Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 72 Part 1.djvu/943

 72

STAT.]

PUBLIC LAW 85-767-AUG. 27, 1958

§ 124. Advances to States If the Secretary shall determine that it is necessary for the expeditious completion of projects on any of the Federal-aid systems, including the Interstate System, he may advance to any State out of any existing appropriations the Federal share of the cost of construction thereof to enable the State highway department to make prompt payments for acquisition of rights-of-way, and for the construction as it progresses. The sums so advanced shall be deposited in a special revolving trust fund, by the State official authorized under the laws of the State to receive Federal-aid highway funds, to be disbursed solely upon vouchers approved by the State highway department for rights-of-wa^ which have been or are being acquired, and for construction which has been actually performed and approved by the Secretary pursuant to this chapter. Upon determination by the Secretary that any part of the funds advanced to any State under the provisions of this section are no longer required, the amount of the advance, which is determined to be in excess of current requirements of the State, shall be repaid upon his demand, and such repayments shall be returned to the credit of the appropriation from which the funds were advanced. Any sum advanced and not repaid on demand shall be deducted from sums due the State for the Federal pro rata share of the cost of construction of Federal-aid projects. §125. Emergency relief An emergency fund is authorized for expenditure by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of this section. The Secretary may expend funds therefrom, after receipts of an application therefor from a State highway department, for the repair or reconstruction of highways and bridges on the Federal-aid highway systems, including the Interstate System, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter 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 appropriations of such moneys, not to exceed $30,000,000, as may be necessary for the initial establishment of this fund and for its replenishment on an annual basis is authorized. Pending such appropriation or replenishment, the Secretary may expend from existing Federal-aid highway appropriations, such sums as may be necessary for the immediate prosecution of the work herein authorized, such existing appropriations to be reimbursed from the appropriation hereinabove authorized when made. No funds shall be expended under the provisions of this section with respect to any such catastrophe in any State unless an emergency has been declared by the Governor of such State and concurred in by the Secretary. §126. Diversion (a) Since it is unfair and unjust to tax motor-vehicle transportation unless the proceeds of such taxation are applied to the construction, improvement, or maintenance of highways, after June 30, 1935, Federal aid for highway construction shall be extended only to those States that use at least the amounts provided by law on June 18, 1934, for such purposes in each State from State motor vehicle registration fees, licenses, gasoline taxes, and other special taxes on motor-vehicle owners and operators of all kinds for the construction, improvement, and maintenance of highways and administrative expenses in connection therewith, including the retirement of bonds for the payment of which such revenues have been pledged, and for no other purposes, under such regulations as the Secretary of Commerce shall promulgate from time to time.

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