Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026

(a) In general. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation (in this section referred to as the Secretary), acting through the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a strategy to encourage the standardization and utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement on roadways nationwide and ensure asphalt mixture quality does not decrease as a result of such utilization.

(b) Contents. The strategy under subsection (a) shall include information relating to the following:

(1) A review and inventory of the activities of the Secretary with respect to reclaimed asphalt pavement.

(2) An analysis of cost savings related to increasing the allowable use of reclaimed asphalt pavement on roadways nationwide.

(3) A description of any such activities related to supporting the development of technical standards, best practices, methodologies, and frameworks for testing and use of reclaimed asphalt pavement.

(4) Recommendations to promote through programs of the Department of Transportation the utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement.

(c) Consultation. In submitting the strategy under subsection (a), the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, shall carry out the following:

(1) Seek to consult with representatives from the following:

(A) Institutions of higher education.

(B) State departments of transportation.

(C) Units of local government.

(D) Metropolitan planning organizations.

(E) Regional transportation planning organizations.

(F) Nonprofit research organizations.

(G) Private sector entities that produce asphalt materials.

(2) Consult with the following:

(A) The heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies.

(B) Any other relevant entity as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(d) Definitions. In this section:

(1) Institution of higher education. The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

(2) Metropolitan planning organization. The term metropolitan planning organization has the meaning given such term in section 5303 of title 49, United States Code.

(3) Nonprofit research organization. The term nonprofit research organization has the meaning given the term nonprofit institution in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703).

(4) Reclaimed asphalt pavement. The term reclaimed asphalt pavement means material that is removed in the resurfacing, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of asphalt pavement and processed for utilization in the production of new asphalt pavement.

(5) Regional transportation planning organization. The term regional transportation planning organization means an organization designated under subsection (l) of section 5304 of title 49, United States Code.