Offices: NCSL Headquarters, 7700 East First Place, Denver, CO 80230 State-Federal Relations, 444 N. Capitol Street, NW, Suite 515, Washington, DC 20001

Congress Avoids a Shutdown

On March 21, Congress passed a

continuing resolution (CR) to fund the

federal government through the end of FY

2013. This CR—unlike the one passed

last September—increases transportation

funding to be consistent with the

authorizations approved in MAP-21 last

July. But it does not address the $85

billion in cuts due to sequestration, so the

U.S. Department of Transportation will

face nearly $2 billion in cuts, according to

Secretary LaHood. Also in March, the

House and Senate passed their respective

FY 2014 budget resolutions. For a

complete breakdown of FY 2013

transportation funding, the impact of the

sequester, and the possible effects of the

House and Senate FY 2014 budget

resolutions, please see NCSL’s detailed

Info Alert.

Breakfast with the Secretary

On March 15 at NCSL’s Legislative

Leaders meeting in Washington, D.C.,

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray

LaHood met with NCSL members to

discuss the future of transportation. The

Federal News and Trends . 1 2

NCSL Spring Forum ............... 3

Transit Ridership .................... 3

Virginia Transportation Bill . 4

Upcoming PPP Meetings ...... 4

New Reports ............................ 5

IN THIS ISSUE:

TRANSPORT REPORT

April 2013 Volume 4: Issue 3

News, Trends and Analysis Provided by NCSL’s Transportation Programs

FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION

NEWS AND TRENDS

Secretary spoke of the need to consider

all options for future transportation funding

and the growing role of the private sector

in transportation infrastructure, especially

after the significant expansion of the

Transportation Infrastructure Finance and

Innovation Act (TIFIA) program last year.

Photo: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at NCSL’s Legislative Leaders Meeting on March 15, flanked by NCSL President, Speaker Terie

Norelli (N.H.), and NCSL President Elect, Senator Bruce Starr (Ore.).

Following these remarks, NCSL members

and the Secretary engaged in a lively

discussion on a number of topics including

tolls on interstate highways, high-speed

rail and transportation funding plans at the

state level. As Secretary LaHood has

announced his decision to step down,

NCSL would like to thank the Secretary

both for his service and for taking time to

meet with state legislators and understand

the transportation issues facing states.

Ben Husch

State-Federal Relations

NCSL-D.C.

202-624-7779

ben.husch@ncsl.org

Jaime Rall

Transportation Program

NCSL-Denver

303-856-1417

jaime.rall@ncsl.org

NCSL CONTACTS:

2

Committee Approves WRDA

On March 20, the Senate Environment

and Public Works Committee approved a

reauthorization of the Water Resources

Development Act (WRDA). Consistent

with NCSL policy, the bill would ensure

that all annual harbor maintenance trust

fund receipts are spent on port projects.

The bill would also provide additional

funding mechanisms for water resource

infrastructure; create a commission to help

clear the backlog of approved projects;

and apply environmental streamlining

provisions to U.S. Army Corps of Engineer

projects. The bill is expected on the

Senate floor this spring, but it’s unclear

when it will be taken up in the House.

Discussions about overhauling the Inland

Waterways Trust Fund are ongoing.

Sandy Relief Starts to Flow

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

released $390 million on March 6 and

$164.2 million on March 19 in disaster

relief, to reimburse local transit agencies

for expenses related to Hurricane Sandy.

On Feb. 15, the FTA had established an

Emergency Relief Docket so grantees and

subgrantees affected by national or

regional emergencies in 2013 could ask

for relief from certain FTA requirements.

FCC Has "Smart Vehicle"

Advocates Worried

On Feb. 20, the Federal Communications

Commission approved a notice that it will

propose regulations to increase the radio

spectrum in the 5 GHz band by 35

percent. Some highway safety and

transportation technology planners worry

that such a move could lead to signal

interference in the 5.9 GHz band, which is

being used to develop “smart” safety

systems for cars and trucks.

President Calls for Trust Fund to

Promote Alternative Vehicles

On March 15, President Obama called for

the creation of an Energy Security Trust

Fund that would set aside $2 billion over

10 years to help develop alternative fuel

vehicles. The president’s plan also

includes credits for alternative fuel trucks

for five years. Funds would be set aside

from oil and gas development in federal

waters of the Outer Continental Shelf;

White House staff have clarified that the

plan does not include opening the Arctic

National Wildlife Refuge for drilling.

PTC Faces Additional Delay

On Feb. 27, the Association of American

Railroads told the National Transportation

Safety Board that fully implementing

interoperable positive train control (PTC)

before the congressionally mandated

2015 deadline is still not possible.

Toyota Agrees to Settlement on

Acceleration Issues

On Feb. 14, Toyota Motor Corp. agreed to

pay $29 million in a multistate settlement

of allegations that it did not disclose

unintended acceleration problems in

specific Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

Did you know?

The Transportation

Infrastructure

Finance and

Innovation Act

(TIFIA) program

(mentioned on p. 1)

provides federal

loans, loan

guarantees and

lines of credit for

transportation

projects. TIFIA can

help advance large-

scale highway,

transit, railroad,

intermodal freight

and port projects

that otherwise might

be delayed or

deferred. The

program is slated to

provide $750 million

of assistance in FY

2013 and $1 billion

in FY 2014.

3

by r

Transit ridership hit near-historic highs in

2012, according to the American Public

Transportation Association. Last year saw

10.5 billion individual rides on transit—154

million more than in 2011. In the past 50

years, only 2008 had more riders, when

record gas prices encouraged commuters

to hop onto buses and trains. Light rail

systems saw the largest rise in ridership in

2012: 4.5 percent nationwide, with double-

digit jumps in Memphis, Dallas, Los

Angeles, Salt Lake City and Pittsburgh.

