[House Report 115-237]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



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115th Congress     }                                {         Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session       }                                {         115-237
======================================================================



 
 DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2018

                                _______
                                

 July 21, 2017.--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. 3353]

    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, 2018.

                        INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT

_______________________________________________________________________


                                                            Page number

                                                            Bill Report
Title I--Department of Transportation......................     2
                                                                      4
Title II--Department of Housing and Urban Development......    71
                                                                     69
Title III--Related Agencies................................   151
                                                                    103
Title IV--General Provisions...............................   155
                                                                    107
Reporting requirements.....................................    --
                                                                    108
Minority views.............................................    --
                                                                    190

                     PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY

    During fiscal year 2018, 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 2018, and non-appropriated resources such as fee 
collections that are used to meet program requirements in 
fiscal year 2018.
    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 30, 2018. 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 of both HUD and DOT 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. The Committee continues the direction that 
justifications submitted with the fiscal year 2019 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 2019 
to the fiscal year 2018 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 
2019 budget request.

                             OTHER MATTERS

    Performance measures.--The Committee directs each of the 
agencies funded by this Act to comply with title 31 of the 
United States Code including the development of their 
organizational priority goals and outcomes such as performance 
outcome measures, output measures, efficiency measures, and 
customer service measures.
    Regional councils.--The Committee encourages federal 
agencies to consider including regional councils and councils 
of government as eligible entities in competitions for federal 
funding when local governments or non-profit agencies are 
eligible.
    Federally funded research.--The Committee is encouraged by 
actions of agencies under the jurisdiction of this bill to 
increase access to federally funded research conducted by those 
agencies. The Committee urges these agencies to continue their 
efforts toward increased access, and the Committee requests 
updates on progress made to be included in fiscal year 2019 
budget requests.
    Responses to Congressional Inquiries.--It is a long-
standing tradition and Constitutional responsibility of the 
Executive Branch to be responsive to the Congress. Therefore, 
the Committee directs the heads of all entities in this 
subcommittee's jurisdiction to respond in a consistent and 
timely manner to inquiries from Members regardless of political 
party (or majority or minority status). Furthermore, not more 
than 30 days after this report is filed and then on a quarterly 
basis, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee a 
Congressional correspondence tracker showing, only by party, 
the date the correspondence was received and the date a 
response was sent.

                 TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION


                        Office of the Secretary


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $114,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       111,899,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       108,899,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -5,101,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        -3,000,000
 

    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 Immediate 
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 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.
    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.
    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.
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Budget and 
Programs.--The Office of 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.
    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.
    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 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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The bill provides $108,899,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the offices comprising the Office of the Secretary 
of Transportation (OST). The Committee's recommendation is 
$5,101,000 below the 2017 enacted level and $3,000,000 the 
request. The Committee's recommendation includes individual 
funding for each office as has been done in prior years. 
However, the bill increases the amount allowed for transfers 
between offices from five percent to ten percent.
    Operating plan.--The Committee directs the Department to 
submit an operating plan for fiscal year 2018 signed by the 
Secretary for review by the Committees on Appropriations of the 
House and Senate within 60 days of enactment of this Act. 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.
    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, and limits reception and 
representation expenses to $60,000.
    Open skies.--In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided 
the Department $130,000 in requested funds to conduct studies 
and regulatory analysis to ensure U.S. airlines and consumers 
realize the full benefits of open skies agreements. 
Additionally, the Department began an interagency process to 
solicit comment and explore whether foreign government 
subsidies received by some international carriers were 
resulting in market distortions. While the previous 
Administration initiated informal discussions with some foreign 
governments to address these subsidies, no conclusion was 
reached prior to the end of the Administration. The Committee 
strongly urges the Department to continue discussions to ensure 
that U.S. airline carriers and their workers have a fair and 
equal opportunity to compete in accordance with open skies 
agreements. The Committee directs the Department to provide 
regular updates to the Committee.
    Natural gas vehicle safety.--The Secretary is encouraged to 
assess new developments and advances with respect to natural 
gas vehicles, and is directed to oversee implementation of new 
safety regulations for liquefied natural gas fuel tanks and 
fuel systems on commercial motor vehicles, to revise and update 
regulations for compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders, 
including inspection requirements for such cylinders, to issue 
guidelines on the ability of bus manufacturers to deploy 
transit buses that have roof-top mounted CNG cylinders, and to 
clarify through guidance that rules restricting alternative 
fuel vehicle access to bridges and tunnels should not be any 
more restrictive than those addressing gasoline and diesel 
fueled vehicles.

                        RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $13,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         8,465,109
Recommended in the bill...............................         8,465,109
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -4,534,891
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $8,465,109 for 
research and technology activities, the same as the budget 
request and $4,534,891 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level.

     NATIONAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND INNOVATIVE FINANCE BUREAU

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $3,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         3,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         1,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -2,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        -2,000,000
 

    The National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance 
Bureau administers and coordinates the Department of 
Transportation's existing transportation finance programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 for the 
National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau 
(the ``Bureau''), $2,000,000 below the request and the 2017 
enacted level. An additional $3,000,000 is made available by 
transfer from the Maritime Guaranteed Loan (Title XI) Program 
Account for a total resource level of $4,000,000, $1,000,000 
above the request and the 2017 enacted level. The Committee 
expects the Bureau to administer the Title XI program in fiscal 
year 2018.

                      FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CAPITAL

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $4,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         3,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -4,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        -3,000,000
 

    The Financial Management Capital program supports a multi-
year project to upgrade DOT financial systems, processes and 
reporting capabilities.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee does not recommend any funding for the 
Financial Management Capital program which is $3,000,000 below 
the budget request and $4,000,000 below the 2017 enacted level. 
Amounts provided in fiscal year 2017 were intended to complete 
the Department's financial management upgrade and therefore no 
additional resources are recommended.

                       CYBER SECURITY INITIATIVE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $15,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        10,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        15,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +5,000,000
 

    The Cyber Security Initiative is an 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 $15,000,000 to 
support the Secretary's cyber security initiative, which is the 
same as the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $5,000,000 above 
the budget request.
    Digital workspace technologies.--The Committee recognizes 
that the use of digital workspace technologies can increase 
user productivity, enhance cybersecurity, and allow workforce 
flexibility. The Committee encourages the Department to explore 
a broad ecosystem support of multi-factor authentication 
solutions to strengthen the Department's cybersecurity posture. 
This should include strategies and programs that reduce the 
total lifecycle costs of traditional legacy workspace 
infrastructure.

                         OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $9,751,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         9,500,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         9,500,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          -251,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $9,500,000 for the Office of Civil 
Rights, the same as the budget request and $251,000 below the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level.

           TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, RESEARCH, AND DEVELOPMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $12,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         8,500,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         8,500,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -3,500,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $8,500,000 for 
transportation planning, research, and development, which is 
$3,500,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the 
same as the budget request.
    Of the funds provided, the recommendation includes 
$3,000,000 to support the permitting dashboard.
    Infrastructure mapping with geospatial tools.--DOT 
possesses and collects much information on airports, airways, 
roads, bridges and transit infrastructure, but this rich data 
source is neither location-based nor integrated across asset 
types. As the nation contemplates making a significant 
investment in improving infrastructure, the Committee 
encourages DOT to establish a location-based, comprehensive, 
integrated enterprise geographic information system that would 
allow the selection, management, measurement, cross-asset 
analysis and impact of infrastructure investments using 
competitively acquired commercial geospatial tools. This would 
optimize the Department's ability to properly analyze the 
condition of assets, project outcomes of investments, choose 
investments that would be most impactful, accurately report 
where investments were implemented, monitor infrastructure 
projects, measure the results of the investments, and provide 
data for public oversight in a modern, completely transparent 
environment.

                          WORKING CAPITAL FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $190,389,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................       202,245,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................       +11,856,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +202,245,000
 

    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 $202,245,000 on 
the Working Capital Fund (WCF), an increase of $11,856,000 over 
the limit set in 2017. 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 2017.......         $941,000    ($18,367,000)
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......          500,301          (- - -)
Recommended in the bill...............          500,301          (- - -)
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...         -440,699    (-18,367,000)
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..            - - -          (- - -)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 $500,301 for the 
Minority Business Resource Center, the same as the budget 
request and $440,699 less than the 2017 enacted level. The 
entire amount is for administrative expenses including 
education outreach activities, monitoring of existing loans, 
and modification of existing loans. No funding is provided to 
support new loans and the Committee recommends no additional 
limitation on guaranteed loans in fiscal year 2018. The request 
effectively eliminates the Short Term Lending Program. The 
program has had negligible loan volume in recent years as the 
Small Business Administration's CAPLine loan program has been 
streamlined and become the preferred source of funds for this 
market.

       SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION AND OUTREACH

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $4,646,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         3,999,093
Recommended in the bill...............................         3,999,093
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          -646,907
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
has been merged 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 $3,999,093 for small and 
disadvantaged business utilization and outreach, which is the 
same as the budget request and $646,907 below the 2017 enacted 
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.

                        PAYMENTS TO AIR CARRIERS

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $150,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................       150,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +150,000,000
 

    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 this fee will provide $119,129,000 for the EAS 
program in fiscal year 2018.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    For fiscal year 2018, the Committee includes $150,000,000 
in discretionary funding for the EAS program, which is the same 
as the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $150,000,000 above 
the budget request.
    The following table shows the discretionary, mandatory, and 
total program levels for the EAS program:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Appropriation     Mandatory     Total Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2017 Enacted.................................................    $150,000,000    $113,290,000    $263,290,000
FY 2018 Request.................................................           - - -     119,129,000     119,129,000
Committee Recommendation........................................     150,000,000     119,129,000     269,129,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

    Section 101 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 continues the provision regarding 
administrative requirements of DOT's Credit Council.
    Section 103 continues a provision giving the Secretary 
authority to advance payment to carry out the Federal transit 
benefits program and to provide transit benefit services to 
other agencies.
    Section 104 adds a provision giving the Secretary permanent 
transfer authorities necessary to carry out the duties of the 
National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau.
    Section 105 adds a provision transferring the deposit of 
fees collected through the Railroad Rehabilitation and 
Improvement Financing Act program from the Federal Railroad 
Administration to the National Surface Transportation and 
Innovative Finance Bureau account.

                    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.
    NextGen.--The Committee places a high priority on Next 
Generation of Air Traffic Control (NextGen) programs, and 
provides a total of $1,080,215,000 for NextGen across the 
operations, facilities and equipment, and research evaluation 
and demonstration accounts. This is $50,941,000 above the 
enacted level and $92,174,000 above the budget request.

                               OPERATIONS

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................   $10,025,852,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................     9,890,886,000
Recommended in the bill...............................    10,185,482,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      +159,630,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +294,596,000
 

    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 $10,185,482,000 for FAA 
operations, which is $159,630,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $294,596,000 above the budget request.
    The following table shows a comparison of the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level, the budget request, and the Committee 
recommendation by budget activity:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
                                                             FY 2017 Enacted   FY 2018 Request   Recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air traffic organization..................................     7,559,785,000     7,491,938,000     7,691,814,000
Aviation safety...........................................     1,298,482,000     1,257,981,000     1,309,749,000
Commercial space transportation...........................        19,826,000        17,905,000        21,587,000
Finance and management....................................       771,342,000       758,192,000       777,506,000
NextGen planning..........................................        60,155,000        59,041,000        59,951,000
Security and Hazardous Materials Safety...................       107,161,000       100,961,000       112,622,000
Staff offices.............................................       209,101,000       204,868,000       212,253,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
    Total.................................................    10,025,852,000     9,890,886,000    10,185,482,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) integration.--Within the 
operations account, the Committee provides $51,000,000 for UAS 
integration, an increase of $26,000,000 above the budget 
request. This increase is provided to help FAA accelerate its 
efforts to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace.
    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 2019 budget to include adequate 
information on each proposed general provision.

                     TRUST FUND SHARE OF FAA BUDGET

    The bill derives $8,859,900,000 of the total operations 
appropriation from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The 
balance of the appropriation, $1,325,582,000, will be drawn 
from the general fund of the Treasury.

                        AIR TRAFFIC ORGANIZATION

    The bill provides $7,691,814,000 for the air traffic 
organization, which is $132,029,000 above the 2017 enacted 
level and $199,876,000 above the budget request.
    Noise and community outreach.--The Committee is encouraged 
by the additional measures the FAA is taking to enhance 
outreach to communities affected by new flightpaths. The 
Committee recommendation includes an additional $2,000,000 to 
support the FAA's ongoing efforts to address community noise 
concerns. Of this total, $250,000 is provided to help the FAA 
develop better tools for effective engagement with local 
communities. The remaining $1,750,000 is provided to advance 
FAA's operational procedure concepts. The Committee encourages 
the FAA to improve the development of flight procedures in ways 
that will reduce noise through procedure modification and 
dispersion to reduce the impact on local communities. The 
funding provided should be used for methods that can produce 
measurable results. The FAA should give high priority to 
evaluating where increased noise levels disrupts homes and 
businesses, and threatens public health, and should provide all 
necessary resources to regional offices to work with local 
communities to meet this objective.
    Noise health effects research.--The Committee supports 
research that is being conducted through the FAA's Center of 
Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuel and Environment, the 
Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT) on the impact of 
aviation noise on both sleep and cardiovascular health. The 
Committee directs FAA to continue to prioritize this research, 
as many communities across the country contend with increased 
frequency of passing aircraft on a daily basis. In addition, 
the Committee directs the FAA to continue to evaluate 
alternative metrics to the current Day Night Level (DNL) 65 
standard and other methods to address community airplane noise 
concerns. The Committee encourages FAA not to rely solely on 
modeling and simulation, to the greatest extent that is 
technically feasible.
    New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia airspace redesign.--The 
Committee is aware that the FAA's New York, New Jersey, 
Philadelphia Airspace redesign project has been suspended. If 
the FAA plans to restart this plan, or any similar plan for 
these jurisdictions, the FAA is directed to notify the 
Committees on Appropriations 180 days before taking action.
    Chicago O'Hare International Airport noise.--The Committee 
directs the FAA to continue to work expeditiously to identify 
appropriate 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.
    Contract tower program.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $162,000,000 for the contract tower program, including 
the contract tower cost share program. This level is $3,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The Committee 
continues to strongly support the FAA contract tower program as 
a cost-effective and efficient way to provide air traffic 
control services to smaller airports across the country as 
validated by numerous audits of the Department of 
Transportation Office of Inspector General. In an effort to 
increase air traffic safety benefits throughout the national 
air transportation system, the Committee has provided dedicated 
funding over the past few years to add qualified airports 
annually to the program. The Committee expects FAA to continue 
to operate the 253 contract towers currently in the program, 
including the contract tower cost share program, as well as the 
qualified airports that are eligible to enter the program and 
any other airport that may qualify during the fiscal year. FAA 
is directed to provide the Committee with a plan for beginning 
operations at qualified towers during the fiscal year and a 
detailed report on the administrative and program management 
expenses for the program.
    Flight service stations.--The Committee believes that 
flight service to the general aviation community should 
continue to provide a high level of safety and services. Any 
changes to the system contemplated by FAA should be 
communicated to the general aviation community, with an 
opportunity for feedback from stakeholders. The Committee 
values the ability of pilots to speak to a specialist, and 
believes that any movement toward the use of pilot self-
assistance should be employed gradually.
    Spectrum efficient national surveillance radar (SENSR).--
The Committee recommends that the FAA, as the lead agency in 
the emerging joint Spectrum Efficient National Surveillance 
Radar SENSR initiative, continue supporting the decision to 
vacate the 1300/1350 MHz band and provide 50 MHz of spectrum 
for FCC auctions. The Committee also recommends that the FAA 
ensure that all possible material and nonmaterial solutions are 
encouraged and fairly evaluated in upcoming activities and not 
allow any particular agency or group to direct the specific use 
of technology or spectrum to fulfill the mission of this 
critical system.
    Wind turbine farm radar interference.--Not later than 180 
days after enactment of this Act, the Committee directs the FAA 
to issue a request for information (RFI) for technologies, 
techniques, and strategies related to wind turbine farm radar 
interference. The Committee further directs the FAA to analyze 
the information collected as a result of the RFI, and to the 
extent possible, use this information as part of the 
development of an approval and certification process.

                            AVIATION SAFETY

    The Committee provides $1,309,749,000 for aviation safety, 
which is $11,267,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $51,768,000 above 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.
    Safety critical staffing.--In September, 2006, the National 
Academies of Sciences (NAS) released a congressionally-mandated 
study (Section 506(c) of P.L. 108-176) on the staffing 
standards required for aviation safety inspectors. Given the 
increased integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into 
the national airspace, the FAA safety inspector workforce must 
be sufficient to manage core safety inspection responsibilities 
along with emerging inspection challenges related to UAVs and 
other technologies. Efforts to update the current safety 
critical staffing model are important, however, the Committee 
is interested in learning how well the FAA adhered to the 
staffing standard that was developed in 2006. The Committee 
directs the GAO to conduct a review of the FAA's implementation 
of and compliance with the NAS staffing standard for aviation 
safety inspectors. The study should identify revisions that 
were made to the 2006 staffing standard and examine the FAA's 
rationale for making any changes. The Committee directs the GAO 
to provide a report to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
    Maintenance technician staffing and training.--In the 
Committee's fiscal year 2017 report, the Committee directed the 
Inspector General to undertake an assessment of the FAA's plans 
and strategy for the hiring, placement and training of FAA 
maintenance technicians. In September, 2016, the IG initiated 
an audit and evaluation of FAA's hiring and placement practices 
for the technician workforce. Additionally, the IG's audit 
announcement indicated that a follow-up review would address 
technician training. The Committee remains keenly interested in 
the results of both reviews. As the FAA continues to modernize 
the air traffic control system, the agency must provide robust 
and concurrent training to the technical workforce as new 
technologies are deployed. The FAA's technical operations 
workforce is critically important to ensure the safe operation 
of our nation's 24-hour/7-day-a-week air traffic control 
system. The Committee directs the IG to provide an update on 
the status of both reviews to the House and Senate Committees 
on Appropriations within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
    Allergic reactions aboard aircraft.--The Committee directs 
the FAA to review its policies concerning severe allergic 
reactions aboard aircraft and submit a report within 90 days of 
enactment of this Act detailing: the reporting requirements for 
airlines when an allergic reaction occurs, the data collection 
standards for such a report, and the number of reports in the 
past year.
    Harmonizing flight data and cockpit voice recorder 
regulations.--The Committee understands that automatic 
deployable flight recorders are among the acceptable 
technologies that meet new International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO) requirements. The Committee remains 
concerned that the corresponding Federal Aviation Regulations 
(FARs) for Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders have not 
been harmonized to reflect the allowed use of automatic 
deployable flight recorders, resulting in uncertain 
certification and installation requirements for aircraft 
manufacturers and airlines wishing to voluntarily install 
deployable flight recorders. The Committee directs FAA to 
formally update all FARs and any other necessary U.S. 
regulations to enable the voluntary installation and 
certification of FAA approved automatic deployable flight 
recorder systems in compliance with U.S. and international 
standards for commercial aircraft.
    Additive manufacturing.--The Committee recognizes the 
emergence of additive manufacturing (AM), the advances in the 
fabrication of complex structures has the potential to 
transform aircraft and spacecraft propulsion and eventually 
other high-value complex components of these vehicles. The 
Committee understands a primary challenge in AM for aerospace 
applications is the certification of flight worthiness of 
complex AM-constructed components. The Committee directs the 
FAA, in collaboration with academic and industry partners, to 
develop and define the critical standards and assessment 
methods for certifying AM components for aerospace applications 
including the development of advanced non-destructive 
evaluation methodologies for risk identification and assessment 
or as in-situ manufacturing process controls.
    In addition, the Committee directs the FAA to provide a 
report on the use of additively manufactured parts within the 
civil aerospace industry detailing any efforts to monitor what 
additively manufactured components are utilized on airframes, 
and what measures are being taken to monitor and mitigate the 
use of counterfeit additively manufactured parts.
    Designated airworthiness representative (DAR-56) program.--
The Committee notes the effectiveness of the DAR-56 
certification program, which allows certified aircraft parts 
distributors to issue FAA airworthiness tags based on 
alternative documentation. The Committee encourages FAA to make 
the program permanent.
    Human intervention motivation study (HIMS) and the flight 
attendant drug and alcohol program (FADAP).--The Committee 
recognizes the effectiveness of the Human Intervention 
Motivation Study (HIMS) and the Flight Attendant Drug and 
Alcohol Program (FADAP) in mitigating drug and alcohol abuse 
through a peer identification and intervention program. The 
Committee recommends that the FAA continue to prioritize this 
program and urges the FAA to continue this program from within 
available resources.
    Aviation rulemaking committee, Part 135.--The Committee 
recommends that FAA convene an Aviation Rulemaking Committee 
(ARC) in order to examine rest and duty regulations governed by 
Part 135 and Subpart K of Part 91 of Title 14, Code of Federal 
Regulations. Such an ARC should ensure that all segments of the 
operation are represented in the ARC process. Industry 
representatives, fatigue experts, and exclusive representatives 
of Part 135 and 91k pilot labor should all be engaged in the 
discussions in order to ensure the full breadth of the industry 
is represented. The ARC should take into consideration the work 
of rulemaking committees addressing fatigue in aviation, 
scientific data derived from fatigue and sleep research, data 
gathered from aviation safety reporting programs, and make 
accommodations necessary for the diversity of operations 
conducted under part 135, including small businesses.
    Certificate management offices (CMO)/repair stations.--The 
Committee is pleased the FAA has realigned its Flight Standards 
Service from geographic to functional offices, each focusing on 
specialized areas of aviation safety oversight and technical 
expertise. Consistent with this emphasis on regulatory 
consistency and maximized use of FAA resources, the Committee 
directs the agency to report, within 180 days of enactment of 
this Act, on the feasibility of defining criteria similar to 
that currently being used by airline operations, under which 
the certificate management unit and certificate management 
office construct can be utilized by repair stations and other 
certificate holders.
    Part 135 industry trends.--The Committee directs the agency 
to provide, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, an update 
of ``Study of Operators Regulated Under Part 135'' (PL 112-95; 
Sec. 409) to cover activity between 2012-2016. The Committee 
encourages the agency to consult with industry in advance of 
the update on additional business, economic, employment and 
other data points that should be included to provide a more 
complete picture of the state of the industry.
    Improving air carrier certification for small business.--
The Committee is concerned FAA staffing and allocation of 
resources has led to a backlog of applicants and regional 
variability to manage or accept new applications for Single 
Pilot Part 135 Air Carrier certificates, an important part of 
creating new businesses opportunities and providing additional 
carrier paths for pilots. The Committee directs the agency 
provide an assessment of the current certification process for 
these small air carrier applicants, the number of persons 
currently seeking certification, the average time from initial 
application to certification and agency recommendations for 
more effectively allocating resources to lead to shorter 
certification times without compromising safety standards.
    Lap-held restraints.--The Committee directs the FAA report 
to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 180 
days of enactment what actions it plans to take to improve the 
safety of flying with a lap-held infant, including 
recommendations on minimum performance standards for lap-held 
restraints.

                    COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION

    The Committee recommends $21,587,000 for the Office of 
Commercial Space Transportation, which is $1,761,000 above the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $3,682,000 above the budget 
request. The additional funding will protect the workforce from 
attrition reductions that were proposed as part of the 
President's budget request. Maintaining the workforce of this 
office is essential to ensuring that the FAA can keep pace with 
the licensing and permitting needs of a growing and 
increasingly complex industry.
    Space launch system.--The Committee commends the FAA Office 
of Commercial Space Transportation's efforts to promote private 
sector lunar exploration and development and encourages the FAA 
to explicitly define non-interference and to enhance its 
payload review process to provide companies planning private 
sector lunar development with the security and predictability 
necessary to support substantial investments. The Committee 
also encourages the office, in collaboration with the 
Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, to engage 
in conversation with NASA to explore the lift power and 
capacity of the Space Launch System (SLS) as a means of 
facilitating commercial-space efforts, in accordance with the 
Commercial Space Launch Act, in which the SLS sometimes serves 
in an infrastructure-building role to speed the transport of 
large-volume payloads and non-profit or cost-sharing payloads, 
and payloads which benefit from being inserted into lunar orbit 
together.

                         FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT

    The Committee recommends $777,506,000 for finance and 
management activities, which is $6,164,000 above the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and $19,314,000 above the budget 
request.
    FAA telecommunications infrastructure mission support 
network.--The Committee is concerned by the FAA's decision to 
extend by five years its aging Mission Support Network, a 
decision which carries both technology and cost implications. 
Within 120 days of enactment of this Act, the FAA will provide 
to the Committee a report on the status of the FTI Mission 
Support Network along with future plans, including 1) the 
contract's current scope of service and performance, 2) current 
technology profile, including what services can and cannot be 
provided, and what, if any, technology services will likely be 
retired over the course of the extension, and 3) the 
extension's implications to the network's total cost of 
ownership. The report should also contain a discussion of the 
proposed decision to extend the contract sole-source, and 
whether the FAA has explored using alternative Government-wide 
telecommunications contract vehicles and how those alternative 
vehicles could meet current and future technology needs at a 
reduced cost.
    Regional offices/noise.--The Committee recognizes the 
critical role played by FAA regional offices in addressing 
community concerns with airplane noise. The Committee has 
provided additional resources in the operations account to 
address this issue, and directs the FAA to increase staff 
levels in the regions where appropriate to ensure proper 
community outreach to affected communities.
    Controller workforce.--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 120 days after enactment of this 
Act.

                    NEXTGEN AND OPERATIONS PLANNING

    The Committee recommends $59,951,000 for NextGen and 
Operations Planning, which is $204,000 below the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level and $910,000 above the budget request.

                SECURITY AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

    The Committee recommends $112,622,000 for Security and 
Hazardous Materials Safety, which is $5,461,000 above the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $11,661,000 above the budget 
request.

                             STAFF OFFICES

    The Committee recommends $212,253,000 for Staff Offices, 
which is $3,152,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $7,385,000 above the budget request.

                             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.--The bill includes language allowing funds 
received from specified public, private, and foreign sources 
for expenses incurred to be credited to the appropriation.
    Contract weather observers.--The bill includes language 
which prohibits funds to eliminate the Contract Weather 
Observer program.

                        FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................    $2,855,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................     2,766,200,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     2,855,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +88,800,000
 

                              (RESCISSION)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................             - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       -31,200,000
Recommended in the bill...............................             - - -
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +31,200,000
 

