[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1672 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1672
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rebuilding Our Communities by
Keeping aggregates Sustainable Act of 2021'' or the ``ROCKS Act''.
SEC. 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.
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