Sponsors (16)
The bill secures steady federal planning funding to improve project readiness and competitiveness, but does so by reserving funds away from construction—potentially delaying visible safety improvements—and introduces some administrative uncertainty.
State and local governments (and the communities they serve) will receive a guaranteed minimum 20% share of Safe Streets and Roads for All funds for planning grants each year starting FY2024, giving them steadier planning resources that improve project development, speed later construction, and help communities compete for and leverage other federal infrastructure funds.
Local governments and communities will have a smaller share of program funds available for construction and implementation (because at least 20% is locked to planning), which could delay visible safety projects and mean taxpayers see fewer immediate, tangible improvements.
State and local applicants and the Department (Secretary of Transportation) face uncertainty from an incomplete amendment to program rules, which could complicate administration, slow applications, or create eligibility confusion.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires at least 20% of annual Safe Streets and Roads for All program funds, starting FY2024, be awarded to eligible planning grant projects.
Introduced September 18, 2025 by Stephen Cohen · Last progress September 18, 2025
Amends the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program to require that at least 20% of program funds each fiscal year, starting in FY2024, be awarded to eligible planning grant projects. The bill adjusts the allocation rules in the statute; one additional insertion into the statute is noted but the provided text is incomplete, so the full effect of that change is unclear.