,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -11,467,000
 

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total of $102,933,000 for FTA's 
administrative expenses, a decrease of $11,467,000 below the 
budget request and $3,000,000 below the 2015 enacted level. Of 
the funds provided, up to $4,000,000 is for authorized safety 
activities and not less than $750,000 is for asset management 
activities. The Committee's recommendation provides these funds 
from the General Fund, as usual, and rejects the proposal to 
fund basic salaries and expenses from a trust fund.
    Operating plans.--The Committee reiterates its direction 
from previous years which requires the FTA's operating plan to 
include a specific allocation of administrative expenses 
resources. The operating plan should include a delineation of 
full time equivalent employees, for the following offices: 
Office of the Administrator; Office of Administration; Office 
of Chief Counsel; Office of Communications and Congressional 
Affairs; Office of Program Management; Office of Budget and 
Policy; Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation; 
Office of Civil Rights; Office of Planning and Environment; 
Office of Safety and Oversight; and Regional Offices. Further, 
the operating plan must include any new programs or changes to 
the budget request, including new grant programs. In addition, 
the Committee directs the FTA to notify the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations at least thirty days in advance of 
any change that results in an increase or decrease of more than 
five percent from the initial operating plan submitted to the 
Committees for fiscal year 2016.
    Budget justifications.--If the quality of the congressional 
budget justification documents was directly related to the 
funding recommendation of the Committee, FTA would be looking 
an administrative expenses level of $100. However, that 
wouldn't allow for the timely release of formula funds and 
transit agencies across the country would suffer as a 
consequence, so the Committee is holding administrative 
expenses to near last year's funding level.
    The Committee is open to considering increases, where 
appropriate, with careful and thoughtful justification provided 
by the agency. Asking for a 50 FTE increase with only one half-
page chart comparing the number of staff against mythical 
program levels proposed in the budget is absurd. If FTA 
continues to seek additional staffing resources in fiscal year 
2017, the budget justifications must improve.
    The Committee continues the direction to FTA to submit 
future budget justifications in a format consistent with the 
instruction provided in House Report 109-153. FTA is free to 
submit a budget in alternate formats, but must also include the 
information required by the Committee. Further, consistent with 
the direction provided in Office of the Secretary--
Transportation, FTA is directed to justify each general 
provision proposed. If the budget proposes to drop or delete a 
general provision, the Department is directed to explain the 
change as well. FTA failed to comply fully with this very 
simple and basic requirement in the fiscal year 2016 budget 
documents. The Committee reminds FTA to provide this 
information.
    Annual new starts report.--The Committee has again included 
bill language requiring FTA to submit the annual new starts 
report with the initial submission of the budget request due in 
February, 2016.
    Transit security.--The Committee continues bill language 
prohibiting FTA from creating a permanent office of transit 
security.
    Full funding grant agreements (FFGAs).--TEA-21 required 
that the FTA notify the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations as well as the House Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Banking sixty 
days before executing a full funding grant agreement. In its 
notification to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations, the Committee directs the FTA to include the 
following: (1) a copy of the proposed full funding grant 
agreement; (2) the total and annual federal appropriations 
required for that project; (3) yearly and total federal 
appropriations that can be reasonably planned or anticipated 
for future FFGAs for each fiscal year through 2020; (4) a 
detailed analysis of annual commitments for current and 
anticipated FFGAs against the program authorization; (5) an 
evaluation of whether the alternatives analysis made by the 
applicant fully assessed all viable alternatives; (6) a 
financial analysis of the project's cost and sponsor's ability 
to finance the project, which shall be conducted by an 
independent examiner and which shall include an assessment of 
the capital cost estimate and the finance plan; (7) the source 
and security of all public- and private-sector financial 
instruments; (8) the project's operating plan, which enumerates 
the project's future revenue and ridership forecasts; and (9) a 
listing of all planned contingencies and possible risks 
associated with the project.
    The Committee continues the direction to FTA to inform the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations in writing thirty 
days before approving schedule, scope, or budget changes to any 
full funding grant agreement. Correspondence relating to 
changes shall include any budget revisions or program changes 
that materially alter the project as originally stipulated in 
the full funding grant agreement, including any proposed change 
in rail car procurements.
    In addition, the Committee directs FTA to continue 
reporting monthly to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations on the status of each project with a full 
funding grant agreement or that is within two years of a full 
funding grant agreement. Considering the scale of the proposed 
projects, the changes to the program in MAP-21 and any future 
authorization acts, and the massive growth in this account, the 
Committee finds monthly oversight reports particularly useful.
    Core capacity.--FTA's Rail Modernization Study in 2009 
highlighted the state-of-good repair needs of our nation's 
oldest transit systems and the challenges of increasing 
capacity on established legacy fixed-guideway systems to meet 
ridership demand. This study provided the framework for the 
eventual authorization of the core capacity program, and the 
Committee is interested in FTA's implementation of this new, 
MAP-21 program. The Committee directs FTA to report within 180 
days of enactment of this Act on how the new core capacity 
program could address both increased ridership and constrained 
infrastructure expansion challenges, particularly in legacy 
heavy rail systems.

                         TRANSIT FORMULA GRANTS

                  (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Liquidation of           Limitation on
                                                                 contract authorization        obligations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015...............................           $9,500,000,000           $8,595,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016..............................           13,800,000,000           13,800,000,000
Recommended in the bill.......................................            9,500,000,000            8,595,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2015...........................                    - - -                    - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2016..........................           -4,300,000,000           -5,205,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    MAP-21 provided contract authority for the transit formula 
grant programs from the mass transit account of the highway 
trust fund. These programs include: urbanized area formula, 
state safety oversight program, state of good repair grants, 
formula grants for rural areas, growing states and high density 
states, mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities, bus 
and bus facility formula grants, the bus testing facility, 
planning programs, transit oriented development, National 
Transit Institute, and the National Transit Database. The 
Appropriations Act sets an annual obligation limitation for 
such authority. This account is the only FTA account funded 
from the Highway Trust Fund.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an obligation limitation of 
$8,595,000,000 for the formula programs and activities, which 
is the same as the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The 
Committee's recommendation also includes $9,500,000,000 in 
liquidating funds. Funds are consistent with the final year of 
MAP-21 and contingent on authorization.
    Transit formula allocations.--The Committee stands by the 
principle that small and mid-sized cities should have equal 
opportunity to access Federal transit dollars as larger cities 
do, and supports efforts to recalculate funding formulas in 
order to ensure parity for these systems. The Committee is 
still awaiting the report due October 1, 2015 as requested in 
H. Report 113-136 regarding the transit formula allocation to 
medium and small cities.

             PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       $25,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -25,000,000
 

    MAP-21 authorized a new program to provide funds to transit 
agencies after disaster events to restore service. Both capital 
and operating costs are eligible.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation does not include funds for 
emergency relief program. The Committee will make funding 
determinations for emergency funds on a case-by-case basis.

                            TRANSIT RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $33,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        33,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        26,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -7,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -7,000,000
 

    MAP-21 authorizes FTA to provide funds under Sec. 5312 of 
title 49 to invest in the development, testing, and deployment 
of innovative technologies, materials and processes; and under 
Sec. 5313 of title 49 to fund the National Academy of Sciences 
to conduct investigative research on subjects related to public 
transportation.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $26,000,000 for transit research 
authorized, $7,000,000 below last year and the budget request. 
Funds are available for activities under Sec. 5312 of title 49. 
The 2016 budget proposed $60,000,000 in one research account 
instead of the two account structure provided last year and in 
this bill. Of the total request, $33,000,000 was identified for 
innovative technologies and research.
    The Committee requires FTA to report by May 15, 2016, on 
all FTA-sponsored research projects from fiscal year 2015 and 
2016 at the National Academy of Sciences.

                   TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $4,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        27,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         3,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -1,500,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -24,000,000
 

    MAP-21 authorizes FTA to provide technical assistance under 
Sec. 5314 of title 49 to the public transportation industry and 
to develop standards for transit service provision, with an 
emphasis on improving access for all individuals and 
transportation equity; and under Sec. 5222 of title 49 for 
human resource and training activities, and workforce 
development programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for technical 
assistance and training, $1,500,000 below the 2015 level, and 
$24,000,000 below the request. Funds are available for 
activities under Sec. 5312 of title 49. The 2016 budget 
proposed $60,000,000 in one research account instead of the two 
account structure provided last year and in this year's bill. 
Of the total request, $27,000,000 was identified for innovative 
technologies and research.
    Public transportation options for seniors.--The Committee 
encourages FTA to continue exploring improvements for the 
transportation options for seniors, including public 
transportation options where available, but also including 
software programs that leverage unused private transportation 
capacity to promote transportation for seniors in small and 
rural communities.

                       CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $2,120,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     3,250,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     1,921,395,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      -198,605,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................    -1,328,605,000
 

    Grants for capital investment to rail or other fixed 
guideway transit systems are awarded to public bodies and 
agencies (transit authorities and other state and local public 
bodies and agencies thereof) including states, municipalities, 
other political subdivisions of states; public agencies and 
instrumentalities of one or more states; and certain public 
corporations, boards and commissions under state law.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $1,921,395,000 for capital 
investment grants which is $198,605,000 below the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $1,328,605,000 below the budget request.
    The fiscal year 2016 recommendation provides $1,250,000,000 
for all current and on-going full funding grant agreements 
(FFGA) consistent with the agreed-upon payout schedules for 
each project.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Signed FFGAs                    Fiscal Year 2016 Funds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA--Regional Connector Transit Corridor........             $100,000,000
CA--Third Street Light Rail Phase 2--Central...              150,000,000
CA--Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension.........              150,000,000
CO--RTD Eagle Denver...........................              150,000,000
MA--Cambridge to Medford, Green Line...........              150,000,000
HI--Honolulu...................................              250,000,000
NC--Blue Line Extension, NE Corridor...........              100,000,000
OR--Portland Milwaukie LRT.....................              100,000,000
CA--Westside Subway Extension..................              100,000,000
                                                ------------------------
    Signed FFGA Total..........................           $1,250,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee's recommendation provides $250,000,000 for 
projects that will be signed under a FFGA by September 30, 
2016. In addition, $353,000,000 is provided for nine new small 
start projects proposed in the budget.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Small Starts                    Fiscal Year 2016 Funds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA--FAX Blackstone/Kings Canyon Fresno.........              $11,000,000
CA--Van Ness Ave San Francisco.................               30,000,000
CA--San Rafael to Larkspur San Rafael..........               20,000,000
NC--CityLYNX Gold Line Charlotte...............               75,000,000
NV--4th St/Prater Way Reno.....................                6,000,000
OH--Cleveland Ave Columbus.....................               38,000,000
TX--Montana Corridor El Paso...................               27,000,000
UT--Provo Orem Provo...........................               71,000,000
WA--Tacoma Link Tacoma.........................               75,000,000
                                                ------------------------
    New Small Starts Total.....................             $353,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the Committee recommends $40,000,000 for the core 
capacity program authorized in MAP-21 and provides a total 
$28,395,000 (about 1.5 percent) for oversight activities 
related to the investments of this account.

             WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $150,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       150,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       100,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       -50,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -50,000,000
 

    Section 601 of Division B of the Passenger Rail Investment 
and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) (Public Law 110-432) 
authorized $1,500,000,000 over a ten-year period for preventive 
maintenance and capital grants for the Washington Metropolitan 
Area Transportation Authority (WMATA). The law requires that 
the federal funds be matched dollar-for-dollar by Virginia, 
Maryland and the District of Columbia in equal proportions. The 
compact required under the law has been established and 
Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia have all 
committed to providing $50,000,000 each in local matching 
funds. Fiscal year 2016 represents the 7th year of payments 
under PRIIA.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation includes $100,000,000 for 
preventive maintenance and capital grants for WMATA, which is 
$50,000,000 below both the budget request and last year's 
enacted level.
    The Committee does not make this recommendation lightly, 
and remains committed to assisting WMATA with its capital and 
safety needs. However, the Committee is looking to WMATA, FTA, 
and the governments of Maryland, Virginia and the District of 
Columbia to demonstrate their commitment to the region's 
transit system, it's financial health and sound planning, and 
actions to address infrastructure and safety concerns. 
Recruiting a strong leader to address the concerns raised by 
the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FTA would 
be a step in the right direction.
    The Committee directs WMATA to continue addressing the 
safety issues within the agency, specifically, those identified 
by the NTSB. WMATA is further directed to implement any and all 
corrective actions to address financial, contracting, and 
accounting concerns raised by FTA's financial management 
oversight audit.
    As the fiscal year 2016 process continues, WMATA and FTA 
are directed to update the Committee monthly about any 
improvements made to WMATA's financial and contracting systems 
and addressing material weaknesses. Should FTA indicate 
substantial improvement at WMATA in addressing these issues, 
the Committee will reevaluate the funding recommendation as the 
bill moves to conference.
    Finally, should the WMATA board endorse any effort to defer 
maintenance, or move funds from maintenance and safety to 
operating in order to address an operating budget shortfall, 
the Committee will view those budgetary shifts as a lack of 
commitment to the spirit in which PRIIA funds were provided and 
the Committee will consider its financial contributions 
accordingly.

       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

    Section 160. The Committee continues the provision that 
exempts previously made transit obligations from limitations on 
obligations.
    Section 161. The Committee continues the provision that 
allows funds appropriated for capital investment grants and bus 
and bus facilities not obligated by September 30, 2020, plus 
other recoveries to be available for other projects under 49 
U.S.C. 5309.
    Section 162. The Committee continues the provision that 
allows for the transfer of prior year appropriations from older 
accounts to be merged into new accounts with similar, current 
activities.
    Section 163. The Committee continues the provision that 
prohibits a full funding grant agreement for a project with a 
new starts share greater than 50 percent.
    Section 164. The Committee includes a provision regarding a 
certain fixed guideway project in Houston, Texas.

             Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation


       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $32,042,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        36,400,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        32,042,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................            - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -4,358,000
 

    The Great Lakes Saint Lawrence Seaway System, located 
between Montreal and Lake Erie, is a binational, 15-lock system 
jointly operated by the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development 
Corporation (SLSDC) and its Canadian counterpart, the Canadian 
St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. The SLSDC was 
established by the St. Lawrence Seaway Act of 1954 and is a 
wholly owned government corporation and an operating 
administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). 
The SLSDC is charged with operating and maintaining the U.S. 
portion of the St. Lawrence Seaway. This responsibility 
includes the two U.S. locks in Massena, New York, vessel 
traffic control in portions of the St. Lawrence River and Lake 
Ontario, and trade development functions to enhance the 
utilization of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
    The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 authorized the 
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund as a source of appropriations for 
SLSDC operations and maintenance. Additionally, the SLSDC 
generates non-federal revenues which can then be used for 
operations and maintenance.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total appropriation of 
$32,042,000 to fund the operations, maintenance, and capital 
asset renewal needs of the SLSDC. This funding level is the 
same as the fiscal year 2015 appropriation and $4,358,000 below 
the budget request. The Committee continues the direction to 
the SLSDC to provide semiannual reports consistent with the 
requirements stated in the Explanatory Statement of the 
Department of Transportation Appropriations Act of 2009.
    The Committee's recommendation includes funds as requested 
for the replacement of the Robinson Bay tugboat due to the 
safety, emergency response, and ice breaking missions of the 
vessel. While the Committee's recommendation does not include 
new funds for the hands-free mooring system installation at 
Snell Lock, the SLSDC is free to utilize prior year unobligated 
funds for the project.

                        MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

    The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is responsible for 
programs that strengthen the U.S. maritime industry in support 
of the Nation's security and economic needs, as authorized by 
the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. MARAD's mission is to promote 
the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced 
United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation's 
domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its 
waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of serving as a naval 
and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency. 
MARAD, working with the Department of Defense (DoD), helps 
provide a seamless, time-phased transition from peacetime to 
wartime operations, while balancing the defense and commercial 
elements of the maritime transportation system. MARAD also 
manages the maritime security program, the voluntary intermodal 
sealift agreement program and the ready reserve force, which 
assures DoD access to commercial and strategic sealift and 
associated intermodal capability. Further, MARAD's education 
and training programs through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 
and six state maritime academies help create skilled U.S. 
merchant marine officers.

                       MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $186,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       211,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       186,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -25,000,000
 

    The purpose of the Maritime Security Program (MSP) is to 
maintain and preserve a U.S. flag merchant fleet to serve the 
national security needs of the United States. The MSP provides 
direct payments to U.S. flagship operators engaged in U.S.-
foreign trade. Participating operators are required to keep the 
vessels in active commercial service and are required to 
provide intermodal sealift support to the Department of Defense 
in times of war or national emergency.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $186,000,000 for this account, 
consistent with the authorized funding level and the amount 
provided in fiscal year 2015, and $25,000,000 below the 
request. Funds are available until expended.
    The Committee does not provide $25,000,000 requested for 
new payments to shippers as the Congress has not adopted 
changes to the food aid program.

                        OPERATIONS AND TRAINING

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $148,050,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       184,637,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       164,158,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       +16,108,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -20,479,000
 

    The operations and training account provides funding for 
headquarters and field offices to administer and direct MARAD 
operations and programs. The account also provides funding for 
the operation of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and financial 
assistance to the six state maritime academies.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $164,158,000 for MARAD operations 
and training expenses, $16,108,000 more than the fiscal year 
2015 funding level and $20,479,000 below the fiscal year 2016 
budget request.
    MARAD operations.--Of the funds provided, a total of 
$46,758,000 is for headquarters and regional office operations, 
of which $46,758,000 is for maritime environment and compliance 
program expenses. The Committee continues the reporting 
requirement that MARAD submit information on the number of 
vacancies at MARAD headquarters and regional offices, and the 
duties associated with each vacancy concurrent with the fiscal 
year 2016 budget submission.
    United States Merchant Marine Academy.--The U.S. Merchant 
Marine Academy (the Academy or USMMA) provides educational 
programs for men and women to become shipboard officers and 
leaders in the maritime industry. The Committee continues to 
include language requiring all funding for the Academy go 
directly to the Secretary, and that 50 percent of the funding 
will not be available until MARAD submits a plan detailing how 
the funding will be spent. The Committee's funding 
recommendation includes a total of $83,800,000 in fiscal year 
2016 for the USMMA, of which up to $64,100,000 is for Academy 
operations and not less than $19,700,000 is for capital 
improvements. The committee's recommendation includes 
$15,000,000 as requested for the renovation of Gibbs Hall, but 
not the $5,000,000 requested for architecture and engineering 
work associated with renovations of Melville and Fulton Halls.
    State maritime academies.--The Committee recommends 
$33,600,000 for the state maritime academies. Of the funds 
provided, $3,000,000 is for direct payments, $2,400,000 is for 
student payments, and $1,200,000 is for fuel assistance. Funds 
requested for enhanced mariner compliance and training are not 
included in the funding recommendation.
    Schoolships.--Per the direction in last year's report, 
MARAD has examined the state of repair of all schoolships 
across the country and reported back to the Committee. The 
situation is dire. As suspected, the training ships at the 
various maritime academies are at the end of, if not beyond, 
their useful life. Extensive and expensive repairs are required 
to simply keep vessels safe. Schoolships are vital to a quality 
maritime education. The Committee's recommendation for the 
state maritime academies includes $22,000,000 for the repair 
and maintenance of existing schoolships. Further, another 
$5,000,000 is recommended, as requested, for the design of a 
common schoolship design for all maritime academies under 
MARAD.

                             SHIP DISPOSAL

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $4,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         8,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         4,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -4,000,000
 

    MARAD serves as the federal government's disposal agent for 
government-owned merchant vessels weighing 1,500 gross tons or 
more. The ship disposal program provides resources to dispose 
of obsolete merchant-type vessels in the National Defense 
Reserve Fleet (NDRF). The Maritime Administration was required 
by Public Law 106-398 to dispose of its obsolete inventory by 
the end of 2006. These vessels pose a significant environmental 
threat due to the presence of hazardous substances such as 
asbestos and solid and liquid polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $4,000,000 for ship disposal 
activities, the same as the fiscal year 2015 funding level and 
$4,000,000 below budget request. Funds are available until 
expended. Considering MARAD has routinely exceeded its own 
performance goals for ship disposal in years past, this funding 
level should be sufficient to meet the 2017 deadline for ship 
disposal. The Committee encourages MARAD to continue all 
efforts to sell ships slated for disposal. Finally, MARAD 
should explore shifting costs associated with maintenance of 
the NS Savannah to the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program 
in either this year's budget or the 2017 request.

              MARITIME GUARANTEED LOAD (TITLE XI) PROGRAM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $3,100,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         3,135,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         3,135,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................            35,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 

    The Maritime Guaranteed Loan Program, as provided for by 
Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, provides for 
guaranteed loans for purchasers of ships from the U.S. 
shipbuilding industry and for modernization of U.S. shipyards. 
Funds for administrative expenses for the Title XI program are 
appropriated to this account, and then paid to operations and 
training to be obligated and expended.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends the budget request of $3,135,000 
for the Maritime Guaranteed Loan (Title XI) Program, which is 
$35,000 more than the amount provided in fiscal year 2015. 
Funds are transferred to the ``Operations and Training'' 
account.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Section 170. The Committee continues a provision that 
allows the Maritime Administration to furnish utilities and 
services and make repairs to any lease, contract, or occupancy 
involving government property under the control of MARAD and 
rental payments shall be paid into the Treasury as 
miscellaneous receipts.
    Section 171. The Committee continues a provision regarding 
MARAD ship disposal.

         Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

    The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
(PHMSA) administers nationwide safety programs designed to 
protect the public and the environment from risks inherent in 
the commercial transportation of hazardous materials by 
pipeline, air, rail, vessel, and highway. Many of these 
materials are essential to the national economy. The agency's 
highest priority is safety, and it uses safety management 
principles and security assessments to promote the safe 
transport of hazardous materials and the security of the 
nation's pipelines.

                          OPERATIONAL EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $22,225,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        22,500,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        20,725,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -1,500,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -1,775,000
 

    This appropriation finances the operational support costs 
for PHMSA, including agency-wide functions of administration, 
management, policy development, legal counsel, budget, 
financial management, civil rights, human resources, 
acquisition services, information technology, and governmental 
and public affairs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $20,725,000 for PHMSA operational 
expenses. This is $1,500,000 below fiscal year 2015 enacted, 
and $1,775,000 below the budget request. The recommendation 
does not include funding for pipeline information grants to 
communities.

                       HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $52,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        64,254,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        60,500,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        +8,500,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -3,754,000
 

    The hazardous materials safety program advances the safe 
and secure transport of hazardous materials (hazmat) in 
commerce by air, truck, railroad and vessel. PHMSA evaluates 
hazmat safety risks, develops and enforces regulations for 
transporting hazmat, educates shippers and carriers, 
investigates hazmat incidents and failures, conducts research, 
and provides grants to improve emergency response to 
transportation incidents involving hazmat.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $60,500,000, $8,500,000 above 
fiscal year 2015 enacted and $3,754,000 below the request. This 
funding level supports the agency's existing hazardous 
materials safety program as well as increases requested to 
support the safe transport of energy products initiative. 
Increases requested for the risk management framework are not 
provided. The Committee recommends $7,570,000 of the total to 
remain available for three years for long-term research and 
development contracts.
    Special permits and approval fee proposal.--The Committee 
does not include the request for new special permits and 
approval fees. Additional fees within this account should be 
considered in the context of authorizing legislation 
originating in the committees of jurisdiction.
    Crude oil stabilization.--In order to better understand the 
energy product transportation safety problem, the Committee 
encourages the Federal Railroad Administration and PHMSA to 
jointly study the issue of vapor pressure, a measure of crude 
oil volatility during transport. The agencies are encouraged to 
also study potential options for stabilizing crude prior to 
transfer and costs associated with each option. The Department 
shall update the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
on their joint findings within 180 days of enactment of this 
Act.

