Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4926
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-09: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-15T15:00:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act (H.R. 4926) aims to give states greater flexibility in managing federal highway funds by increasing the amount they can transfer between different highway programs.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 126(a) of Title 23, United States Code, which governs the use of Federal-aid highway funds.
- Allows states to transfer up to 75% of their apportioned federal highway funds to other eligible highway programs, rather than the previous limit.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, states can transfer a maximum of 50% of their federal-aid highway funds between programs to address specific needs, such as safety or maintenance.
- This bill raises that cap to 75%, enabling states to reallocate a larger portion of funds without needing special waivers or approvals.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) may see reduced administrative burdens from fewer transfer requests, while state departments of transportation gain more control over fund distribution to prioritize local priorities like road repairs or congestion relief.
- On citizens: Could lead to faster improvements in highway infrastructure, potentially enhancing safety, reducing travel times, and supporting economic activity in communities dependent on efficient roads.
- On international relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic funding mechanism focused on U.S. highways.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and local governments: Primary beneficiaries, as they receive and manage the funds for highway projects.
- Federal government (DOT): Oversees fund distribution but with potentially less oversight on transfers.
- Highway users and industries: Includes commuters, freight transporters, construction firms, and businesses that rely on well-maintained roads for operations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens states' authority under federal highway law without altering core funding formulas or eligibility rules; no conflicts with existing statutes anticipated.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federalism principles by devolving more decision-making to states, respecting the 10th Amendment's reservation of powers to states.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan infrastructure efficiency (introduced by representatives from different parties), but could spark debates on whether increased flexibility leads to uneven national priorities or reduced accountability for federal dollars.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-09: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-08-08: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-08-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act — issued 2025-08-08 — PDF (2 pages)