H.R. 8870
BUILD America 250 Act
Sponsor: Sam Graves
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America's 250th Act or the BUILD America 250 Act
This bill authorizes federal surface transportation (highway, public transportation, and rail) programs and activities through FY2031. The bill also establishes or modifies Department of Transportation (DOT) programs and policies that are a part of the federal-aid highway, transit, highway safety, motor carrier, research, hazardous materials, and rail programs.
For example, the bill authorizes appropriations through FY2031 out of the Highway Trust Fund for the federal-aid highway program, the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, highway safety programs, and bridge programs. The bill also authorizes funding through FY2031 for Amtrak. Current authorization for these programs expires on September 30, 2026.
Among other provisions, the bill
- establishes a Surface Transportation Accelerator Grant (STAG) discretionary program to fund surface transportation projects in rural, urban, local, and regional communities;
- requires the Federal Highway Administration to impose a new annual electric vehicle (EV) registration fee, starting at $130 for a covered EV and $35 for a covered plug-in hybrid vehicle;
- exempts automated driving system technology and equipment from vehicle width requirements;
- establishes a consolidated state block grant program that allows DOT to allocate a lump sum to participating states to fund public transportation services in rural and urbanized areas;
- allows state rail safety inspectors to conduct railroad bridge inspections; and
- establishes a system for state, local, and tribal governments to report safety concerns about the condition of railroad bridges.
Text of the bill
I Federal-Aid Highways
A Authorizations and Programs
B Improved Project Delivery and Environmental Streamlining
C Miscellaneous
II Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
III Public Transportation
A Reforms
Section 5338 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
5338. Authorizations.
(a) Grants
(1) In general. There shall be available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund to carry out sections 5305, 5307, 5310, 5311, 5312, 5314, 5318, 5324, 5334, 5335, 5337, 5339, and 5340—
(A) $16,868,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(B) $17,205,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(C) $17,527,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(D) $17,835,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(E) $18,157,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(2) Allocation of funds. Of the amounts made available to the Secretary under paragraph (1), the following allocations apply:
(A) Planning programs. To carry out section 5305—
(i) $222,930,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which $15,000,000 is to carry out section 5305(i);
(ii) $225,820,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which $15,200,000 is to carry out section 5305(i);
(iii) $228,760,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which $15,400,000 is to carry out section 5305(i);
(iv) $231,730,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which $15,600,000 is to carry out section 5305(i); and
(v) $234,750,000 for fiscal year 2031, of which $15,800,000 is to carry out section 5305(i).
(B) Urbanized area grants. To carry out, in accordance with the formulas set for forth in section 5336, section 5307—
(i) $7,745,474,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $7,869,922,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $7,996,361,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $8,124,823,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $8,255,340,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(C) Grants for enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities. To carry out section 5310—
(i) $447,300,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which $10,000,000 is to carry out section 5310(j);
(ii) $453,100,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which $10,100,000 is to carry out section 5310(j);
(iii) $459,000,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which $10,200,000 is to carry out section 5310(j);
(iv) $465,000,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which $10,300,000 is to carry out section 5310(j); and
(v) $471,000,000 for fiscal year 2031, of which $10,400,000 is to carry out section 5310(j).
(D) Rural area grants. To carry out section 5311—
(i) $1,007,622,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $1,023,742,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $1,040,122,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $1,056,764,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $1,073,672,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(E) Public transportation innovation. To carry out section 5312—
(i) $45,240,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which—
(I) $5,000,000 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,371,000 to carry out section 5312(i);
(ii) $45,960,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which—
(I) $4,000,000 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,489,000 to carry out section 5312(i);
(iii) $46,700,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which—
(I) $3,000,000 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,609,000 to carry out section 5312(i);
(iv) $47,440,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which—
(I) $2,000,000 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,731,000 to carry out section 5312(i); and
(v) $48,200,000 for fiscal year 2031, of which—
(I) $0 to carry out section 5312(h); and
(II) $7,854,000 to carry out section 5312(i).