    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 $2,855,000,000 
for the FAA's facilities and equipment program. This level is 
the same level provided in fiscal year 2017 and $88,800,000 
above the budget request. The bill provides that, of the total 
amount recommended, $2,247,000,000 is available for obligation 
until September 30, 2019, and $493,000,000 (the amount for 
personnel and related expenses) is available until September 
30, 2018, and $115,000,000 is available until expended for 
facilities replacements and improvements. The Committee does 
not recommend a rescission of $31,200,000 as proposed in the 
budget.
    NextGen.--The Committee provides $913,505,000 for NextGen 
programs in this account. This is $45,600,000 above the budget 
request. The Committee rejects the proposal in the budget 
request to reduce NextGen programs as an ill-advised, short-
sighted approach that would put the modernization of our air 
traffic control system at risk. The Committee is especially 
concerned by the suspension of out-year NextGen investments 
indicated in the 5-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP), which 
dramatically reduces planned investments supported by 
stakeholders through the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC). The 
Committee would welcome receiving a revised CIP that reflects 
NAC recommendations, especially for NextGen programs with a 
final investment plan.
    Satellite and global positioning systems NextGen 
programs.--The Committee recommendation places a high priority 
in accelerating the advancement of GPS and satellite enabled 
technologies. The Committee believes that statements made by 
Administration officials that the U.S. lags behind the rest of 
the world in the deployment of these technologies misrepresents 
the global leadership of U.S. engineers, scientists and 
manufacturers and the contributions they have made to our air 
traffic control system. The assertions also fail to recognize 
that U.S. airspace is the most complex and busiest in the 
world, and faces unique challenges by serving a general 
aviation community that surpasses any other Nation by far.
    The following table provides funding levels for facilities 
and equipment activities and budget line items.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         FY2018 Request    FY2018 House
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity 1--Engineering, Development,
 Test and Evaluation
Advanced Technology Development and          26,800,000       26,800,000
 Prototyping..........................
William J. Hughes Technical Center            1,000,000        1,000,000
 Laboratory Improvement...............
William J. Hughes Technical Center           18,000,000       23,000,000
 Facilities...........................
William J. Hughes Technical Center           10,000,000       10,000,000
 Infrastructure Sustainment...........
Separation Management Portfolio.......       13,500,000       13,500,000
Traffic Flow Management Portfolio.....       10,800,000       10,800,000
On Demand NAS Portfolio...............       12,000,000       12,000,000
NAS Infrastructure Portfolio..........       17,500,000       17,500,000
NextGen Support Portfolio.............       12,000,000       12,000,000
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).......       15,000,000       15,000,000
Enterprise, Concept Development, Human        9,000,000        9,000,000
 Factors, & Demonstrations Portfolio..
                                       ---------------------------------
    TOTAL ACTIVITY 1..................      145,600,000      150,600,000
Activity 2--Air Traffic Control
 Facilities and Equipment
a. En Route Programs
En Route Automation Modernization            76,650,000       86,250,000
 (ERAM)--System Enhancements and Tech
 Refresh..............................
En Route Communications Gateway (ECG).        2,650,000        2,650,000
Next Generation Weather Radar                 5,500,000        5,500,000
 (NEXRAD)--Provide....................
Air Route Traffic Control Center            100,400,000      100,400,000
 (ARTCC) & Combined Control Facility
 (CCF) Building Improvements..........
Air Traffic Management (ATM)..........        4,900,000        4,900,000
Air/Ground Communications                     9,750,000        9,750,000
 Infrastructure.......................
Air Traffic Control En Route Radar            5,400,000        5,400,000
 Facilities Improvements..............
Voice Switching and Control System           12,800,000       12,800,000
 (VSCS)...............................
Oceanic Automation System.............       23,100,000       23,100,000
Next Generation Very High Frequency          53,000,000       58,000,000
 Air/Ground Communications (NEXCOM)...
System-Wide Information Management....       50,050,000       50,050,000
ADS-B NAS Wide Implementation.........      139,150,000      139,150,000
Windshear Detection Service...........        1,000,000        1,000,000
Collaborative Air Traffic Management          9,000,000        9,000,000
 Technologies.........................
Time Based Flow Management Portfolio..       40,450,000       40,450,000
NextGen Weather Processors............       35,450,000       40,450,000
Airborne Collision Avoidance System X         7,700,000        7,700,000
 (ACASX)..............................
Data Communications in Support of NG        154,100,000      175,100,000
 Air Transportation System............
Non-Continental United States (Non-          11,000,000       11,000,000
 CONUS) Automation....................
Reduced Oceanic Separation............        4,350,000       14,350,000
En Route Service Improvements.........        3,000,000        3,000,000
Commercial Space Integration..........        4,500,000        4,500,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal En Route Programs........      753,900,000      804,500,000
b. Terminal Programs
Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR)--       3,800,000        3,800,000
 Provide..............................
Standard Terminal Automation                 86,700,000       86,700,000
 Replacement System (STARS) (TAMR
 Phase 1).............................
Terminal Automation Modernization/           66,100,000       66,100,000
 Replacement Program (TAMR Phase 3)...
Terminal Automation Program...........        8,493,000        8,493,000
Terminal Air Traffic Control                 31,118,485       58,118,485
 Facilities--Replace..................
ATCT/Terminal Radar Approach Control         56,800,000       61,800,000
 (TRACON) Facilities--Improve.........
Terminal Voice Switch Replacement             6,000,000        6,000,000
 (TVSR)...............................
NAS Facilities OSHA and Environmental        46,700,000       46,700,000
 Standards Compliance.................
Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR-9)....       11,400,000       11,400,000
Terminal Digital Radar (ASR-11)               3,200,000        3,200,000
 Technology Refresh and Mobile Airport
 Surveillance Radar (MASR)............
Runway Status Lights..................        2,800,000        2,800,000
National Airspace System Voice System        68,750,000       68,750,000
 (NVS)................................
Integrated Display System (IDS).......        5,000,000        5,000,000
Remote Monitoring and Logging System          7,400,000        7,400,000
 (RMLS)...............................
Mode S Service Life Extension Program        20,900,000       20,900,000
 (SLEP)...............................
Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM)...       90,350,000       90,350,000
National Air Space (NAS) Voice                5,000,000        5,000,000
 Recorder Program (NVRP)..............
Integrated Terminal Weather System            1,000,000        1,000,000
 (ITWS)...............................
Performance Based Navigation &               20,000,000       20,000,000
 Metroplex Portfolio..................
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal Terminal Programs........      541,511.485      573,511.485
c. Flight Service Programs
Aviation Surface Observation System          10,000,000       10,000,000
 (ASOS)...............................
Future Flight Services Program........       14,038,515       14,038,515
Alaska Flight Service Facility                2,650,000        2,650,000
 Modernization (AFSFM)................
Weather Camera Program................        1,300,000        1,300,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal Flight Service Programs..       27,988,515       27,988,515
d. Landing and Navigational Aids
 Program
VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR)        11,000,000       11,000,000
 with Distance Measuring Equipment
 (DME)................................
Instrument Landing System (ILS)--             7,000,000        7,000,000
 Establish............................
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)        102,300,000      105,300,000
 for GPS..............................
Runway Visual Range (RVR) and Enhanced        4,000,000        4,000,000
 Low Visibility Operations (ELVO).....
Approach Lighting System Improvement          3,000,000        3,000,000
 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                  8,500,000        8,500,000
 Automation (IFPA)....................
Navigation and Landing Aids--Service          3,000,000        3,000,000
 Life Extension Program (SLEP)........
VASI Replacement--Replace with                5,000,000        5,000,000
 Precision Approach Path Indicator....
GPS Civil Requirements................            - - -            - - -
Runway Safety Areas--Navigational             1,600,000        1,600,000
 Mitigation...........................
NAVAIDS Monitoring Equipment..........        2,000,000        2,000,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal Landing and Navigational       152,400,000      155,400,000
     Aids Programs....................
e. Other ATC Facilities Programs
Fuel Storage Tank Replacement and            28,100,000       28,100,000
 Management...........................
Unstaffed Infrastructure Sustainment..       35,700,000       35,700,000
Aircraft Related Equipment Program....       12,500,000       12,500,000
Airport Cable Loop Systems--Sustained         8,000,000        8,000,000
 Support..............................
Alaskan Satellite Telecommunications         20,900,000       20,900,000
 Infrastructure (ASTI)................
Facilities Decommissioning............       13,900,000       13,900,000
Electrical Power Systems--Sustain/          110,000,000       99,000,000
 Support..............................
Energy Management and Compliance (EMC)        2,400,000        2,400,000
Child Care Center Sustainment.........        1,000,000        1,000,000
FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure.        2,000,000        2,000,000
Data Visualization, Analysis and              5,500,000        5,500,000
 Reporting System (DVARS).............
TDM-to-IP Migration...................        3,000,000        3,000,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal Other ATC Facilities           243,000,000      232,000,000
     Programs.........................
                                       ---------------------------------
        TOTAL ACTIVITY 2..............    1,718,800,000    1,793,400,000
Activity 3--Non-Air Traffic Control
 Facilities and Equipment
a. Support Equipment
Hazardous Materials Management........       35,300,000       35,300,000
Aviation Safety Analysis System (ASAS)       12,000,000       12,000,000
National Air Space (NAS) Recovery            12,000,000       12,000,000
 Communications (RCOM)................
Facility Security Risk Management.....       20,400,000       20,400,000
Information Security..................       20,700,000       20,700,000
System Approach for Safety Oversight         25,800,000       25,800,000
 (SASO)...............................
Aviation Safety Knowledge Management          4,000,000        4,000,000
 Environment (ASKME)..................
Aerospace Medical Equipment Needs             7,000,000        7,000,000
 (AMEN)...............................
System Safety Management Portfolio....       16,200,000       16,200,000
National Test Equipment Program.......        4,000,000        4,000,000
Mobile Assets Management Program......        3,600,000        3,600,000
Aerospace Medicine Safety Information        14,000,000       14,000,000
 Systems (AMSIS)......................
Tower Simulation System (TSS)                 3,000,000        3,000,000
 Technology Refresh...................
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal Support Equipment........      178,000,000      178,000,000
b. Training, Equipment and Facilities
Aeronautical Center Infrastructure           14,000,000       14,000,000
 Modernization........................
Distance Learning.....................        1,000,000        1,000,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal Training, Equipment and         15,000,000       15,000,000
     Facilities.......................
                                       ---------------------------------
        TOTAL ACTIVITY 3..............      193,000,000      193,000,000
Activity 4--Facilities and Equipment
 Mission Support
a. System Support and Services
System Engineering and Development           35,700,000       35,700,000
 Support..............................
Program Support Leases................       47,000,000       47,000,000
Logistics and Acquisition Support            11,000,000       11,000,000
 Services.............................
Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center            19,700,000       19,700,000
 Leases...............................
Transition Engineering Support........       19,900,000       19,900,000
Technical Support Services Contract          23,000,000       23,000,000
 (TSSC)...............................
Resource Tracking Program (RTP).......        6,000,000        6,000,000
Center for Advanced Aviation System          57,000,000       57,000,000
 Development (CAASD)..................
Aeronautical Information Management           4,700,000        4,700,000
 Program..............................
Cross Agency NextGen Management.......        1,000,000        1,000,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    TOTAL ACTIVITY 4..................      225,000,000      225,000,000
Activity 5--Personnel and Related
 Expenses
Personnel and Related Expenses........      483,800,000      493,000,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    Total.............................    2,766,200,000    2,855,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    William J. Hughes Technical Center facilities.--The 
recommendation includes $23,000,000 for William J. Hughes 
Facilities improvements, an increase of $5,000,000 above the 
budget request. The Committee directs the FAA to use the 
additional resources to develop a plan to combine all National 
Air Space and Department of Defenses operational systems at the 
FAA Technical Center into one 24/7/365 NAS compliant facility 
at the Technical Center. The plan shall include required 
environmental studies, site location study, engineering design 
and drawings of the building, anticipated costs, and all other 
required paperwork and approvals with a goal to start 
construction expeditiously. The Administrator shall execute the 
plan and complete required parts of the plan by the end of 
fiscal year 2018.
    Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and international traffic 
management.--The Committee provides $86,250,000 for En Route 
Automation Modernization--System Enhancements and Technology 
Refresh, an increase of $8,250,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $9,600,000 above the budget request to 
continue to maintain and advance U.S. leadership in UAS 
integration and high altitude international traffic management.
    Next generation very high frequency air/ground 
communications (NEXCOM).--The Committee provides $58,000,000 
for Next Generation Very High Frequency Air/Ground 
Communications, an increase of $5,000,000 above the budget 
request. The NEXCOM Segment 2 (NS2) Phase 1 & 2 Program 
replaces and modernizes the aging, unsupportable, and obsolete 
National Airspace System (NAS) Safety Critical Service air-to-
ground (A/G) analog radios that allow direct voice 
communication with pilots in Terminal, Enroute, and Flight 
Services. The currently installed radios date back to 1967 and 
updated radio technology will improve system performance and 
dramatically reduce sustainment and support costs. These 
sustainment and support costs of the 50 year-old radios are 
significant and the FAA has had to resort to cannibalization of 
radio inventory for spare parts to support Safety Critical 
Service operational units. The Committee recognizes the 
importance of replacing these radios and is concerned with the 
FAA's recently revised Capital Investment Plan which delays the 
procurement and installation of the required radios. The 
Committee requests a report not later than 180 days after 
enactment that describes the FAA's plan to replace the radios 
and the revised deployment schedule.
    NextGen weather processor.--The Committee provides 
$40,450,000 for NextGen Weather Processor, an increase of 
$5,000,000 above the budget request. The Committee recognizes 
that the NextGen Weather Processor (NWP) has the capability to 
provide valuable and cost effective information to make better 
informed decisions concerning weather and air traffic control 
operations. In fact, NWP looks to be one of the NextGen 
initiatives that has high potential to start producing 
significant NextGen benefits through much improved weather 
prediction and forecasting in the National Airspace System. As 
part of that effort, the Committee recommends that the FAA 
dedicate sufficient funding to accelerate the development and 
deployment of NWP in an expeditious manner to realize the 
benefits of NWP sooner and reduce overall program costs. This 
would have a significant effect on improving safety and 
efficiency of air traffic operations in bad weather conditions.
    DataComm.--The Committee provides $175,100,000 for Data 
Communications (DataComm) in Support of the NextGen Air 
Transportation System, an increase of $21,000,000 above the 
budget request. The capabilities in Data Communications full 
services will reduce the need for the controller or pilot to 
voice complicated instructions consisting of long strings or 
route fixes that can often cause controllers and pilots to 
repeat the information until correct and confirmed. The 
increase level provided will enable the FAA to reduce 
congestion on radio frequencies which will reinforce the 
business case benefits and airlines investment in aircraft 
equipage which will increase the NextGen benefits accrued in 
the national airspace system. The airlines anticipate this 
capability will enable them to fly more efficient routes, 
saving time and fuel. The airspace users have expressed through 
the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) and other forums that 
their business case for investing in Data Comm relies on the 
capabilities delivered by En Route Full Services.
    Reduced oceanic separation/SBS advanced surveillance 
enhanced procedural separation.--The Committee provides 
$14,350,000 for Reduced Oceanic Separation portfolio, an 
increase of $10,000,000 above the budget request. The 
additional funding will accelerate testing and evaluation of 
the technology, operational trials, modification of automation 
systems, and other activities necessary to use space-based ADS-
B for enhanced surveillance to enable reduced oceanic 
separation services. The Committee commends the FAA for 
requesting that the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC) evaluate 
the benefit of enhanced surveillance capabilities. The NAC 
recently approved a final report that identified significant 
quantified benefits from using space-based ADS-B, mainly by 
enabling aircraft to obtain their preferred optimal flight 
tracks and altitudes to minimize fuel burn or to recover from 
delays. In addition to operational enhancements and 
efficiencies, the technology enables critical safety benefits, 
including filling existing surveillance gaps, precise search 
and rescue, global flight tracking, and reversing the rising 
number of denied weather deviations on oceanic tracks due to 
lack of surveillance. While the Committee appreciates recent 
progress, the Committee remains concerned that the FAA still 
lags behind other air navigation service providers in 
implementing space-based ADS-B. Therefore, the Committee 
directs the FAA to make a final investment decision not later 
than September 30, 2018 regarding a reduced oceanic separation 
capability that, if a positive business case is provided, would 
result in operational use by the end of 2020.
    Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System/Terminal 
Automation Modernization Replacement Program (STARS/TAMR).--The 
Committee is concerned that the FAA is not effectively 
proceeding with the development and implementation of the 
directed roadmap for the planned NextGen value added toolsets 
to aid in increasing safety, capacity, and efficiency to STARS, 
as directed by the Committee in fiscal year 2017. The Committee 
also is concerned that the FAA is not expeditiously developing 
and implementing new software-based toolsets that have the 
ability to provide significant enhancements and that take 
advantage of this new infrastructure. Therefore, the Committee 
directs the FAA to provide a STARS/TAMR roadmap within 90 days 
of the enactment of this Act. This roadmap should detail the 
future path including investment decision milestones that will 
be necessary in order to provide terminal area controllers with 
performance based navigation (PBN) and other NextGen 
initiatives such as improved terminal area weather.
    Terminal airport traffic control facilities--replace.--The 
Committee recommends $58,118,485, which is $27,000,000 more 
than the budget request.
          --Remote tower.--From the increase provided for 
        terminal airport traffic control facilities--replace, 
        $5,000,000 is only for continuing the ongoing remote 
        tower project, including operating costs, and for 
        deploying remote tower systems to at least 2 other 
        airports. The Committee believes that the remote tower 
        is a promising technology that will improve aviation 
        safety, reduce capital costs, and increase operational 
        efficiencies. In selecting airports to install a remote 
        tower, the Committee directs the FAA to take into 
        account the interest of the airport sponsor and to give 
        priority to airports that are currently in the contract 
        tower program that have aging towers in need of 
        replacement or are non-towered airports that are viable 
        candidates for the program.
          --Facility investments.--The recommendation for 
        Terminal Airport Traffic Control Facilities--Replace 
        also includes an additional $22,000,000 for the 
        replacement of terminal air traffic control facilities 
        and air traffic control towers. The Committee directs 
        the FAA to use this additional funding, as well as 
        funding provided for this activity in the fiscal year 
        2016 and fiscal year 2017 Appropriations Acts, for all 
        air traffic control towers that are ready for land 
        acquisition or construction. The Committee denies the 
        FAA's request to postpone construction on air traffic 
        control facilities.
    Aging contract towers.--The Committee notes that there are 
some contract towers that are more than 40 years of age, are 
non-compliant with OSHA standards, and have line of sight 
issues that adversely affect air traffic control safety. The 
Committee directs the Administration to conduct assessments of 
these towers and report back to the Committee within 90 days of 
enactment.
    Terminal radar approach control (TRACON) facilities--
improve.--The Committee recommendation includes $61,800,000 for 
TRACON facilities improvements, an additional $5,000,000 above 
the budget request. The FAA's budget request includes 
$11,200,000 for improvements to the agency's large terminal 
radar approach control (TRACON) facilities. The Committee 
directs the FAA to use the requested funding and the additional 
$5,000,000 for these improvements, and to use these funds for 
modernization and expansion efforts that will ensure the long-
term viability of large TRACONs.
    Very high frequency (VHF) omni-directional range (VOR) and 
tactical air navigation (TACAN).--The Committee is aware of 
efforts underway to address the rationalization and 
recapitalization of aging en route navigational aids. These 
systems are critical to the safety, resiliency, and on-going 
operations of both civilian and military air navigation. The 
Committee directs the FAA to move ahead with the issuance of a 
request for proposals (RFP) to implement a service based 
procurement for Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni-Directional 
Range (VOR) and Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) systems. The 
RFP shall be released with the objective of issuing a contract 
expeditiously.
    Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) for GPS.--The 
Committee believes that it is critical that the FAA's WAAS 
ground based infrastructure be ready to work with the new GPS 
III constellations dual frequency capability. The Committee 
understands that this effort was to be accomplished in WAAS 
DFO, Segment 2, which will develop and implement the new 
algorithms and integrity validation for this new safety-of-life 
application. The Committee also understands that WAAS DFO 
Segment 2 will begin acquisition in 2019. In the fiscal year 
2017 appropriations Act, the Committee directed the FAA to 
begin algorithm development and test in support of dual 
frequency operations. In addition, the Committee recommended 
that the FAA dedicate sufficient funding to begin design, 
development, modeling and prototyping of the new dual frequency 
algorithms. The Committee directs the FAA to brief the House 
and Senate Committees on Appropriations on their plan for 
accomplishing this directed action within 120 days after 
enactment.
    WAAS GEO 7 satellite system.--The Committee recommends that 
development of the WAAS GEO 7 satellite system begin in fiscal 
year 2018 to ensure continuous sustainment of a full three-
satellite WAAS navigation constellation. All current GEO host 
satellites reach the end of their base contracts by the end of 
2017. So unless the FAA moves more expeditiously with the 
development of WAAS GEO 7, the window for the next available 
host satellite launches may pass, thereby delaying this 
navigational capability. This creates significant risk for the 
WAAS 3-satellite GEO constellation's ability to provide 
continuous uninterrupted service for aviation and other users. 
The Committee encourages the FAA to consider working with the 
current supplier in order to meet this window of opportunity. 
The Committee recommends $3,000,000 million in additional 
fiscal year 2018 funding to mitigate this risk and to initiate 
host satellite commitments, secure space and ground 
subcontracts, and obtain FAA approval to secure a lease with a 
satellite provider.

                             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 2017.......................      $176,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       150,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       170,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -6,500,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2017..................       +20,000,000
 

    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 recommendation includes $170,000,000 for 
FAA's research, engineering, and development programs, which is 
$6,500,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$20,000,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee recommendation includes the following funding 
levels for research, engineering, and development programs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        FY 2018 Request   FY 2018 House
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire Research and Safety..............       $7,044,000        7,425,000
Propulsion and Fuel Systems...........        2,269,000        2,269,000
Advanced Materials/Structural Safety..        4,338,000        7,000,000
Aircraft Icing/Digital System Safety..        9,253,000        5,102,000
Continued Airworthiness...............       10,437,000       10,437,000
Aircraft Catastrophic Failure                 1,570,000        1,528,000
 Prevention Research..................
Flightdeck/Maintenance/System                 6,825,000        7,305,000
 Integration Human Factors............
System Safety Management..............        4,149,000        6,500,000
Air Traffic Control/Technical                 5,196,000        6,165,000
 Operations Human Factors.............
Aeromedical Research..................        9,765,000        9,080,000
Weather Program.......................       13,399,000       15,476,000
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research....        6,787,000       13,787,000
NextGen-Alternative Fuels for General         5,924,000        7,000,000
 Aviation.............................
Commercial Space......................        1,796,000        1,796,000
NextGen-Wake Turbulence...............        6,831,000        7,609,000
NextGen-Air Ground Integration Human          6,757,000        7,575,000
 Factors..............................
NextGen-Weather Technology in the             3,644,000        4,059,000
 Cockpit..............................
NextGen-Information Security..........        1,000,000        1,000,000
Environment and Energy................       14,497,000       16,013,000
NextGen-Environmental Research--             23,151,000       27,174,000
 Aircraft Technologies, Fuels, and
 Metrics..............................
System Planning and Resource                  2,135,000        2,288,000
 Management...........................
William J. Hughes Technical Center            3,233,000        3,412,000
 Laboratory Facility..................
                                       ---------------------------------
    Research, Engineering and               150,000,000      170,000,000
     Development Total................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Advanced material/structural integrity safety.--The 
Committee recommendation includes $7,000,000 for Advanced 
Material/Structural Integrity Safety, an increase of $2,662,000 
above the budget request.
    NextGen-alternative fuels for general aviation.--The 
Committee provides $7,000,000 for NextGen-Alternative Fuels for 
General Aviation, an increase of $1,076,000 above the budget 
request.
    Unmanned aircraft systems research.--The Committee provides 
$13,787,000 for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research, an increase 
of $7,000,000 above the budget request. The Administrator shall 
use FAA integrated laboratories, in partnership with NASA 
laboratories, to provide for proofs of concept supporting the 
integration of UAS into the NAS and to ensure interoperability 
with NAS systems. The Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system 
will create an air traffic control network for UAS that will 
have the capability to communicate with existing NAS 
infrastructure.
    UAS research plan.--The Committee directs the FAA to submit 
to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a 
comprehensive plan for research supporting full integration of 
unmanned aircraft systems no later than 180 days after 
enactment.
    The Committee requests that FAA provide a report within 120 
days of enactment of this Act on its progress meeting statutory 
obligations under Section 2208 of the FAA Extension, Safety, 
and Security Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-190) to develop a 
research plan and establish a pilot program to demonstrate a 
UTM system.
    UAS test sites.--The Committee fully supports UAS Test 
Sites, which were established by Congress through the FAA 
Modernization Act of 2012 to safely integrate UAS research 
breakthroughs and technology innovations into national airspace 
in a safe and comprehensive manner. Since 2013, the UAS 
industry has grown leaps and bounds, fueled by opportunity and 
application. The technology continues to push the envelope, and 
the test sites serve to shepherd these technologies and 
innovations by merging public safety with application.

                       GRANTS-IN-AID FOR AIRPORTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                    (AIRPORT AND AIRWAY TRUST FUND)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Liquidation of
                                         contract        Limitation on
                                      authorization       obligations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...     $3,750,000,000     $3,350,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018..      3,000,000,000      3,350,000,000
Recommended in the bill...........      3,000,000,000      3,350,000,000
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year           -750,000,000              - - -
     2017.........................
    Budget request, fiscal year                 - - -              - - -
     2018.........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The bill includes a liquidating cash appropriation of 
$3,000,000,000 for grants-in-aid for airports, authorized by 
the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, as amended, 
which is $750,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and the same as 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 2018, which is the same as both 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the budget request.
    Airport connectivity.--The Committee is concerned about the 
impact of connectivity between regional airlines servicing 
small community airports and the legacy airlines at their hub 
airports. The inability of these regional airlines to link 
seamlessly with legacy airlines at their hub airports 
discourages passenger growth at small airports with existing 
service as well as those communities seeking to initiate or 
expand air service. The Committee encourages the Federal 
Aviation Administration to study this issue and determine 
additional steps that can be taken to provide interlining and 
seamless connectivity at hubs between regional airlines from 
all small communities to ultimate destinations, regardless of 
current code-sharing arrangements.
    Regulatory compliance.--The Committee is concerned about 
the findings of the 2013 Airport Cooperative Research Program 
report entitled, ``Impact of Regulatory Compliance Costs on 
Small Airports.'' The Committee directs FAA to develop a plan 
to implement the report's recommendations and report back to 
Congress within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
    Aircraft rescue and firefighting.--The Aircraft Rescue and 
Firefighting (ARFF) program requires certificated airports to 
ensure their designated personnel receive proper training, 
including initial and ongoing training. There are a number of 
training facilities across the country that provide different 
levels of training, including initial and recurrent annual 
training. The Committee is concerned about changes that have 
occurred in the number and location of training facilities 
offering ARFF training, particularly in the Great Lakes and 
Central FAA regions, which lack a single dedicated ARFF 
training site within their regions. The Committee is interested 
in ensuring that ARFF training is available and accessible in a 
cost-effective and sustainable setting. The Committee directs 
the FAA, within 120 days of enactment of this Act, to provide 
the Committee with a report on the number and suitability of 
training facilities in each of the FAA regions, or within a 
specified distance from the airports that require such 
training. The Committee also encourages the Administration to 
develop a plan for supporting efforts to address coverage gaps 
identified in this report, and which make use of existing cost-
effective proposals, including partnerships between an airport 
sponsor and an established firefighting training facility that 
has already made an investment in training personnel and 
infrastructure. The Committee believes that there may be cost-
savings and broader efficiencies for the federal taxpayer by 
utilizing this type of partnership, and encourages the FAA to 
evaluate proposals that incorporate existing fire training 
facilities.
    Noise insulation.--The Committee is concerned that 
federally funded sound insulation installed to mitigate airport 
noise is aging. The Committee directs the FAA to report to the 
Committee, not later than 180 days after the enactment of this 
Act, on the issues associated with aging sound insulation. The 
report should focus on sound insulation installed prior to 
2007, examine the effective lifespan of common sound insulation 
including window and door upgrades, weather-stripping, and 
other sound mitigation treatments, and should include 
recommendations for the replacement of sound insulation that 
has exceeded its effective lifespan.
    Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) threat mitigation at 
airports.--Reported sightings of UAS near airports remain a 
concern, and several options are available to mitigate the 
threat of errant and hostile UAS near airports. The FAA is 
working to develop remote identification and tracking standards 
for UAS in conjunction with industry, Federal government, and 
law enforcement partners. The Committee is interested in 
continued efforts to measure the effectiveness of counter UAS 
systems in an airport environment. To that end, the Committee 
encourages the FAA to continue working with national security 
and law enforcement partners, as well as aviation stakeholders, 
including airport operators, to ensure these technologies do 
not compromise the safe and efficient operation of the National 
Airspace System. The Committee expects the FAA to undertake 
this work in a fiscally responsible manner by continuing to 
utilize cooperative research agreements that minimize costs to 
the Federal government.
    Airport public private partnerships.--The FAA has invested 
in an innovative and timely program authorized by the Title 49 
United States Code Sec. 47134, to establish a public private 
partnership program for local airports. Projects which have 
been preliminarily accepted and or will be approved have been 
chosen because they are innovative (conform with the intent of 
the ``Pilot Program''), will leverage considerable private 
capital, lower the traditional Federal investment for public 
use infrastructure, and create new jobs for America. To fulfill 
the intent of this program, the Committee directs FAA to 
expedite final processing and provide the highest priority 
funding for any project in this program that meets the criteria 
above.
    Runway safety area repairs.--The Committee expects the FAA 
to work expeditiously to identify grant eligibility for the 
restoration of key runway safety components such as Engineered 
Material Arresting System (EMAS) beds. The Committee notes that 
it included a provision in P.L. 115-31 that modified 
requirements regarding the use of funds for runway repairs in 
order to address immediate safety concerns. The Committee is 
aware of delays in the repair of EMAS beds, which are a 
critical safety component of airport Runway Safety Areas. The 
FAA is directed to provide a progress report to the House 
Committee on Appropriations that details the immediate measures 
the FAA has taken to ensure safety and operations at airports 
that have incurred damage to their EMAS beds, within 60 days of 
enactment of this Act. The FAA is further directed to provide a 
progress report to the House Committee on Appropriations that 
provides an update on the status of the EMAS bed repairs, 
within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
    Draft master plans.--The Committee encourages FAA to 
expedite the review of any draft Master Plan documents from 
such airports to help quickly identify and evaluate the full 
range of possible alternatives, including the possibility of 
alternative landing surfaces while also helping to protect the 
longterm flexibility of such airports to accommodate long-term 
growth.

                  ADMINISTRATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS

    Airport administrative expenses.--Within the overall 
obligation limitation, the bill includes $111,863,000 for the 
administration of the airports program by the FAA. This funding 
level is $4,172,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and the same as the budget request.
    Airport cooperative research program (ACRP).--The 
recommendation includes $15,000,000, which is the same as the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the budget request. The ACRP 
identifies 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 Committee recommendation 
includes a minimum of $33,210,000 for the FAA's airport 
technology research program, which is $1,835,000 above the 
fiscal year 2017 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 2018.
    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 continues 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 continues a provision 
prohibiting FAA from paying Sunday premium pay, except in those 
cases where the individual actually worked on a Sunday.
    Section 115. The Committee continues 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 continues 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 continues 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 continues a provision that 
limits the number of FAA political appointees to nine.
    Section 119. The Committee continues a provision that 
prohibits funds for any increase in fees for navigational 
products until FAA has reported a justification for such fees 
to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 119A. The Committee continues a provision that 
requires 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 continues a provision 
prohibiting funds to change weight restrictions or prior 
permission rules at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey.
    Section 119C. The Committee continues a provision 
prohibiting funds to withhold funds from certain contract tower 
applicants.
    Section 119D. The Committee includes a provision that 
requires FAA to take certain actions related to organization 
delegation authorization.

                     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.

                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $435,795,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       442,691,925
Recommended in the bill...............................       442,691,925
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        +6,896,925
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $442,691,925, including $3,248,000 
transferred to the Appalachian Regional Commission. The 
recommendation is $6,896,925 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level, and the same as the budget request.

