House Transportation Bill Funds Highway Account, Safety Programs

House appropriators unveiled a transportation bill May 6 that would provide more than $52 billion for infrastructure and housing programs in fiscal 2015, and fund a key federal highway account if congressional policy writers pass a new highway bill this year.

The fiscal 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations legislation would provide $40.2 billion in formula highway spending for the federal Highway Trust Fund, matching the 2014 level. The funding would be contingent on the enactment of a transportation policy bill that updates MAP-21, the 2012 highway law. That bill expires at the end of September.

Appropriators have scheduled consideration of the spending bill May 7, and the backing of a Republican majority is expected to help it advance to the full Appropriations Committee. A hearing at the full committee is likely to take place later this month.

Overall, the House bill would be $1.2 billion above the fiscal 2014 enacted level and $7.8 billion below the Obama administration’s fiscal 2015 budget request. It would provide $824 million for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, $572 million for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and $205.2 million for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The bill also would provide $100 million for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Act (TIGER) grant program. That’s $500 million below the fiscal 2014 enacted level and $1.15 billion below the administration’s fiscal 2015 request. This month, Department of Transportation officials said they would indicate later this year which cities and states will be awarded grants as part of the latest round of the TIGER program.

Rep. Tom Latham (R-Iowa), chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee said the bill “meets our highest transportation and housing priorities in a fiscally responsible way.”

Senate transportation leaders are expected to unveil their transportation versions this month.