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HR 1756 101th Congress House Transportation and Public Works Federal aid highway program Intergovernmental fiscal relations Roads and highways Speed limits State laws Traffic accidents and safety

To reduce the maximum speed limit on certain rural roads to 55 miles per hour, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 10, 1989 Introduced by: Pallone, Frank Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 24, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.
Apr 10, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Public Works + Transportation.
Apr 10, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Provides for the withholding of Federal highway funds to States which fail to reinstate the 55 mile per hour speed limit on highways located outside of urbanized areas of a population of 50,000 or more. (Current law allows higher speed limits for such highways.)

Increases the percentage of Federal funds withheld from States which the Secretary determines (on the basis of a formula provided in regulations promulgated by the Secretary) are failing to enforce the maximum speed limit. Sets forth criteria to be considered in deriving such formula, such as assigning greater weight to violations of the maximum speed limit in proportion to the amount by which the vehicle exceeds such limit.

Directs that such withheld funds be used to finance highway safety programs. Authorizes the release of any such withheld funds which have not been expended for a highway safety program to be used for their original purpose as soon as the Secretary determines that the State is enforcing the maximum speed limit.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe and publish regulations for improved enforcement of the maximum speed limit and improved reporting and certification requirements.

What's happening now April 24, 1989

Referred to the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1756: To reduce the maximum speed limit on certain rural roads to 55 miles per hour, and for other purposes.. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1756/
MLA
"H.R. 1756: To reduce the maximum speed limit on certain rural roads to 55 miles per hour, and for other purposes.." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1756/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1756, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1756/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1756: To reduce the maximum speed limit on certain rural roads to 55 miles per hour, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1756/)
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