HR6671-119

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes 3 billion dollars per year from the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient Infrastructure program. It reserves 750 million dollars for planning grants and 2.25 billion dollars for capital construction grants, renames and expands the existing reconnecting communities program, and adds selection criteria focused on access to jobs, health care, schools, groceries, recreation, child care, parks, natural infrastructure, community participation, anti-displacement measures, land trusts, and community benefit agreements.

Who Benefits and How

State, local, and Tribal project sponsors benefit from a dedicated five-year federal funding stream for planning and construction. Communities separated by highways, rail lines, or other transportation barriers benefit when projects restore access to jobs, health services, schools, grocery stores, places of worship, recreation, child care, and parks.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Department of Transportation must administer a larger grant program with more detailed selection criteria and community-participation review. Applicants must document affordability, anti-displacement, advisory group, land trust, or community benefit agreement strategies. Federal taxpayers bear the cost through Highway Trust Fund commitments.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes 3 billion dollars annually for REPAIR infrastructure grants from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
• Provides 750 million dollars for planning grants and 2.25 billion dollars for capital construction grants each year.
• Expands project criteria to include access to jobs, health care, groceries, schools, recreation, child care, parks, and natural infrastructure.
• Requires project review to consider community participation, partnerships, anti-displacement measures, land trusts, and community benefit agreements.