NO TOD Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8230
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-11T03:53:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
H.R. 8230: Negating Obligations for Transit-Oriented Developments Act (NO TOD Act)
Purpose
This bill aims to prevent federal transportation financing programs from funding transit-oriented development (TOD) projects, which are developments focused on commercial or residential uses near public transit. It removes TOD eligibility from two key loan programs and eliminates a related planning pilot program.
Key Provisions
- Section 2 (TIFIA Program): Amends title 23, U.S. Code, to:
- Remove specific language allowing TOD projects.
- Explicitly bar TOD projects (defined as "a project or components of a project designed for commercial or residential use") from the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (TIFIA) program, a federal loan and credit program for major transportation projects.
- Applies to project applications submitted after enactment.
- Section 3 (RRIF Program): Amends title 49, U.S. Code, to:
- Remove TOD projects from eligible categories under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program, which provides loans and loan guarantees for rail projects.
- Applies to loan applications submitted after enactment.
- Section 4: Eliminates the TOD planning pilot program established under MAP-21 (a 2012 transportation law).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Removes TOD eligibility: Previously, TOD projects could qualify for TIFIA and RRIF funding as part of broader transportation improvements; this bill strikes those provisions and adds direct ineligibility rules.
- Eliminates pilot program: Deletes funding and planning support for TOD under MAP-21's Section 20005(b).
- Changes apply prospectively (only to new applications after enactment), preserving prior commitments.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which runs TIFIA and RRIF, will redirect loans to pure infrastructure (e.g., roads, rails) rather than mixed-use developments.
- On citizens and communities: May slow construction of housing and businesses near transit hubs, potentially affecting urban growth, housing affordability, and access to public transit.
- On developers: Reduces access to low-cost federal loans for TOD, increasing reliance on private funding or state/local sources.
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Transit agencies and railroads: Lose a funding avenue for integrated development.
- Real estate developers: Barred from federal loans for commercial/residential projects tied to transit.
- State and local governments: Impacted in planning urban areas around transit stations.
- Federal government (DOT): Simplified program focus but potential reduction in project volume.
- Urban residents and commuters: Could see fewer TOD projects, altering neighborhood development.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward statutory amendments with clear definitions and applicability dates; no retroactive effects, minimizing legal challenges.
- Constitutional: None apparent; Congress has authority over federal spending and transportation programs.
- Political: Signals opposition to federally subsidized TOD, which some view as promoting dense urban growth; could influence debates on housing policy, infrastructure priorities, and federal versus local control.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Negating Obligations for Transit-Oriented Developments Act — issued 2026-04-09 — PDF (4 pages)