Transportation

in committee · United States · House May 19, 2025

HR 3487: Shawnee TRAILS Act

The Shawnee TRAILS Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to designate and maintain at least 20% of trails in Shawnee National Forest for recreational use by e-bikes and off-road vehicles (including ATVs and ORVs). It mandates that these designated trails be monitored to balance recreation access with natural resource protection, while ensuring at least one trail remains open year-round for such use. The bill also explicitly permits covered vehicles on paved roads within the forest. This policy directly affects recreational users of e-bikes and off-road vehicles in Shawnee National Forest, altering how trails are managed for their access.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPermits expanded off-road vehicle access in national forest, increasing potential habitat disruption and resource degradation despite monitoring requirement.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPermits e-bikes/ORVs on paved forest roads, expanding vehicle access and aligning with transportation infrastructure regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 1, 2025

S 2661: A bill to allow for the use of risk-based inspections for in-service breakout tanks.

This bill allows pipeline facility owners and operators to use risk-based inspections instead of fixed schedules for in-service breakout tanks (tanks that temporarily store hazardous liquids during pipeline operations). It requires the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to update federal regulations (49 CFR §195.432) to formally permit this approach within 60 days of the bill's enactment. The key change shifts inspection requirements from time-based checks to assessments focused on actual risk factors like tank condition or location. This directly affects pipeline operators subject to federal safety rules under Title 49 of the U.S. Code. The bill does not alter safety standards but changes how compliance is demonstrated.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill updates pipeline safety regulations (transportation infrastructure) to allow risk-based inspections, enhancing hazardous liquid transportation safety standards per PHMSA requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Vehicle Registration

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in committee · United States · House Oct 27, 2025

HR 5827: To advance bipartisan, common sense solutions.

The bill establishes a carbon tax on fossil fuel emissions starting at $35 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent in 2027, with annual increases based on inflation. It creates border tax adjustments for imports and exports of greenhouse gas-intensive products to prevent carbon leakage. Revenue from the tax would fund the Rebuilding Infrastructure and Solutions for the Environment Trust Fund, which would distribute funds for infrastructure projects, climate adaptation, and assistance for displaced energy workers. The tax would directly affect fossil fuel producers, manufacturers, and importers/exporters of covered goods.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes carbon tax funding infrastructure/climate trust fund, directly using tax revenue for public spending projects.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyImposes carbon tax on fossil fuels and funds climate infrastructure projects, directly reducing emissions and advancing clean energy transition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes carbon tax to reduce emissions, funds climate adaptation projects via trust fund, aligns with environmental protection indicators95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRevenue funds infrastructure projects via Rebuilding Infrastructure Trust Fund, directly supporting transportation infrastructure as per bill's summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · House Aug 1, 2025

HR 4864: Ethanol for America Act of 2025

This bill requires the EPA to finalize a rule about E15 fuel (15% ethanol blend) labeling and underground storage tank compatibility within 90 days of enactment. It directly affects fuel retailers and underground storage tank owners by mandating that existing tanks are automatically deemed compliant with E15 without needing documentation, and that tanks manufactured after July 2005 or certain fiberglass piping are considered compatible. The bill also requires new tank components installed after the rule's effective date to be compatible with up to 100% ethanol, regardless of current fuel types. These provisions aim to simplify compliance for fuel retailers while expanding flexibility for future fuel blends.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes E15 ethanol blend (renewable fuel) by mandating EPA rules and removing tank compliance barriers, advancing renewable energy adoption in transportation fuel infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFacilitates E15 (15% ethanol) fuel use, promoting renewable biofuel adoption as part of clean energy transition, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates EPA rules for E15 fuel compatibility, promoting renewable fuel adoption in vehicle regulations under transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 18, 2026

S 1726: ASSIST Act of 2025

Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation Act of 2025 or the ASSIST Act of 2025 This bill expands the definition of medical services for purposes of veterans’ benefits to include additional medically necessary automobile adaptations. Under the bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs may provide funding for the following medically necessary automobile adaptations for driver or passenger use: ramp and kneeling systems, lowered floors, occupied and unoccupied mobility lifts, ingress or egress accessibility modifications, and adapted seating.  The bill also extends the limitation on pension amounts for certain hospitalized or institutionalized veterans through September 30, 2032.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands veterans' healthcare coverage to include medically necessary vehicle adaptations, funding mobility aids as part of medical services.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds medically necessary vehicle adaptations for veterans' safety, enhancing transportation accessibility and safety standards.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands VA funding for medically necessary vehicle adaptations, directly enhancing veterans' access to transportation services and healthcare support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · United States · House Dec 18, 2025

