Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2025

This bill would change how injury lawsuits work on infrastructure and transportation projects that use federal money, federal tax breaks, or federal permits. It would ban “absolute liability” for injuries from elevation or gravity risks (like falls from heights or being struck by hoisted materials) and instead require a comparative negligence standard for these claims. “Absolute liability” here means holding owners or contractors responsible without considering the injured person’s own actions, such as ignoring safety instructions, not using provided safety gear, being impaired by drugs or alcohol, or committing a crime, when those actions helped cause the injury.

The bill would override any state laws that impose absolute liability on these kinds of federally supported projects, and these cases would go to federal court. It would not change state workers’ compensation systems. The new rules would apply to projects where a state or local government accepts federal assistance on or after January 1, 2026.

• Who is affected: Property owners, contractors, and subcontractors on covered projects; and “covered persons,” meaning people who supervise, perform work on, or are otherwise affiliated with the project.
• What changes: No absolute liability for elevation/gravity-related injuries; comparative negligence applies; federal law preempts conflicting state rules; federal courts handle these claims; workers’ comp is unaffected.
• When: Applies to projects accepting federal assistance on or after January 1, 2026.