[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 2, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29742-29753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13784]



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Part II





Department of Transportation





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Office of the Secretary



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Federal Highway Administration



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Federal Railroad Administration



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Federal Transit Administration



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23 CFR Part 180



49 CFR Parts 80, 261 and 640



Credit Assistance for Surface Transportation Projects; Fiscal Year 1999 
Applications for TIFIA Credit Assistance; Final Rule and Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 2, 1999 / Rules 
and Regulations  

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

23 CFR Part 180

Office of the Secretary

49 CFR Part 80

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 261

Federal Transit Administration

49 CFR Part 640

[OST Docket No. OST-99-5728]
RIN 2125-AE49


Credit Assistance for Surface Transportation Projects

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Railroad 
Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Office of 
the Secretary of Transportation (OST), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (DOT) is implementing the 
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 
(TIFIA) to provide credit assistance to surface transportation 
projects. The TIFIA authorizes the DOT to provide secured (direct) 
loans, lines of credit, and loan guarantees to public and private 
project sponsors of eligible surface transportation projects. Projects 
will be evaluated and selected by the Secretary of Transportation. 
Following selections, individual credit agreements will be developed 
through negotiations between the project sponsors and the DOT.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective August 2, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FHWA: Mr. Max Inman, Office of Budget 
and Finance, Federal-Aid Financial Management Division, (202) 366-0673; 
or Mr. Steven M. Rochlis, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1395. 
FRA: Ms. JoAnne McGowan, Office of Passenger and Freight Services, 
Freight Program Division, (202) 493-6390; or Mr. Joseph Pomponio, 
Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 493-6051. FTA: Mr. Paul Marx, Office 
of Policy Development, (202) 366-1734; or Ms. Paula Schwach, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, (816) 523-0204. OST: Ms. Stephanie Kaufman, Office 
of Budget and Program Performance, (202) 366-9649; or Mr. Terence W. 
Carlson, Office of the General Counsel, (202) 366-9161. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC, 20590. Office 
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. Hearing-and speech-impaired persons may access 
this number via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at 
1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    Internet users may access all comments received by the U.S. DOT 
Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL) 
http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each 
year. Please follow the instructions on-line for more information and 
help. An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a 
modem and suitable communications software from the Government Printing 
Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet 
users may reach the Federal Register's home page at http://
www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's web page at 
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
    Additional information on the TIFIA program and credit assistance 
for surface transportation projects generally is available at the TIFIA 
web site at http://tifia.fhwa.dot.gov. Among other information, the DOT 
will provide responses to commonly asked questions and information on 
participation in the TIFIA program.

Background

    The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), Public 
Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 241, created the Transportation 
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 (TIFIA). The TIFIA, 
as amended by section 9007, Public Law 105-206, 112 Stat. 685, 849, and 
codified at 23 U.S.C. 181-189, establishes a new Federal credit program 
for surface transportation projects. Funding for this program is 
limited, meaning that projects obtaining assistance under the TIFIA 
program will be selected on a competitive basis. Final selections of 
projects will be made by the Secretary of Transportation.
    Credit assistance programs such as TIFIA are designed to assist 
financial markets in developing the capability to supplement the role 
of the Federal Government in financing the costs of large projects of 
national significance. Developing, implementing, and evaluating 
financial assistance programs is a crucial mission of the DOT. To help 
ensure financial and programmatic success, the DOT has established a 
multi-agency Credit Program Steering Committee and Working Group. The 
Steering Committee and Working Group are comprised of representatives 
from the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Intermodalism, the 
FHWA, the FRA, and the FTA, as well as other DOT agencies and offices. 
The Steering Committee and Working Group will coordinate and monitor 
all policy decisions and implementation actions associated with this 
Federal credit assistance program.

NPRM

    The DOT published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on 
February 8, 1999, in the Federal Register (64 FR 5996). Comments were 
filed by: Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Transportation; North 
Texas Tollway Authority; Transportation Corridor Agencies; Texas 
Department of Transportation; Washington Airports Task Force; City of 
Reno, Nevada; San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District; 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; State of 
Michigan Department of Transportation; American Public Transit 
Association; Goldman, Sachs, and Co.; and Salomon Smith Barney. The DOT 
is now issuing this final rule concerning administration of the TIFIA 
credit assistance program. This rule reflects the DOT's consideration 
of the comments filed in response to the NPRM.

Discussion of Rulemaking Text

    The following discussion summarizes the comments submitted to the 
DOT by the twelve commenters on the NPRM, notes where and why changes 
have been made to the rule, and, where relevant, states why particular 
recommendations or suggestions have not been incorporated into the 
following regulations. Paragraph references are as designated in the 
NPRM.

Discussion of Comments and Responses by Section

Section ____.3 Definitions

    Investment-Grade Rating. One commenter suggested that the 
definition of investment-grade rating include references to the 
equivalent short-term investment-grade ratings in addition to the long-
term investment-grade ratings currently presented.
    DOT Response: The ratings specified in the current definition 
pertain to any fixed-rate debt obligation with a term of one year or 
longer. For a project with long-term obligations in the form of 
variable-rate demand notes or other floating-rate instruments, it will 
be

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necessary for the project sponsor to secure a long-term rating as well 
as a short-term rating.
    Lender. One commenter asked whether a lender may be an entity other 
than a non-Federal qualified buyer (institutional investor).
    DOT Response: The DOT must adhere to statutory language appearing 
at 23 U.S.C. 181(4). This language is explicit in defining lender as a 
``non-Federal qualified institutional buyer.''
    Local Servicer. One commenter suggested that the definition of 
``local servicer'' be revised to clarify that the local servicer may 
also be the obligor in TIFIA credit transactions.
    DOT Response: Although the statutory language appearing at 23 
U.S.C. 185 does not address whether a governmental obligor may be its 
own servicer, it would be unsuitable for an obligor to be a servicer of 
its own credit instrument. Any local servicer will need to be an agent 
of the Secretary, rather than the obligor. The Secretary will determine 
the acceptability of proposed servicers for each project.
    Project. One commenter suggested that discrete pieces of a larger 
project qualify for TIFIA assistance under the definition of 
``project.''
    DOT Response: In general, the scope of a TIFIA project should align 
with the definition that appears or will appear in that project's 
environmental Record of Decision (ROD). However, if one environmental 
document is prepared for a project of considerable length (such as a 
facility where various segments of independent utility may be 
separately financed, constructed, and operated over a significant 
period of time), that entire facility may not necessarily be considered 
a single project. The Secretary will make such determinations on a 
case-by-case basis.
    Project Obligation. One commenter suggested that ``project 
obligation'' include any refinanced or refunded debt that was 
previously supported by a TIFIA credit instrument.
    DOT Response: A project sponsor that receives a TIFIA loan 
guarantee or line of credit may refund the guaranteed loan or project 
obligations issued in connection with the line of credit at a 
subsequent date, provided that the Secretary determines that such 
refunding does not increase the DOT's credit risk.
    Substantial Completion. One commenter suggested more flexibility in 
the definition of ``substantial completion.''
    DOT Response: The definition of substantial completion that appears 
in Sec. ____.3 of this rule is quoted directly from statutory language 
appearing at 23 U.S.C. 181(15). The DOT agrees that, in some cases, 
this statutory language may require elaboration to accommodate certain 
types of projects that are eligible for TIFIA assistance. Section 
____.3 of the rule, therefore, has been revised to reflect that 
substantial completion means the opening of a project to vehicular or 
passenger traffic or a comparable event as determined by the Secretary 
and specified in the credit agreement.

