II
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 941
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 24, 2021
Mr. Cornyn (for himself and Mr. Kaine) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
A BILL
To amend title 23, United States Code, to improve the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation (TIFIA) program, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Revitalizing American Priorities for Infrastructure Development Act
or the RAPID Act
.
Transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program
Eligibility
Section 602(a)(2) of title 23, United States Code, is amended—
in subparagraph (A)(iv)—
by striking a rating
and inserting an investment-grade rating
; and
by striking $75,000,000
and inserting $150,000,000
; and
in subparagraph (B)—
by striking the senior debt
and inserting senior debt
; and
by striking credit instrument is for an amount less than $75,000,000
and inserting total amount of other senior debt and the Federal credit instrument is less than $150,000,000
.
Streamlined application process
Section 603(f) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Additional terms for expedited decisions
In general
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall implement an expedited decision timeline for public agency borrowers seeking secured loans that meet—
the terms under paragraph (2); and
the additional criteria described in subparagraph (B).
Additional criteria
The additional criteria referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) are the following:
The secured loan is made on terms and conditions that substantially conform to the conventional terms and conditions established by the National Surface Transportation Innovative Finance Bureau.
The secured loan is rated in the A category or higher.
The TIFIA program share of eligible project costs is 33 percent or less.
The applicant demonstrates a reasonable expectation that the contracting process for the project can commence by not later than 90 days after the date on which a Federal credit instrument is obligated for the project under the TIFIA program.
The project has received a categorical exclusion, a finding of no significant impact, or a record of decision under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Written notice
The Secretary shall provide to an applicant seeking a secured loan under the expedited decision process under this paragraph a written notice informing the applicant whether the Secretary has approved or disapproved the application by not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to the applicant a letter indicating that the National Surface Transportation Innovative Finance Bureau has commenced the creditworthiness review of the project.
.
Status reports
Section 609 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Status reports
In general
The Secretary shall publish on the website for the TIFIA program—
on a monthly basis, a current status report on all submitted letters of interest and applications received for assistance under the TIFIA program; and
on a quarterly basis, a current status report on all approved applications for assistance under the TIFIA program.
Inclusions
Each monthly and quarterly status report under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, with respect to each project included in the status report—
the name of the party submitting the letter of interest or application;
the name of the project;
the date on which the letter of interest or application was received;
the estimated project eligible costs;
the type of credit assistance sought; and
the anticipated fiscal year and quarter for closing of the credit assistance.
.