Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 70.djvu/442

 386

PUBLIC LAW 627-JUNE 29, 1966

[70 S T A T.

script of said hearings shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Public Roads, together with the certification. (d) PARTICIPATION BY SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.—It is hereby declared to be in the national interest to encourage and develop the actual and potential capacity of small business and to utilize this important segment of our economy to the fullest practicable extent in construction of the Federal-aid highway systems, including the Interstate System. I n order to carry out that intent and encourage full and free competition, the Secretary of Commerce should assist, insofar as feasible, small business enterprises in obtaining contracts in connection with the prosecution of the highway program. SEC. 117. HIGHWAY SAFETY STUDY. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized and directed to make a full and complete investigation and study for the purpose of determining what action can be taken by the Federal Government to promote the public welfare by increasing highway safety in the United States. In making such investigation and study the Secretary of Commerce shall give consideration to— (1) the need for Federal assistance to State and local governments in the enforcement of necessary highway safety and speed requirements and the forms such assistance should take; (2) the advisability and practicability of uniform State and local highway safety and speed laws and what steps should be taken by the Federal Government to promote the adoption of such uniform laws; (3) possible means of promoting highway safety in the manufacture of the various types of vehicles used on the highways; (4) educational programs to promote highway safety; (5) the design and physical cnaracteristics of highways; and (6) such other matters as it may deem advisable and appropriate. Report to Con The Secretary of Commerce shall report his findings, together with gress. such recommendations as he may deem advisable, to the Congress not later than March 1, 1959. The Secretary of Commerce shall conduct such study and investigation under the general authority contained in 68 stau 74. section 10 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1954; except that the 23 USC 21-1. amount expended for the purposes of this section shall not exceed $200,000. SEC. 118. EMERGENCY FUND. Section 7 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1952 (66 Stat. 158) is hereby amended to read as follows: "SEC. 7. There is hereby authorized an emergency fund in the amount of $30,000,000 for expenditure by the Secretary of Commerce, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal-Aid Road Act 23 u 1*0^4!* and •'^PPi'^ved July 11, 1916, as amended and supplemented, after receipt of note; 16 USC 503. an application therefor from the highway department of any State, in the repair or reconstruction of highways and bridges on the Federalaid highway systems, including the Interstate System, which he shall find have suffered serious damage as the result of disaster over a wide area, such as by floods, hurricanes, tidal waves, earthquakes, severe storms, landslides, or other catastrophes in any part of the United States. The appropriation of such moneys as may be necessary for the establishment of the fund in accordance with the provisions of this section and for its replenishment on an annual basis is hereby authorized: Provided, That pending the appropriation of such sum, or its replenishment, the Secretary of Commerce may expend, from existing Federal-aid highway appropriations, such sums as may be necessary for the immediate prosecution of the work herein author-

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