Section ____.5 Limitations on Assistance

    Section ____.5(a). Two commenters suggested that eligible project 
costs should be measured on an aggregate cash (future value) basis when 
determining the 33 percent ceiling on Federal credit assistance for 
projects receiving TIFIA funding.
    DOT Response: The DOT agrees with the commenters' suggested 
approach to calculating eligible project costs. The rule has been 
revised to state that the total amount of credit assistance offered to 
any project under this part shall not exceed 33 percent of the 
anticipated eligible project costs, as measured on an aggregate cash 
(year-of-expenditure) basis.
    Section ____.5(b). One commenter requested clarification regarding 
the need to obtain Secretarial approval for incurring costs before the 
application process begins.
    DOT Response: The project sponsor need not obtain Secretarial 
approval before incurring costs on a project for which it is seeking 
TIFIA assistance. However, upon applying for TIFIA assistance, the 
applicant must obtain Secretarial approval for counting such costs 
toward ``eligible project costs.'' The Secretary may grant such 
approval after costs have been incurred and after the application has 
been submitted. Generally, such costs will be confined to acquisition 
of right-of-way or development phase expenses incurred no earlier than 
three years prior to the date of application. The DOT determines that 
existing language in the rule is sufficiently broad to accommodate this 
understanding.
    The DOT emphasizes that the Secretary will not recognize as 
``eligible project costs'' any costs incurred for projects other than 
the one for which TIFIA assistance is being sought. Eligible project 
costs will be determined on a project basis, not a system basis.
    Section ____.5(d). The DOT received multiple comments regarding 
contingent commitments of budget authority becoming available in 
subsequent years and the proposed letter of intent to be used to 
execute these commitments. Those comments relating to Sec. ____.5(d) 
are addressed by subtopic below.
    Section ____.5(d). Two commenters suggested that a ``letter of 
intent'' may not be the appropriate vehicle for executing multi-year 
commitments of funds under TIFIA since, in other Federal programs, it 
is often deemed unacceptable as a viable and predictable funding source 
within the investment community.
    DOT Response: The DOT acknowledges that the term ``letter of 
intent'' may be perceived by the financial community in the context of 
other programs with terms and provisions different from TIFIA, 
potentially creating confusion or uncertainty. The DOT also recognizes 
that the TIFIA program's effectiveness in stimulating private 
investment in transportation infrastructure projects depends, in large 
part, on investor recognition that TIFIA credit instruments represent 
solid and reliable Federal commitments. Therefore, the DOT will make a 
future-year or multi-year contingent commitment of funds for a project 
using a conditional term sheet. The conditional term sheet will 
resemble the standard term sheet that activates DOT's obligation of 
budget authority, but will also include the specific actions necessary 
to trigger subsequent obligation(s).
    Upon execution of the conditional term sheet, the DOT will reserve 
budget authority attributable to the appropriate year(s). This 
reservation will ensure that the project has a priority claim (together 
with that of any other projects receiving such contingent commitments) 
on budget authority becoming available for the specified year, provided 
that the project sponsor satisfies each condition outlined in the 
conditional term sheet. Although the DOT will reserve funding based on 
the conditional term sheet, it will not obligate budget authority until 
the specified conditions have been met. Upon satisfaction of those 
conditions, the conditional term sheet can be amended and/or restated 
to trigger an obligation of funds.
    Section ____.5(d). One commenter voiced concern regarding the 
potential impact of annual appropriations on the availability of TIFIA 
budget authority. Another commenter expressed support for the 
possibility of the DOT placing limits on the amount of future-year 
budget authority that may be reserved through a conditional document, 
but noted that the DOT should not place a strict cap on the amount of 
budget authority that may be reserved in this fashion.
    DOT Response: The TIFIA funding is provided through multi-year 
contract

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authority from the Highway Trust Fund, which can be obligated in 
advance of appropriations. However, this contract authority is subject 
to the annual Federal-aid highway obligation limitation, so the DOT 
will exercise restraint in executing conditional term sheets and 
reserving budget authority. In no event shall the DOT reserve more than 
50 percent of the amount of budget authority authorized for a given 
fiscal year.
    Section ____.5(d). One commenter suggested that a project that has 
not received its environmental Record of Decision (ROD) be eligible for 
a contingent commitment of funds.
    DOT Response: The DOT concurs with the commenter and reserves the 
right to execute a conditional term sheet with a project sponsor 
temporarily lacking certain required documents, such as a ROD. Upon 
satisfaction of the condition(s) specified in the conditional term 
sheet, the DOT will obligate the budget authority previously reserved. 
The conditional term sheet will include fixed dates by which any 
requirements (such as receipt of a ROD) must be satisfied in order for 
the reserved funding to be obligated. Such requirements should be met 
within 12 months from the date of execution of the conditional term 
sheet, except for the project segments or other milestones associated 
with a multi-year contingent commitment for a project requiring phased 
funding. In considering requests for contingent commitments of funds 
for projects temporarily lacking certain requirements, the DOT will 
give preference to those project sponsors that demonstrate an ability 
to satisfy such requirements within the fiscal year in which the 
conditional term sheet is executed.
    Section ____.5(d). One commenter asked for clarification regarding 
how a multi-year commitment would be affected by a downgrade of an 
initial rating to a below-investment-grade rating.
    DOT Response: A project's conditional term sheet, term sheet, and 
credit agreement, as applicable, will specify the consequences of any 
changes in its creditworthiness, including a downgraded credit rating. 
In general, multi-year commitments between the DOT and the project 
sponsor will specify that future obligations are conditional on the 
project sponsor maintaining an investment-grade rating on its senior 
obligations.
    Section ____.5(d). Three commenters suggested clarification of the 
phrase ``satisfactory progress'' in the discussion of multi-year 
contingent commitments of funds. One of these commenters requested an 
elaboration on the consequences of a project sponsor's failure to 
achieve ``satisfactory progress.''
    DOT Response: The DOT concurs with the need for specificity when 
assessing a project's ``satisfactory progress.'' Upon deciding to make 
a future-year or multi-year contingent commitment of funds for a 
project, the DOT and the project sponsor will identify precise project-
specific milestones or other events to serve as prerequisites for 
future obligations of funds. These milestones or events will be 
determined for each project and specified in the conditional term sheet 
that the DOT and the project sponsor execute when formalizing a future-
year or multi-year contingent commitment of funds.

Section ____.7 Application Process

    Section ____.7(b). One commenter addressed a number of issues 
regarding the application checklist included as an appendix to the 
NPRM. Specific concerns related to: the impracticality of requesting 
copies of all governmental permits obtained for the project; the number 
of years for which historical information on the project applicant will 
be required; and the format of a project schedule, particularly with 
regard to whether the project's annual increments would be represented 
as dollars or milestones and how costs for design/build projects would 
be calculated when there are no base years or annual cost escalations.
    DOT Response: The DOT agrees with the commenter regarding the 
impracticality of requiring applicants to include copies of all permits 
associated with the relevant project. Therefore, the DOT will request 
copies of only those permits that represent major milestones on the 
path to construction and completion either as part of the TIFIA 
application or as part of the credit agreement, as appropriate.
    Regarding the number of years for which historical information will 
be required from the applicant, the DOT intends to require applicants 
to provide three years of historical financial information.
    Concerning the project schedule, the DOT will require applicants to 
provide a timeline that illustrates the estimated start and completion 
dates for each major phase of development and construction and/or 
acquisition. In addition, applicants will be required to provide a 
statement of sources and uses of funds and a projection of annual cash 
flows.
    Although design/build projects are typically budgeted as a total 
amount, the cash flow pro forma should indicate the scheduled payouts. 
Additionally, the terms or anticipated terms of the design/build 
contract (including incentive payments or penalty provisions) should be 
explained.
    These clarifications will be reflected in the text of the TIFIA 
application form, and do not necessitate any changes to the final rule 
itself.
    Section ____.7(b)(1). Four commenters were concerned that the 
application process for the TIFIA program would require them to produce 
more permits and approvals than would be feasible at the time of 
application, especially with respect to environmental documentation. 
These commenters requested that DOT clarify that certain permits, 
approvals, and ratings referred to in the threshold and selection 
criteria do not necessarily have to be obtained at the time of 
application.
    DOT Response: The DOT recognizes the need for distinguishing 
between the documentation that must accompany the TIFIA application and 
the documentation that must be produced later in the funding process. 
For example, it is not necessary for the applicant to obtain an 
environmental Record of Decision (ROD) prior to the time of application 
submission; however, at a minimum the DOT will require applicants to 
have already circulated a draft Environmental Impact Statement or 
received a Finding of No Significant Impact or Categorical Exclusion, 
as applicable. The ROD will then be required as a condition for 
obligation of funds.
    As another example, the DOT will not require that applicants submit 
a formal investment-grade rating on the project's senior obligations at 
the time of application submission. Instead, the DOT will require that 
project sponsors provide a preliminary rating opinion letter at that 
point. However, the DOT shall disburse TIFIA funds only after the 
project's senior obligations have obtained a formal investment-grade 
rating and a formal credit agreement has been executed. This rating 
requirement is clarified in Sec. ____.11 (a) and (b).
    The application materials explicitly state what documentation is 
required at specific points in the process. As noted above, under 
limited circumstances, the DOT will consider executing a conditional 
term sheet that reserves budget authority but postpones obligation 
until the receipt of specified documentation or satisfaction of other 
requirements.
    Section ____.7(d). Several commenters suggested that DOT establish 
a rolling, rather than annual application and approval process.

