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. 10212. GAO study on Amtrak customer experience

(a) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall evaluate the customer experience provided by Amtrak across its national passenger rail network.

(b) Scope of review. In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall assess policies, practices, and performance related to customer experience, including—

(1) ticketing and fare transparency, including clarity of pricing and refund policies;

(2) on-board services, such as food and beverage service, restrooms, internet connectivity, and cleanliness;

(3) service reliability and timeliness of operations;

(4) passenger communication, particularly in the event of delays, cancellations, or service disruptions;

(5) station infrastructure, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.);

(6) complaint resolution procedures and responsiveness to customer feedback;

(7) differences in customer experience between long-distance routes, State-supported corridors, and the Northeast Corridor; and

(8) any other factors the Comptroller General considers appropriate to assess the quality and consistency of the customer service of Amtrak.

(c) Consultation. In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General may consult with relevant stakeholders, including—

(1) State departments of transportation that fund Amtrak services;

(2) transportation advocacy organizations, including those representing intercity passenger rail passengers on Northeast Corridor, State-supported, and long distance routes;

(3) national disability rights and accessibility organizations;

(4) representatives of Amtrak passengers and workforce; and

(5) members of the Northeast Corridor Commission.

(d) Report. Not later than 1 year after the date on which the study conducted under subsection (a) is initiated, 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 findings of the study and any conclusions and recommendations based on such findings.

C Passenger Rail Policy

D Rail Safety and Innovation

E Project Delivery

F Hazardous Materials Transportation