Transportation (Roads & Highways)

HR 7377, the "Know Before You Drive Act," requires vehicle manufacturers and dealers to clearly explain the capabilities and limitations of partially automated driving systems to consumers. It prohibits misleading claims (like calling partial automation "fully autonomous") and mandates plain-language notices at the time of sale, detailing what drivers must monitor (e.g., object detection, system failures), plus updates for software changes affecting performance. The bill also adds new labeling requirements to vehicle information sheets, specifying operational conditions (like weather or road types) and whether driver supervision is needed. These rules apply to all manufacturers selling vehicles with such systems in the U.S., enforced by NHTSA and the FTC.

The Historic Roadways Protection Act (S 90) prohibits the use of federal funds to finalize or implement specific travel management plans for certain public lands in Utah. It directly affects the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), blocking funding for plans in 10 designated areas (like the San Rafael Swell and Nine Mile Canyon) and four specific plans (including Indian Creek and San Rafael Swell). The restriction applies only during the time federal courts resolve 22 ongoing lawsuits (R.S. 2477 cases) about historical road access rights. Funding cannot be used for new plans or implementation of the listed plans until the Secretary of the Interior certifies all cases are resolved. This is a procedural funding restriction, not a change to land management policies.

She Develops Regulations In Vehicle Equality and Safety Act or the She DRIVES Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to revise motor vehicle safety standards to require the use of certain anthropomorphic test devices (i.e., crash test dummies) and testing on female crash test dummies. Specifically, DOT must issue final rules to revise the current testing regulations to include specific adult male and adult female frontal impact and side impact crash test dummies. The final rules must establish or update the testing injury criteria based on real-world injuries and the greatest potential to increase safety. The injury criteria must include head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, upper leg, and lower leg criteria for the crash test dummies. The final rules must also establish crashworthiness frontal and side impact tests for adult female occupants in all front seating positions that are currently tested for adult male occupants (as of the date of the bill's enactment). Further, DOT must promulgate a final decision notice to update the testing procedures for the  New Car Assessment Program of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require the use of these crash test dummies for frontal and side impact crashworthiness testing. Finally, DOT must submit reports to Congress that, among other things, identify timelines for DOT to incorporate additional types of crash test dummies into the regulations and identify testing devices used in other countries for similar crashworthiness standards.

HRES 798 designates the week of September 15-21, 2025, as "Rail Safety Week" in the U.S. to raise public awareness about highway-rail grade crossing safety. The resolution supports existing efforts - led by organizations like Operation Lifesaver - to reduce incidents, fatalities, and injuries at railroad crossings, citing 2024 data showing 2,260 incidents with 260 deaths. It encourages the public to participate in safety events and learn about safe practices around tracks, without creating new laws or funding. The bill directly affects the general public by promoting education and caution at crossings, aligning with ongoing industry and government safety initiatives.

The Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2025 establishes a federal research, development, and demonstration program focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in cement, concrete, asphalt binder, and asphalt mixture production. The program, funded with $200 million over fiscal years 2025-2029, will support demonstration projects, provide technical assistance to update building codes and standards, and establish Manufacturing USA institutes for low-emissions materials. It also creates a Federal Highway Administration initiative that reimburses states for higher costs of using low-emissions materials in highway projects and offers 2% incentives on project costs. The bill aims to reduce embodied greenhouse gas emissions in construction materials while supporting domestic manufacturing and creating jobs in the construction sector.

HR 5800, the SAFE Drivers Act, requires commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants and renewers to pass a standardized English proficiency test approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The test assesses reading road signs, understanding emergency communications, and writing required documentation - critical for safety in commercial driving. States must administer the test through their DMVs, report pass rates annually to the FMCSA, and face potential federal funding cuts if they fail to comply. The law applies to all new CDL issuances or renewals starting 12 months after enactment, directly affecting commercial drivers seeking or maintaining their licenses.

HR 3972, the Highway Funding Flexibility Act of 2025, redirects unobligated funds from two existing federal highway programs to allow states greater flexibility in how they use these resources. Specifically, it permits states to use unused funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and charging/fueling infrastructure grants for highway construction, bridge repairs, wildlife crossing projects, commercial vehicle parking, and related engineering - instead of being restricted to EV charging infrastructure. The bill requires that these funds be distributed to states based on their standard highway funding apportionment and ensures they remain available for their intended highway purposes without new obligation limits. This change affects states receiving federal highway funds who have unobligated balances from these specific programs.

HR 1057, the Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2025, creates a new federal criminal offense for intentionally obstructing interstate highways. It makes it illegal to deliberately delay traffic, stand near vehicles, or endanger movement on interstates with the intent to block normal use. The bill directly affects individuals who engage in such obstruction, with penalties including fines up to $15,000 or imprisonment up to 20 years (or life if death results). Exceptions cover lawful activities authorized by federal, state, or local governments. This bill amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to establish specific penalties for highway obstruction.

This bill reauthorizes a federal program providing funding for wildlife crossings - such as overpasses or underpasses - to help animals safely cross roads. It authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 through 2031 from the Highway Trust Fund, making the program permanent (removing "pilot" language). Key provisions include requiring 90% federal funding for projects in small, rural, or disadvantaged communities (up to 100% if financial hardship exists) and allocating 0.5% of funds yearly to help tribes and other eligible groups apply for and access program funding more efficiently. The bill directly affects communities and tribes seeking to build wildlife crossings near highways.

HR 4904, the PHASE Act of 2025, mandates a federal study on physical pedestrian safety measures in areas with high crash rates, then creates a $5 million annual grant program for cities, tribes, and municipalities to fund pedestrian infrastructure. Grants support specific upgrades like accessible sidewalks, enhanced crosswalks, improved lighting, and traffic signal modifications that comply with ADA standards. The bill directly affects local governments seeking to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities through infrastructure changes. It requires a congressional briefing on study results within two years of enactment.