Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015

Short title— This Act may be cited as the “Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015”.

Table of contents— The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

a robust, modern transportation network is critical to the economic growth and success of the Nation, the States, cities, counties, towns, and rural areas;

the value of Federal revenues dedicated to surface transportation infrastructure has diminished over time due to inflation, vehicle efficiency, alternative fuels, and demographic trends;

there is a significant and urgent need for additional Federal investment to repair, rehabilitate, modernize, improve, and expand all modes of surface transportation infrastructure;

the country urgently needs a long-term authorization of surface transportation programs to support State and local transportation officials in making the best use of taxpayer funds and achieving a high return on their investment;

the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives should develop and, as soon as practicable, report out legislation providing for a long-term authorization of surface transportation programs within their respective jurisdictions;

the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives should develop and, as soon as practicable, report out legislation providing sufficient revenue to offset the cost of such a long-term authorization of surface transportation programs; and

the Senate and the House of Representatives should pass legislation providing for a long-term authorization of surface transportation programs, appoint conferees, and agree to a conference report as soon as practicable.