                            PIPELINE SAFETY

                         (PIPELINE SAFETY FUND)

                    (OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         (Oil spill       (Pipeline
                                                                        (Pipeline     liability trust   safety design    (General fund)       Total
                                                                       safety fund)        fund)         review fund)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................................     $124,500,000      $19,500,000       $2,000,000               $0     $146,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................................      152,104,000       19,500,000        2,000,000        1,500,000      175,104,000
Recommended in the bill............................................      124,500,000       19,500,000                0        1,870,000      145,870,000
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2015................................            - - -            - - -       -2,000,000       +1,870,000         -130,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2016...............................      -27,604,000            - - -       -2,000,000         +370,000      -29,234,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PHMSA oversees the safety, security, and environmental 
protection of pipelines through analysis of data, damage 
prevention, education and training, development and enforcement 
of regulations and policies, research and development, grants 
for states pipeline safety programs, and emergency planning and 
response to accidents. The pipeline safety program is 
responsible for a national regulatory program to protect the 
public against the risks to life and property in the 
transportation of natural gas, petroleum and other hazardous 
materials by pipeline.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $145,870,000 to continue pipeline 
safety operations, research and development, and state grants-
in-aid, which is $130,000 below fiscal year 2015 enacted and 
$29,234,000 below the budget request. Of the total, $19,500,000 
is from the oil spill liability trust fund, $124,500,000 is 
from the pipeline safety fund, and $1,870,000 is from the 
general fund.
    The Committee recommends $66,309,000 of the funds provided 
to remain available until September 30, 2018.
    The Committee recommendation provides $12,000,000 for 
research and development. $46,000,000 is provided for state 
pipeline safety grants, $1,000,000 is provided for state one-
call grants, and $1,500,000 is provided for state damage 
prevention grants. Funding is provided for full year costs of 
additional staff hired in 2015, net of attrition. However, no 
additional program or personnel increases are funded in 2016. 
Funding requested for a national pipeline safety exchange is 
not provided. PHMSA shall deliver a report to the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations within 120 days of 
enactment that details staffing and hiring plans for fiscal 
year 2016 as well as actual turnover and hiring in fiscal year 
2015.

                     EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS

                     (EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUND)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           (Emergency       (Emergency
                                          preparedness     preparedness
                                             fund)        grant program)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......         $188,000    ($28,318,000)
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......          188,000     (28,318,000)
Recommended in the bill...............          188,000     (28,318,000)
Bill compared to:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....            - - -          (- - -)
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....            - - -          (- - -)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Hazardous Materials Transportation Uniform Safety Act 
of 1990 (Public Law 101-616) requires PHMSA to: (1) develop and 
implement a reimbursable emergency preparedness grant program; 
(2) monitor public sector emergency response training and 
planning and provide technical assistance to states, political 
subdivisions and Indian tribes; and (3) develop and update 
periodically a mandatory training curriculum for emergency 
responders.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $28,318,000 for the emergency 
preparedness grants program, which is the same as fiscal year 
2015 enacted and the budget request.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The Inspector General's office was established in 1978 to 
provide an objective and independent organization that would be 
more effective in: (1) preventing and detecting fraud, waste, 
and abuse in departmental programs and operations; and (2) 
providing a means of keeping the Secretary of Transportation 
and the Congress fully and currently informed of problems and 
deficiencies in the administration of such programs and 
operations. According to the authorizing legislation, the 
Inspector General (IG) is to report dually to the Secretary of 
Transportation and to the Congress.

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $86,223,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        87,472,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        86,223,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -1,249,000
 

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation provides $86,223,000 for the 
Office of Inspector General, which is the same as the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $1,249,000 below the budget 
request. The Committee continues to highly value the work of 
the IG in oversight of departmental programs and activities.
    Unfair business practices.--The bill maintains language 
first enacted in fiscal year 2000 which authorizes the OIG to 
investigate allegations of fraud and unfair or deceptive 
practices and unfair methods of competition by air carriers and 
ticket agents.
    Audit Reports.--The Committee requests the IG to continue 
forwarding copies of all audit reports to the Committee 
immediately after they are issued, and to continue to make the 
Committee aware immediately of any review that recommends 
cancellation or modifications to any major acquisition project 
or grant, or which recommends significant budgetary savings. 
The OIG is also directed to withhold from public distribution 
for a period of 15 days any final audit or investigative report 
which was requested by the House or Senate Committees on 
Appropriations.
    Audit of Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, 
Texas.--The Committee directs the IG to conduct an audit into 
the financial solvency of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of 
Harris County, Texas (Houston METRO). As part of this audit, 
the IG should conduct a stress test to determine if Houston 
Metro has adequate finances to pay for the construction of new 
rail lines, as well as the operation and maintenance of 
existing rail lines and the operation and maintenance of buses.

                      Surface Transportation Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $31,375,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        32,499,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        31,375,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -1,124,000
 

    The Surface Transportation Board (STB) was created in the 
Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 and is 
the successor agency to the Interstate Commerce Commission. The 
STB is an economic regulatory and adjudicatory body charged by 
Congress with resolving railroad rate and service disputes and 
reviewing proposed railroad mergers. The STB is decisionally 
independent, although it is administratively affiliated with 
the Department of Transportation. The Passenger Rail Investment 
and Improvement Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-432, (PRIIA), included 
new responsibilities for the STB.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $31,375,000 
for fiscal year 2016, which is equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and 1,124,000 less than the request. The STB is 
estimated to collect $1,250,000 in fees which will offset the 
appropriation for a total program cost of $30,125,000.

            GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

    Section 180. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
the Department of Transportation (DOT) to use funds for 
aircraft, motor vehicles, liability insurance, uniforms, or 
allowances, as authorized by law.
    Section 181. The Committee continues the provision limiting 
appropriations for services authorized by 5 U.S. C. 3109 to the 
rate for an Executive Level IV.
    Section 182. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds from being used for salaries and expenses of 
more than 110 political and Presidential appointees in DOT. The 
provision also requires that none of the personnel covered by 
this provision may be assigned on temporary detail outside DOT.
    Section 183. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting recipients of funds made available in this Act from 
releasing certain personal information and photographs from a 
driver's license or motor vehicle record without express 
consent of the person to whom such information pertains, and 
prohibits the withholding of funds provided in this Act for any 
grantee if a state is in noncompliance with this provision.
    Section 184. The Committee continues the provision 
permitting funds received by specified DOT agencies from states 
or other private or public sources for expenses incurred for 
training to be credited to certain specified agency accounts.
    Section 185. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds for loans, loan guarantees, lines of credit, 
or grants unless the Secretary of Transportation notifies the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no less than 
three days in advance, and directs the Secretary to give 
concurrent notification for any ``quick release'' of funds from 
the Federal Highway Administration's emergency release program.
    Section 186. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
funds received from rebates, refunds, and similar sources to be 
credited to appropriations of the DOT.
    Section 187. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
amounts from improper payments to a third party contractor that 
are lawfully recovered by the DOT to be available to cover 
expenses incurred in the recovery of such payments, and allows 
the Secretary to credit an account that is associated with such 
improper payments.
    Section 188. The Committee continues the provision 
mandating that reprogramming action notifications shall be 
transmitted solely to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations, and are to be approved or denied solely by the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 189. The Committee continues the provision capping 
the amount of fees the Surface Transportation Board can charge 
and collect for rate or practice complaints filed at the amount 
authorized for court civil suit filing fees.
    Section 190. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
funds appropriated to modal administrations to be obligated for 
the Office of the Secretary for costs related to assessments 
only when such funds provide a direct benefit to that modal 
administration.
    Section 191. The Committee continues the provision 
authorizing DOT to set uniform standards for transit benefits 
for agency transit passes and transit benefits.
    Section 192. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting 
the Surface Transportation Board to take any actions with 
respect to the construction of the high speed rail in 
California unless the Board has jurisdiction over the entire 
project.
    Section 193. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting 
funds to be used to facilitate scheduled air transportation to, 
or pass through, property confiscated by the Cuban Government.

          TITLE II--DEPARMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                     Management and Administration

    Management and Administration accounts provide operating 
support to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 
Funding supports the salaries and expenses of nearly all HUD 
employees as well as certain non-personnel expenses critical to 
carrying out HUD's mission including funding for shared service 
agreements. The Committee supports the Department's efforts to 
transform the way it does business and encourages the 
Department to continue efforts to streamline operations while 
making targeted technology and human capital investments.
    Shared service agreements.--The Committee supports the 
Department's efforts to improve its financial management and 
human capital operations by establishing shared service 
arrangements with the Department of Treasury. Dedicated funding 
is specifically provided to fully fund the request for these 
agreements. Because costs are based on transaction volumes that 
are uncertain, recommended funding for shared service 
agreements is available until expended and can be used to 
support payments in future fiscal years should transaction 
volumes in 2016 fall short of projections. Similarly, should 
shared service agreement costs exceed projections, funding 
provided to the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and the 
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer is also available for 
this same purpose. The Committee expects the Department to 
offset the cost of outsourcing this transaction work with 
significant reductions or reallocations of HUD staff previously 
dedicated to delivering these services. The Department shall 
deliver a report to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 60 days of enactment that includes 
current and projected shared service agreement transaction 
volume and cost data for the fiscal year, as well as a staff 
reorganization plan that demonstrates cost reductions and staff 
reorganizations planned in conjunction with this new operating 
model.
    Budget presentation.--The Committee commends HUD for 
improvements made to the structure and clarity of its budget 
request. However, inconsistencies in the classification of 
resources by function continue to make it difficult to 
distinguish baseline activities from new activities or to draw 
comparisons across fiscal years. The Committee directs HUD to 
clearly identify and explain within its budget request the 
movement, reclassification, or transfer of budgetary resources 
from one account, program, project, or activity to another 
account, program, project, or activity so that year-over-year 
comparisons are possible. Any programs, projects, or activities 
that are newly requested or transferred from accounts outside 
Management and Administration shall also be clearly identified 
and clearly distinguished from adjustments to baseline 
spending.
    Budgetary resource planning and oversight.--The Committee 
remains concerned with HUD's ability to consistently establish 
and execute budgetary resource plans across its various offices 
and across fiscal years. HUD consistently requests to reprogram 
funds late in the fiscal year to resolve deficiencies and other 
financial management problems. The Department continues to 
over-rely on transfer authorities that undermine internal 
fiscal discipline and the resource allocation process. Further, 
actual budget execution often differs dramatically from what is 
projected in the budget request and inconsistencies across 
budget years call into question whether HUD offices 
consistently track resources. It is critical that HUD senior 
management hold offices accountable to resource demands made 
both during formulation of the budget and throughout the fiscal 
year. While HUD should be commended for progress made to reduce 
amounts left unobligated, management of resources at fiscal 
yearend remains a challenge. To improve budgetary resource 
planning and execution, transfer and reprogramming authorities 
provided in previous fiscal years are eliminated. Instead, a 
portion of funding provided under this heading is eligible for 
transfer across all HUD offices and is available through 
September 30, 2017. HUD is directed to include in its annual 
operating plan a transfer plan for these funds that delineates 
the purpose and timing of transfers by office. The operating 
plan shall also include a review of how management will track 
budget execution and what conditions or milestones will be used 
to determine when the transfer plan requires amendment. In 
addition, HUD shall report to the House and Senate Committees 
on Appropriations quarterly on any amendments made to the 
transfer plan and include an explanation for each change.
    New initiatives.--The Committee reiterates that the 
Department must limit the reprogramming of funds between the 
programs, projects, and activities within each account and that 
no changes may be made to any program, project, or activity 
without prior approval of the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations. Unless otherwise identified in the bill or 
report, the most detailed allocation of budgetary resources 
presented in the budget justifications is approved with any 
deviation from such approved allocation subject to 
reprogramming requirements. All carryover funds, including 
recaptures and deobligations, are also subject to reprogramming 
requirements.

                           Executive Offices


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $14,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        14,646,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        14,500,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................          -146,000
 

    The Executive Offices account funds the salaries and 
expenses of the Immediate Office of the Secretary, the 
Immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary, the Office of 
Adjudicatory Services, the Office of Congressional and 
Intergovernmental Relations, the Office of Public Affairs, the 
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, and the 
Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
    The Immediate Office of the Secretary provides program and 
policy guidance, and operations management and oversight in 
administering all programs, functions and authorities of the 
Department.
    The Immediate Office of the Deputy Secretary provides 
operations management and helps the Department achieve its 
strategic goals by providing management support to program 
offices under the direction of the Office of the Secretary.
    The Office of Adjudicatory Services, formerly known as the 
Office of Hearings and Appeals, conducts hearings and makes 
determinations regarding formal complaints or adverse actions 
initiated by HUD based upon alleged violations of federal 
statutes and implementing regulations.
    The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional and 
Intergovernmental Relations is responsible for coordinating 
Congressional and intergovernmental relations activities 
involving program offices to ensure the effective and accurate 
presentation of the Department's views.
    The Office of Public Affairs educates the American people 
about the Department's mission through media outreach and other 
communication tools such as press releases, press conferences, 
the Internet, media interviews, new media and community 
outreach.
    The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
provides small business program design and outreach to the 
business community and serves as the central referral point for 
small business regulatory compliance information.
    The Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships 
conducts outreach, recommends changes to HUD policies and 
programs that present barriers to grassroots organizations, and 
initiates special projects, such as grant writing training.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The committee recommends $14,500,000, which is the same as 
fiscal year 2015 enacted and $146,000 below the budget request.
    The bill also provides that no more than $25,000 provided 
under the immediate Office of the Secretary shall be available 
for official reception and representation expenses as the 
Secretary may determine.

                     ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OFFICES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $518,100,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       577,861,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       547,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       +28,900,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -30,861,000
 

    The Administrative Support Offices account funds the 
salaries and expenses of the Office of Administration, the 
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, the Office of 
General Counsel, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the 
Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, the Office of 
Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity, the Office of Field 
Policy and Management, the Office of Strategic Planning and 
Management, and the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
    The Office of Administration provides general operational 
support services to all offices and divisions throughout HUD. 
These services include HUD's non-information technology 
infrastructure in the following areas: nationwide management 
and operation of buildings, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 
processing, records management, Privacy Act administration, 
protective and physical security for HUD's Secretary and Deputy 
Secretary, and disaster and emergency response coordination.
    The Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer provides 
human resource services to all offices and divisions throughout 
HUD. These services include HUD's non-information technology 
infrastructure in the following areas: strategic human capital 
management, enterprise level training and learning, recruitment 
and staffing, workforce planning, retention, engagement, 
succession planning and Departmental performance management.
    The Office of Field Policy and Management (FPM) serves as 
the principal advisor providing oversight and communicating 
Secretarial priorities and policies to field office staff and 
HUD clients. The Regional and Field Office Directors act as the 
operational managers in each of the field offices and manage 
and coordinate cross-program delivery in the field.
    The Office of the Chief Procurement Officer's (OCPO) 
mission is to provide high-quality acquisition support services 
to all HUD program offices by purchasing necessary operational 
and mission-related goods and services; provide advice, 
guidance and technical assistance to all departmental offices 
on matters concerning procurement; assist program offices in 
defining and specifying their procurement needs; develop and 
maintain all procurement guidance including regulations, 
policies, and procedures; and assist in the development of 
sound acquisition strategies.
    The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) provides 
leadership in instituting financial integrity, fiscal 
responsibility and accountability. The CFO is responsible for 
all aspects of financial management, accounting and budgetary 
matters; ensuring the Department establishes and meets 
financial management goals and objectives; ensuring the 
Department is in compliance with financial management 
legislation and directives; analyzing budgetary implications of 
policy and legislative proposals; and providing technical 
oversight with respect to all budget activities throughout the 
Department.
    The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is led 
by the Chief Information Officer (CIO) who reports to the 
Office of the Secretary/Deputy Secretary. HUD's CIO advises 
senior managers on the strategic use of information technology 
to support core business processes and to achieve mission 
critical goals. OCIO is responsible for providing modern 
information technology that is secure, accessible and cost 
effective while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory 
requirements.
    The General Counsel, as the chief legal officer and legal 
voice of the Department, is the legal adviser to the Secretary 
and other principal staff of the Department. It is the 
responsibility of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to 
provide legal opinions, advice and services with respect to all 
programs and activities, and to provide counsel and assistance 
in the development of the Department's programs and policies.
    The mission of the Office of Departmental Equal Employment 
Opportunity (ODEEO) is to ensure the enforcement of Federal 
laws relating to the elimination of all forms of discrimination 
in the Department's employment practices. The mission is 
carried out through the functions of three divisions: the 
Affirmative Employment division, the Alternative Dispute 
Resolution division, and the Equal Employment Opportunity 
division.
    The Office of Strategic Planning and Management drives 
organizational, programmatic, and operational change across the 
Department to maximize efficiency and performance. The office 
will facilitate HUD's strategic planning process by identifying 
the Department's strategic priorities and transformational 
change initiatives, create and manage work plans for targeted 
transformation projects, and develop key program performance 
measures and targets for monitoring.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $547,000,000 for this account, 
which is $28,900,000 above fiscal year 2015 enacted and 
$30,861,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee recommendation reflects full funding for the 
Department's promise zone initiative. Additional funding 
requested to support administration of the housing trust fund 
program, expansion of the rental assistance demonstration, and 
establishment of a digital services team are not provided.
    Funding specified for each office is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Office                               Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of Administration................................    $199,000,000
Office of the Chief Financial Officer...................      39,000,000
Office of the General Counsel...........................      93,000,000
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer...............      40,000,000
Office of Field Policy and Management...................      49,000,000
Office of the Chief Procurement Officer.................      16,000,000
Office of the Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity.       3,000,000
Office of Strategic Planning and Management.............       4,000,000
Office of the Chief Information Officer.................      44,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Program Office Salaries and Expenses


                       PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $203,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       210,002,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       203,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -7,002,000
 

    The Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) oversees the 
administration of HUD's public housing, housing choice voucher, 
and native american programs. PIH is responsible for 
administering and managing programs authorized and funded by 
Congress under the basic provisions of the U.S. Housing Act of 
1937.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $203,000,000 for this account, 
which is the same as the level enacted in fiscal year 2015, and 
$7,002,000 below the fiscal year 2016 budget request.

                   COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $102,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       112,115,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       102,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -10,115,000
 

    The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) 
assists communities in their efforts to provide affordable 
housing and expanded economic opportunities for low- and 
moderate-income persons. The primary means toward this end is 
the development of partnerships among all levels of government 
and the private sector. This office is responsible for the 
effective administration of Community Development Block Grants 
(CDBG), the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME), Homeless 
Assistance Grants and other HUD community development programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $102,000,000 for this account, 
which is the same as the level enacted in fiscal year 2015, and 
$10,115,000 below the budget request. The Committee 
recommendation reflects full funding for the Department's 
promise zone initiative.
    Office of economic resilience.--No funding is provided for 
activities requested under the office of economic resilience 
and the Department is directed to eliminate this office. No 
funding is provided for any activities previously conducted 
under the office of sustainable communities.

                                HOUSING

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $379,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       397,174,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       372,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -7,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -25,174,000
 

    The Office of Housing implements programmatic, regulatory, 
financial, and operational responsibilities under the 
leadership of six deputy assistant secretaries and the field 
staff for activities related to Federal Housing Administration 
(FHA) multifamily and single family homeownership programs, and 
assisted rental housing programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $372,000,000 for this account, 
which is $7,000,000 below the level enacted in fiscal year 
2015, and $25,174,000 below the budget request. The Committee 
expects the Department to leverage the reorganization of the 
office of multifamily to realize budgetary savings and to 
reallocate resources to other baseline functions.

                    POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $22,700,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        23,907,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        22,700,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -1,207,000
 

    The Office of Policy Development and Research (PDR) directs 
the Department's annual research agenda to support the research 
and evaluation of housing and other departmental initiatives to 
improve HUD's effectiveness and operational efficiencies. 
Research proposals are determined through consultation with 
senior staff from each HUD program office, the Office of 
Management and Budget, and Congress.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $22,700,000 for this account, 
which is the same as the level enacted in fiscal year 2015 and 
$1,207,000 below the budget request.

                   FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $68,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        81,132,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        73,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        +5,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -8,132,000
 

    The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is 
responsible for developing policies and guidance, and for 
providing technical support for enforcement of the Fair Housing 
Act and the civil rights statutes. FHEO serves as the central 
point for the formulation, clearance and dissemination of 
policies, intra-departmental clearances, and public information 
related to fair housing issues. FHEO receives, investigates, 
conciliates and recommends the issuance of charges of 
discrimination and determinations of non-compliance for 
complaints filed under Title VIII and other civil rights 
authorities. Additionally, FHEO conducts civil rights 
compliance reviews and compliance reviews under Section 3.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $73,000,000 for this account, 
which is $5,000,000 above the level enacted in fiscal year 2015 
and $8,132,000 below the budget request. The Committee 
recommendation provides additional resources to support 
implementation of the affirmatively furthering fair housing 
rule.

            OFFICE OF LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $6,700,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         7,812,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         6,700,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -1,112,000
 

    The Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control 
(OHHLHC) is directly responsible for the administration of the 
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction program authorized by Title X 
of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992. The 
office also addresses multiple housing-related hazards 
affecting the health of residents, particularly children. The 
office develops lead-based paint regulations, guidelines, and 
policies applicable to HUD programs, and enforces the Lead 
Disclosure Rule issued under Title X.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $6,700,000 for this account, which 
is the same as fiscal year 2015 enacted and $1,112,000 below 
the budget request.

                       Public and Indian Housing


                     TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................   $19,304,160,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................    21,123,496,000
Recommended in the bill...............................    19,918,643,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      +614,483,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................    -1,204,853,000
 

    In fiscal year 2005, the Housing Certificate Fund was 
separated into two new accounts: Tenant-Based Rental Assistance 
and Project-Based Rental Assistance. This account administers 
the tenant-based Section 8 rental assistance program otherwise 
known as the Housing Choice Voucher program.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $19,918,643,000 for tenant-based 
rental assistance, which is $614,483,000 above the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $1,204,853,000 below the budget request. 
Consistent with the budget request, the Committee continues the 
advance of $4,000,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this 
heading for Section 8 programs to October 1, 2016.
    Voucher Renewals.--The Committee provides $18,151,000,000 
for the renewal of tenant-based vouchers. This level is 
$665,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$182,816,000 below the budget request. The Committee directs 
the Department to monitor and report to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations each quarter on the trends in 
Section 8 subsidies and to report on the required program 
alterations due to changes in rent or changes in tenant income.
    The Committee recommendation does not include bill language 
proposed in the budget request for new special purpose 
vouchers, including targeted vouchers for the Family 
Unification Program, homeless veterans, and vouchers authorized 
by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). However, the 
Committee encourages HUD to facilitate the issuance of vouchers 
for these and other vulnerable populations as vouchers become 
available to PHAs upon turnover.
    Tenant protection.--The Committee provides $130,000,000 for 
tenant protection vouchers, which is the same as the fiscal 
year 2014 enacted level and $20,000,000 below the budget 
request.
    Administrative fees.--The Committee provides $1,530,000,000 
for allocations to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to conduct 
activities associated with placing and maintaining individuals 
under Section 8 assistance. This amount is equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $490,037,000 below the budget 
request.
    Mainstream voucher renewals.--The Committee provides 
$107,643,000 to renew expiring Section 811 tenant-based 
subsidies. This level is $24,483,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee 
directs HUD to issue guidance to the housing agencies 
administering these vouchers to continue to serve people with 
disabilities upon turnover.
    The Committee continues in bill language the direction to 
the Department to communicate to each PHA, within 60 days of 
enactment, the fixed amount that will be made available to each 
PHA for fiscal year 2016. The amount provided in this account 
is the only source of federal funds that may be used to renew 
tenant-based vouchers. The amounts appropriated here may not be 
augmented from any other source.
    Section 8 reforms.--The budget request includes a number of 
authorizing provisions to reform the Housing Choice Voucher 
(HCV) program, including provisions that result in cost-saving 
measures that provide administrative relief to PHAs. Any 
reforms that make significant changes to the Housing Act of 
1937 and its amendments are more properly addressed by the 
authorizing committee. The Committee is fully supportive of 
reforms that relieve administrative burdens, enable housing 
authorities to serve more families, and promote work 
opportunities and self-sufficiency. The Authorizing Committee 
is urged to consider reforms that address both the growing 
liability of housing programs and the administrative burdens 
imposed on local housing authorities.
    Housing quality standards.--The Committee is concerned that 
HUD's housing quality standards do not effectively protect the 
health and safety of Housing Choice Voucher residents. They 
have not been updated in two decades to reflect the latest 
science on health and safety threats in the home. The Committee 
encourages the Secretary to update the standards.
    Public housing assessment system.--The Committee directs 
HUD to study and report back to the Committee on potential 
changes to the Public Housing Assessment System for PHAs that 
operate 550 or fewer public housing units and Housing Choice 
Vouchers combined by taking into consideration physical 
inspections and an annual financial assessment based on current 
assets and liabilities.
    Physical needs assessment prohibition.--The Committee has 
included bill language prohibiting funds for HUD's Physical 
Needs Assessment (PNA) requirement for PHAs. Implementation of 
PNA requirements on PHAs unnecessarily increase administrative 
burdens on PHAs and appear to have no operational benefit for 
local housing programs.
    Veterans affairs supportive housing (VASH) on tribal 
lands.--The Committee directs the Department to submit a report 
to the Committee on the progress that it has made in 
implementing the HUD-VASH pilot program for homeless Native 
American veterans on tribal lands. The report should include an 
update on the status of the pilot and compare regional 
variation in implementing the program on different 
reservations.
    Equal access rule guidance.--The Committee encourages the 
Department to continue its work to support the lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community by further clarifying 
the Equal Access Rule published in 2012. This guidance will 
ensure HUD programs are open to all eligible individuals 
regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender 
identity, or marital status. The Committee requests the 
Secretary to submit a report within 90 days of enactment of 
this Act detailing: (1) the Department's strategy for 
continuing to ensure that LGBT individuals have access to HUD 
programs for which they are eligible; and (2) the plan for 
disseminating this information to PHAs.

