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American Association of Airport Executives &
Airports Council International - North America Legislative Affairs Representing the nation's airports in Washington, D.C. |
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Amendment No. 29: Provides $88,875,000 for shore facilities
and aids to navigation facilities instead of $82,275,000 as
proposed by the House and $80,200,000 as proposed by the
Senate. In addition, the conference agreement includes the
reprogramming of $24,000,000 from various shore facilities as
listed in the Senate report (-$22,100,000) and from the
overseas Loran-C closure program (-$1,900,000), to be
reallocated to the following programs:
Air station consolidation...................................$11,000,000
Public family quarters.......................................11,100,000
Station Portage, MI...........................................1,900,000
Amendment No. 30: Provides $44,700,000 for acquisition-
related personnel compensation, benefits and related costs
instead of $43,000,000 as proposed by the House and
$46,500,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 31: Deletes House language that would have
allowed the Secretary to transfer up to $50,000,000 within
the AC&I appropriation for implementation costs associated
with Coast Guard streamlining plans. The Senate bill provided
funding for specific streamlining projects rather than
transfer authority for unspecified projects. The conference
agreement adopts the Senate approach, providing $42,750,000
for ten streamlining projects. This compares to $31,050,000
in the Senate bill. The budget request included $5,000,000
for unspecified projects. The conferees are very supportive
of the Coast Guard's streamlining efforts and look forward to
reviewing specific proposals next year in detail.
Amendment No. 32: Provides that the Commandant may dispose
of surplus real property by sale or lease and the proceeds
shall be credited to this appropriation. The Senate bill
required disposal by sale or lease. The House bill contained
no similar provision.
port safety development
Amendment No. 33: Appropriates $15,000,000 for debt
retirement of the Port of Portland, Oregon, to remain
available until expended, as proposed by the Senate. The
House bill contained no similar appropriation.
alteration of bridges
Amendment No. 34: Appropriates $16,000,000 for the
alteration or removal of obstructive bridges as proposed by
the House instead of $2,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
A table comparing the fiscal year 1996 estimate, House
bill, Senate bill, and conference agreement by bridge and
location follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year Conference
1996 estimate House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridge and location:
Burlington, IA, Burlington Northern RR
Bridge..................................... $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
New Orleans, LA, Florida Avenue RR/HW Bridge .............. 2,000,000 .............. 2,000,000
Brunswick, GA, Sidney Lanier HW Bridge...... .............. 8,000,000 .............. 8,000,000
Chelsea St. Bridge, Boston, MA.............. .............. 2,000,000 .............. 2,000,000
Limehouse HW Bridge, St. John's Island, SC.. .............. 2,000,000 .............. 2,000,000
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total................................... 2,000,000 16,000,000 2,000,000 16,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page H 10496]]
reserve training
Amendment No. 35: Appropriates $62,000,000 for reserve
training as proposed by the Senate instead of $61,859,000 as
proposed by the House.
Research, development, test, and evaluation
Amendment No. 36: Appropriates $18,000,000 for research,
development, test, and evaluation instead of $18,500,000 as
proposed by the House and $20,000,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
The following table summarizes the fiscal year 1996 budget
estimate, House and Senate recommendations, and the
conference agreement by program, project and activity:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1996 Conference
Program area estimate House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Improve search and rescue
capability:
Search planning................. $100,000 $100,000 ................. 100,000
Search process, platforms and
sensors........................ 400,000 400,000 ................. 400,000
Personnel....................... 432,000 432,000 ................. 432,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 932,000 932,000 500,000 932,000
===========================================================================
Waterways safety and management:
Waterways management............ 500,000 500,000 ................. 400,000
Advanced vessel traffic systems/
services....................... 600,000 100,000 ................. 275,000
Integrated navigation systems... 450,000 450,000 ................. 450,000
Short range aids to navigation.. 400,000 200,000 ................. 200,000
Advanced GPS development........ 0 0 ................. 0
Personnel....................... 864,000 864,000 ................. 864,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 2,814,000 2,114,000 1,325,000 2,189,000
===========================================================================
Marine safety:
Marine safety research.......... 530,000 200,000 ................. 200,000
Human factors analysis.......... 1,685,000 700,000 ................. 1,050,000
Fire safety for commercial
vessels........................ 960,000 750,000 ................. 750,000
Personnel....................... 972,000 700,000 ................. 700,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 4,147,000 2,350,000 2,000,000 2,700,000
===========================================================================
Ship structure committee:
Support for Committee........... 250,000 0 0 0
Personnel....................... 36,000 0 0 0
===========================================================================
Total......................... 286,000 0 0 0
===========================================================================
Marine environmental protection:
Planning, management and
training....................... 150,000 150,000 ................. 150,000
Detection/surveillance systems.. 0 0 ................. 0
Oil pollution response.......... 850,000 500,000 ................. 625,000
Personnel health and safety..... 75,000 75,000 ................. 75,000
Port demonstration project...... 0 0 ................. 0
OPA90 regional grant program.. 0 0 ................. 0
HazChem countermeasures and
safety......................... 0 0 ................. 0
Personnel....................... 504,000 504,000 ................. 504,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 1,579,000 1,229,000 1,075,00 1,354,000
===========================================================================
Maritime law enforcement:
Surveillance.................... 725,000 725,000 ................. 725,000
Vessel search................... 0 0 ................. 0
Sensor integration information.. 0 0 ................. 0
Personnel....................... 504,000 504,000 ................. 504,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 1,229,000 1,229,000 725,000 1,229,000
===========================================================================
Safety and environmental compliance:
Cutter fire safety technology... 600,000 586,000 0 586,000
Pollution prevention............ 500,000 500,000 0 500,000
Aviation engineering support.... 75,000 0 0 0
Vessel loss exposure and risk
analysis methology............. 620,000 620,000 0 620,000
Personnel....................... 612,000 612,000 ................. 612,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 2,407,000 2,318,000 0 2,318,000
===========================================================================
Human resource management
effectiveness:
Training techniques and
technologies................... 300,000 0 0 100,000
Staffing standards development.. 0 0 0 0
Personnel....................... 144,000 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 444,000 0 0 100,000
===========================================================================
Command, control, computers and
intelligence:
Information systems............. 280,000 1,780,000 0 280,000
Advanced communications systems. 0 0 0 0
Personnel....................... 648,000 648,000 0 648,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 928,000 2,428,000 0 928,000
===========================================================================
Technology base:
Future technology assessment.... 300,000 0 0 0
Modeling........................ 150,000 0 0 0
Select projects................. 450,000 300,000 0 300,000
Personnel....................... 684,000 200,000 0 200,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 1,584,000 500,000 0 500,000
===========================================================================
R&D personnel, program support and
operations
Admin/support personnel and
related costs.................. 3,100,000 2,600,000 0 2,850,000
Support and operations.......... 1,700,000 1,500,000 0 1,600,000
R&D management info system
development.................... 500,000 450,000 0 450,000
Modernization of F&STD test
facilities..................... 850,000 850,000 0 850,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 6,150,000 5,400,000 0 5,750,000
===========================================================================
Mission capabilities assessment..... 0 0 1,780,000 0
Multimission/administrative
support........................ 0 0 12,595,000 0
Other projects:
South Florida oil spill research
center......................... 0 0 0 0
Maritime Fire and Research
Assoc.......................... 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 0 0 0 0
===========================================================================
Total appropriations.......... 22,500,000 18,500,000 20,000,000 18,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page H 10497]]
boat safety
(aquatic resources trust fund)
Amendment No. 37: Appropriations $20,000,000 for boat
safety grants as proposed by the House instead of no funding
as proposed by the Senate. The budget proposal and the Senate
recommendation assumed this program would be fully funded as
a mandatory appropriation beginning in fiscal year 1996. When
combined with an estimated $10,000,000 in mandatory spending
authorized by the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, total program
resources are $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, which
compares to $32,500,000 for fiscal year 1995.
