American High-Speed Rail Act

Bill Number: H.R. 9036
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-05-26: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-06-30T20:32:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose The legislation amends chapter 261 of title 49, United States Code, to expand federal support for high-speed rail corridor planning, technology improvements, and development. It aims to facilitate construction and operation of high-speed passenger rail systems, including provisions for cross-border corridors and integration with existing rail networks.

Key Provisions

Planning and Funding: Increases the federal share for corridor planning grants under section 26101 to up to 100 percent. Requires prioritization of projects where at least 20 percent of costs come from "specified financial sources" (including RRIF loans, TIFIA financing, foreign government funding from adjacent countries, or state/local/private sources). Funds from RRIF or TIFIA must be repaid from non-federal sources.
Definitions: Redefines "high-speed rail" as sustained speeds of 186 miles per hour or more (previously more than 125 mph). Introduces "higher-speed rail" as sustained speeds between 110 and 186 mph. Limits grants for higher-speed rail to no more than 20 percent of total funds under sections 26101 and 26106.
Eligibility and Project Selection: Allows consortia of public agencies and private entities to apply for grants. Adds evaluation criteria such as equity, resilience, sustainability, economic development, climate impacts, and service to "eligible places" under section 41731. Removes certain prior restrictions on corridor planning.
Development Grants: Under section 26106, federal share may reach 100 percent. Prioritizes projects with at least 20 percent non-federal funding from specified sources. Authorizes the Secretary to designate high-speed rail corridors.
New Authorities: Adds advance acquisition of right-of-way before environmental reviews are complete (with certifications to avoid influencing project decisions). Creates a pilot program for transit-oriented development planning with special consideration for high-speed rail communities. Allows use of certain prior-year grant funds for credit risk premiums.
Freight Rail Right-of-Way: Permits rail carriers to sell, grant easements on, or lease property to high-speed rail recipients. Provides tax exclusions on gains from such transactions and grants to carriers for replacement property. Applies section 28103 liability rules.
Labor and Workforce: Updates rules so certain operators and service providers are treated as rail carriers for Railroad Retirement, Railway Labor, and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts, with exceptions for construction contractors and specific collective bargaining agreements.
Authorizations: Provides $3 billion annually for planning (26101), $3 billion for technology (26102), and $35 billion for development (26106) for fiscal years 2027–2031. Limits higher-speed rail spending to 20 percent of combined planning and development funds. Adds $20 million annually for the transit-oriented development pilot.
Other: Requires performance-based safety regulations that do not inhibit interoperability. Provides for Presidential permits for border projects unless national security concerns apply. Removes mandatory spending timelines for projects.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Expands eligibility for federal assistance to include private-public consortia and increases the maximum federal funding share from 50 percent to 100 percent in planning and development.
Introduces a new definition of high-speed rail and a category for higher-speed rail, with spending caps on the latter.
Adds advance right-of-way acquisition authority and tax incentives for freight rail property transfers.
Modifies labor applicability rules for operators, contractors, and maintenance work.
Updates project selection factors to include equity, climate, and economic development metrics.
Significantly increases multiyear funding authorizations compared to prior levels.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities and funding oversight for the Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration, including new corridor designation authority and environmental review processes. May accelerate project approvals through advance acquisition and permit streamlining.
Citizens: Could improve intercity travel options, support transit-oriented development, and promote economic growth in corridor areas, though impacts depend on project selection and completion.
International Relations: Facilitates cross-border high-speed rail by allowing foreign government funding and expediting Presidential permits for boundary projects.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal agencies (DOT, FRA, State Department).
State and local governments.
Private rail operators, Amtrak, and freight carriers.
Labor unions and railroad workers.
Communities and businesses along proposed corridors.
International partners for border projects.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Emphasizes performance-based safety standards and interoperability requirements, potentially affecting regulatory consistency across networks.
Includes tax code exclusions for property transactions and grants, which interact with Internal Revenue Code provisions.
Addresses environmental reviews, relocation assistance, and historic preservation under existing federal laws.
Large-scale appropriations and expanded private involvement may raise questions about federal spending priorities and interstate commerce authority, though the bill focuses on existing rail programs.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

Cosponsors (52)

Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7] and 2 more

Recent Actions

2026-05-26: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-05-26: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-05-26: Introduced in House
2026-05-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

American High-Speed Rail Act — issued 2026-05-26 — PDF (21 pages)