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
(a) In general. Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
183. Transfer of real property no longer needed
(a) In general. If a recipient of assistance under this chapter determines real property acquired at least in part with such assistance is no longer necessary for the purpose for which such real property was acquired, the Secretary may authorize the recipient to transfer such real property, with no further obligation to the Government.
(b) Conditions. The Secretary may only authorize the transfer described under subsection (a) if the Secretary determines—
(1) there is no longer a purpose for the real property eligible for assistance under this chapter for which such property should be used;
(2) the overall benefit of allowing the transfer is greater than the interest of the Government in liquidation and return of the financial interest of the Government in the real property, after considering fair market value and other factors; and
(3) through an appropriate screening or survey process, that there is no interest in acquiring the real property for Government use.
(c) Recipients. The Secretary may only authorize a transfer described under subsection (a) to—
(1) a local governmental authority if such real property will remain a public asset for at least 10 years after the date on which the real property is transferred;
(2) a local governmental authority or nonprofit organization for the development of the real property; or
(3) a third-party entity for the development of the real property, if the Secretary determines that—
(A) a local governmental authority or nonprofit organization is unable to receive the real property;
(B) the overall benefit of allowing the transfer of the real property is greater than the interest of the Government in selling the property, after considering fair market value and other factors; and
(C) the third-party entity has demonstrated a satisfactory history of construction or operating an affordable housing development.
(b) Clerical amendment. The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
183. Transfer of real property no longer needed.
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
E Project Delivery
F Hazardous Materials Transportation