H.R. 8870

BUILD America 250 Act

Sponsor: Sam Graves

5 cosponsors
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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

Expand all

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

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

Sec. 6011. Study on adoption and deployment of new and emerging technologies

(a) Study

(1) In general. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies to conduct a study to review the strategy of the Department to encourage the adoption of new and emerging technologies, including digital project delivery tools and intelligent transportation systems.

(2) Scope. In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Transportation Research Board shall—

(A) quantify cost savings and safety benefits related to adoption of new and emerging technologies;

(B) identify potential cost increases or safety risks related to the adoption of new and emerging technologies;

(C) evaluate the positive and negative impacts the adoption of new and emerging technologies has on the transportation workforce; and

(D) provide recommendations relevant to the findings of the study.

(b) Consultation. In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Transportation Research Board shall consult with—

(1) the modal administrations of the Department;

(2) State departments of transportation;

(3) a representative from a transportation safety advocacy organization;

(4) a representative from a labor organization representing transportation workers; and

(5) any other entities the Transportation Research Board determines to be relevant.

(c) Report. If the Transportation Research Board enters into an agreement under subsection (a), not later than 18 months after the date on which the study under subsection (a) is completed, the Transportation Research Board shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

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