Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1733
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-23: Committee on Environment and Public Works Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-14T21:09:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act aims to give states greater flexibility in managing Federal-aid highway funds by increasing the amount that can be transferred between different highway programs.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 126(a) of Title 23, United States Code, which governs the transferability of Federal-aid highway funds.
- Allows states to transfer up to 75% of their apportioned highway funds between programs, such as from national highway performance to surface transportation block grant programs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, under Section 126(a), states could transfer only up to 50% of their Federal-aid highway funds between eligible programs.
- This bill raises the transfer limit to 75%, providing more leeway without needing special approvals for larger shifts.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state departments of transportation may see reduced administrative burdens, as states can more easily reallocate funds to priority projects like road repairs or safety improvements.
- On Citizens: Could lead to faster or more targeted infrastructure improvements in states, potentially benefiting commuters, freight transporters, and local economies by addressing urgent needs without delays.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic funding mechanism focused on U.S. highways.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Local Governments: Primary beneficiaries, gaining more control over federal highway dollars to match local priorities.
- Federal Government (DOT): Retains oversight but with less involvement in routine fund transfers.
- Transportation Users and Businesses: Indirectly affected through potentially improved road networks and reduced congestion.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Simplifies fund management under existing federal highway law without altering core eligibility rules; no challenges to federal spending authority anticipated.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and fund infrastructure, promoting efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
- Political: May appeal to bipartisan interests in infrastructure efficiency, potentially encouraging similar flexibilities in future transportation bills, though it could raise concerns about uneven fund distribution across states.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-23: Committee on Environment and Public Works Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Hearings held.
- 2025-05-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-05-13: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (2 pages)