                          FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Fiscal year     Fiscal 2018
                             Program                               2017 enacted       request       Recommended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal-aid highways (obligation limitation)....................      43,266,100      44,234,212      44,234,212
Exempt contract authority.......................................         739,000         739,000         739,000
Rescission of contract authority................................        -857,000           - - -        -800,000
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total program level.........................................      43,148,100      44,973,212      44,173,212
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total program level of 
$44,173,212,000 for the activities of FHWA in fiscal year 2018. 
This amount is $1,025,112,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $800,000,000 below the budget request. 
Included within the recommended amount is an obligation 
limitation of $44,234,212,000, $739,000,000 in contract 
authority that is exempt from the obligation limitation, and an 
$800,000,000 rescission of prior year unobligated contract 
authority balances.
    Highway guide sign fonts.--In early 2016, FHWA notified 
state transportation agencies of its intention to rescind 
approval for the use of an alternate font on highway guide 
signs. The decision was made without adequate public input, and 
immediately impacted an estimated 26 states that had been given 
prior approval for alternate font use as a safe way to 
communicate with the traveling public. In order to provide an 
opportunity to fully consider the impact of this decision, the 
bill prohibits funds from being used to enforce actions 
terminating the interim approval of this alternate font during 
fiscal year 2018. The Committee is also aware of recent 
research regarding the safety and effectiveness of the 
alternate font, and that multiple states have submitted 
comments to FHWA in support of reinstating approval for the 
alternate font. FHWA is directed to conduct a comprehensive 
review of the research on this alternate font and to report 
back to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act. 
The report must document the safety and cost implications of 
the decision to terminate approval and fully address the 
comments submitted by affected states during the December 13, 
2016 Request for Information related to the alternate font.
    Transportation project delays.--The Committee notes the 
significant increase in transportation project development 
timelines from planning and design to completion of 
construction. Analyses from the Department of Transportation 
and independent organizations show major highway projects 
currently take between 10 and 20 years to complete, twice their 
duration 40 years ago. Transportation projects are frequently 
delayed by untold design changes, environmental regulations, 
right-of-way issues, utility coordination, outdated 
construction methodologies, inadequate workforce development 
practices, and poor project management execution. Unnecessarily 
long project timelines increase project costs, introduce 
programmatic inefficiencies, encourage superfluous design 
changes, and ultimately obstruct the delivery of desperately 
needed infrastructure in the United States. The Committee 
supports the Department's efforts to research and implement 
accelerated and integrative project management and 
collaborative development strategies to compress project 
timelines and enhance stakeholder participation. It recommends 
relying on proven applied transportation research institutions 
to achieve these objectives.
    The administrative burden on compliance of every action 
that triggers the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has 
held up countless federally funded projects including projects 
to build our nation's infrastructure. The Committee encourages 
the Secretary to use all existing authorities to implement 
Executive Order 13766 in order to accelerate infrastructure 
projects funded in fiscal year 2018.
    Bridge corrosion control best practices.--The Committee is 
concerned with the large number of structurally deficient 
bridges in the U.S. and recognizes that corrosion is a leading 
cause of bridge failure. The Committee also recognizes that the 
use of industry best practices in corrosion planning and 
prevention can greatly lengthen the lifecycle of a bridge, 
saving taxpayer money and protecting public safety and the 
environment. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary to 
consult with state transportation departments to ensure that 
contractors and subcontractors hired for bridge construction, 
alteration or maintenance projects using federal taxpayer 
money, other than those involving minor repair work, are 
utilizing industry best practices to prevent, mitigate and 
control corrosion. Industry best practices include surface 
preparation, protective coatings, materials selection, cathodic 
protection, corrosion engineering, and personnel training. The 
Secretary should ensure that state departments of 
transportation are using contractors and subcontractors that 
are qualified, as determined by a third-party organization, as 
capable of meeting industry best practices. The Committee 
expects the Secretary to report back to the Committee, and to 
the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the 
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, within one year 
of enactment of this legislation, on the status of corrosion 
control planning by state departments of transportation, and 
the status of corrosion control best practice requirements in 
state regulations and in bid specifications for bridge projects 
using federal taxpayer money. The Committee expects the report 
to highlight what steps the Secretary has taken, in 
consultation with state departments of transportation, to 
ensure that contractors and subcontractors hired for bridge 
construction, alteration or maintenance projects using federal 
taxpayer money are qualified and utilizing industry best 
practices to prevent, mitigate and control corrosion in bridge 
projects.
    Bridge and structure product and technology innovations 
clearing house.--The Committee directs the Department to 
facilitate implementation of new and advanced transportation 
infrastructure by promoting and advancing new products and 
innovations related to highway bridges and structures. 
Unfortunately, the mainstreaming of new innovations within the 
surface transportation communities is a lengthy, complex, and 
difficult process. As part of this action, the Committee 
directs the Department to serve as a clearing house for new 
innovations by providing a specific location for bridge and 
structure stakeholders to find technically robust and unbiased 
information and reports that evaluate innovations and 
accelerate acceptance and implementation of new bridge and 
structure materials and technologies.
    Culvert and storm sewer materials procurement.--The 
Committee directs the Secretary to evaluate the methods by 
which States procure culvert and storm sewer materials and the 
impact of those methods on project costs, including the extent 
to which such methods take into account environmental 
principles, engineering principles, and the varying needs of 
projects based on geographic location.
    Geosynthetic reinforced soil-integrated bridge systems.--
The Committee supports continuing the geosynthetic reinforced 
soil-integrated bridge system program including research and 
deployment to capitalize on investments in the program. The 
Committee encourages FHWA to fund research to address 
development of technical specifications for segmental facing 
material durability, connections between geosynthetics and 
segmental facing materials in retaining walls, including bridge 
abutments, segmental unit sound barriers, and scour 
countermeasures in erosion control systems. The Committee 
encourages FHWA to complete currently planned cost studies of 
geosynthetic-reinforced soil abutments, consider grants to 
deploy innovations in geosynthetic-reinforced abutments, 
segmental sound barriers, and flooding scour countermeasures, 
to address technical specifications for segmental face 
durability and geosynthetics connections, and to prepare and 
distribute reports to state DOTs to enhance state and local 
application. The Committee encourages FHWA to use demonstration 
grants to deploy innovations in geosynthetics and segmental 
retaining walls.
    Permeable pavements.--The Committee encourages the 
Secretary to accelerate research, demonstration, and deployment 
of permeable pavements to achieve flood mitigation, pollutant 
reduction, stormwater runoff reduction, and conservation. 
Projects may include roadway shoulder load testing and 
documenting lifecycle cost efficiency.
    Recycled materials.--Section 1428 of the Fixing America's 
Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) requires the Secretary to 
encourage use of durable and sustainable materials. The 
Committee encourages FHWA to fulfill these objectives and to 
consider working collaboratively with the Expert Task Group, 
the American Association of State Highway and Transportation 
Officials, and industry stakeholders in developing revised 
standards that allow for the maximum use of recycled materials 
without detrimental impact to lifecycle cost.
    Federally-owned bridges.--The Committee recognizes that 
there are a number of infrastructure projects owned solely by 
the federal government that are in serious need of repair. The 
Committee strongly encourages the Department to give the 
highest priority to grant applications for federal 
infrastructure projects which serve the greatest purpose in 
terms of public use. The attributes of infrastructure projects 
that should be given the highest priority must include, but 
should not be limited to, high rates of traffic, facilitation 
of regional traffic patterns, proximity to major metropolitan 
areas, facilitation of interstate commerce, accessibility to 
and from major metropolitan areas, and national security 
purpose in that they are essential evacuation routes during 
emergency situations. Other attributes--such as projects which 
link states, federal districts, national parks, or territories 
to other major national monuments and parks--should also be 
considered.
    Commercial roads in the appalachian development highway 
system.--The Committee encourages FHWA to work with relevant 
state departments of transportation in Appalachia to ensure 
that construction and repair projects are prioritized for roads 
of critical commercial importance in the historic Appalachian 
Development Highway System.
    Border state infrastructure.--The Department of 
Transportation shall encourage states using federal funds 
designated for border state infrastructure to ensure 
participation of city and county governments along the U.S.-
Mexico border in project selection processes.
    Transportation infrastructure and military installations.--
Since the passage of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (P.L. 
84-627), investments in our nation's transportation 
infrastructure have been directly tied to supporting national 
defense. Access to and from military installations continues to 
impact operations and local communities. The Committee strongly 
encourages the Secretary of Transportation to work with the 
Secretary of Defense to assess the transportation 
infrastructure that supports access to and from domestic 
military installations and to develop a strategy for addressing 
opportunities to improve base access and egress, impact on the 
local community, and national security.
    Critical commerce corridors.--The Committee believes 
critical commerce corridors, an authorized use of funds in the 
nationally significant freight and highway projects program, 
can improve our economic efficiency, reduce travel times, and 
promote safe travel on our nation's roads and highways. These 
corridors include existing highways where a barrier physically 
separates lanes dedicated to heavy commercial trucks from lanes 
dedicated to passenger vehicles. The Committee encourages DOT 
to strongly consider applications for the creation of critical 
commerce corridors when awarding grants to individual states.
    Freight transportation projects.--Major freight corridors 
improve our economic efficiency, advance exports and imports, 
increase the efficiency of national and international freight 
movement, promote economic growth on a regional and national 
basis, and increase employment. As an example, IH 35 in Texas, 
which carries more than ten percent of the freight traffic for 
the entire country remains a critical component of the Primary 
Highway Freight System on the National Highway Freight Network. 
The Committee believes that funding for transportation projects 
that impact the National Highway Freight Network should be a 
high priority.
    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 our Nation's transportation 
infrastructure. There is a growing need to accelerate the 
adoption of best practices, technologies, and materials that 
lead to faster construction and cost-effective rehabilitation 
of efficient and safe bridges. The Committee encourages the 
Department to use these funds for the demonstration and 
deployment of advanced composite materials in bridge 
replacement and rehabilitation.
    JobMod software.--The Committee directs the Secretary 
within 180 days of enactment of this Act to revise and update 
the JobMod input-output economic software model, or equivalent, 
to ensure that it is capable of estimating the number of jobs 
supported by $1,000,000,000 of federal-aid highway expenditure 
as well as the number of on-project jobs created by highway 
project investments eligible under Title 23, United States 
Code.
    Noise barrier designs and materials.--The Committee 
recognizes that high speed traffic in municipal and suburban 
areas has created serious noise concerns for many residential 
and business communities and effective noise barrier designs 
are important to the health and welfare of the community. 
Innovative engineered products derived from natural materials 
with low embodied energy have been shown to be cost effective 
and aesthetically pleasing materials to use in the construction 
of noise barrier systems. Therefore the Committee directs the 
Secretary of Transportation to prioritize the use of innovative 
natural building materials and design techniques with low 
embodied energy in the construction of noise barrier systems in 
order to increase efficiency and reduce material cost.

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................   $44,005,100,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................    44,973,212,000
Recommended in the bill...............................    44,973,212,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      +968,112,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a liquidating cash appropriation 
of $44,973,212,000, which is $968,112,000 above the enacted 
level and the same as 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.

                              (RESCISSION)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................     -$857,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................      -800,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................       +57,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      -800,000,000
 

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a rescission of $800,000,000, 
which is $57,000,000 less than the 2017 enacted rescission and 
$800,000,000 larger than the budget request.

       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

    Section 120 distributes obligation authority among federal-
aid highway programs.
    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 the TIFIA program.
    Section 124 requires 60-day notification to the Committees 
on Appropriations of any grants as authorized under 23 U.S.C. 
117.
    Section 125 prohibits the termination of the Clearview font 
as an approved alternate font on highway guide signs.
    Section 126 modifies the application of a federal truck 
weight exemption to include the State of North Dakota.

              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.

              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               $277,200,000     ($277,200,000)
 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year               283,000,000      (283,000,000)
 2018.......................
Recommended in the bill.....              283,000,000      (283,000,000)
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal                  +5,800,000       (+5,800,000)
 year 2017..................
    Budget request, fiscal                      - - -            (- - -)
 year 2018..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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, safety education and outreach, and the safety and 
consumer telephone hotline.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $283,000,000 in liquidating cash 
for motor carrier safety operations and programs. The Committee 
also recommends limiting obligations from the highway trust 
fund to $283,000,000 for motor carrier safety operations and 
programs in fiscal year 2018. These levels are $5,800,000 above 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the same as the budget 
request.
    The Committee continues bill language specifying funding 
amounts for the research and technology program and adds 
language specifying funding amounts for information management, 
both to remain available until September 30, 2020.
    Bus lease and interchange rule.--On August 31, 2016, FMCSA 
announced its intent to issue a rulemaking to revise the final 
rule concerning the lease and interchange of passenger carrying 
motor vehicles, in response to numerous petitions for 
reconsideration. On June 16, 2017, FMCSA published another 
notice proposing to respond to the same petitions for 
reconsideration and seeking comment. However, the June 2017 
notice has led to confusion for the public because it is not 
titled a notice of proposed rulemaking, it does not include 
regulatory text on which to comment, and the content of the 
notice is inconsistent with the August 2016 notice. The 
Committee directs FMCSA to issue a formal notice of proposed 
rulemaking to modify the rule to resolve the issues as 
identified in its August 2016 notice, including proposed 
regulatory text, and to ensure the rule appropriately targets 
unsafe passenger carriers without unduly interfering in 
compliant business operations. If FMCSA is unable to effect a 
modification of the rule by January 1, 2019, the Committee 
expects FMCSA to grant an additional extension of the 
compliance date long enough to accommodate an appropriate 
modification of the rule.
    Wireless roadside inspection programs.--The Committee 
remains concerned about the FMCSA wireless roadside inspection 
program's impact on private sector innovation and motor carrier 
safety and operations. The Committee urges the Secretary to 
continue to monitor this program, as well as other commercially 
available systems and products, and to take steps to avoid any 
conflict with existing non-Federal electronic screening 
systems, duplication of commercially available software 
applications, overreach of existing authority, and failure to 
address privacy concerns.
    30-minute rest period exemptions.--The 30-minute rest 
period appropriately seeks to protect safety by ensuring that 
drivers are not driving more than eight hours without a thirty-
minute, non-driving rest period. FMCSA has granted a number of 
exemptions to these regulations without compromising safety in 
order to meet the needs of specific industries. Drivers that 
make multiple stops throughout the day and are working during 
those non-driving periods, including the loading and unloading 
of products to be delivered, are experiencing routine breaks 
from driving while performing on-duty activities. When 
evaluating exemption requests, the Committee encourages FMCSA 
to consider: (1) the safety benefits of making routine stops 
during the day, (2) the safety benefits of drivers remaining 
physically active during non-driving periods, and (3) the 
safety implications of adding additional vehicle miles operated 
to the road if exemptions are not granted.
    Safety management system data sharing.--The Committee 
believes that, as important safety partners, motor carrier 
insurers should have the same access to safety management 
system (SMS) data as the motor carriers they insure. The 
Committee therefore urges FMCSA to implement appropriate 
credentialing that will allow insurers or potential insurers of 
motor carriers access to SMS data. The Committee believes that 
doing so will advance highway safety. The Committee urges the 
Department to provide for such access within the time frame 
specified in Sections 5221-5223 of the FAST Act for 
implementing improvements to the Compliance, Safety, 
Accountability Program and SMS, and restoring public access to 
previously available information.
    Livestock and insect carriers.--FMCSA has been responsive 
to problems encountered by motor carriers attempting to comply 
with the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations while transporting 
live cargo. The requirement that drivers take a 30-minute break 
no later than eight hours after coming on duty is problematic 
for livestock which can become overheated and may sometimes die 
without the air flow provided by the motion of the truck. A 30-
minute break also extends the time animals must spend on the 
vehicle which is unavoidably stressful. When approached for 
relief, FMCSA issued a 90-day waiver of the break requirement 
to get agricultural carriers through the heat of the summer 
months. The Agency followed up with a 1-year exemption, and 
because no adverse effects on highway safety were observed, it 
subsequently extended the exemption for an additional 2 years. 
Transporters of bee hives reported similar problems with the 
30-minute break and FMCSA granted those carriers a 2-year 
exemption from the break requirement as well. Recognizing the 
significance of the problem identified by livestock and bee 
transporters (and other segments of the motor carrier 
industry), Congress enacted Sec. 5206(b)(1) of the Fixing 
America's Surface Transportation Act to make these existing HOS 
exemptions permanent.
    Livestock transporters have also drawn attention to the 
FMCSA rule that limits driving time to 11 hours within a 14-
hour window after the driver comes on duty. Although drivers 
transporting ``agricultural commodities,'' including livestock, 
are exempt from the HOS regulations while operating within 150 
air-miles of the source of such commodities, livestock haulers 
sometimes make deliveries well beyond the exempt zone. On these 
trips, they may exceed the 11- and 14-hour limits, even though 
their HOS ``clock'' does not start until they go beyond the 150 
air-mile radius. The Committee directs FMCSA to balance the 
welfare of livestock and the risks of driver fatigue on trips 
beyond the exempt zone and to pay close attention to the 
special circumstances of agricultural transporters. FMCSA shall 
continue using its regulatory tools to grant relief that 
appropriately reconciles highway safety with the unique needs 
of these carriers and their living cargo.
    Regulatory compliance burdens on small carriers.--Small and 
independent commercial freight carriers are the backbone of the 
trucking industry and several rulemakings advanced under the 
previous administration have placed an unusually heavy burden 
on this critical segment of the trucking industry. While the 
Committee acknowledges the importance of ensuring the safety of 
truckers and the rest of the driving public, new regulations 
must be implemented and enforced in a way that is mindful of 
the thousands of small businesses that bear the cost of 
compliance. For example, the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) 
mandate is projected to cost over $2,000,000,000 to implement 
making it one of the most expensive of all transportation 
rulemakings advanced under the previous administration. While 
large carriers already deploy similar technologies for fleet 
management, smaller carriers will disproportionately bear new 
costs associated with the mandate and with no compensating 
benefit to their bottom line.
    The Committee is concerned by reports of serious 
complications associated with implementation. Many significant 
technological concerns remain unresolved, including 
certification of devices, connectivity problems in remote 
locations, cyber vulnerabilities, and the ability of law 
enforcement to access data. Further, there are several 
industries such as carriers of livestock, insects, and other 
agricultural products that operate under a complex array of HOS 
exemptions due to the nature of their business and concerns 
remain as to whether the technology can process these 
exemptions. As a consequence, many carriers have delayed 
purchase and installation of ELDs until they can be certain the 
technology will be compliant. The Committee directs FMCSA to 
review ELD manufacturers technology platforms to confirm that 
devices not only meet standards and specifications necessary 
for all affected industries and fleet sizes to be compliant but 
also provide a user interface that is reasonably easy to 
navigate.
    In light of the heavy burden of this mandate, especially on 
small carriers, the Committee directs the Department to analyze 
whether a full or targeted delay in ELD implementation and 
enforcement would be appropriate and, if so, what options DOT 
has within its statutory authority to provide temporary 
regulatory relief until all ELD implementation challenges can 
be resolved. FMCSA shall provide a report on its findings to 
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 60 
days of enactment of this Act.

                      MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Liquidation of Contract    Limitation on
                                    Authorization         Obligations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year               $367,000,000     ($367,000,000)
 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year               374,800,000      (374,800,000)
 2018.......................
Recommended in the bill.....              374,800,000      (474,800,000)
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal                  +7,800,000     (+107,800,000)
 year 2017..................
    Budget request, fiscal                      - - -     (+100,000,000)
 year 2018..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 improvement of state commercial driver's 
license oversight activities.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $374,800,000 in liquidating cash 
and a $474,800,000 limitation on obligations for these 
programs, in fiscal year 2018. The obligation limitation is 
$107,800,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$100,000,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee recommends the following obligation 
limitations for programs funded under this account:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motor carrier safety assistance program..............     ($298,900,000)
High priority activities program.....................       (43,100,000)
Commercial motor vehicle operator grants program.....        (1,000,000)
Commercial driver's license program implementation          (31,800,000)
 program.............................................
Highly automated commercial vehicle research and           (100,000,000)
 development program.................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Highly automated commercial vehicle research and 
development program.--The Committee recognizes the rapid pace 
at which vehicle technology is developing, and is interested in 
validating the safety of these new technologies. As automated 
safety features continue to advance, it is imperative that DOT 
has a clear understanding of new technologies and related 
cybersecurity issues. Understanding how technology advances are 
evolving and converging will ensure that businesses, consumers, 
regulators, and other stakeholders are best able to navigate 
and implement new vehicle capabilities. To forward this 
understanding, the Committee recommendation provides 
$100,000,000 for a highly automated commercial vehicle research 
and development program dedicated to research and 
demonstrations of highly autonomous vehicle (HAV) technologies 
and advanced driver automation systems (ADAS). ADAS 
applications include forward collision warning, pedestrian/
cyclist collision warning, headway monitoring warning, lane 
departure warning, intelligent high beam control, and speed 
limit indicator systems.
    No less than $11,000,000 shall be for direct expenditures 
on HAV research activities and related contracts and no less 
than $1,500,000 shall be for ADAS research activities and 
related contracts. All funded activities shall be administered 
in coordination with the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA) and shall supplement and not supplant 
NHTSA's vehicle safety research program including amounts 
provided for vehicle electronics and emerging technology under 
the NHTSA Operations and Research heading. The Committee 
expects the Secretary to coordinate research funding across the 
Department to deliver a holistic HAV/ADAS research plan that 
advances DOT's understanding of HAV and ADAS technologies in 
general and that benefits both commercial motor vehicle and 
light duty vehicle technology applications. In general, the 
Committee expects the Secretary to prioritize research 
initiatives that have the strongest potential to advance the 
safe deployment of HAV and ADAS technology and deliver the 
highest net benefits to road safety.
    In addition to direct research and development activities, 
the Secretary shall solicit applications for autonomous vehicle 
project grants to test the feasibility of deployment through 
geographically contained demonstrations including but not 
limited to demonstrations of commercial freight corridors, 
commercial bus service, and ridesharing programs. In reviewing 
applications, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants 
that (1) evaluate HAV or ADAS technologies related to 
commercial motor vehicle and ridesharing applications, (2) 
include or are coordinated with research underway at designated 
automated vehicle proving grounds, (3) provide for the 
gathering and sharing of critical safety data with the 
government and other key stakeholders, or (4) evaluate HAV or 
ADAS applications that benefit transportation-challenged 
populations including the elderly, individuals with 
disabilities, and children.

 ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

    Section 130 subjects the funds appropriated in this Act to 
certain terms and conditions regarding Mexican-domiciled motor 
carriers.
    Section 131 requires FMCSA to send notice of 49 CFR section 
385.308 violations by certified mail, registered mail, or some 
other manner of delivery that records receipt of the notice by 
the persons responsible for the violations.
    Section 132 prohibits funds from being used to enforce the 
requirements of section 31137 of title 49, or any regulation 
pursuant to such section, with respect to carriers transporting 
livestock or insects.
    Section 133 prohibits funds from being used to amend, 
revise, or otherwise modify safety fitness determination 
regulations until certain conditions are met.
    Section 134 clarifies the preemption of certain state and 
local laws and regulations by federal laws and regulations 
related to motor carriers, and makes such preemption 
retroactive to the date of enactment of the Federal Aviation 
Administration Authorization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-305).

             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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $926,704,000, which is $15,357,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $27,565,000 above 
the budget request.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
                                                                  2017 enacted    2018 request    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and research (general fund and highway trust fund)..    $325,975,000    $301,510,000     $329,075,000
Highway traffic safety grants (highway trust fund).............     585,372,000     597,629,000      597,629,000
    Total......................................................     911,347,000     899,139,000      926,704,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 (Highway trust
                                                                (General fund)       fund)            Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017..............................     $180,075,000     $145,900,000     $325,975,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.............................      152,510,000      149,000,000      301,510,000
Recommended in the bill......................................      180,075,000      149,000,000      329,075,000
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017..........................            - - -       +3,100,000       +3,100,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018.........................      +27,565,000            - - -      +27,565,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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, development of improved accident 
investigation procedures, and emerging technology and 
cybersecurity research including automated vehicles.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $329,075,000, which is $3,100,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $27,565,000 above 
the budget request. Of this total, $180,075,000 is from the 
general fund for operations and vehicle safety research, and 
$149,000,000 is from the highway trust fund for operations and 
behavioral highway safety research. The recommendation includes 
amounts adequate to support prior year increases for safety 
defects investigation and vehicle electronics and emerging 
technologies.
    Automated vehicles.--The auto industry is in the midst of a 
seismic technological shift that will revolutionize the 
transportation of people and goods in our lifetime. Connected 
and self-driving cars have the potential to dramatically reduce 
the more than 40,000 lives lost on our roads and highways every 
year and fundamentally transform transportation networks. In 
addition to reducing roadway fatalities, automated vehicle (AV) 
technology will drastically improve mobility options for the 
elderly, persons with disabilities, and other individuals who 
cannot obtain a drivers' license. The Committee also believes 
that it is critical the United States lead in the development 
and use of this life-saving technology, which is also being 
pursued by many countries around the world. The Committee 
recognizes the rapid pace at which AV technology is developing, 
and is interested in validating the safety of the new 
technology that would operate on our nation's roads.
    The Committee is aware of the Department of 
Transportation's January 19, 2017 designation of ten AV proving 
ground pilot sites. The intent was to form an initial network 
of proving grounds focused on the advancement of AV technology. 
The Committee encourages DOT to support the development of 
these ten proving grounds and to promote the creation and 
sharing of best practices for the safe conduct of testing and 
operations, which will accelerate the pace of safe AV 
deployment. Several, highly-qualified sites were not included 
in the initial designation. Without a comprehensive network of 
experienced proving sites, the goal of establishing a community 
of practice to develop and share information around safe 
testing, demonstration, and deployment of AV technology may 
take much longer. Therefore, the Committee directs the 
Secretary to evaluate whether DOT should designate additional 
proving grounds among those that responded to and met the 
criteria listed in the Department's December 19, 2016 
solicitation of proposals for designation and report to the 
Committee within 60 days after enactment of this Act on its 
findings.
    The Committee continues to be concerned that the Department 
not create regulatory burdens to the safe development of AV 
technology and directs the Department to implement a 
streamlined application process for 49 CFR Part 555 exemption 
requests and grant or deny a request for exemption within 60 
days. Furthermore, the Committee is encouraged by the 
Department's commitment to respond to interpretation requests 
of existing federal motor vehicle safety standards within an 
expedited timeline and encourages the Department to provide 
these responses within 30 days of submittal.
    While there is great promise with the development of 
advanced driver automation systems (ADAS) technologies, 
including fully automated vehicles, there are many potentially 
unexpected consequences in driver cognition and the ultimate 
safety and success of the automation systems. The Committee is 
concerned that insufficient research has been conducted around 
the impact ADAS technologies will have on driver cognition, 
specifically driver fatigue and situational awareness. The 
Committee directs NHTSA to work collaboratively with industry 
and academia to conduct research on the relationship between 
driver automation technologies and cognitive response. Since 
several automation systems with near-term deployment 
opportunity are focused on commercial vehicles, the committee 
recommends this research focus initially on the trucking 
industry.
    The transition to self-driving vehicles will take place 
over many years during which these vehicles will interact, and 
sometimes collide with, vehicles driven by humans. Our legal 
system has a vast amount of experience apportioning liability 
after auto accidents but that task could be made more difficult 
should access to data from AVs involved in accidents be 
limited. Automakers in both the United States and Europe have 
already taken some preliminary steps that evidence a desire to 
limit vehicle data access to third parties such as insurers. 
Vehicle data from highly automated vehicles must be made 
available to the parties involved, their insurers, and 
authorized representatives on reasonable terms. Failure to make 
that access available could delay compensation to accident 
victims and increase automobile insurance costs. The Committee 
urges the Department of Transportation to consider establishing 
guidelines that allow reasonable access to data for the parties 
that need such access.
    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 recommends that up to $6,500,000 be used to support 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.
    Crashworthiness research.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance that lightweight plastics and polymer composites 
play in meeting consumer demand for innovative vehicles, 
increased fuel efficiency, and improved automotive structural 
safety. At the same time, the Committee recognizes there has 
been an increase in vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities 
that could be mitigated in part by the safety capabilities of 
these lightweight materials. NHTSA is encouraged to prioritize 
research of updates to countermeasures in its frontal, side, 
rollover, front seatbacks and lower interior impacts for 
children and small adults, as well as pedestrian 
crashworthiness research, with an emphasis on vehicle light-
weighting. NHTSA should leverage existing research being done 
by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, 
and industry stakeholders in its development of safety-centered 
approaches for future lightweight automotive design.
    Truck underride safety research.--The Committee notes that 
NHTSA's proposed rulemaking in December 2015 to update truck 
rear impact guard requirements cited 362 annual fatalities 
associated with light vehicle crashes into the rear of trucks. 
The Committee encourages NHTSA to move forward with this 
rulemaking and continue working with relevant experts and 
stakeholders, including researchers, engineers, safety 
advocates, and the trucking industry, to facilitate the 
deployment and adoption of rear and side underride protection 
devices.
    Child hyperthermia prevention.--In prior years, the 
Committee has recognized the severe child safety crisis 
involving children left alone in motor vehicles that die of 
hyperthermia. The Committee has favorably cited the awareness 
programs conducted by NHTSA. In the 19 years since records have 
been maintained, more than 700 children, mostly three years old 
or younger, have died in this tragic way. While progress was 
made in 2014 and 2015, there were 39 deaths in 2016, and 
several children have died in early 2017. The Committee 
therefore directs NHTSA to continue its public education and 
outreach efforts on child hyperthermia prevention through a 
public call to action encouraging public messaging and the 
involvement of a broad coalition of organizations, government 
agencies, medical professionals, and others who regularly 
interact with parents and the public. The campaign should focus 
on parents and caregivers who transport children and encourage 
bystanders to take action when they see children left alone in 
cars. We urge that the campaign commence earlier in the year 
compared to prior campaigns. In addition to public awareness, 
the Committee urges NHTSA to continue to pursue technological 
solutions in coordination with industry that can serve as a 
reminder to parents to remove children from the rear seat prior 
to leaving their vehicle.

                     HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Liquidation of
                                       Contract          Limitation on
                                     Authorization        obligation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.        $585,372,000      ($585,372,000)
Budget request, fiscal year 2018         597,629,000       (597,629,000)
Recommended in the bill.........         597,629,000               - - -
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year            12,257,000            ( - - -)
 2017...........................
    Budget request, fiscal year             ( - - -)            ( - - -)
 2018...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The highway traffic safety state grant programs authorized 
under the FAST Act include: Highway Safety Programs, the 
National Priority Safety Program, 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 $597,629,000 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 2018 for the highway traffic safety grants 
programs to $597,629,000. These levels are $12,257,000 above 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the same as the budget 
request. The recommendation includes $5,494,000 for the driver 
alcohol detection system for safety (DADSS) program, which 
funds in-vehicle alcohol detection device research.
    The Committee recommends the following funding allocations 
for grant programs:

 
 
 
Highway safety programs (section 402).................    ($261,200,000)
National priority safety programs (section 405).......     (280,200,000)
High visibility enforcement program...................      (29,900,000)
Administrative expenses...............................      (26,329,000)
 

    Drug recognition expert and advanced roadside impaired 
driving enforcement training.--The Committee is concerned about 
increasing rates of impaired driving, especially as additional 
states consider and adopt measures to decriminalize marijuana. 
The use of marijuana, other illicit drugs, and certain 
prescription drugs before or while driving is a critical public 
safety issue and the Committee has previously instructed the 
agency to conduct a study of marijuana-impaired driving to 
fulfill the requirement of the FAST Act. The Committee 
recognizes the importance of impaired driving countermeasures 
at the community level in protecting public safety, and 
encourages NHTSA to expand its efforts with law enforcement to 
increase awareness and use of Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and 
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) training 
particularly in those states that have adopted recreational or 
medicinal marijuana laws. The Committee urges NHTSA to expand 
its efforts to increase awareness and use among law enforcement 
of DRE and ARIDE training.
    Driver alcohol detection system for safety (DADSS).--The 
FAST Act includes a total of $21,248,000 through fiscal year 
2020 for the ongoing advanced drunk driving detection 
technology program known as DADSS. The DADSS program is an 
ambitious public-private research effort to develop a publicly-
acceptable and commercially-viable technology that will prevent 
a drunk driver (at or over .08 BAC) from operating a vehicle. 
Technology development progress to date was demonstrated at DOT 
headquarters in June 2015. The accompanying bill includes 
$5,494,000 for fiscal year 2018. In light of the significant 
life-saving potential of the program, approximately 7,000 lives 
annually, the Committee urges NHTSA to take steps to accelerate 
the program, including additional support from the auto 
industry partners in this activity.
    Safety promotional materials.--For the purpose of federal 
grants administered by NHTSA, safety equipment purchased for 
traffic safety educational trainings, such as child car seats, 
bicycle helmets and lights, and reflective vests, shall not be 
considered promotional materials or memorabilia.

      ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY 
                             ADMINISTRATION

    Section 140 provides limited funding for travel and related 
expenses associated with state management reviews and highway 
safety core competency development training.
    Section 141 exempts from the current fiscal year's 
obligation limitation any obligation authority that was made 
available in previous public laws.
    Section 142 prohibits funding for the national roadside 
survey.
    Section 143 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 2017.......................      $218,298,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       199,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       218,298,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +19,298,000
 

    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 $218,298,000 for safety and 
operations, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and $19,298,000 above the budget request. Of the amount 
provided under this heading, $15,900,000 is available until 
expended. The recommended level fully funds personnel, and does 
not provide additional positions in fiscal year 2018.
    Railroad safety information system (RSIS).--The 
recommendation includes a total of $4,800,000 for RSIS, an 
increase of $500,000 from the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $1,100,000 from the request. This funding level will 
increase the capabilities of FRA's principal repository of 
safety data, and will allow FRA to enforce safety regulations 
that have data collection and management requirements. The 
Committee directs FRA to develop a user-friendly front-end 
interface to access its data systems.
    Automated track inspection program (ATIP).--The Committee's 
recommendation includes $16,500,000 for ATIP, an increase of 
$960,000 from the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, and 
$7,023,000 from the request. ATIP uses track geometry 
measurement vehicles to automatically measure track conditions. 
These vehicles supplement the work of FRA's inspectors to 
ensure railroads are compliant with the FRA Track Safety 
Standards. The funding will allow inspection of additional 
miles of track.
    Safe transportation of energy products.--The Committee 
includes funding for FRA's safe transport of energy products 
programs. The program includes funding for crude oil safety 
inspectors, safety route managers and tank car quality 
assurance specialists, tank car research and increased mileage 
of ATIP on routes that carry energy produces.
    Positive train control (PTC).--The Committee provides 
$6,600,000 for the PTC support program, equal to the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level, and $3,600,000 above the request. This 
funding level reflects that FRA needs to review 30 additional 
PTC plans.
    Confidential close call (C3RS).--C3RS provides insights 
about precursor behavior that may lead to human-factor-caused 
accidents, which account for about one-third of rail accidents. 
The recommendation includes $3,500,000, $600,000 above the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the request. The increase 
will allow FRA to increase the number of reports it analyzes to 
identify trends. Currently, eight railroads and 17 Peer Review 
Teams are participating, and several additional railroads are 
considering participation in the C3RS program. The Committee 
directs FRA to explore ways to increase participation with 
railroad employees, whether or not the company has signed an 
IMOU. Increased participation will make it more difficult to 
determine which railroad was subject to a report. This 
confidentiality concern has prevented NASA from making the C3RS 
data accessible to FRA and the public, preventing further 
analysis and use in enforcement and outreach initiatives. 
Further, the Committee directs FRA to explore a model that 
would allow the public sector to pay into the program, and 
provide an update on these initiatives 120 days after enactment 
of this Act.
    Trespasser Prevention.--Trespasser fatalities (not 
including suicides) represent nearly half of all rail operation 
related fatalities in the U.S., and the numbers are increasing. 
Since 2011 trespasser fatalities have increased by 23 percent 
and trespasser injuries have increased by 33 percent. 
Trespasser accidents take a high toll on the individuals who 
are killed or injured, their families, and communities, as well 
as on the railroad employees who witness these tragic events 
first hand. Some engineers and conductors involved in 
trespasser accidents are so affected by these tragedies that 
they are unable to continue their railroad careers. Therefore, 
the Committee directs FRA to identify and study the causal 
factors that lead to trespassing incidents on railroad property 
and develop a national strategy to prevent trespasser 
accidents, including milestones, timelines, and metrics to 
define success. The Committee directs FRA to submit the 
trespassing prevention strategy to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriation no later than August 1, 2018. The 
Committee expects FRA to implement the national strategy to 
prevent trespasser accidents within the recommended timelines.
    Bridge support program.--FRA developed a bridge inventory 
database and a bridge management plan review risk model. The 
Committee provides $600,000, an increase of $400,000 above the 
request, to further modify the risk model and update the bridge 
inventory.
    The Committee looks forward to receiving studies on 
standards and protocols to facilitate a passenger and freight 
rail line at international land crossings between the United 
States and Mexico; and efforts to harmonize regulations and 
address congestion at international rail crossings per the 
recommendations made in the recent GAO report.

                   RAILROAD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $40,100,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        39,100,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        40,100,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +1,000,000
 

    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 $40,100,000 
for railroad research and development, which is equal to the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $1,000,000 more than the 
budget request.
    Safe transportation of energy products (STEP).--The 
Committee provides $2,000,000 for FRA to research and mitigate 
risks associated with frequent and large volume rail transport 
of crude oil.
    Short-line safety.--The Committee's recommendation 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.
    Intelligent railroad systems.--The Committee's 
recommendation includes $1,000,000 to facilitate research with 
universities on intelligent railroad systems.
    System safety and risk reduction programs.--The Committee 
recognizes that continued investments in critical rail 
infrastructure programs will make our rails, railcars, and 
trains safer for all who use them. Therefore, the Committee 
urges FRA to prioritize investments in the development of 
technologies designed to verify the functional performance of 
complex electronic systems such as: positive train control, 
electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, automated train 
control, passenger door control, train communications, train 
environmental control, and railcar signs. In addition, the FRA 
should work with industry to develop standardized performance 
verification and diagnostics for such systems.

       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 this program.
    The Committee continues 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 2018, except for Federal funds 
awarded in accordance with section 3028(c) of Public Law 114-
94. The Committee directs GAO to report on the efficacy of and 
implications to the RRIF program and communities of allowing 
Federal funds to serve as the credit risk premium for RRIF 
loans, and what type of Federal funds would likely be used for 
this purpose.

           FEDERAL-STATE PARTNERSHIP FOR STATE OF GOOD REPAIR

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $25,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        25,945,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       500,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      +475,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +474,055,000
 

    The FAST Act authorized the federal-state partnership for 
state of good repair under section 11302. The purpose of these 
grants is to reduce the state of good repair backlog on 
publically-owned or Amtrak-owned infrastructure, equipment, and 
facilities. Eligible activities include capital projects to (1) 
replace existing assets in-kind or with assets that increase 
capacity or service levels, (2) ensure that service can be 
maintained while existing assets are brought into a state of 
good repair, (3) bring existing assets into a state of good 
repair.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $500,000,000 for the federal-state 
partnership for state of good repair grants, $475,000,000 more 
than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $474,055,000 more 
than the budget request.
    According to the NEC Commission's most recent capital 
investment plan, the Northeast Corridor has a $38,000,000,000 
state of good repair backlog covering the various assets of the 
NEC which must be replaced and modernized simply to sustain 
current rail services. This backlog must be addressed as soon 
as possible, and it is critical that the FRA help advance 
projects that are ready to utilize federal investment. 
Therefore, the Committee directs FRA to first give preference 
to eligible projects that have complete environmental impact 
statements and final design or that address major critical 
assets which have conditions that pose a substantial risk now 
or in the future to the reliability of train service before 
considering other factors.

        CONSOLIDATED RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $68,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        25,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        25,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................       -43,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    Authorized under Section 11301 of the FAST Act, the purpose 
of the consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvement 
(CRISI) grants is to improve the safety, efficiency, and 
reliability of passenger and freight rail systems. Eligible 
activities include a wide range of capital, regional and 
corridor planning, environmental analyses, research, workforce 
development, and training projects.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $25,000,000 for CRISI grants, 
$43,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
equal to the budget request. The Committee recognizes that 
communities with high-volume international inland ports on the 
U.S.-Mexico border face unique transportation challenges caused 
by international trade. The Committee encourages the agency to 
consider the impacts of these freight movements, including 
traffic, highway-rail grade crossings, congestion and safety 
when awarding grants.
    The Committee is encouraged by the efforts of commuter 
railroads to develop and implement PTC. While the technological 
and financial hurdles can be formidable, PTC is a lifesaving 
technology that enjoys broad support across the nation. The 
Committee encourages the Department to make certification a 
priority and to provide the necessary technical assistance to 
commuter railroads as they move toward full implementation.

     GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION (AMTRAK)

    Amtrak, created as a for-profit business in 1970, operates 
trains on over 20,000 miles of track owned by freight railroad 
carries, and over 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 to 110 miles per hour.
    The FAST Act authorizes funds for Amtrak through 2020 under 
a new structure that includes two lines of businesses, the 
Northeast Corridor (NEC) that runs from Boston to Washington, 
D.C.; and the National Network, which encompasses Amtrak's 
state-supported and long-distance routes, as well as other non-
NEC activities. The account structure, when combined with new 
planning and reporting requirements on Amtrak's business lines 
and asset categories, significantly improves the transparency 
of Amtrak funding and the delivery of its services. The 
Committee recommends $1,428,000,000 for Amtrak, $67,000,000 
below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $668,000,000 above 
the request. The Committee provides funding consistent with the 
authorized structure.
    Congressional budget justification.--The Committee 
appreciates the level of detail in the fiscal year 2018 budget 
justification and directs Amtrak to submit justification with a 
similar level of detail for fiscal year 2019.

     NORTHEAST CORRIDOR GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER 
                              CORPORATION

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $328,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       235,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       328,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      + 93,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $328,000,000 for grants to the 
Northeast Corridor for operating and capital purposes, which is 
equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $93,000,000 
above the request. In addition to these funds, the Northeast 
Corridor retains its operating profits for use on the corridor. 
This funding level provides $5,000,000 to the Northeast 
Corridor Commission established under section 24905 of title 
49, United States Code. The Committee directs Amtrak to 
prioritize eligible projects that have complete environmental 
impact statements and final design or that address major 
critical assets which have conditions that pose a substantial 
risk now or in the future to the reliability of train service.

 NATIONAL NETWORK GRANTS TO THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................    $1,167,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       525,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     1,100,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................       -67,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................     + 575,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,100,000,000 for national 
network grants to Amtrak, which is $67,000,000 below the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and $575,000,000 above the request. 
These funds subsidize operating and capital losses on all of 
Amtrak's existing long-distance routes, state-supported routes, 
as well as other non-NEC activities. The FAST Act allows Amtrak 
to transfer operating profits from the Northeast Corridor to 
this appropriation under certain conditions.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Section 150. 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 2017 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 2017 and 
the prior three calendar years.
    Section 151. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting 
funds from being used for high speed rail in California.
    Section 152. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting 
the Surface Transportation Board from taking action with 
respect to the construction of high speed rail in California 
unless the Board has jurisdiction over the entire project.

                     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 Fixing 
America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (P.L. 114--94) 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 FTA's administrative 
expenses, some research programs, and capital investment 
grants.

                        ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $113,165,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       110,794,692
Recommended in the bill...............................       110,794,692
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -2,370,308
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a total of $110,794,692 for FTA's 
administrative expenses, equal to the budget request and 
$2,370,308 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The 
Committee's recommendation provides these funds from the 
General Fund, as usual.
    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 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 2019.
    Budget justifications.--The Committee strongly encourages 
FTA to maintain the format and content in the fiscal year 2019 
documents.
    Transit security.--The Committee continues bill language 
prohibiting FTA from creating a permanent office of transit 
security.
    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, 2018.
    Full funding grant agreements (FFGAs).--Title 49 requires 
that 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 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 2022; (4) a 
detailed analysis of annual commitments for current and 
anticipated FFGAs against the program authorization, by 
individual project; (5) 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; (6) the source and security of all public- and 
private-sector financial instruments; (7) the project's 
operating plan, which enumerates the project's future revenue 
and ridership forecasts; and (8) 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.
    Public transit programs provide a significant benefit to 
individuals who otherwise have no means of 
transportation.Whether it is to get to work, school, or a 
doctor's appointment, public transit provides an important 
service, especially in rural areas where other private transit 
services are not available. The Committee directs FTA to review 
the advantages and disadvantages of adding public transit as a 
qualifying use for Public Benefit Conveyance, and submit a 
report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
within 180 days of enactment of this Act.

                         TRANSIT FORMULA GRANTS

                (LIQUIDATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORIZATION)

                      (LIMITATION ON OBLIGATIONS)

                          (HIGHWAY TRUST FUND)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Liquidation of contract       Limitation on
                                                                       authority               obligations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...............................          $10,800,000,000           $9,733,706,043
Budget request, fiscal year 2018..............................           10,300,000,000            9,733,353,407
Recommended in the bill.......................................           10,300,000,000            9,733,353,407
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...........................             -500,000,000                 -352,636
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..........................                    - - -                    - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAST Act provides 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 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 facilities 
grants, bus testing facilities, planning programs, transit 
oriented development, a pilot program for enhanced mobility, 
public transportation innovation, technical assistance and 
workforce development, 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 
$9,733,353,407 for the formula programs and activities, the 
same as the budget request and the program authorization. The 
Committee's recommendation also includes $10,300,000,000 in 
liquidating funds, which is $500,000,000 less than the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level, and equal to the budget request.
    The Committee strongly encourages the Federal Transit 
Administration to follow the guidance set forth in the FAST Act 
when developing scoring criteria for the competitive Bus and 
Bus Facilities Program. Per the legislation, the age and 
mileage of fleet should be the primary consideration for 
scoring applications.

                   TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $5,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................         5,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +5,000,000
 

    The FAST Act authorizes FTA to provide technical assistance 
under section 5314 of title 49 for human resource and training 
activities, and workforce development programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for technical 
assistance and training authorized under section 5314(b)(2), 
which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 level and $5,000,000 
above the request. In addition to the directly appropriated 
funds, another $9,000,000 is provided through the obligation 
limitation under the header ``Transit formula grants.''
    Of the amount provided for Technical Assistance and 
Workforce Development for fiscal year 2018, the Committee 
directs FTA to ensure that no less than $5,000,000 from the 
general fund will be available for technical assistance and 
training to increase mobility for people with disabilities and 
older adults.

                       CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................    $2,412,631,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................     1,232,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     1,752,989,851
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      -659,641,149
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +520,989,851
 

    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 $1,752,989,851 for capital 
investment grants which is $659,641,149 below the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level and $520,989,851 above the budget request.
    The Committee supports the President's commitment to invest 
in infrastructure, and therefore maintains its position to 
recognize the need for a robust Capital Investment Grant 
Program. The Committee directs FTA to continue to advance 
eligible projects into Project Development, Engineering, and 
Construction through the Capital Investment Grant evaluation, 
rating, and approval process.
    Specifically, the Committee directs the Secretary to allow 
a project to enter into project development when the applicant 
satisfies the requirements; to advance a project into project 
engineering when that project satisfies the requirements; to 
negotiate a construction grant with the project sponsor for 
every project that receives a medium rating or higher, submit 
the notification to Congress promptly after conclusion of the 
negotiation of the construction grant agreement, and execute 
the construction grant agreement within 45 days of providing 
such notification to Congress if the project continues to meet 
the requirements; to enter into a full funding grant agreement 
for any new fixed guideway capital project and core capacity 
improvement project that has met the requirements immediately 
after completion of the 30-day notice period for such projects; 
and enter into a grant agreement for any small start project 
that has met the requirements immediately after completion of 
the 10-day notice period for such projects.
    The Committee directs FTA to continue to update this 
Committee on the status of projects that are in the current 
funding pipeline, and assist those project sponsors who seek to 
enter into and advance through the funding pipeline of the 
Capital Investment Grant process.
    The Committee directs FTA to issue policy guidance on the 
Program of Interrelated Projects regarding project eligibility, 
completing steps in the process, project evaluation, and 
rating.
    The fiscal year 2018 recommendation provides $1,007,929,851 
for all current and on-going new starts full funding grant 
agreements (FFGA), consistent with the agreed-upon payout 
schedules for each project that is listed in the President's 
budget request, $145,700,000 for the core capacity program, of 
which, $100,000,000 is for the project listed in the 
President's budget request, and $45,700,000 is available for 
projects anticipating an FFGA in fiscal year 2018, $182,000,000 
for small start projects, and $400,000,000 for new projects 
that meet the criteria of section 5309(q) of title 49.
    Finally, the Committee's recommendation includes 
$17,360,000 (about one percent) for oversight activities 
related to the investments of this account.

      GRANTS TO THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $150,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       149,714,850
Recommended in the bill...............................       150,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................          +285,150
 

    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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation includes $150,000,000 for 
safety capital grants for WMATA, which is $285,150 greater than 
the budget request and equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level.
    The Committee directs WMATA to continue addressing the 
safety issues within the agency, specifically, those 
identified, and in many cases mandated by the NTSB and FTA. 
WMATA is further directed to continue implementing any and all 
corrective actions to address financial, contracting, and 
accounting concerns raised by FTA's financial management 
oversight audit.
    Finally, should the WMATA board endorse any effort to defer 
maintenance, or move funds from maintenance and safety to 
operating expenses 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, 2022, 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 
prohibiting funds in this Act from being used to advance a 
specific line in Harris County, Texas without benefit of a 
local election.
    Section 164. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting 
funds to enter into an FFGA with a Federal share greater than 
fifty percent.

             Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation


                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

                    (HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $36,028,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        28,346,012
Recommended in the bill...............................        31,346,012
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -4,681,988
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +3,000,000
 

    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 
$31,346,012 to fund the operations, maintenance, and capital 
asset renewal needs of the SLSDC. This funding level is 
$4,681,988 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$3,000,000 the budget request. Of the amount provided, the 
Committee directs $12,500,000 be used for the asset renewal 
program. 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.

                        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 2017.......................      $300,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       210,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       300,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +90,000,000
 

    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 $300,000,000 for the maritime 
security program, consistent with the authorized funding level, 
which is equal to the amount provided in fiscal year 2017 and 
$90,000,000 above the request. Funds are available until 
expended.

                        OPERATIONS AND TRAINING

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $175,560,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       171,820,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       175,620,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................           +60,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +3,800,000
 

    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 $175,620,000 for MARAD operations 
and training expenses, $60,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $3,800,000 above the budget request.
    MARAD operations.--Of the funds provided, a total of 
$56,020,000 is for headquarters and regional office operations, 
of which $3,000,000 is for maritime environment and compliance 
program expenses. The recommendation does not provide funding 
for the Marine Highways Program.
    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 2019 budget 
submission. The Committee's recommendation assumes no new FTE 
in the new fiscal year.
    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's funding 
recommendation includes a total of $84,400,000 in fiscal year 
2018 for the USMMA, of which up to $66,400,000 is for Academy 
operations and not less than $18,000,000 is for capital 
improvements. The Committee's recommendation includes funding 
for an attorney dedicated to providing victims of sexual 
assault and harassment legal advice, consistent with other 
Federal service academies, $679,000 as requested for seawall 
repairs, funding for the architecture and engineering work 
associated with Patten Hall, and upgrades for Fitch Hall. In 
addition, $2,000,000 is available for gate access control.
    State maritime academies.--The Committee recommends 
$35,200,000 for the state maritime academies. Of the funds 
provided, $3,000,000 is for direct payments, $2,400,000 is for 
student payments, and $1,800,000 is for fuel assistance.
    Schoolships.--The Committee's recommendation for the state 
maritime academies includes $22,000,000 for the repair and 
maintenance of existing schoolships. Further, another 
$6,000,000 is recommended for the construction of a common 
schoolship for maritime academies under MARAD.
    Sexual assault reporting.--The Committee requests an 
updated report within 120 days of enactment of this Act that: 
(1) details the USMMA's current system for reporting and 
investigating allegations of sexual harassment and assault at 
the Academy and during Sea Year; (2) details the sexual assault 
and sexual harassment prevention training programs for students 
at the Academy and at sea; (3) details the industry 
implementation of sexual assault and sexual harassment 
prevention and response best practices in the commercial Sea 
Year program; (4) details the number of settlements stemming 
from incidence of sexual assault and sexual harassment 
occurring during the commercial Sea Year program over the last 
five years, regardless of whether or not USMMA is a party to 
such settlements, and any actions USMMA takes in response to 
such settlements; and (5) compares student sentiment in Sea 
Year sailings under the revised Sea Year program with a similar 
cohort under the old program guidelines.

                     ASSISTANCE TO SMALL SHIPYARDS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $10,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................         3,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -7,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +3,000,000
 

    As authorized under section 54101 of title 46, the 
Assistance to Small Shipyards program provides assistance in 
the form of grants, loans, and loan guarantees to small 
shipyards for capital improvements and training programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for Assistance to Small 
Shipyards, $7,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $3,000,000 above the budget request.

                             SHIP DISPOSAL

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $34,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         9,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         9,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................       -25,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $9,000,000 for ship disposal 
activities, $25,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and equal to the budget request. The recommendation 
includes $6,000,000 to dispose of four non-retention NDRF 
vessels and $3,000,000 to maintain the NS SAVANNAH in 
protective storage in accordance with the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission's license requirements. Funds are available until 
expended.
    The Committee notes that the fiscal year 2017 Appropriation 
Act provided MARAD with funding to dispose of the final two 
non-retention vessels held in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet and 
covered by the April 2010 California court consent decree.
    Finally, the Committee again encourages MARAD to explore 
the possibility of making costs associated with maintenance and 
disposal of the NS SAVANNAH an eligible activity at the 
National Maritime Heritage Grant program in the 2019 request.

              MARITIME GUARANTEED LOAN (TITLE XI) PROGRAM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $3,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................         3,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +3,000,000
 

    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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for the maritime 
guaranteed loan (Title XI) Program, which is equal to the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $3,000,000 above the budget 
request. The recommendation includes bill language that 
transfers Title XI administrative expenses to the National 
Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau to 
administer the program.

           ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

    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.
    Section 172. The Committee includes a provision modifying 
penalty wages regarding foreign and intercostal voyages and 
coast-wise voyages.

         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 2017.......................       $22,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        20,960,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        20,500,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -2,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................          -460,000
 

    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 $20,500,000 for PHMSA operational 
expenses. This is $2,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level, and $460,000 below the budget request.

                       HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $57,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        55,513,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        57,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +1,487,000
 

    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 $57,000,000, which is the same as 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $1,487,000 above the 
budget request. This funding level supports the agency's 
existing hazardous materials safety program, including prior 
year increases provided to support the safe transport of energy 
products. Funding is provided to continue research on hazardous 
petroleum products, including work with the Department of 
Energy on test methods for crude oil, carrying out combustion 
experiments, and modeling to develop hazard profiles of 
different crude oils. The Committee recommends $7,570,000 of 
the total to remain available for three years for long-term 
research and development contracts.
    Inland ports of entry.--The Committee directs PHMSA to work 
with local governments at international inland ports of entry 
with a high volume of hazardous material border crossings to 
reduce the risk associated with crossing and storing hazardous 
material and to enhance the capacity of local officials in 
dealing with threats of hazardous material incident.

                            PIPELINE SAFETY

                         (PIPELINE SAFETY FUND)

                    (OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  (Underground
                                                                  (Oil spill      natural gas
                                                 (Pipeline     liability trust      storage           Total
                                                Safety Fund)        fund)       facility safety
                                                                                     fund)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.............     $128,000,000      $20,288,000       $8,000,000     $156,288,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018............      124,263,000       22,081,000       $8,000,000      154,344,000
Recommended in the bill.....................      131,000,000       23,000,000       $8,000,000      162,000,000
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.........       +3,000,000       +2,712,000            - - -       +5,712,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018........       +6,737,000         +919,000            - - -       +7,656,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 $162,000,000 to continue pipeline 
safety operations, research and development, and state grants-
in-aid, which is $5,712,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and $7,656,000 above the budget request. Of the total, 
$23,000,000 is from the oil spill liability trust fund, and 
$131,000,000 is from the pipeline safety fund.
    The Committee recommendation provides $13,000,000 for 
research and development, $53,000,000 for state pipeline safety 
grants, $1,058,000 for state one-call grants, and $1,500,000 
for state damage prevention grants. PHMSA shall deliver a 
report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
within 120 days of enactment of this Act that details staffing 
and hiring plans for fiscal year 2018 as well as actual 
turnover and hiring in fiscal year 2017.

                     EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS

                     (EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUND)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................     ($28,318,000)
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................      (28,318,000)
Recommended in the bill...............................      (28,318,000)
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          ( - - -)
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................          ( - - -)
 

    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 the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and the budget request.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $90,152,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        87,306,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        92,152,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        +2,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +4,846,000
 

    The Office of Inspector General 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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation provides $92,152,000 for the 
Office of Inspector General, which is $2,000,000 greater than 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $4,846,000 greater than 
the budget request. The Committee continues to highly value 
IG's 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 OIG 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 
that 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 provide progress 
updates on the status of the audit into the financial solvency 
of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas 
(Houston METRO).

            GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

    Section 180 provides authorization for DOT to maintain and 
operate aircraft, hire passenger motor vehicles and aircraft, 
purchase liability insurance, buy uniforms, or allowances 
therefor.
    Section 181 limits appropriations for services authorized 
by 5 U.S.C. 3109 to the rate permitted for an Executive Level 
IV.
    Section 182 prohibits recipients of funds in this Act from 
disseminating personal information obtained by state DMVs in 
connection to motor vehicle records with an exception.
    Section 183 stipulates that revenue collected by FHWA and 
FRA from States, counties, municipalities, other public 
authorities, and private sources for training be transferred 
into specific accounts within the agency with an exception.
    Section 184 prohibits DOT from using funds for grants of 
$500,000 or more from any mode at DOT, unless DOT gives a 3-day 
advance notice to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations. Also requires notice of any ``quick release'' 
of funds from FHWA's emergency relief program, and prohibits 
notifications from involving funds not available for 
obligation. Requires DOT to provide a comprehensive list of all 
loans, loan guarantees, lines of credit, and discretionary 
grants that will be announced with a 3-day advance notice to 
the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 185 allows funds received from rebates, refunds, 
and similar sources to be credited to appropriations of DOT.
    Section 186 allows amounts from improper payments to a 
third party contractor that are lawfully recovered by DOT to be 
made available to cover expenses incurred in recovery of such 
payments.
    Section 187 requires that reprogramming actions have to be 
approved or denied by the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations, and reprogramming notifications shall be 
transmitted solely to the Appropriations Committees.
    Section 188 allows 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 189 authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program 
that establishes uniform standards for developing and 
supporting agency transit pass and transit benefits, including 
distribution of transit benefits.
    Section 190 prohibits the use of funds to implement any 
geographic, economic, or other hiring preference not otherwise 
authorized by law, unless certain requirements are met related 
to availability of local labor, displacement of existing 
employees, and delays in transportation plans.

         TITLE II--DEPARTMENT 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.
    Budget presentation.--The Committee directs HUD to continue 
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 in order to facilitate 
year-over-year comparisons. 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.
    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.
    HUD management challenges.--Annually since 1991, the Office 
of Inspector General has reported on the lack of an integrated 
financial management system at HUD. The Department has been 
working to replace its core financial management system since 
fiscal year 2003, and has yet to deliver a successful 
replacement. Many of the financial challenges and risks are 
exacerbated by the Department's outdated information technology 
systems, and yet the Department has shown weaknesses in 
planning, managing, executing, and appropriately funding its 
projects, making it difficult to successfully update outdated 
systems. As the Inspector General noted in his most recent 
testimony before the Committee, as HUD addresses its future 
financial management objectives, it must ensure the project is 
properly planned and managed, its objectives are sequentially 
met during implementation, and additional funding is spent 
appropriately. The Committee expects regular updates on its 
efforts to correct these financial management deficiencies and 
improve information technology governance.

                           EXECUTIVE OFFICES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $14,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        14,708,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        14,708,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          +708,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    The Executive Offices account funds the salaries and 
expenses of the Office of the Secretary, the 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 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 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 $14,708,000, which is $708,000 
above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and equal to the 
budget request.
    The bill also provides that no more than $25,000 provided 
under the Office of the Secretary shall be available for 
official reception and representation expenses as the Secretary 
may determine.
    Notice of HUD assistance.--HUD provides many different 
types of financial assistance to accomplish the missions of 
housing and development. Grants, loans, mortgages, contracts, 
and cooperative agreements are provided in support of many 
different types of stakeholders, including individuals, public 
housing authorities, not-for-profit organizations, states and 
governors, mayors and cities, and landlords. As a consequence, 
there is no single HUD point of contact in a given community, 
or one single grant recipient, and it is difficult to 
comprehensively track all of HUD's investments, projects, and 
programs across a single community. The Committee directs the 
Secretary, either though the various program offices or through 
technical assistance initiatives, to notify local officials 
where HUD assistance is, or will be, used for new construction, 
hazard remediation, or substantial rehabilitation of 
multifamily units, public buildings, or other projects which 
involve the construction of or rehabilitation of properties 
other than single family homes.

                     ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OFFICES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $517,647,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       517,803,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       518,303,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          +656,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................          +500,000
 

    The Administrative Support Offices (ASO) 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, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and 
the Office of the Chief Operations Officer.
    The Committee commends HUD's recognition of the need to 
institutionalize and stabilize operations within the 
Department, and establishes the creation of the Office of the 
Chief Operations Officer (OCOO). The Chief Operations Officer 
was formerly part of Executive Offices, but is moved to ASO to 
oversee the day-to-day operations of the Department, focusing 
on oversight and transformation of HUD's human capital, 
procurement, administrative, and information technology 
processes. The OCOO oversees a team that includes the Chief 
Human Capital Officer (CHCO), the Chief Procurement Officer 
(CPO), the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Chief 
Administrative Officer (CAO), and the Director of the Office of 
Strategic Planning and Management (OSPM).
    The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) 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 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. Additionally, OGC conducts high-dollar value insured 
loan closings for multifamily housing, nursing homes, 
hospitals, and elderly and disabled housing programs.
    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, providing administrative services 
to all field offices, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 
processing, records management, overseeing HUD broadcasting, 
and coordinating responses to disasters and emergencies.
    The Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer provides 
human resource services to all offices and divisions throughout 
HUD, and assures accountability with the Office of Personnel 
Management, Office of Management and Budget, other Federal 
agencies, Congress, and the public. 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 (OCPO) provides 
acquisition support for the creating of strong, sustainable, 
inclusive communities and quality homes for all. OCPO is 
responsible for managing the agency acquisition workforce and 
conducting procurement activities.
    The Office of Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity 
(ODEEO) is responsible for ensuring the enforcement of Federal 
laws relating to the elimination of all forms of discrimination 
in the Department's employment practices and to ensure equal 
employment opportunity (EEO). The Office is comprised of two 
programmatic areas in carrying out the administration, 
management, and enforcement of its EEO, civil rights, and 
affirmative employment functions: 1) Equal Employment 
Opportunity Division, which includes the Alternative Dispute 
Resolution Program; and 2) the Affirmative Employment Division.
    The Office of Strategic Planning and Management drives 
organizational, programmatic, and operational change across the 
Department to maximize efficiency and performance. The office 
facilitates HUD's strategic planning process by identifying the 
Department's priorities and transformational change 
initiatives, managing risk, creating and managing work plans 
for targeted transformation projects, and developing key 
program performance measures and targets for monitoring.
    The Office of the Chief Information Officer 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.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $518,303,000 for this account, 
which is $656,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$500,000 above the budget request.
    Funding specified for each office is as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Office                               Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Chief Operations Officer..................     $10,762,000
Office of the Chief Financial Officer...................      50,340,000
Office of the General Counsel...........................      92,006,000
Office of Administration................................     205,873,000
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer...............      38,245,000
Office of Field Policy and Management...................      49,588,000
Office of the Chief Procurement Officer.................      19,065,000
Office of the Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity.       3,570,000
Office of Strategic Planning and Management.............       4,975,000
Office of the Chief Information Officer.................      43,879,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Program Office Salaries and Expenses


                       PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $216,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       216,633,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       216,633,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          +633,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $216,633,000 for this account, 
which is $633,000 above the level enacted in fiscal year 2017, 
and equal to the fiscal year 2018 budget request. The Committee 
directs that at least the same level of budgetary resources as 
in fiscal year 2017 be allocated to ensure the successful and 
streamlined completion of Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) 
transactions.

                   COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $110,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       107,554,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       107,554,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -2,446,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) 
manages a wide range of community development, affordable 
housing, homeless, special needs, disaster recovery, and 
economic stimulus and mobility programs that support 
communities, low-income households, and others requiring 
assistance. 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 Partnership (HOME), Homeless 
Assistance Grants, and other HUD community development 
programs.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $107,554,000 for this account, 
which is $2,446,000 below the level enacted in fiscal year 
2017, and equal to the budget request.

                                HOUSING

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $392,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       365,829,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       392,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +26,171,000
 

    The Office of Housing provides vital public services 
through its nationally administered programs, oversees the 
Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the largest mortgage 
insurer in the world, and regulates housing industry business. 
In addition to Executive Direction and supportive offices that 
work on finance, budget, and operations, there are five program 
offices within the Office of Housing: 1) Office of Multifamily 
Housing programs; 2) Office of Healthcare programs; 3) Office 
of Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs; 4) Office of Single 
Family Housing programs; and 5) Office of Housing Counseling.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $392,000,000 for this account, 
which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level, and 
$26,171,000 above the budget request. The Committee directs the 
Department to perform the activities carried out in prior years 
by the performance-based contract administrators and provides 
funding for these purposes within the office.

                    POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $24,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        24,065,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        24,065,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................           +65,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    The Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) 
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 $24,065,000 for this account, 
which is $65,000 above the level enacted in fiscal year 2017 
and equal to the budget request.

                   FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $72,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        69,808,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        69,808,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -2,192,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $69,808,000 for this account, 
which is $2,192,000 below the level enacted in fiscal year 2017 
and equal to the budget request.

            OFFICE OF LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $9,353,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         7,600,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         7,600,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -1,753,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    The Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes 
(OLHCHH) 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. The mission of the OLHCHH 
is to provide safe and healthy homes for at-risk families and 
children by promoting and funding housing repairs to address 
conditions that threaten the health of residents.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $7,600,000 for this account, which 
is $1,753,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
equal to the budget request.

                          WORKING CAPITAL FUND

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

    The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Working 
Capital Fund (WCF) was established by the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2016 to consolidate by transfer resources 
that support certain centrally performed administrative 
functions. The purpose of the WCF is to promote economy, 
efficiency, and accountability among the various HUD offices 
that rely on these functions.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommendation provides the Secretary with 
the authority to transfer amounts provided in this title for 
salaries and expenses, except those for the Office of Inspector 
General, to this account for the purpose of funding centralized 
activities. The Department is required to centralize and fund 
from this account any shared service agreements executed 
between HUD and another federal agency. For fiscal year 2018, 
the Department is permitted to centralize and fund from this 
account: financial management, procurement, travel, relocation, 
human resources, printing, records management, space 
renovation, furniture, supply services, and other shared 
services as decided by the Secretary. The Committee expects 
that, prior to exercising discretion to centrally fund an 
activity, the Secretary shall have established transparent and 
reliable unit cost accounting for the offices and agencies of 
the Department that use the activity, and shall have adequately 
trained staff within each affected office and agency on 
resource planning and accounting processes associated with the 
centralization of funds to this account.
    Further, prior to centralizing either furniture or space 
renovation, the Committee directs the Department to deliver a 
comprehensive, multi-year real property improvement plan that 
details all planned space realignments, capital improvements, 
maintenance requirements, and other costs associated with 
carrying out HUD's most recent strategic plan, including any 
elements of the General Service Administration (GSA) study on 
the Weaver Building that HUD plans to include as part of its 
Reimbursable Work Agreement with GSA.
    Prior to exercising its authority to transfer funds for 
activities beyond what is required for shared service 
agreements, the Committee expects HUD to establish a clear 
execution plan for centralizing the additional activities, and 
to transmit that plan to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations 30 days prior to transferring such funds into 
the WCF.
    HUD shall include in its annual operating plan a detailed 
outline of its plans for transferring budgetary resources to 
the WCF in fiscal year 2018.

