Committee Meetings

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Registration

Committee Meetings

Business Members Government Affairs Committee

Funding, Finance & Tax Policy Legislative Subcommittee/Authorization Task Force Funding and Finance Recommendations Working Group

High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Committee

9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Registration

Welcome to Washington, General Session

Hear the most up to date information on the DC political scene and get insight on the legislative agenda for the 113th Congress from A.B. Stoddard, associate editor and columnist for The Hill, and John Feehery, columnist for The Hill, political commentator, and president of Quinn Gillespie Communications.

                         A.B. Stoddard                                                John Feehery

Session sponsored by URS Corporation

Welcome Reception

Over cocktails and light fare, join your colleagues for a reception and networking opportunity to kick off the conference.

Registration

7:30 – 8:45 a.m.

The "Insider" Perspective on the Transit Industry

Start your day off with a taste of politics at this sit-down breakfast briefing. The Honorable Steve LaTourette, former Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives, (R-OH), and President, McDonald Hopkins Government Strategies will address some of the key issues facing the industry such as implementation of MAP-21, appropriations, and the timing for the next authorization bill.

The Honorable Steve LaTourette

Session sponsored by APTA's Business Members.

Opening General Session: Update from FTA and FRA

The conference’s opening general session will kick off with welcoming remarks from APTA’s leadership, Chair Flora M. Castillo, and President & CEO Michael P. Melaniphy.  This session will feature a discussion with key modal administrators from the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Important program updates and initiatives will be discussed, along with discussion of implementing a long-term authorization bill. 

Featured speakers:

The Honorable Peter Rogoff, administrator, Federal Transit Administration 

The Honorable Joseph C. Szabo, administrator, Federal Railroad Administration 

General Session: View from the Hill

Hear directly from key congressional staff on how the U.S. Senators and Representatives they work for are addressing issues facing public transportation. 

Homer Carlisle, majority professional staff member, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate

Alex Keenan, majority clerk, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate

Jim Tymon, majority staff director, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives

Helena Zyblikewycz, minority professional staff member, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives

Lunch & Entertainment

(tickets required)

Be entertained at a luncheon featuring the satirical musings of The Capitol Steps, the famous musical troupe that puts the “mock” in democracy.

Session sponsored by Veolia

1:45 – 3:15 p.m.

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

SESSION A
Funding the Future of Transportation

Join representatives of key stakeholders for an in-depth panel discussion of future funding strategies for the Federal transportation program. Panelists will highlight the pros, cons and political dynamics associated with various transportation funding proposals.  Plan to attend this session to hear directly from influential industry leaders. There will be a Q&A session; so be prepared to probe the panel with your thoughts and questions.

Deron Lovaas, director, Federal Transportation Policy, Energy & Transportation Program, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Colin Peppard, transportation legislative assistant, Office of Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)

Steve Sandherr, chief executive officer, The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)

Bud Wright, executive director, The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

SESSION B
Rail Policy and Legislation in the 113th Congress

Learn about upcoming events impacting rail policy in the 113th Congress.  Join House and Senate staff from key Congressional committees for an informative discussion on what’s next for passenger rail, including the Passenger Rail Infrastructure and Investment Act (PRIIA) and the Rail Safety Improvement Act (RSIA). 

Mike Friedberg, majority staff director, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC

Jennifer Homendy, minority staff director, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC

Ian Jefferies, majority professional staff member, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 

Dan Neumann, minority professional staff member, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

General Session: What's Ahead for Transit-Update from USDOT Secretary

Session participants will hear a special keynote address from U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Thereafter, Secretary LaHood will take questions from the audience.

       4:45 – 6 p.m.

Registration

Morning General Session: Get Started With Members of Congress Breakfast

Start the most important day of the conference with a full breakfast and hear directly from Members of Congress on issues affecting public transportation.

Featured speakers:  

The Honorable Bill Shuster (R-PA), chairman
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

The Honorable Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), ranking member
House Committee on the Budget

The Honorable Tom Petri (R-WI), chairman
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Capitol Hill Visits

Reserve this time and make appointments to visit your Senators and Representatives to brief them about your system or business and advocate for continued growth in the federal investment in public transportation and high speed rail.

Closing Reception

Meet and greet lawmakers and their staffs as we close the conference with a Capitol Hill reception that provides one more chance to talk transit in a relaxed setting. The reception will be held in the cafeteria of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Registration

Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Breakfast

Join the Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) observe Women's History Month by honoring pioneering women who are advancing America's transportation industry.  This awards ceremony breakfast will recognize select women whose efforts have advanced our transportation industry, which also helps COMTO realize its mission.

FTA Workshop on Capital Investment Program – New and Small Starts Final Rule
and the Transit Asset Management Requirements of MAP-21

(Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.)

During the first half  of workshop, The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will provide an overview of the Final Rule on New and Small Starts and accompanying proposed policy guidance published January 9th in the Federal Register and effective April 9, 2013.  The regulation and proposed guidance discuss the new project evaluation and rating process following changes made by MAP-21.

The second half of workshop will focus on the transit asset management provisions of MAP-21.  Under MAP-21, FTA is required to establish a national Transit Asset Management (TAM) system which will include objective standards for measuring the condition of transit capital assets, including facilities, equipment, rolling stock, and infrastructure.   This spring, FTA will publish an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will seek comments on a number of issues and other ideas related to developing the National Transit Asset Management system.   This session will provide an overview of the TAM provisions and discuss different elements of the rulemaking.

Please register in advance at the APTA registration desk. 
If you are not registered for the conference, a separate $75 registration fee applies.

Capitol Hill Visits (Continued)

Reserve this time and make appointments to visit your Senators and Representatives to brief them about your system or business and advocate for continued growth in the federal investment in public transportation.