                    RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................                $0
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        50,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -50,000,000
 

    The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) was authorized in 
fiscal year 2012 to preserve public housing by enabling Public 
Housing Authorities to use a portion of their operating and 
capital funds to leverage private sector funding to 
recapitalize their housing stock and maintain their units of 
affordable housing primarily through the conversion to long-
term Section 8 rental assistance contracts. The budget request 
includes a request of $50,000,000 for an expansion of the 
program to public housing properties that cannot convert their 
housing under this program at their existing funding levels.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee does not provide a separate line of funding 
for this program. The Committee notes that the fiscal year 2015 
enacted bill extended the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) 
program to 2018 and raised the cap on units eligible for 
conversion from 60,000 units to 185,000 units. This expansion 
of the program in fiscal year 2015, along with the availability 
of operating and capital funds in fiscal year 2016, will allow 
a significant number of PHAs to undertake RAD conversions. The 
Committee will continue to monitor RAD conversions and expects 
HUD to provide regular updates on the number of units 
converted, as well as the impact to the operating, capital and 
project-based rental assistance accounts.

                        HOUSING CERTIFICATE FUND

                              (RESCISSION)

    The Housing Certificate Fund, until fiscal year 2005, 
provided funding for both the project-based and tenant-based 
components of the Section 8 program. Project-Based Rental 
Assistance and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance are now 
separately funded accounts. The Housing Certificate Fund 
retains balances from previous years' appropriations.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    Language is included to allow unobligated balances from 
specific accounts may be used to renew or amend Project-Based 
Rental Assistance contracts.

                      PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $1,875,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     1,970,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     1,681,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      -194,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -289,000,000
 

    The public housing capital fund provides funding for public 
housing capital programs, including public housing development 
and modernization. Examples of capital modernization projects 
include replacing roofs and windows, improving common spaces, 
upgrading electrical and plumbing systems, and renovating the 
interior of an apartment.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $1,681,000,000 for the public 
housing capital fund, which is $194,000,000 below the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $289,000,000 below the budget 
request.
    Within the amounts provided the Committee directs that:
    --No more than $3,000,000 is directed to support the 
ongoing public housing financial and physical assessment 
activities of the Real Estate Assessment Center;
    --Up to $20,000,000 is made available for emergency capital 
needs, excluding Presidentially-declared disasters. The 
Committee continues to include language to ensure that funds 
are used only for repairs needed due to an unforeseen and 
unanticipated emergency event or natural disaster that occurs 
during fiscal year 2016;
    --$30,000,000 is for the Resident Opportunity and Self-
Sufficiency (ROSS) program; and
    --$15,000,000 is provided for the Jobs Plus program to 
improve employment opportunities and earnings of public housing 
residents.

                     PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $4,440,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     4,600,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     4,440,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -160,000,000
 

    The public housing operating fund subsidizes the costs 
associated with operating and maintaining public housing. This 
subsidy supplements funding received by public housing 
authorities (PHA) from tenant rent contributions and other 
income. In accordance with section 9 of the United States 
Housing Act of 1937, as amended, funds are allocated by formula 
to public housing authorities for the following purposes: 
utility costs; anti-crime and anti-drug activities, including 
the costs of providing adequate security; routine maintenance 
cost; administrative costs; and general operating expenses.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $4,440,000,000 for the Federal 
share of PHA operating expenses. This amount is the same as the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $160,000,000 below the 
budget request. The Committee does not include language in the 
budget request that would allow PHAs to entirely merge their 
Capital and Operating Funds and use those funds for either 
purpose. While the Committee supports the idea of giving high 
performing PHAs regulatory relief so they can operate more 
efficiently, HUD has provided limited information on how it 
would identify and budget for capital and operating needs in 
the future if this authority to merge funds were approved.

                    CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $80,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       250,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        20,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       -60,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -230,000,000
 

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $20,000,000 for the Choice 
Neighborhoods Initiative Program, which is $60,000,000 below 
the 2015 enacted level and $230,000,000 below the budget 
request.

                        FAMILY SELF SUFFICIENCY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $75,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        85,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        75,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -10,000,000
 

    The Family Self-Sufficiency program funds coordinators to 
help HUD-assisted residents achieve economic independence.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee provides $75,000,000 to support the Family 
Self-Sufficiency program. This is the same as the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $10,000,000 below the budget request. 
The Committee expects the Department to prioritize assistance 
to individuals and families that results in job stability, 
increased tenant incomes, and greater rent contributions. The 
Committee also expects the Department to report to the House 
and Senate Committees on Appropriations the best practices of 
the program that result in increased rent contributions of 
program participants, and practices that result in residence 
achieving full self-sufficiency in meeting their housing needs, 
no later than March 31, 2016.

                  NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANTS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $650,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       660,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       650,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -10,000,000
 

    The Native American Housing Block Grants program, 
authorized by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S. C. 4111 et se.), provides 
funds to American Indian tribes and their Tribally Designated 
Housing Entities (TDHEs) to address affordable housing needs 
within their communities.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $650,000,000 for Native American 
Housing Block Grants, which is the same as the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $10,000,000 below the budget request.
    --$3,500,000 is for organizations representing Native 
American housing interests to provide training and technical 
assistance to Indian housing authorities and Tribal Designated 
Housing Entities (TDHEs). Of this amount, no less than 
$2,000,000 is for a national organization as authorized under 
NAHASDA.
    --$2,000,000 is for Title VI loan guarantees up to 
$17,452,000.
    Timely expenditure of funds.--The Committee continues 
language requiring fiscal year 2016 funds to be spent within 10 
years.
    Bill language is included to withhold reduce formula 
allocation funding from any grantee that has an unexpended 
balance greater than three times its formula allocation, unless 
that grantee's formula allocation is less than $5,000,000.

           INDIAN HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

 
 
 
Credit subsidy:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        $7,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................         8,000,000
  Recommended in the bill.............................         8,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        +1,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
Limitation on guaranteed loans:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       744,047,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................     1,269,841,000
  Recommended in the bill.............................     1,269,841,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      +525,794,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 

    Section 184 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 
1992 establishes a loan guarantee program for Native American 
individuals and housing authorities to build new housing or 
purchase existing housing on trust land. This program provides 
access to private financing that otherwise might be unavailable 
because of the unique legal status of Indian trust land.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $8,000,000 in new credit subsidy 
for the Section 184 loan guarantee program, which is $1,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the same as the 
budget request. This will guarantee a loan volume of 
$1,269,841,000, which is $525,794,000 above the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and the same as the budget request.

                   Community Planning and Development


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $6,477,627,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     6,752,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     6,392,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       -85,627,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -360,000,000
 

    The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) is 
responsible for administering the Community Development Block 
Grants (CDBG), the Home Investment Partnerships program (HOME), 
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, 
Homeless Assistance Grants (HAG), and other HUD community 
development programs. Most of these programs pass Federal funds 
through to state and local governments and other entities to 
address housing and development needs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $6,392,000,000 for community 
planning and development programs, which is $85,627,000 below 
fiscal year 2015 enacted and $360,000,000 below the budget 
request.

              HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $330,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       332,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       332,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        +2,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 

    The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) 
program provides states and localities with resources to 
address the housing needs of low-income persons living with 
HIV/AIDS. Funding is distributed by formula to qualifying 
states and metropolitan areas based on the cumulative 
incidences of AIDS reported to the Centers for Disease Control. 
Government recipients are required to have a HUD-approved 
comprehensive plan or comprehensive housing affordability 
strategy.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total of $332,000,000 for the 
HOPWA program, which is $2,000,000 above fiscal year 2015 
enacted and the same as the budget request.
    The Committee recommendation includes formula grants and 
funding for the renewal of certain expiring contracts that were 
previously funded under HOPWA competitive grants. The Committee 
encourages ongoing efforts at the Department for stronger 
coordination between HOPWA and the Department's other homeless 
prevention and support programs. However, the Committee directs 
the Department to review the level of technical assistance that 
has been provided to HOPWA grantees in prior years and to make 
certain that it is maintaining the same level of service in 
fiscal year 2016.
    Formula modernization.--The current HOPWA formula, which is 
based on cumulative AIDS cases and area incidence, no longer 
reflects the nature of an epidemic that has been transformed by 
both advances in HIV health care and surveillance, and by the 
increasingly disproportionate impact of the virus on 
communities of poverty and color. The Committee encourages the 
Department to work with the authorizing committees on any 
additional statutory authority needed to modernize the HOPWA 
formula.

                       COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $3,066,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     2,880,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     3,060,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -6,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      +180,000,000
 

    The Community Development Fund, authorized by the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S. C. 5301 et se.), 
provides funding, primarily through community development block 
grants, to state and local governments and other eligible 
entities to carry out community and economic development 
activities.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total of $3,060,000,000 for the 
Community Development Fund account, which is the $6,000,000 
below fiscal year 2015 enacted and $180,000,000 above the 
budget request.
    Of the amounts made available:
    --$3,000,000,000 is for the community development block 
grants (CDBG) formula program for entitlement communities and 
states. This is the same as fiscal year 2015 enacted and 
$200,000,000 above the budget request; and
    --$60,000,000 is for the Native American housing and 
economic development block grant (also known as ``Indian 
CDBG''), which is $6,000,000 below fiscal year 2015 enacted and 
$20,000,000 below the budget request. No funding is provided 
for the teacher housing set-aside requested in the budget.
    $7,000,000 of the amount provided for the CDBG formula 
program is for insular areas, per 42 U.S. C. 5306(a)(2), which 
is the same as fiscal year 2015 enacted and the budget request. 
The recommendation continues language requiring the Department 
to notify grantees of their formula allocation within 60 days 
of enactment of this Act.
    Entitlement community eligibility.--The Committee does not 
support the changes to entitlement community eligibility 
referenced in the budget as such changes may have adverse 
effects on smaller communities. Communities that would 
otherwise have received direct funding would only be eligible 
for funding allocated to their state. Assuming allocations 
remain unchanged, states would be forced to support a greater 
number of communities without additional funds. The Committee 
further notes that communities that have voluntarily joined an 
urban county for purposes of CDBG allocations have already 
achieved efficiencies similar to those referenced in the budget 
as benefits of reform.

         COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOAN GUARANTEES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                        (INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limitation on
                                   Budget Authority    guaranteed loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.               - - -      ($500,000,000)
Budget request, fiscal year 2016               - - -       (300,000,000)
Recommended in the bill.........               - - -       (300,000,000)
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year                   - - -       (200,000,000)
 2015...........................
  Budget request, fiscal year                  - - -               - - -
 2016...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The section 108 loan guarantee program is a source of 
variable and fixed-rate financing for communities undertaking 
projects eligible under the community development block grant 
(CDBG) program. Such activities may include economic 
development, housing rehabilitation, public facilities, and 
large-scale physical development projects. By pledging their 
current and future CDBG allocations to cover the loan amount as 
security, communities are able to finance large-scale projects 
with a federally guaranteed loan. HUD may require additional 
security for a loan, as determined on a case-by-case basis.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation continues the section 108 loan 
guarantee program as a borrower-paid subsidy program, and 
therefore recommends providing no budget authority, which is 
the same as fiscal year 2015 enacted and the budget request. 
The Committee also accepts the request to lower the limit on 
guaranteed loan volume from $500,000,000 to $300,000,000 which 
is $200,000,000 below fiscal year 2015. With the conversion to 
a borrower-paid subsidy program structure complete, the 
Committee recommends the rescission of all unobligated balances 
of subsidy budget authority.

                  HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $900,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     1,060,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       900,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -160,000,000
 

    The HOME investment partnerships program provides block 
grants to participating jurisdictions (states, units of local 
government, Indian tribes, and insular areas) to undertake 
activities that expand the supply of affordable housing in the 
jurisdiction. HOME block grants are distributed based on 
formula allocations. Upon receipt of these Federal funds, state 
and local governments develop a housing affordability strategy 
to acquire, rehabilitate, or construct new affordable housing, 
or to provide rental assistance to eligible families.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $900,000,000 for activities funded 
under this account, which is the same as fiscal year 2015 
enacted and $160,000,000 below the budget request. Of the total 
amounts provided, $767,000,000 is directly appropriated and the 
remainder is derived from a transfer of budgetary resources 
from the housing trust fund.
    Statutory reforms.--The Committee does not include the 
statutory reforms to HOME requested in the budget that would 
eliminate communities from the program that receive less than 
$500,000. HOME funding is a vital resource for communities 
working to meet the needs of low-income families and 
individuals in need of supportive housing, including veterans, 
persons with disabilities, seniors and persons experiencing 
homelessness. The program allows states and localities to 
respond to individuals' most pressing housing needs. HOME 
provides gap financing that is critical to the creation and 
provision of affordable housing for the families who need it 
the most.

        SELF-HELP AND ASSISTED HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $50,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................        50,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       +50,000,000
 

    Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) funds 
are distributed through grants to nonprofit organizations and 
consortia that have experience in providing or facilitating 
self-help homeownership opportunities. Grant funds are used for 
land acquisition and improvements associated with developing 
new, decent dwellings for low-income persons, including those 
living in colonias, using the self-help model.
    Section 4 capacity building funds are set-aside within this 
account for activities described under section 4(a) of the HUD 
Demonstration Act of 1993 (42 U.S. C. 9816 note). Section 4 
funds are awarded to a limited number of non-profits, which use 
the funds to develop the capacity of community development 
corporations (CDCs) and community housing development 
organizations (CHDOs). The CDCs and CHDOs then undertake 
community development and affordable housing activities. 
Section 4 funds must be matched by recipients with at least 
three times the grant amount in private funding.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for this account which 
includes $10,000,000 for SHOP, $35,000,000 for Section 4 
capacity building, and $5,000,000 for capacity building grants 
to national rural housing organizations that operate capacity 
building activities in at least seven HUD regions. The 
recommended funding level for each of these activities is the 
same as fiscal year 2015 enacted. The Committee rejects the 
request to support these activities through other programs.
    Energy star.--The Committee is concerned that energy 
efficiency requirements imposed on SHOP grantees is undermining 
the affordability of the units supported by the program. 
Therefore, the recommendation includes a general provision that 
prohibits HUD from requiring any grantee, including SHOP 
grantees, to meet energy star building standards or any other 
energy efficiency standard that is beyond what is required 
under applicable state and local building codes.

                       HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $2,135,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................     2,480,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     2,185,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       +50,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -295,000,000
 

    The Homeless Assistance Grants account provides funding for 
programs under title IV of the McKinney Act, as amended by the 
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing 
(HEARTH) Act of 2009. HEARTH Act programs include the continuum 
of care (CoC) competitive grants, the emergency solutions 
grants (ESG) program, and the rural housing stability grants 
program.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends funding the homeless assistance 
grant programs at $2,185,000,000, which is $50,000,000 above 
fiscal year 2015 enacted and $295,000,000 below the budget 
request. The recommendation includes funding to support 
continuum of care project renewals of no less than 
$1,905,000,000 as well as at least $250,000,000 in emergency 
solutions grants. Up to $5,000,000 is available for the 
national homeless data analysis project.
    Minimum project performance standards.--HUD cannot afford 
to blindly renew all projects based solely on the fact that 
they were once funded in the past. Holding projects accountable 
to their ability to demonstrate effectiveness is essential to 
getting the most out of limited federal resources. The 
recommendation includes language which directs the Secretary to 
establish minimum project performance thresholds based on 
program performance data. These thresholds should reflect what 
is required to improve system-wide performance for each 
continuum of care and should also take into consideration what 
subpopulations are served. The Committee also includes language 
that prohibits funding for projects that fail to meet minimum 
performance standards.
    Continuum of care funding reallocation.--The recommendation 
includes language that directs the Secretary to prioritize 
funding to grantees that, when appropriate, reallocate funding 
from lower performing projects to higher performing projects. 
Reallocation drives higher return on investment and can also 
serve as a mechanism for containing annual inflation.
    Training, education, and other services.--The Committee has 
heard concerns from community housing providers that the 
`Housing First' approach to homelessness under the continuum of 
care program is compromising training, education, and 
continuity of integration efforts. HUD should consider the 
value of housing providers that deliver a full spectrum of 
resources under this program.
    Highly vulnerable populations study.--Certain groups of 
Americans are particularly vulnerable to homelessness. As the 
federal government works toward ending homelessness, it is 
important to identify particular populations that should 
receive extra attention. Further, the Committee is concerned 
about the ability of HUD's outreach and prevention programs to 
target subpopulations most vulnerable to homelessness beyond 
those who are chronically homeless. Therefore, the Committee 
directs HUD, in coordination with the Interagency Council on 
Homelessness, to report to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 180 days of enactment on what populations 
beyond the chronically homeless are highly vulnerable to 
homelessness. This report shall identify highly vulnerable 
subpopulations, identify for each subpopulation barriers to 
access across all federal outreach and prevention programs, and 
recommend policies to address these barriers. This report shall 
be completed within six months of enactment.

                            Housing Programs


                    PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................    $9,730,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................    10,760,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................    10,654,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      +924,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -106,000,000
 

    The Project-Based Rental Assistance account provides a 
rental subsidy to a private landlord tied to a specific housing 
unit so that the properties themselves, rather than the 
individual living in the unit, remain subsidized. Amounts 
provided in this account include funding for the renewal of 
expiring project-based contracts, including Section 8, moderate 
rehabilitation, and single room occupancy contracts, amendments 
to Section 8 project-based contracts, and administrative costs 
for contract administration.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee provides a total of $10,654,000,000, 
including $400,000,000 provided as advance appropriations, for 
the annual renewal of project-based contracts. This funding 
level is $924,000,000 above the enacted level for fiscal year 
2015 and $106,000,000 below the budget request. Up to 
$150,000,000 is available for performance-based contract 
administrators (PBCA). The Committee once again rejects the 
budget proposal to administer PBCA funds as grants or 
cooperative agreements, and assumes that HUD will realize cost 
savings in fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2016 by procuring 
contracts for PBCA services as required by law.

                        HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $420,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       455,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       414,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -6,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -41,000,000
 

    The Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) program provides 
eligible private, non-profit organizations with capital grants 
to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation or construction of 
housing intended for low income elderly people. In addition, 
the program provides project-based rental assistance contracts 
(PRAC) to support operational costs for units constructed under 
the program.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $414,000,000, which is $6,000,000 
below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $41,000,000 below 
the budget request. In addition, to these funds, HUD shall use 
a total of $47,000,000 in uncommitted funds from prior year 
appropriations for the program. This includes $20,000,000 
available from an elderly demonstration program, $20,000,000 
available from supportive housing capital advance program 
funds, and $7,000,000 of the $16,000,000 available in fiscal 
year 2015 residual receipt recaptures.
    The total appropriation plus uncommitted balances provide a 
total program level of $461,000,000, which will fully fund 
contract renewals and amendments in fiscal year 2016 for the 
elderly program. The Committee rejects the budget proposal to 
fund $16,000,000 of the section 202 program under the project-
based rental assistance account and instead funds them under 
this heading.
    The recommendation allocates available funding as follows:
       $381,000,000 for the renewal and amendment of 
project rental assistance contracts (PRAC);
       Up to $77,000,000 for service coordinators and 
the continuation of congregate services grants; and
       $3,000,000 is for property inspections and 
related costs.
    The Committee continues to include bill language relating 
to the initial contract and renewal terms for assistance 
provided under this heading and language allowing these funds 
to be used for inspections and analysis of data by HUD's REAC 
program office.

                 HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $135,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       177,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       152,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       +17,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -25,000,000
 

    The Housing for Persons with Disabilities (Section 811) 
program provides eligible private, non-profit organizations 
with capital grants to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation 
or construction of supportive housing for disabled persons and 
provides project-based rental assistance (PRAC) to support 
operational costs for such units.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $152,000,000 for Section 811 
activities, $17,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $25,000,000 below the budget request. This level will 
fully fund the project rental assistance and project assistant 
contract renewals and amendments in fiscal year 2016. The 
Committee continues to include bill language allowing these 
funds to be used for inspections and analysis of data by HUD's 
REAC program office, and provides $2,000,000 for this purpose.

                     HOUSING COUNSELING ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $47,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        60,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        47,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -13,000,000
 

    Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 
1968 authorized HUD to provide housing counseling services to 
homebuyers, homeowners, low and moderate income renters, and 
the homeless.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $47,000,000 for housing 
counseling, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$13,000,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee retains bill language that provides two year 
funding availability to allow HUD flexibility to reprogram 
unobligated balances and re-obligate any recaptures to support 
counseling activity rather than expire. The bill retains 
language that requires HUD to make grants within 180 days of 
enactment, and allows multi-year agreements, subject to the 
availability of annual appropriations.
    The Committee encourages HUD to coordinate with FEMA's 
Flood Insurance Advocate to ensure HUD counselors located in 
flood-prone states receive adequate training and information to 
educate future homeowners on their potential flood risks, 
associated flood insurance premiums, home mitigation measures 
available proven to reduce flood risk, and any federal 
assistance available for mitigation projects and activities.

                       RENTAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $18,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        30,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        30,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       +12,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 

    The Rental Housing Assistance account includes existing 
long-term project-based rental assistance contracts covering 
approximately 18,000 affordable housing units under the Rent 
Supplement and Section 236 Rental Assistance Payment (RAP) 
programs. Enacted in 1965 and 1974 respectively, these programs 
created affordable units for low-income families. Monthly 
payments are made to project owners from existing contract 
balances, and new budget authority provided is required for 
short-term extensions of expiring contracts and annual contract 
amendments. Contract amendments provide additional subsidy to 
below-market contracts where rents have been constrained and 
owners are unable to adequately service properties and perform 
ongoing maintenance.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $30,000,000 in funding for the 
Rental Housing Assistance program, which is $12,000,000 above 
the level enacted in fiscal year 2015 and the same as the 
budget request. This appropriation plus projected carryover 
will fully fund contract amendment and extension needs in 
fiscal year 2016. The increase reflects a greater number of 
expirations scheduled to occur in fiscal year 2016 (7,000) 
relative to fiscal year 2015 (3,500). The Committee continues 
bill language that allows HUD to use unobligated balances and 
recaptured funds for extensions and amendments.

            PAYMENT TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING FEES TRUST FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $10,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        11,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        11,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        +1,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 

    The National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety 
Standards Act of 1974, as amended by the Manufactured Housing 
Improvement Act of 2000, authorized the Secretary to establish 
Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards for 
the construction, design, and performance of manufactured 
homes. All manufactured homes are required to meet the Federal 
standards, and fees are charged to producers to cover the costs 
of administering the Act. HUD estimates that there are 8 
million manufactured homes built since 1976 that are currently 
in use.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends up to $11,000,000 for the 
manufactured housing standards programs to be derived from 
certification label fees collected and deposited in the 
Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund established pursuant to 
the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000. The Committee 
does not provide a direct appropriation for this account. The 
recommendation is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level, and equal to the budget request.
    The Committee includes language allowing the Department to 
collect fees from program participants for the dispute 
resolution and installation programs. These fees are to be 
deposited into the trust fund and may be used by the Department 
subject to the overall cap placed on the account.

                     Federal Housing Administration


               MUTUAL MORTGAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limitation of       Limitation of      Administrative
                                                         direct loans      guaranteed loans    contract expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................         $20,000,000    $400,000,000,000        $130,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................           5,000,000     400,000,000,000         174,000,000
Recommended in the bill.............................           5,000,000     400,000,000,000         130,000,000
Bill compared to:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015...................         -15,000,000               - - -               - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016..................               - - -               - - -         -44,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) mutual mortgage 
insurance program account includes the mutual mortgage 
insurance (MMI) and cooperative management housing insurance 
funds. This program account covers unsubsidized programs, 
primarily the single-family home mortgage program, which is the 
largest of all the FHA programs. These include the Condominium, 
Section 203(k) rehabilitation, and Home Equity Conversion 
Mortgage programs (HECM) and the multifamily Cooperative 
Management Housing Insurance Funds (CMHI). The cooperative 
housing insurance program provides mortgages for cooperative 
housing projects of more than five units that are occupied by 
members of a cooperative housing corporation.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends the following limitations on loan 
commitments in the MMI program account: $400,000,000,000 for 
loan guarantees and $5,000,000 for direct loans. The 
recommendation also includes $130,000,000 for administrative 
contract expenses.
    The Committee's recommendation for administrative contract 
expenses is $44,000,000 below the budget request and equal to 
the level enacted in fiscal year 2015. The Committee denies a 
transfer of administrative contract expense funding to the 
Management and Administration account.
    The Committee includes bill language that lifts the 
statutory aggregate cap of 275,000 HECM loan guarantees in 
fiscal year 2016. The Committee has carried similar language in 
prior years.
    The Committee continues to be concerned about proposals for 
local governments to seize underwater performing mortgages and 
then refinance them into an FHA product. The Committee required 
HUD to submit a report on April 1, 2014 detailing the effects 
using eminent domain for these purposes will have on the 
housing market, including FHA primary and refinance market as 
well as the broader mortgage market, interest rates, 
homeownership, and affordability. The Committee continues to 
await the delivery of this report, and continues to prohibit 
HUD from financing mortgages for properties that have been 
subject to eminent domain.

