President Barack Obama on March 2 signed into law a bill that provides short-term funding for several authorities, including extended funding for highway safety programs.
The Senate on Feb. 24 approved the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 4691), but full approval was delayed until late Tuesday by a filibuster.
The approved bill authorizes appropriations for certain transportation research programs under Title V of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users at fiscal year 2009 funding levels. It also authorizes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to fund safety initiatives, while Section 2004 of the bill extends through FY 2010 authorization of appropriations for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Approval of the bill marks the fourth short-term extension of SAFETEA-LU since it expired on Sept. 30, 2009.
