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Requires the Secretary of Transportation to allow electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for passenger cars at Interstate rest areas, subject to the same rules that govern other roadside facilities. It preserves the prohibition on other commercial activities on Interstate rights-of-way except for what is necessary to provide charging, makes technical edits to related highway statutes, and states that the change does not express a view about other Federal authorities.
Adds a new subsection (f) to Section 111 of title 23 requiring that the Secretary shall permit electric vehicle charging infrastructure for passenger automobiles at rest areas on the Interstate System, notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), and consistent with section 109(s).
Savings clause: Nothing in the new subsection permits commercial activities on rights-of-way on the Interstate System except as necessary for the charging of electric vehicles in accordance with the subsection.
Conforming amendment to Section 149(c)(2) of title 23: strike the words "such stations" and insert "such natural gas vehicle refueling stations."
Conforming amendment to Section 149(c)(2) of title 23: the text shows an instruction "by striking ." (indicating deletion as written in the amendment).
Conforming amendment to Section 1401(d)(2) of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Jason's Law): strike the phrase "Electric vehicle battery charging stations or natural" and insert "Natural".
Adds a new subsection (f) to 23 U.S.C. 111 that requires the Secretary to permit electric vehicle charging infrastructure for passenger automobiles at rest areas on the Interstate System (notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b)) and includes a savings clause limiting commercial activities on rights-of-way except as necessary for charging.
Modifies the text of 23 U.S.C. 149(c)(2) by replacing the phrase "such stations" with "such natural gas vehicle refueling stations" (and includes a second sub-amendment shown as striking an element).
Primary effects:
Electric vehicle drivers: Gain potentially wider access to charging along the Interstate System as rest areas become eligible locations for passenger EV chargers.
Federal agencies (DOT/FHWA): Must implement a permitting approach consistent with the new statutory requirement and existing standards; will handle applications and ensure compliance with safety, access, and right-of-way rules.
State Departments of Transportation and rest-area operators: May see new requests to site and host charging equipment; may coordinate permitting, operations, maintenance, and any contracts with charging providers. States that operate rest areas may need to address logistics and liability but are not compelled to fund installations.
Charging infrastructure companies and utilities: May gain new, publicly accessible sites for installations and will need to arrange site design, grid interconnection, and potential commercial agreements; utilities may need to respond to new demand and interconnection requests.
Local businesses and commercial vendors: Little direct benefit from rest-area chargers because the law preserves the ban on other commercial activities along Interstate rights-of-way, limiting opportunities for adjacent commercial services at rest areas.
Practical considerations:
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Introduced August 1, 2025 by Jeff Merkley · Last progress August 1, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Introduced in Senate