BUILD America 250 Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8870
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-22: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 62 - 2.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T17:50:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8870, the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America's 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act)
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill authorizes funding for Federal-aid highways, bridge construction and rehabilitation, highway safety programs, transit programs, and rail programs. It aims to support infrastructure development, improve safety, enhance project delivery, and promote economic growth through transportation investments through fiscal year 2031. The legislation emphasizes streamlined processes, workforce development, and resilience measures while commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Authorizations and Apportionments: Provides multi-year funding levels for core programs, including the national highway performance program, surface transportation block grant program, and transit formula grants. It adjusts apportionment formulas and sets aside funds for specific uses like bridges and safety.
- New and Consolidated Grant Programs: Establishes the surface transportation accelerator grant program for rural, urban, and regional projects; consolidates state block grants for transit; and expands competitive programs for buses, ferries, and rail infrastructure.
- Safety and Security Initiatives: Enhances highway safety programs, introduces requirements for crime prevention in transit, and updates rules for commercial motor vehicles, including autonomous vehicle integration and impaired driving countermeasures.
- Environmental and Project Delivery Reforms: Streamlines environmental reviews, expands categorical exclusions, and introduces pre-award authority for certain projects to accelerate timelines.
- Innovation and Technology: Supports research, intelligent transportation systems, and pilot programs for emerging technologies like per-mile user fees and advanced safety hardware.
- Freight and Multimodal Improvements: Updates national freight policy, creates the Freight Logistics Optimization Works Program for data sharing, and funds culvert replacements and rural infrastructure.
- Amtrak and Rail Reforms: Authorizes grants for Amtrak operations and capital, requires safety culture improvements, and establishes a corridor identification program for passenger rail expansion.
- Hazardous Materials and Motor Carrier Updates: Revises registration fees, training grants, and safety standards for commercial drivers and freight operations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Consolidates multiple transit formula programs into a single state block grant, allowing greater flexibility in fund allocation.
- Repeals or modifies prior programs, such as the carbon reduction program and certain environmental review funds, while updating definitions for terms like "state of good repair" and "digital infrastructure."
- Introduces performance-based standards for asset management and safety plans, with penalties for non-compliance in some areas.
- Expands eligibility for disadvantaged business enterprises and adjusts federal share requirements for planning and resilience projects.
- Modifies commercial driver's license rules, including exemptions for certain farm-related and autonomous operations.
- Requires real-time data sharing for hazardous materials transport and updates rules for foreign cylinder manufacturers.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative burdens for states and localities due to new reporting, planning, and compliance requirements, but offers technical assistance and streamlined approvals to offset delays. Federal agencies gain enhanced oversight roles in safety data and environmental reviews.
- Citizens: Improves road safety, transit accessibility, and freight efficiency, potentially reducing travel times and accidents. Rural and underserved areas may see targeted investments, though higher costs for compliance could affect local budgets.
- International Relations: Limited direct effects, but provisions on foreign manufacturers of safety equipment and data privacy standards may influence trade practices with certain nations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and local transportation departments, metropolitan planning organizations, and tribal governments.
- Transit agencies, railroads (including Amtrak), and commercial motor carriers.
- Construction firms, engineering contractors, and disadvantaged business owners.
- Safety advocates, labor organizations, and environmental groups.
- Citizens in urban, rural, and tribal communities reliant on public transportation and highways.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill maintains a focus on federal-state partnerships without altering core constitutional divisions of power. It introduces voluntary data-sharing programs and performance metrics that could raise privacy considerations if expanded. Politically, it balances infrastructure spending with reforms aimed at efficiency and accountability, potentially affecting future budget negotiations and state flexibility in program administration.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-22: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 62 - 2.
- 2026-05-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-05-21: Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Discharged
- 2026-05-21: Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Discharged
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (1005 pages)