Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6348

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-02: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Last Updated

2025-12-19T16:19:12Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025" aims to support state, tribal, and local governments in addressing transportation challenges when hosting major international sporting events in the United States. This includes providing federal funding and technical help to improve transportation infrastructure and planning, helping these areas gain national recognition and economic benefits from events like the Olympics or FIFA World Cup.

Key Provisions

• Covered Events: These are multi-day international sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Special Olympics, FIFA Women's World Cup, or FIFA Men's World Cup. The event must be selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or FIFA, held in a U.S. state or territory, and not occur regularly at that location. Multiple related events in the same city or nearby area (within a metropolitan statistical area) count as one event.

• Eligible Entities: Recipients of assistance include:
• Governments or tribes hosting the event.
• Governments or tribes supporting the event within a 100-mile radius.
• Metropolitan planning organizations (regional groups that plan transportation for urban areas) serving nearby areas.
• Operators of intercity passenger rail services or airports within 100 miles that qualify for federal grants.

• Eligible Projects: Funding can support:
• Transportation improvements (e.g., roads, rail, or public transit) that help move people and goods during the event or reduce negative impacts from event-related changes. These must qualify under existing federal transportation laws (Titles 23 or 49 of the U.S. Code).
• Planning activities to coordinate transportation for the event.
• Projects cannot fund temporary setups for the event itself or efforts to bid on hosting future events.

• Grant Program:
• Authorizes $50 million annually for grants, available until spent.
• Funds are allocated evenly to metropolitan planning organizations for host areas, up to $10 million per event per host area.
• Any remaining funds go to the next upcoming event.
• Grants must follow federal rules like "Buy America" (requiring U.S.-made materials for projects) and airport-specific regulations.

• Technical and Planning Assistance: The Secretary of Transportation must provide non-financial help, including:
• Support for developing transportation plans under existing federal programs.
• Help creating intermodal plans (coordinating different transport modes like buses, trains, and airports).
• Programs to share buses and equipment temporarily among governments during the event.
• Faster reviews of required federal approvals.
• Coordination between governments and private companies.
• Other aid as needed.

• Time Limits: Assistance is available only from 5 years before the event starts until 30 days after it ends.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Chapter 55 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code (which covers miscellaneous transportation programs) by adding a new section (5502) dedicated to international sporting events. Previously, no specific federal program existed for transportation aid tailored to these events; this creates a dedicated grant and assistance framework, building on general transportation funding laws without altering their core eligibility rules.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) will manage new grant allocations and provide technical support, potentially increasing its workload but streamlining event-related approvals. Local and state agencies gain access to targeted funding for long-term infrastructure improvements.

• On Citizens: Host communities may see better transportation options (e.g., upgraded transit) that benefit residents beyond the event, reducing congestion during high-visitor periods. Economic boosts from events could create jobs in construction and services, though short-term disruptions from construction are possible.

• On International Relations: By easing U.S. hosting of global events like the Olympics or World Cup, the law could strengthen the country's role in international sports, attracting more tourism and investment while showcasing U.S. infrastructure.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Host and Supporting Governments: State, local, tribal, and territorial entities within 100 miles of event sites, responsible for planning and implementing projects.
• Transportation Organizations: Metropolitan planning organizations, rail operators (e.g., Amtrak), and airport sponsors eligible for grants.
• Federal Government: Primarily the DOT, which oversees funding and assistance.
• Event Organizers and Communities: Indirectly, international bodies like the IOC and FIFA, plus local residents and businesses benefiting from economic activity.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill enforces existing federal standards (e.g., Buy America requirements and environmental reviews under Title 23) on new grants, ensuring consistency without creating conflicts. It defines terms clearly to avoid disputes over eligibility.

• Constitutional: No apparent issues; it involves standard federal spending on interstate commerce (transportation), which falls under Congress's enumerated powers. Tribal inclusion respects sovereignty under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

• Political: Authorizes ongoing funding without specifying sources, which could spark debates on budget priorities. It promotes U.S. competitiveness in bidding for international events, potentially influencing future foreign policy through sports diplomacy, but remains focused on domestic transportation aid.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-02: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2025-12-02: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-02 — PDF (10 pages)