Sponsors (3)
The bill broadens eligible uses and increases funding to accelerate coastal resilience projects and public safety, but risks diverting highway maintenance funds, raises federal spending authorization, and creates short‑term uncertainty for applicants.
State and local governments can fund a wider range of projects under 23 U.S.C. 176 so more coastal and resilience projects qualify for FHWA grants.
The named IIJA program's authorization rises from $300 million to $500 million, enabling more coastal/resilience projects to receive funding.
Coastal and other vulnerable communities gain clearer and expanded grant authority for at‑risk coastal infrastructure, likely improving resilience and public safety.
Local governments, transportation workers, and commuters may experience delayed road maintenance if federal highway funds are redirected to the newly eligible uses.
Taxpayers face higher federal spending authorization from the increased program cap, which could add budgetary pressure or require offsets elsewhere.
State and local applicants may face uncertainty about eligibility because newly inserted language is vague, potentially delaying planning and grant applications until guidance is issued.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Expands eligible uses and grant authority for coastal/transportation projects under 23 U.S.C. 176 and raises an IIJA program authorization from $300M to $500M.
Official title: To amend title 23, United States Code, to provide for resilience grants for strengthening, upgrading, or improving municipal piers under the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation program, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 27, 2026 by Robert Garcia · Last progress April 27, 2026
Amends federal highway grant law to expand eligible uses and clarify authority for at‑risk coastal infrastructure projects, and increases a specified IIJA program authorization from $300 million to $500 million. The changes alter an enumerated list of eligible items under 23 U.S.C. 176, add language expanding or clarifying grant authority for at‑risk coastal infrastructure, and raise the authorized funding level for an IIJA program to $500,000,000.