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    DOT Response: The DOT has determined that a rolling application and 
approval process, which could result in a ``first-come, first-served'' 
funding process, would be contrary to the public interest. The DOT's 
commitment to building the strongest TIFIA portfolio possible requires 
that the Secretary have the opportunity to compare competing proposals 
each fiscal year.
    The DOT recognizes that some prospective applicants may view an 
annual application process as unduly restrictive. To build greater 
flexibility into the application process, the DOT may consider 
establishing a semi-annual process for accepting and approving 
applications starting in fiscal year 2000. Such a process might be 
divided into a primary and secondary round of application submissions. 
For a given fiscal year, the DOT could accept an initial round of 
applications early in the year and announce project selections by mid-
year. If there were current-year budget authority remaining after this 
initial round, the DOT could choose to accept a second round of 
applications later in the year, making any additional project 
selections before the fiscal year-end. Alternatively, the DOT may elect 
to carry forward unused budget authority without accepting additional 
applications in a given year. The exact timing of application 
submittals and project selections in a given fiscal year will be 
published in advance in the Federal Register.

Section ____.11 Investment-grade ratings

    Section ____.11. One commenter suggested that DOT consider 
extending loan guarantees to non-investment-grade credits.
    DOT Response: The TIFIA statute is explicit in stating that DOT's 
funding of a secured (direct) loan is contingent on the project's 
senior obligations receiving an investment-grade rating (23 U.S.C. 
183(a)(4)) and applies this requirement to loan guarantees as well (23 
U.S.C. 183(e)). Accordingly, the DOT will not guarantee loans to any 
project whose senior obligations fail to attain an underlying 
investment-grade rating.
    Section ____.11. One commenter suggested that the formal rating 
requirement be waived if the project has bond insurance.
    DOT Response: The project sponsor's purchase of bond insurance is 
relevant to the DOT only if the Federal Government enjoys the same 
security as do other investors in the project. Neither the preliminary 
rating opinion letter nor the formal credit rating should reflect the 
effect of bond insurance, unless that insurance provides credit 
enhancement that secures the TIFIA obligation as well. This 
clarification appears at Sec. ____.11(c).
    Section ____.11. One commenter requested clarification regarding 
the term ``rating agency.'' Specifically, the commenter asked if a 
rating agency must be nationally recognized.
    DOT Response: The term ``rating agency'' is defined to mean ``a 
bond rating agency identified by the Securities and Exchange Commission 
as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization'' in 
Sec. ____.3 (Definitions) of the final rule.

Section ____.13 Threshold Criteria

    Section ____.13(a)(1). Two commenters suggested that the DOT 
require a project's inclusion on a local and/or regional plan as 
appropriate, but not on a long-range State transportation plan because 
many States' plans are policy documents that are not project-specific.
    DOT Response: In recognition of commenters' concerns regarding the 
planning requirements for TIFIA projects, the DOT has clarified its 
interpretation of the TIFIA statutory provisions that address this 
issue (23 U.S.C. 182(a)(1) and 23 U.S.C. 182(a)(2)). The DOT has 
revised Section ____.13(a)(1) to require an applicant to demonstrate 
that its project is consistent with the long-range State transportation 
plan and, if located in a metropolitan area, is included in that area's 
metropolitan transportation plan. As stated in the NPRM, any approved 
project must appear in an approved State transportation improvement 
program before the DOT will obligate funds on the project's behalf.
    Section ____.13(a)(1). One commenter suggested that for a project 
subject to multi-State jurisdiction, the DOT accept a plan adopted by 
an agency's Board of Directors rather than require the project to be in 
a State transportation improvement program.
    DOT Response: The TIFIA statute is explicit in requiring that State 
support for any TIFIA project be evidenced by the project's inclusion 
in the State transportation improvement program (23 U.S.C. 
182(a)(1)(B)). The fact that a project spans multiple jurisdictions or 
States does not obviate this requirement. In the event of a multi-
jurisdictional project, the project must appear on the approved State 
transportation improvement program for each State involved.
    Section ____.13(a)(4). One commenter requested clarification 
regarding the threshold criterion that requires a pledge of dedicated 
revenue sources (23 U.S.C. 182(a)(4)). The commenter asked whether the 
referenced requirement applies to the entirety of the project financing 
or only to the portion of the project financing deriving from TIFIA 
credit assistance.
    DOT Response: The TIFIA statute states that ``project financing 
shall be repayable, in whole or in part, from tolls, user fees, or 
other dedicated revenue sources,'' (23 U.S.C. 182(a)(4)). The DOT 
interprets this to mean that an applicant must pledge a dedicated 
revenue source, as approved by the Secretary, to repay at least part of 
the entire project financing. Regarding pledged security for the TIFIA 
credit instrument, the TIFIA statute is again clear in requiring that 
at least part, but not necessarily all, of the pledge must derive from 
an approved dedicated revenue source (23 U.S.C. 183(b)(3) and 23 U.S.C. 
183 (c)(3)). Securing the TIFIA credit instrument with dedicated 
revenue sources, at least in part, would satisfy these statutory 
requirements.
    Section ____.13(a)(5). One commenter suggested that the DOT require 
private project sponsors to demonstrate State support for the project 
and prove that they will be given the authority from the State to 
develop the project for which assistance is being sought. The commenter 
proposed these requirements in addition to the current requirement that 
projects be included in the State transportation plan and the approved 
State transportation improvement program.
    DOT Response: The DOT considers any project appearing in an 
approved State transportation improvement program (23 U.S.C. 135(f)) to 
have been fully reviewed by the State in question. The DOT considers 
that a project's appearance in the approved State transportation 
improvement program and its acquisition of necessary permits 
demonstrate State support for the project, regardless of whether the 
project is publicly or privately sponsored.
    Section ____.13(c). One commenter suggested that the DOT recognize 
alternative forms of collateral (e.g., revenues from leases or real 
estate) as pledged security (dedicated revenue sources).
    DOT Response: The DOT agrees that the collateral value of other 
types of pledged assets (such as lease income) should be explicitly 
recognized, and may, upon thorough evaluation, be deemed to represent a 
satisfactory dedicated revenue source for the purposes of administering 
the TIFIA program. The DOT has clarified its position on acceptable 
forms of dedicated revenue sources and/or pledged security in the rule. 
New

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language has been added to Sec. ____13(c) to specify that the Secretary 
will determine the acceptability of contributions of collateral and 
other proposed pledges on a case-by-case basis.
    Section ____.13(c). One commenter suggested that the DOT accept a 
general obligation as a dedicated revenue source and permit project 
obligations to be repaid from general revenues as well as dedicated 
revenue sources.
    DOT Response: The DOT agrees that general obligation pledges or 
general corporate promissory pledges should be explicitly recognized, 
and may represent a satisfactory dedicated revenue source for the 
purposes of administering the TIFIA program. The DOT has clarified its 
position on acceptable forms of dedicated revenue sources and/or 
pledged security in the rule. New language has been added to 
Sec. ____.13(c) to specify that general obligation pledges may be 
acceptable.
    Section ____.13(c). Two commenters suggested that the DOT allow 
limited use of Federal funds to repay TIFIA credit.
    DOT Response: Federal funds, regardless of source, are not eligible 
to serve as pledged security for a TIFIA credit instrument. This 
position is consistent with both Federal credit policy and 
Congressional intent that the Federal Government encourage the 
utilization of project-based revenue sources. Revised regulatory 
language appearing at Sec. ____.13(c) upholds this policy.

