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
VII Freight and Multimodal Transportation Programs
A Freight Policy
(a) In general. Section 70101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(A) by striking the contribution of the National Multimodal Freight Network to;
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
(c) Consideration. In awarding competitive grants under section 6701 of this title and section 117 of title 23, the Secretary shall consider, to the maximum extent practicable—
(1) how a project would address or eliminate bottlenecks identified on the National Multimodal Freight Network; and
(2) how a project would improve the movement of freight on the National Multimodal Freight Network.
(b) Assessment of national multimodal freight policy
(1) In general. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall conduct a comprehensive review of the national multimodal freight policy under section 70101 of title 49, United States Code, and report to Congress.
(2) Contents. In carrying out the review under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall assess—
(A) the implementation of the national multimodal freight policy under section 70101 of title 49, United States Code;
(B) the extent to which the national strategic freight plan is utilized by State transportation departments and relevant stakeholders;
(C) requirements under subsections (b) and (c) of section 70103 of title 49, United States Code, relating to the designation and redesignation of the National Multimodal Freight Network and the process for considering input from State transportation departments provided under subsection (b)(4) of such section;
(D) efforts made under this Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law Public Law 117–58), and the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (Public Law 114–94) to improve the movement of freight; and
(E) the effectiveness of national multimodal freight policy in addressing freight mobility issues, including bottlenecks on the National Multimodal Freight Network and on other freight systems in the United States, including such bottlenecks at highway interchanges.
(3) Recommendations. The report required under paragraph (1) shall include recommendations based on the assessment of the Comptroller General under paragraph (2), which may include recommendations to—
(A) strengthen the national multimodal freight policy; and
(B) address freight mobility issues through the national multimodal freight policy, including mitigating bottlenecks on the National Multimodal Freight Network and on other highway systems across the United States.
(4) Report. The Comptroller General 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 containing the assessment and recommendations required under this subsection.
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