[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 409 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
2d Session
H. R. 409
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 23, 2008
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend title 23, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Transportation to establish national tunnel inspection standards for
the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway tunnels, 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. NATIONAL TUNNEL INSPECTION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Title 23, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 149 the following:
``Sec. 150. National tunnel inspection program
``(a) National Tunnel Inspection Standards.--The Secretary, in
consultation with State transportation departments and interested and
knowledgeable private organizations and individuals, shall establish
national tunnel inspection standards for the proper safety inspection
and evaluation of all highway tunnels. The standards established under
this subsection shall be designed to ensure uniformity among the States
in the conduct of such inspections and evaluations.
``(b) Minimum Requirements for Inspection Standards.--The standards
established under subsection (a) shall, at a minimum--
``(1) specify, in detail, the method by which highway
tunnel inspections shall be carried out by the States;
``(2) establish the maximum time period between the
inspections based on a risk-management approach;
``(3) establish the qualifications for those charged with
carrying out the inspections;
``(4) require each State to maintain and make available to
the Secretary upon request--
``(A) written reports on the results of the
inspections together with notations of any action taken
pursuant to the findings of the inspections; and
``(B) current inventory data for all highway
tunnels located in the State reflecting the findings of
the most recent highway tunnel inspections conducted;
``(5) establish procedures for national certification of
highway tunnel inspectors;
``(6) establish procedures for conducting annual compliance
reviews of State inspections and State implementation of
quality control and quality assurance procedures; and
``(7) establish standards for State tunnel management
systems to improve the tunnel inspection process and the
quality of data collected and reported by the States to the
Secretary for inclusion in the national tunnel inventory to be
established under this section.
``(c) Training and Certification Program for Tunnel Inspectors.--
The Secretary, in cooperation with State transportation departments,
shall establish a program designed to ensure that all individuals
carrying out highway tunnel inspections receive appropriate training
and certification. Such program shall be revised from time to time to
take into account new and improved techniques.
``(d) National Tunnel Inventory.--The Secretary shall establish a
national inventory of highway tunnels reflecting the findings of the
most recent highway tunnel inspections conducted by States under this
section.
``(e) Availability of Funds.--To carry out this section, the
Secretary may use funds made available pursuant to the provisions of
sections 104(a) and 502.''.
(b) Surface Transportation Program.--Section 133(b)(1) of such
title is amended by inserting ``, tunnels that are eligible for
assistance under this title (including safety inspection of such
tunnels),'' after ``highways)''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 1 of such title
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 149 the
following:
``150. National tunnel inspection program.''.
Passed the House of Representatives January 22, 2008.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk.