What does Preamble of American High-Speed Rail Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To amend chapter 261 of title 49, United States Code, to provide for high-speed rail corridor development, and for other purposes.' The bill proposes amendments to chapter 261 of title 49, United States Code. The stated purpose of the bill is to provide for high-speed rail corridor development.

What does SHORT TITLE. of American High-Speed Rail Act do?

This bill is formally titled the American High-Speed Rail Act.

What does AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN HIGH-SPEED RAIL ASSISTANCE PROVISIONS. of American High-Speed Rail Act do?

This section amends certain high-speed rail assistance provisions, applying to Federal assistance provided on or after the date of enactment. Section 26101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to allow for a consortium of a public agency or group of public agencies and a private entity for corridor planning, up to 100 percent. The Secretary is required to prioritize financial assistance for corridor planning activities where at least 20 percent of the costs are from specified financial sources. Specified financial sources include the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Finance program, the transportation infrastructure finance and innovation program, funding from adjacent countries, and State, local, or private sources. Projects or activities for higher-speed rail may receive up to 20 percent of grants under this section. The Secretary may consider activities that incorporate intermodal connections and connections with other passenger rail systems. The definition of 'high-speed rail' is amended to mean transportation at 186 miles per hour or more. The definition of 'higher-speed rail' means transportation between 110 and 186 miles per hour. The Secretary may award up to 100 percent of the net capital cost of a project financed under this section. The Secretary shall prioritize financing capital projects in high-speed rail corridors where at least 20 percent of the project net capital cost is funded through specified financial sources. The Secretary shall not establish mandatory spending timelines for costs and activities associated with a project. The Secretary of State shall provide necessary Presidential permits for projects at international borders, unless it is not in the interest of national security.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of American High-Speed Rail Act do?

This section amends section 26104 of title 49, United States Code. It authorizes appropriations of $3,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out section 26101 (High-Speed Rail Corridor Planning). It authorizes appropriations of $3,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out section 26102 (High-Speed Rail Technology Improvements). It authorizes appropriations of $35,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out section 26106 (High-Speed Rail Corridor Development). It restricts spending, limiting higher-speed passenger train projects to a maximum of 20 percent of the total funds available under sections 26101 and 26106 for a fiscal year.

What does PILOT PROGRAM FOR TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING. of American High-Speed Rail Act do?

This section amends Section 20005(b) of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. It directs the Secretary to give greater consideration to communities where high-speed rail corridor development projects are proposed. It authorizes appropriations of $20,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out this subsection.

What does PAYMENTS OF CREDIT RISK PREMIUMS. of American High-Speed Rail Act do?

Section 22402(f) of title 49, United States Code, is amended. The amendment adds a provision regarding the availability of grant amounts. Grant amounts from specific appropriations acts can be used to pay credit risk premiums.

What does ACQUIRING FREIGHT TRAIN RIGHT OF WAY. of American High-Speed Rail Act do?

This section amends Chapter 261 of Title 49, United States Code, by adding Section 26107 regarding acquiring freight rail right-of-way. A rail carrier may sell, grant an easement on, or lease real property to a recipient of financial assistance under sections 26101 or 26106. The Secretary of Transportation may provide grants to rail carriers that sell, grant, or lease property and subsequently acquire additional real property along the right-of-way, up to the amount received from the sale, grant, or lease. Gains from the sale of real property, easements, or payments from leases under this section are excluded from a rail carrier's gross income for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Grant amounts received under subsection (b) are excluded from the gross income of the grant recipient for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Capital improvements made by recipients of financial assistance on rail carrier property are also excluded from the rail carrier's gross income. Section 28103 applies to property described in subsection (a).

What does LABOR PROTECTIONS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. of American High-Speed Rail Act do?

This section amends Section 22905 of Title 49, United States Code, to modify the designation of certain operators and providers of railroad transportation services as rail carriers and employers. It establishes that persons conducting passenger or freight rail operations or performing supporting work recognized under the Railway Labor Act on infrastructure funded by grants are considered rail carriers and employers for specific purposes. These purposes include being subject to the Railroad Retirement Act, the Railway Labor Act, and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, but not other U.S. laws. The section provides an exception for employers primarily in the building and construction industry performing construction work as contractors for rail carriers. Another exception applies to employers performing work as contractors or subcontractors for railroads or operators using infrastructure funded by grants, provided the work is consistent with collective bargaining agreements. Section 22909(j) of Title 49 is amended to reflect the redesignation of subsections within Section 22905.

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American High-Speed Rail Act

Last updated: 5/26/2026 · Introduced: 5/26/2026

Author: Seth Moulton (D-MA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill authorizes over $35 billion in funding from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for high-speed rail corridor development, alongside additional funding for planning and technology improvements.
It allows for public-private partnerships in high-speed rail corridor planning, enabling a consortium of public agencies and a private entity to seek up to 100 percent federal assistance.
The bill modifies definitions of 'high-speed rail' (186 mph or more) and 'higher-speed rail' (110-186 mph) to guide project prioritization and funding.
It establishes a pilot program providing additional consideration for communities where high-speed rail projects are proposed, with $20 million annually allocated from 2027-2031.
The bill facilitates the acquisition of freight rail right-of-way for high-speed rail projects by allowing rail carriers to sell, lease, or grant easements and potentially exclude related gains from gross income.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 6 more.

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