H.R. 8870

BUILD America 250 Act

Sponsor: Sam Graves

5 cosponsors
Follow this bill

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

C Passenger Rail Policy

D Rail Safety and Innovation

Sec. 10410. Rail freight cargo security assessment

(a) In general. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration shall initiate an assessment of security vulnerabilities affecting freight rail cargo, with a focus on protecting the national supply chain and reducing economic losses from organized theft and sabotage.

(b) Contents. The assessment under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) an identification of high-risk corridors, yards, sidings, highway-rail grade crossings, and other infrastructure determined by the Administrator to be vulnerable to theft or tampering;

(2) an evaluation by the Administrator of physical and operational security protocols and best practices used by freight railroad carriers, including the ability of train crews to monitor and communicate along the length of a train consist;

(3) an assessment by the Administrator of the effects of rail cargo theft, including the effects on supply chains, the costs incurred by consumers, and the effects on regional commerce; and

(4) recommendations of the Administrator with respect to improving security and resilience of freight rail cargo, including coordination strategies, voluntary guidance, and operational best practices.

(c) Consultation. In conducting the assessment under subsection (a), the Administrator may consult with—

(1) freight rail carriers, including short line operators, Class I railroads, and Class II railroads (as defined in section 20102 of title 49, United States Code), and the police departments of such freight rail carriers;

(2) State and local law enforcement and transportation agencies;

(3) relevant Federal entities as determined appropriate by the Administrator; and

(4) shippers, intermodal operators, and private sector supply chain stakeholders, including freight rail insurance providers.

(d) Report. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 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 on the findings of the assessment under subsection (a) and including any recommendations of the Administrator with respect to security vulnerabilities affecting freight rail cargo.

E Project Delivery

F Hazardous Materials Transportation