Transportation Emergency Relief Extension Act
Summary
The Transportation Emergency Relief Extension Act amends Title 23 of the United States Code to provide increased flexibility for emergency relief projects. Specifically, it extends the deadline for projects funded under Section 125 to advance to the construction obligation stage. The bill also mandates the Secretary of Transportation to update the Emergency Relief Manual every two years and make it publicly available.
Expected Effects
This act will likely result in states having more time to complete emergency relief projects after a governor or president declares an emergency. The updated Emergency Relief Manual should provide states with more current and accessible guidance. This could lead to more efficient and effective use of federal funds for disaster recovery.
Potential Benefits
- Provides states with more time to advance emergency relief projects to the construction phase.
- Allows the Secretary of Transportation to grant extensions for project completion.
- Ensures that the Emergency Relief Manual is updated regularly, providing states with current best practices.
- Increases transparency by making the Emergency Relief Manual publicly available.
- Potentially reduces bureaucratic hurdles in disaster recovery efforts.
Potential Disadvantages
- The extended deadlines could potentially delay the completion of critical infrastructure repairs.
- The need for extensions introduces an element of uncertainty and potential for political influence.
- The act does not address the root causes of infrastructure vulnerability to emergencies.
- There is no guarantee that the updated Emergency Relief Manual will be effectively implemented by all states.
- The act may increase administrative burden on the Secretary of Transportation.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution, specifically Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce and provide for the general welfare. The act's focus on infrastructure and disaster relief falls under the purview of these powers. There are no apparent conflicts with individual rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).