Active Transportation for Public Lands Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8514
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T20:12:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Active Transportation for Public Lands Act (H.R. 8514)
Purpose
This bill aims to promote non-motorized transportation options, such as walking and biking, on federal and tribal public lands by reserving a portion of federal transportation funds specifically for these "active transportation" projects.
Key Provisions
- Funding Set-Aside: The Secretary of Transportation must reserve at least 5% of funds each fiscal year from the Federal Lands Transportation Program (under section 203 of title 23, U.S. Code) and the Federal Lands Access Program (under section 204). These funds are combined and dedicated exclusively to active transportation.
- Definition of Active Transportation: Includes projects like:
- Building, planning, and designing trails (on-road or off-road), sidewalks, bicycle paths, traffic signals for pedestrians and bikes, safety features (e.g., lighting, traffic calming), and infrastructure to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for accessibility.
- Safe routes for non-drivers (e.g., children, older adults, people with disabilities) to reach public places or points of interest.
- Converting abandoned railroad corridors into trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other non-motorized users.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends section 201 of title 23, U.S. Code (governing federal lands and tribal transportation programs) by adding a new subsection (f) that mandates this 5% set-aside.
- Previously, funds from these programs could be used more flexibly without a required minimum for active transportation.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation (DOT) must prioritize and track these funds, potentially shifting budgets away from road-focused projects toward trails and pedestrian infrastructure on federal and tribal lands.
- Citizens: Improves access, safety, and recreation for walkers, cyclists, families, seniors, and people with disabilities on public lands, promoting health and reducing reliance on cars.
- No Direct International Relations Impact: Focuses on domestic federal and tribal lands.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: DOT (implements the set-aside); land managers like National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management (benefit from new infrastructure).
- Tribal Governments: Eligible for funds under tribal transportation programs, enhancing access on tribal lands.
- Public Users: Pedestrians, bicyclists, non-drivers, and communities seeking safer, more inclusive transportation options.
- Transportation Planners and Contractors: Must design and build ADA-compliant, non-motorized projects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Creates an enforceable mandate on federal spending, with potential for oversight or lawsuits if the 5% threshold is not met; aligns with existing ADA requirements (a federal law ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities).
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; uses Congress's spending power under Article I to direct federal highway funds.
- Political: Could spark debate over prioritizing non-motorized options versus traditional roads in public lands budgets, appealing to environmental and health advocates while facing pushback from auto-focused interests. Still in early stages (introduced April 27, 2026; referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Active Transportation for Public Lands Act — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (3 pages)