Notwithstanding the difficult budget constraints faced by
the Congress, the conferees believe that to convert
discretionary grant programs such as this one to mandatory
funding--avoiding annual budget review and competition with
other programs in the appropriations process--would undermine
fiscal constraint and lessen Congressional oversight in an
area which has the country's second highest number of
transportation-related fatalities and is currently on the
National Transportation Safety Board's list of ``most
wanted'' safety improvements. Rather than put this program on
an automatic spending status and lessen oversight, the
conferees believe the Coast Guard and the department could
more effectively use these grant funds to target states with
poor boat safety records, and provide leveraged funding for
safety improvements.
The conferees also note the Coast Guard is in error when it
assumes that funding for this and other maritime programs
comes at the expense of its operating budget. The conferees
wish to make clear to the Coast Guard and the department
that, while funding for boating safety grants is clearly a
portion of the overall allocation of budgetary resources in
this bill, it should not be assumed that reductions have been
made in Coast Guard operating expenses to accommodate this or
any other important maritime programs in the bill.
emergency fund
(limitation on permanent appropriations)
(oil spill liability trust fund)
Amendment No. 38: Deletes limitation of $3,000,000 on the
permanent appropriation authorized in section 1012(a)(4) of
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 proposed by the House. The
Senate bill contained no similar limitation.
Federal Aviation Administration
operations
(including transfer of funds)
Amendment No. 39: Inserts heading ``including transfer of
funds'' as proposed by the Senate. This is necessary due to
the disposition of amendment numbered 46.
Amendment No. 40: Appropriates $4,645,712,000 for FAA
operations instead of $4,600,000,000 as proposed by the House
and $4,550,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
The following table summarizes adjustments to the budget
estimate in the House and Senate bills and the conference
agreement, by budget activity:
FAA OPERATIONS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference
House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operation of the ATC system:
Budget estimate.................................... 2,228,634,000 2,228,634,000 2,228,634,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Contract tower streamlining.................... -6,520,000 0 0
``Quality through partnership''................ -1,790,000 0 -1,790,000
General reduction.............................. 0 -28,310,000 0
Acclerated promotion........................... 0 0 -4,300,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 2,220,324,000 2,200,324,000 2,222,544,000
========================================================
NAS logistics support:
Budget estimate.................................... 185,158,000 185,158,000 185,158,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Motor fleet, FAALC............................. -3,100,000 0 0
Depot spares................................... +4,000,000 0 0
General reduction.............................. 0 +4,493,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 186,058,000 180,665,000 185,158,000
========================================================
Maintenance of ATC system:
Budget estimate.................................... 868,297,000 868,297,000 868,297,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
AMASS maintenance.............................. -2,000,000 0 -2,000,000
OASIS maintenance.............................. -100,000 0 -100,000
Undefined inflation............................ 0 -3,602,000 -3,602,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 866,197,000 864,695,000 862,595,000
========================================================
Leased telecommunications:
Budget estimate.................................... 328,423,000 328,423,000 328,423,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Administrative communications.................. -4,680,000 0 -1,500,000
WECO switch offset............................. -2,000,000 0 -2,000,000
General reduction.............................. 0 -2,078,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 321,743,000 326,345,000 324,923,000
========================================================
Aviation regulation/certification:
Budget estimate.................................... 399,711,000 399,711,000 399,711,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Flight standards staff increase................ -4,954,000 -4,954,000 0
New data systems............................... -1,634,000 -1,634,000 -1,634,000
PCS moves...................................... -617,000 -617,000 -617,000
OMEGA navigation system........................ -8,556,000 -2,056,000 -1,840,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 383,950,000 390,450,000 395,620,000
========================================================
Aviation standards:
Budget estimate.................................... 111,395,000 111,395,000 111,395,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Hold costs to fiscal year 1995 level........... -2,644,000 -2,644,000 -2,644,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 108,751,000 108,751,000 108,751,000
========================================================
Aviation security:
Budget estimate.................................... 65,769,000 65,769,000 65,769,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Hold costs to fiscal year 1995 level........... -920,000 0 0
General reduction.............................. 0 -769,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 64,849,000 65,000,000 65,769,000
========================================================
NAS Design and management
Budget estimate.................................... 53,277,000 53,277,000 53,277,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
General reduction.............................. -8,277,000 -277,000 -3,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 45,000,000 53,000,000 50,277,000
========================================================
Administration of airports:
Budget estimate.................................... 42,173,000 42,173,000 42,173,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Staffing increase.............................. -643,000 -673,000 -650,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 41,530,000 41,500,000 41,523,000
========================================================
[[Page H 10498]]
FAA OPERATIONS--Continued
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conference
House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial space transportation:
Budget estimate.................................... 6,541,000 6,541,000 6,541,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Hold travel to fiscal year 1995 level.......... -45,000 -45,000 -45,000
Contract programs.............................. -666,000 -666,000 -666,000
Delete industry support........................ -60,000 -60,000 -60,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 5,770,000 5,770,000 5,770,000
========================================================
Human resource management:
Budget estimate.................................... 231,947,000 231,947,000 231,947,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Labor, personnel and human relations........... -22,142,000 0 -17,197,000
Centralized training........................... -10,050,000 0 -8,000,000
MARC........................................... +250,000 0 +250,000
General reduction.............................. 0 -23,447,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 200,005,000 208,500,000 207,000,000
========================================================
Executive direction and management:
Budget estimate.................................... 189,216,000 189,216,000 189,216,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
Staffing reductions............................ -5,390,000 0 -3,169,000
Regional public affairs staffing............... -2,047,000 0 -2,047,000
General reduction.............................. -6,779,000 -9,216,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... 175,000,000 180,000,000 184,000,000
========================================================
Account-wide adjustments:
Administration aircraft............................ -3,600,000 0 -1,500,000
Adjustments to budget estimate:
SAE grant.......................................... -105,000 0 0
Overseas personnel assignments..................... -500,000 0 -500,000
Non-pay inflation.................................. -4,824,000 0 -4,824,000
Workers' compensation.............................. -1,394,000 0 -1,394,000
Undistributed...................................... -8,754,000 -15,000,000 0
Operational pay differential....................... 0 -45,000,000 0
Non-pay inflation, administrative aircraft, and GSA
vehicles.......................................... 0 -5,000,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Amount recommended........................... -19,177,000 -65,000,000 -8,218,000
========================================================
Offsetting receipts: Amount recommended 0 -10,000,000 0
--------------------------------------------------------
Total appropriation.............................. 4,600,000,000 4,550,000,000 4,645,712,000
Transfer from Coast Guard........................ ................. ................. 60,000,000
Total funding.................................... 4,600,000,000 4,550,000,000 4,705,712,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract tower streamlining program.--The conferees agree
to restore the reduction of $6,520,000 proposed by the House
for this program, but agree with the House's observation that
in past years, funds for this important program have not been
spent as intended, but reprogrammed to other activities. The
conferees believe these delays have been at least partly due
to wage determinations required administratively by the
Department of Labor. Since the conferees agree with the
Senate language amending and streamlining the wage
determination process, it is hoped the contract tower program
will move forward without further delay and achieve the
promised budgetary savings. The FAA is directed not to
reprogram any of the $6,520,000 appropriated for this
program.
