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S. 1672Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

ROCKS Act

Sponsored by Mark KellySen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Introduced May 18, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:10 AM UTC

The ROCKS Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to create a working group that will study how access to common construction materials—stone, sand and gravel—affects transportation infrastructure projects. The group must include representatives from state transportation departments, resource agencies, planners, carriers, producers, contractors, labor groups, tribes and other stakeholders. It will examine costs, environmental impacts, planning practices and challenges related to these resources, and must deliver a report within two years. The findings and recommendations will be sent to the relevant congressional committees.

Key Provisions

  • Defines “covered resource” as stone, sand, and gravel used in transportation construction and maintenance.
  • Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group within 120 days of the law’s enactment.
  • Mandates that the working group include at least one representative from each of several stakeholder categories, including state DOTs, resource protection agencies, planning and geological survey agencies, motor carriers, producers, contractors, labor organizations, metropolitan and regional planning organizations, Indian tribes, and other appropriate parties.
  • Tasks the group with studying the use of covered resources in federally funded projects, how proximity influences cost and environmental impact, how agencies consider these resources in planning, and challenges faced by project sponsors.
  • Requires the group to consult with state, tribal, local agencies, the public, and other relevant stakeholders during its study.
  • Obligates the working group to submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations within two years of its formation.
  • Requires the Secretary to forward a summary of the report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works within 90 days of receiving the report.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

May 18, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 18, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

May 18, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued May 18, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1672

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 18, 2021

Mr. Kelly (for himself and Mr. Portman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group to conduct a study on access to certain resources for infrastructure projects, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Rebuilding Our Communities by Keeping aggregates Sustainable Act of 2021 or the ROCKS Act.

2.

Working group on covered resources

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Covered resource

The term covered resource means a common variety material used in transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance, including stone, sand, and gravel.

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.

(3)

State

The term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory or possession of the United States.

(4)

Working Group

The term Working Group means the Working Group established under subsection (b).

(b)

Establishment

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a working group to conduct a study on access to covered resources for infrastructure projects.

(c)

Membership

(1)

Appointment

The Secretary shall appoint to the Working Group individuals with knowledge and expertise in the production and transportation of covered resources.

(2)

Representation

The Working Group shall include not less than 1 representative of each of the following:

(A)

State departments of transportation.

(B)

State agencies associated with covered resources protection.

(C)

State planning and geologic survey and mapping agencies.

(D)

Commercial motor vehicle operators, including small business operators and operators who transport covered resources.

(E)

Covered resources producers.

(F)

Construction contractors.

(G)

Labor organizations.

(H)

Metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning organizations.

(I)

Indian Tribes, including Tribal elected leadership or Tribal transportation officials.

(J)

Any other stakeholders that the Secretary determines appropriate.

(3)

Termination

The Working Group shall terminate 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the report under subsection (f)(1).

(d)

Duties

In carrying out the study required under subsection (b), the Working Group shall analyze—

(1)

the use of covered resources in transportation projects funded with Federal dollars;

(2)

how the proximity of covered resources to such projects affects the cost and environmental impact of those projects;

(3)

whether and how State, Tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies consider covered resources when developing transportation projects; and

(4)

any challenges for transportation project sponsors regarding access and proximity to covered resources.

(e)

Consultation

In carrying out the study required under subsection (b), the Working Group shall consult with, as appropriate—

(1)

chief executive officers of States;

(2)

State, Tribal, and local transportation and planning agencies;

(3)

other relevant State, Tribal, and local agencies, including State agencies associated with covered resources protection;

(4)

members of the public with industry experience with respect to covered resources;

(5)

other Federal entities that provide funding for transportation projects; and

(6)

any other stakeholder the Working Group determines appropriate.

(f)

Reports

(1)

Working group report

Not later than 2 years after the date on which the Working Group is established, the Working Group shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes—

(A)

the findings of the study required under subsection (b), including a summary of comments received during the consultation process under subsection (e); and

(B)

any recommendations to preserve access to and reduce the costs and environmental impacts of covered resources for infrastructure projects.

(2)

Departmental report

Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a summary of the findings under the report and any recommendations, as appropriate.