                       Public and Indian Housing


                     TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................   $20,292,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................    19,317,900,000
Recommended in the bill...............................    20,486,725,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      +194,725,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................    +1,168,825,000
 

    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 $20,486,725,000 for tenant-based 
rental assistance, which is $194,725,000 above the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level and $1,168,825,000 above 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, 2018.
    Voucher renewals.--The Committee provides $18,709,725,000 
for the renewal of tenant-based vouchers. This level is 
$354,725,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$1,125,899,000 above 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.
    Veterans affairs supportive housing (VASH).--The Committee 
provides no less than $577,000,000 within the voucher renewal 
appropriation to renew over 90,000 eligible VASH vouchers and 
to continue the effort to eliminate homelessness among our 
nation's veterans.
    Since 2008, the Committee has provided more than 
$500,000,000 in targeted funding to increase the number of VASH 
vouchers available to address veterans' homelessness and 
billions of dollars in additional funding have been made 
available to renew VASH vouchers. Communities across the 
country have been able to use these resources to make 
tremendous strides in addressing veterans' homelessness. 
According to the Department of Veterans Administration, a 
number of diverse communities across the country have been able 
to announce an end to veteran homelessness. These successes are 
the result of hard work, and effective collaboration, and are 
aspirational for the rest of the country. However, since 2010, 
veterans' homelessness has only declined by 36 percent 
nationally.
    For this reason, the Committee directs the Department to 
use existing authority to recapture HUD-VASH voucher assistance 
from Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) that voluntarily declare 
that they no longer have a need for that assistance or have 
mismanaged their allotted vouchers, and to reallocate vouchers 
to PHAs with an identified need. The Committee expects HUD to 
expedite this process. The Committee encourages the Department 
to prioritize, as part of this reallocation, PHAs that project-
base a portion of their HUD-VASH vouchers in high-cost areas. 
The Committee directs the agency to report to Congress on its 
plan to implement this section within 120 days of enactment of 
this Act.
    Vouchers for homeless native american veterans.--The 
Committee provides $7,000,000 for renewal of vouchers for 
Native American veterans who are homeless or at risk of 
homelessness living on or near a reservation, or other Indian 
areas. This program was first funded in fiscal year 2015, and 
because of the unique nature of the program, a separate renewal 
line is required. These resources are in addition to VASH 
appropriations included within voucher renewal funding.
    Homeless veterans on U.S.-Mexico border.--The Committee 
notes that there are many homeless veterans living on the U.S.-
Mexico border, many of whom have not historically been counted 
in the point-in-time homeless survey. The Committee directs HUD 
to take action to ensure that HUD-VASH vouchers are made 
available to this unique population. The Committee further 
directs HUD to develop strategies and recommendations for 
addressing and reducing veteran homelessness on the U.S.-Mexico 
border.
    HUD-VASH eligibility.--The Committee notes that there are 
many homeless individuals who previously served in the armed 
forces but are not considered eligible veterans for the purpose 
of obtaining VASH assistance. The Committee directs HUD to 
develop strategies and recommendations to better identify this 
specific subpopulation and reduce instances of homelessness 
among them by utilizing existing HUD resources.
    Tenant protection.--The Committee provides $60,000,000 for 
tenant protection vouchers, which is $50,000,000 below the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the same as the budget 
request.
    Administrative fees.--The Committee provides $1,550,000,000 
for allocations to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to conduct 
activities associated with placing and maintaining individuals 
under Section 8 assistance. This amount is $100,000,000 below 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the same as the budget 
request.
    Sec. 811 mainstream vouchers.--The Committee provides 
$150,000,000 for Section 811 tenant-based subsidies. This level 
is $30,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and 
$42,926,000 above the budget request. These vouchers serve non-
elderly persons with disabilities and the Committee prioritizes 
additional funding in support of this especially vulnerable 
population. The Committee directs HUD to issue guidance to the 
housing agencies administering these vouchers to continue to 
serve people with disabilities upon turnover.
    Public housing authority modernization.--The Committee 
provides $10,000,000 for allocations to PHAs to modernize 
information technology systems that manage program and funding 
data. The Committee expects HUD to prioritize funding to 
projects that automate business processes and thereby lower PHA 
administrative costs.
    PHA notification.--The Committee continues in bill language 
the direction to the Department to communicate to each PHA, 
within 60 days of enactment of this Act, the amount that will 
be made available to each PHA for fiscal year 2018. 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.
    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. The Department shall deliver a report 
to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations of its 
findings within 60 days of enactment of this Act. The Committee 
remains interested in ways to reduce onerous regulations for 
small public housing authorities.
    Unit cost inflation and PHA administrative burdens.--Nearly 
three-quarters of HUD's annual appropriations are devoted to 
the cost of renewing rent subsidies, and, without changes, rent 
subsidy inflation will consume more and more taxpayer resources 
just to support the same number of households. In addition to 
keeping pace with inflation, increased leasing and other 
factors have increased the overall number of units subsidized 
by annual appropriations by over 67,000 units (including 
vouchers and permanent supportive housing) from 2012 to 2016.
    The Committee supports efforts to reform HUD's subsidized 
housing programs to address per unit costs so that supporting 
subsidized units remains fiscally sustainable. The President's 
Budget proposes a series of statutory reforms intended to 
forward this goal. However, the vast majority of these 
proposals require changes in authorizing law that are beyond 
the Committee's jurisdiction. The recommendation encourages the 
Secretary to work expeditiously toward identifying a 
legislative reform package that is agreeable to both the 
Administration and the relevant committees of jurisdiction.
    In the meantime, the Committee directs the Secretary to 
identify and execute administrative and regulatory actions 
within HUD's existing authorities that will reduce 
administrative burdens on PHAs and free these state and local 
partners to devote more resources to serving residents rather 
than bureaucratic requirements. The Committee believes that 
several regulations and HUD policy requirements have been 
expanded beyond what is statutorily required. This expansion 
not only increases administrative cost per unit but in many 
instances undermines PHA ability to deliver safe and affordable 
housing stock to low-income families. Actions to be taken by 
HUD shall include but not be limited to waivers of and changes 
to regulatory provisions and policy guidelines related to (1) 
PHA administrative, planning, and reporting requirements, (2) 
audits including energy audits, (3) income verifications and 
re-certifications, and (4) program assessments. It is critical 
that these actions do not invalidate HUD's oversight 
requirements but rather alleviate administrative burdens by 
reforming policies and programs that have little to no 
operational benefit for PHAs or are outside their realm of 
responsibility and expertise. The following regulations are 
just a few examples of policies that appear ripe for reform: 
(1) PHA plan requirements, (2) environmental review 
requirements, and (3) energy and utility data collection 
requirements. Further, the magnitude of regulations issued by 
HUD coupled with the growing cost of serving assisted families 
puts small PHAs at a special disadvantage. In carrying out the 
above direction to reduce administrative burdens, the Secretary 
shall give special consideration to actions that will provide 
relief to PHAs that serve 550 or fewer public housing units and 
housing choice vouchers combined.
    While reducing administrative burdens is imperative, the 
Committee recognizes that HUD must strike a balance between 
administrative relief and responsible oversight. Therefore, 
when carrying out this directive, HUD shall safeguard its 
oversight responsibilities adequate to protect resident health 
and safety, taxpayer investment, and a safe and decent 
affordable housing stock. HUD shall deliver a report to the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 60 days of 
enactment of this Act that identifies what administrative 
relief actions it will carry out in fiscal year 2018, explains 
why remaining oversight safeguards will be adequate, and 
outlines the approximate timeline for HUD to execute all 
identified actions.
    Quality assurance of physical inspections.--The Committee 
is troubled by reports of deplorable living conditions found in 
some HUD-subsidized properties across the country. The scope of 
this issue spans geographic regions, highlights systemic 
problems, and calls into question the effectiveness of HUD 
oversight, and the Real Estate Assessment Center's inspections 
of HUD-assisted housing. The Committee encourages the 
Department to work with Congress on enforcement actions, 
including civil monetary penalties, that HUD can take to ensure 
PHAs and landlords maintain the physical quality of HUD-
assisted units. Similarly, while the Committee is supportive of 
efforts to quickly issue tenant-protection vouchers, the 
issuance of these vouchers is a tacit acknowledgement that the 
Department has failed to ensure units are maintained as decent, 
safe and sanitary. Additionally, failure to maintain the 
physical condition of HUD-assisted properties results in a loss 
of critical affordable housing, and tenant protection vouchers 
are of questionable value to families that encounter a lack of 
affordable housing in their communities. The Committee directs 
the Department to solicit comments from stakeholders, including 
tenants, to identify ways the Department can improve its 
inspection protocols and oversight. The Committee will continue 
to closely monitor the Department's efforts and progress and 
directs the Department to submit to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations within 60 days of enactment of 
this Act a report which includes a plan for how HUD could 
improve the inspection process and related protocols including 
quality assurance of inspections, a list of actions yet to be 
implemented, an update on the status of actions undertaken, and 
a timeline for how long it would take to complete all actions.

                        HOUSING CERTIFICATE FUND

                        (INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

    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 to renew or amend Project-Based Rental 
Assistance contracts.

                      PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................    $1,941,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       628,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     1,850,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................       -91,500,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................    +1,222,000,000
 

    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 $1,850,000,000 for the public 
housing capital fund, which is $91,500,000 below the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and $1,222,000,000 above the budget 
request.
    Within the amounts provided, the Committee directs that:
    --No more than $8,300,000 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 includes 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 2018, or for certain security measures;
    --$35,000,000 is for the resident opportunity and self-
sufficiency program; and
    --$15,000,000 is provided for the Jobs-Plus program to 
improve employment opportunities and earnings of public housing 
residents.
    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 increases administrative 
burdens on PHAs and appears to have no operational benefit for 
local housing programs.
    Public housing mortgage program.--In fiscal year 2017, 
Congress directed the Secretary to report to the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations on the utilization of the 
public housing mortgage program (PHMP), specifying existing 
program impediments, the Department's plan to address those 
impediments, and if the PHMP can be a useful tool to address 
public housing capital needs no later than 90 days after 
enactment.
    For fiscal year 2018, the Committee further directs the 
Secretary to create a research advisory committee which shall 
advise the Secretary with respect to policy and regulatory 
changes that would allow for increased use of the PHMP no later 
than 60 days after enactment of this bill. The advisory 
committee shall include program and research experts from the 
agency, industry groups, PHAs, private and multifamily mortgage 
lenders, and tenant advocacy groups. The research advisory 
committee shall collaborate on evidence-based best practices to 
ensure tenant protections while encouraging PHAs to leverage 
private capital for the modernization of their portfolio 
through the capital markets. The Secretary shall supply the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations with quarterly 
reports relating to the progress of the research advisory 
committee and shall submit a report to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations no later than 180 days after 
enactment.

                     PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................    $4,400,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................     3,900,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     4,400,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +500,000,000
 

    The public housing operating fund subsidizes the costs 
associated with operating and maintaining public housing. This 
subsidy supplements funding received by public housing 
authorities 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 $4,400,000,000 for the federal 
share of PHA operating expenses. This amount is the same as the 
fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $500,000,000 above the 
budget request.
    Substance abuse and safety.--The Committee is aware of 
concerns regarding criminal activity and substance abuse in 
public housing. While access to public housing is critical for 
all low-income residents, the Committee believes it is equally 
important that a safe and nurturing environment be available 
for children and families. The Committee directs the Secretary 
of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with 
appropriate consultation and collaboration with PHAs, to review 
current policies and regulations regarding substance abuse and 
criminal activity. This review should include a determination 
of whether policies are effective in promoting both access and 
safety for families in public housing units. The Committee 
encourages this review to propose any suggested adjustments and 
changes to existing statutes or regulations in order to deter 
criminal activity on public housing property. This report shall 
be transmitted to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
    Alexander County Housing Authority.--The Committee takes 
notice of the events unfolding in Alexander County, Illinois 
and expects HUD to work with the community to find adequate 
housing for public housing residents displaced due to alleged 
financial mismanagement and fraud by previous PHA leadership 
that resulted in unlivable conditions and financial insolvency 
preceding HUD placing the PHA in receivership. Further, the 
Committee expects HUD to work expeditiously to investigate and 
resolve the root causes for the receivership and to return the 
housing authority to local control as soon as local officials 
can demonstrate the capacity to responsibly manage the 
Alexander County Housing Authority's portfolio.

                    CHOICE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $137,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................        20,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      -117,500,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +20,000,000
 

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $20,000,000 for the Choice 
Neighborhoods Initiative Program, which is $117,500,000 below 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $20,000,000 above the 
budget request. The Committee encourages the Department to give 
prior year planning grant recipients priority consideration 
when awarding implementation grants.

                        FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $75,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        75,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        75,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 
2017 enacted level and the same as 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.

                  NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANTS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $654,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       600,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       654,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +54,000,000
 

    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 seq.), 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 $654,000,000 for Native American 
Housing Block Grants, which is the same as the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $54,000,000 above 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 
        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 
        $17,391,304.
    Bill language is included to reduce formula allocation 
funding from any grantee that has an unexpended balance greater 
than three times its formula allocation.

           INDIAN HOUSING LOAN GUARANTEE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

 
 
 
Credit subsidy:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        $7,227,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
    Recommended in the bill...........................         7,227,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +7,227,000
Limitation on guaranteed loans:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................     1,762,682,927
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
    Recommended in the bill...........................     1,953,243,243
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      +190,560,316
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................    +1,953,243,243
 

    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 $7,227,000 in new credit subsidy 
for the Section 184 loan guarantee program, which is the same 
as the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $7,227,000 above the 
budget request. This will guarantee a loan volume of 
$1,953,243,243, which is $190,560,316 above the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level and $1,953,243,243 above the budget request.

                   Community Planning and Development


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................    $6,803,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................     2,580,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     6,594,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      -209,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................    +4,014,000,000
 

    The Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) is 
responsible for administering the Community Development Block 
Grants (CDBG), the Home Investment Partnership (HOME), Housing 
Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), 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 $6,594,000,000 for Community 
Planning and Development programs, which is $209,000,000 below 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted and $4,014,000,000 above the 
budget request.
    Veterans' service organizations.--The Committee encourages 
HUD to examine ways to work with existing, eligible veterans' 
service organizations to improve their facilities. The 
Department is encouraged to examine existing programs to 
evaluate the feasibility of making grants available for 
facility rehabilitation at eligible veterans' service 
organizations. The Committee recognizes the important role 
local veterans' service organizations play in community 
development and support.

              HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $356,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       330,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       356,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +$26,000,000
 

    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 $356,000,000 for the 
HOPWA program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2017 
enacted and $26,000,000 above 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.

                       COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................    $3,060,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................     2,960,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      -100,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................    +2,960,000,000
 

    The Community Development Fund, authorized by the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), 
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 $2,960,000,000 for the 
Community Development Fund account, which is $100,000,000 below 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $2,960,000,000 above the 
budget request.
    Of the amounts made available:
    --$2,900,000,000 is for the Community Development Block 
Grants (``CDBG'') formula program for entitlement communities 
and states. This is $100,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $2,900,000,000 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 the same as fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $60,000,000 above the budget request.
    Of the amount provided for the CDBG formula programs 
$7,000,000 is for insular areas, per 42 U.S.C. 5306(a)(2), 
which is the same as fiscal year 2017 enacted level 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.

         COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOAN GUARANTEES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limitation on
                                     Budget Authority   guaranteed loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...              - - -     ($300,000,000)
Budget request, fiscal year 2018..              - - -              - - -
Recommended in the bill...........              - - -      (300,000,000)
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year                  - - -              - - -
     2017.........................
    Budget request, fiscal year                 - - -     (+300,000,000)
     2018.........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Section 108 Loan Guarantee program is a source of 
variable an fixed-rate financing for communities undertaking 
projects eligible under the Community Development and Block 
Grant (CDBG) program.

                        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. The 
Committee provides a limit on guaranteed loan volume of 
$300,000,000 which is the same as the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level. The budget request did not include a request for this 
loan guarantee authority.

                  HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $950,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................       850,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      -100,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +850,000,000
 

    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 $850,000,000 for activities funded 
under this account, which is $100,000,000 below the fiscal year 
2017 enacted and $850,000,000 above the budget request.
    People with disabilities and the elderly.--The Committee 
encourages the Department and grantees to utilize HOME funds to 
modernize, rehabilitate, and develop housing for people with 
disabilities and the elderly. The Committee notes that HOME 
funding is a flexible funding source that can leverage other 
capital to address the shortage of housing for the elderly and 
the disabled.

        SELF-HELP AND ASSISTED HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $54,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................             - - -
Recommended in the bill...............................        45,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -9,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +45,000,000
 

    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 $45,000,000 for this account which 
includes $10,000,000 for SHOP: $30,000,000 for Section 4 
capacity building, including no less than $5,000,000 for rural 
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 Committee urges that Section 4 funds be awarded 
competitively to non-profits to aid community development 
corporations and community housing development organizations. 
Further, the Committee recognizes that the Section 4 capacity 
building program strengthens the nation's lower-income urban 
and rural communities through the expansion of affordable 
housing units.

                       HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................    $2,383,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................     2,250,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................     2,383,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +133,000,000
 

    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 $2,383,000,000 for the homeless 
assistance grants programs, which is the same as the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and $133,000,000 above the budget 
request. The recommendation includes funding to support 
continuum of care project renewals of no less than 
$2,106,000,000, at least $270,000,000 in formula emergency 
solutions grants, and up to $7,000,000 is available for the 
national homeless data analysis project.
    Continuum of care renewals.--The funding level provided for 
continuum of care renewals is $88,000,000 above the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level, and $113,000,000 above the budget request.
    Emergency solutions grants.--The funding level provided for 
formula emergency solutions grants is the same as the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and $20,000,000 above the budget 
request.
    Performance-driven funding awards.--The Committee believes 
that holding projects accountable to their ability to 
demonstrate effectiveness through performance data is essential 
to getting the most out of limited federal resources. The 
Committee is encouraged by HUD's commitment to this performance 
driven decision-making, and urges HUD to continue advancing 
these strategies to meet the goal of ending chronic 
homelessness. The recommendation continues language which 
mandates that the Secretary direct an increasing share of 
funding on the basis of system performance.
    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.
    Timeliness of contracts.--The Committee recognizes that 
significant work on housing and homelessness is done by smaller 
nonprofit organizations across the country. As an 
acknowledgement of their contribution to HUD's goals to address 
homelessness, the Committee encourages HUD to ensure these 
organizations do not carry a heavy cash flow burden due to the 
very slow flow of government contract dollars to these 
entities. As such, the Committee encourages HUD to agree to 
have all contracts signed and funds available to draw no more 
than 45 days beyond the beginning of the normal contract 
period.

                            Housing Programs


                    PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................   $10,816,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................    10,751,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................    11,082,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      +266,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +330,900,000
 

    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 $11,082,000,000, 
including $400,000,000 provided as advance appropriations, for 
the annual renewal of project-based contracts. This funding 
level is $266,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $330,900,000 above the budget request.
    The recommendation funds renewals, amendments, and provides 
12 months of funding for all contracts in the portfolio to 
continue to provide safe and stable affordable housing to 
approximately 1.2 million households each year. The funding 
level does not assume any rental reforms proposed in the 
request.
    Performance-based contract administrators (PBCAs).--PBCAs 
are public housing agencies, as defined by 42 USC 1437(a), 
which include state and local public housing authorities and 
their instrumentalities. They are responsible for conducting 
on-site management reviews of assisted properties, adjusting 
contract rents, and reviewing, processing, and paying monthly 
vouchers, among other tasks. PBCAs have been integral to the 
Department's efforts to reduce improper payments, protect 
residents, and ensure properties are well maintained. In prior 
years, the Committee directed the Department to solicit and 
award PBCA contracts under full and open competition, without 
geographic limitation, and in accordance with the Competition 
in Contracting Act and the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The 
Committee continues to reject any attempt to weaken the PBCAs' 
comprehensive oversight of the properties administered under 
their management, diminish the applicability of Federal law, or 
limit out-of-state competition by reliance on letters from 
state attorneys general, as seen in the 2012 NOFA process, or 
otherwise.
    HUD, however, has not been responsive to the Committee's 
direction to conduct the solicitation and award of performance-
based contracts to PBCAs a) under full and open competition, b) 
without regard to geographic limitations, c) in accordance with 
the Competition and Contracts Act and Federal Acquisition 
Regulation, and d) with comprehensive oversight--allowing a 
single PBCA to be responsible for each of the tasks associated 
with a particular property receiving project-based rental 
assistance, including all tasks currently assigned to PBCA 
contractors as well as any others which HUD may be authorized 
to use. Until the Committee gets assurances that HUD will 
respond appropriately, the Committee directs HUD to perform 
these functions in-house and provides adequate funding under 
the Management and Administration account.

                        HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $502,400,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       510,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       573,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................       +70,600,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +63,000,000
 

    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 $573,000,000, $70,600,000 above 
the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $63,000,000 above the 
budget request. This amount will fully fund Section 202 
contract renewals and amendments in fiscal year 2018. The 
recommendation does not include rental reforms proposed in the 
budget request.
    The recommendation provides $483,000,000 for the renewal 
and amendment of project rental assistance contracts (PRAC), up 
to $90,000,000 for service coordinators and the continuation of 
congregate services grants, and allows funds 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 funds to be 
used for inspections and analysis of data by HUD's real estate 
assessment center (REAC) program office.

                 HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $146,200,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       121,300,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       147,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          +800,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................       +25,700,000
 

    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 to support operational 
costs for such units.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $147,000,000 for Section 811 
activities, which is $800,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $25,700,000 above the budget request. This 
level will fully fund the project rental assistance and project 
assistant contract renewals and amendments in fiscal year 2018, 
and does not assume rental reforms proposed in the budget 
request. The Committee continues to include bill language 
allowing funds to be used for inspections and analysis of data 
by HUD's REAC program office.

                     HOUSING COUNSELING ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $55,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        47,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        50,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -5,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +3,000,000
 

    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 $50,000,000 for housing counseling 
assistance, $5,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $3,000,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee notes that the economy continues to improve 
and foreclosures continue to decline. Foreclosure filings for 
2016 were reported on 933,000 properties, which represents a 
10-year low and a reduction of 14 percent from 2015. The 
foreclosure rate has stayed within a historically normal range 
for three years, even with the pipeline of legacy foreclosures 
resulting from the housing bubble. The Committee continues its 
commitment to counseling programs and provides funding above 
the requested level for HUD's housing counseling assistance 
program. Further the Committee continues to provide funding for 
the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation's core program, which 
offers housing counseling services.
    The Committee retains bill language that provides two-year 
funding availability to allow HUD flexibility to obligate 
recaptures and unobligated balances to support counseling 
activity rather than allowing the funds to expire. The bill 
retains language that requires HUD to make grants within 180 
days of enactment of this Act, 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 2017.......................       $20,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        14,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        14,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -6,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    The rental housing assistance account includes existing 
long-term project-based rental assistance contracts covering 
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 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 $14,000,000 in funding for the 
rental housing assistance program, $6,000,000 below the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and equal to the budget request. This 
appropriation will fully fund contract amendment and extension 
needs in fiscal year 2018. 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 2017.......................       $10,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        11,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        11,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          +500,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    The National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety 
Standards Act of 1974, as amended by the Manufactured Housing 
Improvement Act of 2000, authorizes 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 $500,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted 
level and equal to the budget request. This increase reflects 
the growth in production since 2011, which is projected to 
continue.
    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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Limitation of       Limitation of      Administrative
                                                         direct loans      guaranteed loans    contract expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.....................          $5,000,000    $400,000,000,000        $130,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018....................           5,000,000     400,000,000,000         160,000,000
Recommended in the bill.............................           5,000,000     400,000,000,000         135,000,000
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.................               - - -               - - -          +5,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018................               - - -               - - -         -25,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (CMHI) funds. 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 $135,000,000 for administrative 
contract expenses.
    The Committee's recommendation for administrative contract 
expenses is $5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and $25,000,000 below the budget request. The increase over the 
prior year's level is for system automation, quality control 
efforts, and risk management improvements. The Committee denies 
authority to assess a new fee to augment administrative costs.
    FHA loan limits.--The Committee directs HUD to review FHA 
loan limits in large land area counties that experienced a 
reduction of at least 25 percent to FHA loan limits in 2014 
when the Housing Economic Recovery Act's loan limits replaced 
those in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. The study should 
analyze if a county's geographic size distorts the FHA loan 
limit calculation and if home sales price data shows that FHA 
loan limits are inadequate for distinct subareas.
    Home equity conversion mortgage (HECM).--The Committee 
continues bill language that lifts the statutory aggregate cap 
of 275,000 HECM loan guarantees in fiscal year 2018.
    Eminent domain.--The Committee continues bill language that 
prohibits financing of properties obtained through eminent 
domain. 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.
    Property assessed clean energy (PACE) loans.--The Committee 
includes bill language prohibiting funds from being used to 
purchase, guarantee, or insure any mortgage on properties that 
have a PACE loan in a first lien position--superior to the FHA 
loan. PACE loans are issued by state or local governments for 
energy efficiency improvements; are attached to the property, 
as opposed to the borrower; and often secured by an assessment 
or tax. Interest rates on these loans are significantly higher 
than typical mortgage rates, lines of credits, and even some 
credit cards.
    Loans repaid by a tax or assessment enjoy a first lien 
position and, therefore, have priority in receiving proceeds in 
the event of a foreclosure. A PACE loan would be fully 
satisfied before the FHA mortgage. FHA's subordinate position 
increases the risk of loss to the MMI fund and by extension, 
taxpayers. The Committee notes that the MMI fund was forced to 
draw $1,700,000,000 from the U.S. Treasury just four years ago 
to cover projected losses on loans it guarantees, and just 
reached its statutory capital reserve level just two years ago.
    In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) 
prohibited Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from purchasing a 
mortgage with an existing first lien PACE loan. In its role as 
conservator to the GSEs, FHFA stated that ``one of the bedrock 
principles in the process is that the mortgages supported must 
remain in a first lien position.''
    In 2015, HUD changed its policy and began allowing FHA to 
insure properties that have a first lien PACE loan. One year 
later, HUD stated PACE loans could not have super priority 
status. For delinquent PACE obligations on foreclosed 
properties, however, PACE has retained a first lien position. 
The new Administration is concerned about this risky position 
and is reviewing its policy related to PACE loans. Others are 
concerned that borrowers are not fully informed and aware of 
their legal and financial commitments. On April 5, the 
``Protecting Americans from Credit Entanglements Act of 2017'' 
(PACE Act) was introduced in the Senate. This bill would 
increase transparency for homebuyers by requiring a Truth in 
Lending Act disclosure that details the loan terms and 
conditions, consistent with other forms of home financing.
    The Committee is concerned about HUD's decision to allow an 
FHA mortgage to be in a second lien position to a PACE loan. 
The Committee supports energy efficiency improvements, but not 
at the expense of the MMI fund or general taxpayers. Further, 
interest rates on FHA projects could increase to reflect this 
increased risk, making the homebuying process less affordable 
for the very population that FHA mortgage were created to 
assist. Therefore, the Committee includes bill language that 
prospectively prohibits FHA from purchasing, insuring, or 
guaranteeing a property that has a PACE loan in a first lien 
position. Finally, the Committee notes that the prohibition 
does not eliminate the PACE program and consumers will continue 
to be able to fund energy efficiency improvements via a PACE 
loan or other financing mechanisms. This prohibition serves 
only to protect the MMI fund and taxpayers.

                GENERAL AND SPECIAL RISK PROGRAM ACCOUNT

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Limitation of       Limitation of
                                     direct loans      guaranteed loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.          $5,000,000     $30,000,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018           5,000,000      30,000,000,000
Recommended in the bill.........           5,000,000      30,000,000,000
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year                 - - -               - - -
 2017...........................
    Budget request, fiscal year                - - -               - - -
 2018...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 otherwise be 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, equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and the budget request. It includes a limitation of $5,000,000 
for direct loans, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 
enacted 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 2017.    $500,000,000,000         $23,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018     500,000,000,000          25,400,000
Recommended in the bill.........     500,000,000,000          25,400,000
Bill compared to:
    Appropriation, fiscal year                 - - -          +2,400,000
 2017...........................
    Budget request, fiscal year                - - -               - - -
 2018...........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 $25,400,000 for the personnel costs of GNMA, to 
be funded by commitment and multiclass fees. The recommendation 
for personnel costs is $2,400,000 above the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and equal to the budget request.

                    Policy Development and Research


                        RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $89,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        85,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        85,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -4,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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. This appropriation is used 
to support HUD evaluation and monitoring activities and to 
conduct housing surveys. Finally, funds under this heading are 
used to support technical assistance activities to the various 
states, communities, and agencies that are charged with 
administering HUD's programs and funds.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $85,000,000 for this account, 
which is $4,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level 
and equal to the budget request.
    Of the activities proposed in the budget, the Committee 
recommends up to $50,000,000 for the core research programs, 
including market surveys, research support and dissemination, 
data acquisition, housing finance studies, research 
partnerships, and housing technology. The Committee recommends 
$5,000,000 for new and continuing studies and demonstration 
evaluations, with up to $2,000,000 for the Moving to Work 
study, up to $1,500,000 to continue the Choice Neighborhoods 
study, and funds for the Family Unification Program and Family 
Self-Sufficiency evaluation and the Rental Assistance 
Demonstration Choice Mobility evaluation.
    Further, the Committee's recommendation includes 
$30,000,000 for all technical assistance. Of the funds made 
available under technical assistance, $5,000,000 shall be 
available on a competitive basis to a non-profit or private 
sector organizations to provide technical assistance to 
distressed cities or regions.
    Of the funds identified for technical assistance to 
troubled PHA's, the Committee strongly urges the Department to 
target truly troubled or at-risk PHAs requiring assistance to 
conduct basic business and housing responsibilities versus 
assisting with glitzy and bonus endeavors that reflect the 
previous Administration's strategies, such as energy 
performance contracts, but do little to fulfill basic needs.
    The Committee directs HUD to publish the margin of error at 
the place level for the low-and-moderate income (LMI) American 
Community Survey data HUD used to determine CDBG eligibility 
for each place that has a margin of error that is 20% or 
greater. The Committee directs HUD to provide this data to the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 90 days of 
enactment of this Act. Further, the Committee directs HUD to 
explore the use of administrative data sets to provide an 
alternative measure of area income for the CDBG program when 
standard data have large margins of error and to report its 
progress to the House and Senate within 90 days of enactment of 
this Act.
    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 
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.
    The Committee looks forward to receiving studies required 
in the fiscal year 2017 Act: the options for measuring AMI 
using more localized methodologies; the feasibility of using 
these alternative measurements; and HUD's plans to test the 
identified alternatives, and best practices and recommendations 
to address the displacement of lower-income families and long-
time residents in urban areas; and loss of affordable housing 
across the nation, as required in the fiscal year 2017 Act.

