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
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
(a) Consolidated rail infrastructure and safety improvements grants
(1) In general. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for grants under section 22907 of title 49, United States Code, the following amounts:
(A) For fiscal year 2027, $1,720,500,000.
(B) For fiscal year 2028, $1,770,500,000.
(C) For fiscal year 2029, $1,820,500,000.
(D) For fiscal year 2030, $1,870,600,000.
(E) For fiscal year 2031, $1,920,600,000.
(2) Rail technology and asset pilot program. Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), up to $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 shall be available to the Secretary to carry out the rail technology and asset pilot program described in section 10408.
(3) Oversight. The Secretary may withhold up to 2 percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (1) for the costs of project management oversight of grants authorized under title 49, United States Code.
(b) Railroad crossing safety improvements and elimination program
(1) In general. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for grants under section 22909 of title 49, United States Code, the following amounts:
(A) For fiscal year 2027, $675,000,000.
(B) For fiscal year 2028, $700,000,000.
(C) For fiscal year 2029, $725,000,000.
(D) For fiscal year 2030, $750,000,000.
(E) For fiscal year 2031, $800,000,000.
(2) Highway-rail grade crossing safety information and education program. Of the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) in each fiscal year, 0.25 percent shall be used for contracts or grants to carry out a highway-rail grade crossing safety information and education program—
(A) to help prevent and reduce pedestrian, motor vehicle, and other accidents, incidents, injuries, and fatalities, including suicides; and
(B) to improve awareness for pedestrians and motorists along railroad rights-of-way and at highway-rail grade crossings.
(3) Oversight. The Secretary may withhold up to 2 percent from the amount appropriated for each fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (1) for the costs of project management and oversight of grants authorized under title 49, United States Code.
(c) National intercity passenger railroad partnership program
(1) In general. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for grants under section 24911 of title 49, United States Code, the following amounts:
(A) For fiscal year 2027, $3,500,000,000.
(B) For fiscal year 2028, $3,600,000,000.
(C) For fiscal year 2029, $3,700,000,000.
(D) For fiscal year 2030, $3,800,000,000.
(E) For fiscal year 2031, $3,900,000,000.
(2) Oversight. The Secretary may withhold up to 2 percent of an amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for the costs of project management oversight of grants authorized under title 49, United States Code.
(3) Interstate rail compacts. The Secretary may withhold up to $8,000,000 from the amount appropriated for each fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (1) for grants authorized under section 22910 of title 49, United States Code.
B Amtrak Reforms
C Passenger Rail Policy
D Rail Safety and Innovation
E Project Delivery
F Hazardous Materials Transportation