``Quality through partnership'' program.--The conference
agreement deletes the $1,790,000 budgeted for this program,
as proposed by the House. The conferees direct that no funds
be reprogrammed for this activity during fiscal year 1996.
Accelerated promotion.--Since completion of House and
Senate action on this bill, program savings of $4,300,000
have been found resulting from discontinuation of the
accelerated promotion program for air traffic controllers.
When the Training Agreement for Accelerated Promotions
expired on July 15, 1995 and the administration made a
decision not to renew the program, these funds became excess
to budgetary requirements. This program allowed controllers
to receive grade-to-grade promotions without fulfilling the
time-in-grade requirements applicable to other federal
employees. The conferees have used these savings to restore
funding for additional FAA safety and certification
inspectors, in order to provide the highest level of aviation
safety possible.
Aviation safety inspectors.--The conference agreement fully
funds the administration's request for 233 additional
aviation safety inspectors, including an additional 117
general aviation inspectors. This is in addition to the
increase in staffing provided for fiscal year 1995. Between
fiscal year 1994 and 1996, end-of-year staffing in this area
has risen from 4,051 to a funded level of 4,606, a two-year
increase of almost 14 percent. Despite difficult budget
constraints, the conferees believe this is a high priority
safety area worthy of additional funding.
Flight service stations.--The conferees do not intend for
FAA to close flight service stations not in the currently-
approved plan, and believe funding in the conference
agreement is sufficient for the FAA to continue to operate
and maintain its existing network of flight service stations
around the country.
Allocation of budget reductions.--The conferees reiterate
to FAA and departmental officials that the funding
allocations and reductions specified in the bill, as detailed
and explained in this joint explanatory statement of the
committee of conference, are the best expressions of
Congressional intentions regarding the proper uses of
appropriated funds. Should the department decide to reduce
activities below the levels specified or implied herein, and
in particular if activities are to be substantially reduced
or terminated by agency action which is not specifically
addressed in this statement, the department shall receive
prior Congressional approval through the reprogramming
process.
Mid America Aviation Resource Consortium.--The conferees
agree to provide $250,000 for continued support of the Mid-
America Aviation Resource Consortium, as proposed by the
House, but intend that this be the final year of federal
support for this facility unless requested in the President's
budget.
Loran-C automatic blink system.--The conferees agree with
the House's direction to expedite implementation of the
automatic blink system for the Loran-C navigation system.
Aurora, IL en route center.--The conferees recognize the
urgency of solving the problems causing computer outages at
the FAA's air traffic control center in Aurora, Illinois. The
Aurora center is one of the busiest in the world and a
critical link in our nation's air traffic control system.
Years of delay in updating the present equipment have
resulted in an obsolete, aged, and failure-prone system in
the Aurora center. FAA has worked diligently to develop an
interim solution to this problem as quickly as is
technologically feasible, pending installation of a new air
traffic control system for the nation. The conferees deem
maintenance of reliable operational capability at the Aurora
center to be in the national interest of maintaining an
efficient and viable national air transportation system, and
deem the implementation of interim solutions to the problems
causing computer outages to be an urgent national priority.
FAA should simplify and expedite its procurement process to
the maximum extent feasible, and should allocate all
necessary personnel resources to assure that the existing
system remains in reliable working order. If FAA determines
that additional technological or personnel resources are
necessary to develop and implement interim solutions to these
problems, then the Congress would give serious consideration
to providing such additional resources. The conference
agreement includes $20,000,000, as proposed by the Senate,
for the display channel complex rehost program, which will
upgrade the computers at Aurora and similar centers.
Amendment No. 41: Provides that $2,222,859,100 shall be
derived from the airport and airway trust fund instead of
$1,871,500,000 as proposed by the House and $1,865,000,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 42: Allows funds for any ``agency'' services
to be credited to this appropriation, as proposed by the
Senate. The House bill specified that only receipts for
``aviation'' services be credited to the appropriation.
Amendment No. 43: Requires that funds credited to the
appropriation be ``receipts
[[Page H 10499]]
for'' certain services, as proposed by the Senate. The House
bill contained no similar language.
Amendment No. 44: Deletes Senate language allowing
$10,000,000 in additional safety and security fees to be
credited to this appropriation. The conferees have not yet
seen adequate details from the administration demonstrating
the unequivocal need for new fees, and explanation and
justification of the specific fees to be imposed, or a
convincing argument that the FAA's cost structure is of such
efficiency that new fees or taxes are necessary. In addition,
the conferees believe there will be substantial savings
achieved through the FAA reform provisions enacted in this
bill and the broader revisions currently under consideration
in the authorization process. Such cost savings, combined
with further review of the agency's cost structure, could
obviate or minimize the need for additional fees.
Amendment No. 45: The conference agreement deletes language
proposed by the Senate which would have begun a three year
phaseout of the ``five percent bonus pay'' for air traffic
controllers and technicians, and inserts new language
allowing the Secretary of Transportation permissive transfer
authority of up to $60,000,000 from Coast Guard ``Operating
expenses'' to augment funding for air traffic control
operations and maintenance to enhance safety and security.
FAA operations funding and transfer flexibility.--Since
consideration of the fiscal year 1996 transportation
appropriations bill by the House and Senate, the
administration has raised the priority of funding for FAA
operations and maintenance. For example, in a September 13,
1995 letter to the House and Senate Appropriations
Committees, the director of the Office of Management and
Budget advised ``the administration has serious concerns that
the funding level for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Operations would make it difficult to continue today's high
levels of aviation safety. The administration's highest
priority is that FAA operations be funded at the requested
level.''
The conferees have given the utmost consideration to the
administration's priorities. The conference agreement
includes an appropriation for FAA operations above the levels
proposed in either the House or Senate bill. In addition, the
agreement includes the authority for the Secretary of
Transportation to transfer up to $60,000,000 from Coast Guard
``Operating expenses'' to augment the FAA's operating budget
for air traffic control operations and maintenance activities
which enhance aviation safety and security. It is not clear
at this time how much of this authority might be required,
but the conferees wish to provide maximum flexibility in the
event of a critical shortfall. With the transfer, total
funding for FAA operations in this bill is $4,705,712,000,
slightly above the administration's request.
In addition, the conference agreement fully restores the
requested increase for aviation safety inspectors and
implements significant FAA personnel and procurement reforms.
The first action addresses a high administration priority and
provides the maximum resources possible for an important
safety initiative. Personnel and procurement reforms are
expected to free up significant operating funds or air
traffic control and safety-related activities. Overall, the
conferees are confident that the increased funding level,
combined with transfer flexibility and these additional
actions, will be sufficient to maintain aviation safety over
the coming year despite the difficult budget environment and
the necessity for government-wide downsizing.
Five percent bonus pay.--The conference agreement restores
the reduction of $45,000,000 to begin a three year phaseout
of this pay proposed by the Senate. However, in order to
accommodate the $88,600,000 estimated for this program, the
conferees were required to hold funding for the airport
improvement program to the fiscal year 1995 level of
$1,450,000,000. Given the high priority placed on the five
percent bonus by the administration and the desire to
maintain morale in the air traffic controller workforce, the
conferees believe it prudent and necessary to delay some
airport construction projects to finance continuation of this
important activity.
Aviation security.--The conference agreement fully funds
the administration's request of $65,769,000 for aviation
security activities due to the high priority of this activity
given recent threat assessments.
Amendment No. 46: Provides for the transfer of unexpended
balances from prior appropriations for the office of
commercial space transportation to this appropriation, and
prohibits airport and airway trust fund resources from being
used to support the office of commercial space
transportation, as proposed by the Senate. The House bill
contained no similar provisions. The conference agreement
transfers this office from the office of the secretary of
transportation to the FAA.
facilities and equipment
(airport and airway trust fund)
Amendment No. 47: Appropriates $1,934,883,000 for
facilities and equipment instead of $2,000,000,000 as
proposed by the House and $1,890,377,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
The following table summarizes the fiscal year 1996 budget
estimate, House and Senate recommended levels, and the
conference agreement by program, project, and activity:
[[Page H 10500]]
[[Page H 10503]]
Automated surface observing system.--In its July 30, 1992
report on the fiscal year 1993 DOT Appropriations Bill, the
Senate Appropriations Committee noted that certain critical
requirements for the automated surface observing system
(ASOS) appeared to be unfunded and not included in the
original ASOS contract. In a report to Congress dated July
26, 1993, the Acting Administrator of the FAA noted that
ground-to-air radios, freezing rain sensors, and improved
tower displays were ``considered urgent to achieve successful
completion of the ASOS program''. According to the FAA,
additional funding was not required for the radios, the rain
sensors would be funded over fiscal years 1994 and 1995, and
the display upgrade only awaited a cost estimate from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Given these
statements, the conferees were surprised to learn that a
recent ASOS program review revealed unfunded costs of
approximately $25,000,000 for these items, as well as
unfunded maintenance costs. The FAA is now developing a plan
to use a large portion of the fiscal year 1996 funds--
appropriated to procure 106 additional systems--to address
this shortfall instead. The conferees emphatically direct the
FAA to use the fiscal year 1996 funding to procure the
additional ASOS systems, as was justified to the Congress in
the President's budget request.
The conferees are disappointed to learn that the FAA did
not resolve these problems in 1993, as it led Congress to
believe, and are concerned that this is one more example of
an FAA acquisition culture in great need of the reforms
contained in this bill. If the FAA's estimates of a shortfall
are correct, then a reprogramming of non-ASOS funds should be
submitted for consideration through the normal process, in an
expedited manner as would be suggested by the agency's past
statements regarding the urgency of these improvements. In
addition, the conferees direct the FAA to report to the House
and Senate Committees on Appropriations by December 1, 1995
on the agency's plans to close the gap of installed versus
commissioned sites, without interrupting the scheduled
procurement of ASOS units.
The conferees direct the FAA to expedite installation of
the long line connection providing ASOS data between the Ames
Airport, Iowa and the national weather net.
Terminal area surveillance system.--The conference
agreement provides $5,000,000 for the terminal area
surveillance system (TASS) as proposed by the Senate instead
of $5,800,000 as proposed by the House. In its appeal to the
conferees, the FAA stated ``the TASS program has been
restructured from a single, multi-function system acquisition
program to a program focused on research into subsystem
performance enhancements.'' The conferees have no information
on this restructured program, and believe the TASS
development and acquisition program should proceed as
scheduled and planned prior to any restructuring. Fiscal year
1996 funding is provided specifically for the TASS system
acquisition program and not for any subsystem enhancements.
Low-cost ASDE and non-radar runway incursion
technologies.--The conferees agree that the FAA should
explore lower cost surface detection technology solutions for
airports not scheduled to receive ASDE-3 equipment. The
conferees agree to provide $5,000,000 for the development and
demonstration of lower cost phased array surface detection
technology, instead of $8,000,000 as proposed by the House.
Funds should be used for purchase and installation of one
such system and for administrative costs related to
demonstration and evaluation of the system.
Terminal doppler weather radar.--The conference agreement
does not include additional funding for the acquisition of
five new terminal doppler weather radars proposed by the
House. The conferees, however, are not convinced that the
ASR/windshear alert program, now in the research phase, will
be a cost-effective alternative to terminal doppler weather
radar in meeting future windshear requirements. The FAA has
not provided sufficient data regarding the performance of the
ASR/windshear alert program in dry regions of the country.
Moreover, under current projects, the ASR/windshear alert
program will not be commissioned until the year 2002. During
the fiscal year 1997 hearing cycle, the conferees expect to
further explore the efficacy of the ASR/windshear alert
program. In the interim, the conferees expect the FAA to move
forward with site surveys for the next five sites for which
TDWR systems are indicated, and to report on its progress no
later than sixty days following enactment of this Act. In
addition, the conferees direct the FAA to update the needs
requirement analysis for the terminal doppler weather program
that was first done in 1986 no later than sixty days
following enactment of this Act. The update should include a
review of the 47 sites included in the existing contract and
the 53 sites not scheduled under the current contract. The
conferees direct the FAA to review those sites experiencing
significant delays in the installation of TDWRs in the
existing contract and certify that each is likely to be
commissioned. With that review, and based upon the site
selection review for the next five sites, the FAA is urged to
request reprogramming permission, if necessary to continue
the TDWR program in fiscal year 1996.
The conferees want to reiterate that funding for any TDWR
environmental impact statement (EIS) shall not prejudge the
outcome of the EIS for any particular site in New York except
as previously cited (North Belmore and Roslyn, New York).
Instrument landing systems-establishment.--The conference
agreement provides $35,000,000 as proposed by the Senate
instead of $33,500,000 as proposed by the House. Of the
amount provided, $3,500,000 is for a category II ILS on
runway 7/25 in Rockford, Illinois, and $1,500,000 is for
benefit-cost analysis, environmental assessment, site survey,
and other activities necessary to determine the requirements
for an ILS (category I, II, or III) at Lanai Airport, Hawaii.
The conference agreement includes funding for a category III
ILS on runway 12L/30R at Lambert-St. Louis International
Airport, not runway 14R as specified in the House report.