                GENERAL AND SPECIAL RISK PROGRAM ACCOUNT

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Limitation of       Limitation of
                                     direct loans      guaranteed loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.         $20,000,000     $30,000,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016           5,000,000      30,000,000,000
Recommended in the bill.........           5,000,000      30,000,000,000
Bill compared to:
  Appropriation, fiscal year             -15,000,000               - - -
 2015...........................
  Budget request, fiscal year                  - - -               - - -
 2016...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) general 
insurance and special risk insurance (GI and SRI) program 
account includes 17 different programs administered by FHA. The 
GI fund includes a wide variety of insurance programs for 
special-purpose single and multifamily loans, including loans 
for property improvements, manufactured housing, multifamily 
rental housing, condominiums, housing for the elderly, 
hospitals, group practice facilities, and nursing homes. The 
SRI fund includes insurance programs for mortgages in older, 
declining urban areas that would not be otherwise eligible for 
insurance, mortgages with interest reduction payments, and 
mortgages for experimental housing and for high-risk mortgagors 
who would not normally be eligible for mortgage insurance 
without housing counseling.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a limitation on loan guarantees of 
$30,000,000,000, the same as the fiscal year 2015 level and 
equal to the budget request. It includes a limitation of 
$5,000,000 for direct loans, which is $15,000,000 below the 
fiscal year 2015 level and equal to the budget request. This 
program provides short-term purchase money mortgages to allow 
non-profit and governmental agencies to acquire single family 
properties and resell to low income purchasers. However, use 
has declined recently due to the shortage of state/local 
government subsidies needed to offset participants' development 
costs associated with administering the program.
    The Committee encourages HUD to coordinate with FEMA's 
Flood Insurance Advocate and identify rehabilitation activities 
eligible under section 203(k) that also fulfill FEMA's hazard 
mitigation standards and to identify qualifying disaster 
mitigation rehabilitation options on its website and other 
promotional materials.

                Government National Mortgage Association


        GUARANTEES OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES LOAN GUARANTEE

                            PROGRAM ACCOUNT

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Limitation of      Administrative
                                   guaranteed loans    contract expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.    $500,000,000,000         $23,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016     500,000,000,000          28,320,000
Recommended in the bill.........     500,000,000,000          23,000,000
Bill compared to:
  Appropriation, fiscal year                   - - -               - - -
 2015...........................
  Budget request, fiscal year                  - - -          -5,320,000
 2016...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Guarantees of Mortgage-Backed Securities Program 
facilitates the financing of residential mortgage loans insured 
or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Rural Housing Services 
program. The Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) 
guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on 
securities issued by private service institutions such as 
mortgage companies, commercial banks, savings banks, and 
savings and loan associations that assemble pools of mortgages 
and issue securities backed by the pools. In turn, investment 
proceeds are used to finance additional mortgage loans. 
Investors include non-traditional sources of credit in the 
housing market such as pension and retirement funds, life 
insurance companies, and individuals.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The recommendation includes a $500,000,000,000 limitation 
on loan commitments for mortgage-backed securities, as 
requested, and $23,000,000 for the personnel costs of GNMA, to 
be funded by Commitment and Multiclass fees. The recommendation 
for personnel costs is equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $5,320,000 below the budget request.

                    Policy Development and Research


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $72,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        50,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        52,500,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       -19,500,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        +2,500,000
 

    Title V of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970, 
as amended, directs the Secretary of the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development to undertake programs of research, 
evaluation, and reports relating to the Department's mission 
and programs. These functions are carried out internally and 
through grants and contracts with industry, nonprofit research 
organizations, educational institutions, and through agreements 
with State and local governments and other Federal agencies. 
The research programs seek ways to improve the efficiency, 
effectiveness, and equity of HUD programs and to identify 
methods to achieve cost reductions. Additionally, this 
appropriation is used to support HUD evaluation and monitoring 
activities and to conduct housing surveys.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $52,500,000 for this account, 
which is $2,500,000 more than the budget request and 
$19,500,000 below last year's level.
    Of the activities proposed in the budget, the Committee 
recommends $41,500,000 for market surveys, $5,700,000 for 
research support and dissemination, $600,000 for data 
acquisition, $1,000,000 for housing finance studies, $1,000,000 
for research partnerships, $200,000 for housing technology, and 
$2,500,000 for an evaluation of programs serving homeless 
youth, which is to be conducted in partnership with the 
Department of Health and Human Resources.
    As in prior years, the bill includes a general provision in 
Title II that prohibits funds from being used for a doctoral 
dissertation research grant program.
    The bill includes a new general provision in Title II that 
allows the Department to use prior year deobligated or 
unexpended funds made available to the Office of Policy 
Development and Research for other research and evaluations. 
The Committee provides this authority under the condition that 
any new obligations are subject to the regular reprogramming 
procedures outlined in section 405.
    Unlike the prior year, funds are not provided under this 
heading for the purposes of technical assistance.

                   Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $65,300,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        71,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        65,300,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -5,700,000
 

    The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (OFHEO) is 
responsible for developing policies and guidance, and for 
providing technical support for enforcement of the Fair Housing 
Act and the civil rights statutes. OFHEO serves as the central 
point for the formulation, clearance and dissemination of 
policies, intra-departmental clearances, and public information 
related to fair housing issues. OFHEO receives, investigates, 
conciliates and recommends the issuance of charges of 
discrimination and determinations of non-compliance for 
complaints filed under Title VIII and other civil rights 
authorities. Additionally, OFHEO conducts civil rights 
compliance reviews and compliance reviews under Section 3.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $65,300,000 for this account, 
which is the same as fiscal year 2015 and $5,700,000 below the 
request. Of the funds provided, $24,300,000 is for the fair 
housing assistance programs, $300,000 is for the limited 
english proficiency initiative and $1,500,000 is for the 
National Fair Housing Training Academy. Of the $39,200,000 for 
the fair housing initiative programs, not less than $7,450,000 
is education and outreach programs. The Committee directs the 
Department to focus resources on education, outreach, and 
training initiatives, and supporting local and state 
organizations that conduct investigations and adjudicate 
claims.
    The Committee directs the Department to provide a spend 
plan for all funds and activities in this account concurrent 
with the fiscal year 2016 operating plan and provide 3 days' 
notice prior to the announcement of any grant.

            Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes


                         LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $110,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       120,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        75,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................       -35,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................       -45,000,000
 

    The Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes is 
responsible for administering the lead-based paint hazard 
reduction program authorized by Title X of the Housing and 
Community Development Act of 1992. The office also addresses 
multiple housing-related health hazards through the Healthy 
Homes Initiative, pursuant to the Secretary's authority in 
sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act 
of 1970 (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1 and 1701z-2).
    The office develops lead-based paint regulations, 
guidelines, and policies applicable to HUD programs and 
enforces the lead disclosure rule issued under Title X. For 
both lead-related and healthy homes issues, the office designs 
and administers programs for grants, training, research, 
demonstration, and education.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $75,000,000 for the lead programs, 
which is $35,000,000 below the level enacted in fiscal year 
2015 and $45,000,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee recommends no more than $15,000,000 for the 
healthy homes initiative, and directs the Department to fund 
activities aimed at reducing incidences of asthma, mold, pests 
and radon.
    The Committee directs the Department to provide a spend 
plan for all funds and activities in this account concurrent 
with the fiscal year 2016 operating plan and provide 3 days' 
notice prior to the announcement of any grant.

                      Information Technology Fund


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $250,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       334,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       100,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................      -150,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -234,000,000
 

    While HUD's Working Capital Fund (WCF) was established 
pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 3535 to provide necessary capital for the 
development of, modifications to, and infrastructure for 
Department-wide information technology systems, and for the 
continuing operation of both Department-wide and program-
specific information technology systems, HUD has never created 
the cost-accounting structure to operate a true WCF, and the 
Committee changed the name of the account from ``Working 
Capital Fund'' to the ``Information Technology Fund'' in 2015.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $100,000,000 in direct 
appropriations for the IT Fund to support Department-wide 
information technology system activities, $150,000,000 less 
than the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $234,000,000 below 
than the budget request. The Department requires approximately 
$250,000,000 simply to operate basic telecommunication services 
and existing information technology contracts, plus another 
$40,000,000 to $60,000,000 to transition over to the new 
information technology contract in fiscal year 2016--a 
requirement for the Department. The Committee strongly urges 
the Department to establish a true Working Capital Fund in 2015 
so that in fiscal year 2016 the Department is able to 
appropriately charge the various offices for the services used 
to make up the funding difference and keep the systems running.
    The Department's leadership has made great strides in 
focusing the scarce information technology resources available 
to achieve the highest priorities in terms of systems 
development and investment. The Committee sees a surprising and 
encouraging emphasis on oversight, management, planning, and 
accountability; and should additional resources become 
available, the Committee would recommend further investment in 
this area.
    The Committee directs HUD to continue with efforts to 
retire obsolete, unproductive, and expensive information 
technology systems in an effort to direct resources for higher 
priority and more effective systems.

                      Office of Inspector General


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $126,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       129,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       126,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -3,000,000
 

    The Office of Inspector General (IG) provides agency-wide 
audit and investigative functions to identify and correct 
management and administrative deficiencies that create 
conditions for existing or potential instances of waste, fraud, 
and mismanagement. The audit function provides internal audit, 
contract audit, and inspection services. Contract audits 
provide professional advice to agency contracting officials on 
accounting and financial matters relative to negotiation, 
award, administration, re-pricing, and settlement of contracts. 
Internal audits evaluate all facets of agency operations. 
Inspection services provide detailed technical evaluations of 
agency operations. The investigative function provides for the 
detection and investigation of improper and illegal activities 
involving programs, personnel, and operations.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $126,000,000 for the Office of 
Inspector General, which is the same as the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $3,000,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee has found the reports and investigations 
undertaken by the IG over the past couple of years to be 
interesting and pertinent to the work of the Committee. The 
reduction from the budget request is taken without prejudice.

                       Transformation Initiative


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................    \1\120,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................      -120,000,000
 
\1\The budget proposes to transfer up to $120,000,000 from other
  accounts into the Transformation Initiative.

    The Transformation Initiative is the Department's attempt 
to improve and streamline the systems and operations at HUD. 
Managed by the Office of Strategic Planning and Management, 
this initiative proposes three elements: (1) research, 
evaluation, and program metrics; (2) program demonstrations; 
and (3) technical assistance and capacity building.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee continues to withhold funds for the 
Transformation Initiative.
    First, the tired and many times over rejected mass take 
down and transfer of funds is an awkward method of funding the 
activities proposed under this account, and distorts the 
resources required and available under the various donor 
program accounts.
    Second, the Department has failed year after year to 
articulate effectively the need for a transfer funded 
``transformation.'' Research projects and demonstrations should 
be planned, requested, and accounted for under the Policy, 
Demonstration, and Research (PDR) account, and the Committee 
has made its funding recommendation and direction under the 
header ``Policy, Demonstration, and Research.''
    Finally, the Department has demonstrated that even with 
direction and directly appropriated dollars, their 
interpretation of what is technical assistance, and what 
activities should be funded by contract or a notice of funding 
available (NOFA) is suspect. Technical assistance funds and 
authorities are available under many existing HUD accounts and 
the Committee directs HUD to limit technical assistance to 
those accounts.

    General Provisions--Department of Housing and Urban Development


                     (INCLUDES RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

    Section 201. The Committee continues with modification a 
provision regarding certain overpayments to be returned to 
Treasury.
    Section 202. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting the use of funds to investigate or prosecute legal 
activities under the Fair Housing Act.
    Section 203. The Committee continues the provision 
extending HOPWA formula modifications affecting certain 
jurisdictions in New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
    Section 204. The Committee continues the provision 
requiring that funds be distributed on a competitive basis 
unless specified otherwise in statute.
    Section 205. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
HUD to use funds to reimburse the Government National Mortgage 
Association (GNMA), Fannie Mae and other Federal entities for 
services and facilities.
    Section 206. The Committee continues the provision 
requiring HUD to comport with the budget estimates except as 
otherwise provided in this Act or through an approved 
reprogramming.
    Section 207. The Committee continues the provision 
providing authorization for HUD corporations to utilize funds 
under certain conditions and restrictions.
    Section 208. The Committee continues the provision 
requiring a report on available balances each quarter.
    Section 209. The Committee continues the provision 
requiring that the Administration's budget and the Department's 
budget justifications for fiscal year 2017 be submitted in the 
identical account and sub-account structure provided in this 
Act.
    Section 210. The Committee continues the provision 
exempting PHA Boards in Alaska, Iowa, and Mississippi and the 
County of Los Angeles from the public housing resident 
representation requirement, and provides alternative 
requirements.
    Section 211. The Committee continues the provision 
exempting GNMA from certain requirements of the Federal Credit 
Reform Act of 1990.
    Section 212. The Committee continues the provision 
authorizing HUD to transfer debt and use agreements from an 
obsolete project to a viable project, provided certain 
conditions are met.
    Section 213. The Committee continues the provision setting 
forth the requirements for eligibility for section 8 voucher 
assistance.
    Section 214. The Committee continues the provision 
distributing Native American Housing Block Grant funds to the 
same Native Alaskan recipients as in Fiscal Year 2005.
    Section 215. The Committee continues the provision 
authorizing the Secretary to insure mortgages under section 255 
of the National Housing Act.
    Section 216. The Committee continues the provision 
instructing HUD on managing and disposing of any multifamily 
property that is owned or held by HUD.
    Section 217. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
amounts provided under the Section 108 loan guarantee program 
to be used to guarantee notes or other obligations issued by 
any State on behalf of non-entitlement communities in the 
State.
    Section 218. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
PHAs that own and operate 400 or fewer units of public housing 
to be exempt from asset management requirements.
    Section 219. The Committee continues the provision 
restricting the Secretary from imposing any requirement or 
guideline relating to asset management that restricts or limits 
the use of capital funds for central office costs, up to the 
limits established in the Quality Housing and Work 
Responsibility Act of 1998.
    Section 220. The Committee continues the provision 
directing that no HUD employee, including those working in the 
offices of the IG and GNMA, shall be designated as an allotment 
holder unless the Chief Financial Officer determines that they 
have received training.
    Section 221. The Committee continues the provision 
requiring that the Secretary publish all notice of funding 
availability on the internet for fiscal year 2016.
    Section 222. The Committee continues the provision 
requiring that attorney fees for programmatic litigation must 
be paid from the personnel and benefits accounts of affected 
offices and the Office of General Counsel, and be restricted to 
payment of attorney fees only.
    Section 223. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
the Disaster Housing Assistance Programs to be considered a 
program of HUD for the purpose of income verifications and 
matching.
    Section 224. The Committee continues the provision 
requiring HUD to take certain actions against owners receiving 
rental subsidies that do not maintain safe properties.
    Section 225. The Committee continues the provision placing 
a salary and bonus limit on public housing agency officials and 
employees.
    Section 226. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds from being used for the doctoral dissertation 
research grant program at HUD.
    Section 227. The Committee continues the provision 
requiring the Secretary to provide the Committees on 
Appropriations advance notice of discretionary awards.
    Section 228. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds from being used to require or enforce the 
physical needs assessment (PNA).
    Section 229. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds for HUD financing of mortgages for properties 
that have been subject to eminent domain.
    Section 230. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds from being used to terminate the status of a 
unit of local government as a metropolitan city, as defined 
under section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act 
of 1974, with respect to grants under section 106 of such Act.
    Section 231. The Committee includes a provision requiring 
unexpended funding for research, evaluation and statistical 
purposes at the completion of a contract, grant or cooperative 
agreement to be deobligated and reobligated for additional 
research, subject to reprogramming requirements in this Act.
    Section 232. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting 
the Secretary from requiring Energy Star standards or any other 
energy efficiency standards that exceed the requirements of 
applicable State and local building codes.
    Section 233. The Committee includes a provision rescinding 
unobligated balances appropriated in section 1497(a) of the 
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and 
section 2301(a) of title III of division B of the Housing and 
Economic Recovery Act of 2008.
    Section 234. The Committee includes a provision rescinding 
unobligated balances remaining from funds appropriated under 
the headings ``Rural Housing and Economic Development'', 
``Management and Administration'', and ``Program Office 
Salaries and Expenses'''.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES

                       United States Access Board

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $7,548,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         8,023,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         7,548,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................          -475,000
 

    The United States Access Board (Access Board) was 
established by section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
with the primary mission of ensuring accessibility for people 
with disabilities. The Access Board is responsible for 
developing guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities 
Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, and the Telecommunications 
Act. The Access Board is responsible for developing standards 
under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for accessible 
electronic and information technology used by Federal agencies. 
The Access Board also enforces the Architectural Barriers Act 
and provides training and technical assistance on the 
guidelines and standards it develops.
    The Access Board has been given responsibilities under the 
Help America Vote Act to serve on the Election Assistance 
Commission's Board of Advisors and Technical Guidelines 
Development Committee. Additionally, the Board maintains a 
small research program that develops technical assistance 
materials and provides information needed for rulemaking.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $7,548,000 for the operations of 
the Access Board, which is equal to the fiscal year 2015 level 
and $475,000 below the request.

                      Federal Maritime Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $25,660,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        27,387,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        25,660,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -1,727,000
 

    Established in 1961, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) 
is an independent government agency, responsible for the 
regulation of oceanborne transportation in the foreign commerce 
of the United States. FMC policy focuses on (1) maintaining an 
efficient and competitive international ocean transportation 
system; and (2) protecting the public from unlawful, unfair, 
and deceptive ocean transportation practices. The Federal 
Maritime Commission monitors ocean common carriers, marine 
terminal operators, conferences, ports, and ocean 
transportation intermediaries to ensure they maintain just and 
reasonable practices. Among other activities, FMC also 
maintains a trade monitoring and enforcement program, monitors 
the laws and practices of foreign governments and their impacts 
on shipping conditions in the U.S., and enforces special 
regulatory requirements as they apply to controlled carriers.
    The principal shipping statutes administered by the FMC are 
the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. 40101-41309), the Foreign 
Shipping Practices Act of 1988 (46 U.S.C. 42301-42307), Section 
19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 42101-42109), 
and Public Law 89-777 (46 U.S.C. 44101-44106).

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $25,660,000 for the Federal 
Maritime Commission, which is equal to the fiscal year 2015 
appropriation and $1,727,000 less than the budget request. Of 
the funds provided, not less than $527,637 is available for the 
Office of Inspector General.

            National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................       $23,999,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................        24,499,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        23,999,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................          -500,000
 

    The Amtrak Inspector General is an independent, objective 
unit responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, 
abuse, and violations of law and for promoting economy, 
efficiency and effectiveness at Amtrak.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $23,999,000 for Amtrak's Office of 
Inspector General (Amtrak OIG), which is equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $500,000 below the amount proposed 
in the fiscal year 2016 budget. The recommended level will 
allow Amtrak OIG to undertake audits, evaluations, and 
investigations and will ensure the OIG's effective oversight of 
Amtrak's programs and operations. The OIG's efforts have 
resulted in valuable studies and recommendations for this 
Committee and for the Corporation that have yielded cost 
savings and management improvements. These studies have been in 
a number of areas, including food and beverage service, capital 
planning, overtime, and fraud. In addition, Amtrak OIG has been 
instrumental in developing an audit process to review invoices 
and identifying overpayments.

                  National Transportation Safety Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $103,981,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       105,170,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       103,981,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -1,189,000
 

    Initially established along with the Department of 
Transportation (DOT), the National Transportation Safety Board 
(NTSB) commenced operations on April 1, 1967, as an independent 
federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every 
civil aviation accident in the United States, as well as 
significant accidents in other modes of transportation--
railroad, highway, marine and pipeline--and issuing safety 
recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents. Although 
it has always operated independently, the NTSB relied on the 
DOT for funding and administrative support until the 
Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-633) 
severed all ties between the two organizations effective April 
of 1975.
    In addition to its investigatory duties, the NTSB is 
responsible for maintaining the government's database of civil 
aviation accidents and conducting special studies of 
transportation safety issues of national significance. 
Furthermore, in accordance with the provisions of international 
treaties, the NTSB supplies investigators to serve as U.S. 
Accredited Representatives for aviation accidents overseas 
involving U.S.-registered aircraft, or involving aircraft or 
major components of U.S. manufacture. The NTSB also serves as 
the court of appeals for any airman, mechanic or mariner 
whenever certificate action is taken by the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the U.S. Coast 
Guard Commandant, or when civil penalties are assessed by the 
FAA. In addition, the NTSB operates the NTSB Academy in 
Ashburn, Virginia.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $103,981,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the NTSB, which is the same as the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $1,189,000 below the budget request.
    NTSB Academy.--The agency is encouraged to continue to seek 
additional opportunities to lease out, or otherwise generate 
revenue from the NTSB Academy, so that the agency can 
appropriately focus its resources on the important 
investigative work that is central to the agency's mission. In 
addition, the agency is again directed to submit detailed 
information on the costs associated with the NTSB Academy, as 
well as the revenue the facility is expected to generate, as 
part of the fiscal year 2017 budget request.

                 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation


          PAYMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................      $185,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................       182,300,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       177,000,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................        -8,000,000
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................        -5,300,000
 

    The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation was created by 
the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act (title VI of the 
Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1978). 
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation now operates under the 
trade name `NeighborWorks America.' NeighborWorks America helps 
local communities establish working partnerships between 
residents and representatives of the public and private 
sectors. These partnership-based organizations are independent, 
tax-exempt, community-based nonprofit entities, often referred 
to as NeighborWorks organizations.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $177,000,000 
for fiscal year 2016, which is $5,300,000 below the request and 
$8,000,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level.
    Of the funds provided, $135,000,000 is for the core 
program, which is equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, 
and $1,000,000 below the request. In addition, there is a total 
of $42,000,000 for the National Foreclosure Mitigation 
Counseling (NFMC) Program, which is $3,700,000 below the budget 
request and $8,000,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Fiscal Year 2016
                        Program                           Fiscal Year 2015   Fiscal Year 2016      Committee
                                                              Enacted         Budget Request     Recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core...................................................       $135,000,000       $136,600,000       $135,000,000
NFMC...................................................         50,000,000         45,700,000         42,000,000
    Total..............................................        185,000,000        182,300,000        177,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee notes that in fiscal year 2007, Congress 
provided ``one-time funding'' for NFMC in response the housing 
foreclosure crisis. According to RealtyTrac's Year-End Year-End 
2014 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows foreclosure 
filings--default notices, scheduled auctions and bank 
repossessions--were reported on 1.1 million properties in 2014, 
down 18 percent from 2013 and down 61 percent from the peak of 
2.9 properties with foreclosure filings in 2010. The 
foreclosure filings in 2014 were at the lowest annual total 
since 2006, when there were 717,522 properties with foreclosure 
filings nationwide.


    Recognizing the continuing improvement in the housing 
market and the reduction in foreclosures, the Committee reduces 
funding for NFMC.

           United States Interagency Council on Homelessness


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.......................        $3,530,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016......................         3,530,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         3,530,000
Bill compared with:
  Appropriation, fiscal year 2015.....................             - - -
  Budget request, fiscal year 2016....................             - - -
 

    The mission of the United States Interagency Council on 
Homelessness (USICH) is to coordinate the Federal response to 
homelessness and to create a national partnership at every 
level of government and with the private sector to reduce and 
end homelessness in the nation while maximizing the 
effectiveness of the Federal government in contributing to the 
end of homelessness.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $3,530,000 for the USICH, which is 
the same as fiscal year 2015 enacted and the budget request. 
The Committee does not include requests to make this program 
permanent or to increase the salary for the executive director.
    The Committee encourages the nineteen USICH member agencies 
to use the next year to establish permanent working 
relationships and interagency efficiencies that will endure 
USICH's sunset date in 2017. The Committee directs USICH to 
facilitate this work and to establish a plan for transition of 
its coordination function to permanently authorized agencies. 
USICH is directed to assist those agencies in conducting 
reorganization activities necessary to carry out interagency 
coordination beyond 2017 on Opening Doors: the Federal 
Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. The Committee 
directs USICH to provide a report within 90 days of enactment 
of this Act on how it plans to transition its functions in 
anticipation of the sunset date.