Section ____.15 Selection Criteria

    Section ____.15(a). One commenter suggested that the DOT clarify 
how projects will be evaluated and selected.
    DOT Response: The TIFIA statute specifies eight criteria by which 
the Secretary shall evaluate and select qualified projects. The DOT 
finds these eight mandatory selection criteria to be sufficient, and 
does not plan to favor certain criteria over others or to establish 
additional criteria for fiscal year 1999 evaluations and selections. 
Beginning with fiscal year 2000, and in conjunction with the TIFIA 
application process, the Secretary will announce specific weighting 
factors for the statutory selection criteria as well as policy goals 
for the program. In addition, the Secretary will make publicly 
available the summary results of each project's evaluation as well as 
the final project selections.
    Section ____.15(a). One commenter suggested that the DOT give 
priority to projects that improve airport access.
    DOT Response: Eligibility for TIFIA assistance extends to all 
surface transportation projects specified in Sec. ____.3 of this rule, 
including those that provide airport access. Accordingly, the DOT sees 
no need for specially recognizing ground transportation systems that 
seek to improve regional access to airports.
    Section ____.15(a)(2). One commenter suggested that a rate covenant 
is unnecessarily restrictive and that an investment-grade rating should 
be sufficient to demonstrate a project's creditworthiness.
    DOT Response: The TIFIA statute does not require that a rate 
covenant be provided for proposed TIFIA projects. Rather, the statute 
notes the need for sufficient pledged security to support the project 
obligations, and that such security may include a rate covenant, 
coverage requirement, or other security features (23 U.S.C. 
183(b)(3)(iii) and 23 U.S.C. 184 (b)(5)(ii)). The acceptability of 
pledged security will be determined by the Secretary on a case-by-case 
basis. There is no need for further clarification in the rule.
    Section ____.15(a)(3). One commenter suggested that the DOT modify 
the language in this paragraph to read: ``The extent to which such 
assistance would foster innovative public-private partnerships [OR] 
attract private debt or equity investment.''
    DOT Response: The TIFIA statute is clear in its use of the word 
``and.'' Accordingly, the DOT will apply this criterion conjunctively 
by assessing both the extent to which the project involves a public-
private partnership and the extent to which the project is funded with 
private investment. A project may achieve each of the two objectives in 
varying degrees.
    Section ____.15(a)(3). Two commenters suggested that the DOT 
recognize local and State government investment in projects when 
evaluating applications for TIFIA assistance.
    DOT Response: The DOT recognizes that the TIFIA program will 
leverage Federal funds with both private investment and State and local 
government investment. The DOT will acknowledge all sources of 
contributed or invested capital when evaluating applications and sees 
no justification for amending the rule on this issue.
    Section ____.15(a)(5). One commenter suggested that the DOT further 
emphasize technology as an evaluation criterion and that the technology 
requirement not be limited strictly to intelligent transportation 
systems (ITS).
    DOT Response: The selection criterion related to the applicant's 
use of new technologies appearing in the TIFIA statute (23 U.S.C. 
182(b)(2)(A)(v)) and in Sec. ____.15(a)(5) of the rule, which 
references ITS, is not intended to be limiting. The DOT's project 
evaluation will take into account all new technologies being deployed.
    Section ____.15(a)(6). Two commenters suggested that the DOT 
measure the impact of TIFIA financing on a relative basis rather than 
strictly calculating the absolute amount of budget authority needed or 
the amount of private investment attracted.
    DOT Response: The DOT agrees that the absolute amount of budget 
authority required to fund a TIFIA credit instrument will not indicate 
the leveraging effect of the credit assistance as effectively as a 
relative comparison of the required budget authority and nominal value 
of credit assistance. The DOT intends to evaluate projects on the basis 
of ratios as opposed to absolute amounts wherever appropriate. The DOT 
believes that this approach is consistent with the language in 
Sec. ____.15(a)(6) and does not necessitate any change to the rule.
    Section ____.15(d). Two commenters requested that the DOT clarify 
what is meant by a ``small'' Federal contribution. Additionally, the 
commenters suggested that the DOT refrain from placing any limits on 
the level of Federal contribution for those projects receiving TIFIA 
assistance.
    DOT Response: The DOT's assessment of total Federal contributions 
is intended to support selection criteria three and eight as specified 
in the TIFIA statute (23 U.S.C. 182(b)(2)(A)(iii and viii)) and the 
rule (Sec. ____.15(a)(3 and 8)). The DOT will implement these criteria 
through a relative evaluation of the total Federal contribution as a 
share of total project costs, and in considering criterion eight will 
give preference to projects for which total Federal assistance would be 
reduced due to the use of the TIFIA credit instrument. The DOT has 
revised the rule in Sec. ____.15(d) to reflect the Federal Government's 
interest in the relative reduction in Federal assistance rather than a 
``small'' contribution as measured in absolute terms.

Section ____.17 Charges

    Section ____.17(c). Two commenters suggested placing limits on the 
amount of any application initiation charges or credit processing 
charges. Allowing the DOT to increase the application initiation or 
credit processing charges up to the full cost of the Federal subsidy 
seemed unreasonable and could potentially result in lower-risk projects 
``subsidizing'' higher-risk projects.
    DOT Response: The DOT has clarified its position on various charges 
relating to the TIFIA program. The DOT will

[[Page 29747]]

require a non-refundable application initiation charge for each project 
applying for TIFIA assistance. The DOT may also require an additional 
credit processing charge for projects selected to receive assistance. 
Any required application initiation or credit processing charge must be 
paid by the project sponsor applying for the TIFIA assistance and 
cannot be paid by another party on behalf of the project sponsor. The 
proceeds of any such charges will equal a portion of the costs to the 
Federal Government of soliciting and evaluating applications, selecting 
projects to receive assistance, and negotiating credit agreements. For 
fiscal year 1999, the DOT will require an application initiation charge 
of $5,000 for each project applying for TIFIA assistance. The DOT will 
not require any credit processing charges for fiscal year 1999. For 
each application and approval cycle in fiscal year 2000 and beyond, the 
DOT may adjust the amount of the application initiation charge and will 
determine the appropriate amount of the credit processing charge on the 
basis of its program implementation experience. The DOT will publish 
these amounts in each Federal Register solicitation for applications.
    If, in any given year, there is insufficient budget authority to 
fund the credit instrument for a qualified project that has been 
selected to receive TIFIA assistance, the DOT and the approved 
applicant may agree upon a supplemental charge to be paid by or on 
behalf of the approved applicant to reduce the subsidy cost of that 
project.
    Project sponsors shall not include any of these fees or charges 
among eligible project costs for the purpose of calculating the maximum 
33 percent credit amount.
    Sections ____.17(a), ____.17(b), and ____.17(c) have been revised 
to reflect these clarifications regarding charges.

General Comments

    One commenter suggested that the TIFIA regulations be amended to 
clarify that a project sponsor may draw on a line of credit before 
drawing on its debt service reserve fund.
    DOT Response: Section 184(b)(3) of title 23 provides that the 
obligor may draw upon the line of credit only if net project revenues 
(including, among other sources, any debt service reserve fund) are 
insufficient to pay costs specified in 23 U.S.C. 184(a)(2). These costs 
include debt service costs. The DOT interprets debt service costs to 
include both direct payments of principal and interest as well as 
reimbursements for such payments in the form of legally required 
deposits to a debt service reserve fund. Nothing would prohibit a 
credit agreement for a line of credit from allowing immediate 
reimbursements to a debt service reserve fund in the event of 
withdrawals from such a fund. This clarification appears at ____.5(e).
    One commenter suggested that the 20 percent limitation on annual 
draws on a line of credit should be adjusted to reflect the amount's 
future value for the year in which the draw may be made, as opposed to 
the present value for the year in which the line of credit is executed.
    DOT Response: The TIFIA statute is explicit in stating that the 
total amount of a line of credit shall not exceed 33 percent of the 
reasonably anticipated eligible project costs (23 U.S.C. 184(b)(2)(A)), 
and that the amount drawn in any one year shall not exceed 20 percent 
of the total amount of the line of credit (23 U.S.C. 184(b)(2)(B)). 
Also, the DOT has determined that eligible project costs will be 
measured on an aggregate cash basis (i.e., year-of-expenditure dollars) 
through the end of the construction period (without any discounting or 
inflating of nominal amounts). It would be both contrary to statute and 
internally inconsistent to inflate future-year amounts for the draws on 
a line of credit.
    One commenter suggested that the DOT consider the possibility of 
purchasing the loans it has guaranteed.
    DOT Response: While the TIFIA statute explicitly authorizes the DOT 
to sell direct loans (23 U.S.C. 183(d)), the statute does not provide 
similar language that would authorize the DOT to purchase guaranteed 
loans. Moreover, the policy of the DOT acquiring loans it has 
guaranteed would be contrary to the program's goal of supporting the 
private sector's ability to accurately assess the risk of revenue-
backed surface transportation projects. Other than instances involving 
the assignment of guaranteed loans due to default, the DOT will not 
consider the acquisition of guaranteed loans.
    Several commenters requested clarification of the statements in the 
NPRM regarding the provisions of section 149(b) of the Internal Revenue 
Code (the ``Code'') that deny tax-exempt status to obligations that are 
directly or indirectly federally guaranteed within the meaning of the 
Code. Two commenters asked whether interest on otherwise tax-exempt 
bonds used to finance a TIFIA-assisted project would be deemed taxable 
as a consequence of Federal assistance to the project under the TIFIA 
program.
    DOT Response: The Conference Report for TIFIA contains the 
following statements: ``The Conference recognizes that the Congress 
enacted the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 provision prohibiting the 
combination of Federal guarantees with tax-exempt debt, because of 
concerns that such a double-subsidy could result in the creation of a 
`AAA' rated security superior to U.S. Treasury obligations. 
Accordingly, any project loan backed by a loan guarantee as provided in 
TIFIA must be issued on a taxable basis.'' And, ``The Conferees are 
aware that present Federal income tax law prohibits the use of direct 
or indirect Federal guarantees in combination with tax-exempt debt 
(section 149(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986). The TIFIA 
provisions of the conference agreement do not override or otherwise 
modify this provision of the Code.''
    The Internal Revenue Service and the Department of the Treasury, 
rather than the DOT, are responsible for the interpretation of the 
Federal tax laws, including Federal guarantee provisions. Applicants 
intending to use tax-exempt bonds in connection with TIFIA loans or 
lines of credit should consult with the Internal Revenue Service, the 
Department of the Treasury, or their bond counsel. The DOT will be 
available to provide applicants with assistance on the interpretation 
of the non-tax legal and financial provisions of TIFIA.
    One commenter suggested that since mass transit capital projects 
are eligible for TIFIA credit assistance, the Mass Transit Account of 
the Highway Trust Fund should fund the subsidy costs of TIFIA credit 
instruments provided for such projects.
    DOT Response: The TIFIA statute explicitly authorizes that funding 
will be provided from the Highway Trust Fund other than the Mass 
Transit Account (23 U.S.C. 188(a)(1)).
    One commenter requested that DOT clarify how long TIFIA funds are 
available and whether funds carry over to future years.
    DOT Response: As specified in the preamble of the NPRM, the TIFIA 
authorizes annual funding levels for both total credit amounts (i.e., 
the total principal amounts that may be disbursed in the form of direct 
loans, loan guarantees, or lines of credit) and subsidy amounts (i.e., 
the amounts of budget authority available to cover the estimated 
present value of expected losses associated with the provision of 
credit instruments, net of any fee income). Funding for the subsidy 
amounts is provided in the form of budget authority funded from the 
Highway Trust Fund, other than the Mass Transit Account. As a practical

