Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act

This bill orders the Department of Transportation’s watchdog to review how the biggest transit systems used certain federal funds, including COVID‑19 relief. The review must cover the last five fiscal years before the law takes effect, show how much money each agency got, and explain how it was spent. A report to Congress is due within 180 days, which could lead to more transparency and better use of funds that support buses, subways, and trains .

Key points:

• Who is affected: The five busiest transit agencies in 2019 that received money under the covered laws, plus riders and taxpayers who rely on these systems.
• What changes: A required audit of the amounts received and how the money was spent, focused on specified laws that include coronavirus relief funds .
• When: The audit report must be delivered to Congress within 180 days after the law takes effect.