U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Monday that she secured over $45 million for critical Nebraska transportation priorities in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The bill, which must still be voted upon by the Senate and House, was advanced last Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee in a unanimous, bipartisan vote as a first key step.
“I’m committed to ensuring Nebraska communities receive the resources needed to keep our transportation systems up to date. The committee’s vote is a crucial first step. Infrastructure has always enjoyed bipartisan support here in the Senate, and this year’s legislation builds on that consensus — providing critical funding to strengthen our nation’s roads, bridges, highways, and water infrastructure,” said Senator Fischer.
The Transportation-HUD legislation prioritizes safety and includes increases for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire air traffic controllers, and funding to enhance rail safety. It also includes Senator Fischer’s language to improve the federal government’s vehicle safety testing practices, specifically around crash test dummies. It would also ensure the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is submitting data to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Funding Map in compliance with Senator Fischer’s provision in the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Last Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee also approved the FY2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill, including a Fischer provision to advance nuclear modernization.
Additional details on the provisions secured by Senator Fischer are listed below:
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act:
Panhandle Project Highlights:
Nebraska Department of Transportation
Project Name: Heartland Expressway Four Lane Expansion
Project Description: Expand the existing two-lane highway to a four-lane expressway.
Project Location: Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties, NE
Appropriated Amount: $12,865,000
City of Ogallala
Project Name: Ogallala Airport Runway Reconstruction
Project Description: Reconstruct pavement of the runaway and replace lighting and visual approach aids.
Project Location: Ogallala, NE
Appropriated Amount: $6,570,00
Airport Authority of the County of Scotts Bluff
Project Name: Western Nebraska Regional Airport Taxiway Extension
Project Description: Extend the taxiway to improve safety operation.
Project Location: Scottsbluff
Appropriated Amount: $3,500,000
Chadron Volunteer Fire Department
Project Name: Chadron Fire District New Ladder Truck
Project Description: Replace a 25-year-old 75 foot ladder truck with a new 100 foot ladder truck.
Project Location: Chadron
Appropriated Amount: $1,400,000
Additional Measures:
Senator Fischer also secured language for:
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FAA Regulatory Process Improvements
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Directs the FAA to improve timeliness and transparency to their regulatory review process, given the current regulatory approval backlog
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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program (SDAP) — No Inward Facing Cameras
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Prevents funding for inward facing cameras for FMCSA’s Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program
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FMCSA SDAP — No Registered Apprenticeship Requirement
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Prevents a requirement that motor carriers be approved for the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Registered Apprenticeship Program to participate in FMCSA SDAP
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New Car Assessment Program
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Directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to adopt crash test technology for both male and female drivers
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FAA Processing
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Asks the FAA to dedicate resources to clearing Part 135 certification backlog
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U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R)
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Supports funding for the deployment of resiliency technologies that prevent unwanted interference and provide resilient backup
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FCC’s Broadband Deployment Locations Map
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Requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide an update for the Broadband Deployment Locations Map
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USDOT Cybersecurity
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Requires USDOT to include cyber security, and positioning, navigation, and timing services (PNT) as part of the standard Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) language
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