Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success Act or the ROUTES Act
This bill provides statutory authority for the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative at the Department of Transportation (DOT).
The purpose of the initiative is to (1) improve analysis of rural projects applying for DOT discretionary grants, including ensuring that project costs, local resources, and the larger benefits to the American people and economy are appropriately considered; and (2) provide rural communities with technical assistance for meeting transportation infrastructure investment needs in a financially sustainable manner.
To carry out the mission of the initiative, DOT must establish the ROUTES Council.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2595 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2595
To establish a Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic
Success Initiative, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 15, 2021
Mr. Pence (for himself and Mr. Cuellar) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic
Success Initiative, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Opportunities to Use
Transportation for Economic Success Act'' or the ``ROUTES Act''.
SEC. 2. RURAL OPPORTUNITIES TO USE TRANSPORTATION FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS
INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall establish
the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success
Initiative (hereinafter referred to as the ``ROUTES Office''), to--
(1) improve analysis of rural projects applying for
Department of Transportation discretionary grants, including
ensuring that project costs, local resources, and the larger
benefits to the American people and the economy are
appropriately considered; and
(2) provide rural communities with technical assistance for
meeting the Nation's transportation infrastructure investment
need in a financially sustainable manner.
(b) Objectives.--The ROUTES Office shall--
(1) collect input from knowledgeable entities and the
public on the benefits of rural transportation projects, the
technical and financial assistance required for constructing
and operating rural transportation infrastructure and services,
and barriers and opportunities to funding such rural
transportation projects;
(2) evaluate data on rural transportation challenges and
determining methods to align the Department of Transportation's
discretionary funding and financing opportunities with the
needs of rural communities for meeting National transportation
goals; and
(3) educate rural communities about applicable Department
of Transportation discretionary grants, developing effective
methods to evaluate rural projects in discretionary grant
programs, and communicating those methods through program
guidance.
(c) ROUTES Council.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the ROUTES
Council (hereinafter referred to as the ``Council'') to--
(A) organize, guide, and lead the ROUTES Office;
and
(B) coordinate rural-related funding programs and
assistance among the modal administrations.
(2) Membership.--
(A) In general.--The Council shall be composed of
the following officers of the Department of
Transportation, or their designees:
(i) The Under Secretary of Transportation
for Policy.
(ii) The General Counsel.
(iii) The Chief Financial Officer and
Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs.
(iv) The Assistant Secretary for Research
and Technology.
(v) The Administrators of the--
(I) Federal Aviation
Administration;
(II) Federal Highway
Administration;
(III) Federal Railroad
Administration; and
(IV) Federal Transit
Administration.
(vi) The Chief Infrastructure Funding
Officer.
(vii) The Assistant Secretary of Government
Affairs.
(viii) The Director of the Office of Public
Affairs.
(B) Chair.--The Under Secretary of Transportation
for Policy shall be the Chair of the Council.
(C) Additional members.--The Secretary of
Transportation or the Chair of the Council may
designate additional members to serve on the Council.
(3) Additional modal input.--To address issues related to
safety and transport of rural commodities, the Council shall
consult with the Administrators (or their designees) of the--
(A) Maritime Administration;
(B) Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development
Corporation; and
(C) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(4) Duties.--Members of the Council shall--
(A) participate in all meetings and relevant
Council activities and be prepared to share information
relevant to rural transportation infrastructure
projects and issues;
(B) provide guidance and leadership on rural
transportation infrastructure issues and represent the
work of the Council and Department of Transportation on
such issues to external stakeholders; and
(C) recommend initiatives to the Chair of the
Council to consider, establish, and staff any resulting
activities or working groups.
(5) Meetings.--The Council shall meet bimonthly.
(6) Work products and deliverables.--The Council may
develop work products or deliverables to meet its goals,
including--
(A) an annual report to Congress describing Council
activities for the past year and expected activities
for the coming year;
(B) any recommendations to enhance the
effectiveness of Department of Transportation
discretionary grant programs regarding rural
infrastructure issues; and
(C) other guides and reports for relevant groups
and the public.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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