Sponsors (3)
The bill makes federal transportation grants materially more accessible to rural and Tribal governments by expanding eligibility, lowering cost barriers, and providing application help, but does so at the cost of higher federal spending, increased competition and discretionary decision-making that may leave some jurisdictions disadvantaged.
Local and Tribal governments in high‑federal‑land counties can apply for and access DOT discretionary grants for roads, transit, airports, and rail projects, opening federal infrastructure funding to many rural and tribal jurisdictions.
Rural and small counties face lower upfront costs because local matching requirements are cut by 50%, making federal grants more financially accessible for project delivery.
The Secretary must provide technical assistance on request before and during each annual application period, increasing application support and likely improving success rates for small, rural, and Tribal applicants.
Reduced local matches and expanded eligibility shift more project costs to federal funds, likely increasing federal spending and taxpayer liabilities.
Broadening eligibility and added priorities will increase competition for limited DOT discretionary funds, lowering the chance any single applicant receives funding.
Prioritizing specific high‑federal‑land counties and Tribal governments could disadvantage other eligible jurisdictions, reducing their likelihood of receiving grants.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Halves local matching requirements and requires technical assistance and priority consideration for small counties with >50% federal land applying for specified DOT discretionary grants.
Official title: Improve the process for awarding grants under certain programs of the Department of Transportation to certain counties in which the majority of land is owned or managed by the Federal Government and to other units of local government and Tribal governments in those counties, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 31, 2025 by Catherine Marie Cortez Masto · Last progress July 31, 2025
Reduces barriers for small counties that are mostly federal land to win discretionary Department of Transportation (DOT) grants by cutting local matching requirements, requiring technical assistance, and creating prioritized consideration in grant decisions. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to offer extra flexibility and support—including score and eligibility adjustments—and gives Tribal governments special attention for assistance and prioritization. The law defines which counties qualify (population ≤100,000 and >50% federally owned/managed land), lists the covered DOT discretionary grant programs, and lets the Secretary implement reduced match, application help, and priority status (including a 10‑year nonrecipient priority and rural set‑aside consideration) to increase these communities’ access to DOT funding.