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
(a) In general. Section 1318 of MAP–21 (23 U.S.C. 109 note) is amended—
(1) in subsection (d)—
(A) in paragraph (2) by striking Federal Highway Administration and inserting Secretary; and
(B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
(3) Determinations. An agreement described in paragraph (2) may include determinations by the Secretary of the types of projects categorically excluded (consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)) in the State in addition to the types listed in applicable regulations and orders.
; and
(2) in subsection (e)—
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking described in section 771.117(c) and all that follows through this subsection) and inserting described in sections 771.116, 771.117, and 771.118 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking described in section 771.117(c) and all that follows through this subsection), and inserting described in sections 771.116, 771.117, and 771.118 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations,.
(b) Revision of templates. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of State transportation departments and any other entities determined appropriate by the Secretary, shall—
(1) review the template programmatic agreement developed under section 1318(e) of MAP–21 (23 U.S.C. 109 note) and identify each type of project that—
(A) may be subject to a programmatic agreement authorized under section 1318(d)(1) of MAP–21 (23 U.S.C. 109 note);
(B) is not included in the template as part of a determination of the Secretary under section 1318(d)(3) of MAP–21 (23 U.S.C. 109 note); and
(C) is categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
(2) revise the template programmatic agreement to include each type of project identified under paragraph (1) that the Secretary determines appropriate to increase flexibility for States that enter into a programmatic agreement to carry out environmental and other required project reviews.
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