S.Amdt. 2166

SA 2166. Mr. WARNOCK submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill H.R. 3684, to authorize funds for Federal-aid
highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

In section 30005, add at the end the following:
(c) Commuter or Destination-based Bus Rapid Transit
Projects.--Section 5309 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a) (as amended by subsection (a))--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as
paragraphs (3) through (7);
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Commuter or destination-based bus rapid transit
project.--The term `commuter or destination-based bus rapid
transit project' means a small start project utilizing
buses--
``(A) in which the project represents a substantial
investment in a defined corridor, as demonstrated by features
that emulate the services provided by commuter rail or other
rail fixed guideway public transportation systems,
including--
``(i) defined stations;
``(ii) traffic signal or access to managed lanes for public
transportation vehicles;
``(iii) short headway services for a substantial part of
weekdays; and
``(iv) any other features the Secretary may determine
support a long-term corridor investment; and
``(B) in which--
``(i) the majority of the project does not operate in a
separated right-of-way dedicated for public transportation
use during peak periods; and
``(ii) a substantial portion of the project operates in a
highway right-of-way.'';
(2) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Commuter or destination-based bus rapid transit
project ratings.--In issuing policy guidance under subsection
(g)(5), the Secretary may establish alternative evaluation
criteria for commuter or destination-based bus rapid transit
projects for--
``(A) economic development effects associated with those
projects; or
``(B) policies and land use patterns that support public
transportation.''; and
(3) in subsection (m), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Cost of carrying out planning and activities required
under the national environmental policy act of 1969.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the cost of
carrying out the planning and activities required under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.), including planning and activities carried out prior to
a project entering into the project development phase, shall
be counted toward the net capital project cost for purposes
of paragraph (1).
``(B) Guidance.--The Secretary shall provide guidance to
applicants on the costs of planning and activities required
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) that are eligible to be counted under
subparagraph (A).''.

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