Small Business Transportation Investment Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2143

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Last Updated

2025-05-21T14:10:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Small Business Transportation Investment Act of 2025 aims to support small businesses that provide ground transportation services (such as taxis, limousines, shuttles, or non-emergency medical transport) by creating a temporary pilot program. This program allows these businesses to purchase federal government vehicles at cost-effective prices through the General Services Administration (GSA), promoting efficiency, cost savings, and the adoption of modern, environmentally friendly vehicles.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of Pilot Program: Within 60 days of enactment, the GSA Administrator must launch a three-year pilot allowing "covered small businesses" (defined as small businesses under the Small Business Act that offer paid passenger ground transportation) to buy up to 50 vehicles per fiscal year from GSA's Federal supply schedules.
• Access and Pricing: Purchases are at cost and from the same vehicle pool available to federal agencies, state/local governments, Tribal organizations, and certain health entities under existing laws (e.g., sections of the U.S. Code related to government procurement and Tribal assistance).
• Purchase Terms and Conditions:
• Vehicles must be used for ground transportation services for at least two years, unless they become inoperable.
• If sold early, the business must repay GSA the difference between the vehicle's open market value and the purchase price.
• For every five vehicles purchased, at least one must be donated to a local nonprofit after it is no longer used for transportation services.
• Reporting Requirements:
• Annual reports to Congress starting one year after enactment, covering participation data, cost savings, operational improvements, and environmental benefits (e.g., reduced emissions from newer vehicles).
• A final report at the program's end (three years) evaluating effectiveness and recommending whether to make it permanent or expand it.
• Implementation: GSA may issue rules to carry out the program; it automatically ends after three years.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill expands GSA's vehicle procurement services, which are currently limited to federal, state, local, and Tribal government entities (under laws like 40 U.S.C. § 502 and Tribal assistance acts). It introduces a pilot to include qualifying small commercial businesses in the for-hire transportation sector, adding restrictions like purchase limits, usage commitments, and donation requirements to ensure public benefits. No permanent changes are made; the program is time-limited and evaluative.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: GSA will manage the program, including vehicle sales, enforcement of terms, and reporting to Congress, potentially increasing administrative workload but at minimal cost since sales are at cost.
• Citizens and Businesses: Small ground transportation businesses may access affordable, modern vehicles, lowering operational costs and enabling fleet upgrades, which could improve service reliability and reduce emissions for passengers. Nonprofits may receive donated vehicles, benefiting community services.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic procurement and small business support.
• Broader Effects: Could encourage greener transportation fleets nationwide, indirectly supporting environmental goals, though limited by the pilot's scale (e.g., 50-vehicle cap per business).

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Small Businesses: Providers of ground transportation services (e.g., taxi companies, limo services, paratransit operators) that qualify as "small businesses" under federal definitions, gaining access to cost savings but facing usage and donation obligations.
• General Services Administration (GSA): Responsible for program administration, vehicle distribution, and compliance monitoring.
• Congress: Receives reports to evaluate and potentially extend the program.
• Local Nonprofits: Benefit from vehicle donations for community use.
• Federal, State, and Tribal Entities: Existing users of GSA services; the pilot may slightly affect vehicle availability but uses the same pool without priority changes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on existing GSA authority for vehicle sales (e.g., under 40 U.S.C. § 502) but adds enforceable contract terms like reimbursements and donations, which could lead to disputes resolved through standard administrative processes. The pilot's sunset clause minimizes long-term legal commitments.
• Constitutional: No apparent issues; it aligns with Congress's spending and commerce powers to support small businesses without infringing on states' rights or individual liberties.
• Political: Promotes small business growth and environmental modernization, potentially appealing across party lines as a low-cost initiative (no new funding required). The evaluative reporting allows data-driven decisions on permanence, reducing political risk while addressing economic pressures in the transportation sector post-pandemic.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Small Business Transportation Investment Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (6 pages)