                      General Provision--This Act

    Section 401. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting pay and other expenses for non-Federal parties in 
regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings funded in this Act.
    Section 402. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting obligations beyond the current fiscal year and 
prohibits transfers of funds unless expressly so provided 
herein.
    Section 403. The Committee continues the provision limiting 
consulting service expenditures through a procurement contract 
to contracts where such expenditures are a matter of public 
record, with exceptions.
    Section 404. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting employee training not specifically related to the 
performance of official duties.
    Section 405. The Committee continues the provision 
specifying reprogramming procedures and requires tables to 
include prior year enacted levels.
    Section 406. The Committee continues the provision allowing 
up to fifty percent of unobligated balances appropriated for 
salaries and expenses to remain available for certain purposes, 
contingent upon approval by the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations.
    Section 407. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds from being used for any project that seeks to 
use the power of eminent domain unless eminent domain is 
employed only for a public use.
    Section 408. The Committee continues the provision denying 
the transfer of funds made available in this Act, except 
pursuant to a transfer made by this Act or by authority granted 
in this Act.
    Section 409. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds in this Act from being used to permanently 
replace an employee intent on returning to his or her past 
occupation after completion of military service.
    Section 410. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds in this Act from being used unless the 
expenditure is in compliance with the Buy American Act.
    Section 411. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds from being made available to any person or 
entity that has been found to have violated the Buy American 
Act.
    Section 412. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds for first-class airline accommodations in 
contravention of section 301-10.122 and 301-10.123 of title 41, 
C.F.R.
    Section 413. The Committee continues the provision 
prohibiting funds from being used for the approval of a new 
foreign air carrier permit or exemption application if that 
approval would contravene United States law of Article 17 bis 
of the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport Agreement and 
specifies that nothing in this section shall prohibit, 
restrict, or preclude the Secretary of DOT from granting a 
permit or exemption where such authorization is consistent with 
the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport Treaty and U.S. law.
    Section 414. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting 
funds to be used by the Federal Maritime Commission or the 
Administrator of the Maritime Administration to issue a license 
or certificate for a commercial vessel that was docked or 
anchored within 7 miles of a port on property confiscated by 
the Cuban Government.
    Section 415. The Committee includes a provision that 
establishes a spending reduction account.

            House of Representatives Reporting Requirements

    The following materials are submitted in accordance with 
various requirements of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives:

         STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of 
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure 
authorizes funding: The Committee on Appropriations considers 
program performance, including a program's success in 
developing and attaining outcome-related goals and objectives, 
in developing funding recommendations.

                          RESCISSION OF FUNDS

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following lists the rescissions 
of unexpended balances included in the accompanying bill:
     Such sums that are available from ``Housing 
Certificate Fund'';
     $7,000,000 of budget authority from the 
Neighborhood Stabilization Program;
     Such sums that are available from ``Rural Housing 
and Economic Development'';
     Such sums that are available from ``Management and 
Administration'';
     Such sums that are available from ``Program Office 
Salaries and Expenses''; and
     Such sums that are available from ``Community 
Development Loan Guarantees Program Account''.

                           TRANSFER OF FUNDS

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following lists the transfers of 
unexpended balances included in the accompanying bill:

              UNDER TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Account to which
 Account from which the transfer    the transfer is         Amount
             is made                     made
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary.........  Office of the       5% of certain
                                   Secretary.          funds subject to
                                                       conditions
Office of the Secretary,          Federal Highway     Up to $5,000,000
 National Infrastructure           Administration,
 Investments.                      Federal Transit
                                   Administration,
                                   Federal Railroad
                                   Administration,
                                   Maritime
                                   Administration.
Federal Aviation Administration,  Federal Aviation    2% of certain
 Operations.                       Administration,     funds subject to
                                   Operations.         conditions
FHWA: Limitation on               Appalachian         $3,248,000
 administrative expenses.          Regional
                                   Commission.
Maritime Administration,          Maritime            $3,135,000
 Maritime Guaranteed Loan (Title   Administration,
 XI) Program Account.              Operations and
                                   Training.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

      UNDER TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Account to which
 Account from which the transfer    the transfer is         Amount
             is made                     made
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative Support Offices..  Program Office      $14,400,000
                                   Salaries and        subject to
                                   Expenses.           conditions
Housing Trust Fund..............  Home Investment     Such sums as
                                   Partnerships        available
                                   Program.
Shelter Plus Care Renewal.......  Homeless            Such sums as
                                   Assistance Grants.  available
------------------------------------------------------------------------

   DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS

    Neither the bill nor the report contains any Congressional 
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as 
defined in clause 9 of rule XXI.

          Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

TITLE 23, UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 1--FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 127. Vehicle weight limitations - Interstate System

  (a) In General.--
          (1) The Secretary shall withhold 50 percent of the 
        apportionment of a State under section 104(b)(1) in any 
        fiscal year in which the State does not permit the use 
        of The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and 
        Defense Highways within its boundaries by vehicles with 
        a weight of twenty thousand pounds carried on any one 
        axle, including enforcement tolerances, or with a 
        tandem axle weight of thirty-four thousand pounds, 
        including enforcement tolerances, or a gross weight of 
        at least eighty thousand pounds for vehicle 
        combinations of five axles or more.
          (2) However, the maximum gross weight to be allowed 
        by any State for vehicles using The Dwight D. 
        Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways 
        shall be twenty thousand pounds carried on one axle, 
        including enforcement tolerances, and a tandem axle 
        weight of thirty-four thousand pounds, including 
        enforcement tolerances and with an overall maximum 
        gross weight, including enforcement tolerances, on a 
        group of two or more consecutive axles produced by 
        application of the following formula: W=500(LN/(N-
        1)+12N+36)
        where W equals overall gross weight on any group of two 
        or more consecutive axles to the nearest five hundred 
        pounds, L equals distance in feet between the extreme 
        of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and N 
        equals number of axles in group under consideration, 
        except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may 
        carry a gross load of thirty-four thousand pounds each 
        providing the overall distance between the first and 
        last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles (1) 
        is thirty-six feet or more, or (2) in the case of a 
        motor vehicle hauling any tank trailer, dump trailer, 
        or ocean transport container before September 1, 1989, 
        is 30 feet or more: Provided, That such overall gross 
        weight may not exceed eighty thousand pounds, including 
        all enforcement tolerances, except for vehicles using 
        Interstate Route 29 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the 
        border between Iowa and South Dakota or vehicles using 
        Interstate Route 129 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the 
        border between Iowa and Nebraska, and except for those 
        vehicles and loads which cannot be easily dismantled or 
        divided and which have been issued special permits in 
        accordance with applicable State laws, or the 
        corresponding maximum weights permitted for vehicles 
        using the public highways of such State under laws or 
        regulations established by appropriate State authority 
        in effect on July 1, 1956, except in the case of the 
        overall gross weight of any group of two or more 
        consecutive axles on any vehicle (other than a vehicle 
        comprised of a motor vehicle hauling any tank trailer, 
        dump trailer, or ocean transport container on or after 
        September 1, 1989), on the date of enactment of the 
        Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974, whichever is 
        the greater.
          (3) Any amount which is withheld from apportionment 
        to any State pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall 
        lapse if not released and obligated within the 
        availability period specified in section 118(b)(2) of 
        this title.
          (4) This section shall not be construed to deny 
        apportionment to any State allowing the operation 
        within such State of any vehicles or combinations 
        thereof, other than vehicles or combinations subject to 
        subsection (d) of this section, which the State 
        determines could be lawfully operated within such State 
        on July 1, 1956, except in the case of the overall 
        gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive 
        axles, on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid 
        Highway Amendments of 1974.
          (5) With respect to the State of Hawaii, laws or 
        regulations in effect on February 1, 1960, shall be 
        applicable for the purposes of this section in lieu of 
        those in effect on July 1, 1956.
          (6) With respect to the State of Colorado, vehicles 
        designed to carry 2 or more precast concrete panels 
        shall be considered a nondivisible load.
          (7) With respect to the State of Michigan, laws or 
        regulations in effect on May 1, 1982, shall be 
        applicable for the purposes of this subsection.
          (8) With respect to the State of Maryland, laws and 
        regulations in effect on June 1, 1993, shall be 
        applicable for the purposes of this subsection.
          (9) he State of Louisiana may allow, by special 
        permit, the operation of vehicles with a gross vehicle 
        weight of up to 100,000 pounds for the hauling of 
        sugarcane during the harvest season, not to exceed 100 
        days annually.
          (10) With respect to Interstate Routes 89, 93, and 95 
        in the State of New Hampshire, State laws (including 
        regulations) concerning vehicle weight limitations that 
        were in effect on January 1, 1987, and are applicable 
        to State highways other than the Interstate System, 
        shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this 
        subsection.
          (11)(A) With respect to all portions of the 
        Interstate Highway System in the State of Maine, laws 
        (including regulations) of that State concerning 
        vehicle weight limitations applicable to other State 
        highways shall be applicable in lieu of the 
        requirements under this subsection through December 31, 
        2031.
          (B) With respect to all portions of the Interstate 
        Highway System in the State of Vermont, laws (including 
        regulations) of that State concerning vehicle weight 
        limitations applicable to other State highways shall be 
        applicable in lieu of the requirements under this 
        subsection through December 31, 2031.
          (12) Heavy duty vehicles.--
                  (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (B) 
                and (C), in order to promote reduction of fuel 
                use and emissions because of engine idling, the 
                maximum gross vehicle weight limit and the axle 
                weight limit for any heavy-duty vehicle 
                equipped with an idle reduction technology 
                shall be increased by a quantity necessary to 
                compensate for the additional weight of the 
                idle reduction system.
                  (B) Maximum weight increase.--The weight 
                increase under subparagraph (A) shall be not 
                greater than 550 pounds.
                  (C) Proof.--On request by a regulatory agency 
                or law enforcement agency, the vehicle operator 
                shall provide proof (through demonstration or 
                certification) that--
                          (i) the idle reduction technology is 
                        fully functional at all times; and
                          (ii) the 550-pound gross weight 
                        increase is not used for any purpose 
                        other than the use of idle reduction 
                        technology described in subparagraph 
                        (A).
  (b) Reasonable Access.--No State may enact or enforce any law 
denying reasonable access to motor vehicles subject to this 
title to and from the Interstate Highway System to terminals 
and facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
  (c) Ocean Transport Container Defined.--For purposes of this 
section, the term ``ocean transport container'' has the meaning 
given the term ``freight container'' by the International 
Standards Organization in Series 1, Freight Containers, 3rd 
Edition (reference number IS0668-1979(E)) as in effect on the 
date of the enactment of this subsection.
  (d) Longer Combination Vehicles.--
          (1) Prohibition.--
                  (A) General continuation rule.--A longer 
                combination vehicle may continue to operate 
                only if the longer combination vehicle 
                configuration type was authorized by State 
                officials pursuant to State statute or 
                regulation conforming to this section and in 
                actual lawful operation on a regular or 
                periodic basis (including seasonal operations) 
                on or before June 1, 1991, or pursuant to 
                section 335 of the Department of Transportation 
                and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991 
                (104 Stat. 2186).
                  (B) Applicability of state laws and 
                regulations.--All such operations shall 
                continue to be subject to, at the minimum, all 
                State statutes, regulations, limitations and 
                conditions, including, but not limited to, 
                routing-specific and configuration-specific 
                designations and all other restrictions, in 
                force on June 1, 1991; except that subject to 
                such regulations as may be issued by the 
                Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5) of this 
                subsection, the State may make minor 
                adjustments of a temporary and emergency nature 
                to route designations and vehicle operating 
                restrictions in effect on June 1, 1991, for 
                specific safety purposes and road construction.
                  (C) Wyoming.--In addition to those vehicles 
                allowed under subparagraph (A), the State of 
                Wyoming may allow the operation of additional 
                vehicle configurations not in actual operation 
                on June 1, 1991, but authorized by State law 
                not later than November 3, 1992, if such 
                vehicle configurations comply with the single 
                axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula limits 
                set forth in subsection (a) and do not exceed 
                117,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
                  (D) Ohio.--In addition to vehicles which the 
                State of Ohio may continue to allow to be 
                operated under subparagraph (A), such State may 
                allow longer combination vehicles with 3 cargo 
                carrying units of 28 1/2 feet each (not 
                including the truck tractor) not in actual 
                operation on June 1, 1991, to be operated 
                within its boundaries on the 1-mile segment of 
                Ohio State Route 7 which begins at and is south 
                of exit 16 of the Ohio Turnpike.
                  (E) Alaska.--In addition to vehicles which 
                the State of Alaska may continue to allow to be 
                operated under subparagraph (A), such State may 
                allow the operation of longer combination 
                vehicles which were not in actual operation on 
                June 1, 1991, but which were in actual 
                operation prior to July 5, 1991.
                  (F) Iowa.--In addition to vehicles that the 
                State of Iowa may continue to allow to be 
                operated under subparagraph (A), the State may 
                allow longer combination vehicles that were not 
                in actual operation on June 1, 1991, to be 
                operated on Interstate Route 29 between Sioux 
                City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and 
                South Dakota or Interstate Route 129 between 
                Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa 
                and Nebraska.
          (2) Additional state restrictions.--
                  (A) In general.--Nothing in this subsection 
                shall prevent any State from further 
                restricting in any manner or prohibiting the 
                operation of longer combination vehicles 
                otherwise authorized under this subsection; 
                except that such restrictions or prohibitions 
                shall be consistent with the requirements of 
                sections 31111-31114 of title 49.
                  (B) Minor adjustments.--Any State further 
                restricting or prohibiting the operations of 
                longer combination vehicles or making minor 
                adjustments of a temporary and emergency nature 
                as may be allowed pursuant to regulations 
                issued by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph 
                (5) of this subsection, shall, within 30 days, 
                advise the Secretary of such action, and the 
                Secretary shall publish a notice of such action 
                in the Federal Register.
          (3) Publication of list.--
                  (A) Submission to secretary.--Within 60 days 
                of the date of the enactment of this 
                subsection, each State (i) shall submit to the 
                Secretary for publication in the Federal 
                Register a complete list of (I) all operations 
                of longer combination vehicles being conducted 
                as of June 1, 1991, pursuant to State statutes 
                and regulations; (II) all limitations and 
                conditions, including, but not limited to, 
                routing-specific and configuration-specific 
                designations and all other restrictions, 
                governing the operation of longer combination 
                vehicles otherwise prohibited under this 
                subsection; and (III) such statutes, 
                regulations, limitations, and conditions; and 
                (ii) shall submit to the Secretary copies of 
                such statutes, regulations, limitations, and 
                conditions.
                  (B) Interim list.--Not later than 90 days 
                after the date of the enactment of this 
                subsection, the Secretary shall publish an 
                interim list in the Federal Register, 
                consisting of all information submitted 
                pursuant to subparagraph (A). The Secretary 
                shall review for accuracy all information 
                submitted by the States pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A) and shall solicit and consider 
                public comment on the accuracy of all such 
                information.
                  (C) Limitation.--No statute or regulation 
                shall be included on the list submitted by a 
                State or published by the Secretary merely on 
                the grounds that it authorized, or could have 
                authorized, by permit or otherwise, the 
                operation of longer combination vehicles, not 
                in actual operation on a regular or periodic 
                basis on or before June 1, 1991.
                  (D) Final list.--Except as modified pursuant 
                to paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection, the 
                list shall be published as final in the Federal 
                Register not later than 180 days after the date 
                of the enactment of this subsection. In 
                publishing the final list, the Secretary shall 
                make any revisions necessary to correct 
                inaccuracies identified under subparagraph (B). 
                After publication of the final list, longer 
                combination vehicles may not operate on the 
                Interstate System except as provided in the 
                list.
                  (E) Review and correction procedure.--The 
                Secretary, on his or her own motion or upon a 
                request by any person (including a State), 
                shall review the list issued by the Secretary 
                pursuant to subparagraph (D). If the Secretary 
                determines there is cause to believe that a 
                mistake was made in the accuracy of the final 
                list, the Secretary shall commence a proceeding 
                to determine whether the list published 
                pursuant to subparagraph (D) should be 
                corrected. If the Secretary determines that 
                there is a mistake in the accuracy of the list 
                the Secretary shall correct the publication 
                under subparagraph (D) to reflect the 
                determination of the Secretary.
          (4) Longer combination vehicle defined.--For purposes 
        of this section, the term ``longer combination 
        vehicle'' means any combination of a truck tractor and 
        2 or more trailers or semitrailers which operates on 
        the Interstate System at a gross vehicle weight greater 
        than 80,000 pounds.
          (5) Regulations regarding minor adjustments.--Not 
        later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
        this subsection, the Secretary shall issue regulations 
        establishing criteria for the States to follow in 
        making minor adjustments under paragraph (1)(B).
  (e) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on 
Interstate Route 68.--The single axle, tandem axle, and bridge 
formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to 
the operation on Interstate Route 68 in Garrett and Allegany 
Counties, Maryland, of any specialized vehicle equipped with a 
steering axle and a tridem axle and used for hauling coal, 
logs, and pulpwood if such vehicle is of a type of vehicle as 
was operating in such counties on United States Route 40 or 48 
for such purpose on August 1, 1991.
  (f) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on 
Certain Wisconsin Highways.--If the 104-mile portion of 
Wisconsin State Route 78 and United States Route 51 between 
Interstate Route 94 near Portage, Wisconsin, and Wisconsin 
State Route 29 south of Wausau, Wisconsin, is designated as 
part of the Interstate System under section 103(c)(4)(A), the 
single axle weight, tandem axle weight, gross vehicle weight, 
and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not 
apply to the 104-mile portion with respect to the operation of 
any vehicle that could legally operate on the 104-mile portion 
before the date of the enactment of this subsection.
  (g) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on 
Certain Pennsylvania Highways.--If the segment of United States 
Route 220 between Bedford and Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania, is 
designated as part of the Interstate System, the single axle 
weight, tandem axle weight, gross vehicle weight, and bridge 
formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to 
that segment with respect to the operation of any vehicle which 
could have legally operated on that segment before the date of 
the enactment of this subsection.
  (h) Waiver for a Route in State of Maine During Periods of 
National Emergency.--
          (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
        of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with 
        the Secretary of Defense, may waive or limit the 
        application of any vehicle weight limit established 
        under this section with respect to the portion of 
        Interstate Route 95 in the State of Maine between 
        Augusta and Bangor for the purpose of making bulk 
        shipments of jet fuel to the Air National Guard Base at 
        Bangor International Airport during a period of 
        national emergency in order to respond to the effects 
        of the national emergency.
          (2) Applicability.--Emergency limits established 
        under paragraph (1) shall preempt any inconsistent 
        State vehicle weight limits.
  (i) Special Permits During Periods of National Emergency.--
          (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
        of this section, a State may issue special permits 
        during an emergency to overweight vehicles and loads 
        that can easily be dismantled or divided if--
                  (A) the President has declared the emergency 
                to be a major disaster under the Robert T. 
                Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
                Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
                  (B) the permits are issued in accordance with 
                State law; and
                  (C) the permits are issued exclusively to 
                vehicles and loads that are delivering relief 
                supplies.
          (2) Expiration.--A permit issued under paragraph (1) 
        shall expire not later than 120 days after the date of 
        the declaration of emergency under subparagraph (A) of 
        that paragraph.
  (j) Operation of Vehicles on Certain Other Wisconsin 
Highways.--If any segment of the United States Route 41 
corridor, as described in section 1105(c)(57) of the Intermodal 
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, is designated as 
a route on the Interstate System, a vehicle that could operate 
legally on that segment before the date of such designation may 
continue to operate on that segment, without regard to any 
requirement under subsection (a).
  (k) Operation of Vehicles on Certain Mississippi Highways.--
If any segment of United States Route 78 in Mississippi from 
mile marker 0 to mile marker 113 is designated as part of the 
Interstate System, no limit established under this section may 
apply to that segment with respect to the operation of any 
vehicle that could have legally operated on that segment before 
such designation.
  (l) Operation of Vehicles on Certain Kentucky Highways.--
          (1) In general.--If any segment of highway described 
        in paragraph (2) is designated as a route on the 
        Interstate System, a vehicle that could operate legally 
        on that segment before the date of such designation may 
        continue to operate on that segment, without regard to 
        any requirement under subsection (a).
          (2) Description of highway segments.--The highway 
        segments referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows:
                  (A) Interstate Route 69 in Kentucky (formerly 
                the Wendell H. Ford (Western Kentucky) Parkway) 
                from the Interstate Route 24 Interchange, near 
                Eddyville, to the Edward T. Breathitt 
                (Pennyrile) Parkway Interchange.
                  (B) The Edward T. Breathitt (Pennyrile) 
                Parkway (to be designated as Interstate Route 
                69) in Kentucky from the Wendell H. Ford 
                (Western Kentucky) Parkway Interchange to near 
                milepost 77, and on new alignment to an 
                interchange on the Audubon Parkway, if the 
                segment is designated as part of the Interstate 
                System.
   (m) Longer Combination Vehicles in Idaho.--No limit or other 
prohibition under this section, except as provided in this 
subsection, applies to a longer combination vehicle operating 
on a segment of the Interstate System in the State of Idaho if 
such vehicle--
          (1) has a gross vehicle weight of 129,000 pounds or 
        less;
          (2) complies with the single axle, tandem axle, and 
        bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a); and
          (3) is authorized to operate on such segment under 
        Idaho State Law.