[[Page 29748]]

example, for fiscal year 1999, the TIFIA authorizes $80 million in 
budget authority to fund the subsidy costs associated with a total 
nominal amount of direct loans, loan guarantees, and lines of credit 
that is limited to $1.6 billion. Depending on the individual risk 
assessments made for each of the projects receiving assistance, the 
total amount of credit assistance provided in fiscal year 1999 may be 
less than the $1.6 billion limitation.
    Total Federal credit assistance authorized under the TIFIA program 
is limited to $1.6 billion in fiscal year 1999; $1.8 billion in fiscal 
year 2000; $2.2 billion in fiscal year 2001; $2.4 billion in fiscal 
year 2002; and $2.6 billion in fiscal year 2003. These amounts lapse if 
not awarded by the end of the fiscal year for which they are provided.
    To support this assistance by funding the required subsidy amounts, 
the TIFIA provides budget authority of $80 million in fiscal year 1999; 
$90 million in fiscal year 2000; $110 million in fiscal year 2001; $120 
million in fiscal year 2002; and $130 million in fiscal year 2003. Of 
the amounts made available, the Secretary may use up to $2 million for 
each of the fiscal years for administrative expenses. Unobligated 
budget authority remains available for obligation in subsequent years.
    Note that TIFIA budget authority is subject to an annual obligation 
limitation that may be established in appropriations law. Like the 
funding for certain other administrative or allocated programs (not 
apportioned to the States) that are subject to the annual Federal-aid 
obligation ceiling, the TIFIA budget authority likely will be reduced 
each year before it is made available to fund credit instruments. The 
extent of any budget authority reduction will depend on the ratio of 
the obligation ceiling, which is determined annually in the 
appropriations process, to the contract authority for the Federal-aid 
highway program, which was established in TEA-21. For fiscal year 1999, 
this reduction was 11.7 percent, which left about $70.6 million of 
TIFIA budget authority instead of the $80 million originally authorized 
under TEA-21. Future annual reductions of like amount would result in a 
cumulative amount of budget authority available to fund TIFIA credit 
instruments of about $470 million through fiscal year 2003 instead of 
the $530 million originally authorized under TEA-21. The TIFIA credit 
amounts authorized under TEA-21 are not subject to this annual 
reduction.
    One commenter suggested that the DOT clarify its position in regard 
to the Federal Government's ``parity'' claim in the event of 
bankruptcy.
    DOT Response: The statute permits the DOT to have a lien on 
revenues subject to any lien securing project obligations (see 23 
U.S.C. 183(b)(3)(B) and 184(b)(5)(B)), but TIFIA also requires that the 
secured loan, loan guarantee, or line of credit ``shall not be 
subordinated to the claims of any holder of project obligations in the 
event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or liquidation of the obligor'' (see 
23 U.S.C. 183(b)(6) and 184(b)(8)). The credit agreement will specify 
the DOT's interest in the pledged security consistent with these 
provisions of law and in relation to the interests of any other 
creditors.

Rule Document Format

    In the NPRM, the DOT proposed a common rule that would have been 
issued by FHWA, FRA, and FTA and repeated verbatim in each of the three 
Operating Administration's chapters of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR). After reconsideration, the Secretary of Transportation is 
issuing the final rule once in a new CFR part (49 CFR Part 80). For 
clarity, three brief cross-references to the final rule are being added 
to each of the three Operating Administration's rules. The cross-
references are found in 23 CFR Part 180 for FHWA, 49 CFR Part 261 for 
FRA, and 49 CFR Part 640 for FTA. These cross-references will enable 
members of the public who are familiar with only one of the Operating 
Administrations to have a simple way of locating the final rule.

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    DOT has determined that issuance of a rule is necessary to 
implement TIFIA, and has concluded that this action represents a 
``significant regulatory action'' within the meaning of DOT's 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979) and 
Executive Order 12866. This determination is based on a finding that 
the rule may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or 
more. This rule was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget 
under E.O. 12866.
    This section summarizes the estimated economic impact of this rule. 
This regulation would affect only those entities that voluntarily 
elected to apply for TIFIA assistance and were selected to receive a 
Federal credit instrument. It would not impose any direct costs on non-
participants.
    The DOT has evaluated the economic impact of this regulatory 
action. However, because the number, nature, and size of projects to be 
assisted will not be known until specific project applicants come 
forward, this analysis is by necessity an estimate. Congress recognized 
this by including a provision in TIFIA (23 U.S.C. 189) requiring the 
Secretary to submit a report summarizing the effectiveness of the 
program within four years of the date of enactment of the legislation 
(June 9, 2002).
    DOT and industry research has indicated that there are substantial 
economic productivity gains to be derived from capital investment in 
surface transportation facilities. One study estimates that in the 
four-decade period from 1950 to 1989, U.S. firms realized annual 
production cost savings of 18 percent from general highway investment 
(yearly return of 18 cents per dollar invested in all roads) and 24 
percent from investment in non-local roads.\1\ In addition to these 
direct returns, transportation capital investment typically generates 
significant spillover benefits, which may be of a non-financial nature, 
such as reduced pollution, increased safety, improved international 
competitiveness, and enhanced accessibility.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Contribution of Highway Capital to Industry and National 
Productivity Growth--Executive Summary, Ishaq Nadirir, New York, 
FHWA, 1996.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Just as transportation investment produces benefits, failure to 
invest results in cost increases. Another recent study estimates that 
congestion costs the average U.S. citizen $370 annually, in terms of 
time lost and fuel wasted.\2\ These costs are expected to increase as 
growing investment needs--both in terms of system renewal and capacity 
expansion--and limited availability of public funding contribute to 
declining performance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Measuring and Monitoring Urban Mobility, Texas 
Transportation Institute, November 1996.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    There has been dramatic growth in both freight movement and 
passenger travel in recent years, which is expected to continue. For 
example, since 1980, total ton-miles and intercity passenger miles have 
grown by 30 percent and 60 percent, respectively, according to a recent 
study by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation 
Officials.
    Despite substantial increases in authorized Federal funding levels 
for surface transportation under the Transportation Equity Act for the 
21st Century, current resources from all levels of government are not 
expected to be able to keep pace with maintenance and preservation 
needs, let alone the additional demands resulting from

