Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3449

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-04-17T08:07:01Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act" (H.R. 3449) aims to improve public transportation by creating a new federal grant program to cover operating costs. This supports enhanced mobility, environmental sustainability, and access to jobs and essential services, particularly for underserved and low-income communities, while promoting increased transit ridership to combat climate change.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the High Quality Transit Operating Support Program (Section 5308):
• Administered by the Secretary of Transportation through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), providing grants to eligible recipients (transit agencies in urbanized areas under section 5307, states or possessions under section 5311, and Indian Tribes).
• Focuses on projects that improve service for transit-dependent populations, such as reducing wait times (headways), expanding service areas/hours, enhancing reliability, IT upgrades for real-time info and safety, better network connectivity, fare coordination, service planning for changing needs, access measurements, safety measures, cleaning initiatives, and workforce training.
• A majority of funds must benefit underserved communities (low-income or minority areas) or areas of persistent poverty (counties or census tracts with long-term high poverty rates ≥20%).

• Funding Allocation and Authorization:
• For fiscal years 2025–2028, authorizes $20 billion annually.
• Initial apportionment: 50% of average annual operating costs over the prior 3 years for urbanized areas, states (for rural subrecipients), and Indian Tribes, based on National Transit Database data.
• Remaining funds apportioned proportionally to total reported operating costs; no recipient can exceed 80% of their average costs.
• Funds available for obligation for 2 years; unobligated amounts roll over to the next year.

• Federal Share and Matching Requirements:
• Generally 50% federal share for operating costs.
• Up to 80% for projects in persistent poverty or underserved areas.
• 100% for Indian Tribes.
• Up to 25% of non-federal match can come from related capital improvements (e.g., vehicle purchases or facility upgrades).
• For mixed projects (operating and non-operating), shares vary by component.

• Reporting and Conditions:
• Recipients must report service data (e.g., vehicle hours, passenger trips, access to jobs/services) to the National Transit Database, with emphasis on underserved areas.
• Biennial surveys of riders and non-riders in target areas, published online.
• States must identify unserved/underserved rural areas and report progress on service strategies.
• Maintenance of effort: Recipients certify they will not reduce transit operations funding; failure reduces next year's allocation by one-third.
• Secretary must issue regulations within 1 year, including definitions for key terms like "preponderance of a grant" (majority of funds) and access metrics.
• Creates a multimodal access measurement tool for agencies; interim use of other data allowed.

• Other Elements:
• Adds to general purposes of federal transit programs (section 5301(b)): Supporting transit's role in fighting climate change via ridership growth.
• Applies labor protections (section 5333) to the new program.
• Requires a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report 4 years after enactment, reviewing program outcomes like new service and access improvements.
• Sense of Congress: Calls for increased capital funding for transit.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Inserts new section 5308 into title 49, United States Code (after section 5307 on urbanized area formula grants), creating a dedicated operating support program not previously available at this scale.
• Amends section 5311(g)(2) to raise the federal share for rural operating assistance from 50% to 80% of net costs.
• Expands reporting requirements in the National Transit Database to include equity-focused metrics (e.g., service in poverty areas).
• Introduces maintenance of effort rules and survey mandates, which are new conditions for operating grants.
• Clerical update: Adds section 5308 to the chapter table of contents.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation and FTA will administer a large new program ($80 billion total authorized), requiring regulations, data tools, and oversight. States and tribes gain more funding flexibility but face stricter reporting. A GAO review may lead to future adjustments.
• Citizens: Improves transit access for non-drivers, low-income residents, minorities, and rural populations, potentially increasing service frequency, reliability, and connections to jobs, healthcare, education, and shopping. Benefits underserved areas by prioritizing equity, enhancing safety, and supporting climate goals through reduced car use and emissions.
• International Relations: No direct impacts; focuses on domestic transit.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Transit Agencies and Eligible Recipients: Urban and rural public transit operators, states, and Indian Tribes receiving funds under sections 5307/5311; they gain operating support but must comply with reporting and equity rules.
• Underserved and Low-Income Communities: Residents in areas of persistent poverty, low median-income census tracts, minority neighborhoods, or unserved rural zones; primary beneficiaries through expanded, equitable service.
• Transit Riders and Non-Riders: General public gains from better service, safety, and access; surveys ensure input from diverse groups.
• Workforce and Businesses: Employees in transit (via training) and essential service providers (e.g., healthcare, retail) benefit from improved connectivity.
• Federal and State Governments: Funders and overseers, with Congress authorizing significant appropriations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces equity in federal funding by mandating majority use for underserved areas, aligning with civil rights laws (e.g., Title VI nondiscrimination). Labor protections ensure fair wages; definitions (e.g., underserved community includes disaster-affected or low-access areas) provide clarity but allow Secretary discretion. No supplanting of other funds, preserving eligibility for capital grants.
• Constitutional: Supports equal protection by targeting persistent poverty and minorities without creating suspect classifications; federal spending power justifies conditions like maintenance of effort.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (119 cosponsors) signals broad support for transit investment. Authorizes substantial funding amid infrastructure debates, with a non-binding call for more capital aid. Potential for controversy over high federal shares (up to 100% for tribes) or reporting burdens on small agencies, but emphasizes climate and equity goals in line with recent policies like the Inflation Reduction Act.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

Cosponsors (146)

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] and 96 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-05-15: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-05-15: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (17 pages)