Transportation

in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2025

S 1852: IBEM Act of 2025

The IBEM Act of 2025 amends the International Bridge Act of 1972 to update terminology and streamline permitting for border infrastructure. It replaces "international bridge" with "international bridge or land port of entry" throughout the law, specifically covering crossings between the U.S. and Mexico or Canada. Crucially, it prohibits the Secretary from considering environmental reviews under NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) when processing Presidential permits for these border projects. The bill directly affects federal permitting for U.S. border crossings with Mexico and Canada, removing a specific environmental review step for such applications.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentProhibits NEPA environmental reviews for border projects, removing a key environmental safeguard required by law.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines border infrastructure permitting and removes NEPA barriers, advancing transportation project approvals for U.S.-Mexico/Canada crossings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Ports

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 3636: Build HUBS Act

The Build HUBS Act (S 3636) improves federal transportation financing programs to support housing development near transit facilities. It defines "attainable housing" for households earning up to 120% of area median income (with most units affordable to those earning up to 80%), creates alternative credit assessment methods to reduce reliance on investment-grade ratings, and streamlines environmental reviews for certain housing projects. The bill establishes a delegated financing program modeled after HUD's housing system to speed up approvals for transit-oriented development projects. These changes primarily affect local governments, transit agencies, and developers working on housing near transit facilities, aiming to increase housing availability for lower- and middle-income residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDefines attainable housing for 80-120% AMI, funds transit-oriented housing development, and streamlines reviews to increase affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill improves federal transportation financing for housing near transit facilities, directly advancing transportation infrastructure and connectivity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Bridges Public Transit Rail

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in committee · United States · House Mar 14, 2025

HR 2143: Small Business Transportation Investment Act of 2025

HR 2143, the Small Business Transportation Investment Act of 2025, creates a 3-year pilot program allowing small businesses that provide paid ground transportation (such as taxis, shuttles, or non-emergency medical transport) to purchase vehicles through the General Services Administration's (GSA) existing procurement system at cost. This directly affects eligible small businesses meeting the Small Business Act definition, enabling them to access GSA's vehicle selection pool for fleet modernization. Key provisions require businesses to use purchased vehicles for at least two years, reimburse GSA if sold early, and donate one out of every five vehicles to nonprofits after use. The program includes annual reporting on cost savings, operational improvements, and environmental impacts, with a final report assessing whether to make it permanent.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables small transport businesses to purchase vehicles via GSA at cost, supporting sector growth through accessible procurement for fleet modernization.85% confidence

Tags Small Business

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in committee · United States · House Jan 17, 2025

HR 502: Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act

HR 502, the Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act, modifies the rural surface transportation grant program under Title 23, U.S. Code. It redefines "small community" as areas outside urbanized zones with populations of 5,000 or less (down from 200,000), and requires that 5% of annual program funds support projects in these communities. The bill increases the federal share for eligible projects in small communities to 90% and mandates that projects must benefit economic development or quality of life in the community. These changes directly affect rural areas and small towns by prioritizing infrastructure funding for the smallest communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 5% of funds for rural infrastructure with 90% federal funding, directing budget allocation toward public infrastructure projects per fiscal management focus.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases federal funding for rural transportation infrastructure by expanding eligibility to small communities and raising federal share to 90% for projects benefiting economic development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Sep 12, 2025

HR 5337: Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act of 2024

HR 5337 establishes a new standard for businesses (called "covered entities") that contract with motor carriers to ship goods. It requires these businesses to verify 45 days before shipment that a carrier is properly registered, has required insurance, and is confirmed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as meeting safety standards. Individual shippers (like personal movers) are exempt from these verification requirements. The standard expires once the FMCSA issues new safety fitness regulations within one year of the bill's enactment. The bill also creates a public FMCSA confirmation system showing whether carriers meet safety requirements.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires businesses to verify motor carriers' safety compliance with FMCSA standards, directly enhancing transportation safety protocols for freight shipping.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House Jul 24, 2025

HR 4661: AMERICA DRIVES Act

The AMERICA DRIVES Act (HR 4661) allows commercial trucks equipped with Level 4 or Level 5 automated driving systems (ADS) to operate interstate without a human driver onboard or a remote operator. It directly affects commercial trucking companies and autonomous vehicle manufacturers by preempting state laws requiring human drivers and mandating the Department of Transportation (DOT) to update regulations by 2027. Key provisions include revising rules around hours of service, drug testing, and driver licensing to apply to driverless vehicles, while defining ADS based on industry standards (SAE J3016). The bill ensures regulatory parity for ADS-equipped trucks and excludes automated technologies from width calculations under safety standards.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables autonomous trucking by removing human driver requirements and preempting restrictive state laws, advancing ADS technology deployment.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEnables autonomous commercial trucking by preempting state regulations, modernizing vehicle safety standards, and mandating DOT updates to advance transportation technology adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Freight Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House Jul 17, 2025

HR 4447: Transit Bus Affordability Act

This bill requires a nonpartisan review of rising costs for transit buses in the U.S. The Comptroller General will analyze factors driving high manufacturing and procurement costs, compare U.S. prices to other countries, and examine how supplier challenges affect federal transit programs like the Low/No Emission Grant Program. The review will assess strategies such as joint state procurement that might reduce costs and speed up delivery. The findings will be reported to Congress within 18 months, but the bill itself does not change funding or directly alter bus procurement processes.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates nonpartisan review to reduce transit bus costs, aiming to improve affordability and efficiency for federal transit programs like Low/No Emission Grants.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · House Jan 16, 2025

HR 516: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the railroad track maintenance credit.

This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit for railroad maintenance, providing tax relief under federal tax policy90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases tax credit for railroad track maintenance, providing financial incentive to maintain rail infrastructure, a core transportation component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Rail

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in committee · United States · House Mar 31, 2025

HR 2526: Bus Parity and Clarity Act

HR 2526, the Bus Parity and Clarity Act, clarifies that over-the-road buses operating in scheduled or charter service must pay the same tolls and access terms as public transit buses at toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and HOV lanes. It updates federal definitions to explicitly include "charter service" under existing equal access rules and requires toll facilities to offer these buses identical rates. The bill mandates the Federal Highway Administration to publish a public database of toll rates and terms within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects commercial bus operators using toll infrastructure, ensuring they receive equitable treatment compared to public transit vehicles.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies equal toll access for public transit and charter buses, ensuring parity in transportation infrastructure usage and promoting consistent public transit access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · House Mar 25, 2025

HR 2348: Brake for Kids Act of 2025

Brake for Kids Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to produce and distribute a national public safety campaign on the dangers of illegally passing stopped school buses. Specifically, the campaign must increase awareness and education about the issue through a variety of media, including television, radio, and social media advertising.  DOT must use Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds to produce and distribute the campaign.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDirectly enhances transportation safety by directing DOT to run school bus safety campaign using infrastructure funds, aligning with safety standards and public awareness initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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