Continuing Appropriations and Surface Transportation Extensions Act, 2011

Continuing Appropriations and Surface Transportation Extensions Act, 2011 - Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011 - Title I: Continuing Appropriations Amendments - (Sec. 1) Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L. 111-242) to extend through March 4, 2011, specified continuing appropriations for FY2011.

Declares that no statutory pay adjustment which would otherwise take effect between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012, shall be made. (Thus freezes the pay of certain federal civilian employees for two calendar years.)

Prohibits, during such period, a senior executive or senior-level employee from receiving an increase in the rate of basic pay absent a change of position that results in a substantial increase in responsibility or a promotion.

Applies the Non-Foreign Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009, using the appropriate locality-based comparability payments established by the President as the applicable comparability payments in such Act.

Provides additional funds for the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Continues in effect through the earlier of March 4, 2011, or the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, specified authorities under: (1) the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (NDAA for FY2010); (2) the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, as amended by the NDAA for FY2010; (3) the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998, as amended by the NDAA for FY2010; (4) the NDAA for FY2010; (5) the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2008; and (6) the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2007.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy, subject to the availability of appropriations, to award a contract or contracts for up to 20 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).

Extends through: (1) December 31, 2011, the authority for certain individuals to elect continued health benefits coverage for up to 18 months after an involuntary separation, or voluntary separation due to a reduction in force; and (2) February 12, 2012, the same authority, if specific notice of separation was given to an individual before December 31, 2011.

Provides additional funding for the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

Amends the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to extend until March 4, 2011, the suspension of fees under the Small Business Act 7(a) program (Small Business Administration [SBA]-guaranteed loans to small businesses) and the 504 program (financing to small businesses backed by SBA-guaranteed debentures). Extends through such date SBA authority to guarantee up to 90% of qualifying small business loans made by eligible lenders. Terminates the SBA loan guarantee program on March 4, 2010. Extends appropriations for the program through such date. Limits to up to $4.5 million the maximum guaranteed amount outstanding to the borrower.

Deems the appropriation to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a regular appropriation for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Amends the Universal Service Antideficiency Temporary Suspension Act to extend through December 31, 2011, the prohibition on applying certain requirements relating to limitations on expending, obligating, or apportioning appropriations to the collection or receipt of federal universal (telecommunications) service contributions or their expenditure or obligation for universal service support programs.

Makes amounts available in this Act for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) available for transfer between and within TSA appropriations to avoid furloughs or reductions in force (RIFs), or to provide funding necessary for programs and activities required by law.

Transfers, subject to specified conditions, certain funds between Coast Guard appropriations.

Nullifies the authorization for obligation of certain Science and Technology, Research, Development, Acquisition, and Operations appropriations in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 for the National Bio - and Agro-defense Facilities.

Provides additional funds for FY2010 for the Department of the Interior–Minerals Management Service–Royalty and Offshore Minerals Management in the manner authorized in the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. Reduces specified amounts for FY2011.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in order to implement a reorganization of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, to take necessary administrative actions in conformance with certain reprogramming procedures.

Declares that certain disposition requirements of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 for geothermal energy receipts shall have no force or effect; but that related requirements of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 shall apply for FY2011, namely that: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury use 50% and 25% of such receipts to make payments to states and counties within which the leased land and geothermal resources are located; and (2) the remaining 25% shall be deposited in miscellaneous receipts.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to obligate through March 4, 2011, the same amount of funds made available by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 for payments under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 as was obligated during FY2010.

Defines as a "highly qualified teacher" any teacher who meets the requirements of specified federal regulations.

Provides additional funding for the Department of Education, Student Financial Assistance to carry out the Pell Grant Program under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Specifies $4,860 as the maximum Pell Grant for which a student may be eligible during award year 2011-2012.

Ratifies the use of any funds appropriated to the U.S. Capitol Police during FY2003 for transfer to the Working Capital Fund relating to the truck Interdiction Monitoring Program.

Provides additional funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Departmental Administration, General Operating Expenses at a specified rate for operations, with certain amounts earmarked for the Veterans Benefits Administration.

Title II: Extension of Current Surface Transportation Programs - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010, Part II - (Sec. 2001) Directs the Secretary of Transportation to reduce the amount apportioned for a surface transportation program, project, or activity for FY2011 by amounts apportioned or allocated under the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 for the period October 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010.

Subtitle A: Federal-Aid Highways - (Sec. 2101) Amends the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2010 to extend through March 4, 2011, the authorization of appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) (other than the Mass Transit Account) for the period of October 1, 2010 - March 4, 2011, for the federal-aid highway, surface transportation research, and transportation planning programs under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Limits obligational authority for the programs to 155/365 of the total authorized for them for FY2009.

