Sponsors (2)
The bill clarifies eligible uses of Section 130 set-aside funds to promote consistent, quicker deployment of trespassing-prevention projects—potentially improving safety—but it creates a risk that some projects will become ineligible and imposes short-term administrative costs on state agencies.
Rural road users, nearby residents, and transportation workers may see more trespassing-prevention and safety projects implemented, potentially reducing trespassing fatalities and injuries.
State transportation agencies and rural/local governments will have clearer federal guidance on what Section 130 set-aside funds can pay for, enabling more consistent, faster project selection and more efficient use of federal highway funds.
Some local safety or infrastructure projects may lose access to Section 130 funds if the guidance narrows eligible activities, limiting funding options for certain rural or local priorities.
State transportation agencies may incur short-term administrative costs and need to revise planning and programs to align with the new guidance, causing temporary delays to some projects.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires DOT/FHWA to provide guidance within one year identifying which rail-highway crossing projects states may fund from an existing set-aside to reduce trespassing fatalities.
Introduced February 4, 2026 by Maxwell Frost · Last progress February 4, 2026
Requires the Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to issue guidance within one year that identifies which types of rail-highway crossing projects states may fund using an existing set-aside under the federal rail-highway crossing program. The guidance must clarify allowable uses of those set-aside funds specifically to reduce trespassing fatalities at rail crossings. This law does not itself create new funding or change grant formulas; it directs the Department of Transportation to clarify eligible project types so states can use existing set-aside dollars to support trespassing-reduction work at crossings.