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.
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.
HR 2167, the Transportation Equity Act, creates a new Transportation Equity Committee within the Department of Transportation. The committee, composed of 9-15 diverse members representing communities, tribes, academia, and advocacy groups, will provide independent advice to the Secretary on measuring transportation equity - such as access to jobs, economic opportunity, and community connectivity. It will develop recommendations for national metrics but cannot make final policy decisions, which remain with the Secretary. The committee must meet publicly at least twice yearly and ensure broad geographic and community representation in its work.
This bill would withhold up to 10% of federal highway funding from states that fail to comply with specific immigration verification requirements. It directly affects states that issue driver's licenses without requiring proof of legal immigration status or restrict sharing immigration status information with federal authorities. Key provisions include withholding 5% of funds in the first year of noncompliance (increasing to 10% annually thereafter) and requiring annual state certifications of compliance. The bill conditions transportation funding on adherence to these immigration verification standards, as defined by the REAL ID Act and federal immigration law.
HR 5008, the Affordable Commutes Act of 2025, directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to investigate pricing practices on privately owned toll roads for potential price gouging or unfair toll setting. It requires the Secretary to refer any findings of unfair practices to the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission. The bill also mandates a study on whether the federal government could purchase private toll roads and transfer ownership to states, assessing impacts on toll costs, feasibility, and consumer benefits. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress with investigation results, study findings, and recommendations to address unfair pricing or facilitate toll road transfers. This bill affects commuters using private toll roads by initiating a review of their pricing structure and potential long-term ownership changes.
This bill establishes a new federal program to improve rural roads critical for agriculture. It provides funding for projects that replace weight-limited bridges, enhance access to farms and agricultural facilities, and upgrade safety on high-risk rural roads. The program targets local roads and rural minor collectors, with the federal government covering up to 90% of eligible project costs. It directly affects rural communities and agricultural businesses by addressing infrastructure barriers to farm operations and local economic activity. The funding is allocated through existing highway apportionment formulas under Title 23, U.S. Code.
HR 3768, the Gas Prices Relief Act of 2025, eliminates the federal gasoline tax for all gasoline sold between its enactment and December 31, 2025. This directly affects gasoline consumers (drivers and businesses) and fuel producers/dealers, who must pass the tax savings to consumers by lowering prices. The bill requires the Treasury to transfer equivalent funds to the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund to maintain existing funding streams. It mandates that the tax reduction benefit be immediately reflected in lower consumer prices, with enforcement authority granted to the Secretary to ensure compliance.
HR 3030, the Highway Formula Fairness Act, adds a new provision allowing the Transportation Secretary to provide extra highway funding to states that have experienced population growth since the last census, proportional to their population increase. This directly affects states with rising populations by potentially increasing their federal highway funds based on demographic changes. The bill also mandates a study by the Transportation Secretary to assess whether current highway funding formulas fairly distribute funds based on highway user taxes and state contributions, and to develop recommendations for modernizing the system. The study must be completed and reported to Congress within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
HR 3880, the Clear the ROADS Act, requires states to prohibit non-government individuals from recklessly blocking highways in ways that endanger public safety. If a state fails to meet this requirement, the federal government would withhold 10% of that state's annual highway funding starting October 1 each year. The bill directs the Transportation Secretary to issue rules within 180 days to define how states must comply. This affects all states receiving federal highway funds, directly targeting reckless road obstructions by private individuals.
HR 3754, the "Don’t Miss Your Flight Act," creates a federal grant program to fund transportation infrastructure projects connecting to public airports. It authorizes $1 billion annually (2027-2031) from the Highway Trust Fund for projects like highways, bridges, transit systems, or rail improvements within 5 miles of airports, aimed at reducing congestion and improving access. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, and local governments managing airports, with 50% of funds reserved for large hub airports and 30% for medium hub airports. The program requires a 50% non-federal cost share, allowing entities to use passenger facility charges or TIFIA credit assistance toward this requirement. This bill directly affects airport-connected transportation infrastructure planning and funding at the state and local government level.