Continues in effect through March 4, 2011, the requirements, authorities, conditions, eligibilities, limitations, and other provisions authorized by specified federal transportation law.

Extends the allocation of certain transportation program funds to states for specified programs (except the high priority projects program) under the Equity bonus program.

Extends through March 4, 2011, the authorization of appropriations, at increased amounts, for federal-aid highway program administrative expenses.

Subtitle B: Extension of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and Additional Programs - (Sec. 2201) Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to extend through March 4, 2011, the authorization of appropriations for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety programs, including: (1) highway safety research and development; (2) the occupant protection incentive grant program; (3) the safety belt performance grant program; (4) state traffic safety information system improvements; (5) the alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures incentive grant program; (6) the National Driver Register; (7) the high visibility enforcement program; (8) motorcyclist safety; (9) the child safety and child booster seat safety incentive grant program; and (10) NHTSA administrative expenses.

(Sec. 2202) Extends through March 4, 2011, the authorization of appropriations for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) programs, including: (1) motor carrier safety grants; (2) FMCSA administrative expenses; (3) commercial driver's license program improvement grants; (4) border enforcement grants; (5) performance and registration information system management grants; (6) commercial vehicle information systems and networks deployment grants; (7) safety data improvement grants; (8) a set-aside for high priority activities that improve commercial motor vehicle safety and compliance with commercial motor vehicle safety regulations; (9) a set-aside for new entrant motor carrier audit grants; (10) commercial driver's license information system modernization; (11) FMCSA and NHTSA outreach and education; (12) the commercial motor vehicle operators grant program; (13) the FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee; and (14) the working group for development of practices and procedures to enhance federal-state relations.

(Sec. 2203) Extends through March 4, 2011, the funding for hazardous materials (hazmat) research projects.

Amends the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to extend through March 4, 2011, the authorization of appropriations, and the current requirements for their distribution, for fish restoration and management projects.

Extends the set-aside for administrative expenses for carrying out such projects.

Extends for one year the surface transportation project delivery pilot program.

Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary in this title) to use future strategic highway research program funds to implement research products related to the program, including development, demonstration, evaluation, and technology transfer activities.

Subtitle C: Public Transportation Programs - (Sec. 2301) Extends through March 4, 2011, the allocation of capital investment grant funds for federal transit programs, including the metropolitan planning program and the state planning and research program.

(Sec. 2302) Extends the special rule authority of the Secretary to award urbanized area formula grants to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation in an urbanized area with a population of at least 200,000.

(Sec. 2303) Allocates through March 4, 2011, certain amounts for formula and bus grants and capital investment grants for: (1) certain new fixed guideway capital projects of under $75 million; (2) new fixed guideway ferry systems and extension projects in Alaska and Hawaii; (3) payments to the Denali Commission for docks, waterfront development projects, and related transportation infrastructure; (4) ferry boats or ferry terminal facilities; (5) a set-aside for the national fuel cell bus technology development program; (6) projects in nonurbanized areas; (7) intermodal terminal projects; and (8) bus testing.

(Sec. 2304) Extends through March 4, 2011, the apportionments of: (1) nonurbanized area formula grants for public transportation on Indian reservations; and (2) capital investment grant funds for certain fixed guideway modernization projects.

(Sec. 2306) Extends through March 4, 2011, the authorization appropriations from the HTF Mass Transit Account for: (1) formula and bus grant projects, including allocations for specified projects; (2) capital investment grants; (3) transit research, including allocations for transit cooperative research programs, the National Transit Institute, the university centers program, transportation projects to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the National Technical Assistance Center for senior transportation, and national research programs; and (4) administration expenses.

(Sec. 2307) Extends through March 4, 2011, certain SAFETEA-LU programs, including: (1) the contracted paratransit pilot program; (2) the public-private partnership pilot program; (3) project authorizations for final design and construction and preliminary engineering of specified fixed guideway projects; and (4) the elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities pilot program.

Increases the obligation ceiling of amounts made available from the HTF Mass Transit Account.

Extends through March 4, 2011, certain allocations for national research and technology programs.

(Sec. 2308) Extends obligation authority of the Highway Category and the Mass Transit Category through March 4, 2011.

Subtitle D: Extension of Expenditure Authority - (Sec. 2401) Extends through March 5, 2011, authorities for expenditures from the: (1) HTF Highway and Mass Transit accounts; and (2) Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov