Bill Summary
The "Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act" mandates the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation to conduct an audit of federal funds allocated to specific public transportation entities over the prior five fiscal years. The audit will assess the total funds received and detail how these funds were utilized. The Inspector General is required to report the findings to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The legislation aims to enhance accountability and transparency in the use of federal funds by transit agencies, particularly in the context of financial relief provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, as outlined in various federal laws.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Accountability for Transit Agencies**: By requiring an audit of federal funds received by major transit agencies, this legislation aims to ensure that public transportation entities are held accountable for their spending. This could lead to more responsible financial management, thereby potentially improving the quality and reliability of public transportation services for commuters. If funds are found to be mismanaged, it could prompt necessary reforms that benefit users.
2. **Transparency in Government Spending**: The requirement for an audit and a subsequent report to Congress enhances transparency regarding how federal funds, especially those related to pandemic relief, are utilized in public transportation. This could foster public trust in government operations, as citizens would have access to detailed information about where their tax dollars are going and how effectively they are being used to support public transit systems.
3. **Impact on Funding Decisions**: The findings from the audit could influence future funding decisions made by Congress. If the audit reveals inefficiencies or misallocation of funds, it may lead to stricter regulations or a re-evaluation of funding for specific transit agencies. This could impact the availability of resources for public transportation in certain areas, potentially affecting service levels, fare prices, and overall accessibility for users who rely on public transit.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 171 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 171
To require the inspector general of the Department of Transportation to
conduct an audit on the use of Federal funds by certain entities
providing public transportation, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Ms. Malliotakis (for herself and Mr. Gottheimer) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the inspector general of the Department of Transportation to
conduct an audit on the use of Federal funds by certain entities
providing public transportation, 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 ``Make Transportation Authorities
Accountable and Transparent Act''.
SEC. 2. INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDIT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CORONAVIRUS
RELIEF SPENDING.
(a) Inspector General Audit.--
(1) Audit required.--The inspector general of the
Department of Transportation shall conduct an audit of funds
provided to each specified transit agency under the applicable
laws during the 5 fiscal years ending before the date of
enactment of this Act.
(2) Contents of audit.--The audit conducted under paragraph
(1) shall include the amount of funds received under each of
the applicable laws and a description of how such funds were
spent.
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the inspector general shall
submit to Congress a report containing the results of the
audit.
(b) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Applicable laws.--The term ``applicable laws'' means
the following:
(A) Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code.
(B) The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020.
(C) The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act.
(D) The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
(E) The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
(2) Public transportation.--The term ``public
transportation'' has the meaning given the term in section 5302
of title 49, United States Code.
(3) Specified transit agency.--The term ``specified transit
agency'' means the 5 entities providing public transportation
with the most unlinked passenger trips for calendar year 2019,
as reported to the National Transit Database, that received
Federal funds under any of the applicable laws.
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