HR 6884: Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act

This bill imposes penalties on freight brokers who contract with carriers that have a history of safety violations. Specifically, brokers face a civil penalty equal to 10% of the contracted cargo's value if they work with a carrier (or employ a driver) that received three or more Department of Transportation violations in the past five years. Penalties collected go to the Highway Trust Fund and can be used for roadway safety projects. The bill also authorizes investigations into fatal crashes involving brokers' contracted carriers, allowing safety requirements to be added if brokers showed disregard for safety.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPenalties for brokers using carriers with safety violations improve driver workplace safety, aligning with Labor & Employment indicators.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationImposes penalties on unsafe freight brokers, funds highway safety projects via Highway Trust Fund, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2467: Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2025

This bill expands federal support for biorefineries producing advanced biofuels (including ultra-low-carbon and zero-carbon bioethanol), renewable chemicals, and biobased products. It establishes a new competitive grant program (up to 60% of project costs) for pilot/demonstration-scale facilities, with funding capped at $40 million annually for fiscal years 2025-2029. Projects are evaluated based on market potential, innovation, environmental benefits, rural economic development, and feasibility, with priority given to those using novel feedstocks or technologies. The program directly affects biorefinery developers, manufacturers of renewable chemicals, and biobased product companies seeking federal support for commercial-scale demonstration projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds advanced biofuels and biorefineries through competitive grants, directly promoting renewable energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence per its summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds biorefineries for ultra-low-carbon biofuels with 'environmental benefits' as key evaluation criterion, promoting clean energy and emission reduction.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds advanced biofuels (including zero-carbon bioethanol) for vehicles, directly promoting sustainable transportation through environmental benefits and market development.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3098: FAIR Fleets Act

This bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to assess and improve its fleet vehicle distribution, focusing on underserved areas like rural communities, regions with outdated vehicles, counties with excessive mail delivery delays, high-poverty neighborhoods, and tribal lands. It mandates a strategic plan to increase vehicle availability nationwide and modernize the fleet with fuel-efficient vehicles as soon as practicable. The Postal Service must submit annual reports to Congress detailing vehicle distribution by state, progress on underserved areas, and improvement recommendations using specific definitions for "underserved areas" established in the bill. These reports will track metrics like vehicle age in postal regions and delivery delay comparisons to national averages.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates modernization of postal fleet with fuel-efficient vehicles, advancing energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel dependence in government operations.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates modernization of postal fleet with fuel-efficient vehicles, which reduces emissions and supports environmental protection goals.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationModernizes USPS fleet with fuel-efficient vehicles, expands service to underserved transportation areas including rural communities and tribal lands.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Mar 4, 2025

HR 1836: GRANTED Act of 2025

HR 1836, the GRANTED Act of 2025, requires federal agencies to automatically approve applications for easements, rights-of-way, and leases if they fail to act by a set deadline. It directly affects applicants (like businesses or landowners seeking federal approvals) and federal agencies responsible for processing these applications. The key provision states that if an agency doesn’t grant or deny a complete application within the deadline, it’s deemed approved the day after the deadline. An application is considered "complete" if the applicant takes the first required step and hasn’t received a notice within 30 days about missing information. This aims to reduce delays in federal approval processes for infrastructure and land use projects.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines federal approval process for transportation infrastructure projects by automatically granting easements/leases after deadlines, removing bureaucratic delays to advance development.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Mar 6, 2025

HR 1874: To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to establish a conclusive presumption that a State concurs to certain activities, and for other purposes.

HR 1874 amends the Coastal Zone Management Act to create a "conclusive presumption" that coastal states automatically approve certain federal projects in their coastal zones. This applies to national security activities, critical infrastructure projects (like energy or transportation systems), disaster recovery efforts, and projects in areas with high unemployment or low income. States can no longer delay these projects through objections, though the federal Secretary of Commerce may override the presumption within 30 days if the project doesn’t qualify. The bill streamlines approvals for these specific activities while maintaining federal oversight.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly lists 'critical infrastructure projects (like energy or transportation systems)' as eligible for automatic state approval, removing barriers to energy infrastructure development.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes state objections to federal projects in coastal zones, weakening environmental review for infrastructure projects. This reduces state-level environmental protections without explicit environmental safeguards.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly lists transportation systems as critical infrastructure eligible for automatic state approval under the Coastal Zone Management Act, removing state delays for transportation infrastructure projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters

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