Sponsors (4)
The bill provides modest, predictable federal planning funds and accessibility-focused support to accelerate transit-oriented development—especially in urban areas—but increases federal spending, risks favoring transit-rich communities over rural areas, and does not guarantee later construction funding.
Local governments and communities receive predictable federal planning funds — $75 million per year (FY2027–2031) — to support transit-oriented development (TOD) planning and local project advancement.
People with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and transit-dependent riders gain improved mobility because the bill explicitly funds paratransit and bicycle connectivity improvements.
Local communities can plan and prepare sites for TOD through funded predevelopment activities (planning, engineering, and community engagement), which helps projects move forward and can reduce later redesign costs and delays.
Taxpayers face higher federal spending because the bill authorizes $75 million per year without specified offsets, which could increase the federal deficit.
Rural communities may receive little benefit because dedicated TOD planning funds are likely to flow to urban or transit-rich areas, leaving areas with limited transit capacity behind.
Local governments and project sponsors may be left frustrated if they expect federal capital construction funding after planning grants, since this bill provides planning support but does not guarantee construction money.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Expands and funds a TOD planning grant program—adding predevelopment activities, new project types (including BRT), accessibility improvements, and authorizing $75M/year for FY2027–2031.
Introduced January 30, 2026 by Lateefah Simon · Last progress January 30, 2026
Amends federal transit planning law to expand and better fund a transit-oriented development (TOD) planning grant program. It adds predevelopment activities to eligible uses, broadens eligible project types to include fixed-guideway bus rapid transit and corridor-based capital investments, emphasizes improving access for persons with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent riders (including paratransit and bicycle connectivity), and authorizes $75 million annually for fiscal years 2027–2031 in addition to existing formula or discretionary amounts under 49 U.S.C. 5338.