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

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

Sec. 10202. Amtrak transparency and accountability for passengers and taxpayers

Section 24301 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(1) by striking section 20102(2) and inserting section 20102; and

(2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(e) Application of certain additional laws

(1) In general. Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3)—

(A) sections 552 and 552b of title 5 apply to the Amtrak Board of Directors for any fiscal year in which Amtrak receives a Federal grant; and

(B) to the extent consistent with this part, the District of Columbia Business Corporation Act (D.C. Code §29–301 et seq.) applies to Amtrak.

(2) Scope of application

(A) Exclusions. The second sentence of section 552b(b) of title 5 shall not apply to any portion of an Amtrak Board of Directors meeting, and subsections (d) and (e) of section 552b of title 5 shall not apply to any information pertaining to any portion of an Amtrak Board of Directors meeting otherwise required by section 552b of title 5 to be disclosed to the public, if such Board of Directors properly determines that such portion, or the disclosure of such information, is likely to involve—

(i) contract negotiations, including negotiations for procurements and agreements that may result in a contract, the disclosure of which would imperil or compromise the competitive position of Amtrak;

(ii) a collective bargaining agreement, or any terms and conditions that are proposed for inclusion in a collective bargaining agreement, including the negotiation with employees, or representatives of employees, of Amtrak of such terms and conditions;

(iii) with respect to any individual who is an officer, employee, or contractor employed or appointed by Amtrak, or who is a prospective officer, employee, or contractor, a matter involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of the performance of, promotion or disciplining of any such individual, unless all such individuals whose rights could be adversely affected in such matter request in writing that the matter be discussed at a public meeting; or

(iv) confidential commercial information.

(B) Application of other exclusions. Section 552b(c) of title 5 shall apply to Amtrak meetings.

(3) Exception. In carrying out this subsection, Amtrak—

(A) may not disclose information that could put the safety of Amtrak customers or employees at risk; and

(B) shall take any actions necessary to—

(i) comply with law;

(ii) honor existing contracts or legally binding agreements; and

(iii) carry out normal business activities consistent with the statutory mission and goals of Amtrak.

C Passenger Rail Policy

D Rail Safety and Innovation

E Project Delivery

F Hazardous Materials Transportation