[[Page 29749]]

growth in population and goods movement. Funding shortfalls can be 
particularly acute for large infrastructure projects (costing $100 
million or more) which, due to their scale, often cannot be readily 
accommodated in ongoing State and local capital renewal programs.
    The economic drag created by under-investment in the nation's 
transportation network is substantial, as shippers and motorists incur 
increased vehicle maintenance and fuel costs, shipping delays, safety 
hazards, and time delays associated with congestion and poorly 
maintained roads.
    The TIFIA was established to provide fractional credit assistance 
to major transportation infrastructure projects--such as border 
crossings, trade corridors, and intermodal transfer facilities--that 
have the potential of generating substantial economic benefits both 
regionally and nationally. In many cases, such projects are capable of 
being supported through direct user charges or dedicated revenue 
streams that can be used to access private capital and other non-
Federal funding sources. The TIFIA is designed to fill market gaps 
through providing supplemental and/or subordinate capital to such 
projects. It should facilitate their ability to access the capital 
markets or other financing sources for the majority of their funding 
needs. Through the TIFIA program's leverage of limited Federal funds 
with private capital, these capital-intensive projects can be advanced 
without displacing smaller, more traditional grant-supported projects. 
Federal risk exposure should be mitigated by substantial co-investment 
from non-Federal parties and the use of objective, market-based credit 
evaluation criteria.
    The TIFIA is authorized to receive $530 million of budget authority 
to support up to $10.6 billion in nominal amounts of credit (or such 
lesser amounts of credit as can be supported by the budget authority). 
Under the terms of the legislation, the Federal share is limited to not 
more than 33 percent of total eligible project costs. In many cases, 
the actual share of TIFIA assistance may be considerably less. For 
example, prior to passage of the TIFIA, three major surface 
transportation projects in southern California obtained Federal credit 
instruments pursuant to special appropriations from Congress. Between 
1993 and 1996, the Congress approved a $120 million standby Federal 
line of credit for the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road; two standby lines 
of credit totaling $145 million for the Foothill-Eastern Toll Road; and 
a $400 million direct Federal loan for the Alameda Corridor project. 
Each of these projects would have met the threshold eligibility 
criteria under the terms of the TIFIA program. The Federal credit 
assistance as a percent of total project costs for these three 
investments is approximately 8.5 percent, 11.5 percent, and 17.5 
percent, respectively.
    Under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (FCRA), the amount of 
budget authority necessary to support a Federal credit instrument 
depends upon the subsidy cost (i.e., the estimated present value cost 
of estimated losses that will be incurred as a result of defaults, net 
of any fee income). Each project will be assigned a subsidy cost based 
upon an evaluation of its creditworthiness.
    Since the actual projects participating in the TIFIA program have 
yet to be identified, it is not possible at this stage to ascertain the 
appropriate subsidy amounts. If, for example, the assumed average 
subsidy rate under TIFIA were 10 percent, the $530 million of budget 
authority could support $5.3 billion in nominal amount of Federal 
credit instruments, and (assuming a 33 percent TIFIA share of project 
costs) an aggregate of $15.9 billion in capital investment. This would 
represent a benefit:cost ratio (total capital investment compared to 
federal budgetary cost) of 30:1. If the subsidy rate averaged 5 
percent, the budget authority could support $31.8 billion in aggregate 
investment; and if the subsidy rate averaged 15 percent, the budget 
authority could support approximately $10.6 billion in aggregate 
investment. The only costs imposed on the participants are the 
repayment of credit at the U.S. Treasury rate (which in certain 
instances may be significantly less than their own marginal cost of 
capital), a credit processing charge, and an application charge based 
upon direct costs incurred by the DOT in processing applications.
    On this basis, the DOT has concluded that the TIFIA will promote 
the efficient functioning of project delivery and the private markets, 
and will generate both direct and indirect benefits, including reduced 
congestion, greater mobility, improved safety, an enhanced environment, 
and greater economic growth. These benefits are anticipated to far 
surpass the combined direct costs to the Federal Government ($530 
million) and to the entities that elect to participate in the program.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-354, 5 U.S.C. 
601-612) requires an assessment of the extent to which rules will have 
an impact on small business or other small entities. Consistent with 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the DOT has evaluated the effects of 
this rule on small business or other small entities. This rule 
implements a Federal credit assistance program for surface 
transportation projects. There will be a substantial economic impact on 
the projects funded. However, the DOT anticipates that few, if any, of 
the applicants for assistance, will be small entities. Applicants are 
likely to be States and large public, or quasi-public entities. Based 
on that evaluation, the DOT hereby certifies that this action will not 
have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) requires 
agencies to prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and 
other effects of proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate 
likely to result in the expenditure by State, local or tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of more than 
$100 million annually. This rule would not impose a Federal mandate 
resulting in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, 
in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in 
any one year. The rule simply implements a Federal credit assistance 
program.

Executive Order 12612 (Federalism Assessment)

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612. The DOT has determined 
that this action does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a federalism assessment. The bases for this 
determination are that: (a) eligibility for assistance under this 
program extends to both private and public entities; and (b) the 
recipients of credit under this voluntary program will receive a 
benefit, rather than incur costs, through participation.

Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)

    The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding 
intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do 
not apply to this program.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document does not contain information collection requirements 
for the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq). Based upon preliminary assessments, research reports, meetings

[[Page 29750]]

with focus groups, and discussions with potential respondents, the DOT 
anticipates approximately six respondents to the application annually. 
If in the future, the DOT anticipates ten or more respondents annually, 
immediate steps will be taken to seek approval from OMB for an 
information collection, as required under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

National Environmental Policy Act

    As specified under section 1503 of TIFIA, and codified under 
section 182(c)(2) of title 23, U.S.C., each project obtaining 
assistance under this program is required to adhere to the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
This final rule simply provides the procedure to apply for credit 
assistance; therefore, by itself, this rule will not have any effect on 
the quality of the environment.

Regulation Identification Number

    A regulation identification number (RIN) is assigned to each 
regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. 
The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda 
in April and October of each year. The RIN contained in the heading of 
this document may be used to cross-reference this action with the 
Unified Agenda.

List of Subjects

23 CFR Part 180

    Credit programs-transportation, Highways and roads, Investments.

49 CFR Part 80

    Credit programs-transportation, Highways and roads, Investments, 
Mass transit, Railroads, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

49 CFR Part 261

    Credit programs-transportation, Investments, Railroads.

49 CFR Part 640

    Credit programs-transportation, Investments, Mass transit.

Federal Highway Administration

23 CFR Chapter I

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Federal Highway 
Administration amends chapter I, title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, 
as follows:
    1. Add Part 180 to read as follows:

PART 180--CREDIT ASSISTANCE FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

Sec.
180.1  Cross-reference to credit assistance.

    Authority: secs. 1501 et seq., Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 
241, as amended; 23 U.S.C. 181-189 and 315; 49 CFR 1.48.


Sec. 180.1  Cross-reference to credit assistance.

    The regulations in 49 CFR Part 80 shall be followed in complying 
with the requirements of this part. Title 49 CFR Part 80 implements the 
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998, secs. 
1501 et seq., Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 241.

    Dated: May 25, 1999.
Kenneth R. Wykle,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.

Office of the Secretary of Transportation

49 CFR Part 80

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Office of the 
Secretary of Transportation amends title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations, subtitle 4 as follows:
    2. Add Part 80, to read as follows:

PART 80--CREDIT ASSISTANCE FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

Sec.
80.1  Purpose.
80.3  Definitions.
80.5  Limitations on assistance.
80.7  Application process.
80.9  Federal requirements.
80.11  Investment-grade ratings.
80.13  Threshold criteria.
80.15  Selection criteria.
80.17  Charges.
80.19  Reporting requirements.

    Authority: secs. 1501 et seq., Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 
241, as amended; 23 U.S.C. 181-189 and 315; 49 CFR 1.48, 1.49, and 
1.51.


Sec. 80.1  Purpose.

    This part implements a Federal credit assistance program for 
surface transportation projects.


Sec. 80.3  Definitions.

