U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), chair of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security will convene a hearing on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. entitled, “Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Performance, not Prescription.”
 
The second in a series of hearings on the reauthorization of highway safety programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction, this hearing will review performance-based regulations and performance-based management in transportation policy, especially in truck, hazardous materials, and pipeline safety. A performance-based regulatory system sets outcomes and targets to achieve regulatory objectives, leaving the choice of compliance strategies to the discretion of the regulated entity, as opposed to prescribing specific designs or behaviors.  Performance-based management links funding, program design, and program evaluation to long-term outcomes with measurable targets.
 
Witnesses will provide testimony on opportunities and challenges with performance-based regulations in transportation safety. Witnesses will also provide testimony on performance measures in transportation grants, including Department of Transportation research funding and the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. The hearing will also explore opportunities and challenges in replacing prescriptive regulations with performance-based standards.
 
Witnesses:

- Mr. Peter Rogoff, Under Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Mr. David Nichols, Director, Missouri Department of Transportation, and Acting Chair, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standing Committee on Performance Management
- Dr. John Graham, Dean, Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and former Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Executive Office of the President
- Dr. Peter Sweatman, Director, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

Hearing Details:
 
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
10:00 a.m.
 
Surface Transportation, and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Surface Transportation Reauthorization: Performance, not Prescription.”
 
This hearing will take place in Senate Russell Office Building, Room 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on this page.

For reporters interested in reserving a seat, please contact the press gallery:

• Periodical Press Gallery – 202-224-0265

• Radio/Television Gallery – 202-224-6421

• Press Photographers Gallery – 202-224-6548

• Daily Press Gallery – 202-224-0241

Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service, including closed captioning service for the webcast hearing, should contact Stephanie Gamache at 202-224-5511 at least three business days in advance of the hearing date.