WASHINGTON - Yesterday, after considering nearly 130 amendments, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 22, “The Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015,” by a bipartisan vote of 363-64.  The bill authorizes $325 billion over six years for transportation infrastructure.  (Mark up for the bill took place more than a week ago, including several provisions for interstate tolling.)

In addition to authorizing general highway spending for six years, the bill aims to improve the nation’s infrastructure by providing fiscal certainty to state and local governments, streamlining the environmental review and permitting processes, and improving truck and bus safety.

Like the Senate version passed in July, the House bill includes revenue for three of the six years.  However, unlike the Senate bill, the House included a spending “trigger”—meaning Congress will need to come up with a way to pay for the final three years before the funds are released.  The House and Senate will soon meet in a conference committee to negotiate differences between the two bills.  They have until November 20 to renew federal infrastructure funding.

Additional background on highway infrastructure funding is available here.