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
C Miscellaneous
(a) Study. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a task force on developing a 21st century surface transportation workforce (in this section referred to as the Task Force).
(b) Duties. Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the Task Force under subsection (a), the Task Force shall develop and submit to the Secretary recommendations and strategies for the Department to—
(1) evaluate the current and future state of the surface transportation workforce, including projected job needs in the surface transportation sector;
(2) identify factors influencing individuals pursuing careers in surface transportation, including barriers to attracting individuals in surface transportation careers;
(3) address barriers to retaining individuals in surface transportation careers;
(4) identify and address potential impacts of emerging technologies on the surface transportation workforce;
(5) facilitate and encourage elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students in the United States to pursue careers in the surface transportation sector; and
(6) identify and develop pathways for students and individuals to secure pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities in the surface transportation sector of the United States.
(c) Considerations. In developing recommendations and strategies under subsection (b), the Task Force shall—
(1) identify factors that influence whether young people pursue careers in surface transportation;
(2) consider how the Department, businesses, industry, labor, educators, and other stakeholders can coordinate efforts to support qualified individuals in pursuing careers in the surface transportation sector;
(3) identify methods of enhancing surface transportation pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships, job skills training, mentorship, education, and outreach programs that are exclusive to youth in the United States;
(4) identify potential sources of funding, including grants and scholarships, that may be used to support youth and other qualified individuals in pursuing careers in the surface transportation sector; and
(5) consider opportunities to update programs administered by the Department to support the transportation workforce.
(d) Consultation. In developing the recommendations and strategies required under subsection (b), the Task Force may consult with—
(1) local educational agencies and institutions of higher education, including community colleges and vocational schools; and
(2) State workforce development boards.
(e) Report. Not later than 60 days after the submission of the recommendations and strategies under subsection (b), the Secretary 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 containing such recommendations and strategies.
(f) Composition of task force. The Secretary shall appoint members of the Task Force whose diverse backgrounds and expertise allow such members to contribute balanced points of view and ideas in carrying out this section, comprised of equal representation from each of the following:
(1) Industries in the surface transportation sector.
(2) Representatives from labor organizations representing surface transportation workers.
(3) Such other surface transportation stakeholders and experts as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(g) Period of appointment. Members shall be appointed to the Task Force for the duration of the existence of the Task Force.
(h) Compensation. Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation.
(i) Sunset. The Task Force shall terminate upon the submission of the report required under subsection (e).
(j) Definitions. In this section:
(1) Pre-apprenticeship. The term pre-apprenticeship means a training model or program that prepares individuals for acceptance into a registered apprenticeship and has demonstrated partnership with 1 or more registered apprenticeships.
(2) Registered apprenticeship. The term registered apprenticeship means an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S. 50 et seq.; commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act), that satisfies the requirements of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2020).
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