Ridership was also up for buses, heavy

and commuter rail, and paratransit.

With hundreds of new and expanded

transit systems being built across the U.S.,

states and communities are supporting

transit-oriented development to bolster

ridership and spur economic development.

Decreased federal support may lead to

fare hikes (such as those being proposed

in Maryland) to try and keep the systems

solvent. Other communities are looking at

lowering fares to keep or attract riders.

NCSL’S SPRING FORUM: A PEAK PERSPECTIVE IN THE MILE HIGH CITY

At NCSL’s Spring Forum, you'll hear from national experts, find the NCSL research you need to turn your ideas into action, and help guide NCSL's advocacy efforts on behalf of the states.

This year: Learn about the infrastructure deficit and 2013 state proposals to pay for transportation projects.

EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE THROUGH APRIL 15!

ALL ABOARD: TRANSIT RIDERSHIP IS UP

Did you know?

NCSL's new

meeting agendas

allow you to sort the

sessions by track,

topic or NCSL

committee.

Wondering what

sessions are on

offer at this year's

Spring Forum

concerning state

budgets, K-12

education, jobs,

pensions, energy

supply and other hot

topics? Check out

the new agenda

here.

4

As cars become more fuel-efficient and

fewer people drive, states are faced with a

problem: How to continue funding crucial

transportation and infrastructure projects

with diminishing revenues from state

gasoline taxes. In February, the Virginia

legislature met this challenge head on.

Lawmakers there passed a transportation

reform bill that the Washington Post called

“historic.” Hear the March 22 NCSL

StateCast, in which NCSL’s Jon Kuhl

discusses the bipartisan legislation with

Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell.

TFI- NEWS US P3 Transport Finance Investors Forum April 18, 2013 | New York, New York

Limited number of complimentary places for NCSL members!

TFI-News is holding its US P3 Transport Finance Investors Forum on April 18, 2013. At this

one-day briefing, leading developers and investors will meet with state DOTs and transit

agencies to discuss public-private partnerships (PPPs or P3s) and private finance in the U.S.

transportation market. TFI-News is offering a limited number of complimentary places

for NCSL members (legislators or legislative staff). For details, contact Jim Reed at NCSL.

9th Annual US P3 Infrastructure Forum 2013

June 18-19, 2013 | Crowne Plaza, Times Square, New York

Reduced registration rate available to NCSL members!

The US P3 Infrastructure Forum, organized by InfraAmericas, is the premier annual

gathering about public-private partnerships for infrastructure developers, investors,

financiers, state and federal public officials and regional transportation authorities. Now in its

ninth year, the forum attracts over 350 key public and private sector participants every year.

InfraAmericas is offering a reduced registration rate for NCSL members (legislators or

legislative staff). For more information or to register, contact Kate Salkeld at InfraAmericas.

NCSL INTERVIEWS VIRGINIA SPEAKER HOWELL

ABOUT HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION BILL

UPCOMING PPP MEETING OPPORTUNITIES

FOR NCSL MEMBERS

Free NCSL Traffic Safety Webinar on

April 3!

Join us for an NCSL webinar on how states can access new federal traffic safety grants—and how your state can become eligible for these grants before the July 1 deadline. The webinar will be on Wed., April 3, at 2 pm ET/ 1 pm CT/ noon MT/ 11 am PT. NCSL webinars are free for legislators and legislative staff.

5

2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) evaluates

U.S. infrastructure; the 2013 Report Card still gives near-failing grades, but

roads, rail and bridges have improved. New in this year’s report card: state-

by-state data and case studies of initiatives that are making a difference.

Top Ten OIG Recommendations for the U.S. Dept. of Transportation

In March, the U.S. DOT Inspector General testified before the House

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with 10 recommendations

to ensure stewardship, protect investments and enhance safety.

Public Transportation Ridership Report: Fourth Quarter 2012

The American Public Transportation Association’s latest ridership report

records 10.5 billion trips taken on U.S. mass transit in 2012—the second

highest annual ridership since 1957, despite the impact of Hurricane Sandy.

Teenage Driver Fatalities by State: 2012 Preliminary Data

This Governor's Highway Safety Association report indicates that fatalities

were higher for 16- and 17-year-old drivers in the first half of 2012, compared

to a year before—and offers possible reasons why.

Railroad Safety Statistics: 2012 Preliminary Data

Preliminary 2012 data from the Federal Railroad Administration shows fewer

train-vehicle accidents and injuries, but more deaths and injuries resulting

from rail trespass incidents, compared to 2011.

Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Fuel

Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2012

This Environmental Protection Agency report concludes—among other

trends—that the fuel economy of cars and trucks sold in the U.S. hit a record

high in 2012 at 23.8 miles per gallon, up 16 percent from 2011.

NEW TRANSPORTATION REPORTS

How to Get the NCSL Transport Report: More than 2,000 federal, state, local and private

sector transportation stakeholders receive this newsletter each month. If you'd like to get

NCSL’s Transport Report in your inbox, e-mail jaime.rall@ncsl.org with your contact details.

All our past issues are online at http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=21636.

Did you know?

NCSL Standing

Committees develop

the policy directives

and resolutions on

state-federal issues

that guide NCSL's

lobbying efforts in

Washington, D.C.

If you are an NCSL

committee member

and you want to

submit a new policy

directive or an

amendment to

existing policy for

consideration at

NCSL's Spring

Forum, please

submit it to dc-

directors@ncsl.org

by 5 p.m. ET on

April 4, 2013.