St. Paul, MN downtown airport tower.--In fiscal year 1995,
Congress provided $3,476,000 for the St. Paul, Minnesota
Downtown Airport to build a replacement air traffic control
tower. The FAA, however, used the airport's money to finance
cost overruns on another project. Given that the FAA
requested and Congress provided funds for the St. Paul tower
in fiscal year 1995, the conferees urge the FAA to honor
their prior agreement and make available the funds necessary
to build the replacement tower at the St. Paul Downtown
Airport.
Financial baseline control notices.--The conferees
reiterate the House's direction that all financial baseline
control notices are to be submitted to the Congress at the
time they are approved by the agency. The documents
themselves should be submitted. The Appropriations Committees
will review this practice at the end of the fiscal year to
determine whether it should be continued.
Support contracts.--A recent FAA study concluded that the
agency uses far too many support contractors, that agency
personnel could be much more cost conscious in their
contracting and oversight methods, and that in many cases,
contract employees are collated with FAA staff and virtually
indistinguishable from government employees. While the
conferees have high regard for the work of FAA's support
contractors, the study nevertheless raises questions about
the extensive nature of such contracts within the FAA.
Therefore, the conferees direct the FAA to report to the
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations by March 30,
1996 on its plan for resolving the findings and implementing
the recommendations of this study. This report should include
a discussion of the extent to which the procurement reforms
in this bill lessen the need for support contracts to meet
the current requirements of the procurement process.
Amendment No. 48: Provides that, of the total amount
appropriated, $1,718,883,000 is available for three years,
instead of $1,784,000,000 in the House bill and
$1,674,377,000 in the Senate bill. This is the amount
provided for budget activities one through four.
Amendment No. 49: Includes technical change proposed by the
Senate, deleting the word ``and'' to allow inclusion of
language contained in amendment numbered 50.
Amendment No. 50: Provides that, of the total amount
appropriated, $10,000,000 is for noncompetitive cooperative
agreements with air carriers for acquisition, installation,
and evaluation of certain specified airport security
equipment, as proposed by the Senate. The House bill
contained no similar provision, although $10,000,000 was
provided for such equipment in the overall appropriation.
facilities and equipment
(airport and airway trust fund)
(rescission)
Amendment No. 51: Rescinds $60,000,000 as proposed by the
House instead of $70,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
research, engineering, and development
(airport and airway trust fund)
Amendment No. 52: Appropriates $185,698,000 for research,
engineering, and development instead of $143,000,000 as
proposed by the House and $215,886,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
The following table summarizes the fiscal year 1996
estimate, House and Senate recommendations, and the
conference agreement, by program, project, and activity:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1996 Conference
Program name estimate House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
System development and
infrastructure..................... $13,551,000 $8,800,000 $12,500,000 $10,000,000
System planning and resource
management..................... 3,953,000 3,000,000 3,700,000 2,000,000
Technical laboratory facility... 9,598,000 5,800,000 8,800,000 8,000,000
Capacity and air traffic management
technology......................... 79,205,000 25,129,000 50,800,000 37,200,000
Air traffic management
technology..................... 9,875,000 0 8,000,000 3,500,000
Oceanic automation program...... 10,470,000 8,000,000 8,000,000 8,000,000
Terminal air traffic control
automation (TATCA)............. 15,624,000 0 0 0
Runway incursion reduction...... 8,177,000 0 8,000,000 4,000,000
System capacity, planning and
improvements................... 12,256,000 6,000,000 12,000,000 9,000,000
[[Page H 10504]]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1996 Conference
Program name estimate House bill Senate bill agreement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cockpit technology.............. 8,266,000 6,500,000 8,200,000 6,700,000
General aviation/vertical flight
technology..................... 3,327,000 2,629,000 2,600,000 2,600,000
Modeling, analysis, and
simulation..................... 7,807,000 2,000,000 4,000,000 3,400,000
Future airway facilities
technology..................... 3,403,000 0 0 0
Communications, navigation and
surveillance....................... 31,330,000 20,000,000 25,963,000 23,000,000
Communications.................. 15,367,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000
Navigation...................... 15,963,000 10,000,000 15,963,000 13,000,000
Surveillance.................... 0 0 0 0
Weather............................. 6,493,000 6,493,000 6,493,000 6,493,000
Airport technology.................. 9,278,000 1,000,000 8,000,000 6,000,000
Aircraft safety technology.......... 47,547,000 29,578,000 40,548,000 37,978,000
Aircraft systems fire safety.... 3,906,000 0 0 0
Advanced materials/structural
safety......................... 2,973,000 2,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000
Propulsion and fuel systems..... 4,059,000 0 4,055,000 3,400,000
Flight safety/atmospheric
hazards research............... 4,173,000 4,173,000 4,173,000 4,173,000
Aging aircraft.................. 21,415,000 15,000,000 21,415,000 20,000,000
Aircraft catastrophic failure
prevention research............ 4,357,000 2,705,000 2,705,000 2,705,000
Fire research................... 4,604,000 0 0 0
Fire research and safety........ 0 5,700,000 5,700,000 5,700,000
General aviation renaissance.... 1,005,000 0 0 0
Cabin safety.................... 1,055,000 0 0 0
System security technology.......... 43,808,000 23,000,000 37,900,000 36,045,000
Explosives and weapons detection 33,179,000 23,000,000 30,000,000 29,000,000
Airport security technology
integration.................... 2,530,000 0 1,500,000 1,000,000
Aviation security human factors. 4,603,000 0 3,000,000 2,549,000
Aircraft hardening.............. 3,496,000 0 3,400,000 3,496,000
Human factors and aviation medicine. 25,860,000 28,000,000 25,182,000 23,682,000
Flight deck/maintenance/system
integration human factors...... 11,182,000 15,500,000 11,182,000 11,182,000
Air traffic control/airway
facilities human factors....... 10,193,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000
Aeromedical research............ 4,485,000 2,500,000 4,000,000 2,500,000
Environment and energy.............. 5,429,000 1,000,000 4,500,000 3,800,000
Innovative/cooperative research..... 5,160,000 0 4,000,000 1,500,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total appropriation........... 267,661,000 143,000,000 215,886,000 185,698,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Innovative deicing technology.--In order to evaluate the
effectiveness of enclosed deicing techniques at smaller
regional airports, the conferees urge the FAA to consider the
application of Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport to develop a
test site for the evaluation of innovative deicing
technology. The conferees believe that this technology
warrants further exploration, and direct the FAA to provide a
full report to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations by March 15, 1996 on the results of testing
and the agency's plans to authorize airport grant funding or
passenger facility charges to enable airports to procure such
a system.
Runway incursion reduction.--The conference agreement
includes $4,000,000 instead of no funds as proposed by the
House and $8,000,000 as proposed by the Senate. With the
funds provided, the conferees direct FAA to give immediate
priority and attention to the surface movement advisor
project. The conferees believe that reducing runway
incursions is a high priority for further research and rapid
prototyping. While funds in this long-term research activity
are being reduced below the administration's request, the
conference agreement includes an additional $7,000,000 in the
``facilities and equipment'' account for non-radar
technologies and development of low-cost ASDE radar systems.
Total funding, over all accounts, for addressing this safety
problem in the conference agreement is approximately
$3,000,000 above the administration's request.
grants-in-aid for airports
(liquidation of contract authorization)
(airport and airway trust fund)
Amendment No. 53: Deletes heading ``including rescission of
contract authorization'' proposed by the Senate. This is a
technical amendment referring to a proposed rescission of
contract authority discussed under amendment numbered 56.