                   Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity


                        FAIR HOUSING ACTIVITIES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $65,300,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        65,300,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        65,300,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 fair housing 
programs, equal to the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the 
request. Of the total, $24,300,000 is for the fair housing 
assistance programs; and $39,200,000 for the fair housing 
initiative programs, of which not less than $7,450,000 is for 
education and outreach programs. A total of $300,000 is for the 
limited English proficiency initiative and $1,500,000 is for 
the National Fair Housing Training Academy (NFHTA). The 
Committee directs the Department to investigate transitioning 
training provided by NFHTA to computer and web-based training 
courses, and directs HUD to provide the committee within 90 
days of enactment of this Act, costs and revenues associated 
with operating NHFTA, and costs and revenues associated with a 
web-based training model. Further, the Committee directs HUD to 
focus resources on education, outreach, and training 
initiatives, and supporting local and state organizations that 
conduct investigations and adjudicate claims.
    Spend plan.--The Committee directs the Department to 
provide a spend plan for all funds and activities in this 
account concurrent with the fiscal year 2018 operating plan and 
provide 3 days' notice prior to the announcement of any grant.
    Affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH).--A number of 
communities and local organizations have expressed concern that 
the guidance provided by HUD regarding compliance with the new 
AFFH rule is vague, and the communication with stakeholders 
regarding requirements and compliance is lacking. In fiscal 
year 2017, the Committee directed HUD to address these 
concerns, and continue to refine the tools and resources 
available to stakeholders to comply with the new rule. The 
Committee directs HUD to submit a report 90 days after 
enactment of this Act summarizing activity taken in fiscal year 
2017 and plans for fiscal year 2018 to make compliance with 
this rule more transparent.
    The Committee continues to carry bill language prohibiting 
HUD from directing a grant to make zoning changes as part of 
carrying out the AFFH rule.
    Disparate impact and insurance.--The Committee notes that 
the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 explicitly states that, 
``unless a Federal law specifically relates to the business of 
insurance, that law shall not apply where it would interfere 
with State insurance regulation.''
    The Fair Housing Act does not specifically relate to the 
business of insurance. In fact, The United States District 
Court, Northern Division of Illinois found that ``HUD's 
response to the insurance industry's concerns [regarding the 
Disparate Impact Rule] was arbitrary and capricious'' and 
remanded a portion of the ``Implementation of the Fair Housing 
Act's Discriminatory Effects Standard'' rule regarding 
insurance back to HUD for further consideration and 
explanation.
    The Committee is concerned that HUD continues to assert 
insurance regulatory authority that contradicts the McCarran-
Ferguson statutory mandate and the limitations on disparate 
impact liability set forth by the US Supreme Court in Texas 
Department of Housing and Community Affairs v The Inclusive 
Communities Project, Inc., 135 S.Ct. 2507 (2015).

            Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes


                         LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $145,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       130,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       130,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................       -15,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $130,000,000 for the lead 
programs, which is $15,000,000 below the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and equal to the budget request.
    The Committee recommends no more than $25,000,000 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 2018 operating plan and provide 3 days' 
notice prior to the announcement of any grant.

                      Information Technology Fund


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $257,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       250,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       150,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................      -107,000,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      -100,000,000
 

    The Information Technology Fund finances the information 
technology (IT) systems that support departmental programs and 
operations, including FHA Mortgage Insurance, housing 
assistance and grant programs, as well as core financial and 
general operations.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $150,000,000 in direct 
appropriations for the IT Fund to support Department-wide 
information technology system activities, which is $107,000,000 
less than the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and $100,000,000 
below the budget request. The Department requires approximately 
$250,000,000 simply to operate basic telecommunication services 
and existing information technology contracts, and prior to 
enactment, the Committee will work to identify sources of funds 
to maintain and upgrade the Department's systems. The Committee 
strongly urges HUD to continue refining the services and 
contracts under the Department's Working Capital Fund so that 
IT services can be funded by the users.
    The Committee directs HUD to continue its efforts to retire 
obsolete, unproductive, and expensive information technology 
systems, and streamline and consolidate current services 
contracts in an effort to direct resources for higher priority 
and more effective systems.
    The Committee directs the Government Accountability Office 
(GAO) to evaluate the Department of Housing and Urban 
Developments' information security framework for protecting 
information related to housing, community investment, and 
mortgage loans. Specifically, this review should identify (1) 
what entities collect, store, and process such data and connect 
with HUD systems and networks; (2) to what extent do 
requirements for the protection of the data defined by HUD 
align with federal guidance; and (3) how effective are the 
processes and procedures that HUD has in place to oversee the 
implementation of security and privacy protections for the 
data.

                      Office of Inspector General


 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $128,082,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       126,000,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       128,082,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +2,082,000
 

    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 $128,082,000 for the Office of 
Inspector General, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $2,082,000 greater than the budget request. 
The Committee does not provide funds for any additional 
personnel.
    The Committee has found the reports and investigations 
undertaken by the IG over the past few years to be interesting 
and pertinent to the work of the Committee.

    General Provisions--Department of Housing and Urban Development


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

                         (INCLUDING RESCISSION)

    Section 201 splits overpayments evenly between Treasury and 
State Housing Finance Agencies.
    Section 202 prohibits funds from being used to investigate 
or prosecute lawful activities under the Fair Housing Act.
    Section 203 requires any grant or cooperative agreement to 
be made on a competitive basis, unless otherwise provided, in 
accordance with Section 102 of the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development Reform Act of 1989.
    Section 204 relates to the availability of funds for 
services and facilities for GSEs and others subject to the 
Government Corporation Control Act and the Housing Act of 1950.
    Section 205 prohibits the use of funds in excess of the 
budget estimates, unless provided otherwise.
    Section 206 relates to the expenditure of funds for 
corporations and agencies subject to the Government Corporation 
Control Act.
    Section 207 requires the Secretary to provide quarterly 
reports on uncommitted, unobligated, recaptured, and excess 
funds in each departmental program and activity.
    Section 208 requires the Administration's budget and HUD's 
budget justifications for fiscal year 2019 be submitted in the 
identical account and sub-account structure provided in this 
Act.
    Section 209 exempts GNMA from certain requirements of the 
Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
    Section 210 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 211 sets forth requirements for Section 8 voucher 
assistance eligibility, and includes consideration for persons 
with disabilities.
    Section 212 distributes Native American Housing Block 
Grants to the same Native Alaskan recipients as in fiscal year 
2005.
    Section 213 authorizes the Secretary to insure mortgages 
under Section 255 of the National Housing Act.
    Section 214 instructs HUD on managing and disposing of any 
multifamily property that is owned or held by HUD.
    Section 215 allows the Section 108 loan guarantee program 
to guarantee notes or other obligations issued by any State on 
behalf of non-entitlement communities in the State.
    Section 216 allows PHAs that own and operate 400 or fewer 
units of public housing to be exempt from asset management 
requirements.
    Section 217 restricts the Secretary from imposing any 
requirements or guidelines relating to asset management that 
restrict or limit the use of capital funds for central office 
costs, up to the limit established in QHWRA.
    Section 218 requires that no employee of the Department 
shall be designated as an allotment holder unless the CFO 
determines that such employee has received certain training.
    Section 219 requires the Secretary to publish all notice of 
funding availability that is competitively awarded on the 
internet for fiscal year 2018.
    Section 220 requires attorney fees for programmatic 
litigation to be paid from the individual program office and 
Office of General Counsel salaries and expenses appropriations, 
and requires the Department to submit a spend plan to the House 
and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 221 allows the Secretary to transfer up to 10 
percent of funds or $4,000,000, whichever is less, appropriated 
under the headings ``Administrative Support Offices'' or 
``Program Office Salaries and Expenses'' to any other office 
funded under such headings.
    Section 222 requires HUD to take certain actions against 
owners receiving rental subsidies that do not maintain safe 
properties.
    Section 223 places a salary and bonus limit on public 
housing agency officials and employees.
    Section 224 prohibits the use of funds for the doctoral 
dissertation research grant program at HUD.
    Section 225 extends the HOPE VI program to September 30, 
2018.
    Section 226 requires the Secretary to notify the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations at least 3 full business 
days before grant awards are announced.
    Section 227 prohibits funds to be used to require or 
enforce the Physical Needs Assessment (PNA).
    Section 228 prohibits funds for HUD financing of mortgages 
for properties that have been subject to eminent domain.
    Section 229 prohibits the use of funds to terminate the 
status of a unit of general local government as a metropolitan 
city with respect to grants under section 106 of the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974.
    Section 230 allows funding for research, evaluation, and 
statistical purposes that is unexpended at the time of 
completion of the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement to 
be reobligated for additional research.
    Section 231 prohibits funds to be used for financial awards 
for employees subject to administrative discipline in fiscal 
year 2018.
    Section 232 allows program income as an eligible match for 
2016, 2017, and 2018 Continuum of Care funds.
    Section 233 permits HUD to provide one year transition 
grants under the continuum of care program with no more than 50 
percent of the grant provided for costs of eligible activities 
of the program component originally funded.
    Section 234 prohibits the use of funds to direct a grantee 
to undertake specific changes to existing zoning laws as part 
of carrying out the final rule entitled, ``Affirmatively 
Furthering Fair Housing'' or the notice entitled, 
``Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Tool''.
    Section 235 extends the mark to market program to September 
30, 2022.
    Section 236 prohibits new guarantees or insurance on 
properties with a PACE loan that is or has the potential to be 
in a superior lien position compared to the mortgage guaranteed 
or insured under the MMI fund.
    Section 237 expands authorities under the Rental Assistance 
Demonstration program.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES


                              Access Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $8,190,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................         7,928,000
Recommended in the bill...............................         8,190,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................          +262,000
 

    The 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 $8,190,000 for the operations of 
the Access Board, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $262,000 greater than the budget request.

                      Federal Maritime Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $27,490,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        26,149,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        27,490,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................        +1,341,000
 

    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. 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), 
Public Law 89-777 (46 U.S.C. 44101-44106).

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $27,490,000 for the Federal 
Maritime Commission. This amount is equal to the fiscal year 
2017 enacted level, and $1,341,000 above the budget request. Of 
the funds provided, not less than $552,024 is available for the 
Office of Inspector General.

            National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $23,274,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        23,274,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        23,274,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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 $23,274,000 for Amtrak's Office of 
Inspector General (Amtrak OIG), which is equal to the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and the budget request. 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 2017.......................      $106,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................       105,170,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       106,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................          +830,000
 

    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 $106,000,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the NTSB, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $830,000 greater than 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 2019 budget request.

                 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation


          PAYMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................      $140,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        27,400,000
Recommended in the bill...............................       140,000,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................             - - -
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................      +112,600,000
 

    The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC) 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 $140,000,000 
for fiscal year 2018, which is equal to the fiscal year 2017 
enacted level and $112,600,000 above the budget request.

                      Surface Transportation Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................       $37,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................        37,100,000
Recommended in the bill...............................        37,100,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................          +100,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    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, as the regulation of other 
surface transportation carriers, including intercity bus 
industry and surface pipeline carriers, and household-good 
carriers. The Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act 
of 2015 (P.L. 114-110) established the Board as a wholly 
independent agency and expanded the Board's membership from 
three to five Board Members.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $37,100,000 
for fiscal year 2018, which is $100,000 more than the fiscal 
year 2017 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The 
STB is estimated to collect $1,250,000 in fees, which will 
offset the appropriation for a total program cost of 
$35,850,000.

           United States Interagency Council on Homelessness


                           OPERATING EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................        $3,600,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018......................           570,000
Recommended in the bill...............................           570,000
Bill compared with:
    Appropriation, fiscal year 2017...................        -3,030,000
    Budget request, fiscal year 2018..................             - - -
 

    The mission of the United States Interagency Council on 
Homelessness (USICH) is to coordinate multi-agency Federal 
response to homelessness.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends $570,000 for the shut-down costs 
of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. This 
is $3,030,000 below the fiscal year 2017 enacted level and the 
same as the budget request. The Committee encourages the 
Administration to continue interagency outreach on homelessness 
strategies within available resources.

                 TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS ACT


                        (INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)

    Section 401 prohibits pay and other expenses for non-
Federal parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory 
proceedings.
    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 in 
procurement contracts to those contained in the public record.
    Section 404 prohibits employee training not directly 
related to the performance of official duties.
    Section 405 specifies requirements for reprogramming funds.
    Section 406 provides that fifty percent of unobligated 
balances for salaries and expenses may remain available for 
certain purposes, subject to the approval of the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 407 prohibits the use of funds 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 funds from being transferred to any 
department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, 
except where transfer authority is provided in this 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 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 convicted of 
violating the Buy American Act.
    Section 412 prohibits funds for first-class airline 
accommodations in contravention of sections 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.
    Section 414 restricts the number of employees that agencies 
funded in this Act may send to international conferences.
    Section 415 caps 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 416 rescinds all unobligated balances from various 
salaries and expenses accounts.
    Section 417 prohibits funds from being used to maintain or 
establish computer networks unless such networks block the 
viewing, downloading, or exchange of pornography.
    Section 418 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:
           $800,000,000 of unobligated balances of 
        contract authority apportioned to the States under 
        chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code for 
        ``Federal-aid Highways'';
           Such sums that are available from 
        ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Housing 
        Certificate Fund'';
           Section 201 rescinds 50% of funds that are 
        recaptured from projects described in section 1012(a) 
        of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance 
        Amendments Act of 1988.
           Section 416 rescinds all unobligated 
        balances, including recaptures and carryover, from 
        funds appropriated by Public Law 155-31 for 
        ``Department of Transportation--Office of the 
        Secretary--Salaries and Expenses'', ``Department of 
        Transportation--Office of the Secretary--Office of 
        Civil Rights'', ``Department of Transportation--Office 
        of the Secretary--Small and Disadvantaged Business 
        Utilization and Outreach'', ``Department of 
        Transportation--Federal Transit Administration--
        Administrative Expenses'', ``Department of 
        Transportation--Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
        Administration--Operational Expenses'', ``Surface 
        Transportation Board--Salaries and Expenses'', ``Access 
        Board--Salaries and Expenses'', ``Federal Maritime 
        Commission--Salaries and Expenses'', ``National 
        Railroad Passenger Corporation--Office of Inspector 
        General--Salaries and Expenses'', ``National 
        Transportation Safety Board--Salaries and Expenses'', 
        and ``United States Interagency Council on 
        Homelessness--Operating Expenses'', and from 
        ``Department of Housing and Urban Development--
        Management and Administration'', ``Department of 
        Housing and Urban Development--Program Office Salaries 
        and Expenses''.

                           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       10% of certain
                                   Secretary.          funds subject to
                                                       conditions
Various.........................  Office of the       Such sums as
                                   Secretary,          necessary
                                   National Surface
                                   Transportation
                                   and Innovative
                                   Finance Bureau.
Office of the Secretary,          Various...........  Such sums as
 National Surface Transportation                       necessary
 and Innovative Finance Bureau.
Federal Aviation Administration,  Federal Aviation    5% of certain
 Operations.                       Administration,     funds subject to
                                   Operations.         conditions
FHWA: Limitation on               Appalachian         $3,248,000
 administrative expenses.          Regional
                                   Commission.
Maritime Administration,          Office of the       $3,000,000
 Maritime Guaranteed Loan (Title   Secretary,
 XI) Program Account.              National Surface
                                   Transportation
                                   and Innovative
                                   Finance Bureau.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

      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..  Information         $10,000,000
                                   Technology Fund.    subject to
                                                       conditions
Executive Offices,                Working Capital     Such sums as
 Administrative Support Offices,   Fund.               necessary
 Program Office Salaries and
 Expenses, Government National
 Mortgage Association.
Public and Indian Housing,        Public Housing      $10,000,000
 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance.   Capital Fund.       subject to
                                                       conditions
Administrative Support Offices..  Program Office      $4,000,000 subject
                                   Salaries and        to conditions
                                   Expenses.
Program Office Salaries and       Administrative      $4,000,000 subject
 Expenses.                         Support Offices.    to conditions
Housing for the Elderly.........  Tenant Based        Such sums as
                                   Rental Assistance.  necessary
Housing for the Elderly.........  Project Based       Such sums as
                                   Rental Assistance.  necessary
------------------------------------------------------------------------

   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 italic, existing law in which no changes 
is proposed is shown in roman):

          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):

RAILROAD REVITALIZATION AND REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 1976

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



TITLE V--RAILROAD REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT FINANCING

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SEC. 503. ADMINISTRATION OF DIRECT LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES.

  (a) Applications.--The Secretary shall prescribe the form and 
contents required of applications for assistance under section 
502, to enable the Secretary to determine the eligibility of 
the applicant's proposal, and shall establish terms and 
conditions for direct loans and loan guarantees made under that 
section, including a program guide, a standard term sheet, and 
specific timetables.
   (b) Full Faith and Credit.--All guarantees entered into by 
the Secretary under section 502 shall constitute general 
obligations of the United States of America backed by the full 
faith and credit of the United States of America.
  (c) Assignment of Loan Guarantees.--The holder of a loan 
guarantee made under section 502 may assign the loan guarantee 
in whole or in part, subject to such requirements as the 
Secretary may prescribe.
  (d) Modifications.--The Secretary may approve the 
modification of any term or condition of a direct loan, loan 
guarantee, direct loan obligation, or loan guarantee 
commitment, including the rate of interest, time of payment of 
interest or principal, or security requirements, if the 
Secretary finds in writing that--
          (1) the modification is equitable and is in the 
        overall best interests of the United States;
          (2) consent has been obtained from the applicant and, 
        in the case of a loan guarantee or loan guarantee 
        commitment, the holder of the obligation; and
          (3) the modification cost has been covered under 
        section 502(f).
  (e) Compliance.--The Secretary shall assure compliance, by an 
applicant, any other party to the loan, and any railroad or 
railroad partner for whose benefit assistance is intended, with 
the provisions of this title, regulations issued hereunder, and 
the terms and conditions of the direct loan or loan guarantee, 
including through regular periodic inspections.
  (f) Commercial Validity.--For purposes of claims by any party 
other than the Secretary, a loan guarantee or loan guarantee 
commitment shall be conclusive evidence that the underlying 
obligation is in compliance with the provisions of this title, 
and that such obligation has been approved and is legal as to 
principal, interest, and other terms. Such a guarantee or 
commitment shall be valid and incontestable in the hands of a 
holder thereof, including the original lender or any other 
holder, as of the date when the Secretary granted the 
application therefor, except as to fraud or material 
misrepresentation by such holder.
  (g) Default.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations 
setting forth procedures in the event of default on a loan made 
or guaranteed under section 502. The Secretary shall ensure 
that each loan guarantee made under that section contains terms 
and conditions that provide that--
          (1) if a payment of principal or interest under the 
        loan is in default for more than 30 days, the Secretary 
        shall pay to the holder of the obligation, or the 
        holder's agent, the amount of unpaid guaranteed 
        interest;
          (2) if the default has continued for more than 90 
        days, the Secretary shall pay to the holder of the 
        obligation, or the holder's agent, 90 percent of the 
        unpaid guaranteed principal;
          (3) after final resolution of the default, through 
        liquidation or otherwise, the Secretary shall pay to 
        the holder of the obligation, or the holder's agent, 
        any remaining amounts guaranteed but which were not 
        recovered through the default's resolution;
          (4) the Secretary shall not be required to make any 
        payment under paragraphs (1) through (3) if the 
        Secretary finds, before the expiration of the periods 
        described in such paragraphs, that the default has been 
        remedied; and
          (5) the holder of the obligation shall not receive 
        payment or be entitled to retain payment in a total 
        amount which, together with all other recoveries 
        (including any recovery based upon a security interest 
        in equipment or facilities) exceeds the actual loss of 
        such holder.
  (h) Rights of the Secretary.--
          (1) Subrogation.--If the Secretary makes payment to a 
        holder, or a holder's agent, under subsection (g) in 
        connection with a loan guarantee made under section 
        502, the Secretary shall be subrogated to all of the 
        rights of the holder with respect to the obligor under 
        the loan.
          (2) Disposition of property.--The Secretary may 
        complete, recondition, reconstruct, renovate, repair, 
        maintain, operate, charter, rent, sell, or otherwise 
        dispose of any property or other interests obtained 
        pursuant to this section. The Secretary shall not be 
        subject to any Federal or State regulatory requirements 
        when carrying out this paragraph.
  (i) Action Against Obligor.--The Secretary may bring a civil 
action in an appropriate Federal court in the name of the 
United States in the event of a default on a direct loan made 
under section 502, or in the name of the United States or of 
the holder of the obligation in the event of a default on a 
loan guaranteed under section 502. The holder of a guarantee 
shall make available to the Secretary all records and evidence 
necessary to prosecute the civil action. The Secretary may 
accept property in full or partial satisfaction of any sums 
owed as a result of a default. If the Secretary receives, 
through the sale or other disposition of such property, an 
amount greater than the aggregate of--
          (1) the amount paid to the holder of a guarantee 
        under subsection (g) of this section; and
          (2) any other cost to the United States of remedying 
        the default,
the Secretary shall pay such excess to the obligor.
  (j) Breach of Conditions.--The Attorney General shall 
commence a civil action in an appropriate Federal court to 
enjoin any activity which the Secretary finds is in violation 
of this title, regulations issued hereunder, or any conditions 
which were duly agreed to, and to secure any other appropriate 
relief.
  (k) Attachment.--No attachment or execution may be issued 
against the Secretary, or any property in the control of the 
Secretary, prior to the entry of final judgment to such effect 
in any State, Federal, or other court.
  (l) Charges and Loan Servicing.--
          (1) Purposes.--The Secretary may collect from each 
        applicant, obligor, or loan party a reasonable charge 
        for--
                  (A) the cost of evaluating the application, 
                amendments, modifications, and waivers, 
                including for evaluating project viability, 
                applicant creditworthiness, and the appraisal 
                of the value of the equipment or facilities for 
                which the direct loan or loan guarantee is 
                sought, and for making necessary determinations 
                and findings;
                  (B) the cost of award management and project 
                management oversight;
                  (C) the cost of services from expert firms, 
                including counsel, and independent financial 
                advisors to assist in the underwriting, 
                auditing, servicing, and exercise of rights 
                with respect to direct loans and loan 
                guarantees; and
                  (D) the cost of all other expenses incurred 
                as a result of a breach of any term or 
                condition or any event of default on a direct 
                loan or loan guarantee.
          (2) Standards.--The Secretary may charge different 
        amounts under this subsection based on the different 
        costs incurred under paragraph (1).
          (3) Servicer.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary may appoint a 
                financial entity to assist the Secretary in 
                servicing a direct loan or loan guarantee under 
                this title.
                  (B) Duties.--A servicer appointed under 
                subparagraph (A) shall act as the agent of the 
                Secretary in serving a direct loan or loan 
                guarantee under this title.
                  (C) Fees.--A servicer appointed under 
                subparagraph (A) shall receive a servicing fee 
                from the obligor or other loan party, subject 
                to approval by the Secretary.
          (4) [Safety and operations account] National Surface 
        Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau Account, 
        Office of the Secretary.--Amounts collected under this 
        subsection shall--
                  (A) be credited directly to the Safety and 
                Operations account of the Federal Railroad 
                Administration; and
                  (B) remain available until expended to pay 
                for the costs described in this subsection.
  (m) Fees and Charges.--Except as provided in this title, the 
Secretary may not assess any fees, including user fees, or 
charges in connection with a direct loan or loan guarantee 
provided under section 502.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


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).
          (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) The 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.
          (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.
          (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).
          (13) Milk products.--A vehicle carrying fluid milk 
        products shall be considered a load that cannot be 
        easily dismantled or divided.
  (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) Covered Heavy-duty Tow and Recovery Vehicles.--
          (1) In general.--The vehicle weight limitations set 
        forth in this section do not apply to a covered heavy-
        duty tow and recovery vehicle.
          (2) Covered heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicle 
        defined.--In this subsection, the term ``covered heavy-
        duty tow and recovery vehicle'' means a vehicle that--
                  (A) is transporting a disabled vehicle from 
                the place where the vehicle became disabled to 
                the nearest appropriate repair facility; and
                  (B) has a gross vehicle weight that is equal 
                to or exceeds the gross vehicle weight of the 
                disabled vehicle being transported.
  (n) Operation of Vehicles on Certain Highways in the State of 
Texas.--If any segment in the State of Texas of United States 
Route 59, United States Route 77, United States Route 281, 
United States Route 84, Texas State Highway 44, or another 
roadway is designated as Interstate Route 69, a vehicle that 
could operate legally on that segment before the date of the 
designation may continue to operate on that segment, without 
regard to any requirement under this section.
  (o) Certain Logging Vehicles in the State of Wisconsin.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall waive, with 
        respect to a covered logging vehicle, the application 
        of any vehicle weight limit established under this 
        section.
          (2) Covered logging vehicle defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``covered logging vehicle'' means 
        a vehicle that--
                  (A) is transporting raw or unfinished forest 
                products, including logs, pulpwood, biomass, or 
                wood chips;
                  (B) has a gross vehicle weight of not more 
                than 98,000 pounds;
                  (C) has not less than 6 axles; and
                  (D) is operating on a segment of Interstate 
                Route 39 in the State of Wisconsin from mile 
                marker 175.8 to mile marker 189.
  (p) Operation of Certain Specialized Vehicles on Certain 
Highways in the State of Arkansas.--If any segment of United 
States Route 63 between the exits for highways 14 and 75 in the 
State of Arkansas is designated as part of the Interstate 
System, the single axle weight, tandem axle weight, gross 
vehicle weight, and bridge formula limits under subsection (a) 
and the width limitation under section 31113(a) of title 49 
shall not apply to that segment with respect to the operation 
of any vehicle that could operate legally on that segment 
before the date of the designation.
  (q) Certain Logging Vehicles in the State of Minnesota.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall waive, with 
        respect to a covered logging vehicle, the application 
        of any vehicle weight limit established under this 
        section.
          (2) Covered logging vehicle defined.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``covered logging vehicle'' means 
        a vehicle that--
                  (A) is transporting raw or unfinished forest 
                products, including logs, pulpwood, biomass, or 
                wood chips;
                  (B) has a gross vehicle weight of not more 
                than 99,000 pounds;
                  (C) has not less than 6 axles; and
                  (D) is operating on a segment of Interstate 
                Route 35 in the State of Minnesota from mile 
                marker 235.4 to mile marker 259.552.
  (r) Emergency Vehicles.--
          (1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), a 
        State shall not enforce against an emergency vehicle a 
        vehicle weight limit (up to a maximum gross vehicle 
        weight of 86,000 pounds) of less than--
                  (A) 24,000 pounds on a single steering axle;
                  (B) 33,500 pounds on a single drive axle;
                  (C) 62,000 pounds on a tandem axle; or
                  (D) 52,000 pounds on a tandem rear drive 
                steer axle.
          (2) Emergency vehicle defined.--In this subsection, 
        the term ``emergency vehicle'' means a vehicle designed 
        to be used under emergency conditions--
                  (A) to transport personnel and equipment; and
                  (B) to support the suppression of fires and 
                mitigation of other hazardous situations.
  (s) Natural Gas Vehicles.--A vehicle, if operated by an 
engine fueled primarily by natural gas, may exceed any vehicle 
weight limit (up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of 82,000 
pounds) under this section by an amount that is equal to the 
difference between--
          (1) the weight of the vehicle attributable to the 
        natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that 
        vehicle; and
          (2) the weight of a comparable diesel tank and 
        fueling system.
  (t) Vehicles in North Dakota and Idaho.--A vehicle limited or 
prohibited under this section from operating on a segment of 
the Interstate System in the State of North Dakota and Idaho 
may operate on such a segment if such vehicle--
          (1) has a gross vehicle weight of 129,000 pounds or 
        less;
          (2) other than gross vehicle weight, 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] the law of the relevant State.

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                              ----------                              


TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SUBTITLE IV--INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART B--MOTOR CARRIERS, WATER CARRIERS, BROKERS, AND FREIGHT FORWARDERS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                  CHAPTER 145--FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS


Sec. 14501. Federal authority over intrastate transportation

  (a) Motor Carriers of Passengers.--
          (1) Limitation on state law.--No State or political 
        subdivision thereof and no interstate agency or other 
        political agency of 2 or more States shall enact or 
        enforce any law, rule, regulation, standard, or other 
        provision having the force and effect of law relating 
        to--
                  (A) scheduling of interstate or intrastate 
                transportation (including discontinuance or 
                reduction in the level of service) provided by 
                a motor carrier of passengers subject to 
                jurisdiction under subchapter I of chapter 135 
                of this title on an interstate route;
                  (B) the implementation of any change in the 
                rates for such transportation or for any 
                charter transportation except to the extent 
                that notice, not in excess of 30 days, of 
                changes in schedules may be required; or
                  (C) the authority to provide intrastate or 
                interstate charter bus transportation.
        This paragraph shall not apply to intrastate commuter 
        bus operations, or to intrastate bus transportation of 
        any nature in the State of Hawaii.
          (2) Matters not covered.--Paragraph (1) shall not 
        restrict the safety regulatory authority of a State 
        with respect to motor vehicles, the authority of a 
        State to impose highway route controls or limitations 
        based on the size or weight of the motor vehicle, or 
        the authority of a State to regulate carriers with 
        regard to minimum amounts of financial responsibility 
        relating to insurance requirements and self-insurance 
        authorization.
  (b) Freight Forwarders and Brokers.--
          (1) General rule.--Subject to paragraph (2) of this 
        subsection, no State or political subdivision thereof 
        and no intrastate agency or other political agency of 2 
        or more States shall enact or enforce any law, rule, 
        regulation, standard, or other provision having the 
        force and effect of law relating to intrastate rates, 
        intrastate routes, or intrastate services of any 
        freight forwarder or broker.
          (2) Continuation of Hawaii's authority.--Nothing in 
        this subsection and the amendments made by the Surface 
        Freight Forwarder Deregulation Act of 1986 shall be 
        construed to affect the authority of the State of 
        Hawaii to continue to regulate a motor carrier 
        operating within the State of Hawaii.
  (c) Motor Carriers of Property.--
          (1) General rule.--Except as provided in [paragraphs 
        (2) and (3)] paragraphs (3) and (4), a State, political 
        subdivision of a State, or political authority of 2 or 
        more States may not enact or enforce a law, regulation, 
        or other provision having the force and effect of law 
        related to a price, route, or service of any motor 
        carrier (other than a carrier affiliated with a direct 
        air carrier covered by section 41713(b)(4)) or any 
        motor private carrier, broker, or freight forwarder 
        with respect to the transportation of property.
          (2) Additional limitation.--
                  (A) In general.--A State, political 
                subdivision of a State, or political authority 
                of 2 or more States may not enact or enforce a 
                law, regulation, or other provision having the 
                force and effect of law prohibiting employees 
                whose hours of service are subject to 
                regulation by the Secretary under section 31502 
                from working to the full extent permitted or at 
                such times as permitted under such section, or 
                imposing any additional obligations on motor 
                carriers if such employees work to the full 
                extent or at such times as permitted under such 
                section, including any related activities 
                regulated under part 395 of title 49, Code of 
                Federal Regulations.
                  (B) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this 
                paragraph may be construed to limit the 
                provisions of paragraph (1).
          [(2)] (3) Matters not covered.--[Paragraph (1)--] 
        Paragraphs (1) and (2)--
                  (A) shall not restrict the safety regulatory 
                authority of a State with respect to motor 
                vehicles, the authority of a State to impose 
                highway route controls or limitations based on 
                the size or weight of the motor vehicle or the 
                hazardous nature of the cargo, or the authority 
                of a State to regulate motor carriers with 
                regard to minimum amounts of financial 
                responsibility relating to insurance 
                requirements and self-insurance authorization;
                  (B) does not apply to the intrastate 
                transportation of household goods; and
                  (C) does not apply to the authority of a 
                State or a political subdivision of a State to 
                enact or enforce a law, regulation, or other 
                provision relating to the regulation of tow 
                truck operations performed without the prior 
                consent or authorization of the owner or 
                operator of the motor vehicle.
          [(3)] (4) State standard transportation practices.--
                  (A) Continuation.--[Paragraph (1)] Paragraphs 
                (1) and (2) shall not affect any authority of a 
                State, political subdivision of a State, or 
                political authority of 2 or more States to 
                enact or enforce a law, regulation, or other 
                provision, with respect to the intrastate 
                transportation of property by motor carriers, 
                related to--
                          (i) uniform cargo liability rules,
                          (ii) uniform bills of lading or 
                        receipts for property being 
                        transported,
                          (iii) uniform cargo credit rules,
                          (iv) antitrust immunity for joint 
                        line rates or routes, classifications, 
                        mileage guides, and pooling, or
                          (v) antitrust immunity for agent-van 
                        line operations (as set forth in 
                        section 13907),
                if such law, regulation, or provision meets the 
                requirements of subparagraph (B).
                  (B) Requirements.--A law, regulation, or 
                provision of a State, political subdivision, or 
                political authority meets the requirements of 
                this subparagraph if--
                          (i) the law, regulation, or provision 
                        covers the same subject matter as, and 
                        compliance with such law, regulation, 
                        or provision is no more burdensome than 
                        compliance with, a provision of this 
                        part or a regulation issued by the 
                        Secretary or the Board under this part; 
                        and
                          (ii) the law, regulation, or 
                        provision only applies to a carrier 
                        upon request of such carrier.
                  (C) Election.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of law, a carrier affiliated with a 
                direct air carrier through common controlling 
                ownership may elect to be subject to a law, 
                regulation, or provision of a State, political 
                subdivision, or political authority under this 
                paragraph.
          [(4)] (5) Nonapplicability to Hawaii.--This 
        subsection shall not apply with respect to the State of 
        Hawaii.
          [(5)] (6) Limitation on statutory construction.--
        Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a 
        State from requiring that, in the case of a motor 
        vehicle to be towed from private property without the 
        consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle, the 
        person towing the vehicle have prior written 
        authorization from the property owner or lessee (or an 
        employee or agent thereof) or that such owner or lessee 
        (or an employee or agent thereof) be present at the 
        time the vehicle is towed from the property, or both.
  (d) Pre-Arranged Ground Transportation.--
          (1) In general.--No State or political subdivision 
        thereof and no interstate agency or other political 
        agency of 2 or more States shall enact or enforce any 
        law, rule, regulation, standard or other provision 
        having the force and effect of law requiring a license 
        or fee on account of the fact that a motor vehicle is 
        providing pre-arranged ground transportation service if 
        the motor carrier providing such service--
                  (A) meets all applicable registration 
                requirements under chapter 139 for the 
                interstate transportation of passengers;
                  (B) meets all applicable vehicle and 
                intrastate passenger licensing requirements of 
                the State or States in which the motor carrier 
                is domiciled or registered to do business; and
                  (C) is providing such service pursuant to a 
                contract for--
                          (i) transportation by the motor 
                        carrier from one State, including 
                        intermediate stops, to a destination in 
                        another State; or
                          (ii) transportation by the motor 
                        carrier from one State, including 
                        intermediate stops in another State, to 
                        a destination in the original State.
          (2) Intermediate stop defined.--In this section, the 
        term ``intermediate stop'', with respect to 
        transportation by a motor carrier, means a pause in the 
        transportation in order for one or more passengers to 
        engage in personal or business activity, but only if 
        the driver providing the transportation to such 
        passenger or passengers does not, before resuming the 
        transportation of such passenger (or at least 1 of such 
        passengers), provide transportation to any other person 
        not included among the passengers being transported 
        when the pause began.
          (3) Matters not covered.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed--
                  (A) as subjecting taxicab service to 
                regulation under chapter 135 or section 31138;
                  (B) as prohibiting or restricting an airport, 
                train, or bus terminal operator from 
                contracting to provide preferential access or 
                facilities to one or more providers of pre-
                arranged ground transportation service; and
                  (C) as restricting the right of any State or 
                political subdivision of a State to require, in 
                a nondiscriminatory manner, that any individual 
                operating a vehicle providing prearranged 
                ground transportation service originating in 
                the State or political subdivision have 
                submitted to pre-licensing drug testing or a 
                criminal background investigation of the 
                records of the State in which the operator is 
                domiciled, by the State or political 
                subdivision by which the operator is licensed 
                to provide such service, or by the motor 
                carrier providing such service, as a condition 
                of providing such service.

