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
B Miscellaneous
(a) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall initiate a study to assess the efficacy of data collection and analysis requirements under the capital investment grants program pursuant to subparagraphs (E) and (F) of section 5309(k)(2) of title 49, United States Code, and make recommendations to reduce the reporting burden on project sponsors.
(b) Considerations. In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall assess the following matters related to the requirements under subparagraphs (E) and (F) of section 5309(k)(2) of such title:
(1) The typical cost of preparing an information collection and analysis plan, as required under section 5309(k)(2)(E) of such title.
(2) The extent to which preparing the plan described in paragraph (1) or the collection of data contributes to project delays.
(3) The extent to which project sponsors apply insights gained from the plan described in paragraph (1) to public transportation related activities other than activities carried out under the capital investment grants program.
(4) The extent to which the Federal Transit Administration utilizes data collected and submitted by a project sponsor in the plan referenced in paragraph (1) for purposes of—
(A) determining eligibility for a full funding grant agreement under the capital investment grants program; and
(B) assessing public transportation related activities other than activities carried out under the capital investment grants program.
(5) Any relevant policy guidance or circulars issued by the Federal Transit Administration.
(c) Recommendations. In making the recommendations required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consider the following:
(1) Opportunities to reduce data collection and reporting requirements pursuant to subparagraphs (E) and (F) of section 5309(k)(2) of such title for project sponsors with a significant amount of local financial commitment.
(2) Criteria other than the amount of local financial commitment secured by a project sponsor that the Federal Transit Administration may use to apply reduced data collection and reporting requirements on project sponsors.
(3) The existence of any redundancies between the data collection and reporting requirements referenced in paragraph (1) and other Federal Transit Administration programs or data-related reporting requirements imposed on recipients of assistance under chapter 53 of such title.
(d) Consultation. In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult with—
(1) industry associations representing public transportation providers;
(2) transit agencies that completed a capital investment grants project in the last 10 years and fulfilled the requirements of subparagraphs (E) and (F) of section 5309(k)(2) of such title; and
(3) engineering or design firms that participated in delivering projects described in paragraph (2).
(e) Report to Congress. Not later than 1 year after the date of initiation of the study described under section (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study and recommendations under subsection (a).
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