    The following definitions apply to this part:
    Conditional term sheet means a contractual agreement between the 
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the project sponsor (and 
the lender, if applicable) by which the DOT reserves TIFIA funding for 
a specific project and commits to providing Federal credit assistance 
to that project at a future point in time upon satisfaction of 
specified conditions and subject to the future availability of 
obligation authority. The DOT will not legally obligate budget 
authority until those conditions are met. Upon satisfaction of those 
conditions, the conditional term sheet can be amended and/or restated 
to trigger an obligation of funds.
    Credit agreement means a contractual agreement between the DOT and 
the project sponsor (and the lender, if applicable) that formalizes the 
terms and conditions established in the term sheet (or conditional term 
sheet) and authorizes the execution of a secured loan, loan guarantee, 
or line of credit.
    Eligible project costs mean amounts substantially all of which are 
paid by, or for the account of, an obligor in connection with a 
project, including the cost of:
    (1) Development phase activities, including planning, feasibility 
analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, 
preliminary engineering and design work, and other pre-construction 
activities;
    (2) Construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, replacement, and 
acquisition of real property (including land related to the project and 
improvements to land), environmental mitigation, construction 
contingencies, and acquisition of equipment; and
    (3) Capitalized interest necessary to meet market requirements, 
reasonably required reserve funds, capital issuance expenses, and other 
carrying costs during construction.
    Federal credit instrument means a secured loan, loan guarantee, or 
line of credit authorized to be made available under this subchapter 
with respect to a project.
    Investment-grade rating means a rating category of BBB minus, Baa3, 
or higher assigned by a rating agency to project obligations offered 
into the capital markets.
    Lender means any non-Federal qualified institutional buyer (as 
defined in 17 CFR 230.144A(a)), known as Rule 144A(a) of the Securities 
and Exchange Commission and issued under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 
U.S.C. 77a et seq.), including:
    (1) A qualified retirement plan (as defined in section 4974(c) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 4974(c)) that is a 
qualified institutional buyer; and
    (2) A governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 414(d)) that is a qualified 
institutional buyer.
    Line of credit means an agreement entered into by the Secretary 
with an obligor under section 184 of title 23 to provide a direct loan 
at a future date upon the occurrence of certain events.
    Loan guarantee means any guarantee or other pledge by the Secretary 
to pay all or part of the principal of and interest on a loan or other 
debt

[[Page 29751]]

obligation issued by an obligor and funded by a lender.
    Local servicer means:
    (1) A State infrastructure bank established under title 23; or
    (2) A State or local government or any agency of a State or local 
government that is responsible for servicing a Federal credit 
instrument on behalf of the Secretary.
    Obligor means a party primarily liable for payment of the principal 
of or interest on a Federal credit instrument, which party may be a 
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or governmental entity, 
agency, or instrumentality.
    Project means:
    (1) Any surface transportation project eligible for Federal 
assistance under title 23 or chapter 53 of title 49;
    (2) A project for an international bridge or tunnel for which an 
international entity authorized under Federal or State law is 
responsible;
    (3) A project for intercity passenger bus or rail facilities and 
vehicles, including facilities and vehicles owned by the National 
Railroad Passenger Corporation, and components of magnetic levitation 
transportation systems; and
    (4) A project for publicly owned intermodal surface freight 
transfer facilities, other than seaports and airports, if the 
facilities are located on or adjacent to National Highway System routes 
or connections to the National Highway System.
    Project obligation means any note, bond, debenture, or other debt 
obligation issued by an obligor in connection with the financing of a 
project, other than a Federal credit instrument.
    Project sponsor, for the purposes of this part, means an applicant 
for TIFIA assistance or an obligor, as appropriate.
    Rating agency means a bond rating agency identified by the 
Securities and Exchange Commission as a Nationally Recognized 
Statistical Rating Organization.
    Secured loan means a direct loan or other debt obligation issued by 
an obligor and funded by the Secretary in connection with the financing 
of a project under section 183 of title 23.
    State means any one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, 
or Puerto Rico.
    Subsidy amount means the amount of budget authority sufficient to 
cover the estimated long-term cost to the Federal Government of a 
Federal credit instrument, calculated on a net present value basis, 
excluding administrative costs and any incidental effects on 
governmental receipts or outlays in accordance with the provisions of 
the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
    Substantial completion means the opening of a project to vehicular 
or passenger traffic or a comparable event as determined by the 
Secretary and specified in the credit agreement.
    Term sheet means a contractual agreement between the DOT and the 
project sponsor (and the lender, if applicable) that sets forth the key 
business terms and conditions of a Federal credit instrument. Execution 
of this document represents a legal obligation of budget authority.
    TIFIA means the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and 
Innovation Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 241 (1998).


Sec. 80.5  Limitations on assistance.

    (a) The total amount of credit assistance offered to any project 
under this part shall not exceed 33 percent of the anticipated eligible 
project costs, as measured on an aggregate cash (year-of-expenditure) 
basis.
    (b) Costs incurred prior to a project sponsor's submission of an 
application for credit assistance may be considered in calculating 
eligible project costs only upon approval of the Secretary. In 
addition, applicants shall not include application charges or any other 
expenses associated with the application process (such as charges 
associated with obtaining the required preliminary rating opinion 
letter) among the eligible project costs.
    (c) No costs financed internally or with interim funding may be 
refinanced under this part later than a year following substantial 
completion of the project.
    (d)(1) Within the overall credit assistance limitation of 33 
percent of eligible project costs, the Secretary may consider making 
future-year or multi-year contingent commitments of budget authority 
and associated credit assistance for projects temporarily lacking 
certain requirements or with extended construction periods and 
financing needs. The TIFIA's effectiveness in stimulating private 
investment in transportation infrastructure depends, in large part, on 
investor recognition that TIFIA credit instruments represent solid and 
reliable Federal commitments. Therefore, the Secretary shall make any 
future-year or multi-year contingent commitment of funds for a project 
using a conditional term sheet. The conditional term sheet will 
resemble the standard term sheet that enables the obligation of budget 
authority, but will also specify the additional actions necessary to 
trigger subsequent obligation(s). The conditional term sheet will 
include fixed dates by which any requirements must be met in order for 
the reserved funding to be obligated.
    (2) Upon execution of the conditional term sheet, the Secretary 
shall reserve budget authority attributable to the appropriate year(s). 
This reservation will ensure that a project with a conditional 
commitment will have a priority claim (along with that of any other 
projects receiving such contingent commitments) on budget authority 
becoming available in the specified year(s), provided that the project 
sponsor satisfies each condition outlined in the conditional term 
sheet. The Secretary will limit such reservations to not more than 50 
percent of the budget authority becoming available in the applicable 
year(s). If a multi-year contingent commitment is made, each year's 
loan will be tied to distinct, clearly identified project segments or 
stages or other milestones as specified in the credit agreement.
    (e) The obligor may draw upon the line of credit only if net 
project revenues (including, among other sources, any debt service 
reserve fund) are insufficient to pay costs specified in 23 U.S.C. 
184(a)(2) under the line of credit, including debt service costs. Debt 
service costs include direct payments of principal and interest as well 
as reimbursements for such payments in the form of legally required 
deposits to a debt service reserve fund.
    (f) The Secretary shall not obligate funds in favor of a project 
that has not received an environmental Categorical Exclusion, Finding 
of No Significant Impact, or Record of Decision.


Sec. 80.7  Application process.

    (a) Public and private applicants for credit assistance under this 
part will be required to submit applications to the DOT in order to be 
considered for approval by the Secretary.
    (b) At a minimum, such applications shall provide:
    (1) Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the project 
satisfies each of the threshold criteria in Sec. 80.13 and describe the 
extent to which the project satisfies each of the selection criteria in 
Sec. 80.15;
    (2) Background information on the project for which assistance is 
sought, such as the project's description, status of environmental and 
other major governmental permits and approvals, and construction 
schedule;
    (3) Background information on the applicant (project sponsor);
    (4) Historical information, if applicable, concerning the 
applicant's financial condition, including, for

[[Page 29752]]

example, independently audited financial statements and certifications 
concerning bankruptcies or delinquencies on other debt; and
    (5) Current financial information concerning both the project and 
the applicant, such as sources and uses of funds for the project and a 
forecast of cash flows available to service all debt instruments.
    (c) An application for a project located in or sponsored by more 
than one State or other entity shall be submitted to the DOT by just 
one State or entity. The sponsoring States or entities shall designate 
a single obligor for purposes of applying for, receiving, and repaying 
TIFIA credit assistance.
    (d) Each fiscal year for which Federal assistance is available 
under this part, the DOT shall publish a Federal Register notice to 
solicit applications for credit assistance. Such notice will specify 
the relevant due dates, the estimated amount of funding available to 
support TIFIA credit instruments for the current and future fiscal 
years, contact name(s), and other details for that year's application 
submissions and funding approvals.


Sec. 80.9  Federal requirements.

    All projects receiving credit assistance under this part shall 
comply with:
    (a) The relevant requirements of title 23, U.S.C., for highway 
projects, chapter 53 of title 49, U.S.C., for transit projects, and 
section 5333(a) of title 49 for rail projects, as appropriate;
    (b) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et 
seq.);
    (c) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.);
    (d) The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition 
Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.); and
    (e) Other Federal and compliance requirements as may be applicable.


Sec. 80.11  Investment-grade ratings.

