House of Representatives Passes TEA-21 Renewal Bill

Conference Committee is the Next Step

On Friday, March 31, the House of Representatives passed their TEA -21 renewal bill. The bill has been named TEA-LU (H.R. 3550). The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee had reduced the funding level for the six-year bill to $275 billion from the proposed $375 billion, due to pressure from the Administration. They did however insert a "reopener" provision that if enacted, would force Congress to revisit the funding issues next year.

The TEA-21 renewal bill provides federal transportation funding over a six year time period. The bill includes funding for highways, roads, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition has been working closely with America Bikes, the League of American Bicyclists, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and other national partners to ensure that the TEA-21 renewal bill has positive gains for bicycle and pedestrian funding.

For example, a federal Safe Routes to School program is a new program that is in the House bill and is funded at $1 billion over the six years, with $125 million in the first year, ratcheting up to $200 million in year six. The earlier version of the House bill had allocated $1.5 billion for the program. The language directs 10% of the funding to non-infrastructure activities like education and promotion. (Note: Marin's national model Safe Routes to Schools program was instrumental in proving that Safe Routes to Schools is a popular and effective program for relieving traffic.) The Recreational Trails Program is funded at $500 million over six years, a significant increase from $270 million under TEA-21 although $200 million less than the original proposal. The House language continues funding for a pedestrian and bicycle information clearinghouse, adds bicyclists and pedestrians to the list of interested parties invited to comment on MPO and state transportation plans, retains Transportation Enhancements, and includes other provisions to improve bicycling.

Now that the House has passed its version of the bill, differences between the House bill and the Senate bill (which was adopted in February at $318 billion) will be reconciled in Conference Committee, then sent to the House and Senate for a final vote.

However, advisors to President Bush are recommending that he veto the bill, arguing that the House has underestimated the cost by $4.5 billion dollars. The Administration is also opposed to the "reopener" clause that would take effect next year and would allow the house to increase the funding level. The President may have chosen this bill to demonstrate that he is "fiscally conservative." More information about this process is at www.americabikes.org.