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1997 SESSION

971701749
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 225
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Rules)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Waddell)
Senate Amendments in [ ] -- January 30, 1997
Memorializing Congress to [ pass the Integrity Restoration Act or such other legislation which enacts the principles of the Surface Transportation Efficiency Program for the 21st Century. reauthorize the federal surface transportation program by replacing outdated formulas with factors reflecting use, such as those identified in STEP 21; providing better equity in the distribution of highway funds to states; and authorizing funding for multi-modal transit services and highways. ]

WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 expires on September 30, 1997; and

WHEREAS, according to the Federal Highway Administration's publication, Federal Highway Statistics, Virginia consistently receives a lower percentage of federal highway funding than its percentage share of payments into the Highway Trust Fund; and

WHEREAS, the proposed reauthorization of federal aid for surface transportation programs provides an ideal opportunity to ensure that future methods of apportioning federal transportation funds are equitable and fair; and

WHEREAS, adequate support for the National Highway System (NHS) is necessary to provide consistent mobility and economic benefits for all states and the nation, and to ensure that Virginia's citizens are able to connect with citizens throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, a streamlined transportation program is needed to provide flexible funding to allow states and their local partners to respond to specific state and local needs; and

WHEREAS, it is in the national interest to ensure an adequate level of resources for highways in states with small populations and large land areas, as well as states with small populations and small land areas; to provide the road systems necessary to facilitate the mobility of citizens across the country and economic development; and to meet the transportation needs of transit-dependent citizens; and

WHEREAS, multi-modal transportation systems are needed to link the nation's highway systems to the public transit systems; and

WHEREAS, a strong transit program contributes to national benchmarks for improved air quality by reducing pollution as defined by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990; and

WHEREAS, the Integrity Restoration Act, which embodies the principles advanced by the Surface Transportation Efficiency Program (STEP 21) Coalition, has been introduced in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That Congress [ be urged to pass the Integrity Restoration Act or such other legislation which enacts the principles of the Surface Transportation Efficiency Program for the 21st Century. The Congress is be ] urged to reauthorize the federal surface transportation program [ ; replace by replacing ] outdated formulas with factors reflecting use, such as those identified in [ the STEP 21 Program; STEP ] [ provide providing ] better equity in the distribution of highway funds to states; and [ authorize authorizing ] funding for multi-modal transit services and highways; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the Senate of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation in order that they may be apprised of the sense of the Virginia General Assembly on this matter.