HR 2350 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 2350CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To secure public investments in transportation infrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

June 24, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. DEFAZIO (for himself, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, and Mr. CARSON of Indiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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 concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To secure public investments in transportation infrastructure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Protecting Taxpayers in Transportation Asset Transfers Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSET TRANSACTION- The term ‘asset transaction’ means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a concession agreement for a public transportation asset; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a contract for the sale or lease of a public transportation asset between the State or local government with jurisdiction over the public transportation asset and a private individual or entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONCESSION AGREEMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘concession agreement’ means an agreement entered into by a private individual or entity and a State or local government with jurisdiction over a public transportation asset to convey to the private individual or entity the right to manage, operate, and maintain the public transportation asset for a specific period of time in exchange for the authorization to impose and collect a toll or other user fee from a person for each use of the public transportation asset during that period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) EXCLUSION- The term ‘concession agreement’ does not include an agreement entered into by a State or local government and a private individual or entity for the construction of any new public transportation asset.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSET-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘public transportation asset’ means a transportation facility of any kind that was or is constructed, maintained, or upgraded before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act using Federal funds--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i)(I) the fair market value of which is more than $500,000,000, as determined by the Secretary; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) that has received any Federal funding, as of the date on which the determination is made;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the fair market value of which is less than or equal to $500,000,000, as determined by the Secretary; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) that has received $25,000,000 or more in Federal funding, as of the date on which the determination is made; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) in which a significant national pubic interest (such as interstate commerce, homeland security, public health, or the environment) is at stake, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) INCLUSIONS- The term ‘public transportation asset’ includes a transportation facility described in subparagraph (A) that is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) a Federal-aid highway (as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States Code);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a highway or mass transit project constructed using amounts made available from the Highway Account or Mass Transit Account, respectively, of the Highway Trust Fund;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) an air navigation facility (as defined in section 40102(a) of title 49, United States Code); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) a train station or multimodal station that receives a Federal grant, including any grant authorized under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432; 122 Stat. 4907) or an amendment made by that Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Transportation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. PROGRAM TO SECURE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) Establishment- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program under which a Federal lien shall be attached to each public transportation asset.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Prohibition on Sales and Leases-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- A public transportation asset to which a lien is attached under subsection (a) may not be the subject of any asset transaction unless--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the lien is released in accordance with paragraph (2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B)(i) the private individual or entity seeking the asset transaction enters into an agreement with the Secretary described in paragraph (3)(A)(i); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the State or local government or other public sponsor seeking the asset transaction enters into an agreement with the Secretary described in paragraph (3)(A)(ii);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Secretary publishes a disclosure in accordance with paragraph (4); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the State or local government seeking the asset transaction provides for public notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed asset transaction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RELEASE OF LIENS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- A lien on a public transportation asset described in paragraph (1) may be released only if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the State or local government or other public sponsor seeking the asset transaction for the public transportation asset pays to the Secretary an amount determined by the Secretary under subparagraph (B); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the Secretary certifies that the required agreements described in paragraph (3) have been signed, and the terms of the agreements incorporated into the terms of the asset transaction, for the public transportation asset.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) DETERMINATION OF REPAYMENT AMOUNT- The Secretary shall determine the amount that is required to be paid for the release of a Federal lien on a public transportation asset under this paragraph, taking into account, at a minimum--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the total amount of Federal funds that have been expended to construct, maintain, or upgrade the public transportation asset;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the amount of Federal funding received by a State or local government based on inclusion of the public transportation asset in calculations using Federal funding formulas or for Federal block grants;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the reasonable depreciation of the public transportation asset, including the amount of Federal funds described in clause (i) that may be offset by that depreciation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) the loss of Federal tax revenue from bonds relating to, and the tax consequences of depreciation of, the public transportation asset.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) AGREEMENTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- As a condition of any new or renewed asset transaction for a public transportation asset--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the private individual or entity seeking the asset transaction shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary, which shall be incorporated into the terms of the asset transaction, under which the private individual or entity agrees--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) to disclose and eliminate any conflict of interest involving any party to the agreement;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II)(aa) to adequately maintain the condition and performance of the public transportation asset during the term of the asset transaction; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(bb) on the end of the term of the asset transaction, to return the public transportation asset to the applicable State or local government in a state of good repair;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) to disclose an estimated amount of tax benefits and financing transactions over the life of the lease resulting from the lease or sale of the public transportation asset;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) to disclose anticipated changes in the workforce and