What does Preamble of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This bill authorizes funding for Federal-aid highways and related programs. It covers bridge construction and rehabilitation, highway safety, transit, and rail programs. The bill was introduced to the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

What does DEFINITIONS. of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “Comptroller General” is defined as the Comptroller General of the United States. “Department” is defined as the Department of Transportation, unless otherwise specified. “Secretary” is defined as the Secretary of Transportation, unless otherwise specified.

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This Act takes effect on October 1, 2026, except as otherwise provided

What does AUTOMATIC EXECUTION OF CONFORMING CHANGES. of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This section amends Section 101 of Title 23, United States Code. The amendment adds a subsection (f) regarding the automatic execution of conforming changes to covered highways laws. This subsection applies when an amendment to a covered highways law adds, repeals, transfers, or amends the designation or heading of a section or larger organizational unit.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This section authorizes appropriations from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for various transportation programs. For fiscal years 2027 through 2031, $56,934,650,000 to $60,943,911,618 is authorized for the national highway performance program, surface transportation block grant program, highway safety improvement program, congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, and the national highway freight and highway priority corridor program. Credit assistance under the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program is authorized at $250,000,000 annually from 2027 through 2031. Grants for rebuilding America's vital engineering structures are authorized at $9,200,000,000 annually from 2027 through 2031. Funding is also authorized for tribal transportation programs, federal lands transportation programs, the territorial and Puerto Rico highway program, safe streets and roads for all program, the surface transportation accelerator grant program, PROTECT grants, nationally significant federal lands and tribal projects, highway research and development, and other related programs. The Secretary is directed to develop objective criteria for disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) certification and to establish minimum uniform criteria for State governments to use in certifying DBEs. The Secretary may not terminate, withhold, or delay grant agreements based on non-statutory program goals or agency priorities.

What does OBLIGATION LIMITATION. of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This section establishes obligation limitations for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The limitations are $72,270,000,000 for 2027, $73,045,000,000 for 2028, $74,382,000,000 for 2029, $75,657,000,000 for 2030, and $76,996,000,000 for 2031. Certain programs and activities are exempt from these limitations, including those under specific sections of Title 23, United States Code, and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The Secretary is responsible for distributing obligation authority, considering administrative expenses, unobligated balances, and authorized appropriations. The Secretary may revise and redistribute obligation authority if amounts cannot be obligated during a fiscal year, prioritizing states with large unobligated balances. Contract authority for transportation research programs and direct recipient metropolitan planning organizations are subject to limitations, with specific exceptions allowing for multi-year availability and additional funding. The Secretary must redistribute authorized funds that are unlikely to be allocated or apportioned to states due to obligation limitations.

What does DEFINITIONS. of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This section amends Section 101(a) of Title 23, United States Code. It modifies paragraph (18) to include 'backup power systems for traffic control devices and systems'. Paragraphs (6) through (36) are redesignated as paragraphs (7) through (37). A new paragraph (6) is inserted defining 'digital infrastructure'. ’Digital infrastructure’ is defined as public and private technology assets that create, exchange, secure, or use data.

What does APPORTIONMENT. of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This section amends Section 104 of title 23, United States Code, regarding apportionment. The amendment updates funding amounts for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. It also modifies the percentages and amounts for various programs and corridors. The section removes references to the carbon reduction program and the PROTECT program. It inserts 'and high priority corridor' after 'national highway freight' in several places.

What does NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT MULTIMODAL FREIGHT AND HIGHWAY of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This section amends title 23, United States Code, relating to nationally significant multimodal freight and highway projects. It modifies funding thresholds, eligibility criteria, and notification requirements within various subsections of section 117. It introduces a limited waiver authority allowing the Secretary to increase the Federal share for projects facing delays due to pending environmental approvals or permits, up to 100% for eligible non-construction costs. This waiver authority is capped at five projects per fiscal year and a maximum Federal participation of $30,000,000 per project. Eligible costs under the waiver authority are limited to planning, preliminary engineering, environmental review, and permitting activities. The waiver authority sunsets on October 1, 2031. It also removes or modifies certain paragraphs and clauses within section 117.

What does NATIONAL HIGHWAY PERFORMANCE PROGRAM. of BUILD America 250 Act do?

This section amends the National Highway Performance Program under Section 119 of title 23, United States Code. The Secretary must determine every 2 years if each State has a State asset management plan consistent with this section. Noncompliant states will have a reduced Federal share of 65 percent for projects and activities. States have the opportunity to cure deficiencies within 90 days, with possible extensions. The section also amends regulations regarding regional advance mitigation programs.

Back to bills

BUILD America 250 Act

Last updated: 5/22/2026 · Introduced: 5/19/2026

Author: Sam Graves (R-MO)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill authorizes approximately $56 billion to $60 billion annually from the Highway Trust Fund for various transportation programs from 2027 to 2031.
It establishes a new program for grants aimed at bridge construction and improvement, mandating states to allocate at least 20% of funds for off-system bridges.
The bill introduces a waiver authority allowing the Secretary to increase federal funding for projects facing delays due to environmental approvals, capped at five projects per year.
It mandates the Secretary to develop a national transit workforce development center to support training and education for public transportation authorities.
The legislation requires states to implement a registration fee for electric and hybrid vehicles, with fees increasing biennially starting in 2029.
It establishes a Freight Logistics Optimization Works Program to enhance freight system efficiency through voluntary public-private data sharing.
The bill includes provisions for the establishment of safety culture grant programs to improve safety practices across various railroad types.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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