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
B Amtrak Reforms
C Passenger Rail Policy
(a) In general. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct an examination of intercity passenger rail service and an evaluation of the feasibility of establishing or expanding services.
(b) Considerations. In conducting the evaluation under subsection (a), the Secretary shall work with project sponsors to obtain appropriate data and consider the following factors to ensure any route recommended is economically and financially justified:
(1) Whether the project will achieve the outcome and goals related to the proposal for route establishment, enhancement, or expansion.
(2) Whether the proposal for route establishment or expansion will require local, State, or Federal economic support and the degree of such support.
(3) A comparative examination of the proposed service to other potential modes of transportation along the same corridor.
(4) Whether the proposal for route establishment or expansion reduces community impact, including alleviating highway or aviation congestion, aids with the State’s transportation resilience plan, or follows existing transportation or utility corridors.
(5) The environmental impacts of the proposed service.
(6) The cost and timeline estimate for initiating passenger service.
(7) Additional issues related to the costs and benefits of the projects identified.
(8) Motive power options for the routes.
(c) Routes for evaluation. In conducting the evaluation under subsection (a), the Secretary may explore potential route establishment or expansion throughout the United States to determine which routes are the most feasible for development. The evaluation may include the following routes:
(1) Between Kansas City, Missouri, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, by way of Newton, Kansas.
(2) Between Akron, Ohio, and Canton, Ohio.
(3) A rail corridor between the District of Columbia and Florida, including an examination of all motive options.
(4) Between Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Luis Obispo, California.
(5) Between Austin, Texas, and Laredo, Texas, by way of San Antonio, Texas, with an extension to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
(6) Between Scranton, Pennsylvania, and New York City, New York.
(7) Additional routes, as identified by the Secretary.
D Rail Safety and Innovation
E Project Delivery
F Hazardous Materials Transportation