    (a) At the time a project sponsor submits an application, the DOT 
shall require a preliminary rating opinion letter. This letter is a 
conditional credit assessment from a rating agency that provides a 
preliminary indication of the project's overall creditworthiness and 
that specifically addresses the potential of the project's senior debt 
obligations to achieve an investment-grade rating. However, the DOT 
shall disburse funds under a secured (direct) loan or line of credit or 
extend a loan guarantee only after a formal credit agreement has been 
executed and the project's senior obligations have obtained a formal 
investment-grade rating.
    (b) The full funding of a secured (direct) loan, loan guarantee, or 
line of credit shall be contingent on the assignment of an investment-
grade rating by a nationally recognized bond rating agency to all 
project obligations that have a lien senior to that of the Federal 
credit instrument on the pledged security.
    (c) Neither the preliminary rating opinion letter nor the formal 
credit rating should reflect the effect of bond insurance, unless that 
insurance provides credit enhancement that secures the TIFIA 
obligation.


Sec. 80.13  Threshold criteria.

    (a) To be eligible to receive Federal credit assistance under this 
part, a project shall meet the following five threshold criteria:
    (1) The project shall be consistent with the State transportation 
plan, if located in a metropolitan area shall be included in that 
area's metropolitan transportation plan, and shall appear in an 
approved State transportation improvement program before the DOT and 
the project sponsor execute a term sheet or credit agreement that 
results in the obligation of funds;
    (2) The State, local servicer, or other entity undertaking the 
project shall submit a project application to the Secretary of 
Transportation;
    (3) A project shall have eligible project costs that are reasonably 
anticipated to equal or exceed the lesser of $100 million or 50 percent 
of the amount of Federal-aid highway funds apportioned for the most 
recently completed fiscal year to the State in which the project is 
located (in the case of a project principally involving the 
installation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), eligible 
project costs shall be reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed $30 
million);
    (4) Project financing shall be repayable, in whole or in part, from 
tolls, user fees or other dedicated revenue sources; and
    (5) In the case of a project that is undertaken by an entity that 
is not a State or local government or an agency or instrumentality of a 
State or local government, the project that the entity is undertaking 
shall be included in the State transportation plan and an approved 
State Transportation Improvement Program as provided in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.
    (b) With respect to paragraph (a)(3) of this section, for a project 
located in more than one State, the minimum cost threshold size shall 
be the lesser of $100 million or 50 percent of the amount of Federal-
aid highway funds apportioned for the most recently completed fiscal 
year to the participating State that receives the least amount of such 
funds.
    (c) With respect to paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the Secretary 
may accept general obligation pledges or general corporate promissory 
pledges and will determine the acceptability of other pledges and forms 
of collateral as dedicated revenue sources on a case-by-case basis. The 
Secretary shall not accept a pledge of Federal funds, regardless of 
source, as security for the TIFIA credit instrument.


Sec. 80.15  Selection criteria.

    (a) The Secretary shall consider the following eight criteria in 
evaluating and selecting among eligible projects to receive credit 
assistance:
    (1) The extent to which the project is nationally or regionally 
significant, in terms of generating economic benefits, supporting 
international commerce, or otherwise enhancing the national 
transportation system;
    (2) The creditworthiness of the project, including a determination 
by the Secretary that any financing for the project has appropriate 
security features, such as a rate covenant, to ensure repayment;
    (3) The extent to which such assistance would foster innovative 
public-private partnerships and attract private debt or equity 
investment;
    (4) The likelihood that such assistance would enable the project to 
proceed at an earlier date than the project would otherwise be able to 
proceed;
    (5) The extent to which the project uses new technologies, 
including Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), that enhance the 
efficiency of the project;
    (6) The amount of budget authority required to fund the Federal 
credit instrument made available;
    (7) The extent to which the project helps maintain or protect the 
environment; and
    (8) The extent to which such assistance would reduce the 
contribution of Federal grant assistance to the project.
    (b) In addition, 23 U.S.C. 182(b)(2)(B) conditions a project's 
approval for credit assistance on receipt of a preliminary rating 
opinion letter indicating that the project's senior debt obligations 
have the potential to attain an investment-grade rating.
    (c) The Secretary shall evaluate each project's distinct public 
benefits and contribution to program goals according to each of the 
selection criteria specified in this section.
    (d) In considering the selection criterion in paragraph (a)(8) of 
this section, the Secretary will give

[[Page 29753]]

preference to projects for which the applicant's use of TIFIA credit 
assistance would reduce the applicant's degree of reliance on Federal 
grant assistance.
    (e) The Secretary may also give preference to applications for loan 
guarantees rather than other forms of Federal credit assistance. This 
preference is consistent with Federal policy that, when Federal credit 
assistance is necessary to meet a Federal objective, loan guarantees 
should be favored over direct loans, unless attaining the Federal 
objective requires a subsidy, as defined by the Federal Credit Reform 
Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), deeper than can be provided by a 
loan guarantee.


Sec. 80.17  Charges.

    (a) The DOT will require a non-refundable application initiation 
charge for each project applying for credit assistance under TIFIA. The 
DOT may also require an additional credit processing charge for 
projects selected to receive assistance. Any required application 
initiation or credit processing charge must be paid by the project 
sponsor applying for TIFIA assistance and cannot be paid by another 
party on behalf of the project sponsor. The proceeds of any such 
charges will equal a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of 
soliciting and evaluating applications, selecting projects to receive 
assistance, and negotiating credit agreements. For fiscal year 1999, 
the DOT will require an application initiation charge of $5,000 for 
each project applying for credit assistance under TIFIA. The DOT will 
not require any credit processing charges for fiscal year 1999. For 
each application and approval cycle in fiscal year 2000 and beyond, the 
DOT may adjust the amount of the application initiation charge and will 
determine the appropriate amount of the credit processing charge on the 
basis of its program implementation experience. The DOT will publish 
these amounts in each Federal Register solicitation for applications.
    (b) Applicants shall not include application initiation or credit 
processing charges or any other expenses associated with the 
application process (such as charges associated with obtaining the 
required preliminary rating opinion letter) among eligible project 
costs for the purpose of calculating the maximum 33 percent credit 
amount referenced in Sec. 80.5(a).
    (c) If, in any given year, there is insufficient budget authority 
to fund the credit instrument for a qualified project that has been 
selected to receive assistance under TIFIA, the DOT and the approved 
applicant may agree upon a supplemental charge to be paid by or on 
behalf of the approved applicant at the time of execution of the term 
sheet to reduce the subsidy cost of that project. No such charge may be 
included among eligible project costs for the purpose of calculating 
the maximum 33 percent credit amount referenced in Sec. 80.5(a).


Sec. 80.19  Reporting requirements.

    At a minimum, any recipient of Federal credit under this part shall 
submit an annual project performance report and audited financial 
statements to the DOT within 120 days following the recipient's fiscal 
year-end for each year during which the recipient's obligation to the 
Federal Government remains in effect. The DOT may conduct periodic 
financial and compliance audits of the recipient of credit assistance, 
as determined necessary by the Secretary. The specific credit agreement 
between the recipient of credit assistance and the DOT may contain 
additional reporting requirements.

    Issued in Washington, DC on May 25, 1999.
Rodney E. Slater,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION

49 CFR Chapter II

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Federal Railroad 
Administration amends chapter II, title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as follows:
    3. Add Part 261 to read as follows:

PART 261--CREDIT ASSISTANCE FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

Sec.
261.1  Cross-reference to credit assistance.

    Authority: Secs. 1501 et seq., Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 
241, as amended; 23 U.S.C. 181-189 and 315; 49 CFR 1.49.


Sec. 261.1  Cross-reference to credit assistance.

    The regulations in 49 CFR Part 80 shall be followed in complying 
with the requirements of this part. Title 49, CFR, Part 80 implements 
the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998, 
secs. 1501 et seq., Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 241.

    Dated: May 25, 1999.
Jolene M, Molitoris,
Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration.

FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION

49 CFR Chapter VI

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Federal Transit 
Administration amends chapter VI, title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations, as follows:
    4. Add Part 640 to read as follows:

PART 640--CREDIT ASSISTANCE FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

Sec.
640.1  Cross-reference to credit assistance.

    Authority: Secs. 1501 et seq., Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 
241, as amended; 23 U.S.C. 181-189 and 315; 49 CFR 1.51.


Sec. 640.1  Cross-reference to credit assistance.

    The regulations in 49 CFR Part 80 shall be followed in complying 
with the requirements of this part. Title 49, CFR, Part 80 implements 
the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998, 
secs. 1501 et seq., Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 241.

    Dated: May 25, 1999.
Gordon J. Linton,
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-13784 Filed 6-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-KE-P