(F) Technical assistance and workforce development. To carry out section 5314—
(i) $20,499,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $20,806,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $21,118,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $21,434,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $21,756,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(G) Bus testing facility. To carry out section 5318—
(i) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $7,105,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $7,212,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $7,320,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $7,430,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(H) Emergency relief program. To carry out section 5324—
(i) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(I) Administrative expenses. To carry out section 5334—
(i) $132,700,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $135,400,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $138,100,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $140,800,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $143,600,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(J) National transit database. To carry out section 5335—
(i) $6,235,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $6,335,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $6,436,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $6,539,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $6,644,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(K) State of good repair grants. To carry out section 5337—
(i) $4,640,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $4,645,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $4,650,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $4,655,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $4,660,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(L) Grants for buses, bus facilities, and ferries. To carry out section 5339 (except subsection (d))—
(i) $1,695,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(ii) $1,863,710,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(iii) $2,014,891,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(iv) $2,149,550,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(v) $2,295,508,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(M) Growing States and high density States. To carry out section 5340—
(i) $873,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which—
(I) $445,230,000 to carry out section 5340(b); and
(II) $427,770,000 to carry out section 5340(c);
(ii) $883,100,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which—
(I) $450,381,000 to carry out section 5340(b); and
(II) $432,719,000 to carry out section 5340(c);
(iii) $893,300,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which—
(I) $455,583,000 to carry out section 5340(b); and
(II) $437,717,000 to carry out section 5340(c);
(iv) $903,600,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which—
(I) $460,836,000 to carry out section 5340(b); and
(II) $442,764,000 to carry out section 5340(c); and
(v) $914,100,000 for fiscal year 2031, of which—
(I) $466,191,000 to carry out section 5340(b); and
(II) $447,909,000 to carry out section 5340(c).
(b) Capital investment grants. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out section 5309 of this title—
(1) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(2) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(3) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
(4) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
(5) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
(c) Oversight
(1) In general. Of the amounts made available under subsection (a)(1) to carry out a financial assistance program or a grant program referenced in subsection (a)(2) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 0.7 percent of such amounts in such fiscal year to conduct oversight activities for each respective program, section 5308, and section 5329, including the activities described in paragraph (3).
(2) Additional oversight
(A) CIG program. Of the amount made available under subsection (b) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 1 percent of such amount in such fiscal year to conduct oversight activities for the fixed guideway capital investment grants program, including activities described in paragraph (3).
(B) Other. Of the amounts made available under section 601(f) of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–432; 122 Stat. 4970), the Secretary may use not more than 1 percent in a given fiscal year to conduct oversight activities, including the activities described in paragraph (3).
(3) Activities. The activities described in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) Activities to oversee the construction of a major capital project.
(B) Activities to review and audit the safety and security, procurement, management, and financial compliance of a recipient or subrecipient of funds under this chapter.
(C) Activities to provide technical assistance generally, and to provide technical assistance to correct deficiencies identified in compliance reviews and audits carried out under this section.
(D) Activities to carry out section 5334.
(4) Government share of costs. The Government shall pay the entire cost of carrying out a contract under this subsection.
(5) Availability of certain funds. Funds made available under paragraph (2) to conduct oversight activities related to the fixed guideway capital investment grants program shall be made available to the Secretary before allocating the funds appropriated to carry out any project under a full funding grant agreement.
(d) Grants as contractual obligations
(1) Grants financed from highway trust fund. A grant or contract that is approved by the Secretary and financed with amounts made available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund pursuant to this section is a contractual obligation of the Government to pay the Government share of the cost of the project.
(2) Grants financed from general fund. A grant or contract that is approved by the Secretary and financed with amounts appropriated in advance from the General Fund of the Treasury pursuant to this section is a contractual obligation of the Government to pay the Government share of the cost of the project only to the extent that amounts are appropriated for such purpose by an Act of Congress.
(e) Availability of amounts. Amounts made available by or appropriated under this section shall remain available until expended.
B Miscellaneous
C Reorganization and Consolidation of Chapter 53
IV Highway Safety
V Motor Carriers
A General Provisions
B Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators
C Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety
D Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Reform
E Safe Integration of Autonomous Commercial Motor Vehicles
VI Innovation
VII Freight and Multimodal Transportation Programs
A Freight Policy
B Multimodal Policy and Programs
VIII Miscellaneous
IX Sport Fishing and Recreational Boating Safety
X Railroads and Hazardous Materials
A Authorization of Appropriations and Grant Reforms
B Amtrak Reforms
C Passenger Rail Policy
D Rail Safety and Innovation
E Project Delivery
F Hazardous Materials Transportation