House Appropriations Committee Issues Report on DOT, HUD, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2018 (Part 4 of 8)
The
The most recent authorization for the programs under the
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
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:
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
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)
(TABLE OMITTED)
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
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an obligation limitation of
The Committee strongly encourages the
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
Of the amount provided for Technical Assistance and
CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRANTS
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
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
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
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
Finally, the Committee's recommendation includes
GRANTS TO THE
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommendation includes
The Committee directs
Finally, should the
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
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
Section 164. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting funds to enter into an FFGA with a Federal share greater than fifty percent.
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
(HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND)
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 authorized the
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends a total appropriation of
The
MARAD, working with the
MARITIME SECURITY PROGRAM
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
OPERATIONS AND TRAINING
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
MARAD operations.--Of the funds provided, a total of
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.
State maritime academies.--The Committee recommends
Schoolships.--The Committee's recommendation for the state maritime academies includes
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.......................
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
SHIP DISPOSAL
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
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
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.......................
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
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Section 170. The Committee continues a provision that allows the
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.
The
OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
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)
(TABLE OMITTED)
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
The Committee recommendation provides
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANTS
(EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUND)
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017....................... (
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
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommendation provides
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
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
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
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
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
EXECUTIVE OFFICES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
The Center for Faith-based and
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
The bill also provides that no more than
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.......................
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
The Committee commends HUD's recognition of the need to institutionalize and stabilize operations within the Department, and establishes the creation of the
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
The Office of
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
Funding specified for each office is as follows:
Office.......................... Amount
Office of
Program Office Salaries and Expenses
PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
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
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
Continues with Part 5 of 8
House Appropriations Committee Issues Report on DOT, HUD, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2018 (Part 2 of 8)
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