Sponsors (2)
The bill creates designated State Safe Routes to School coordinators to improve access and program continuity using existing highway funds without new federal spending, but risks diverting money from on-the-ground infrastructure projects and imposing administrative strain on smaller DOTs while limiting federal flexibility.
Parents, schools, and local governments will have a clear State DOT point of contact for Safe Routes to School, making it easier to find program help and information.
State DOTs can fund coordinator salaries from existing highway and transportation program funds, enabling implementation without new federal appropriations and reducing pressure for new taxes or additional federal spending.
State and local governments and children will likely see improved program continuity and responsiveness because designated coordinators must have vacancies filled within 180 days.
Local governments and children could receive fewer sidewalks, crossings, or other Safe Routes infrastructure if §133(h) or §148 funds are diverted to pay coordinator salaries instead of capital projects.
Small or rural State DOTs may face an administrative and resource burden to recruit, designate, and maintain coordinators, which could limit program uptake or effectiveness in those areas.
Limiting the Secretary from assigning duties beyond those authorized by Congress could reduce federal flexibility to require broader coordinator responsibilities, potentially hindering nationwide consistency or enforcement.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires each State to designate and publish a Safe Routes to School coordinator, fill vacancies within 180 days, and allows salary payment from certain existing Federal-aid program funds.
Official title: Amend title 23, United States Code, to require States to designate a coordinator of the safe routes to school program in the State, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 21, 2025 by Kevin Cramer · Last progress May 21, 2025
Requires each State to name a Safe Routes to School coordinator as the official point of contact for the State’s safe routes program, post that coordinator’s contact information on the State DOT website, and fill any vacancy within 180 days. States may designate an existing employee and may pay the coordinator’s salary using specified existing highway or safe routes program funds; the federal Secretary may not assign duties beyond those Congress authorizes.