Parks to People Active Transportation Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7751

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-06-03T08:07:14Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Parks to People Active Transportation Act" (H.R. 7751) aims to promote safe, connected pathways for walking, biking, and other non-motorized travel by directing the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program. This program funds the improvement or construction of "greenway paths"—wheelchair-accessible, hard-surfaced routes that link communities, reduce car use, enhance safety, and support environmental goals like lowering pollution.

Key Provisions

• Program Establishment: Creates the National and Regional Greenways Program, offering competitive grants to eligible organizations for projects on paths designated as regionally or nationally significant. These paths must cross local or state boundaries, ease traffic congestion, boost access to jobs and transit, cut emissions (such as nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases), align with local planning, or meet other criteria set by the Secretary.

• Eligibility and Applications:
• Eligible organizations include local/regional governments, metropolitan planning organizations (groups that coordinate transportation in urban areas), multi-county districts, states (including territories), multi-state groups, and Indian Tribes.
• Projects must cost at least $15 million (or $100,000 for planning/design) and focus on closing gaps in path networks, especially in underserved areas. They should connect to public transit, parks, waterways, or economic opportunities while promoting health, safety, and ecological benefits.
• Applications require details on community support, safety measures, matching funds, and efforts to address disparities in pedestrian/bicyclist deaths based on race or income.
• For projects on federal lands, a cooperative agreement with the relevant federal agency is needed.

• Grant Considerations and Uses:
• Prioritizes projects that expand recreation, integrate with transit/parks, show broad community backing (e.g., from leaders and public input), commit to safety policies, provide extra funding or land, and benefit low-income or communities of color by improving access to schools, jobs, services, and recreation.
• Funds can cover construction/improvement of paths or acquiring necessary land.
• Annual set-asides: At least $5 million for planning grants to develop local/regional path plans; up to $3.5 million for program administration, research, technical assistance, and training.

• Federal Funding and Timelines:
• Federal share covers up to 80% of costs; increases to 100% for projects in high-poverty areas (over 40% poverty rate in most served census tracts) or 90% for rural areas (as defined in federal transportation law).
• Secretary must issue grant application notices within 60 days of funding availability and select recipients within 180 days.
• Authorizes $300 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

• Reporting Requirements:
• Interim report to Congress by September 30, 2028, and final report by September 30, 2030, detailing grants awarded, best practices, and challenges faced by recipients.

• Definitions (Key Terms):
• Active transportation: Non-car options like walking, biking, or using mobility aids/devices.
• Greenway path: Paved, accessible routes for active travel connecting communities or regions.
• Community: Interconnected geographic areas, including rural, suburban, or urban zones.
• Total project cost: All approved expenses, from land acquisition and construction to planning fees, insurance, and user safety training.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new standalone program under the Department of Transportation, without directly amending prior laws. It builds on existing federal transportation frameworks (e.g., rural area definitions from U.S. Code Title 23) by creating a dedicated funding stream for greenway paths, emphasizing equity and environmental integration in a way not previously centralized at the national level.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation gains responsibility for administering grants, designations, and reports, potentially increasing workload but also enabling coordination with federal land managers (e.g., for projects on national parks or forests).
• Citizens and Communities: Enhances access to safe walking/biking routes, particularly in underserved, low-income, or high-poverty areas, potentially reducing traffic deaths, pollution, and isolation while boosting health, recreation, and economic ties to jobs/transit. Rural and minority communities may see disproportionate benefits through higher federal funding shares.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though reduced emissions could indirectly support U.S. climate commitments abroad.
• Broader Effects: Could lower vehicle dependency, aiding urban planning and environmental conservation, but success depends on local matching funds and implementation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Eligible Organizations: Local/regional governments, states/territories, metropolitan planning bodies, multi-state groups, multi-county districts, and Indian Tribes, who apply for and manage grants.
• Communities and Residents: Especially low-income, communities of color, rural populations, and pedestrians/bicyclists benefiting from safer, more connected paths to parks, schools, jobs, and transit.
• Federal Entities: Department of Transportation (program lead), other agencies with federal land jurisdiction (e.g., National Park Service for cooperative agreements).
• Private/Nongovernmental Partners: Community leaders, nonprofits, and businesses providing support, input, or in-kind contributions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes clear eligibility, funding caps, and reporting mandates, with flexibility for the Secretary to define additional criteria. Emphasizes equity (e.g., higher funding for disadvantaged areas), aligning with federal anti-discrimination laws, but requires robust application reviews to ensure compliance.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; supports interstate commerce and general welfare by funding infrastructure that crosses state lines, while respecting tribal sovereignty through explicit inclusion of Indian Tribes (defined per federal Indian law).
• Political: Promotes bipartisan goals like safety, environmental protection, and economic development, but may spark debates over federal spending priorities in transportation budgets. The focus on disparities could advance social equity agendas without mandating changes to state/local policies.

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

Sponsor

Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2026-03-02: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
• 2026-03-02: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Parks to People Active Transportation Act — issued 2026-03-02 — PDF (12 pages)