US Congress House Bill 3517 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: Introduced on July 31 2009 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2009-08-03 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Commute LESS Act of 2009 or the Commute-Leveraging Employer Support and Successes Act of 2009 - Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to revise the composition of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) to include at least one representative designated by an employer advisory council established by this Act. Revises contents of MPO transportation plans prepared for metropolitan planning areas to include proposed activities and strategies to provide outreach to employers in the region to create and expand alternative commuting and commuter benefit programs (i.e. carpools, transit benefit, and telework programs). Requires each MPO to establish an employer advisory council consisting of representatives of employers within the MPO's boundaries. Requires an MPO transportation improvement program (TIP) to be developed in coordination with the advisory council and to include projects identified by it. Requires the advisory council to: (1) review how long-range transportation plans and TIPs will affect commuting habits; and (2) develop a commuter trip reduction plan. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to create and expand employer investment in transportation and commuter benefit programs. Requires a state receiving funding, in coordination with MPOs, to establish statewide goals for achieving reductions in vehicle miles traveled. Requires a recipient receiving federal-aid highway funding for a project with a value of $100 million or more or that will reduce traffic flow for more than 120 days to prepare, in coordination with the advisory council, a congestion mitigation plan for the project that includes funding for projects that reduce peak hour vehicle miles traveled along an impacted corridor. Requires the Secretary, when approving a major capital investment grant of $75 million or more for a major new fixed guideway capital project, to consider, among other things, the ability of the grant recipient to work with employers to get commuters to utilize the project. Directs the Secretary to require the grant applicant to include in its request a plan on how it intends to work with local employers and transportation management organizations to create and expand a commuter benefit program for the project.

Commute LESS Act of 2009

Rep. Michael Capuano [D-MA]	Rep. Russ Carnahan [D-MO]	Rep. James Himes [D-CT]	Rep. Jim McDermott [D-WA]
Rep. James McGovern [D-MA]	Rep. Grace Napolitano [D-CA]	Rep. Joe Sestak [D-PA]	Rep. Albio Sires [D-NJ]

Date	Chamber	Action
2009-08-03		Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
2009-07-31		Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3517/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3517/BILLS-111hr3517ih.pdf