In our Transportation Committee newsletter, you will find some of the latest transportation policy issues NCSL is following in Washington, D.C. If you have questions about any of the stories below, please contact NCSL using the email icon to the left.
NREE Standing Committee Policy Deadlines
If you missed the recent NREE Committee Policy Week call that addressed the committee policy resolutions and directives up for consideration at the 2024 NCSL Legislative Summit, you can find the PowerPoint and relevant links on the NREE Committee Breezio group. Proposed policy resolutions, directives and amendments to directives and resolutions must be submitted by July 8 at 5 p.m. ET to [email protected]. The NREE Committee Business Meeting will be held in person in Louisville, Ky., on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
The Newsletter is Moving to Breezio!
The NREE Committee Staff is excited to announce that the NREE Committee newsletter is moving to Breezio! Starting next month, you will be able to access this newsletter in the Breezio “NREE Committee Monthly Newsletters” collection. You will still be able to access this newsletter through the NCSL website.
To access Breezio, please follow the steps outlined below.
- Make certain you know your NCSL login and password.
- Visit www.ncsl.org and log-in to your account.
- Then in the address bar type in groups.ncsl.org; this will take you to Breezio.
If you have not logged in before, you will receive a question pop-up asking you for permission to access your name, legislature and email address from NCSL’s database for verification. Once you reach the main page you will see the NREE Committee group along with any other groups of which you may be a member.
In addition to accessing this newsletter, please start and participate in discussions, access resources and get involved! Notifications from the NREE Committee group are set to only go out in a weekly digest. If you prefer more frequent communications, you may change your settings under Notifications.
The NREE Committee Breezio group is the primary way NCSL staff communicates with committee membership, so its importance cannot be understated. Thank you for your participation and patience as we adopt this new technology.
Top Transportation Stories
FAA Reauthorized
After three short term extensions, the Federal Aviation Administration has been reauthorized for five years. The legislation, which was signed into law recently, provides funding for air travel infrastructure and new runway technologies, strengthens protections for airline workers and passengers, mandates the hiring of more air traffic controllers and is intended to increase overall aviation safety. The controversial line item increasing the number of long-haul flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport by five roundtrips per day was retained in the final version of the legislation. Under this legislation the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will receive over $105 billion and $730 million respectively through 2028. NCSL sent a letter to Congress urging the swift bipartisan passage of long-term FAA reauthorization legislation in December 2023.
Short but Sweet, More News Below!
Roadways
- $900 million has been released to allow school districts to replace diesel powered buses with cleaner, and in some cases electric, buses. The funding is expected to purchase over 3,400 new buses nationwide. Read More.
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The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released $343 million to improve accessibility across eight transit systems in eight states. The funding will be used to improve mobility for disabled and injured people to increase and improve access to healthcare, schooling, jobs and other important destinations. Read More.
Rails
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The Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service final rule has been released by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board. This rule allows customers inadequately serviced by only one railroad to contract with another nearby railroad, effectively allowing the alternate railroad to use that line. Critics have pushed back citing cost increases and strain on rain networks. Learn More.
Save the date! NCSL’s Traffic Safety Preconference
Traffic fatalities and crashes are near all-time highs, prompting states to explore strategies for safer roadways. Join us in Louisville, Ky., for NCSL’s Traffic Safety Preconference, Sunday, Aug. 4, just before NCSL’s Legislative Summit, to discuss the latest state actions regarding impaired driving, safety cameras, vulnerable road user safety, telematics in traffic safety and more. Contact Annie Kitch for more information.
Thank You for Joining Transportation Webinar Series!
NCSL’s Transportation Committee staff wants to thank you for joining its first annual Spring Webinar Series. If you are interested in watching the series again, all recordings are available on the NCSL Legislative Video Resource Center.
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All Aboard: Expanding Passenger Rail Across the Country.
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Tanked: How States Are Looking to Replace Declining Gas Tax Revenue.
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States in Action: Addressing America’s Traffic Safety Crisis.