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HR 351

HISTORIC COMMEMORATION: Commends the Sons of the American Revolution's 250th Liberty Tree Celebration and encourages parishes in Louisiana to plant a Liberty Tree in a historically important location or in the name of a distinguished figure in American history

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Bayham

Would prohibit the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from establishing or maintaining federal value pricing, congestion pricing, or cordon pricing programs.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 351

Summary — H.R. 351 (House Resolution) — Overview and Key Points

Note: The source document provided contains multiple, conflicting texts that appear to have been combined accidentally: (A) a short commemorative resolution (title) related to the Sons of the American Revolution and planting “Liberty Trees” in Louisiana parishes; (B) a proposed amendment to a provision of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (a federal transportation statute) that would bar certain “value pricing” programs; and (C) one or more Illinois state House resolutions recognizing private citizens. Because these texts are inconsistent and originate from different legislative contexts (federal vs. Illinois state), the summary below separates and summarizes each distinct component and then notes procedural status and recommended next steps.

1) Primary title text — Commemorative Resolution (Liberty Tree)

  • Purpose and intent: To commend the Sons of the American Revolution’s 250th “Liberty Tree Celebration” and to encourage parishes in Louisiana to plant a Liberty Tree in a historically significant location or in the name of a distinguished figure in American history.
  • Key provisions: Non‑binding, ceremonial encouragement for local governments (parishes) to plant commemorative trees and to mark historic sites or honor individuals.
  • Who is affected: Primarily symbolic — Louisiana parishes, local historical societies, the Sons of the American Revolution, and communities participating in local commemoration activities.
  • Impact: No regulatory or fiscal effect; intended to promote local historic commemoration and public awareness.

2) Text excerpt amending 23 U.S.C. 149 note (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991)

  • Language added (verbatim): “Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary may not establish or maintain a value pricing program under this section that includes value pricing, congestion pricing, or cordon pricing.”
  • Purpose and intent: Would prohibit the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from establishing or maintaining federal “value pricing” programs that include value pricing, congestion pricing, or cordon pricing under the cited statutory note.
  • Key provisions and changes:
    • Creates an explicit statutory bar on federal support/operation of pricing tools typically used to manage congestion (toll or charge schemes based on time, demand, or geography).
    • Could block federal value/pricing pilot programs or transportation initiatives tied to that section if adopted as written.
  • Who is affected: U.S. Department of Transportation, state and local transportation agencies that rely on federal programs or pilot authorities for congestion pricing, commuters and businesses in areas considering pricing-based congestion management.
  • Potential impact: Would limit federal policy tools for congestion management and could constrain local efforts that depend on federal authorization/assistance; possible implications for funding eligibility and pilot programs.

3) Illinois state House resolution texts (distinct, state-level recognitions)

  • Two separate resolutions appear in the text:
    • Congratulating Carl Thacker on retirement after 50 years in the Bloomington‑Normal music industry; directing an official copy to be presented to him.
    • Recognizing Nancy Taiye Aragbaye for 15+ years of leadership and entrepreneurship; noting roles such as founder of Strategic Solutions Global and USA National Head for Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs; directing distribution of an appropriate copy.
  • Purpose: Honorific/state-level recognitions with no policy or fiscal effect.
  • Who is affected: The named individuals and their communities.

Procedural / Timeline Notes

  • Introduced: January 13, 2025.
  • Committee referrals listed (federal): Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (consistent with the transportation amendment text).
  • Other entries in the record show progressed actions (Read, Adopted, Enrolled, presented to Secretary of State) — these reflect a mixture of procedural steps and appear to mix federal and state procedural language; the entry “Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State” typically applies to state resolutions rather than federal House actions.
  • Sponsors listed (mix of federal and state names): Nicole Malliotakis, Josh Gottheimer, Jefferson Van Drew (federal Representatives) appear alongside state-level primary sponsors (e.g., Segun Adeyina, Phil Olaleye, Arlene Beckles, Dewey McClain, Gabe Okoye, Mike Bayham). This further indicates conflation of distinct legislative items.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The source document conflates at least three distinct items: a federal commemorative resolution (Liberty Tree), a federal statutory amendment prohibiting congestion/value pricing, and Illinois state House honorific resolutions. These are not consistent with one another and likely represent an erroneous aggregation.
  • If you need an authoritative summary of a single, specific measure:
    • For the federal bill/resolution, consult Congress.gov (search H.R. 351, 2025) for the official text and congressional actions.
    • For the transportation amendment, review the text of 23 U.S.C. 149 note and committee reports associated with Transportation and Infrastructure referrals.
    • For the Illinois recognitions, consult the Illinois General Assembly records (House Resolutions by number and date).
  • I can produce a focused, expanded summary of any one of these components (the Liberty Tree commemorative resolution, the transportation pricing prohibition amendment, or the Illinois resolutions) if you specify which one you want analyzed in depth.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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