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

Sec. 1314. Study on effectiveness of discretionary grant programs

(a) In general. Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall initiate a study on the effectiveness of highway-related discretionary grant programs administered by the Department.

(b) Considerations. In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall review—

(1) the criteria used by the Department to evaluate and select projects for funding, including—

(A) the alignment of funding decisions with statutory program objectives; and

(B) the transparency and consistency of the application review and award process;

(2) trends in funding allocation across project types, geographic regions, and jurisdictions, including a comparison of various Department funding sources;

(3) the average timeline from application submission to award notification and obligation of funds, including—

(A) the prevalence and source of cost overruns, schedule delays, and project scope changes or cancellations, and the contributing factors; and

(B) effective practices that led to successful project completion within budget and on schedule;

(4) the outcome of projects completed using discretionary funding compared to formula funding; and

(5) the frequency with which grant recipients at the local government level attempted to seek funding for a project with alternative funding sources, including Federal formula funds, before receiving a grant.

(c) Consultation. In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including—

(1) State departments of transportation;

(2) transit agencies;

(3) metropolitan planning organizations;

(4) local governments, including at least 1 representative each from a city, town, and county;

(5) Tribal governments;

(6) a representative from a labor organization representing transportation construction workers;

(7) representatives of the construction industry, including representatives with experience constructing highway infrastructure systems and public transportation infrastructure systems;

(8) representatives from the design and engineering industry; and

(9) relevant Federal agencies and any other stakeholders the Comptroller General determines to be appropriate.

(d) Report

(1) In general. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

(2) Recommendations. The Comptroller General shall include in the report submitted under paragraph (1) recommendations associated with the results of the study, including recommendations to—

(A) enhance project selection criteria to achieve grant program objectives;

(B) minimize cost overruns and delays in project delivery;

(C) better align discretionary grant program criteria with statutory program requirements and objectives; and

(D) improve the efficiency and administration of the discretionary grant programs of the Department.

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