U.s. congressman Rodney davis proudly representing the 13th district of illinois

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today applauded the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s approval of H.R. 3763, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015, a long-term bill to reauthorize programs within the Federal Highway Administration.

“We have a responsibility to the American people to fix our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and this bill is the first step in this process,” said Davis. “I am proud of the work completed by this committee today but it is clear that if we are to capitalize on the policy improvements made by this bill, we will to need to come together to find innovative funding sources to support a 21st Century transportation system.”

Davis has spearheaded reforms that increase local control of transportation funds provided to states with his bill the Innovation in Surface Transportation Act. H.R. 3763 provides more local control by increasing the share of Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding that is suballocated to metropolitan areas by 1% per year, starting at 51% in FY16 and going up to 55% by 2020.

“While this bill takes modest steps toward increasing local control of transportation funds, I believe there is still room for improvement,” said Davis. “I will continue to fight to give our communities, and particularly smaller communities, a greater voice in how transportation dollars are spent.”

The bill also included language offered by Davis that encourages states to use new assessment tools to identify mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and recidivism risks that will help identify underlying causes for repeat DUI behavior.

“As the father of twin boys who are about to get their driver’s license, I am terrified by the possibility of them sharing the road with an impaired driver,” said Davis. “These reforms will help make our roads safer by helping prevent repeat DUI behavior.”

Additionally, H.R. 3763 makes the following reforms and improvements:

• Streamlines the environmental review and permitting process, accelerating project delivery.

• Establishes a National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau intended to provide assistance to state, local and private partners as they move various transportation projects forward.

• Creates a Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program to help improve the movement of goods across the country.

• Promotes the deployment of transportation technologies that will enhance the surface transportation system by reducing congestion and increasing efficiency.