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
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
(a) 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 determine what changes to transportation infrastructure would most improve the ability of individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs, to safely access and use ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles, by considering the following:
(1) Technological solutions for dynamic curb management.
(2) Sidewalk and roadway designs.
(3) Dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones.
(4) Curb extension.
(5) Infrastructure design.
(6) Any other factors relating to transportation infrastructure the Secretary determines should be examined to better enable individuals with disabilities to safely access and use ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles.
(b) Considerations. The Secretary shall ensure that, in conducting the study under subsection (a), the Transportation Research Board considers—
(1) the degree to which each change to transportation infrastructure considered under such study would improve ADS-equipped vehicle access;
(2) the cost-effectiveness of such changes;
(3) the applicability or replicability of such changes in urban, suburban, rural, and other areas; and
(4) whether existing regulatory or policy requirements pose barriers to the efficient adoption of such changes.
(c) Reports
(1) Report to Secretary. If the Transportation Research Board enters into an agreement under subsection (a), not later than 180 days after the date on which the study under subsection (a) is completed, the Transportation Research Board shall submit to the Secretary a report on the results of such study, including any recommendations determined appropriate by the Transportation Research Board.
(2) Report to Congress. Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Transportation Research Board submits the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to 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 required under subsection (a), including any recommendations for further action determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(d) Definitions. In this section:
(1) ADS-equipped vehicle. The term ADS-equipped vehicle has the meaning given to the term as provided in the April 2021 edition of recommended practice J3016 of SAE International titled Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On Road Motor Vehicles.
(2) Ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles. The term ride-hail ADS-equipped vehicles means an ADS-equipped vehicle that is—
(A) offered for pre-arranged transportation services for compensation, using an internet-enabled application or electronic platform to connect passengers with vehicles; and
(B) dispatched in a driverless operation.
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