Amendment No. 54: Limits obligations for the grants-in-aid
for airports program to $1,450,000,000 instead of
$1,600,000,000 as proposed by the House and $1,250,000,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
Letters of intent.--The conferees agree with the Senate
direction that new letters of intent (LOIs) be awarded only
after (1) scheduled LOI payments fall to less than fifty
percent of AIP discretionary funds, and (2) FAA has improved
its ability to estimate airport development projects' impact
on systemwide capacity. Regarding the Senate's language on
possible letters of intent for the Northwest Arkansas
Regional Airport and the Philadelphia International Airport,
the conferees agree that the FAA should fairly consider LOI
applications from these airports, and base a final decision
on technical requirements at these sites and projections of
long term AIP funding, consistent with other directions in
this report.
Regarding the Senate's language on a possible letter of
intent for the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the
conferees agree that the FAA should also fairly consider an
LOI application from this airport subject to: (1) completion
of the required FAA/federal environmental review process; (2)
resolution of the concerns brought forward in the report RO-
FA-5-015 by the Office of Inspector General; and (3) approval
of the runway project from the Regional Transportation
Planning Organization for the central Puget Sound region by
amending the Regional Air System Plan. Finally, the FAA shall
fairly consider any information brought out at Congressional
field hearings on this matter, but not sign an LOI prior to
March 31, 1996.
Amendment No. 55: Limits obligations for the military
airports program to $26,000,000 and the reliever airports
program to $48,000,000. The Senate bill proposed obligation
limitations of $20,000,000 and $50,000,000, respectively. The
House bill contained no similar limitations. The conference
agreement reflects the Senate's concerns over the
effectiveness of these programs, and frees up financial
resources for discretionary grants in other parts of the
overall AIP program.
Huntsville, AL runway/taxiway rehabilitation project.--The
conferees understand that a specific allocation of fiscal
year 1996 funds for this project is not necessary, and that
sufficient fiscal year 1995 funding has been provided for
this project.
State of Missouri flood-damaged airports.--The conferees
understand that a specific allocation of fiscal year 1996
funds for this project is not necessary, and that sufficient
fiscal year 1995 funding has been provided for this project.
Amendment No. 56: Deletes rescission of contract authority
of $5,000,000 proposed by the Senate. The House bill
contained no similar rescission.
Federal Highway Administration
limitation on general operating expenses
Amendment No. 57: Limits general operating expenses of the
Federal Highway Administration to $509,660,000, instead of
$495,381,000 as proposed by the House and $548,434,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 58: Provides $208,946,000 for contract
programs of the Federal Highway Administration, instead of
$190,667,000 as proposed by the House and $248,909,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
Recommended funding distribution by program and activity of
the administrative expenses and the research and development
programs of the Federal Highway Administration is as follows:
Program/Activity Conference
Administrative expenses....................................$254,714,000
Motor carrier safety administrative expenses.................46,000,000
Contract programs:
Research and technology:
Highway R&D............................................56,772,000
Intelligent transportation systems....................109,779,000
Technology deployment..................................12,622,000
Long term pavement performance..........................8,739,000
Local technical assistance..............................3,015,000
National Highway Institute..............................4,369,000
Disadvantaged business enterprises.....................10,000,000
International transportation..............................500,000
OJT/supportive services......................................
Technical assistance to Russia............................400,000
Truck dynamic test facility...............................750,000
Transportation investment analysis...........................
Cost allocation study...................................2,000,000
________________
Total...............................................509,660,000
The highway research and development and intelligent
transportation systems programs by activity are as follows:
Highway research and development:
Safety....................................................8,768,000
Pavements.................................................9,247,000
Structures...............................................13,211,000
Environment...............................................5,593,000
Right-of-way................................................429,000
[[Page H 10505]]
Policy....................................................5,681,000
Planning..................................................6,069,000
Motor carrier.............................................7,774,000
________________
Total..................................................56,772,000
================
Intelligent transportation systems:
Research and development.................................24,479,000
Operational tests........................................32,500,000
Commercial vehicle operations............................14,500,000
Automated highway system.................................14,000,000
Advanced technology applications...................................
Program and systems support..............................11,300,000
Priority corridors.................................................
Crash avoidance research.................................13,000,000
________________
Total.................................................109,779,000
Office of motor carriers.--The conference agreement
provides a specific designation of funds for the Office of
motor carriers' administrative expenses within the Federal
Highway Administration's limitation on general operating
expenses. The House had included funding for the Office of
motor carrier's administrative expenses within the limitation
on general operating expenses.
Fatigue-related issues.--The conferees direct the Federal
Highway Administration to issue an advanced notice of
proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) dealing with a variety of
fatigue-related issues no later than March 1, 1996. This
ANPRM is to be followed by a notice of proposed rulemaking
within one year, and a final rule or decision thereafter.
Highway safety research.--Congress has long been active in
the advancement of highway safety and has recognized the
invaluable contributions which short-term, applied research
can make to improve safety. Given its concern for safety, the
Congress has, since the early 1990s, vigorously supported
this research by encouraging the Federal Highway
Administration to work closely with the Trucking Research
Institute (TRI) in the study of such issues as fatigue, sleep
disorders, brake maintenance, and rest stop access--all
investigations which may directly affect safety.
In fiscal year 1994, the Congress continued its
participation in the development of an aggressive research
agenda by directing the FHWA to undertake three projects
totaling $1,750,000: Truck loading and unloading as a
possible contributor to driver fatigue; technology to
automate commercial vehicle roadside inspections; and
guidelines for the inspection and maintenance of wheels and
bearings. In fiscal year 1995, the Congress identified three
additional studies, totaling $2,500,000, for the
implementation in the same fashion with TRI: The use of
``smart cards'' to facilitate compliance with motor carrier
safety rules; medical requirements associated with commercial
vehicle operation; and electronic truck and intermodel
information systems.
Highway safety research and related activities continue to
be a priority of the Congress and the conferees. In fact, a
recent National Transportation Safety Board study on driver
fatigue and fatal truck accidents further highlights their
importance and currency. However, despite directions to the
contrary, the FHWA has been negligent in its efforts to
undertake any of the aforementioned research projects
designated by the Congress in either fiscal years 1994 to
1995.
The conferees therefore reiterate the direction to FHWA to
use unobligated balances to make grants to, enter into
cooperative agreements or contracts with, or use any existing
technical support services agreements with TRI, in amounts
totaling not less than $4,000,000 to conduct the six studies
referenced above. The conferees further direct FHWA to
complete this process within 90 days from the date of
enactment of this Act and to advise the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations when such actions have been
completed.
Highway research and development.--The conference agreement
provides $8,768,000 for safety-related research and
development. The conferees direct that safety be funded at a
level of at least $12,768,000, including both ISTEA and
appropriations authority.
Pavement research and development.--The conference
agreement provides $9,247,000 for pavement research and
development but does not include $1,000,000 as proposed by
the Senate for a joint university/industry grant.
