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

Sec. 1118. CMAQ program

(a) In general. Section 149 of title 23, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (10)(B) by striking or at the end;

(B) in paragraph (11)(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(12) if the project deploys advanced transportation and congestion management technologies that reduce traffic congestion or improve air quality; or

(13) if the project supports digital infrastructure and reduces traffic congestion or improves traffic flow.

(2) in subsection (c) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(5) Reduction in minimum spending. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a State—

(A) may obligate funds apportioned under section 104(b)(4) at any location in the State for projects described in section 151(f)(6) or section 151(f)(8)(D) at any location in the State;

(B) shall consider for such projects the considerations described in section 151(f)(4)(A)(iii); and

(C) shall obligate not less than the following amounts of such funds for such projects:

(i) 10 percent of funds in fiscal year 2027.

(ii) 9 percent of funds in fiscal year 2028.

(iii) 8 percent of funds in fiscal year 2029.

(iv) 7 percent of funds in fiscal year 2030.

(3) in subsection (i)(2)—

(A) in subparagraph (C) by inserting , including by considering the cost-effectiveness of a project as it relates to improving air quality and incorporating any recommendations made by the Secretary after subsection (l); and

(B) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(D) Updates. The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall update the table described in subparagraph (A) not less frequently than once every 2 years.

; and

(4) in subsection (k)(1) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:

Text this section adds to the law

(B) to the extent practicable, prioritize benefits to populations living in, or immediately adjacent to, such area.

(b) Notification. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall provide written notification to State transportation departments and relevant metropolitan planning organizations regarding—

(1) information about the cost-effectiveness of projects obtained through the evaluation conducted pursuant to section 149(i)(2) of title 23, United States Code; and

(2) the requirement under subparagraph (C) of such section that States and metropolitan planning organizations shall consider such information when selecting projects.

(c) Repeals. Sections 11402 and 11406 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 149 note), and the items relating to such section in the table of contents under section 1(b) of such Act, are repealed.

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

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