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                              ----------                              


TITLE 46, UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBTITLE II--VESSELS AND SEAMEN

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART G--MERCHANT SEAMEN PROTECTION AND RELIEF

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 103--FOREIGN AND INTERCOASTAL VOYAGES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 10313. Wages

  (a) A seaman's entitlement to wages and provisions begins 
when the seaman begins work or when specified in the agreement 
required by section 10302 of this title for the seaman to begin 
work or be present on board, whichever is earlier.
  (b) Wages are not dependent on the earning of freight by the 
vessel. When the loss or wreck of the vessel ends the service 
of a seaman before the end of the period contemplated in the 
agreement, the seaman is entitled to wages for the period of 
time actually served. The seaman shall be deemed a destitute 
seaman under section 11104 of this title. This subsection 
applies to a fishing or whaling vessel but not a yacht.
  (c) When a seaman who has signed an agreement is discharged 
improperly before the beginning of the voyage or before one 
month's wages are earned, without the seaman's consent and 
without the seaman's fault justifying discharge, the seaman is 
entitled to receive from the master or owner, in addition to 
wages earned, one month's wages as compensation.
  (d) A seaman is not entitled to wages for a period during 
which the seaman--
          (1) unlawfully failed to work when required, after 
        the time fixed by the agreement for the seaman to begin 
        work; or
          (2) lawfully was imprisoned for an offense, unless a 
        court hearing the case otherwise directs.
  (e) After the beginning of the voyage, a seaman is entitled 
to receive from the master, on demand, one-half of the balance 
of wages earned and unpaid at each port at which the vessel 
loads or delivers cargo during the voyage. A demand may not be 
made before the expiration of 5 days from the beginning of the 
voyage, not more than once in 5 days, and not more than once in 
the same port on the same entry. If a master does not comply 
with this subsection, the seaman is released from the agreement 
and is entitled to payment of all wages earned. Notwithstanding 
a release signed by a seaman under section 10312 of this title, 
a court having jurisdiction may set aside, for good cause 
shown, the release and take action that justice requires. This 
subsection does not apply to a fishing or whaling vessel or a 
yacht.
  (f) At the end of a voyage, the master shall pay each seaman 
the balance of wages due the seaman within 24 hours after the 
cargo has been discharged or within 4 days after the seaman is 
discharged, whichever is earlier. When a seaman is discharged 
and final payment of wages is delayed for the period permitted 
by this subsection, the seaman is entitled at the time of 
discharge to one-third of the wages due the seaman.
  (g)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), when payment is not made as 
provided under subsection (f) of this section without 
sufficient cause, the master or owner shall pay to the seaman 2 
days' wages for each day payment is delayed.
          (2) The total amount required to be paid under 
        paragraph (1) with respect to [all claims in a class 
        action suit by seamen] each claim by a seaman on a 
        passenger vessel capable of carrying more than 500 
        passengers for wages under this section against a 
        vessel master, owner, or operator or the employer of 
        [the seamen] the seaman shall not exceed ten times the 
        unpaid wages that are the subject of the claims.
          (3) A [class action] suit for wages under this 
        subsection must be commenced within three years after 
        the later of--
                  (A) the date of the end of the last voyage 
                for which the wages are claimed; or
                  (B) the receipt[, by a seaman who is a 
                claimant in the suit,] by the seaman of a 
                payment of wages that are the subject of the 
                suit that is made in the ordinary course of 
                employment.
  (h) Subsections (f) and (g) of this section do not apply to a 
fishing or whaling vessel or a yacht.
  (i) This section applies to a seaman on a foreign vessel when 
in a harbor of the United States. The courts are available to 
the seaman for the enforcement of this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 105--COASTWISE VOYAGES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 10504. Wages

  (a) After the beginning of a voyage, a seaman is entitled to 
receive from the master, on demand, one-half of the balance of 
wages earned and unpaid at each port at which the vessel loads 
or delivers cargo during the voyage. A demand may not be made 
before the expiration of 5 days from the beginning of the 
voyage, not more than once in 5 days, and not more than once in 
the same port on the same entry. If a master does not comply 
with this subsection, the seaman is released from the agreement 
required by section 10502 of this title and is entitled to 
payment of all wages earned. Notwithstanding a release signed 
by a seaman under section 10312 of this title, a court having 
jurisdiction may set aside, for good cause shown, the release 
and take action that justice requires. This subsection does not 
apply to a fishing or whaling vessel or a yacht.
  (b) The master shall pay a seaman the balance of wages due 
the seaman within 2 days after the termination of the agreement 
required by section 10502 of this title or when the seaman is 
discharged, whichever is earlier.
  (c)(1) Subject to subsection (d), and except as provided in 
paragraph (2), when payment is not made as provided under 
subsection (b) of this section without sufficient cause, the 
master or owner shall pay to the seaman 2 days' wages for each 
day payment is delayed.
  (2) The total amount required to be paid under paragraph (1) 
with respect to [all claims in a class action suit by seamen] 
each claim by a seaman on a passenger vessel capable of 
carrying more than 500 passengers for wages under this section 
against a vessel master, owner, or operator or the employer of 
[the seamen] the seaman shall not exceed ten times the unpaid 
wages that are the subject of the claims.
  (3) A [class action] suit for wages under this subsection 
must be commenced within three years after the later of--
          (A) the date of the end of the last voyage for which 
        the wages are claimed; or
          (B) the receipt[, by a seaman who is a claimant in 
        the suit] by the seaman, of a payment of wages that are 
        the subject of the suit that is made in the ordinary 
        course of employment.
  (d) Subsections (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to:
          (1) a vessel engaged in coastwise commerce.
          (2) a yacht.
          (3) a fishing vessel.
          (4) a whaling vessel.
  (e) This section applies to a seaman on a foreign vessel when 
in harbor of the United States. The courts are available to the 
seaman for the enforcement of this section.
  (f) Deposits in Seaman Account.--On written request signed by 
the seaman, a seaman employed on a passenger vessel capable of 
carrying more than 500 passengers may authorize, the master, 
owner, or operator of the vessel, or the employer of the 
seaman, to make deposits of wages of the seaman into a 
checking, savings, investment, or retirement account, or other 
account to secure a payroll or debit card for the seaman if--
          (1) the wages designated by the seaman for such 
        deposit are deposited in a United States or 
        international financial institution designated by the 
        seaman;
          (2) such deposits in the financial institution are 
        fully guaranteed under commonly accepted international 
        standards by the government of the country in which the 
        financial institution is licensed;
          (3) a written wage statement or pay stub, including 
        an accounting of any direct deposit, is delivered to 
        the seaman no less often than monthly; and
          (4) while on board the vessel on which the seaman is 
        employed, the seaman is able to arrange for withdrawal 
        of all funds on deposit in the account in which the 
        wages are deposited.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                   UNITED STATES HOUSING ACT OF 1937

TITLE I--GENERAL PROGRAM OF ASSISTED HOUSING

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 24. DEMOLITION, SITE REVITALIZATION, REPLACEMENT HOUSING, AND 
                    TENANT-BASED ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR PROJECTS.

  (a) Purposes.--The purpose of this section is to provide 
assistance to public housing agencies for the purposes of--
          (1) improving the living environment for public 
        housing residents of severely distressed public housing 
        projects through the demolition, rehabilitation, 
        reconfiguration, or replacement of obsolete public 
        housing projects (or portions thereof);
          (2) revitalizing sites (including remaining public 
        housing dwelling units) on which such public housing 
        projects are located and contributing to the 
        improvement of the surrounding neighborhood;
          (3) providing housing that will avoid or decrease the 
        concentration of very low-income families; and
          (4) building sustainable communities.
It is also the purpose of this section to provide assistance to 
smaller communities for the purpose of facilitating the 
development of affordable housing for low-income families that 
is undertaken in connection with a main street revitalization 
or redevelopment project in such communities.
  (b) Grant Authority.--The Secretary may make grants as 
provided in this section to applicants whose applications for 
such grants are approved by the Secretary under this section.
  (c) Contribution Requirement.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary may not make any grant 
        under this section to any applicant unless the 
        applicant certifies to the Secretary that the applicant 
        will--
                  (A) supplement the aggregate amount of 
                assistance provided under this section with an 
                amount of funds from sources other than this 
                section equal to not less than 5 percent of the 
                amount provided under this section; and
                  (B) in addition to supplemental amounts 
                provided in accordance with subparagraph (A), 
                if the applicant uses more than 5 percent of 
                the amount of assistance provided under this 
                section for services under subsection 
                (d)(1)(L), provide supplemental funds from 
                sources other than this section in an amount 
                equal to the amount so used in excess of 5 
                percent.
          (2) Supplemental funds.--In calculating the amount of 
        supplemental funds provided by a grantee for purposes 
        of paragraph (1), the grantee may include amounts from 
        other Federal sources, any State or local government 
        sources, any private contributions, the value of any 
        donated material or building, the value of any lease on 
        a building, the value of the time and services 
        contributed by volunteers, and the value of any other 
        in-kind services or administrative costs provided.
          (3) Exemption.--If assistance provided under this 
        title will be used only for providing tenant-based 
        assistance under section 8 or demolition of public 
        housing (without replacement), the Secretary may exempt 
        the applicant from the requirements under paragraph 
        (1)(A).
  (d) Eligible Activities.--
          (1) In general.--Grants under this section may be 
        used for activities to carry out revitalization 
        programs for severely distressed public housing, 
        including--
                  (A) architectural and engineering work;
                  (B) redesign, rehabilitation, or 
                reconfiguration of a severely distressed public 
                housing project, including the site on which 
                the project is located;
                  (C) the demolition, sale, or lease of the 
                site, in whole or in part;
                  (D) covering the administrative costs of the 
                applicant, which may not exceed such portion of 
                the assistance provided under this section as 
                the Secretary may prescribe;
                  (E) payment of reasonable legal fees;
                  (F) providing reasonable moving expenses for 
                residents displaced as a result of the 
                revitalization of the project;
                  (G) economic development activities that 
                promote the economic self-sufficiency of 
                residents under the revitalization program, 
                including a Neighborhood Networks initiative 
                for the establishment and operation of computer 
                centers in public housing for the purpose of 
                enhancing the self-sufficiency, employability, 
                an economic self-reliance of public housing 
                residents by providing them with onsite 
                computer access and training resources;
                  (H) necessary management improvements;
                  (I) leveraging other resources, including 
                additional housing resources, retail supportive 
                services, jobs, and other economic development 
                uses on or near the project that will benefit 
                future residents of the site;
                  (J) replacement housing (including 
                appropriate homeownership downpayment 
                assistance for displaced residents or other 
                appropriate replacement homeownership 
                activities) and rental assistance under section 
                8;
                  (K) transitional security activities; and
                  (L) necessary supportive services, except 
                that not more than 15 percent of the amount of 
                any grant may be used for activities under this 
                paragraph.
          (2) Endowment trust for supportive services.--In 
        using grant amounts under this section made available 
        in fiscal year 2000 or thereafter for supportive 
        services under paragraph (1)(L), a public housing 
        agency may deposit such amounts in an endowment trust 
        to provide supportive services over such period of time 
        as the agency determines. Such amounts shall be 
        provided to the agency by the Secretary in a lump sum 
        when requested by the agency, shall be invested in a 
        wise and prudent manner, and shall be used (together 
        with any interest thereon earned) only for eligible 
        uses pursuant to paragraph (1)(L). A public housing 
        agency may use amounts in an endowment trust under this 
        paragraph in conjunction with other amounts donated or 
        otherwise made available to the trust for similar 
        purposes.
  (e) Application and Selection.--
          (1) Application.--An application for a grant under 
        this section shall demonstrate the appropriateness of 
        the proposal in the context of the local housing market 
        relative to other alternatives, and shall include such 
        other information and be submitted at such time and in 
        accordance with such procedures, as the Secretary shall 
        prescribe.
          (2) Selection criteria.--The Secretary shall 
        establish criteria for the award of grants under this 
        section and shall include among the factors--
                  (A) the relationship of the grant to the 
                public housing agency plan for the applicant 
                and how the grant will result in a revitalized 
                site that will enhance the neighborhood in 
                which the project is located and enhance 
                economic opportunities for residents;
                  (B) the capability and record of the 
                applicant public housing agency, or any 
                alternative management entity for the agency, 
                for managing redevelopment or modernization 
                projects, meeting construction timetables, and 
                obligating amounts in a timely manner;
                  (C) the extent to which the applicant could 
                undertake such activities without a grant under 
                this section;
                  (D) the extent of involvement of residents, 
                State and local governments, private service 
                providers, financing entities, and developers, 
                in the development and ongoing implementation 
                of a revitalization program for the project, 
                except that the Secretary may not award a grant 
                under this section unless the applicant has 
                involved affected public housing residents at 
                the beginning and during the planning process 
                for the revitalization program, prior to 
                submission of an application;
                  (E) the need for affordable housing in the 
                community;
                  (F) the supply of other housing available and 
                affordable to families receiving tenant-based 
                assistance under section 8;
                  (G) the amount of funds and other resources 
                to be leveraged by the grant;
                  (H) the extent of the need for, and the 
                potential impact of, the revitalization 
                program;
                  (I) the extent to which the plan minimizes 
                permanent displacement of current residents of 
                the public housing site who wish to remain in 
                or return to the revitalized community and 
                provides for community and supportive services 
                to residents prior to any relocation;
                  (J) the extent to which the plan sustains or 
                creates more project-based housing units 
                available to persons eligible for public 
                housing in markets where the plan shows there 
                is demand for the maintenance or creation of 
                such units;
                  (K) the extent to which the plan gives to 
                existing residents priority for occupancy in 
                dwelling units which are public housing 
                dwelling units, or for residents who can afford 
                to live in other units, priority for those 
                units in the revitalized community; and
                  (L) such other factors as the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
          (3) Applicability of selection criteria.--The 
        Secretary may determine not to apply certain of the 
        selection criteria established pursuant to paragraph 
        (2) when awarding grants for demolition only, tenant-
        based assistance only, or other specific categories of 
        revitalization activities. This section may not be 
        construed to require any application for a grant under 
        this section to include demolition of public housing or 
        to preclude use of grant amounts for rehabilitation or 
        rebuilding of any housing on an existing site.
  (f) Cost Limits.--Subject to the provisions of this section, 
the Secretary--
          (1) shall establish cost limits on eligible 
        activities under this section sufficient to provide for 
        effective revitalization programs; and
          (2) may establish other cost limits on eligible 
        activities under this section.
  (g) Disposition and Replacement.--Any severely distressed 
public housing disposed of pursuant to a revitalization plan 
and any public housing developed in lieu of such severely 
distressed housing, shall be subject to the provisions of 
section 18. Severely distressed public housing demolished 
pursuant to a revitalization plan shall not be subject to the 
provisions of section 18.
  (h) Administration by Other Entities.--The Secretary may 
require a grantee under this section to make arrangements 
satisfactory to the Secretary for use of an entity other than 
the public housing agency to carry out activities assisted 
under the revitalization plan, if the Secretary determines that 
such action will help to effectuate the purposes of this 
section.
  (i) Withdrawal of Funding.--If a grantee under this section 
does not proceed within a reasonable timeframe, in the 
determination of the Secretary, the Secretary shall withdraw 
any grant amounts under this section that have not been 
obligated by the public housing agency. The Secretary shall 
redistribute any withdrawn amounts to one or more other 
applicants eligible for assistance under this section or to one 
or more other entities capable of proceeding expeditiously in 
the same locality in carrying out the revitalization plan of 
the original grantee.
  (j) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions shall apply:
          (1) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means--
                  (A) any public housing agency that is not 
                designated as troubled pursuant to section 
                6(j)(2);
                  (B) any public housing agency for which a 
                private housing management agent has been 
                selected, or a receiver has been appointed, 
                pursuant to section 6(j)(3); and
                  (C) any public housing agency that is 
                designated as troubled pursuant to section 
                6(j)(2) and that--
                          (i) is so designated principally for 
                        reasons that will not affect the 
                        capacity of the agency to carry out a 
                        revitalization program;
                          (ii) is making substantial progress 
                        toward eliminating the deficiencies of 
                        the agency; or
                          (iii) is otherwise determined by the 
                        Secretary to be capable of carrying out 
                        a revitalization program.
          (2) Severely distressed public housing.--The term 
        ``severely distressed public housing'' means a public 
        housing project (or building in a project)--
                  (A) that--
                          (i) requires major redesign, 
                        reconstruction or redevelopment, or 
                        partial or total demolition, to correct 
                        serious deficiencies in the original 
                        design (including inappropriately high 
                        population density), deferred 
                        maintenance, physical deterioration or 
                        obsolescence of major systems and other 
                        deficiencies in the physical plant of 
                        the project;
                          (ii) is a significant contributing 
                        factor to the physical decline of and 
                        disinvestment by public and private 
                        entities in the surrounding 
                        neighborhood;
                          (iii)(I) is occupied predominantly by 
                        families who are very low-income 
                        families with children, are unemployed, 
                        and dependent on various forms of 
                        public assistance;
                          (II) has high rates of vandalism and 
                        criminal activity (including drug-
                        related criminal activity) in 
                        comparison to other housing in the 
                        area; or
                          (III) is lacking in sufficient 
                        appropriate transportation, supportive 
                        services, economic opportunity, 
                        schools, civic and religious 
                        institutions, and public services, 
                        resulting in severe social distress in 
                        the project;
                          (iv) cannot be revitalized through 
                        assistance under other programs, such 
                        as the program for capital and 
                        operating assistance for public housing 
                        under this Act, or the programs under 
                        sections 9 and 14 of the United States 
                        Housing Act of 1937 (as in effect 
                        before the effective date under under 
                        section 503(a) the Quality Housing and 
                        Work Responsibility Act of 1998), 
                        because of cost constraints and 
                        inadequacy of available amounts; and
                          (v) in the case of individual 
                        buildings, is, in the Secretary's 
                        determination, sufficiently separable 
                        from the remainder of the project of 
                        which the building is part to make use 
                        of the building feasible for purposes 
                        of this section; or
                  (B) that was a project described in 
                subparagraph (A) that has been legally vacated 
                or demolished, but for which the Secretary has 
                not yet provided replacement housing assistance 
                (other than tenant-based assistance).
          (3) Supportive services.--The term ``supportive 
        services'' includes all activities that will promote 
        upward mobility, self-sufficiency, and improved quality 
        of life for the residents of the public housing project 
        involved, including literacy training, job training, 
        day care, transportation, and economic development 
        activities.
  (k) Grantee Reporting.--The Secretary shall require grantees 
of assistance under this section to report the sources and uses 
of all amounts expended for revitalization plans.
  (l) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
Congress an annual report setting forth--
          (1) the number, type, and cost of public housing 
        units revitalized pursuant to this section;
          (2) the status of projects identified as severely 
        distressed public housing;
          (3) the amount and type of financial assistance 
        provided under and in conjunction with this section, 
        including a specification of the amount and type of 
        assistance provided under subsection (n);
          (4) the types of projects funded, and number of 
        affordable housing dwelling units developed with, 
        grants under subsection (n); and
          (5) the recommendations of the Secretary for 
        statutory and regulatory improvements to the program 
        established by this section.
  (m) Funding.--
          (1) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated for grants under this 
        section $574,000,000 for [fiscal year 2017.] fiscal 
        year 2018.
          (2) Technical assistance and program oversight.--Of 
        the amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for 
        any fiscal year, the Secretary may use up to 2 percent 
        for technical assistance or contract expertise, 
        including assistance in connection with the 
        establishment and operation of computer centers in 
        public housing through the Neighborhoods Networks 
        initiative described in subsection (d)(1)(G). Such 
        assistance or contract expertise may be provided 
        directly or indirectly by grants, contracts, or 
        cooperative agreements, and shall include training, and 
        the cost of necessary travel for participants in such 
        training, by or to officials of the Department of 
        Housing and Urban Development, of public housing 
        agencies, and of residents.
          (3) Set-aside for main street housing grants.--Of the 
        amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for any 
        fiscal year, the Secretary shall provide up to 5 
        percent for use only for grants under subsection (n).
  (n) Grants for Assisting Affordable Housing Developed Through 
Main Street Projects in Smaller Communities.--
          (1) Authority and use of grant amounts.--The 
        Secretary may make grants under this subsection to 
        smaller communities. Such grant amounts shall be used 
        by smaller communities only to provide assistance to 
        carry out eligible affordable housing activities under 
        paragraph (4) in connection with an eligible project 
        under paragraph (2).
          (2) Eligible project.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, the term ``eligible project'' means a 
        project that--
                  (A) the Secretary determines, under the 
                criteria established pursuant to paragraph (3), 
                is a main street project;
                  (B) is carried out within the jurisdiction of 
                a smaller community receiving the grant; and
                  (C) involves the development of affordable 
                housing that is located in the commercial area 
                that is the subject of the project.
          (3) Main street projects.--The Secretary shall 
        establish requirements for a project to be considered a 
        main street project for purposes of this section, which 
        shall require that the project--
                  (A) has as its purpose the revitalization or 
                redevelopment of a historic or traditional 
                commercial area;
                  (B) involves investment, or other 
                participation, by the government for, and 
                private entities in, the community in which the 
                project is carried out; and
                  (C) complies with such historic preservation 
                guidelines or principles as the Secretary shall 
                identify to preserve significant historic or 
                traditional architectural and design features 
                in the structures or area involved in the 
                project.
          (4) Eligible affordable housing activities.--For 
        purposes of this subsection, the activities described 
        in subsection (d)(1) shall be considered eligible 
        affordable housing activities, except that--
                  (A) such activities shall be conducted with 
                respect to affordable housing rather than with 
                respect to severely distressed public housing 
                projects; and
                  (B) eligible affordable housing activities 
                under this subsection shall not include the 
                activities described in subparagraphs (B) 
                through (E), (J), or (K) of subsection (d)(1).
          (5) Maximum grant amount.--A grant under this 
        subsection for a fiscal year for a single smaller 
        community may not exceed $1,000,000.
          (6) Contribution requirement.--A smaller community 
        applying for a grant under this subsection shall be 
        considered an applicant for purposes of subsection (c) 
        (relating to contributions by applicants), except 
        that--
                  (A) such supplemental amounts shall be used 
                only for carrying out eligible affordable 
                housing activities; and
                  (B) paragraphs (1)(B) and (3) shall not apply 
                to grants under this subsection.
          (7) Applications and selection.--
                  (A) Application.--Pursuant to subsection 
                (e)(1), the Secretary shall provide for smaller 
                communities to apply for grants under this 
                subsection, except that the Secretary may 
                establish such separate or additional criteria 
                for applications for such grants as may be 
                appropriate to carry out this subsection.
                  (B) Selection criteria.--The Secretary shall 
                establish selection criteria for the award of 
                grants under this subsection, which shall be 
                based on the selection criteria established 
                pursuant to subsection (e)(2), with such 
                changes as may be appropriate to carry out the 
                purposes of this subsection.
          (8) Cost limits.--The cost limits established 
        pursuant to subsection (f) shall apply to eligible 
        affordable housing activities assisted with grant 
        amounts under this subsection.
          (9) Inapplicability of other provisions.--The 
        provisions of subsections (g) (relating to disposition 
        and replacement of severely distressed public housing), 
        and (h) (relating to administration of grants by other 
        entities), shall not apply to grants under this 
        subsection.
          (10) Reporting.--The Secretary shall require each 
        smaller community receiving a grant under this 
        subsection to submit a report regarding the use of all 
        amounts provided under the grant.
          (11) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, 
        the following definitions shall apply:
                  (A) Affordable housing.--The term 
                ``affordable housing'' means rental or 
                homeownership dwelling units that--
                          (i) are made available for initial 
                        occupancy to low-income families, with 
                        a subset of units made available to 
                        very- and extremely-low income 
                        families; and
                          (ii) are subject to the same rules 
                        regarding occupant contribution toward 
                        rent or purchase and terms of rental or 
                        purchase as dwelling units in public 
                        housing projects assisted with a grant 
                        under this section.
                  (B) Smaller community.--The term ``smaller 
                community'' means a unit of general local 
                government (as such term is defined in section 
                102 of the Housing and Community Development 
                Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302)) that--
                          (i) has a population of 50,000 or 
                        fewer; and
                          (ii)(I) is not served by a public 
                        housing agency; or
                          (II) is served by a single public 
                        housing agency, which agency 
                        administers 100 or fewer public housing 
                        dwelling units.
  (o) Sunset.--No assistance may be provided under this section 
after [September 30, 2017.] September 30, 2018.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


MULTIFAMILY ASSISTED HOUSING REFORM AND AFFORDABILITY ACT OF 1997

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE V--HUD MULTIFAMILY HOUSING REFORM

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subtitle C--Enforcement Provisions

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Part 2--FHA Multifamily Provisions

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 579. TERMINATION.