wages, benefits, or rules over the life of the lease and an estimate of the amount of savings from those changes; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) to provide an estimate of the revenue the transportation asset will produce for the private entity during the lease or sale period; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the State or local government or other public sponsor seeking the asset transaction for the public transportation asset shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary, which shall be incorporated into the terms of the asset transaction, under which the State or local government or other public sponsor agrees--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) to pay to the Secretary the amount determined by the Secretary under paragraph (2)(B);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) to conduct an assessment of whether, and provide justification that, the asset transaction with the private entity would represent a better public and financial benefit than a similar transaction using public funding or with a public (as opposed to private) entity, including an assessment of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) the loss of toll revenues and other user fees relating to the public transportation asset; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) any impacts on other public transportation assets in the vicinity of the public transportation asset covered by the asset transaction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(III) that, if the private individual or entity enters into bankruptcy, becomes insolvent, or fails to comply with all terms and conditions of the asset transaction--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) the asset transaction shall immediately terminate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) the interest in the public transportation asset conveyed by the asset transaction will immediately revert to the public sponsor;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(IV) to provide an estimate of all increased tolls and other user fees that may be charged to persons using the public transportation asset during the term of the asset transaction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) to disclose any plans the State or local government seeking the asset transaction has for up-front payments or concessions from the private individual or entity seeking the asset transaction;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) that the Federal Government and the applicable State and local governments will retain respective authority and control over decisions regarding transportation planning and management; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) to prominently post or display the agreement on the website of the local government or public sponsor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) TERM- An agreement under this paragraph shall not exceed a reasonable term, as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the relevant State or local government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) PUBLICATION OF DISCLOSURE- Not later than 90 days before the date on which an asset transaction covering a public transportation asset takes effect, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice that contains--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a copy of all agreements relating to the asset transaction between the Secretary and the public and private sponsors involved;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) a description of the total amount of Federal funds that have been expended as of the date of publication of the notice to construct, maintain, or upgrade the public transportation asset;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the determination of the repayment amount under paragraph (2)(B) for the public transportation asset;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the amount of Federal funding received by a State or local government based on inclusion of the public transportation asset in calculations using Federal funding formulas or for Federal block grants; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) a certification that the asset transaction will not adversely impact the national public interest of the United States (including the interstate commerce, homeland security, public health, and environment of the United States).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) RENEWAL OF ASSET TRANSACTION- An asset transaction that expires or terminates may be renewed only if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Secretary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) calculates a new repayment amount under paragraph (2)(B) required for renewal, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) takes into consideration the impact of a renewed agreement on nearby public transportation assets; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) publishes a new disclosure for the renewed agreement in accordance with paragraph (4); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the State or local government seeking to renew the asset transaction--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) provides for public notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed renewal;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) pays to the Secretary the new amount calculated by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) enters into a new agreement in accordance with paragraph (3) for the renewal.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Amtrak-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may permit a private individual or entity to enter into an asset transaction covering all or any portion of the facilities and equipment of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (referred to in this subsection as ‘Amtrak’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONDITIONS- A private individual or entity that seeks to enter into an asset transaction described in paragraph (1) shall agree--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to enter into an agreement described in subsection (b)(3) with the Secretary covering the asset transaction; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the amount of Federal funds provided for Amtrak during the period of fiscal year 1971 through the fiscal year in which an agreement described in subsection (b)(3) covering the asset transaction is entered into, as adjusted by, as determined by the Secretary--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the reasonable depreciation of the portion of Amtrak facilities and equipment covered by the agreement, including that amount of Federal funds provided for Amtrak that may be offset by that depreciation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the amount of Federal funding received by a State or local government to upgrade any capital facilities owned or operated by Amtrak to facilitate passenger rail service; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the loss of Federal tax revenue from bonds, Federal financing, or any tax advantages granted to Amtrak since fiscal year 1971, including financing and bonding covered by or provided under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-34; 111 Stat. 788) or an amendment made by that Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) TERM, DISCLOSURE, AND RENEWAL- Paragraphs (3)(B), (4), and (5) of subsection (b) shall apply to an asset transaction entered into under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Use of Funds by Secretary- Funds received by the Secretary as a payment under paragraph (2)(A)(i) or (5)(B)(ii) of subsection (b) or subsection (c)(2)(B) shall be available to and used by the Secretary, without further appropriation and to remain available until expended, for transportation projects and activities in the same transportation mode as the mode of the public transportation asset for which the payment was received.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Regulations- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Report to Congress- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and publish in the Federal Register a report that describes each public transportation asset that is the subject of an asset transaction during the year covered by the report, including the total amount of Federal funds that were received by a State or local government to construct, maintain, or upgrade the public transportation asset as of the date of submission of the report.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as are necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation’ for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink