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

C Passenger Rail Policy

D Rail Safety and Innovation

Sec. 10413. Railroad Safety Advisory Committee evaluation of National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine findings

(a) In general. The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, shall convene a working group within the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee under section 20124 of title 49, United States Code, to develop recommendations on trains of varying lengths, including—

(1) methods and technologies that can be implemented by a railroad carrier to improve the capabilities, competencies, and training that train crews and other railroad employees require for safe operation, assembly, and inspection; and

(2) technological means performance standards to ensure train crew members have the capability to communicate with the entirety of the train, including while inspecting and riding equipment, in a manner that is continuously maintained and does not create personal safety hazards.

(b) Regulatory approach. In developing recommendations under this section, the working group shall—

(1) ensure that such recommendations and findings are—

(A) supported by evidence; and

(B) support the safe and efficient operation of varying train lengths;

(2) consider economic impacts of such recommendations; and

(3) evaluate impacts of such recommendations on communities affected by freight rail movements, first responders, and railroad employees.

(c) Data. For the report required under subsection (d), the Secretary shall evaluate the information provided pursuant to section 22421(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (49 U.S.C. 20901 note), in conjunction with FRA Safety Advisory 2023–03, issued by the Federal Railroad Administration on May 2, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 27570), and the recommendations of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee.

(d) Report. Not later than 18 months 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 containing the findings and recommendations developed under this section, and shall make such findings and recommendations available to the public on the website of the Federal Railroad Administration.

E Project Delivery

F Hazardous Materials Transportation