The conferees agree that expanded cost-effective use of
benign waste materials in infrastructure construction, based
on appropriate tests and standards to ensure long-term
environmental and physical performance, represents a priority
technology that is intended to be funded within the funds
available for Section 6005.
National Center for Physical Acoustics.--The conferees urge
the Federal Highway Administration to work with the National
Center for Physical Acoustics in its effort to apply
acoustics to monitor traffic and/or pipeline maintenance.
Motor carrier research.--The conference agreement provides
$7,774,000 for motor carrier research and includes funds for
two studies to (1) identify and test technological
interventions to offset driver fatigue and (2) determine the
extent of scheduling practices and their influences on truck
driver fatigue. No funds are provided for outreach and
technical assistance to regulated entities, to help complete
program uniformity activities, or to eliminate barriers to
effective intermodal freight transportation.
Intelligent transportation systems.--The conference
agreement provides a total of $109,779,000 for intelligent
transportation systems (ITS). Within the funds provided for
operational tests, $10,000,000 shall be allocated to initiate
at least two different operational tests that evaluate
various elements of the systems architecture and integrate
the core infrastructure features, including advance traffic
management systems.
ITS/commercial vehicle operations.--The conference
agreement provides $14,500,000 for commercial vehicle
operations (CVO). Within these funds, the conferees have
included $6,000,000 for development and initial pilot testing
of the CVO communications architecture and the purchase of
transponders.
ITS program and systems support.--The conferees direct that
no more than $2,500,000 of the $11,300,000 provided for
program and systems support shall be spent on institutional
studies.
The conferees are concerned that the joint program office
and the FHWA administrator have failed to submit several
reports pertaining to the national ITS program. These reports
include: the annual report on the ITS program (due in
December 1994); a report on the future of the CVO components
of the ITS program (due in May 1995); and the interim report
on the automated highway system program (due in April 1995).
These reports were intended to provide essential information
useful in evaluating the department's activities and plans.
The conferees direct the Secretary to ensure more timely
delivery of all reports relevant to the ITS program, as well
as other reports on departmental programs and activities.
highway-related safety grants
(liquidation of contract authorization)
(highway trust fund)
(including transfer of funds)
Amendment No. 59: Appropriates $11,000,000 to liquidate
contract authority obligations for highway-related safety
grants instead of $10,000,000 as proposed by the House and
$13,000,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 60: Limits obligations to $11,000,000 for
highway-related safety grants instead of $10,000,000 as
proposed by the House and $13,000,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
The conferees agree that not less than $1,000,000 shall be
allocated to the Office of Highway Safety to support the red
light running campaign and to increase compliance with yield
right-of-way or grade crossing signs.
federal-aid highways
(limitation on obligations)
(highway trust fund)
Amendment No. 61: Limits obligations for the Federal-aid
highways program to $17,550,000,000 instead of
$18,000,000,000 as proposed by the House and $17,000,000,000
as proposed by the Senate.
The conference agreement deletes the Senate's references of
priority designations within the Federal Highway
Administration's discretionary grant programs.
The conferees direct that within the total provided for the
intelligent transportation systems program, funding shall be
available for the following projects in the amounts specified
below:
Project Amount
I-10 Mobile, Alabama.........................................$3,000,000
Hazardous materials fleet management and monitoring system (NI2,500,000
Green light CVO project, Oregon...............................7,000,000
Capital beltway...............................................4,000,000
Houston, Texas................................................2,200,000
Syracuse, New York congestion management......................1,500,000
I-95 Corridor.................................................3,500,000
Johnson City, Tennessee.......................................1,500,000
Texas Transportation Institute..................................600,000
University of North Dakota....................................1,000,000
I-675/SR 844/Col. Glenn, Fairborn, Ohio.......................1,000,000
Paralympiad...................................................1,000,000
Santa Teresa border crossing, New Mexico........................900,000
Western Transportation Institute, Montana.....................1,000,000
TRANSCOM, New York/New Jersey.................................1,500,000
New York State Thruway........................................1,500,000
National Transportation Center, Oakdale, New York.............2,000,000
Advanced railroad/highway crossings...........................1,250,000
Minnesota GuideStar...........................................2,000,000
Salt Lake City................................................2,000,000
In fiscal year 1996, the conference agreement earmarks a
total of $40,950,000 for intelligent transportation systems,
a reduction of over $35,000,000 compared with fiscal year
1995 levels. The conferees will give serious consideration to
discontinuing the practice of earmarking the intelligent
transportation systems program in fiscal year 1997.
The conferees direct that any funding provided for
intelligent transportation systems be used only in support
of, or research on, intelligent transportation systems and
not for construction of buildings.
Paralympiad.--The conferees direct the Federal Highway
Administration to pursue
[[Page H 10506]]
vigorously the deployment and demonstration of an
individualized routing system to assist people with
disabilities in moving about independently during the Tenth
Paralympiad. The conferees expect that the funds provided
will be expended and that a system will be delivered and
fully implemented in time of the Tenth Paralympiad.
National Transportation Center, Oakdale, New York.--The
conference agreement includes $2,000,000 for the National
Transportation Center in Oakdale, New York, of which
$1,000,000 shall be available only for a NAFTA intermodal
transportation center.
Minnesota GuideStar.--The State of Minnesota has
established a major laboratory for intelligent transportation
system activities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The
GuideStar network emphasizes transit systems in addition to
highways and has been recognized by the Federal Highway
Administration as a leader in the development and
implementation of ITS technologies. The conferees have
included $2,000,000 for this project. Up to 25 percent of
this amount may be made available to the University of
Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies to support
education, research and training aspects of the project.
World wide web site on the Internet.--The conferees urge
the FHWA to establish a world wide web site to permit
commuters in major metropolitan areas to retrieve through the
Internet video feeds from traffic cameras, average speeds as
determined by traffic monitoring systems, and traffic
messages that appear on variable message signs employed in
the area. To the extent possible, the Department should make
the data available in a standard format on a dial-in network
server that provides text-only access, and a standard
protocol for a touch-tone driven phone system.
motor carrier safety grants
(liquidation of contract authorization)
(highway trust fund)
Amendment No. 62: Limits obligations for motor carrier
safety grants to $77,225,000 instead of $79,150,000 as
proposed by the House and $75,000,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
The conferees agree to the following program allocations:
Basic grants to states......................................$58,000,000
Traffic enforcement...........................................6,900,000
Hazardous materials training..................................1,500,000
Research and development........................................500,000
Public education................................................850,000
CDL enforcement...............................................1,000,000
Truck and bus accidents.......................................1,750,000
Uniformity grants.............................................3,450,000
Uniformity working groups.......................................450,000
Commercial vehicle information system.........................1,500,000
Drug interdiction assistance program............................500,000
Administrative expenses.........................................825,000
Covert verification activities.--The conferees agree that,
within the basic grant program, $1,500,000 shall be used to
conduct covert operations in addition to those funds
originally intended under each state's enforcement plan. Of
the $1,500,000, $400,000 shall be allocated to develop a
model out-of-service prototype system that states can use to
assure that commercial vehicle drivers comply with those
orders.
