Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/06/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
To amend title 49, United States Code, to prevent railroad fatalities, injuries, and hazardous materials releases, to authorize the Federal Railroad Safety Administration, and for other purposes. 10/17/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Federal Railroad Safety Administration - (Sec. 101) Amends federal transportation law to establish within the Department of Transportation (DOT) the Federal Railroad Safety Administration to carry out, with the highest priority, enforcement of U.S. safety laws with respect to rail transportation (effectively replacing the Federal Railroad Administration). Provides for the appointment of an Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety who shall be the Chief Safety Officer of the Federal Railroad Safety Administration. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to develop a long-term strategy for improving [...]

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Latest Action: 01/31/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation.

Bill Text
To provide for the establishment of a hazardous materials cooperative research program.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to obligate for each fiscal year certain hazardous materials transportation funds to develop and administer a hazardous materials cooperative research program. Directs the Secretary to establish an independent governing board to select cooperative research projects and studies of hazardous materials transportation to be carried out under the program that will yield results immediately applicable to risk analysis and mitigation or that will strengthen the ability of first responders to respond to accidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials.

Latest Action: 03/26/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye without amendment. With written report No. 110-38.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize NTIA to borrow against anticipated receipts of the Digital Television and Public Safety Fund to initiate migration to a national IP-enabled emergency network capable of receiving and responding to all citizen activated emergency communications. 3/26/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) 911 Modernization Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to authorize the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to borrow from the treasury to make payments to implement the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004. Requires repayment, without interest, as funds are deposited into the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund. Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S168-169)

Bill Text
A bill to require the establishment of a corporate average fuel economy standard for passenger automobiles of 40 miles per gallon by 2017, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Improved Passenger Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2007 - Revises minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger automobiles to direct the Secretary of Transportation, for each model year, to prescribe minimum CAFE standards for passenger automobiles, with the minimum standard being the current standard of 27.5 miles per gallon. Requires a CAFE standard of 40 miles per gallon for passenger automobiles manufactured in model year 2017. Authorizes credits earned by a manufacturer when the average fuel economy of passenger automobiles manufactured by a manufacturer in a particular model year exceeds an applicable established average fuel economy standard to be applied to any of the three model years immediately following (currently, before) the model year in which such [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S82)

Bill Text
A bill to modify the age-60 standard for certain pilots and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Freedom to Fly Act of 2007 - Allows a pilot who has attained 60 years of age to serve as a passenger airline pilot until the age of 65 years old only if the pilot serves: (1) as a required pilot in multi-crew aircraft operations; and (2) with another required pilot who has not yet attained 60 years of age. Terminates the age-60 rule (mandatory retirement age) 30 days after enactment of this Act.

Declares that such requirements shall not provide the basis for a claim of seniority made under any labor bargaining agreement in effect between the pilots and an air carrier by any pilot who has attained age 60 before the effective date of this Act and who is seeking a position as a pilot with such carrier following that pilot's termination or cessation of employment or promotion or transfer to another position with such air carrier.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to require the Federal Aviation Administration to finalize the proposed rule relating to the reduction of fuel tank flammability exposure, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Flight 800 Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Federal Aviation Administration to: (1) finalize and implement, not later than January 1, 2008, a proposed rule relating to the reduction of fuel tank flammability in transport category airplanes; and (2) study and report on ways to improve the safety and reduce the flammability of fuel tanks located on airplane wings. Authorizes the Administrator to provide matching funds to airplane operators and manufacturers for complying with such rule.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S91-92)

Bill Text
A bill to provide increased rail transportation security. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Rail Security Act of 2007 - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conduct a vulnerability assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation, and develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security. Directs the Assistant Secretary to conduct a study on requiring security screening for passengers, baggage, and cargo on passenger trains. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to Amtrak for fire and life-safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to tunnels on the Northeast Corridor. Directs Amtrak to submit to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) a plan to address the needs of families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents. Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to award grants to Amtrak for certain system-wide Amtrak, freight,[...]

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Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Bill Text
To require the Surface Transportation Board to consider certain issues when deciding whether to authorize the construction of a railroad line.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Neighborhood Rail Accountability Act - Amends federal transportation law to require the Surface Transportation Board, in determining whether to issue a certificate authorizing the construction of an additional railroad line or of an extension to any railroad line, to: (1) give greater weight to local official statements and public comments in opposition to the proposed construction (especially construction in a residential area) if there is an unusually high level of public opposition; and (2) identify any disproportionate negative impacts on any socioeconomic population, including a discussion of alternatives that were considered that would have avoided such impacts.

Prescribes procedural requirements for dealing with any false or incorrect information provided by an applicant for a certificate for construction.

Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - By Senator Inouye from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 110-29.

Bill Text
A bill to provide improved rail and surface transportation security. 2/15/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Surface Transportation and Rail Security Act of 2007 - Title I: Improved Rail Security - (Sec. 101) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and other appropriate agencies, to establish a task force to complete a risk assessment of freight and passenger rail transportation. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, based on the assessment, to develop specific prioritized recommendations for improving rail security. Requires the development of plans for: (1) the federal government to provide adequate security support for freight and intercity passenger railroads at high threat levels of alert; (2) coordinating existing and planned rail security initiatives undertaken [...]

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Latest Action: 05/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Transportation may not grant authority to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the commercial zones of the United States-Mexico border.

