Presentation on federal statute and regulation related to transportation policy, as well as an update on the federal policy climate. Given by Susan Howard, National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) at the National Rural Transportation Conference, December 3 - 5, 2014 in Cincinnati, OH.

1. Federal Transportation Update
RPO America Council Meeting
December 3, 2014

2. Presentation Overview
2014 Midterm Election Impacts
113thCongressional Re-cap
114thCongressional Outlook for Transportation
Multi-year Surface Transportation Reauthorization
Aviation Reauthorization
Passenger Rail Reauthorization
MAP-21 Implementation Update

3. OVERVIEW: U.S. SENATE
U.S. Senate: The New Numbers
Old Senate
Democrats: 55 *
Republicans: 45
*Includes 2 Independents
New Senate
Democrats:46*
Republicans:53
*Includes 2 Independents
1 undecided race

4. Committee Leadership Changes
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee: Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK)
Senate Commerce Committee: Chairman John Thune (R-SD); Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Senate Finance Committee: Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
House Ways and Means Committee: Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI)
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee: Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
House Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee: Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL); New Ranking Member TBD

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113thCongressional Re-Cap
Highway Trust Fund (HTF) faced shortfall beginning August 1; MAP-21 was set to expire on September 30
Congress approved an extension of MAP-21 policies and $11 billion in new revenue to maintain current funding levels through May 31, 2015
Transfer of general revenue, changes to pension calculations, and extension of Customs and Border Protection user fees

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113thCongressional Re-Cap
Senate EPW Committee action on highway title of reauthorization bill
House T&I Committee focused on passage of water resources bill and passenger rail reauthorization
No hearings on Highway Trust Fund solvency by House Ways and Means Committee

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114thCongressional Outlook
Action required on Highway Trust Fund by end of May
Revenue options
Inflation-indexed tax on gasoline refineries
Corporate tax reform
Repatriation
Increase in the gasoline tax

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114thCongressional Outlook
Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization
Required by September 30, 2015
Passenger Rail Reauthorization
Expired September 30, 2013

9. G
MAP-21 Implementation
First of performance measures proposed rulemakings issued (safety); final rule drafting to begin soon
Upcoming proposed rulemakings: pavement and bridge measures; system performance, freight movement, and CMAQ; transit
Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Planning Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in June
•RTPO establishment and designation
•Consultation with nonmetropolitan officials
Comment period ended October 2; final rule expected mid-2015

10. QUESTIONS
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