In addition to covert operations, the conferees believe
that the office of motor carriers should develop cost
effective rules to improve safety, educate motor carriers so
that they know how to comply with these rules, and promote
voluntary compliance.
Assistance to border states.--The conferees agree that,
within the basic grant program, $750,000 shall be provided to
states along the Mexican border to ensure the safety of
increased traffic. These states face special problems
associated with a projected concentration of trade-related
commercial vehicle traffic once restrictions along the U.S.-
Mexican border are significantly reduced on December 17,
1995.
Truck and bus accidents.--The conferees have provided
$200,000 to conduct a model accident investigation and
reconstruction program. These funds shall be available to
train motor carrier safety officers on investigative
techniques at accident sites.
surface transportation projects
Amendment No. 63: Deletes appropriation of $39,500,000 for
surface transportation projects proposed by the Senate. The
House provided no similar appropriation.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
operations and research
Amendment No. 64: Appropriates $73,316,570 for the general
fund portion of the operations and research activities of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as proposed by
the House instead of $71,261,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 65: Provides that of the general funds made
available for operations and research, $37,825,850 shall
remain available until September 30, 1998 as proposed by the
House instead of $36,770,676 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 66: Includes language proposed by the House
which prohibits the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration from obligating or expending funds to plan,
finalize, or implement any rulemaking that would alter the
tire grading standards currently in effect. The Senate bill
contained no similar provision.
operations and research
(highway trust fund)
Amendment No. 67: Appropriates $51,884,430 from the highway
trust fund for operations and research activities of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration instead of
$52,011,930 as proposed by the House and $50,344,000 as
proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 68: Provides that of the funds made available
for operations and research, $32,247,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 1998, instead of $32,770,670 as
proposed by the House and $31,716,720 as proposed by the
Senate.
The conference agreement for operations and research
(general fund and highway trust fund combined) includes the
following adjustments to the budget request
Rulemaking:
Vehicle safety standards..................................-$200,000
New car assessment program...............................-1,057,000
Fuel economy program.....................................-2,165,000
Theft program pilot project................................+890,000
Enforcement:
Vehicle safety compliance..................................-500,000
Auto safety hotline......................................-1,000,000
Odometer fraud..............................................-40,000
Highway safety program:
Safe communities injury control..........................-5,225,000
Alcohol program............................................-548,000
Pedestrian and bicycle.....................................-224,000
National occupant protection...............................-392,000
Child safety seat program..................................-600,000
Police traffic system......................................-300,000
Driver education............................................-75,000
Older driver research......................................+100,000
Driver fatigue...........................................+1,000,000
Research and analysis:
Biomechanics.............................................-1,500,000
Fatal accident reporting system............................-300,000
National accident sampling system..........................-300,000
Data analysis program......................................-500,000
State data programs........................................-400,000
Partnership for new generation vehicles..................-5,000,000
General administration:
Strategic planning.........................................-200,000
Accountwide adjustments:
Computer support...........................................-245,000
Administrative.............................................-250,000
Travel......................................................-50,000
Overtime....................................................-60,000
________________
Net reduction.......................................-19,141,000
Theft program.--The conference agreement provides $890,000
to establish pilot National Motor Vehicle Title Information
System programs. The conferees not that the Anti-Car Theft
Act of 1992 directed the Department of Transportation to
establish an information system for instant and reliable
access to titling information. The American Association of
Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Customs Service, and others
have stated that such a system is essential to prevent
thieves from obtaining legal ownership of stolen vehicles.
Older drivers.--The conferees have provided $100,000 for
older driver research to improve and test referral systems
and develop performance assessment techniques. These
additional funds will advance NHTSA's goal of improving
driving performance and licensing of older drivers.
Driver fatigue.--The conference agreement includes
$1,000,000 to analyze the role of river fatigue, sleep
disorders, and inattention in highway crashes and shall be
available to develop and test public education strategies and
countermeasures that make drivers aware of the dangers of
driving while fatigued.
Section 403 programs.--The purposes of the section 403
programs is to research and test new highway safety ideas
that may be successfully implemented throughout the United
States. In recent years, some of these programs have received
``seed money'' far longer than expected. The conferees agree
with the Senate direction that requires NHTSA to prepare a
report highlighting how much money section 403 programs have
received, what future financial support is expected for these
programs, and when such support can be terminated. The
conferees urge NHTSA to complete this report as soon as
possible and provide it to the House and Senate Committees on
appropriations by May 1, 1996.
National advanced driving simulator.--the conferees have
provided $2,000,000 for the national advanced driving
simulator. The conferees direct the Department of
Transportation to allocate the costs of the simulator among
the participating modal administrations, including the
Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit
Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, and the
Intelligent transportation systems joint program office, as
part of the department's 1997 budget request. Also, the
conferees urge the department to discuss additional cost
sharing commitments with the departments of Defense and
Health and Human Services.
operations and research
(rescissions)
Amendment No. 69: Deletes rescissions of $4,547,185 in
unobligated balances previously made available for the
national advanced driving simulator as proposed by the
Senate.
[[Page H 10507]]
highway traffic safety grants
(liquidation of contract authorization)
(highway trust fund)
Amendment No. 70: Appropriates $155,100,000 to liquidate
contract authority obligations for highway traffic safety
grants as proposed by the Senate instead of $153,400,000 as
proposed by the House.
Amendment No. 71: Limits obligations for highway traffic
safety grants to $155,100,000 as proposed by the Senate
instead of $153,400,000 as proposed by the House.
Amendment No. 72: Provides $127,700,000 for state and
community highway safety grants instead of $126,000,000 as
proposed by the House and $128,000,000 as proposed by the
Senate. Of the total, the conferees agree that $4,700,000
shall be available to local communities to implement safe
communities initiatives and $9,200,000 for youth traffic
safety programs.
Amendment No. 73: Provides $2,400,000 for the National
Driver Register as proposed by the House instead of
$2,100,000 as proposed by the Senate.
Amendment No. 74: Provides that funding for the national
Driver Register shall be subject to authorization as proposed
by the Senate instead of subject to passage by the House of a
bill authorizing appropriations and for only the amounts
provided therein as proposed by the House.
Amendment No. 75: Includes language proposed by the House
which prohibits any funding for highway traffic safety grants
to be used for construction, rehabilitation, or remodeling
costs, or for office furnishings and fixtures for state,
local, or private buildings or structures. Deletes language
proposed by the House which prohibits funds to be used to
purchase automobiles or motorcycles for state, local, or
private usage. The Senate bill contained no similar
provisions.
Amendment No. 76: provides $5,211,000 for the
administration of state and community highway safety grants
as proposed by the Senate instead of $5,153,000 as proposed
by the House. The conferees agree that $300,000 of the
administrative takedown shall be expended to evaluate the
costs and benefits of the section 403 safe communities injury
control initiative. The evaluation shall be provided to the
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations by March 1,
1997.
Amendment No. 77: Requires up to $500,000 shall be used for
technical assistance to states as proposed by the Senate
instead of allowing flexibility to use up to that amount, as
proposed by the House.
Amendment No. 78: Provides $890,000 for administrative
expenses under the national Driver Register program as
proposed by the House instead of $777,000 as proposed by the
Senate.