5/9/2007--Introduced.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Transportation may not grant authority to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the commercial zones of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee conc

Bill Text
Making supplemental appropriations for job creation and preservation, infrastructure investment, and economic and energy assistance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/30/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes. 9/22/2008--Introduced. Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008, Part II - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend from September 30, 2008, through March 31, 2009: (1) excise taxes on aviation fuels and air transportation of persons and property; and (2) the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Amends federal transportation laws to extend funding from September 30, 2008, through March 31, 2009, for airport improvement program (AIP) projects, including project grant authority. Authorizes obligation at any time during FY2009 of funds made available by this Act. Prescribes a formula for calculating funding apportionments to implement the program. Extends through March 31, 2009,[...]

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Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to restore the intent and protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 9/25/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to redefine the term "disability," including by defining "major life activities" and "being regarded as having such an impairment." Sets forth rules of construction regarding the definition of "disability," including that: (1) such term shall be construed in favor of broad coverage of individuals under the Act; (2) an impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be a disability; (3) an impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially [...]

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Latest Action: 07/23/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To amend title 49, United States Code, to enhance aviation safety. 7/22/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Aviation Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends federal transportation law to establish in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) an Aviation Safety Whistleblower Investigation Office, with a Director appointed by the Secretary of Transportation, which shall receive and assess complaints and information relating to possible violations of aviation safety laws and regulations. Directs the FAA Administrator to modify the FAA customer service initiative, mission and vision statements, and other policy statements to: (1) remove any reference to air carriers or other entities regulated by the FAA as "customers"; (2) clarify that in regulating safety the only FAA customers are individuals traveling on aircraft; and (3) clarify that air carriers and other entities regulated by the FAA do not have the right to select [...]

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Latest Action: 06/19/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude certain tax-exempt financing of energy transportation infrastructure from the private business use tests, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify tax-exempt bond financing rules to exclude from the private business use and private loan financing tests certain property used to transmit electricity or carbon dioxide or to transport crude oil and other petroleum products; and (2) reduce the state volume cap for tax-exempt bonds by the amount of bonds issued for such property.Describes the following as acts that unreasonably burden and discriminate against interstate commerce, and prohibits states, political subdivisions, and any other taxing authority from: (1) assessing natural gas pipeline property at a value that has a higher ratio to its true market value than the ratio used to assess other commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction;[...]

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Latest Action: 06/19/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to develop a plan to share military and special use airspace along the eastern seaboard with commercial air traffic, to provide adequate resources for the FAA New York Integration Office, to establish an Aviation Traveler Task Force, and to design a notification system to alert passengers of potential service disruptions. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Summer Travel Delay Prevention Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop: (1) a plan for opening up to commercial flights special use airspace for additional lanes of air traffic at specific choke points; and (2) a permanent plan for sharing military airspace off the eastern U.S. coast by such flights. Authorizes the Director of the New York Integration Office of the FAA to transfer appropriated amounts for Office operations to flight delay reduction projects in airspace over the New York-New Jersey region. Requires the FAA Administrator to establish an Aviation Traveler [...]

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Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator of Federal Aviation Administration from conducting auctions, implementing congestion pricing, limiting airport operations, or charging certain use fees at airports.

6/18/2008--Introduced.

Access to Air Travel Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from taking actions to regulate the scheduling of airline operations at a U.S. commercial airport if such an action includes: (1) auctioning rights or permission to conduct airline operations at that airport; (2) implementing peak-period or congestion pricing at the airport; (3) withdrawing an airline's right to operate at that airport; (4) charging a fee for use of navigable airspace at the airport; or (5) requiring, or providing incentives or disincentives to, airport owners to take any such actions.

Latest Action: 06/30/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, and for other purposes. 6/30/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on June 24, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through FY2008: (1) excise taxes on aviation fuels and air transportation of persons and property; and (2) the expenditure authority for the Airport and Airway Trust Fund.Amends federal transportation laws to extend funding through September 30, 2008, for various airport development projects, including: (1) the pilot program for passenger facility fees at nonhub airports; (2) state and local airport compatibility projects; (3) airport improvement projects; (4) Midway Island airport development; (5) small airport [...]

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Latest Action: 06/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

Bill Text
To prohibit the Secretary of Transportation or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from conducting auctions, implementing congestion pricing, limiting airport operations, or charging certain use fees at airports.

6/18/2008--Introduced.

Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from taking actions to regulate the scheduling of airline operations at a U.S. commercial airport if such an action includes: (1) auctioning rights or permission to conduct airline operations at that airport; (2) implementing peak-period or congestion pricing at the airport; (3) withdrawing an airline's right to operate at that airport; (4) charging a fee for use of navigable airspace at the airport; or (5) requiring, or providing incentives or disincentives to, airport owners to take any such actions.

Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for adequate oversight and inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration of facilities outside the United States that perform maintenance and repair work on United States commercial aircraft, and for other purposes. 6/5/2008--Introduced. Safe Aviation Facilities Ensure Aircraft Integrity and Reliability Act of 2008 or the SAFE AIR Act of 2008 - Requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to: (1) prescribe regulations requiring maintenance work on passenger aircraft to be performed by certain authorized individuals; (2) certify to Congress that the FAA has inspected each foreign repair station that has performed work on U.S. air carrier aircraft or components at least twice in the preceding year and tested persons who perform safety-sensitive functions at such stations for use of alcohol or controlled substances; and (3) develop a plan to identify all noncertified maintenance providers that have performed maintenance work on [...]

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