U.S. House files five-year Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill
A U.S. bipartisan five-year Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill has been filed in the House.
“The bill also makes smart and targeted reforms to our surface transportation programs, focuses on strengthening our core infrastructure system, drives innovation, bolsters safety, ensures states have the flexibility they need, and cuts red tape to get projects built faster,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo), a co-sponsor on the bill, in a press release.
Reuters reports that the bill would authorize $580 billion ahead of the current law’s expiration on Sept. 30.
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee also issued a release stating that the bill fundamentally emphasizes moving people, goods, and freight safely and efficiently across the country.
“The BUILD America 250 Act provides the largest ever investment in America’s bridges [$50 billion], focuses on proven surface transportation infrastructure programs, cuts red tape in the infrastructure project process, allows states the flexibility to prioritize their most critical needs, encourages innovation, provides the first ever autonomous commercial motor vehicle framework, reforms passenger rail programs, and improves rail safety,” the release states.
The committee’s release notes that the bill strengthens the Highway Trust Fund by ensuring all highway users pay their share for the use and improvement of the nation’s roads.
“As a result, the BUILD America 250 Act injects the Highway Trust Fund with its first new stream of revenue for infrastructure in over three decades,” the release says.
Graves’ release more specifically notes that the bill ensures electric vehicle owners begin paying their fair share for the use of U.S. roads.
The bill would require EV owners to pay a $130 annually fee and hybrid vehicle owners to pay $35.
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Photo of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo)/courtesy of Graves’ office.