Sponsors (3)
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Last progress April 28, 2025 (10 months ago)
Introduced on April 28, 2025 by Greg Stanton
Allows the Secretary of Transportation to award extra discretionary highway funds to States that have grown in population since the last decennial census, and orders a short, formal study of whether the current Federal‑aid highway apportionment method fairly reflects states’ shares (including estimated tax payments to the Highway Trust Fund) and meets statutory goals. The Secretary must consult State DOTs, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations, recommend a revised apportionment method (factors and weightings), and report to Congress within 90 days of enactment. The funding change authority takes effect the first fiscal year beginning after enactment.
Amend section 104(c)(1) of title 23, United States Code, by striking clause (i) in subparagraph (B).
Amend section 104(c)(1) of title 23, United States Code, by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively.
Add a new subparagraph (C) to section 104(c)(1) of title 23 to authorize the Secretary to provide an additional discretionary amount to each State that has increased in population since the previous decennial census under section 141(a) of title 13, United States Code. The extra amount is to be provided in a proportion based on the relative population increase of each such State, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Specify applicability: the amendments made by this subsection apply beginning with the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.
The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with State departments of transportation and representatives of local governments (including metropolitan planning organizations), shall conduct a highway formula modernization study to assess the method and data used to apportion Federal-aid highway funds and issue recommendations.
Who is affected and how:
State governments and State departments of transportation: Directly affected. States that have grown since the last decennial census may become eligible to receive additional discretionary Federal highway funds; State DOTs will also be partners in and consumers of the required study and its recommendations.
Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and local governments: Affected as consultees and implementers; they must participate in the study process and could see changes in funding distribution that affect regional planning and project priorities.
Federal Highway Administration / Department of Transportation: Takes on the new authority to allocate additional discretionary funds and must lead a rapid, detailed study and prepare recommendations to Congress within 90 days.
Highway contractors, suppliers, and construction workforce: Indirectly affected. Shifts in discretionary funding flows could change where projects are funded and when procurement and construction activity occur.
Taxpayers and states with slower population growth: Potentially affected by changes in funding distribution. If discretionary awards are directed toward growing States, other States could receive comparatively less discretionary funding unless offsets are identified.
Congress: Receives an expedited report with recommended apportionment changes; may face requests to act on formula changes based on recommendations.
Practical considerations and likely effects:
Net effect: The measure creates a near‑term pathway for reallocating discretionary highway dollars toward growing States and forces a rapid, evidence‑driven review of the apportionment system that could inform future law changes.