WASHINGTON – Sen. Deb Fischer, chair of a key Senate transportation panel, has introduced a bill that would transfer revenues from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to the federal Highway Trust Fund.
The Build USA Infrastructure Act (S. 271), which was introduced by the Republican from Nebraska on Feb. 1, would also permit states to agree to remit some of their federal-aid highway dollars in exchange for obtaining some control over federal highway projects, with 10% of the remitted amounts to also be added to the Highway Trust Fund.
"Funding challenges and the burdensome federal regulatory approval process have delayed infrastructure projects across America for decades. It's time for a new approach," Fischer, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee's surface transportation panel, said in a release. "I'm proud to put forward this legislation, which is modeled after proven successes in accelerating major transportation projects throughout Nebraska."
Fischer said that, according to the March 2016 projections by the Congressional Budget Office, the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) will face a cumulative shortfall of $107 billion by 2026.
The bill would divert $21.4 billion annually in revenues collected by Customs and Border Protection on freight and passengers to the HTF for five years following the expiration of the latest long-term highway bill.
The Senator also said that, according to the Congressional Research Service, major federal-aid highway projects can take up to 14 years from start to finish. "States need more flexibility, improved collaboration and greater autonomy to help them begin building vital infrastructure projects," she said.
The bill would allow states to enter into agreements for three years or longer with the Federal Highway Administration under which they would remit a percentage of their federal-aid highway dollars in return for obtaining control over some of the design, environmental permitting and construction aspects of federal highway projects. The FHWA would deposit 10% of the remitted funds to the HTF.
Meanwhile, the New Democrat Coalition, a group of House lawmakers who are moderate and pro-growth, has formed a 21st Century Infrastructure Tax Force.
The co-chairs will include Reps. John Delaney, D-Md., who recently co-sponsored a bill that would use revenues from international tax reform to fund infrastructure projects, as well as Reps. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., Stacey Plaskett, D-Va., and Norma Torres, D-Calif.
The group will work to identify ways to increase funding for roads, rails, public transportation systems, bridges, ports and airports.
