BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870)

Full breakdown available

This pages provides a high-level overview of this bill. For full list of provisions, line-item appropriations, and specific funding allocations, please view our detailed breakdown.

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Summary

Authorizes money for federal highways, bridges, safety programs, public transit, and railroads to improve the nation's transportation system.

What problem does this solve?

America's roads, bridges, and public transportation need money for repairs and new projects. Gives money to governments for highways, bridges, transit, and rail to make transportation better and safer.

What does this bill do?

Authorizes highway program funding

Provides over $56 billion for fiscal year 2027, with increases each year through 2031, for major federal highway, freight, and safety programs.

Creates new fees for electric and hybrid vehicles

Requires states to collect a new annual registration fee of $130 for electric vehicles and $35 for plug-in hybrid vehicles to help pay for roads.

Funds bridge construction and repair

Establishes new grant programs for building and fixing bridges, providing over $9 billion per year for state-apportioned grants and $2 billion per year for competitive grants.

Funds public transportation

Authorizes billions of dollars each year from 2027 to 2031 for public transit programs, including grants for urban and rural areas, buses, and rail systems.

Establishes rules for self-driving trucks

Directs the government to create a new safety standard for self-driving commercial trucks to operate in interstate commerce and sets rules for their operation.

Creates a pilot program for per-mile user fees

Sets up a national pilot program to test charging drivers based on the miles they drive, as a possible replacement for the gas tax.

Funds truck parking projects

Creates a pilot program with $150 million per year to build more parking for commercial trucks, addressing a national shortage and improving safety for drivers.

Speeds up project approvals

Aims to make environmental reviews for transportation projects faster by setting deadlines, allowing states to take on more responsibility, and streamlining processes.

Repeals certain grant programs

Eliminates the carbon reduction program and the neighborhood access and equity grant program, changing how some environmental and community-focused projects are funded.

Sets goals for disadvantaged businesses

Establishes a national goal that at least 10% of transportation funding should be spent with small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Who does this affect?

State and local governments
Drivers and public transit riders
Transportation and construction industries

What is the real world impact?

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Keeps transportation funding flowing

Provides money for roads, bridges, and public transit across the country. This ensures states can continue to build and repair important infrastructure.

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Modernizes transportation rules

Updates many transportation programs to make them faster and gets rid of some old programs. This tries to speed up the approval process for new projects.

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Introduces new fees for electric vehicles

Creates a new registration fee for electric and plug-in hybrid cars. This helps pay for roads since these cars don't use gasoline and don't pay gas taxes.

When does this start?

Most parts of this bill will start on October 1, 2026, but some sections have different start dates and deadlines.

Safety standard for self-driving trucks

The government must issue a safety standard for self-driving commercial trucks within 2 years of the bill's enactment.

Phase-out of older tank cars

Starting December 31, 2028, certain older railroad tank cars can no longer be used to transport flammable liquids unless they meet newer safety specifications.

Disadvantaged business criteria

The Secretary of Transportation must develop and publish criteria for identifying socially and economically disadvantaged businesses within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

Emergency relief manual update

The Federal Highway Administration must revise its emergency relief manual within 90 days of the bill's enactment.