The current surface transportation funding authorization passed by the U.S. Congress is due to expire on September 30th, 2020, and with it, the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. In order to renew funding, Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon), Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure introduced the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act, which was approved by the Committee on June 18th.
The Act raises the limit for DBE eligibility in the program to having maximum average annual gross receipts during the preceding three fiscal years of $26,290,000. Currently, that figure stands at $22,410,000. The Act would also renew the direction to U.S. DOT to increase enforcement of prompt-payment rules and regulations as they relate to DBEs.
In addition to the DBE reauthorization, the Act consists of a five-year authorization of $494 billion in transportation funding. A release on the legislation, hosted on the Committee's page, describes the bill as not only addressing a backlog of transit repairs across the nation, but of proofing infrastructure against climate change, investing in Amtrak and other public transit, and taking steps towards zero emissions for the U.S. transport industry.
"The time is now to fix our crumbling infrastructure, cut carbon pollution from the transportation sector, and create millions of good-paying jobs in urban, suburban and rural communities," said DeFazio in a statement released after the legislation passed out of Committee.
The legislation now moves onwards to the House floor.
For more information on the bill (including full text, a fact sheet, press releases, and more), see the Committee's page for the Act at https://transportation.house.gov/the-invest-in-america-act.
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