House Bill introduced to reduce gas-price pressure by investing in transit alternatives and smarter city planning

As reported July 17 on the Gristmill blog, a bipartisan group of six House members introduced a bill on July 15th to help reduce the gas-price pressure on Americans by investing in transit alternatives and smarter city planning.

"The Transportation and Housing Options for Gas Price Relief Act of 2008" (H.R. 6495) was introduced by Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and is cosponsored by Chris Shays (R-Conn.), Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Jerry McNerney (D-Calif), and Hilda Solis (D-Calif.).

Grist states that the bill includes measures to expand public transit and provide assistance to existing public transit systems to deal with rising fuel costs.  HR 6495 also provides additional incentives to employers and employees who utilize alternative methods of commuting like carpooling, walking, biking, or taking transit.

Key bill sponsor Blumenauer states that, "By investing in American families and communities instead of our gas tanks, we can reduce gas prices, reduce our long-term oil dependency, and create more livable, sustainable communities in the bargain."

As reported by Grist, the bill would equalize the transportation fringe benefits currently offered so that those who commute by public transportation get as much of a break as those who drive!  It would also allow employees who currently drive to cash-in their parking benefits and spend the money on alternatives to driving a personal vehicle. In addition, the bill extends transportation fringe benefits to people who are self-employed, and creates tax credits for carpooling expenses and employers and employees who telecommute.

It includes incentives for "pay-as-you-drive" auto insurance policies, which offer lower insurance premiums to those who drive less. There's also funding for local governments to make their cities more bike and pedestrian-friendly, and measures to increase the availability of "Location Efficient Mortgages," which offer lower mortgage rates for those who buy a home accessible to public transit.

A group of 16 transit, smart growth, and environmental organizations support this bill, including: Environmental Defense Fund, Friends of the Earth, the American Planning Association, Smart Growth America, and the American Public Transportation Association.

HR 6459 has been referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.  Congressional Watch will keep you posted as this bill proceeds.