Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Reauthorization Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3232
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-10T08:06:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Reauthorization Act," aims to provide continued federal funding support for grants that help states and other partners develop and improve intercity passenger rail services, such as Amtrak routes. It focuses on strengthening partnerships between the federal government and states to enhance rail transportation infrastructure.
Key Provisions
- Funding Authorization: Authorizes $7.5 billion annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to the Secretary of Transportation for the Federal-State partnership for intercity passenger rail grant program. These funds remain available until spent, allowing flexibility in project timelines.
- Project Oversight: Permits the Secretary to allocate up to 2% of the annual appropriated funds for project management oversight activities related to any rail grant programs authorized under Title 49 of the U.S. Code (which covers transportation laws).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 24911(h) of Title 49, United States Code, by updating the authorization of appropriations subsection. This reauthorizes and sets specific funding levels for the grant program, which previously may have had different or expiring authorizations. The inclusion of a dedicated oversight allowance (up to 2%) is a new explicit provision to ensure effective administration of grants.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) gains stable, multi-year funding to administer grants, potentially streamlining project approvals and oversight. This could reduce administrative burdens on federal staff by formalizing oversight funding.
- Citizens: Improves access to reliable intercity rail travel, benefiting commuters, travelers, and rural communities by potentially expanding routes, increasing service frequency, and modernizing infrastructure for safer, more efficient transportation.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. rail systems could indirectly support cross-border travel or trade efficiency with Canada and Mexico via integrated rail networks.
- Overall, the bill promotes economic growth through infrastructure investment but increases federal spending without specified revenue sources.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Primarily the DOT, which manages grant distribution and oversight.
- State and Local Governments: States partner with the federal government to apply for and receive grants for rail projects.
- Rail Operators and Industry: Entities like Amtrak and private rail companies benefit from funding for service expansions and upgrades.
- Citizens and Communities: Passengers, taxpayers, and regions with intercity rail lines gain from improved mobility and job creation in construction and operations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the framework under Title 49 for federal transportation grants by ensuring predictable funding, which could reduce legal challenges related to funding shortfalls. No new regulatory burdens are imposed, but the oversight provision enhances accountability in grant spending.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), as it funds national transportation infrastructure without infringing on state authority—states remain voluntary partners.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support for infrastructure (introduced by representatives from both parties), potentially advancing national priorities like sustainable transport and reducing highway congestion. It may spark debates on federal spending levels amid budget constraints, but introduces no controversial mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-05-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Reauthorization Act — issued 2025-05-07 — PDF (2 pages)