Energy & Transportation Update
An Information Service of the AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
January 21, 2002
Volume III, Number 1
Transportation Appropriations
On December 4, 2001, Congress cleared the conference report for the FY 2002 transportation-spending bill - totaling $59.6 billion. Conferees also adhered to funding guarantees for aviation and state airport improvement grant programs. NCSL has steadfastly supported TEA-21 and AIR-21 funding guarantees. However, appropriators sliced $423 billion out of state highway funds for a medley of "special" projects. They found the $423 billion in the Revenue Aligned Budget Authority (RABA), which are highway trust fund receipts that exceed annual estimated receipts ($4.5 billion for FY 2002). RABA money is distributed among the states under current formulas. They are typically considered an "untouchable" component of the TEA-21 law. The "late night" heist of RABA money set off a storm of protest among House and Senate Transportation Committee members, a protest that will continue through this year's preliminary hearings on the reauthorization of TEA-21. The bill (H.R. 2299) includes heavily debated provisions allowing for the entry of Mexican trucks to the United States and increased funding for highways, mass transit and safety programs as guaranteed through TEA-21.
Administration Pressures Senate for Debate on Energy Package
On January 17, 2001, President Bush urged the Senate Democrats to schedule floor action on energy legislation in the next few weeks. The administration stressed an energy package would promote national security and create jobs. The Senate Democrats are expected to back Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Senator Bingaman's (D-N.M.) energy bill S. 1766. The Senate Democrat package proposal will be pitted against the Senate Republican version of an energy package, the Homeland Security Act S. 388-389. The Republican package would increase domestic oil supplies by opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and reforming federal energy programs. Senate Majority Leader Daschle (D- S.D.) plans to schedule floor action on the energy bills in early February 2002.
Amtrak Reform Council Approves Plan to Dissolve Amtrak
On January 11, 2002, the Amtrak Reform Council (ARC) approved basic elements of a restructuring plan proposing to open up all Amtrak rail operations through competitive bidding. The ARC is required to present a completed plan to Congress and Amtrak by February 7, 2002. The ARC recommends reorganizing Amtrak by putting its train operations into one subsidiary and its real property infrastructure into another. Once the reorganization is in place, Amtrak could introduce competition by entering into contracts with other train operating companies. Amtrak could also exercise its franchise authority to operate passenger trains at the request of a state or an interstate compact.
Congress Prepares to Reauthorize TEA-21 Legislation
Both the House and Senate plan to hold a long list of hearings within the next year in efforts to start drafting the reauthorization of TEA-21 (please see attachment). The NCSL Energy and Transportation Committee staff strongly urges Committee members to participate in an informal TEA-21 reauthorization task force. Committee members are encouraged to share ideas with NCSL Staff on:
How is TEA-21 working for your state and what differences has it made?
How can TEA-21 be improved?
Association Recommends Driver's License Improvements
On January 14, 2002, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators' (AAMVA) Task Force on ID Security announced its recommendations for strengthening and unifying inconsistencies in the North American driver's license issuance process. Soon after the September 11 attacks the association task force discussed the idea of requiring driver's license to contain fingerprints or other unique identifiers to protect against fraudulent identification. The task force explained, "Each state has its own set of rules for issuing ID credentials. This lack of uniformity has resulted in a mixed bag of exploitable processes and procedures. Without a more uniform process for issuing driver's licenses, DMV officials warn that individuals will continue to exploit the system by shopping around for licenses in states that have become the weakest link." The association task force estimates it will cost up to $100 million to create a national identification system that would include high-tech driver's licenses and a network of tightly linked databases of driver information. AAMVA preemptive proposal drew immediate criticism from organizations concerned with privacy and those opposed to national identification systems.
Energy & Transportation Update Main Menu
NCSL Staff:
Eileen Doherty
Committee Director
AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
(202)624-8687
Laurie Holmes
Committee Assistant
AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
(202)624-8695 |
