House OKs Package of Highway Bill Revisions

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House OKs Package of Highway Bill Revisions
By Kathryn A. Wolfe, CQ Staff


The House passed, 422-1, a “technical corrections” bill for the 2005 transportation policy law that would extend the deadline for a report on highway funding alternatives to the federal excise tax on gasoline.

The bill (HR 3248), introduced July 31, is similar to one (HR 1195) the House passed March 26. The Senate has not acted, but the bill passed Wednesday reflects an informal House-Senate agreement. Lawmakers hope the Senate will clear it this week for President Bush’s signature.

The 2005 law (PL 109-59) authorized $286.5 billion for highway and transit programs through fiscal 2009. The corrections measure is intended to fix drafting mistakes, and includes numerous changes — including some additional funding — in project earmarks.

The bill would give more time and funding to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. That 12-member body was scheduled to report to Congress by July 1 on options for changing how highway and transit programs are funded.

The bill would give the commission until the end of December to complete its work and increase its budget by $2 million.

The commission’s progress has been slowed by administration delays in appointing members and by the July 2006 resignation of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

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1. I don't get this...

The legislation would also change the minimum penalties that states would have to impose on repeat drunk drivers in order to avoid a loss of federal highway funding. Current law requires at least a one-year driver’s license suspension.

The bill would allow a state to impose a 45-day suspension of all driving privileges followed by a period during which the offender could drive only to work, school or alcohol treatment programs.