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
C Reorganization and Consolidation of Chapter 53
IV Highway Safety
(a) Study. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a study on the safety of micromobility transportation devices and technology, with a focus on children and young adults.
(b) Considerations. In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the following:
(1) Relevant crash data, including the micromobility transportation device and technology type and speed involved in a crash, the type of infrastructure on which a crash occurred, and, if vehicles were involved in such crashes, the speed of such vehicles.
(2) State laws that may govern operator age, helmet use, insurance, or registration requirements.
(3) How different micromobility transportation devices and technologies impact safety, including—
(A) motor power of the technology or device; and
(B) maximum speed of the technology or device on a paved level surface when powered solely by a motor.
(4) Consumer education efforts on how nonmotorized road users may safely navigate streets.
(c) Report. The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that details the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).
(d) Micromobility transportation device and technology defined. In this section, the term micromobility transportation device and technology means a small, low-speed, personal transportation device, including a device defined under section 217(j)(2)(A) of title 23, United States Code, that is—
(1) electric or human-powered;
(2) primarily used for a short-distance trip or urban travel; and
(3) has a maximum speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on a paved level surface when powered solely by a motor.
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