The BUILD America 250 Act authorizes billions of dollars in funding for highways, bridges, transit, and rail programs through fiscal year 2031 to support infrastructure construction and safety improvements across the United States. Key provisions include establishing new competitive grant programs for rural and urban areas, increasing funding for bridge repairs, and creating a pilot program that allows certain states to receive transportation funds as a single lump sum. The bill also streamlines environmental reviews and project approvals to speed up construction while adding specific requirements for safety, accessibility, and disadvantaged business enterprise participation. Additionally, the legislation introduces new fees on electric and hybrid vehicle registrations to generate revenue for the Highway Trust Fund and sets stricter standards for roadside safety hardware.
The LIFT Act creates a new tax incentive for states and municipalities by allowing them to receive a direct credit from the federal government on interest payments made for specific infrastructure bonds. To qualify for this credit, the bonds must be used entirely for capital projects or maintenance, and the interest would normally be tax-exempt, with the credit amount varying by the bond's maturity date. The legislation also clarifies rules for refinancing these bonds and adjusts tax limits for financial institutions that issue certain types of tax-exempt debt. These changes are designed to lower the cost of borrowing for local infrastructure projects while maintaining strict guidelines on how the funds can be used.
The Gas Tax Suspension Act temporarily eliminates the federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for purchases made between the date of enactment and a specified end date. To prevent this tax break from reducing government revenue, the bill requires the Treasury Secretary to transfer money from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to make up for the lost tax income. The tax holiday is set to last for at least 90 days, but the President has the authority to extend it to 180 days if economic conditions warrant it.
The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026 updates federal programs to extend their funding periods through fiscal year 2031 and establishes a new Transportation Statistics Coordination Council to oversee data collection across the Department of Transportation. The bill also creates a study on the safety impacts of new headlamp technologies and requires a strategy to increase the use of reclaimed asphalt in road construction. Additionally, it expands rail research to address safety challenges in modern commuter and freight systems while ensuring data standards remain consistent.
This bill amends federal law concerning the distribution of highway funds to states. It establishes a new minimum funding guarantee, ensuring that each state receives at least 0.5 percent of the total funds allocated through the federal highway apportionment formula. This change provides a baseline level of federal funding for state highway programs.
The Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 would temporarily suspend federal gasoline taxes and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate from its enactment until October 1, 2026, aiming to reduce costs for consumers who purchase gasoline. Specifically, it sets the federal excise tax on gasoline to zero during this period. To prevent funding shortfalls, the bill directs the Treasury to transfer equivalent amounts from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. It also includes a policy that the tax reduction should be passed on to consumers and empowers the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure this, potentially through monetary penalties for producers and dealers who do not reduce prices.
This bill, known as the BASICS Act, creates a new $5.5 billion federal funding program over five years to repair and replace bridges in poor condition across the United States. The program prioritizes projects based on the cost of bridge rehabilitation in each state and guarantees a minimum funding allocation of $45 million per state annually. It also expands funding for regional transportation planning in rural areas and increases flexibility for local governments to select and manage transportation projects through enhanced consultation requirements. Additionally, the legislation removes local matching fund requirements for metropolitan planning activities and allows 100 percent federal funding for off-system bridge projects owned by local governments or tribes.
The Tribal Roads Improvement Act addresses the poor condition of approximately 160,000 miles of roads on Tribal lands by allowing Tribal governments to use more of their transportation funding for road grading projects. This change removes a previous limitation that restricted how much of Tribal Transportation Program funds could be spent on grading, giving Tribes greater flexibility to improve road infrastructure. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study within three years to evaluate the impact of this funding flexibility on road conditions, economic development, and community access. Results from the study will be reported to Congress with recommendations on how to further support Tribal road grading initiatives.
The Interstate Ferry Fairness Act allows privately owned ferries and ferry terminals operating between two adjoining states to receive federal funding for construction and purchase. Under this legislation, private ferry operators can apply for federal assistance if the Secretary of Transportation determines the project provides substantial public benefits or meets surface transportation needs. The bill also permits privately owned ferries to charge fares that cover operational costs plus a reasonable rate of return approved by the Secretary. These changes expand eligibility for the Ferry Boat Program beyond publicly owned vessels, while maintaining oversight on fare structures and fund usage.
This bill establishes a dedicated Transportation Security Trust Fund to ensure money collected from airline passenger security fees is used exclusively for aviation security purposes. The fund would support the Transportation Security Administration by paying salaries and benefits for its personnel, funding passenger and baggage screening operations, and purchasing security technology and infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation guarantees that aviation security operations can continue without interruption during government funding lapses, prioritizing frontline staff compensation and operational expenses before using remaining funds for technology upgrades.
