HR 4719, the Freedom to Move Act, would create $5 billion in federal grants to help cities, counties, and transit agencies make public transportation free and improve service quality. Local governments applying for these grants must demonstrate how they will redesign bus routes to prioritize low-income and minority neighborhoods, eliminate criminal penalties for fare evasion, and address transit gaps in underserved communities. The grants cover lost fare revenue and fund specific improvements like safer bus stops, dedicated bus lanes, and better service frequency. This directly affects transit agencies and riders in communities currently lacking reliable, affordable transportation options.
HR 7429, "Miranda’s Law," creates a national system requiring automatic notifications to employers when school bus drivers (or other commercial drivers with school bus endorsements) face license issues like moving violations, suspensions, or accidents. It directly affects school districts, schools, and private transportation companies that provide student transportation, mandating their participation in the notification service. The law replaces annual employer checks of driver records by requiring states to implement the service within two years, while also ensuring drivers receive simultaneous copies of these notifications. This system aims to improve safety by ensuring employers are promptly informed of driver license changes affecting school bus operations.
S 3661, the PATH to Education Act, creates new grants for public transit providers to partner with community colleges, Head Start programs, minority-serving institutions, career schools, and rural colleges to improve transportation access. Grants fund specific projects like adding bus stops/routes, increasing service frequency for student commutes, or covering operating costs for transit connecting to eligible institutions. The bill allocates $1 million in 2027 (rising to $5 million by 2031) for these grants, with priority given to partnerships involving schools where over 25% of students receive federal Pell Grants. This directly affects transit agencies, educational institutions serving low-income students, and Head Start participants needing reliable transportation.
HR 6635, the Bus Operator Safety and Security Act, requires new fixed-route buses over 30 feet long (with a 10+ year lifespan) purchased using federal transit funds to have physical barriers at the driver's workstation. These barriers must extend from floor to ceiling, fully enclose the workstation to block entry of people or objects, and not obstruct the driver's view. Transit agencies must install these barriers within two years of the law's enactment, unless the labor union representing bus drivers agrees to waive the requirement. The rule applies only to new buses bought with federal funds (excluding those from rural transportation programs) and directly affects transit agencies and bus drivers operating large fixed-route vehicles.
HR 7204, the School Bus Stop-Arm Safety Camera Act, directs federal agencies to study the benefits of requiring school buses to have stop-arm safety cameras and establish a grant program for states to adopt the technology. The bill requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to publish study findings and recommendations on data privacy, law enforcement sharing, and funding models within one year of enactment. It then authorizes the Transportation Secretary to create a grant program within 18 months, providing funds to state educational agencies to purchase or retrofit school buses with these cameras, or to install/maintain the technology. The law directly affects school districts and state education agencies by enabling financial support for implementing camera systems to improve student safety at bus stops.
The BRIDGE Act (HR 6889) creates a new federal grant program to fund the repair, replacement, or rehabilitation of bridges used in commuter rail operations. Public transportation operators can apply for competitive grants covering capital costs, with requirements including a bridge access agreement if the operator doesn’t own the bridge and eligibility limited to projects with projected usage-based costs. The bill authorizes $1.5 billion annually for fiscal years 2027-2031, prioritizing bridges in poor condition or identified for replacement in transit agencies’ asset management plans. It defines "commuter rail bridge" to include structures also used for intercity rail, other transit, or roadways.
This bill creates federal crimes targeting vandalism and assaults on public transit systems. It makes damaging vehicles or facilities with graffiti punishable by up to 5 years in prison (10 years for repeat offenses or $1,000+ damage), and assaults on workers or passengers punishable by 5-20 years (15-20 years with weapons, injury, or prior convictions). Courts must order full restitution for property damage. The law applies only to transit systems using federal funds, affecting interstate commerce, or involved in commerce.
HR 5216, the BUFFER Act, requires the Secretary of Transportation to allow regional transit agencies to increase their spare bus ratio to 30% upon meeting specific criteria. This directly affects transit agencies in regions that regularly experience extreme weather events like heatwaves or cold snaps, which disrupt fixed-route bus services. To qualify, agencies must certify their exposure to extreme weather, document past service disruptions, and explain how additional spare buses will maintain reliable service during such events. The bill mandates federal guidance to implement this change within one year of enactment, aiming to improve emergency resilience for bus-dependent riders.
The SECURES Act of 2026 requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to propose new federal safety standards for seat belts on all new school buses within 180 days of the bill becoming law. The proposed rule must consider evidence showing lap/shoulder belts provide the highest passenger safety benefit, including findings from the National Transportation Safety Board and past guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It specifically directs the rulemaking to evaluate seat belt detection systems and existing state requirements for school bus seat belts. This bill affects all manufacturers of new school buses and school districts purchasing new vehicles, setting the stage for potential future federal seat belt mandates.
S 3807, "Miranda’s Law," creates a national system requiring states to automatically notify employers when a school bus driver’s commercial license is suspended, revoked, or changed due to violations. It directly affects schools, school districts, and private transportation companies that provide student transportation, as they must participate in this notification service. The law mandates states to implement the system within two years of federal rules, and participating employers are exempt from annual driving record checks required under existing regulations. This focuses on ensuring employers are promptly informed of driver license issues for safety purposes.