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Sec. 130. Railway-highway crossings

  (a) Subject to section 120 and subsection (b) of this 
section, the entire cost of construction of projects for the 
elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings, including 
the separation or protection of grades at crossings, the 
reconstruction of existing railroad grade crossing structures, 
and the relocation of highways to eliminate grade crossings, 
may be paid from sums apportioned in accordance with section 
104 of this title. In any case when the elimination of the 
hazards of a railway-highway crossing can be effected by the 
relocation of a portion of a railway at a cost estimated by the 
Secretary to be less than the cost of such elimination by one 
of the methods mentioned in the first sentence of this section, 
then the entire cost of such relocation project, subject to 
section 120 and subsection (b) of this section, may be paid 
from sums apportioned in accordance with section 104 of this 
title.
  (b) The Secretary may classify the various types of projects 
involved in the elimination of hazards of railway-highway 
crossings, and may set for each such classification a 
percentage of the costs of construction which shall be deemed 
to represent the net benefit to the railroad or railroads for 
the purpose of determining the railroad's share of the cost of 
construction. The percentage so determined shall in no case 
exceed 10 per centum. The Secretary shall determine the 
appropriate classification of each project.
  (c) Any railroad involved in a project for the elimination of 
hazards of railway-highway crossings paid for in whole or in 
part from sums made available for expenditure under this title, 
or prior Acts, shall be liable to the United States for the net 
benefit to the railroad determined under the classification of 
such project made pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. 
Such liability to the United States may be discharged by direct 
payment to the State transportation department of the State in 
which the project is located, in which case such payment shall 
be credited to the cost of the project. Such payment may 
consist in whole or in part of materials and labor furnished by 
the railroad in connection with the construction of such 
project. If any such railroad fails to discharge such liability 
within a six-month period after completion of the project, it 
shall be liable to the United States for its share of the cost, 
and the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to 
institute proceedings against such railroad for the recovery of 
the amount for which it is liable under this subsection. The 
Attorney General is authorized to bring such proceedings on 
behalf of the United States, in the appropriate district court 
of the United States, and the United States shall be entitled 
in such proceedings to recover such sums as it is considered 
and adjudged by the court that such railroad is liable for in 
the premises. Any amounts recovered by the United States under 
this subsection shall be credited to miscellaneous receipts.
  (d) Survey and Schedule of Projects.--Each State shall 
conduct and systematically maintain a survey of all highways to 
identify those railroad crossings which may require separation, 
relocation, or protective devices, and establish and implement 
a schedule of projects for this purpose. At a minimum, such a 
schedule shall provide signs for all railway-highway crossings.
  (e) Funds for Protective Devices.--
          (1) In general.--Before making an apportionment under 
        section 104(b)(3) for a fiscal year, the Secretary 
        shall set aside, from amounts made available to carry 
        out the highway safety improvement program under 
        section 148 for such fiscal year, at least 
        [$220,000,000] $350,000,000 for the elimination of 
        hazards and the installation of protective devices at 
        railway-highway crossings. At least 1/2 of the funds 
        authorized for and expended under this section shall be 
        available for the installation of protective devices at 
        railway-highway crossings. Sums authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out this section shall be 
        available for obligation in the same manner as funds 
        apportioned under section 104(b)(1) of this title.
          (2) Special rule.--If a State demonstrates to the 
        satisfaction of the Secretary that the State has met 
        all its needs for installation of protective devices at 
        railway-highway crossings, the State may use funds made 
        available by this section for other highway safety 
        improvement program purposes.
  (f) Apportionment.--
          (1) Formula.--Fifty percent of the funds set aside to 
        carry out this section pursuant to subsection (e)(1) 
        shall be apportioned to the States in accordance with 
        the formula set forth in section 104(b)(3)(A) as in 
        effect on the day before the date of enactment of the 
        MAP-21, and 50 percent of such funds shall be 
        apportioned to the States in the ratio that total 
        public railway-highway crossings in each State bears to 
        the total of such crossings in all States.
          (2) Minimum apportionment.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
        (1), each State shall receive a minimum of one-half of 
        1 percent of the funds apportioned under paragraph (1).
          (3) Federal share.--The Federal share payable on 
        account of any project financed with funds set aside to 
        carry out this section shall be 90 percent of the cost 
        thereof.
  (g) Annual Report.--Each State shall report to the Secretary 
not later than December 30 of each year on the progress being 
made to implement the railway-highway crossings program 
authorized by this section and the effectiveness of such 
improvements. Each State report shall contain an assessment of 
the costs of the various treatments employed and subsequent 
accident experience at improved locations. The Secretary shall 
submit a report to the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives, not later than April 1, 2006, and every 2 
years thereafter,, on the progress being made by the State in 
implementing projects to improve railway-highway crossings. The 
report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of 
projects undertaken, their distribution by cost range, road 
system, nature of treatment, and subsequent accident experience 
at improved locations. In addition, the Secretary's report 
shall analyze and evaluate each State program, identify any 
State found not to be in compliance with the schedule of 
improvements required by subsection (d) and include 
recommendations for future implementation of the railroad 
highway crossings program.
  (h) Use of Funds for Matching.--Funds authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section may be used to provide a 
local government with funds to be used on a matching basis when 
State funds are available which may only be spent when the 
local government produces matching funds for the improvement of 
railway-highway crossings.
  (i) Incentive Payments for At-Grade Crossing Closures.--
          (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
        of this section and subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), 
        a State may, from sums available to the State under 
        this section, make incentive payments to local 
        governments in the State upon the permanent closure by 
        such governments of public at-grade railway-highway 
        crossings under the jurisdiction of such governments.
          (2) Incentive payments by railroads.--A State may not 
        make an incentive payment under paragraph (1) to a 
        local government with respect to the closure of a 
        crossing unless the railroad owning the tracks on which 
        the crossing is located makes an incentive payment to 
        the government with respect to the closure.
          (3) Amount of state payment.--The amount of the 
        incentive payment payable to a local government by a 
        State under paragraph (1) with respect to a crossing 
        may not exceed the lesser of--
                  (A) the amount of the incentive payment paid 
                to the government with respect to the crossing 
                by the railroad concerned under paragraph (2); 
                or
                  (B) $7,500.
          (4) Use of state payments.--A local government 
        receiving an incentive payment from a State under 
        paragraph (1) shall use the amount of the incentive 
        payment for transportation safety improvements.
  (j) Bicycle Safety.--In carrying out projects under this 
section, a State shall take into account bicycle safety.
  (k) Expenditure of Funds.--Not more than 2 percent of funds 
apportioned to a State to carry out this section may be used by 
the State for compilation and analysis of data in support of 
activities carried out under subsection (g).
  (l) National Crossing Inventory.--
          (1) Initial reporting of crossing information.--Not 
        later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 
        Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 or within 6 months 
        of a new crossing becoming operational, whichever 
        occurs later, each State shall report to the Secretary 
        of Transportation current information, including 
        information about warning devices and signage, as 
        specified by the Secretary, concerning each previously 
        unreported public crossing located within its borders.
          (2) Periodic updating of crossing information.--On a 
        periodic basis beginning not later than 2 years after 
        the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement 
        Act of 2008 and on or before September 30 of every year 
        thereafter, or as otherwise specified by the Secretary, 
        each State shall report to the Secretary current 
        information, including information about warning 
        devices and signage, as specified by the Secretary, 
        concerning each public crossing located within its 
        borders.

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                              ----------                              


TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE

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Subtitle VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART B--COMMERCIAL

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 311--COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subchapter II--LENGTH AND WIDTH LIMITATIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 31111. Length limitations

  (a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions 
apply:
          (1) Automobile transporter.--The term ``automobile 
        transporter'' means any vehicle combination designed 
        and used specifically for the transport of assembled 
        highway vehicles, including truck camper units.
          (2) Maxi-cube vehicle.--The term ``maxi-cube 
        vehicle'' means a truck tractor combined with a 
        semitrailer and a separable property-carrying unit 
        designed to be loaded and unloaded through the 
        semitrailer, with the length of the separable property-
        carrying unit being not more than 34 feet and the 
        length of the vehicle combination being not more than 
        65 feet.
          (3) Truck tractor.--The term ``truck tractor'' 
        means--
                  (A) a non-property-carrying power unit that 
                operates in combination with a semitrailer or 
                trailer; or
                  (B) a power unit that carries as property 
                only motor vehicles when operating in 
                combination with a semitrailer in transporting 
                motor vehicles.
          (4) Driveaway saddlemount vehicle transporter 
        combination.--The term ``driveaway saddlemount vehicle 
        transporter combination'' means a vehicle combination 
        designed and specifically used to tow up to 3 trucks or 
        truck tractors, each connected by a saddle to the frame 
        or fifth-wheel of the forward vehicle of the truck or 
        truck tractor in front of it. Such combination may 
        include one fullmount.
  (b) General Limitations.--(1) Except as provided in this 
section, a State may not prescribe or enforce a regulation of 
commerce that--
          (A) imposes a vehicle length limitation of less than 
        45 feet on a bus, of less than 48 feet on a semitrailer 
        operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination, 
        [or of less than 28 feet on a semitrailer or trailer 
        operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer 
        combination,] or, notwithstanding section 31112, of 
        less than 33 feet on a semitrailer or trailer operating 
        in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination, on 
        any segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of 
        Interstate and Defense Highways (except a segment 
        exempted under subsection (f) of this section) and 
        those classes of qualifying Federal-aid Primary System 
        highways designated by the Secretary of Transportation 
        under subsection (e) of this section;
          (B) imposes an overall length limitation on a 
        commercial motor vehicle operating in a truck tractor-
        semitrailer or truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer 
        combination;
          (C) has the effect of prohibiting the use of a 
        semitrailer or trailer of the same dimensions as those 
        that were in actual and lawful use in that State on 
        December 1, 1982;
          (D) imposes a vehicle length limitation of not less 
        than or more than 97 feet on all driveaway saddlemount 
        vehicle transporter combinations;
          (E) has the effect of prohibiting the use of an 
        existing semitrailer or trailer, of not more than 28.5 
        feet in length, in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer 
        combination if the semitrailer or trailer was operating 
        lawfully on December 1, 1982, within a 65-foot overall 
        length limit in any State; or
          (F) imposes a limitation of less than 46 feet on the 
        distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear 
        axle on trailers used exclusively or primarily in 
        connection with motorsports competition events.
  (2) A length limitation prescribed or enforced by a State 
under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection applies only to a 
semitrailer or trailer and not to a truck tractor.
  (c) Maxi-Cube and Vehicle Combination Limitations.--A State 
may not prohibit a maxi-cube vehicle or a commercial motor 
vehicle combination consisting of a truck tractor and 2 
trailing units on any segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower 
System of Interstate and Defense Highways (except a segment 
exempted under subsection (f) of this section) and those 
classes of qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways 
designated by the Secretary under subsection (e) of this 
section.
  (d) Exclusion of Safety and Energy Conservation Devices.--
Length calculated under this section does not include a safety 
or energy conservation device the Secretary decides is 
necessary for safe and efficient operation of a commercial 
motor vehicle. However, such a device may not have by its 
design or use the ability to carry cargo.
  (e) Qualifying Highways.--The Secretary by regulation shall 
designate as qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways 
those highways of the Federal-aid Primary System in existence 
on June 1, 1991, that can accommodate safely the applicable 
vehicle lengths provided in this section.
  (f) Exemptions.--(1) If the chief executive officer of a 
State, after consulting under paragraph (2) of this subsection, 
decides a segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of 
Interstate and Defense Highways is not capable of safely 
accommodating a commercial motor vehicle having a length 
described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section or the motor 
vehicle combination described in subsection (c) of this 
section, the chief executive officer may notify the Secretary 
of that decision and request the Secretary to exempt that 
segment from either or both provisions.
  (2) Before making a decision under paragraph (1) of this 
subsection, the chief executive officer shall consult with 
units of local government in the State in which the segment of 
the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense 
Highways is located and with the chief executive officer of any 
adjacent State that may be directly affected by the exemption. 
As part of the consultations, consideration shall be given to 
any potential alternative route that serves the area in which 
the segment is located and can safely accommodate a commercial 
motor vehicle having a length described in subsection (b)(1)(A) 
of this section or the motor vehicle combination described in 
subsection (c) of this section.
  (3) A chief executive officer's notification under this 
subsection must include specific evidence of safety problems 
supporting the officer's decision and the results of 
consultations about alternative routes.
  (4)(A) If the Secretary decides, on request of a chief 
executive officer or on the Secretary's own initiative, a 
segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and 
Defense Highways is not capable of safely accommodating a 
commercial motor vehicle having a length described in 
subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section or the motor vehicle 
combination described in subsection (c) of this section, the 
Secretary shall exempt the segment from either or both of those 
provisions. Before making a decision under this paragraph, the 
Secretary shall consider any possible alternative route that 
serves the area in which the segment is located.
  (B) The Secretary shall make a decision about a specific 
segment not later than 120 days after the date of receipt of 
notification from a chief executive officer under paragraph (1) 
of this subsection or the date on which the Secretary initiates 
action under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, whichever is 
applicable. If the Secretary finds the decision will not be 
made in time, the Secretary immediately shall notify Congress, 
giving the reasons for the delay, information about the 
resources assigned, and the projected date for the decision.
  (C) Before making a decision, the Secretary shall give an 
interested person notice and an opportunity for comment. If the 
Secretary exempts a segment under this subsection before the 
final regulations under subsection (e) of this section are 
prescribed, the Secretary shall include the exemption as part 
of the final regulations. If the Secretary exempts the segment 
after the final regulations are prescribed, the Secretary shall 
publish the exemption as an amendment to the final regulations.
  (g) Accommodating Specialized Equipment.--In prescribing 
regulations to carry out this section, the Secretary may make 
decisions necessary to accommodate specialized equipment, 
including automobile and vessel transporters and maxi-cube 
vehicles.

Sec. 31112. Property-carrying unit limitation

  (a) Definitions.--In this section--
          (1) ``property-carrying unit'' means any part of a 
        commercial motor vehicle combination (except the truck 
        tractor) used to carry property, including a trailer, a 
        semitrailer, or the property-carrying section of a 
        single unit truck.
          (2) the length of the property-carrying units of a 
        commercial motor vehicle combination is the length 
        measured from the front of the first property-carrying 
        unit to the rear of the last property-carrying unit.
  (b) General Limitations.--A State may not allow by any means 
the operation, on any segment of the Dwight D. Eisenhower 
System of Interstate and Defense Highways and those classes of 
qualifying Federal-aid Primary System highways designated by 
the Secretary of Transportation under section 31111(e) of this 
title, of any commercial motor vehicle combination (except a 
vehicle or load that cannot be dismantled easily or divided 
easily and that has been issued a special permit under 
applicable State law) with more than one property-carrying unit 
(not including the truck tractor) whose property-carrying units 
are more than--
          (1) the maximum combination trailer, semitrailer, or 
        other type of length limitation allowed by law or 
        regulation of that State before June 2, 1991; or
          (2) the length of the property-carrying units of 
        those commercial motor vehicle combinations, by 
        specific configuration, in actual, lawful operation on 
        a regular or periodic basis (including continuing 
        seasonal operation) in that State before June 2, 1991.
  (c)  [Special Rules for Wyoming, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, and 
Nebraska] Special Rules for Wyoming, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, 
Nebraska, and Kansas.--In addition to the vehicles allowed 
under subsection (b) of this section--
          (1) Wyoming may allow the operation of additional 
        vehicle configurations not in actual operation on June 
        1, 1991, but authorized by State law not later than 
        November 3, 1992, if the vehicle configurations comply 
        with the single axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula 
        limits in section 127(a) of title 23 and are not more 
        than 117,000 pounds gross vehicle weight;
          (2) Ohio may allow the operation of commercial motor 
        vehicle combinations with 3 property-carrying units of 
        28.5 feet each (not including the truck tractor) not in 
        actual operation on June 1, 1991, to be operated in 
        Ohio on the 1-mile segment of Ohio State Route 7 that 
        begins at and is south of exit 16 of the Ohio Turnpike;
          (3) Alaska may allow the operation of commercial 
        motor vehicle combinations that were not in actual 
        operation on June 1, 1991, but were in actual operation 
        before July 6, 1991[; and];
          (4) Iowa may allow the operation on Interstate Route 
        29 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between 
        Iowa and South Dakota or on Interstate Route 129 
        between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa 
        and Nebraska of commercial motor vehicle combinations 
        with trailer length, semitrailer length, and property-
        carrying unit length allowed by law or regulation and 
        in actual lawful operation on a regular or periodic 
        basis (including continued seasonal operation) in South 
        Dakota or Nebraska, respectively, before June 2, 
        1991[.]; and
          (5) [Nebraska may] Nebraska and Kansas may allow the 
        operation of a truck tractor and 2 trailers or 
        semitrailers not in actual lawful operation on a 
        regular or periodic basis on June 1, 1991, if the 
        length of the property-carrying units does not exceed 
        81 feet 6 inches and such combination is used only to 
        transport equipment utilized by custom harvesters under 
        contract to agricultural producers to harvest one or 
        more of wheat, soybeans, and milo during the harvest 
        months for such crops, as defined by [the State of 
        Nebraska] the relevant state.
  (d) Additional Limitations.--(1) A commercial motor vehicle 
combination whose operation in a State is not prohibited under 
subsections (b) and (c) of this section may continue to operate 
in the State on highways described in subsection (b) only if at 
least in compliance with all State laws, regulations, 
limitations, and conditions, including routing-specific and 
configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions 
in force in the State on June 1, 1991. However, subject to 
regulations prescribed by the Secretary under subsection (g)(2) 
of this section, the State may make minor adjustments of a 
temporary and emergency nature to route designations and 
vehicle operating restrictions in effect on June 1, 1991, for 
specific safety purposes and road construction.
  (2) This section does not prevent a State from further 
restricting in any way or prohibiting the operation of any 
commercial motor vehicle combination subject to this section, 
except that a restriction or prohibition shall be consistent 
with this section and sections 31113(a) and (b) and 31114 of 
this title.
  (3) A State making a minor adjustment of a temporary and 
emergency nature as authorized by paragraph (1) of this 
subsection or further restricting or prohibiting the operation 
of a commercial motor vehicle combination as authorized by 
paragraph (2) of this subsection shall advise the Secretary not 
later than 30 days after the action. The Secretary shall 
publish a notice of the action in the Federal Register.
  (4) Nebraska may continue to allow to be operated under 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, the State of 
Nebraska may allow longer combination vehicles that were not in 
actual operation on June 1, 1991 to be operated within its 
boundaries to transport sugar beets from the field where such 
sugar beets are harvested to storage, market, factory or 
stockpile or from stockpile to storage, market or factory. This 
provision shall expire on February 28, 1998.
  (e) List of State Length Limitations.--(1) Not later than 
February 16, 1992, each State shall submit to the Secretary for 
publication a complete list of State length limitations 
applicable to commercial motor vehicle combinations operating 
in the State on the highways described in subsection (b) of 
this section. The list shall indicate the applicable State laws 
and regulations associated with the length limitations. If a 
State does not submit the information as required, the 
Secretary shall complete and file the information for the 
State.
  (2) Not later than March 17, 1992, the Secretary shall 
publish an interim list in the Federal Register consisting of 
all information submitted under paragraph (1) of this 
subsection. The Secretary shall review for accuracy all 
information submitted by a State under paragraph (1) and shall 
solicit and consider public comment on the accuracy of the 
information.
  (3) A law or regulation may not be included on the list 
submitted by a State or published by the Secretary merely 
because it authorized, or could have authorized, by permit or 
otherwise, the operation of commercial motor vehicle 
combinations not in actual operation on a regular or periodic 
basis before June 2, 1991.
  (4) Except as revised under this paragraph or paragraph (5) 
of this subsection, the list shall be published as final in the 
Federal Register not later than June 15, 1992. In publishing 
the final list, the Secretary shall make any revisions 
necessary to correct inaccuracies identified under paragraph 
(2) of this subsection. After publication of the final list, 
commercial motor vehicle combinations prohibited under 
subsection (b) of this section may not operate on the Dwight D. 
Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways and other 
Federal-aid Primary System highways designated by the Secretary 
except as published on the list. The list may be combined by 
the Secretary with the list required under section 127(d) of 
title 23.
  (5) On the Secretary's own motion or on request by any person 
(including a State), the Secretary shall review the list 
published under paragraph (4) of this subsection. If the 
Secretary decides there is reason to believe a mistake was made 
in the accuracy of the list, the Secretary shall begin a 
proceeding to decide whether a mistake was made. If the 
Secretary decides there was a mistake, the Secretary shall 
publish the correction.
  (f) Limitations on Statutory Construction.--This section may 
not be construed--
          (1) to allow the operation on any segment of the 
        Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense 
        Highways of a longer combination vehicle prohibited 
        under section 127(d) of title 23;
          (2) to affect in any way the operation of a 
        commercial motor vehicle having only one property-
        carrying unit; or
          (3) to affect in any way the operation in a State of 
        a commercial motor vehicle with more than one property-
        carrying unit if the vehicle was in actual operation on 
        a regular or periodic basis (including seasonal 
        operation) in that State before June 2, 1991, that was 
        authorized under State law or regulation or lawful 
        State permit.
  (g) Regulations.--(1) In carrying out this section only, the 
Secretary shall define by regulation loads that cannot be 
dismantled easily or divided easily.
  (2) Not later than June 15, 1992, the Secretary shall 
prescribe regulations establishing criteria for a State to 
follow in making minor adjustments under subsection (d) of this 
section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


               CHANGES IN THE APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following statements are 
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the 
accompanying bill which directly or indirectly change the 
application of existing law.

