Bill Summary
The "Transportation Emergency Relief Extension Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at amending Title 23 of the United States Code to enhance the flexibility and efficiency of federal emergency relief projects for highways.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Deadline for Project Advancement**: The bill establishes that the Secretary of Transportation cannot require projects funded under the Emergency Relief program to advance to the construction obligation stage before the last day of the sixth fiscal year following an emergency declaration by either the state's Governor or the President. This provides states with more time to prepare and execute necessary projects post-disaster.
2. **Extensions**: It allows the Secretary to grant extensions of up to one year for advancing to construction upon request from the Governor, with the possibility of further extensions if justified by the circumstances.
3. **Emergency Relief Manual Updates**: The legislation mandates that the Federal Highway Administration update its Emergency Relief Manual every two years and ensure that these updates are made accessible to state transportation departments and the public.
Overall, this bill seeks to streamline the process for emergency relief funding and improve the adaptability of federal policies to better support states in responding to transportation needs after disasters.
Possible Impacts
The "Transportation Emergency Relief Extension Act," as outlined in the provided legislation, could affect people in several ways:
1. **Improved Infrastructure Recovery Timeline**: The legislation allows for a longer timeline for advancing emergency relief projects. This flexibility means that states can take the time necessary to ensure that infrastructure repairs are done correctly and sustainably, rather than rushing to meet tight deadlines. As a result, communities affected by disasters may experience more thorough and effective repairs, leading to safer roads and bridges, which directly impacts daily commutes and transportation safety for individuals.
2. **Enhanced State Capacity to Manage Emergencies**: By permitting governors to request extensions for project advancements, the legislation empowers state officials to better manage their resources and prioritize projects based on local needs. This could lead to more tailored responses to specific emergencies, allowing states to allocate funds and efforts where they are most needed, ultimately benefiting residents through more effective disaster recovery and support.
3. **Public Access to Updated Information**: The requirement for the Secretary to update the Emergency Relief Manual and make it publicly available ensures that stakeholders—including state transportation departments and the general public—have access to the latest guidelines and procedures related to federal emergency relief. This transparency can facilitate better coordination between federal and state agencies, enhance public understanding of recovery processes, and foster community engagement in rebuilding efforts, thereby empowering individuals to stay informed about the status of infrastructure projects that affect their lives.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4847 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4847
To amend title 23, United States Code, to increase flexibility for
emergency relief projects, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 1, 2025
Mr. Garamendi (for himself and Mr. LaMalfa) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 23, United States Code, to increase flexibility for
emergency relief projects, 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 ``Transportation Emergency Relief
Extension Act''.
SEC. 2. FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY EMERGENCY RELIEF.
Section 125 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(h) Imposition of Deadline.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary may not require any project funded under
this section to advance to the construction obligation stage
before the date that is the last day of the sixth fiscal year
after the later of--
``(A) the date on which the Governor declared the
emergency, as described in subsection (d)(1)(A); and
``(B) the date on which the President declared the
emergency to be a major disaster, as described in that
subsection.
``(2) Extension of deadline.--If the Secretary imposes a
deadline for advancement to the construction obligation stage
pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary may--
``(A) on the request of the Governor of the State,
issue an extension of not more than 1 year to complete
the advancement; and
``(B) issue additional extensions after the
expiration of any extension, if the Secretary
determines the Governor of the State has provided
suitable justification to warrant such an extension.
``(i) Emergency Relief Manuals.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this subsection and every 2 years thereafter, the
Secretary shall--
``(1) update the Emergency Relief Manual of the Federal
Highway Administration;
``(2) provide the updated Manual to each State department
of transportation; and
``(3) make the updated Manual publicly available on a
website of the Secretary.''.
<all>