Improving State and Federal agency engagement in environmental reviews

• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-13 (published on www.congress.gov on 08/07/2023)

(a) IN GENERAL.-

(1) REQUESTS TO PROVIDE FUNDS.-A public entity receiving financial assistance from the Department of Transportation for 1 or more projects, or for a program of projects, for a public purpose may request that the Secretary allow the public entity to provide funds to Federal agencies, including the Department, State agencies, and Indian tribes participating in the environmental planning and review process for the project, projects, or program.

(2) USE OF FUNDS.-The funds may be provided only to support activities that directly and meaningfully contribute to expediting and improving permitting and review processes, including planning, approval, and consultation processes for the project, projects, or program.

(b) ACTIVITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.-Activities for which funds may be provided under subsection (a) include transportation planning activities that precede the initiation of the environmental review process, activities directly related to the environmental review process, dedicated staffing, training of agency personnel, information gathering and mapping, and development of programmatic agreements.

(c) AMOUNTS.-A request under subsection (a) may be approved only for the additional amounts that the Secretary determines are necessary for the Federal agencies, State agencies, or Indian tribes participating in the environmental review process to timely conduct the review.

(d) AGREEMENTS.-Prior to providing funds approved by the Secretary for dedicated staffing at an affected Federal agency under subsection (a), the affected Federal agency and the requesting public entity shall enter into an agreement that establishes a process to identify projects or priorities to be addressed by the use of the funds.

(e) GUIDANCE.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue guidance to implement this section.