                 TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

    Language is included under Office of the Secretary, 
`Salaries and expenses' specifying certain amounts for 
individual offices of the Office of the Secretary and official 
reception and representation expenses; specifying transfer 
authority among offices; allowing up to $2,500,000 in user fees 
to be credited to the account; and prohibiting the 
establishment of Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs.
    Language is included under the Office of the Secretary, 
`Research and technology' which limits the availability of 
funds, changes the availability of funds, allows funds received 
from other entities to be credited to the account, and deems 
the title of the office.
    Language is included under the Office of the Secretary, 
`National Infrastructure Investments' which limits the 
availability of funds, provides for the distribution of funds, 
specifies that funds are available only for certain activities, 
allows the use of funds for administrative costs, ensures 
equitable geographic distribution of funds, specifies amounts 
for grants, limits that amount that may be awarded to a single 
state, specifies an amount for the federal cost share, provides 
priority to projects that require a contribution of Federal 
funds, specifies a percentage for administration and oversight, 
minimum grants size and Federal cost share for rural projects, 
and specifies that projects must comply with certain 
requirements in the United States Code.
    Language is included under the Office of the Secretary, 
`Financial management capital' which provides funds to upgrade 
DOT's financial systems and processes, and changes the 
availability of funds.
    Language is included under the Office of the Secretary, 
`Cyber security initiatives' which provides funds for 
information technology security upgrades, and changes the 
availability of funds.
    Language is included under the Office of the Secretary, 
`Transportation planning, research, and development' which 
provides funds for conducting transportation planning, 
research, systems development, development activities and 
making grants, and changes the availability of funds.
    Language is included that limits operating costs and 
capital outlays of the Working Capital Fund for the Department 
of Transportation; provides that services shall be provided on 
a competitive basis, except for non-DOT entities; restricts the 
transfer for any funds to the Working Capital Fund with 
approval; and limits special assessments or reimbursable 
agreements levied against any program, project or activity 
funded in this Act to only those assessments or reimbursable 
agreements that are presented to and approved by the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Language is included under the Office of the Secretary, 
`Minority business resource center' which limits the amount of 
loans that can be subsidized, and provides funds for 
administrative expenses.
    Language is included under Office of the Secretary, `Small 
and disadvantaged business utilization and outreach' specifying 
that funds may be used for business opportunities related to 
any mode of transportation, and limits the availability of 
funds.
    Language is included under the Office of the Secretary, 
`Payments to air carriers' that allows the Secretary of 
Transportation to consider subsidy requirements when 
determining service to a community, eliminates the requirement 
that carriers use at least 15-passenger aircraft, prohibits 
funds for communities within a certain distance of a small hub 
airport without a cost-share, allows amounts to be made 
available from the Federal Aviation Administration, and allows 
the reimbursement of such amounts from overflight fees.
    Section 101 prohibits the Office of the Secretary of 
Transportation from approving assessments or reimbursable 
agreements pertaining to funds appropriated to the modal 
administrations in this Act, unless such assessments or 
agreements have completed the normal reprogramming process for 
Congressional notification.
    Section 102 allows the Secretary or his designee to work 
with States and State legislators to consider proposals related 
to the reduction of motorcycle fatalities.
    Section 103 allows the Department to use the Working 
Capital Fund to provide transit benefits to Federal employees.
    Section 104 sets administrative requirements of the 
Department's Credit Council.
    Section 105 authorizes the Working Capital Fund to provide 
partial or full payments in advance and accept reimbursement 
from all Federal agencies for transit benefits; directs a 
reasonable operating reserve; and limits the uses of the 
reserve.
    Language is included under the Federal Aviation 
Administration, `Operations' that specifies funds for certain 
activities; derives funds from the Airport and Airway Trust 
Fund; specifies amounts for certain activities; specifies 
transfer authorities among activities; requires various 
staffing plans by a certain date with financial penalties for 
late submissions; permits the use of funds to enter into a 
grant agreement with a nonprofit standard setting organization 
to develop aviation safety standards; prohibits the use of 
funds for new applicants of the second career training program; 
prohibits funds to plan, finalize, or implement any regulation 
that would promulgate new aviation user fees not specifically 
authorized by law; credits funds received from other entities 
for expenses incurred in the provision of agency services; 
specifies funds for the contract tower programs; and prohibits 
funds from certain activities coordinated through the Working 
Capital Fund.
    Language is included under Federal Aviation Administration, 
`Facilities and equipment' that funds various activities from 
the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, limits the availability of 
funds, allows certain funds received for expenses incurred in 
the establishment and modernization of air navigation 
facilities to be credited to the account, and that requires the 
Secretary of Transportation to transmit a comprehensive capital 
investment plan for the Federal Aviation Administration, with 
financial penalties for a late submission.
    Language is included under Federal Aviation Administration, 
`Research, engineering, and development' that provides funds 
from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund; that limits the 
availability of funds; and that allows certain funds received 
for expenses incurred in research, engineering and development 
to be credited to the account.
    Language is included under Federal Aviation Administration, 
`Grants-in-aid for airports' that provides funds from the 
Airport and Airway Trust Fund, changes the availability of 
funds, prohibits the availability of funds for certain 
activities, and limits the availability of funds for certain 
activities.
    Section 110 limits the number of technical workyears at the 
Center for Advanced Aviation Systems Development to 600 in 
fiscal year 2014.
    Section 111 prohibits FAA from requiring airport sponsors 
to provide the agency `without cost' building construction, 
maintenance, utilities and expenses, or space in sponsor-owned 
buildings, except in the case of certain specified exceptions.
    Section 112 allows reimbursement for fees collected and 
credited under 49 U.S.C. 45303.
    Section 113 allows reimbursement of funds for providing 
technical assistance to foreign aviation authorities to be 
credited to the operations account.
    Section 114 prohibits the FAA from paying Sunday premium 
pay except in those cases where the individual actually worked 
on a Sunday.
    Section 115 prohibits FAA from using funds to purchase 
store gift cards or gift certificates through a government-
issued credit card.
    Section 116 requires approval from the Assistant Secretary 
for Administration of the Department of Transportation for 
retention bonuses for any FAA employee.
    Section 117 requires the Secretary to block the display of 
an owner or operator's aircraft registration number in the 
Aircraft Situational Display to Industry program, upon the 
request of an owner or operator.
    Section 118 prohibits funds for more than 9 political 
appointees at the Federal Aviation Administration.
    Section 119 prohibits funds to increase fees pursuant to 
Section 44721 of title 49, U.S.C. until the FAA submits a 
report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 119A prohibits funds to close a regional operations 
center or reduce services unless the Administrator notifies the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Language is included under the Federal Highway 
Administration, `Limitation on administrative expenses' that, 
contingent on enactment of authorization legislation, limits 
the amount to be paid, together with advances and 
reimbursements received, for the administrative expenses of the 
agency. In addition to this limitation, an amount is specified 
that is to be made available to the Appalachian Regional 
Commission for administrative expenses.
    Language is included under the Federal Highway 
Administration, `Federal-aid highways' that, contingent on 
enactment of authorization legislation, limits the obligations 
for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction 
programs; allows the Secretary to charge, collect and spend 
fees for the costs of underwriting and servicing Federal credit 
instruments; and provides that such amounts are in addition to 
administrative expenses, and not subject to any obligation 
limitation or limitation on administrative expenses under 
section 608 of title 23, U.S.C., and available until expended.
    Language is included under the Federal Highway 
Administration, `Federal-aid highways' that, contingent on 
enactment of authorization legislation, liquidates contract 
authority from the Highway Trust Fund.
    Section 120 distributes obligation authority among Federal-
aid highways programs, contingent on enactment of authorization 
legislation.
    Section 121 credits funds received by the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics to the Federal-aid highways account.
    Section 122 provides requirements for any waiver of the Buy 
America Act.
    Section 123 requires Congressional notification before the 
Department provides credit assistance under section 603 and 604 
of title 23, U.S.C.
    Language is included under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, `Motor carrier safety operations and programs' 
that, contingent on enactment of authorization legislation, 
provides a limitation on obligations and liquidation of 
contract authorization; changes the availability of funds; and 
specifies amounts available for specific activities.
    Language is included under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, `Motor carrier safety grants' that, contingent 
on enactment of authorization legislation, provides a 
limitation on obligations and liquidation of contract 
authorization and specifies amounts available for various 
programs.
    Section 130 provides that funds appropriated are subject to 
terms and conditions included in prior appropriations Acts 
regarding Mexico-domiciled motor carriers.
    Section 131 requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration to send notices of certain violations such that 
the receipt of such notice is confirmed.
    Section 132 suspends enforcement of recent changes to the 
restart provisions of the hours of service regulation unless 
certain conditions are met.
    Section 133 prohibits funds from being used to deny renewal 
of a hazardous materials safety permit unless certain 
conditions are met.
    Section 134 prohibits funds from being used to increase 
levels of minimum financial responsibility for motor carriers.
    Section 135 prohibits funds from being used for a wireless 
roadside inspection program unless certain conditions are met.
    Language is included under National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, `Operations and research' that provides funds 
for vehicle safety activities.
    Language is included under National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, `Operations and research' that, contingent on 
enactment of authorization legislation, provides a limitation 
on obligations and a liquidation of contract authorization from 
the Highway Trust Fund; specifies amounts for various programs; 
and makes available unobligated balances of prior year contract 
authority.
    Language is included under the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration `Highway traffic safety grants' that, 
contingent on enactment of authorization legislation, provides 
a limitation on obligations; changes the availability of funds; 
provides a liquidation of contract authorization from the 
Highway Trust Fund; specifies the amounts for various programs; 
prohibits and limits funds for specific purposes; and requires 
certain Congressional notifications.
    Section 140 provides funding for travel and related 
expenses for state management reviews and highway safety core 
competency development training.
    Section 141 exempts obligation authority that was made 
available in previous public laws from limitations on 
obligations set in this Act.
    Section 142 prohibits funding for the National Highway 
Safety Advisory Committee.
    Section 143 prohibits funding for the national roadside 
survey.
    Section 144 prohibits funding for mandated global 
positioning system tracking.
    Language is included under Federal Railroad Administration, 
`Safety and operations' that changes the availability of funds.
    Language is included under Federal Railroad Administration, 
`Railroad research and development' that changes the 
availability of funds.
    Language is included under Federal Railroad Administration, 
`Railroad rehabilitation and improvement financing program' 
authorizing the Secretary to issue direct loans and loan 
guarantees under sections 501 through 504 of the Railroad 
Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act and prohibits new 
direct loans or loan guarantee commitments in 2016 that use 
Federal funds for the credit risk premium.
    Language is included under the Federal Railroad 
Administration, `Operating subsidy grants to the National 
Railroad Passenger Corporation' that provides funds to the 
Secretary of Transportation to make quarterly grants to the 
National Railroad Passenger Corporation and changes the 
availability of funds; allows the Secretary to approve funding 
only after receiving and reviewing a grant request for each 
train route; ensures that each grant request is accompanied by 
a detailed financial analysis, revenue projection, and capital 
expenditure projection; requires the Corporation to submit a 
number of reports electronically within 60 days of enactment, 
including a business plan, a five year financial plan, an 
annual budget; requires that the budget, business plan, and the 
5-Year Financial Plan include annual information on 
maintenance, refurbishment, replacement, and expansion for 
Amtrak rolling stock consistent with the comprehensive fleet 
plan; requires monthly performance reports in electronic 
format, and that it describe work completed, changes to the 
business plan and progress against the 2012 performance 
improvement plan milestones; requires that reports comply with 
requirements in Public Law 112-55; prohibits funds to support 
any route with a discounted fare of more than 50 percent off 
the normal peak fare, unless the operating loss is the result 
of a discount covered by a State.
    Language is included under the Federal Railroad 
Administration, `Capital and debt service grants to the 
national railroad passenger corporation' that allows the 
Secretary of Transportation to make grants on a reimbursable 
basis to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for the 
maintenance and repair of capital infrastructure and debt 
service and to meet the Americans with Disability Act; 
designates fund up to a certain amount as a working capital 
fund account; specifies a ceiling for funds to be used for 
operational costs subject to conditions; allows the Secretary 
to retain funds to be used for oversight; requires approval of 
funds only after receipt of a request justifying Federal 
support; limits the use of funds to subsidize operating losses; 
restricts the use of funds unless they have been approved by 
the Secretary or are contained in the Corporation's business 
plan; allows the Secretary to retain an amount to be used by 
the Northeast Corridor Commission; and requires Amtrak to 
conduct business case analysis on certain capital investments, 
and specify that capital acquisitions are subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds.
    Section 150 allows FRA to receive and use cash or spare 
parts to repair and replace damaged automated track inspection 
cars and equipment in connection with the automated track 
inspection program.
    Section 151 limits overtime to $35,000 per employee; allows 
Amtrak's president to waive this restriction for specific 
employees for safety or operational efficiency reasons; 
requires quarterly notification to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations on waivers granted for overtime 
and specified information related to overtime; requires the 
president of Amtrak provide a report that includes specified 
information on overtime payments incurred for 2015 and two 
prior years.
    Language is included under Federal Transit Administration, 
`Administrative expenses' specifying amounts for certain 
activities, prohibiting a permanent office of transit security, 
and directing the submission of the annual report on new 
starts.
    Language is included under Federal Transit Administration, 
`Transit formula grants' that provides a limitation on 
obligations from the Highway Trust Fund, provides for the 
liquidation of contract authority, and changes the availability 
of funds.
    Language is included under Federal Transit Administration, 
` Transit Research' that specifies amounts made available for 
certain activities.
    Language is included under Federal Transit Administration 
`Technical assistance and training' that specifies amounts for 
certain activities.
    Language is included under Federal Transit Administration, 
`Capital investment grants' that changes the availability of 
funds.
    Language is included under Federal Transit Administration, 
`Washington metropolitan area transit authority' that changes 
the availability of funds, requires the Secretary to review 
projects before a grant is made, requires the Secretary to 
determine that WMATA has placed the highest priority on safety 
investments and has eliminated financial management issues, and 
allows the Secretary to waive the requirement for cellular 
phone service.
    Section 160 exempts previously made transit obligations 
from limitations on obligations.
    Section 161 allows funds appropriated for capital 
investment grants and bus and bus facilities not obligated by a 
certain date, plus other recoveries to be available for other 
projects under 49 U.S.C. 5309.
    Section 162 allows for the transfer of prior year 
appropriations from older accounts to be merged into new 
accounts with similar, current activities.
    Section 163 prohibits a full funding grant agreement for a 
project with a new starts share greater than 50 percent.
    Section 164 prohibits funds for a certain fixed guideway 
project in Houston, Texas.
    Language is included under the Saint Lawrence Seaway 
Development Corporation that authorizes expenditures, 
contracts, and commitments as may be necessary.
    Language is included under the Saint Lawrence Seaway 
Development Corporation `Operations and maintenance' that 
provides funds derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
    Language is included under Maritime Administration, 
`Maritime security program' that provides funds to preserve a 
U.S. flag merchant fleet.
    Language is included under Maritime Administration, 
`Operations and training' that provides specific funds for a 
national security multi-mission vessel design, training ship 
fuel assistance payments, maritime environment and technology 
assistance, Student Incentive Program payments, capital 
improvements at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and 
the State Maritime Schools Schoolship Maintenance and Repair; 
directs allotment holders; and limits funds until the Secretary 
completes a plan detailing how funding will be expended at the 
Academy.
    Language is included under Maritime Administration, 
`Maritime guaranteed loan (title XI) program account' that 
provides for the transfer to ``Operations and training.''
    Section 170 allows the Maritime Administration to furnish 
utilities and services and make repairs to any lease, contract, 
or occupancy involving government property under the control of 
MARAD.
    Section 171 continues a provision regarding MARAD ship 
disposal.
    Language is included under Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration, `Operational expenses' which provides 
funding for operations.
    Language is included under Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration, `Hazardous materials safety' which funds 
hazardous and materials safety functions, limits the period of 
availability, allows up to $800,000 in fees collected under 49 
U.S.C. 5108(g) to be deposited in the general fund of the 
Treasury as offsetting receipts, and credits to the 
appropriation for the account funds received from states, 
counties, other public authorities, and private sources for 
certain expenses.
    Language is included under Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration, `Pipeline safety' which specifies the 
amounts derived from the pipeline safety fund and the oil spill 
liability trust fund, limits the period of availability, and 
specifies a minimum funding level for the one-call state grant 
program.
    Language is included under Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration, `Emergency preparedness grants' which 
specifies the amount derived from the Emergency Preparedness 
Fund, limits the availability of some funds, allows up to four 
percent of funds made available for administrative costs, and 
prohibits funds from being obligated by anyone other than the 
Secretary or a designee of the Secretary.
    Language is included under Office of Inspector General, 
`Salaries and expenses' that provides the Inspector General 
with all necessary authority to investigate allegations of 
fraud by any person or entity that is subject to regulation by 
the Department of Transportation, the authority to investigate 
unfair or deceptive practices and unfair methods of competition 
by domestic and foreign air carriers and ticket agents, and 
allows funds to be available from forfeiture proceedings.
    Language is included under Surface Transportation Board, 
`Salaries and expenses' allowing the collection of $1,250,000 
in fees established by the Chairman of the Surface 
Transportation Board, and providing that the sum appropriated 
from the general fund shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar 
basis as such fees are received.
    Section 180 allows the Department of Transportation to use 
funds for aircraft, motor vehicles, liability insurance, 
uniforms, or allowances as authorized by law.
    Section 181 limits appropriations for services authorized 
by 5 U.S.C. 3109 to the rate for an Executive Level IV.
    Section 182 prohibits funds in this Act for salaries and 
expenses of more than 110 political and Presidential appointees 
in the Department of Transportation, and prohibits political 
and Presidential personnel assigned on temporary detail outside 
the Department of Transportation.
    Section 183 prohibits recipients of funds made available in 
this Act from releasing personal information, including social 
security number, medical or disability information, and 
photographs from a driver's license or motor vehicle record, 
without express consent of the person to whom such information 
pertains; and prohibits the withholding of funds provided in 
this Act for any grantee if a state is in noncompliance with 
this provision.
    Section 184 allows funds received by the Federal Highway 
Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and the Federal 
Railroad Administration from states, counties, municipalities, 
other public authorities, and private sources to be used for 
expenses incurred for training may be credited to each agency's 
respective accounts.
    Section 185 prohibits funds in Title I of this Act from 
being issued for any loan, loan guarantee, line of credit or 
grant unless the Secretary of Transportation notifies the House 
and Senate Committees on Appropriations not less than three 
full business days before any discretionary grant award, letter 
of intent, or full funding grant is announced by the department 
or its modal administrations.
    Section 186 allows funds received from rebates, refunds, 
and similar sources to be credited to Department of 
Transportation appropriations.
    Section 187 allows amounts from improper payments to a 
third party contractor that are lawfully recovered by the 
Department of Transportation to be available to cover expenses 
incurred in recovery of such payments.
    Section 188 stipulates that the Committees on 
Appropriations solely approve or deny any funds provided or 
limited in this Act that are subject to a reprogramming action 
that requires notice to be provided to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 189 prohibits the Surface Transportation Board from 
charging or collecting filing fees for late complaints in an 
amount in excess of the authorized amount under section 1914 of 
title 28, United States Code.
    Section 190 allows funds to modal administrations to be 
obligated to the Office of the Secretary for the costs related 
to assessments or reimbursable agreements only when the 
services provide a direct benefit to the applicable modal 
administration.
    Section 191 allows the use of the Working Capital Fund to 
carry out the Federal Transit Pass program.
    Section 192 prohibits funds for the Surface Transportation 
Board (STB) to take action on a high-speed rail project in 
California unless the STB considerers the project as a whole.
    Section 193 prohibits funds to facilitate scheduled air 
transportation to, or pass through, property confiscated by the 
Cuban Government.

         TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Management and administration' which designates 
funds for `Executive offices'; designates funds for 
`Administrative support offices;' specifies funding for shared 
service agreements, the office of the chief financial officer, 
the office of the general counsel, the office of 
administration, the office of the chief human capital office, 
the office of field policy and management, the office of the 
chief procurement officer, the office of the departmental equal 
employment opportunity, the office of strategic planning and 
management, and the office of the chief information officer; 
provides flexibility to transfer any remaining funds to any 
office under the same heading or under the heading `Program 
office salaries and expenses'; limits official reception and 
representation expenses to $25,000; allows funds to be used for 
certain administrative and non-administrative expenses; and 
allows funds to be used for advertising and promotional 
activities that directly support program activities funded in 
this title.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Program office salaries and expenses' which 
specifies funds for the office of public and indian housing, 
the office of community planning and development, the office of 
housing, the office of risk and regulatory affairs, the office 
of policy development and research, the office of fair housing 
and equal opportunity, and the office of lead hazard control 
and health homes.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Tenant-based rental assistance' which specifies 
funds for certain programs, activities and purposes and limits 
the use and availability of certain funds; specifies the 
methodology for allocation of renewal funding; directs the 
Secretary to provide renewal funding based on validated voucher 
system leasing and cost data for the prior year; prohibits 
funds to exceed a public housing agency's authorized level of 
units under contract, except for those participating in the 
Moving to Work demonstration; directs the Secretary, to the 
extent necessary, to prorate each public housing agency's (PHA) 
allocation; directs the Secretary to notify PHAs of their 
annual budget the later of 60 days after enactment of the Act 
or March 1, 2016; allows the Secretary to extend the 
notification period with the prior approval of the House and 
Senate appropriations committees; specifies the amounts 
available to the Secretary to allocate to PHAs that need 
additional funds and for fees; specifies the amount for 
additional rental subsidy due to unforeseen emergencies and 
portability; provides funding for public housing agencies with 
vouchers that were not in use during the previous 12 month 
period in order to be available to meet a commitment pursuant 
to section 8(o)(13); provides funding for incremental vouchers 
for homeless veterans; provides funding for public housing 
agencies that despite taking reasonable measures, would 
otherwise be required to terminate assistance for families as a 
result of insufficient funding; and provides for adjustments in 
allocations for PHAs that participate in the Small Area Fair 
Market Rent demonstration.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Tenant-based rental assistance' which provides 
funds for tenant protection vouchers; sets certain conditions 
for the Secretary to provide such vouchers; provides funds for 
residents of multi-family properties that would not otherwise 
have been eligible for tenant-protection vouchers; sets 
eligibility requirements for multi-family properties to 
participate in the program; sets conditions for the reissuance 
of vouchers, and allows the Secretary to use unobligated and 
recaptured funds from prior years.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Tenant-based rental assistance' which provides 
funds for administrative and other expenses of public housing 
agencies to administer the section 8 tenant-based rental 
assistance program; sets an amount to be available to PHAs that 
need additional funds to administer their section 8 programs, 
including fees to administer tenant protection assistance, 
disaster related vouchers, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing 
vouchers and other special purpose vouchers; provides for the 
distribution of funds; provides for a uniform percentage 
decrease of amounts to be allocated if funds are not 
sufficient; establishes that `Moving to Work' (MTW) agencies be 
funded pursuant to their MTW agreements; provides funds for 
section 811 mainstream vouchers; and specifies that the 
Secretary shall track special purpose vouchers.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Housing certificate fund' which rescinds prior 
year funds and allows the Secretary to use recaptures to fund 
project-based contracts and contract administrators.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Public housing capital fund' which specifies the 
total amount available for certain activities; limits the 
availability of funds; limits the delegation of certain waiver 
authorities; specifies an amount for ongoing Public Housing 
Financial and Physical Assessment activities of the Real Estate 
Assessment Center; specifies an amount for emergency capital 
needs; specifies an amount for supportive services; specifies 
the amount for a Jobs-plus Pilot initiative and specifies that 
the initiative shall provide competitive grants; specifies that 
the Secretary may waive or specify alternative requirements; 
and specifies that the Secretary shall public notice of any 
waiver or alternative requirement; establishes a limitation on 
amounts that can be transferred; makes funds available for 
bonuses for high performing PHAs; and establishes requirements 
for notification of public housing agencies' formula 
allocations.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Choice Neighborhoods Initiative' which allows the 
Secretary to make competitive grants for neighborhood 
rehabilitation; changes the availability of funds; allows funds 
to be used for services, development, and housing; declares 
funds not for ``public housing''; requires a period of 
affordability; requires local planning and cost share; allows 
local governments, tribal entities, public housing authorities 
and non-profits to be grantees; allows for-profits to partner 
and apply with a public entity; requires grantees to partner 
with local organizations; establishes conditions for 
environmental review; requires grantees to create partnerships 
with other local organizations; requires the Secretary to 
consult with other federal agencies; and allows prior year 
program funds and HOPE VI funds to be used for this program.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Family self-sufficiency' which allows the 
Secretary to waive or specify certain requirements, establishes 
entities eligible to compete for funding, allows the 
establishment of escrow funds, and allows the use of residual 
receipt accounts to hire coordinators.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Native American housing block grants' which 
limits the availability of funds; specifies the formula for 
allocation; specifies amounts for training and technical 
assistance; specifies an amount to support the inspection of 
Indian housing units; specifies an amount to guarantee notes 
and obligations as defined in section 502 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974; specifies that grantees are to be notified 
of their allocation within 60 days of enactment; and makes 
adjustments to certain recipient allocations under certain 
conditions without a regulation.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Indian housing loan guarantee fund program 
account' which specifies the amount and availability of funds 
to subsidize total loan principal, specifies how to define the 
costs of modifying loans, and provides a dedicated amount for 
administrative expenses.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Housing opportunities for persons with AIDS' 
which limits availability of funds and sets forth certain 
requirements for the allocation of funds, renewal of contracts, 
and grantee notification.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Community development fund' which limits the use 
and availability of certain funds; specifies the allocation of 
certain funds; prohibits grant recipients from selling, trading 
or transfer funds; prohibits the provision of funds to for-
profit entities unless certain conditions are met; specifies 
the amount made available for grants to federally-recognized 
Indian tribes; prohibits funding for grants under the Economic 
Development Initiative, Neighborhood Initiatives, Rural 
Innovation Fund, and Section 107 of the Housing and Community 
Development Act of 1974; and requires grantee notification of 
formula allocations within 60 days of enactment.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Community development loan guarantees program 
account' which limits the principal amount of loan guarantees, 
directs the Secretary to collect fees from borrowers adequate 
to result in credit subsidy cost of zero, and rescinds all 
unobligated balances of budget authority previously 
appropriated or recaptured under the account.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Home investment partnerships program' which 
limits the availability of funds; specifies the allocation of 
certain funds for certain purposes; specifies multiple 
oversight requirements from prior acts that are not effective 
for projects committed on or after August 23, 2013 and shall 
instead by governed by the Final Rule entitled `Home Investment 
Partnerships Program; Improving Performance and Accountability; 
Updating Property Standards'; transfers amounts allocated to 
the housing trust fund program to the home investment 
partnership program; and prohibits funds from being credited to 
the housing trust fund.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Self-help and assisted homeownership opportunity 
program' which specified funding amounts for certain programs, 
limits the period of availability, and specifies certain 
amounts for rural activities and organizations.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Homeless assistance grants' which limits the 
availability of funds; specifies the allocation of certain 
funds for certain purposes; specifies matching requirements; 
requires the Secretary to establish minimum performance 
thresholds for projects, prohibits the Secretary from funding 
continuum of care contract renewals unless certain requirements 
are met; requires the Secretary the prioritize funding to grant 
applicants that demonstrate a capacity to reallocate funding to 
higher performing projects; requires grantees to integrate 
homeless programs with other social service providers; allows 
certain funds to be administered by private non-profit 
organizations; allows unobligated balances and recaptures from 
certain project-based rental assistance grants and shelter plus 
care renewals to be used; and requires notification of formula 
allocations within 60 days of enactment.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Project-based rental assistance' which limits the 
availability of funds and specifies the allocation of certain 
funds for certain purposes; specifies a certain amount for 
contract administrators to administer certain programs; allows 
certain recaptured funds to be used for contracts or contract 
administrators; and allows the Secretary to recapture residual 
receipts from certain properties.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Housing for the elderly' which limits the 
availability of funds; specifies the allocation of certain 
funds; designates certain funds to be used only for certain 
grants; allows funds to be used for specified inspections or 
inspection-related activities; allows funds to be used to renew 
certain contracts; allows the Secretary to waive certain 
provisions governing contract terms; allows excess funds held 
in residual receipts accounts, after contract termination, to 
be deposited in this account, and limits the availability of 
these funds.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Housing for persons with disabilities' which 
limits the availability of funds; specifies the allocation of 
certain funds; allows funds to be used for inspections or 
inspection-related activities; allows funds to be used to renew 
certain contracts; allows funds held in residual account, after 
contract termination, to be deposited in this account, and 
limits the availability of these funds; and allows these funds 
to be used for purposes under this heading in addition to those 
appropriated.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Housing counseling assistance' that provides 
funds for described purposes, limits the availability of funds, 
specifies amounts to be used for specified purposes, requires 
the Secretary to make grants within a specified time frame, and 
allows multiyear agreements subject to the availability of 
annual appropriations.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Rental housing assistance' that limits the 
availability of funds and allows the Secretary to use specified 
unobligated balances, including recaptures, carryover and other 
specified remaining funds for specified purposes.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Payment to manufactured housing fees trust fund' 
that limits the availability of funds from specified sources; 
permits fees to be assessed, modified, and collected; permits 
temporary borrowing authority from the general fund of the 
Treasury; provides that general fund amounts from collections 
offset the appropriation so that the resulting appropriation is 
a specified amount; requires fees collected to be deposited 
into the Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund; allows fees to 
be used for necessary expenses; and allows the Secretary to use 
approved service providers.
    Language is included under the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, `Mutual mortgage insurance program account' 
which limits new commitments to issue guarantees, limits the 
obligations to make direct loans, specifies funds for specific 
purposes, allows for additional contract expenses as guaranteed 
loan commitments exceed certain levels, and limits the 
availability of funds.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `General and special risk program account' which 
sets a loan principal limitation on new commitments to 
guarantee loans, limits the obligations to make direct loans, 
specifies funds for specific purposes, and limits the 
availability of funds.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Government national mortgage association' which 
limits new commitments to issue guarantees, provides funds for 
salaries and expenses, allows specified receipts to be credited 
as offsetting collections, and limits the availability of 
funds.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Policy development and research' which limits the 
availability of funds, specifies authorized uses, and directs 
the submission of a spend plan.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Fair housing and equal opportunity' which limits 
the availability of funds, authorizes the Secretary to assess 
and collect fees, places restrictions on the use of funds for 
lobbying activities, and provides funds for programs that 
support the assistance of persons with limited English 
proficiency.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Office of lead hazard control and healthy homes' 
which limits the availability of funds, specifies the amount of 
funds for specific purposes, specifies the treatment of certain 
grants, and specifies a matching requirement for grants.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Information technology fund' which limits the 
availability and purpose of funds, including funds transferred.
    Language is included under Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, `Office of Inspector General' which specifies the 
use of funds and directs that the IG shall have independent 
authority over all personnel issues within the office.
    Section 201 relates to the division of financing adjustment 
factors.
    Section 202 prohibits available funds from being used to 
investigate or prosecute lawful activities under the Fair 
Housing Act.
    Section 203 corrects an anomaly in the HOPWA formula that 
results in the loss of funds for certain states.
    Section 204 requires funds appropriated to be distributed 
on a competitive basis in accordance with the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989.
    Section 205 establishes the availability of funds subject 
to the Government Corporation Control Act and the Housing Act 
of 1950.
    Section 206 set requirements on the allocation of funds in 
excess of the budget estimates.
    Section 207 sets requirements regarding the expenditure of 
funds for corporations and agencies subject to the Government 
Corporation Control Act.
    Section 208 requires the Secretary to provide quarterly 
reports on uncommitted, unobligated and excess funds in each 
departmental program and activity.
    Section 209 requires that the Administration's budget and 
the Department's budget justifications for fiscal year 2016 
shall be submitted in the identical account and sub-account 
structure provided in this Act.
    Section 210 exempts PHA Boards in Alaska, Iowa, and 
Mississippi and the County of Los Angeles from public housing 
resident representation requirement.
    Section 211 prohibits the IG from changing the basis on 
which the audit of GNMA is conducted.
    Section 212 authorizes HUD to transfer debt and use 
agreements from an obsolete project to a viable project, 
provided that no additional costs are incurred, and other 
conditions are met.
    Section 213 sets requirements for eligibility for Section 8 
voucher assistance, and includes consideration for persons with 
disabilities.
    Section 214 requires the distribution of Native American 
housing block grant funds to the same Native Alaskan recipients 
as 2005.
    Section 215 authorizes the Secretary to insure mortgages 
under Section 255 of the National Housing Act.
    Section 216 instructs HUD on managing and disposing of any 
multifamily property that is owned by HUD.
    Section 217 allows commitment authority under the Section 
108 loan guarantee program to be used to guarantee notes or 
other obligations issued by any State on behalf of non-
entitlement communities in the State.
    Section 218 instructs HUD that PHAs that own and operate 
400 units or fewer of public housing are exempt from asset 
management requirements.
    Section 219 restricts the Secretary from imposing any 
requirement or guideline relating to asset management that 
restricts or limits the use of capital funds for central office 
costs, up to the limit established in QHWRA.
    Section 220 requires that no employee of the Department 
shall be designated as an allotment holder unless the CFO 
determines that such allotment holder has received training.
    Section 221 sets requirements regarding Notice of Funding 
Availability (NOFA) announcements and publication.
    Section 222 provides that funding for indemnities is 
limited to non-programmatic litigation and is restricted to the 
payment of attorney fees only.
    Section 223 allows the Disaster Housing Assistance Programs 
to be considered a program of the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development for the purpose of income verifications and 
matching.
    Section 224 requires HUD to take certain actions against 
owners receiving rental subsidies that do not maintain safe 
properties.
    Section 225 sets limitations on funds used for PHA salary 
and bonus levels.
    Section 226 prohibits funds for a doctoral dissertation 
research program at HUD.
    Section 227 requires notification to the Committee on grant 
awards.
    Section 228 prohibits funds to require public housing 
agencies to conduct a Physical Needs Assessment.
    Section 229 prohibits funds for HUD financing of mortgages 
for properties that have been subject to eminent domain.
    Section 230 prohibits funds from being used to terminate 
the status of a unit of general local government as a 
metropolitan city with respect to grants.
    Section 231 allows funding for research, evaluation and 
statistical purposes that is unexpended to be reobligated for 
additional research.
    Section 232 prohibits the Secretary from requiring Energy 
Star standards or any other energy efficiency standards that 
exceed the requirements of applicable State and local building 
codes.
    Section 233 rescinds $7,000,000 in unobligated balances 
remaining from section 1497 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 
Reform and Protection act and section 2301 of the Housing and 
Economic Recovery Act of 2008.
    Section 234 rescinds unobligated balances remaining from 
funds appropriated under the headings ``Rural Housing and 
Economic Development'', ``Management and Administration'', and 
``Program Office Salaries and Expenses''.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES

    Language is included for the Access Board, `Salaries and 
expenses' that limits funds for necessary expenses and allows 
for the credit to the appropriation of funds received for 
publications and training expenses.
    Language is included for the Federal Maritime Commission, 
`Salaries and expenses' that provides funds for services 
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, the hire of passenger motor 
vehicles, uniforms and allowances; and limits funds for 
official reception and representation expenses.
    Language is included for the National Railroad Passenger 
Corporation, Office of Inspector General, `Salaries and 
expenses' that provides funds for an independent, objective 
unit responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, 
abuse, and violations of law; promotes economy, efficiency and 
effectiveness at Amtrak; allows the IG to enter into contracts; 
select, appoint or employ officers and employees to carry out 
its functions; and requires the IG to submit its budget request 
concurrently with the President's budget and in a similar 
format.
    Language is included under National Transportation Safety 
Board, `Salaries and expenses' that provides funds for hire of 
passenger motor vehicles and aircraft, services authorized by 5 
U.S.C. 3109, uniforms or allowances therefor, limits funds for 
official reception and representation expenses and allows funds 
to be used to pay for costs associated with a capital lease.
    Language is included in the Neighborhood Reinvestment 
Corporation (NRC), `Payment to the neighborhood reinvestment 
corporation' which limits the availability of funds; specifies 
the allocation of funds to certain activities; and specifies 
the terms and conditions surrounding NRC activities.
    Language is included for the United States Interagency 
Council on Homelessness, `Operating expenses' that provides 
funds for salaries, travel, hire of passenger motor vehicles, 
rental of conference rooms, and the employment of experts and 
consultants.

                 TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS ACT

    Section 401 prohibits pay and other expenses for non-
Federal parties in regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings 
funded in this Act.
    Section 402 prohibits obligations beyond the current fiscal 
year and prohibits transfers of funds unless expressly so 
provided herein.
    Section 403 limits consulting service expenditures of 
public record in procurement contracts.
    Section 404 prohibits Federal training not directly related 
to the performance of official duties.
    Section 405 specifies reprogramming procedures by 
subjecting the establishment of new offices and reorganizations 
to the reprogramming process.
    Section 406 provides that fifty percent of unobligated 
balances may remain available for certain purposes.
    Section 407 prohibits funds from being used for any project 
that seeks to use the power of eminent domain unless eminent 
domain is employed only for a public use.
    Section 408 prohibits the transfer of funds made available 
in this Act to any instrumentality of the United States 
Government except as authorized by this Act or any other 
appropriations Act.
    Section 409 prohibits funds in this Act from being used to 
permanently replace an employee intent on returning to his or 
her past occupation after the completion of military service.
    Section 410 prohibits funds in this Act from being used 
unless the expenditure is in compliance with the Buy American 
Act.
    Section 411 prohibits funds from being appropriated or made 
available to any person or entity that has been found to 
violate the Buy American Act.
    Section 412 prohibits funds for first-class airline 
accommodations in contravention of section 301-10.122 and 301-
10.123 of title 41 CFR.
    Section 413 prohibits funds from being used for the 
approval of a new foreign air carrier permit or exemption 
application if that approval would contravene United States law 
or Article 17 bis of the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport 
Agreement and specifies that nothing in this section shall 
prohibit, restrict, or preclude the Secretary of DOT from 
granting a permit or exemption where such authorization is 
consistent with the U.S.-E.U.-Iceland-Norway Air Transport 
Treaty and U.S. law.
    Section 414 prohibits funds to issue a license or 
certificate for a commercial vessel that was docked or anchored 
within 7 miles of a port on property confiscated by the Cuban 
Government.
    Section 415 establishes a spending reduction account.

                  APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following table lists the 
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not 
authorized by law for the period concerned (dollars in 
thousands):

                        APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW AND EXPIRING AUTHORIZATIONS
                                             [Dollars in Thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Appropriations
                                                   Last year of    Authorization   in last year   Appropriations
                    Program                       authorization        Level            of          in this bill
                                                                                   authorization
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Title I--Department of Transportation 1/
Federal Aviation Administration:
    Operations.................................            2015       $9,653,000      $9,740,700      $9,869,700
    Facilities and Equipment...................            2015       $2,730,000      $2,600,000      $2,500,000
    Research, Engineering, and Development.....            2015         $168,000        $156,750        $156,750
    Grant-in-Aid for Airports..................            2015       $3,350,000      $3,350,000      $3,350,000
Federal Highway Administration:
    Federal-aid Highways 2/....................            2015      $40,995,000     $40,995,000     $40,995,000
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
    Motor Carrier Safety Operations & Programs             2015         $259,000        $271,000        $259,000
     2/ 3/.....................................
    Motor Carrier Safety Grants 2/.............            2015         $313,000        $313,000        $313,000
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
    Operations and Research--General Fund......            2009         $157,400        $130,000        $150,000
    Operations and Research--Highway Trust Fund            2015         $118,500        $138,500        $125,000
     2/ 4/.....................................
    Highway Traffic Safety Grants 2/...........            2015         $561,500        $561,500        $561,500
Federal Transit Administration:
    Transit Formula Grants 2/..................            2015       $8,595,000      $8,595,000      $8,595,000
    Capital Investment Grants 2/...............            2015       $1,907,000      $2,120,000      $1,921,395
    Transit Research 2/........................            2015          $70,000         $30,000         $26,000
    Transit Cooperative Research 2/............            2015           $7,000          $3,000              $0
    Technical Assistance and Training 2/.......            2015           $7,000          $4,000          $3,000
    Human Resources and Training 2/............            2015           $5,000            $500              $0
    Administrative Expenses 2/.................            2015         $104,000        $105,933        $105,933
    Emergency Relief...........................            2015        such sums              $0              $0
Federal Railroad Administration:
    Capital and Debt Service Grants to Amtrak..            2013       $1,625,000        $952,000        $850,000
    Operating Subsidy Grants to Amtrak.........            2013         $631,000        $466,000        $288,500
    Safety and Operations......................            2013         $293,000        $178,596        $186,870
Maritime Administration:
    Operations and Training 5/.................            2015         $148,400        $148,050        $167,800
    Ship Disposal 5/...........................            2015           $4,800          $4,000          $4,000
    Title XI 5/................................            2015          $73,100          $3,100          $3,135
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
 Administration:
    Pipeline Safety............................            2015         $109,252        $146,000        $145,870
    Hazardous Materials Safety 2/..............            2015          $43,762         $52,000         $60,500
    Emergency Preparedness Grants..............            2015          $28,318         $28,318         $28,318
Surface Transportation Board:
    Surface Transportation Board...............            1998          $12,000         $13,853         $31,375
Office of the Secretary:
    Small Communities Air Service Development              2015           $5,500          $5,500              $0
     Program...................................
    National Infrastructure Investments........           - - -               $0              $0        $100,000
    Payments to Air Carriers...................            2015         $155,000        $155,000        $155,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes accounts that have never had authorized appropriation amounts, such as Transportation Investments
  Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.
2/ Authorization levels are annualized. The Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-159)
  extends Highway Trust Fund authorities through 5/31/2015.
3/ The FY 2015 enacted level for FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety Operations & Programs includes $12 million of prior
  year unobligated contract authority made available by the FY 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing
  Appropriations Act (P.L. 113-235).
4/ The FY 2015 enacted level for NHTSA Operations and Research includes $20 million of prior year unobligated
  contract authority made available by the FY 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act (P.L.
  113-235).
5/ Reflects authorized amounts associated with maintaining national security aspects of the merchant marine per
  P.L. 113-291.


                              Title II--Department of Housing and Urban Development
Rental Assistance:
    Section 8 Voucher Renewals and                         1994        8,446,173       5,458,106      19,681,000
     Administrative Expenses...................
    Public Housing Capital Fund................            2003        3,000,000       2,712,555       1,681,000
    Public Housing Operating Fund..............            2003        2,900,000       3,576,600       4,440,000
Native American Housing Block Grants...........            2013     Such sums as         616,001         650,000
                                                                       necessary
Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund.............            2012     Such sums as           6,000           8,000
                                                                       necessary
Housing Opportunity for Persons with Aids......            1994          156,300         156,000         332,000
Community Development Fund.....................            1994        4,168,000       4,877,389       3,060,000
Community Development Loan Guarantee 1/........            1994   Not Applicable  Not Applicable               0
Home Investment Partnerships Program 2/........            1994        2,173,612       1,275,000         900,000
Choice Neighborhoods Initiatives...............            2012             SSAN         120,000
Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program....            2001     Such sums as          48,000          50,000
                                                                       necessary
Homeless Assistance............................            2011     Such sums as       1,901,190       2,185,000
                                                                       necessary
Housing for the Elderly........................            2003     Such sums as         783,286         414,000
                                                                       necessary
Housing for Persons with Disablities...........            2015          300,000         135,000         152,000
FHA General and Special Risk Program Account:
    Limitations on Guaranteed Loans............            1995            - - -    [20,885,072]    [30,000,000]
    Limitation on Direct Loans.................            1995            - - -       [220,000]         [5,000]
    Administrative Expenses....................            1995            - - -         197,470
GNMA Mortgage Backed Securities Loan Guarantee
 Program Account:
    Limitations on Guaranteed Loans............            1996    [110,000,000]   [110,000,000]   [500,000,000]
    Administrative Expenses....................            1996            - - -           9,101          23,000
Policy Development and Research................            1994           36,470          35,000          52,500
Fair Housing Activities, Fair Housing Program..            1994           26,000          20,481          65,300
Lead Hazard Reduction Program..................            1994          250,000         150,000          75,000
Salaries and Expenses..........................            1994        1,029,496         916,963       1,340,900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ The Community Development Loan Guarantee program authorization only limits commitment authority.
2/ Appropriations in FY 16 bill includes amounts transferred from the Housing Trust Fund to the Home Investment
  Partnerships Program account.


                                           Title III--Related Agencies
    Access Board...............................            2003            5,401           5,401           7,548
    National Transportation Safety Board.......            2008           96,625          91,000         103,981
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          PROGRAM DUPLICATION

    Pursuant to section 3(j)(2) of H. Res. 5 (113th Congress), 
no provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a program 
of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another 
Federal program, a program that was included in any report from 
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to 
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a 
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance.

                          DIRECTED RULE MAKING

    The bill does not direct any rule making.

                 COMPARISON WITH THE BUDGET RESOLUTION

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives and Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table compares 
the levels of new budget authority provided in the bill with 
the appropriate allocations under section 302(b) of the Budget 
Act:

BUDGET IMPACT OF FY 2016 TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL
  PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
                                                     AMENDED
                                            [In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  302(b) Allocation             This Bill
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Budget                    Budget
                                                               Authority     Outlays     Authority     Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee allocations
 to its subcommittees: Subcommittee on Transportation,
 Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Mandatory...................................................         n.a.         n.a.            0         \1\0
Discretionary...............................................       55,270      119,018       55,270      118,802
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

                      FIVE-YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

    Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, the following table contains five-year 
projections prepared by the Congressional Budget Office of 
outlays associated with the budget authority provided in the 
accompanying bill:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 302(b) Allocation        This Bill
                               -----------------------------------------
                                  Budget               Budget
                                Authority   Outlays  Authority   Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projection of outlays
 associated with the
 recommendation:
    2016......................       n.a.      n.a.       n.a.  \2\40,64
                                                                       6
    2017......................       n.a.      n.a.       n.a.    34,132
    2018......................       n.a.      n.a.       n.a.    13,625
    2019......................       n.a.      n.a.       n.a.     5,770
    2020 and future years.....       n.a.      n.a.       n.a.     7,096
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

               ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

    Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, the amounts of financial assistance to 
State and local governments is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 302(b) Allocation        This Bill
                               -----------------------------------------
                                  Budget               Budget
                                Authority   Outlays  Authority   Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial assistance to State        n.a.      n.a.     32,245  \2\30,39
 and local governments for                                             1
 2016.........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.




            MINORITY VIEWS OF NITA M. LOWEY AND DAVID PRICE

    The impact of the Republican majority's policy of self-
imposed austerity is on full display in the Fiscal Year 2016 
appropriations bill for the Subcommittee on Transportation, 
Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies. The overall 
budget allocation for this year is woefully inadequate, even 
after Chairman Rogers increased this Subcommittee's allocation 
by $1.5 billion, which is more than half of the Committee's 
total increase in allocations. The reality is that once you 
factor in declining FHA receipts, increased Section 8 renewal 
costs, and other inflationary adjustments, this bill is 
actually $1.5 billion below last year's funding level. Simply 
put, this bill would provide for fewer services and capital 
investments than last year.
    The programs under the jurisdiction of this Subcommittee 
are critical to our nation's economic and social well-being--
providing necessary funding to improve housing and 
transportation options, creating infrastructure jobs for 
hardworking American families, and ensuring safe and adequate 
transportation networks for goods, commuters, and travelers.
    Yet, the challenges facing our nation's most basic 
infrastructure are daunting, and will only worsen should this 
bill become law. Today, one out of every nine bridges in this 
country is structurally deficient and in need of repair or 
replacement; Americans spend the equivalent of one work week 
sitting in congestion; and, the capital backlog for our transit 
systems is nearly $78 billion while the backlog for public 
housing stock approaches $25 billion.
    The President requested a robust increase for this bill in 
Fiscal Year 2016, calling on Congress to provide the critical 
investments necessary to accelerate and sustain economic 
growth. Unfortunately, the bill adopted by the majority takes a 
giant step backward in addressing our infrastructure needs.
    In transportation, the bill levies deep cuts to capital 
programs. Amtrak's overall funding level was reduced by $251 
million or 18 percent below last year and there is no funding 
for expansion of intercity passenger rail or installation of 
safety mechanisms. We are further deeply dismayed that the 
majority did not include any funding for Positive Train Control 
(PTC), which the National Transportation Safety Board has said 
could have prevented the May 12 Amtrak derailment in 
Philadelphia.
    The Federal Transit Administration's capital investment 
grant program was slashed by 8 percent below last year and 41 
percent below the President's request. And the Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) enormously popular National 
Infrastructure Investments program, also known as TIGER, was 
reduced by $400 million below last year and $1.15 billion below 
the President's request. Since its inception during the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the TIGER program's 
application pool has far exceeded its capacity. It remains the 
one discretionary program that is designed to advance major 
multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional surface transportation 
projects of national and regional significance.
    Finally, the bill cuts the Federal Aviation 
Administration's (FAA) capital program by $355 million below 
the request and $100 million below last year. Funding at these 
levels will hamper FAA's ability to maintain and improve aging 
facilities and slow down progress on the development of the 
agency's NextGen program.
    The majority rejected amendments that would have funded 
each of these important capital and safety investment programs 
at the President's requested level.
    With a shortage of resources to truly support capital 
needs, the bill relies on the inclusion of several policy 
riders to provide the impetus for passage. Controversial riders 
on truck length and weight have no place in this bill, 
particularly at a time when the authorizers are working on a 
reauthorization proposal where the issues can be thoroughly 
debated. In addition, the bill continues to delay full 
implementation of DOT's hours of service rule by including 
unmanageable additional study requirements. These modifications 
are a calculated effort by the trucking industry to put their 
bottom line above driver safety.
    The bill also attempts to undermine President Obama's new 
policy related to the United States' relationship with Cuba by 
preventing scheduled air service and cruise ship travel to 
Cuban ports of entry. These provisions all bring further peril 
to a bill that is already overburdened with an inadequate 
allocation, yet the Majority also rejected amendments to 
eliminate these controversial policy riders.
    With only a token amount of $20 million for the Department 
of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods 
Initiative, the bill includes insufficient funding for the 
capital needs of public housing. The bill slashes Choice 
Neighborhoods by $230 million, or 92 percent, below the 
President's request, denying resources to transform clusters of 
poverty into functioning, sustainable mixed income 
neighborhoods and preventing the children who live there from 
having the opportunities that all Americans deserve.
    The bill contains $1.68 billion for the Public Housing 
Capital Fund, which is a $194 million cut from last year. If 
enacted, this level would be about the same as the funding 
level in 1989. Given that new maintenance needs accrue at $3.4 
billion per year, this level of funding would cover less than 
half of the need while doing nothing to address the $25 billion 
backlog of deferred maintenance.
    The Housing for the Elderly and Housing for the Disabled 
programs have been transformed into purely rental renewal 
programs. Despite growing need in each of these programs, this 
bill does not provide the resources needed to keep the supply 
of these units in line with demand. This bill will do nothing 
to increase access to safe, decent and affordable housing for 
the elderly or the disabled.
    While the HOME program might seem to be funded 
sufficiently, we are concerned about how it is paid for. On the 
surface, HOME and the Housing Trust Fund appear to both be 
affordable housing programs, but the Housing Trust Fund targets 
the lowest of the low income while HOME focuses on low- to 
moderate- income households. We have a lack of supply of 
affordable housing at all income levels, and we are concerned 
that by taking money dedicated for the Housing Trust Fund, this 
bill will perpetuate another gap in the spectrum of affordable 
housing.
    Significantly cutting Lead Hazard Control will slow 
progress on eliminating household toxins. This successful 
program has resulted in lower lead poisoning rates and better 
educational and behavioral outcomes for children. The Freddie 
Gray tragedy in Baltimore, where more than 93,000 children have 
been added to Maryland's lead registries over the last twenty 
years, has shined a light on problems related to lead 
poisoning. Now is not the time to make reductions.
    And while HUD's Information Technology Fund might not rise 
to the same level of importance as some of the other programs 
we've mentioned, it does underscore just how underfunded this 
bill is. If the committee mark is enacted into law, HUD will 
neither have functioning computers and email nor systems to 
process mortgages and rental payments. At the same time, this 
Committee has asked HUD to modernize and streamline information 
technology systems, yet this bill provides no funding for that 
purpose.
    We are already just barely maintaining our infrastructure, 
and looking ahead, our infrastructure needs will only increase. 
Secretary Foxx's testimony from February included highlights 
from the DOT's ``Beyond Traffic'' study which focused on the 
trends and challenges facing our country over the next 30 
years. Our nation's transportation systems will need to 
accommodate a population that grows by 70 million people and 
freight volumes that will increase by 45 percent to 29 billion 
tons. DOT estimates that more than $163 billion in annual 
investments will be needed to improve the condition and 
performance of our nation's highway and transit systems.
    The demands are similar on the housing side. A 2014 report 
by the National Low Income Housing Coalition indicates there is 
a shortage of 4.4 million affordable rental units for extremely 
low-income households. HUD indicates that 1.5 million elderly 
headed households either pay more than 50 percent of their 
income on rent or live in inadequate housing. Among persons 
with disabilities, 1.31 million were similarly situated. The 
Housing Trust Fund was created to provide stable, long-term 
funding to address the needs of extremely low-income families. 
We are concerned that repurposing funds intended for the 
Housing Trust Fund will exacerbate the affordable housing 
crisis in this and future fiscal years.
    In an address to Congress in February of 1955, President 
Eisenhower stated:

          Our unity as a nation is sustained by free 
        communication of thought and by easy transportation of 
        people and goods. The ceaseless flow of information 
        throughout the Republic is matched by individual and 
        commercial movement over a vast system of 
        interconnected highways crisscrossing the country and 
        joining at our national borders with friendly neighbors 
        to the north and south.
          Together, the united forces of our communication and 
        transportation systems are dynamic elements in the very 
        name we bear-United States. Without them, we would be a 
        mere alliance of many separate parts.

    We agree with President Eisenhower's sentiment. However, 
this bill and the budgetary levels that underpin it undermine 
the continued viability of our nation's infrastructure. For 
centuries, our country's economic competiveness has been built 
upon a world-class infrastructure that enabled innovation and 
ingenuity to flourish. This bill hastens our infrastructure's 
decay and threatens our economic vitality.
    This bill clearly illustrates the folly of the Majority's 
almost exclusive focus on domestic appropriations for deficit 
reduction, while leaving the main drivers of the deficit 
unaddressed. This does not work as fiscal policy, and it 
decimates the investments a great country must make. While one 
could rearrange the funding levels in this bill to address one 
or more of the key areas mentioned earlier, there is no way to 
sufficiently address all of the funding needs in the bill under 
the given allocation.
    We think the solution to our budgetary problems is clear. 
For years, the budget has been balanced on the back of 
discretionary spending, yet the increases are largely on the 
mandatory side. We can move to a policy of prosperity if we 
reach a sensible budget deal like we did a few years ago. We 
need a comprehensive, multi-year budget agreement and we need 
it soon. Anything less will mean another year of decay and 
deferred maintenance for our communities and stalled economic 
prosperity.
    We remain hopeful that this bill can be improved as it goes 
through the appropriations process. We look forward to working 
with the Chairman as we move forward and are hopeful that a new 
agreement on spending levels can give this bill and America's 
infrastructure the resources they deserve.

                                   Nita M. Lowey.
                                   David E. Price.

                                  [all]