What does Preamble of Investments in Rural Transit Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To increase the Federal operating share for rural transit, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of Investments in Rural Transit Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Investments in Rural Transit Act.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Investments in Rural Transit Act do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. The 'Administration' is defined as the Federal Transit Administration. The 'Administrator' is defined as the Administrator of the Administration. The term 'rural area' is defined by reference to section 5302 of title 49, United States Code. The 'Secretary' is defined as the Secretary of Transportation.

What does PROCUREMENT STREAMLINING. of Investments in Rural Transit Act do?

This section amends Section 3019(b) of the FAST Act to expand eligibility for cooperative procurement. The amendments broaden the types of entities that can participate in cooperative procurement, including nonprofit cooperative purchasing organizations and consortia of grantees. The definition of 'participate' is modified to include purchasing or procuring under cooperative contracts using assistance under chapter 53 of title 49. The section requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to establish a process for soliciting feedback on improving procurement strategies. The Secretary must assess this feedback and make advisory recommendations to Congress and the public regarding procurement improvements, including potential cost savings. Annual reports on these recommendations, including suggested statutory, regulatory, and guidance changes, will be submitted to Congress and made publicly available.

What does AMENDMENTS TO MASS TRANSIT. of Investments in Rural Transit Act do?

This section amends Chapter 53 of Title 49 of the United States Code, related to mass transit. Section 5311 is amended to increase the amount of assistance from $50 to $80 and to add a new subsection (k) regarding regulatory relief. The regulatory relief process established under section 5311(k) requires recommendations from the Federal Transit Administration Administrator and includes input from rural transit agencies, Tribal transit agencies, and State departments of transportation. Section 5339(b) is amended to allocate not less than 5 percent of available funds to Tribal transit agencies. The Federal share of the cost for eligible Tribal projects can be up to 100 percent. The Secretary may use less than 5 percent of funds for Tribal projects if insufficient eligible applications are received.

What does ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND TRIBAL of Investments in Rural Transit Act do?

This section establishes an Associate Administrator for Program Management and Tribal Transit within the Administration. The Secretary must designate this Associate Administrator within one year of the Act's enactment. The Associate Administrator will focus on capacity-building, coordination, and technical assistance for Tribal transit, in addition to any other responsibilities assigned.

What does JOINT REVIEW ON LOW- TO NO-EMISSION PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES of Investments in Rural Transit Act do?

This section requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy to produce a joint report on procurement opportunities for low- and no-emission infrastructure by rural transit agencies. The report must be publicly available. The report should address opportunities for collaboration between rural transit agencies and other public entities, such as school districts and municipalities. The report is due within two years of the Act's enactment.

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Investments in Rural Transit Act

Last updated: 3/3/2026 · Introduced: 3/3/2026

Author: Tina Smith (D-MN)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill expands eligibility for cooperative procurement of transit vehicles and services to include nonprofit organizations and consortia, and requires the Secretary of Transportation to solicit and report on procurement improvement recommendations.
The bill increases the federal operating share for rural transit from $50 to $80 and allocates at least 5% of funds to Tribal transit agencies, with a potential federal cost share of up to 100% for eligible Tribal projects.
The bill establishes an Associate Administrator for Program Management and Tribal Transit within the Federal Transit Administration to focus on capacity-building and technical assistance for Tribal transit agencies.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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