House and Senate Pass Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011
On March 2, 2011, the House passed H.R. 662, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011. According to GOP.gov’s Legislative Digest, H.R. 662 would extend the authority to appropriate funds from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) through September 30, 2011 (from March 4) and set total obligation limitation levels for transportation funding. H.R. 662 was then passed by the Senate on March 3, 2011 without amendment.
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(Although the House and Senate have passed H.R. 662, it is not yet in effect. In order for a bill to be implemented, the bill must be approved (enacted) by the President, which is expected.)
To Extend Authority to Appropriate HTF Funds for Remainder of FY 2011
H.R. 662 would extend the authority to appropriate funds from the HTF for federal highway and surface transportation programs through September 30, 2011 (the remainder of FY 2011).
Current authority to appropriate funds from the HTF under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was most recently extended in December 2010 by H.R. 3082, the Continuing Appropriations and Surface Transportation Extensions Act (P.L. 111-322), and is set to expire on March 4, 2011.
To Establish FY 2011 Transportation Funding at FY 2010 Levels
H.R. 662 would also set the total obligation limitation levels for transportation funding at $52.7 billion for FY 2011, $42.46 billion of which would be for highway funding). The level of obligation authority is the same as FY 2010.
GOP.gov summary of H.R. 662 available here