S.Amdt. 1815

SA 1815. Mr. BROWN of Ohio (for himself and Mr. Merkley) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1813, to reauthorize Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 1314, after the matter following line 18, insert the following:

SEC. 330__. BUY AMERICA WAIVER REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Notice and Comment Opportunities.--

(1) In general.--If the Secretary receives a request for a waiver under section 313(b) of title 23, United States Code, or under section 24305(f)(4) or 24405(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, the Secretary shall provide notice of, and an opportunity for public comment on, the request not later than 15 days before making a finding based on such request.

(2) Notice requirements.--Each notice provided under paragraph (1)--

(A) shall include the information available to the Secretary concerning the request, including the requestor's justification for such request; and

(B) shall be provided electronically, including on the official public Internet website of the Department.

(3) Publication of detailed justification.--If the Secretary issues a waiver pursuant to the authority granted under a provision referenced in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish, in the Federal Register, a detailed justification for the waiver that--

(A) addresses the public comments received under paragraph (1); and

(B) is published before the waiver takes effect.

(b) Consistency With International Agreements.--This section shall be applied in a manner that is consistent with United States obligations under relevant international agreements.

(c) Review of Nationwide Waivers.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, and at least once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall review each standing nationwide waiver issued pursuant to the authority granted under any of the provisions referenced in paragraph (1) to determine whether continuing such waiver is necessary.

(d) Buy America Reporting.--Section 308 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after subsection (c) the following:

“(d) Not later than February 1, 2013, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that--

“(1) specifies each highway, public transportation, or railroad project for which the Secretary issued a waiver from a Buy America requirement pursuant to the authority granted under section 313(b) of title 23, United States Code, or under section 24305(f)(4) or 24405(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, during the preceding calendar year;

“(2) identifies the country of origin and product specifications for the steel, iron, or manufactured goods acquired pursuant to each of the waivers specified under paragraph (1); and

“(3) summarizes the monetary value of contracts awarded pursuant to each such waiver.”.