  (a) Repeals.--
          (1) Mark-to-market program.--Subtitle A (except for 
        section 524) is repealed effective [October 1, 2017] 
        October 1, 2022.
          (2) OMHAR.--Subtitle D (except for this section) is 
        repealed effective October 1, 2004.
  (b) Exception.--Notwithstanding the repeal under subsection 
(a), the provisions of subtitle A (as in effect immediately 
before such repeal) shall apply with respect to projects and 
programs for which binding commitments have been entered into 
under this Act before [October 1, 2017] October 1, 2022.
  (c) Termination of Director and Office.--The Office of 
Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring and the position 
of Director of such Office shall terminate at the end of 
September 30, 2004.
  (d) Transfer of Authority.--Effective upon the repeal of 
subtitle D under subsection (a)(2) of this section, all 
authority and responsibilities to administer the program under 
subtitle A are transferred to the Secretary.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


  DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

                                TITLE II

  DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                    RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION

  To conduct a demonstration designed to preserve and improve 
public housing and certain other multifamily housing through 
the voluntary conversion of properties with assistance under 
section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, 
(hereinafter, ``the Act''), or the moderate rehabilitation 
program under section 8(e)(2) of the Act, to properties with 
assistance under a project-based subsidy contract under section 
8 of the Act, which shall be eligible for renewal under section 
524 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and 
Affordability Act of 1997, or assistance under section 8(o)(13) 
of the Act, the Secretary may transfer amounts provided through 
contracts under section 8(e)(2) of the Act or under the 
headings ``Public Housing Capital Fund'' and ``Public Housing 
Operating Fund'' to the headings ``Tenant-Based Rental 
Assistance'' or ``Project-Based Rental Assistance'':  Provided, 
That the initial long-term contract under which converted 
assistance is made available may allow for rental adjustments 
only by an operating cost factor established by the Secretary, 
and shall be subject to the availability of appropriations for 
each year of such term:  Provided further, That project 
applications may be received under this demonstration until 
September 30, 2020:  Provided further, That any increase in 
cost for ``Tenant-Based Rental Assistance'' or ``Project-Based 
Rental Assistance'' associated with such conversion in excess 
of amounts made available under this heading shall be equal to 
amounts transferred from ``Public Housing Capital Fund'' and 
``Public Housing Operating Fund'' or other account from which 
it was transferred:  Provided further, That not more than 
225,000 units currently receiving assistance under section 9 or 
section 8(e)(2) of the Act shall be converted under the 
authority provided under this heading:  Provided further, That 
tenants of such properties with assistance converted from 
assistance under section 9 shall, at a minimum, maintain the 
same rights under such conversion as those provided under 
sections 6 and 9 of the Act:  Provided further, That the 
Secretary shall select properties from applications for 
conversion as part of this demonstration through a competitive 
process:  Provided further, That in establishing criteria for 
such competition, the Secretary shall seek to demonstrate the 
feasibility of this conversion model to recapitalize and 
operate public housing properties (1) in different markets and 
geographic areas, (2) within portfolios managed by public 
housing agencies of varying sizes, and (3) by leveraging other 
sources of funding to recapitalize properties:  Provided 
further, That the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for 
public comment on draft eligibility and selection criteria and 
procedures that will apply to the selection of properties that 
will participate in the demonstration:  Provided further, That 
the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for comment from 
residents of properties to be proposed for participation in the 
demonstration to the owners or public housing agencies 
responsible for such properties:  Provided further, That the 
Secretary may waive or specify alternative requirements for 
(except for requirements related to fair housing, 
nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment) any 
provision of section 8(o)(13) or any provision that governs the 
use of assistance from which a property is converted under the 
demonstration or funds made available under the headings of 
``Public Housing Capital Fund'', ``Public Housing Operating 
Fund'', and ``Project-Based Rental Assistance'', under this Act 
or any prior Act or any Act enacted during the period of 
conversion of assistance under the demonstration for properties 
with assistance converted under the demonstration, upon a 
finding by the Secretary that any such waivers or alternative 
requirements are necessary for the effective conversion of 
assistance under the demonstration:  Provided further, That the 
Secretary shall publish by notice in the Federal Register any 
waivers or alternative requirements pursuant to the previous 
proviso no later than 10 days before the effective date of such 
notice:  Provided further, That the demonstration may proceed 
after the Secretary publishes notice of its terms in the 
Federal Register:  Provided further, That notwithstanding 
sections 3 and 16 of the Act, the conversion of assistance 
under the demonstration shall not be the basis for re-screening 
or termination of assistance or eviction of any tenant family 
in a property participating in the demonstration, and such a 
family shall not be considered a new admission for any purpose, 
including compliance with income targeting requirements:  
Provided further, That in the case of a property with 
assistance converted under the demonstration from assistance 
under section 9 of the Act, section 18 of the Act shall not 
apply to a property converting assistance under the 
demonstration for all or substantially all of its units, the 
Secretary shall require ownership or control of assisted units 
by a public or nonprofit entity except as determined by the 
Secretary to be necessary pursuant to foreclosure, bankruptcy, 
or termination and transfer of assistance for material 
violations or substantial default, in which case the priority 
for ownership or control shall be provided to a capable public 
or nonprofit entity, then a capable entity, as determined by 
the Secretary, shall require long-term renewable use and 
affordability restrictions for assisted units, and may allow 
ownership to be transferred to a for-profit entity to 
facilitate the use of tax credits only if the public housing 
agency [preserves its interest] or a nonprofit entity preserves 
an interest in the property in a manner approved by the 
Secretary, and upon expiration of the initial contract and each 
renewal contract, the Secretary shall offer and the owner of 
the property shall accept renewal of the contract subject to 
the terms and conditions applicable at the time of renewal and 
the availability of appropriations each year of such renewal:  
Provided further, That the Secretary may permit transfer of 
assistance at or after conversion under the demonstration to 
replacement units subject to the requirements in the previous 
proviso:  Provided further, That the Secretary may establish 
the requirements for converted assistance under the 
demonstration through contracts, use agreements, regulations, 
or other means:  Provided further, That the Secretary shall 
assess and publish findings regarding the impact of the 
conversion of assistance under the demonstration on the 
preservation and improvement of public housing, the amount of 
private sector leveraging as a result of such conversion, and 
the effect of such conversion on tenants: [Provided further, 
That for fiscal year 2012 and hereafter, owners of properties 
assisted under section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development 
Act of 1965, section 236(f)(2) of the National Housing Act, or 
section 8(e)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, for 
which an event after October 1, 2006 has caused or results in 
the termination of rental assistance or affordability 
restrictions and the issuance of tenant protection vouchers 
under section 8(o) of the Act, shall be eligible, subject to 
requirements established by the Secretary, including but not 
limited to tenant consultation procedures, for conversion of 
assistance available for such vouchers to assistance under a 
long-term project-based subsidy contract under section 8 of the 
Act, which shall have a term of no less than 20 years, with 
rent adjustments only by an operating cost factor established 
by the Secretary, which shall be eligible for renewal under 
section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and 
Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), or, subject 
to agreement of the administering public housing agency, to 
assistance under section 8(o)(13) of the Act, to which the 
limitation under subsection (B) of section 8(o)(13) of the Act 
shall not apply and for which the Secretary of Housing and 
Urban Development may waive or alter the provisions of 
subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 8(o)(13) of the Act:] 
Provided further, That for fiscal year 2012 and hereafter, 
owners of properties assisted or previously assisted under 
section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, 
section 236(f)(2) of the National Housing Act, or section 
8(e)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, for which a 
contract expires or terminates due to prepayment on or after 
October 1, 2006, has caused or results in the termination of 
rental assistance or affordability restrictions or both and the 
issuance of tenant protection vouchers under section 8(o) or 
section 8(t) of the Act, or with a project rental assistance 
contract under section 202(c)(2) of Housing Act of 1959, shall 
be eligible, subject to requirements established by the 
Secretary, including but not limited to tenant consultation 
procedures, for conversion of assistance available or provided 
for such vouchers or assistance contracts, to assistance under 
a long-term project-based subsidy contract under section 8 of 
the Act, which shall have a term of no less than 20 years, 
which shall have initial rents set at comparable market rents 
for the market area, with subsequent rent adjustments only by 
an operating cost factor established by the Secretary, and 
which shall be eligible for renewal under section 524 of the 
Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 
1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), or, subject to agreement of the 
administering public housing agency, to assistance under 
section 8(o)(13) of the Act, to which the limitation under 
subparagraph (B) of section 8(o)(13) of the Act shall not apply 
and for which the Secretary may waive or alter the provisions 
of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 8(o)(13) of the Act 
(``Second Component'' herein): Provided further, That 
conversions of assistance under the Second Component may not be 
the basis for re-screening or termination of assistance or 
eviction of any tenant family in a property participating in 
the demonstration: Provided further, That amounts made 
available under the heading ``Rental Housing Assistance'' 
during the period of conversion under the [previous proviso 
shall be available for project-based subsidy contracts entered 
into pursuant to the previous proviso:] Second Component, 
except for conversion of section 202 project rental assistance 
contracts, shall be available for project-based subsidy 
contracts entered into pursuant to the Second Component: 
Provided further, That amounts, including contract authority, 
recaptured from contracts following a conversion under the 
[previous two provisos] Second Component, except for conversion 
of section 202 project rental assistance contracts, are hereby 
rescinded and an amount of additional new budget authority, 
equivalent to the amount rescinded is hereby appropriated, to 
remain available until expended for such conversions: Provided 
further, That the Secretary may transfer amounts made available 
under the heading ``Rental Housing Assistance'', amounts made 
available for tenant protection vouchers under the heading 
``Tenant-Based Rental Assistance'' and specifically associated 
with any such conversions, and amounts made available under the 
previous proviso as needed to the account under the ``Project-
Based Rental Assistance'' heading to facilitate conversion 
under the [three previous provisos] Second Component, except 
for conversion of section 202 project rental assistance 
contracts, and any increase in cost for ``Project-Based Rental 
Assistance'' associated with such conversion shall be equal to 
amounts so transferred: Provided further, That the Secretary 
may transfer amounts made available under the heading ``Housing 
for the Elderly'' to the accounts under the headings ``Project-
Based Rental Assistance'' or ``Tenant-Based Rental Assistance'' 
to facilitate any section 202 project rental assistance 
contract conversions under the Second Component, and any 
increase in cost for ``Project-Based Rental Assistance'' or 
``Tenant-Based Rental Assistance'' associated with such 
conversion shall be equal to amounts so transferred:  Provided 
further, That with respect to the [previous four provisos] 
Second Component, as applicable, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study of the long-term impact of 
the fiscal year 2012 and 2013 conversion of tenant protection 
vouchers to assistance under section 8(o)(13) of the Act on the 
ratio of tenant-based vouchers to project-based vouchers.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


               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; and allowing up to $2,500,000 in user 
fees to be credited to the account.
    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 surface and innovative finance bureau' which sets a 
notification requirement.
    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; changes the availability of funds; and specifies 
funding minimums for and authorities related to the Interagency 
Infrastructure Permitting Improvement Center.
    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 provides funds for 
financial education outreach, monitoring and modification of 
existing loans, and administrative expenses; and makes funds 
available for business opportunities related to any mode of 
transportation.
    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 sets administrative requirements of the 
Department's Credit Council.
    Section 103 allows the Department to use the Working 
Capital Fund to provide transit benefits to Federal employees.
    Section 104 allows transfers related to the `National 
surface and innovative finance bureau' account.
    Section 105 changes the deposit account for certain fees.
    Language is included under the Federal Aviation 
Administration, `Operations' that specifies funds for certain 
activities; limits the availability of funds; 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; prohibits funds from certain activities 
coordinated through the Working Capital Fund; and prohibits 
funds to eliminate the Contract Weather Observer program.
    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 2017.
    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 a certain number 
of 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.
    Section 119B prohibits funds to change weight restrictions 
or prior permission rules at Teterboro airport in Teterboro, 
New Jersey.
    Section 119C prohibits funds to withhold funds from certain 
contract tower applicants.
    Section 119D requires FAA to take certain actions related 
to organization delegation authorization.
    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 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 are available until 
expended.
    Language is included under the Federal Highway 
Administration, `Federal-aid highways' that liquidates contract 
authority from the Highway Trust Fund.
    Language is included under the Federal Highway 
Administration, `Federal-aid highways' that specifies certain 
unobligated balances of funds for rescission.
    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.
    Section 124 requires Congressional notification before the 
Department provides grant assistance under section 117 of title 
23, U.S.C.
    Section 125 prohibits termination of the Clearview font.
    Section 126 modifies a federal truck weight exemption to 
include North Dakota.
    Language is included under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration, `Motor carrier safety operations and programs' 
that 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 provides 
limitation on obligations and liquidation of contract 
authorization; specifies amounts available for various 
programs; and specifies allowable activities for a highly 
automated commercial vehicle research and development program.
    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 prohibits funds to enforce Electronic Logging 
Device regulations with respect to carriers transporting 
livestock or insects.
    Section 133 prohibits funds from being used to modify 
safety fitness determination regulations until certain 
conditions are met.
    Section 134 clarifies the preemption of certain state and 
local laws and regulations by federal laws and regulations and 
makes the preemption retroactive to 1994.
    Language is included under National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, `Operations and research' that provides funds 
for vehicle safety activities; and modifies the period of 
availability of certain funds.
    Language is included under National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration, `Operations and research' that provides a 
limitation on obligations and a liquidation of contract 
authorization from the Highway Trust Fund; specifies amounts 
for various programs; and modifies the period of availability 
of certain funds.
    Language is included under the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration `Highway traffic safety grants' that 
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 roadside 
survey.
    Section 143 prohibits funding for mandated global 
positioning system tracking.
    Language is included under Federal Railroad Administration, 
`Safety and operations' that provides funds and funding 
availability.
    Language is included under Federal Railroad Administration, 
`Railroad research and development' that provides funds and 
funding availability.
    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 prohibiting new 
direct loans or loan guarantee commitments in 2017 that use 
Federal funds for the credit risk premium, except for funding 
awards under section 3028(c) of Public Law 114-94.
    Language is included under the Federal Railroad 
Administration, `Federal-State Partnership for the State of 
Good Repair Grants' that provides funds, provides funding 
availability, and allows the Secretary to withhold funding for 
a specified purpose.
    Language is included under the Federal Railroad 
Administration, `Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety 
Improvements' that provides funds, provides funding 
availability, and allows the Secretary to withhold funding for 
a specified purpose.
    Language is included under the Federal Railroad 
Administration, `Northeast Corridor Grants to the National 
Railroad Passenger Corporation' that provides funds, provides 
funding availability, and specifies a funding level for 
activities.
    Language is included under the Federal Railroad 
Administration, `National Network Grants to the National 
Railroad Passenger Corporation' that provides funding, funding 
availability, and specifies a funding level for specified 
activities.
    Section 150 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 to provide a report that includes specified 
information on overtime payments incurred for 2017 and three 
prior years.
    Section 151 prohibits funding for high speed rail in 
California or for the California High Speed Rail authority or 
to administrator a grant with the Authority that contains a 
tapered matching requirement.
    Section 152 prohibits funds to take any actions related to 
high speed rail in California unless the Surface Transportation 
Board issues the permit for the entire project.
    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, and provides for the 
liquidation of contract authority.
    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 period of 
availability of funds, and requires the Secretary to continue 
to administer the capital investment grant program pursuant to 
49 U.S.C. 5309.
    Language is included under Federal Transit Administration, 
`Washington metropolitan area transit authority' that changes 
the period of 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, requires the Secretary to place the highest priority on 
safety investments, 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 funds for a certain fixed guideway 
project in Houston, Texas.
    Section 164 prohibits a full funding grant agreement for a 
project with a new starts share greater than 50 percent.
    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, 
and specifies a certain amount for asset renewal activities.
    Language is included under Maritime Administration, 
`Maritime security program' that provides funds and funding 
availability to preserve a U.S. flag merchant fleet.
    Language is included under Maritime Administration, 
`Operations and training' that provides specific funds for 
state maritime academies, a national security multi-mission 
vessel design, student incentive program payments, training 
ship fuel assistance payments, maritime environment and 
technology assistance, capital improvements at the United 
States Merchant Marine Academy, and the State Maritime Schools 
Schoolship Maintenance and Repair; and requires a report on 
sexual assault and harassment at the United States Merchant 
Marine Academy.
    Language is included under Maritime Administration, 
`Assistance to Small Shipyards' that provides funding, funding 
availability, Notice of Funding Availability and grant timing 
requirements, and specifies funds for grant administration.
    Language is included under Maritime Administration, `Ship 
Disposal' that provides funds and funding availability.
    Language is included under Maritime Administration, 
`Maritime guaranteed loan (title XI) program account' that 
provides funds and transfers funds to ``National Surface 
Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau.''
    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.
    Section 172 modifies penalty wages regarding foreign and 
intercoastal voyages and coastwise voyages.
    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 
amounts derived from the pipeline safety fund, the oil spill 
liability trust fund, and the underground natural gas storage 
facility safety account; and limits the period of availability.
    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; 
prohibits funds from being obligated by anyone other than the 
Secretary or a designee of the Secretary; and makes prior year 
recoveries available for certain activities.
    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.
    Section 180 provides authorization for DOT to maintain and 
operate aircraft, hire passenger motor vehicles and aircraft, 
purchase liability insurance, buy uniforms, or allowances 
therefor.
    Section 181 limits appropriations for services authorized 
by 5 U.S.C. 3109 to the rate permitted for an Executive Level 
IV.
    Section 182 prohibits recipients of funds in this Act from 
disseminating personal information obtained by state DMVs in 
connection to motor vehicle records with an exception.
    Section 183 stipulates that revenue collected by FHWA and 
FRA from States, counties, municipalities, other public 
authorities, and private sources for training be transferred 
into specific accounts within the agency with an exception.
    Section 184 prohibits DOT from using funds for a grant, 
letter of intent, loan commitment, loan guarantee commitment, 
line of credit commitment of full funding grant agreement, of 
$500,000 or more unless DOT gives a 3-day advance notice and a 
compressive list to Congress. Also requires notice of any 
``quick release'' of funds from FHWA's emergency relief 
program. Prohibits notifications from involving funds not 
available for obligation.
    Section 185 allows funds received from rebates, refunds, 
and similar sources to be credited to appropriations of DOT.
    Section 186 allows amounts from improper payments to a 
third party contractor that are lawfully recovered by DOT to be 
made available to cover expenses incurred in recovery of such 
payments.
    Section 187 requires that reprogramming actions have to be 
approved or denied by the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations, and reprogramming notifications shall be 
transmitted solely to the Appropriations Committees.
    Section 188 allows 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 189 authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program 
that establishes uniform standards for developing and 
supporting agency transit pass and transit benefits, including 
distribution of transit benefits.
    Section 190 prohibits the use of funds to implement any 
geographic, economic, or other hiring preference not otherwise 
authorized by law, unless certain requirements are met related 
to availability of local labor, displacement of existing 
employees, and delays in transportation plans.

         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 operations officer, 
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'; 
allows for the transfer of a certain amount to the information 
technology fund; 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 policy development and research, the 
office of fair housing and equal opportunity, and the office of 
lead hazard control and healthy 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, 2018; 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); and 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.
    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; specifies that the Secretary 
shall track special purpose vouchers including a minimum 
renewal amount for vouchers targeted at veterans; provides 
funds for rental assistance and administrative costs associated 
with tribal veteran vouchers subject to certain conditions; and 
provides funds for the modernization of PHA information 
technology systems and allows the Secretary to transfer amounts 
to the `Public housing capital fund' account for the same 
purpose.
    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 judicial 
receiverships, 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, `Public housing operating fund' which specifies 
the total amount available for certain activities; and modifies 
the period of availability.
    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'; and requires grantee notification 
within 60 days of enactment.
    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 to 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; requires notification of formula 
allocations within 60 days of enactment; and makes allowances 
for youth under the age of 24 who are served by the program.
    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; 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 and 
use 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 and use of these funds.
    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, specifies that the Secretary may insure specific 
mortgages only under certain conditions; specifies the extent 
that the commitment levels allows for additional contract 
expenses, 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, 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, `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 changes the period of 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 changes the 
period of 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 splits overpayments evenly between Treasury and 
State HFAs.
    Section 202 prohibits funds from being used to investigate 
or prosecute lawful activities under the Fair Housing Act.
    Section 203 requires any grant or cooperative agreement to 
be made on a competitive basis, unless otherwise provided, in 
accordance with Section 102 of the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development Reform Act of 1989.
    Section 204 relates to the availability of funds for 
services and facilities for GSEs and others subject to the 
Government Corporation Control Act and the Housing Act of 1950.
    Section 205 prohibits the use of funds in excess of the 
budget estimates, unless provided otherwise.
    Section 206 relates to the expenditure of funds for 
corporations and agencies subject to the Government Corporation 
Control Act.
    Section 207 requires the Secretary to provide quarterly 
reports on uncommitted, unobligated, recaptured, and excess 
funds in each departmental program and activity.
    Section 208 requires the Administration's budget and HUD's 
budget justifications for fiscal year 2019 be submitted in the 
identical account and sub-account structure provided in this 
Act.
    Section 209 exempts GNMA from certain requirements of the 
Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
    Section 210 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 211 sets forth requirements for Section 8 voucher 
assistance eligibility and includes consideration for persons 
with disabilities.
    Section 212 distributes Native American Housing Block 
Grants to the same Native Alaskan recipients as in fiscal year 
2005.
    Section 213 authorizes the Secretary to insure mortgages 
under Section 255 of the National Housing Act.
    Section 214 instructs HUD on managing and disposing of any 
multifamily property that is owned or held by HUD.
    Section 215 allows the Section 108 loan guarantee program 
to guarantee notes or other obligations issued by any State on 
behalf of non-entitlement communities in the State.
    Section 216 allows PHAs that own and operate 400 or fewer 
units of public housing to be exempt from asset management 
requirements.
    Section 217 restricts the Secretary from imposing any 
requirements or guidelines relating to asset management that 
restrict or limit the use of capital funds for central office 
costs, up to the limit established in QHWRA.
    Section 218 requires that no employee of the Department 
shall be designated as an allotment holder unless the CFO 
determines that such employee has received certain training.
    Section 219 requires the Secretary to publish all notice of 
funding availability that is competitively awarded on the 
internet for fiscal year 2018.
    Section 220 limits attorney fees and requires the 
Department to submit a spend plan to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 221 allows the Secretary to transfer up to 10 
percent of funds or $4,000,000, whichever is less, appropriated 
under the headings ``Administrative Support Offices'' or 
``Program Office Salaries and Expenses'' to any other office 
funded under such headings.
    Section 222 requires HUD to take certain actions against 
owners receiving rental subsidies that do not maintain safe 
properties.
    Section 223 places a salary and bonus limit on public 
housing agency officials and employees.
    Section 224 prohibits the use of funds for the doctoral 
dissertation research grant program at HUD.
    Section 225 extends the HOPE VI program to September 30, 
2018.
    Section 226 requires the Secretary to notify the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations at least 3 full business 
days before grant awards are announced.
    Section 227 prohibits funds to be used to require or 
enforce the Physical Needs Assessment (PNA).
    Section 228 prohibits funds for HUD financing of mortgages 
for properties that have been subject to eminent domain.
    Section 229 prohibits the use of funds to terminate the 
status of a unit of general local government as a metropolitan 
city with respect to grants.
    Section 230 allows funding for research, evaluation, and 
statistical purposes that is unexpended at the time of 
completion of the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement to 
be reobligated for additional research.
    Section 231 prohibits funds to be used for financial awards 
for employees subject to administrative discipline.
    Section 232 allows program income as an eligible match for 
2016, 2017, and 2018 Continuum of Care funds.
    Section 233 permits HUD to provide one year transition 
grants under the continuum of care program.
    Section 234 prohibits the use of funds to direct a grantee 
to undertake specific changes to existing zoning laws as part 
of carrying out the final rule entitled, ``Affirmatively 
Furthering Fair Housing'' or the notice entitled, 
``Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Tool''.
    Section 235 extends the mark to market program to September 
30, 2022.
    Section 236 prohibits new guarantees or insurance on 
properties with a PACE loan that is or has the potential to be 
in a superior lien position compared to the mortgage guaranteed 
or insured under the MMI fund.
    Section 237 expands authorities under the Rental Assistance 
Demonstration program.

                      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 therefore, 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' that specifies the allocation of funds.
    Language is included for the United States Interagency 
Council on Homelessness, `Operating expenses' that provides 
funds for closure of the Council.
    Language is included under Surface Transportation Board, 
`Salaries and expenses' allowing the collection of a specified 
level of 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.

                 TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS ACT

    Section 401 prohibits pay and other expenses for non-
Federal parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory 
proceedings.
    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 in 
procurement contracts to those contained in the public record.
    Section 404 prohibits employee training not directly 
related to the performance of official duty.
    Section 405 specifies requirements for reprogramming funds.
    Section 406 provides that fifty percent of unobligated 
balances for salaries and expenses may remain available for 
certain purposes, subject to the approval of the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations.
    Section 407 prohibits the use of funds 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 funds from being transferred to any 
department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, 
except where transfer authority is provided in this 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 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 convicted of 
violating the Buy American Act.
    Section 412 prohibits funds for first-class airline 
accommodations in contravention of sections 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.
    Section 414 restricts the number of employees that agencies 
funded in this Act may send to international conferences.
    Section 415 caps 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 416 rescinds unobligated salaries and expenses 
balances from various accounts.
    Section 417 prohibits funds from being used to maintain or 
establish computer networks unless such networks block the 
viewing, downloading, or exchange of pornography.
    Section 418 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 in
               Program                   Last year of      Authorization       last year of    Appropriations in
                                        authorization          Level          authorization        this bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Title I--Department of Transportation\1\
 
Office of the Secretary:
    Payments to Air Carriers\1\.....               2017           $175,000           $150,000           $150,000
Federal Aviation Administration:\1\
    Operations......................               2017          9,909,724         10,025,852         10,185,482
    Facilities and Equipment........               2017          2,855,000          2,855,000          2,855,000
    Research, Engineering, and                     2017            166,000            176,500            170,000
     Development....................
    Grant-in-Aid for Airports.......               2017          3,350,000          3,350,000          3,350,000
Federal Railroad Administration:
    Safety and Operations...........               2013            293,000            169,254            218,298
Maritime Administration:
    Operations and Training\2\......               2017            224,146            175,560            175,620
    Ship Disposal\2\................               2017             20,000             34,000              9,000
    Maritime Security Program\2\....               2017            299,997            300,000            300,000
    Assistance to Small Shipyards...               2017             30,000             10,000              3,000
    Title XI\2\.....................               2017              3,000              3,000              3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-190) extends FAA Authorities through September
  30, 2017.
\2\Reflects authorized amounts associated with maintaining national security aspects of the merchant marine per
  Pub. L. 114-328.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Title II--Department of Housing and Urban Development
 
Management and Administration.......               1994         $1,029,496           $916,963         $1,350,671
Rental Assistance:
    Section 8 Voucher Renewals and                 1994          8,446,173          5,458,106         20,486,725
     Administrative Expenses........
    Public Housing Capital Fund.....               2003          3,000,000          2,712,555          1,850,000
    Public Housing Operating Fund...               2003          2,900,000          3,576,600          4,400,000
Native American Housing Block Grants               2013       Such sums as            616,001            654,000
                                                                 necessary
Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund..               2012       Such sums as              6,000              7,227
                                                                 necessary
Housing Opportunity for Persons with               1994            156,300            156,000            356,000
 Aids...............................
Community Development Fund..........               1994          4,168,000          4,877,389          2,960,000
Community Development Loan Guarantee               1994     not applicable     not applicable          [300,000]
 Limitation.........................
Home Investment Partnerships Program               1994          2,173,612          1,275,000            850,000
Choice Neighborhoods Initiatives....              never     not applicable     not applicable             20,000
Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity                2001       Such sums as             48,000             45,000
 Program............................                             necessary
Homless Assistance..................               2011       Such sums as          1,901,190          2,383,000
                                                                 necessary
Housing for the Elderly.............               2003       Such sums as            783,286            573,000
                                                                 necessary
Housing for Persons with                           2015            300,000            135,000            147,000
 Disabilities.......................
FHA General and Special Risk Program
 Account:
    Limitations on Guaranteed Loans.               1995       Such sums as       [20,885,072]       [30,000,000]
                                                                 necessary
    Limitation on Direct Loans......               1995       Such sums as          [220,000]            [5,000]
                                                                 necessary
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       Such sums as              9,101             25,400
                                                                 necessary
Policy Development and Research.....               1994             36,470             35,000             85,000
Fair Housing Activities, Fair                      1994             26,000             20,481             65,300
 Housing Program....................
Lead Hazard Reduction Program.......               1994            250,000            150,000            130,000
 
                                           Title III--Related Agencies
 
National Transportation Safety Board               2008             92,625             84,499            106,000
Neighborhood Reinvestment                          1994             30,714             31,715            140,000
 Corporation........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          PROGRAM DUPLICATION

    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 2017 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...............................................            0            0            0         \1\0
    Discretionary...........................................       56,512      121,000       56,512      120,943
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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:

                        [In millions of dollars]
 
 
 
Projection of outlays associated with the
 recommendation:
    2018.............................................          \2\42,199
    2019.............................................             37,122
    2020.............................................             15,007
    2021.............................................              6,314
    2022 and future years............................              9,091
 
\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:

                        [In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Budget Authority       Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial assistance to State and              32,331          \2\32,174
 local governments for 2018.......
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


                             MINORITY VIEWS

           MINORITY VIEWS OF NITA M. LOWEY AND DAVID E. PRICE

    The impact of the Republican majority's self-imposed 
austerity is on full display in the Fiscal Year 2018 
appropriations bill for the Subcommittee on Transportation, 
Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (T-HUD). 
This year's bill includes $56.5 billion for critical 
transportation, housing, and community development programs--a 
$1.1 billion reduction compared to current levels. This year's 
T-HUD allocation is insufficient to address our nation's 
housing and infrastructure challenges. Where boldness and 
leadership are required, this bill offers timidity and the 
status quo.
    In each of our districts, we have examples of damaged 
roads, structurally deficient bridges, and aging transportation 
systems. We have a shortage of affordable housing and aging 
public housing properties in need of repair. Robust investments 
in infrastructure and community development would address these 
shortfalls and put people to work, improve safety and boost 
economic growth. The American Society of Civil Engineers' most 
recent report gave U.S. infrastructure a D+ grade and 
identified a $2 trillion investment gap over the next decade. 
Our infrastructure continues to deteriorate at an alarming 
rate, causing congestion on our roads, delays at our airports, 
and bottlenecks at our ports. Throughout the campaign and in 
his first days in office, the President assured Americans that 
infrastructure was a priority for his administration. Yet, the 
President and his Republican Congress, in an appropriations 
bill that should robustly fund the modernization of our 
infrastructure, advanced a hollow shell that puts us even 
further behind in modernizing American transport.
    This bill eliminates the successful and popular TIGER 
grants program and drastically cuts Capital Investment Grants 
when there is a crisis on the rails for commuters and train 
travelers in the New York metro area and around the country. If 
the Republican majority continues to neglect infrastructure 
that is crumbling before our very eyes, it will only get more 
expensive to address in the future and will become more 
dangerous for all Americans.
    We are in the midst of a housing crisis. Millions of 
Americans struggle to pay rent as wages fail to rise as quickly 
as housing costs. Yet, Community Development Block Grants 
(CDBG) and the HOME program, both lauded by local elected 
officials around the country for their flexibility and 
effectiveness, are each cut by $100 million. The Public Housing 
Capital Fund, Lead Hazard Control, and the Section 4 Capacity 
Building Program utilized by Habitat for Humanity and other 
nonprofits to expand their reach are all cut. Some estimates 
suggest that the funding levels in this bill could result in 
the loss of more than 140,000 housing vouchers. This would have 
a horrible impact on low-income families, putting them at 
immediate risk of eviction and, in the worst cases, 
homelessness.
    During full committee consideration of the bill, Democrats 
offered amendments to improve the bill and invest in America's 
infrastructure and working families. Republicans defeated each 
of these amendments on a party-line vote.
    Mr. Price offered a comprehensive amendment that would 
invest $200 billion in America's highways, rail, transit, and 
housing infrastructure. It would have provided funding to 
repair aging bridges, repair our roads, and to modernize our 
airports and our airspace. Rather than confront the 
infrastructure challenges head-on, Republicans defeated the 
amendment.
    Republicans also rejected amendments from Mrs. Lowey that 
would have removed more lead hazards from homes and made 
commuter railroads safer as well as other Democratic amendments 
to increase CDBG and HOME, bolster our public housing stock, 
protect vulnerable populations, advance homelessness prevention 
efforts, and invest in more transit. We look forward to 
addressing these shortcomings as the process moves forward.
    The bill also contains several controversial policy riders 
that unnecessarily attack high speed rail, roll back 
transportation safety protections for the traveling public, and 
harm labor rights. Many of these issues were considered and 
rejected during consideration of the FY 2017 omnibus 
negotiations. Mr. Price offered an amendment to strip these 
riders at Full Committee markup, which the majority rejected. 
In recent years, this bill has become a Court of Appeals for 
the trucking industry, re-litigating issues in the 
Appropriations Committee rather than addressing them through 
the authorizing process. We strongly object to including these 
riders in the bill.
    The Chairman was dealt a very difficult hand with an 
inadequate allocation, but he deserves recognition for some key 
investments. The T-HUD bill sustains basic safety activities at 
DOT and provides funding increases to Housing for the Elderly 
and Housing for Persons with Disabilities. We also want to 
thank the Chairman for including $20 million for the Choice 
Neighborhoods Initiative. Funding this program nominally in the 
base bill will give us a chance to improve this number as the 
process moves forward, even though President Trump suggested 
eliminating the program.
    While the bill includes language to ensure FTA continues to 
rate and review projects in the grant pipeline, this lower 
funding level threatens the progress and viability of major 
transit projects around the country.
    The bill reflects the strong bipartisan consensus within 
the Appropriations Committee that we must continue providing 
the resources necessary to strengthen and modernize the air 
traffic control system. The Federal Aviation Administration 
received a $153 million increase over last year and a $434 
million increase over the President's request. This consensus 
is sorely lacking on the authorizing committee where 
Republicans advanced a partisan and controversial plan that, if 
implemented, would jeopardize NextGen's progress and hand over 
billions of dollars in federal assets and control of the skies 
to private industry.
    In its current form, the bill represents a step in the 
wrong direction. However, we remain hopeful that a new 
bipartisan budget deal will be reached that makes it possible 
to revise this legislation to garner bipartisan support. We 
look forward to working with the Chairman toward this end in 
the months ahead.
    As the legislative process continues, we will do our best 
to address the concerns described here. Without a larger 
discussion of the Federal budget, it will be nearly impossible 
to pass a Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development 
appropriations bill for FY 2018 into law. The inadequacy of 
this bill's allocation can only be fixed if Democrats and 
Republicans negotiate new caps for spending that do not slash 
the investments needed in this bill and others to support 
working families and grow the economy. Unfortunately, to date, 
Republicans are choosing to close ranks around a partisan 
effort to cut programs depended on by millions of Americans 
even though they know it will lead to another forced crisis to 
keep the government open. Democrats stand ready to work with 
Republicans on appropriations bills that invest in the American 
people.
    We all know that Democratic votes will be needed to reach a 
spending agreement that can be enacted, When Republicans get 
serious about that, we will be ready and willing to work with 
our colleagues to make sure this bill better funds initiatives 
that Americans rely on to pursue the American dream.

                                   Nita M. Lowey.
                                   David E. Price.

                                  [all]