Transportation Emergency Relief Extension

Summary#

This bill amends the emergency relief rules in title 23, United States Code. It stops the Secretary from requiring a project paid for under the highway emergency relief program to move to the construction obligation stage before the last day of the sixth fiscal year after the later of (A) the Governor's emergency declaration or (B) the President's major disaster declaration. The Secretary may grant a one-year extension if the Governor requests it and may grant further extensions if the Governor gives suitable justification. The bill also requires the Secretary to update the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Manual within 2 years after enactment and then every 2 years, give the updated Manual to each State department of transportation, and post it on a website.

What it means for you#

• State departments of transportation and Governors: Projects funded under section 125 generally cannot be forced into the construction obligation stage until at least the sixth fiscal year after an emergency or disaster declaration. Governors can request one-year extensions and may seek additional extensions with justification.
• Federal Highway Administration: Must update the Emergency Relief Manual every 2 years, send it to each State DOT, and make it publicly available online.
• Local projects and planning: The timing for when emergency-relief projects must advance to construction may be extended under the timelines and extension rules in this bill.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs, budgetary effects, or funding estimates is included in the provided bill text or metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information on proponents' statements or official arguments is included in the provided materials.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' statements or official objections is included in the provided materials.