Transportation Equity Act

This bill brings back a Transportation Equity Committee at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The committee gives independent advice on how to make transportation fair for all communities, helps plan and track national measures, and reviews how well projects connect people to jobs and services, rebuild neighborhoods, and involve the public.

Key points:

• Who is involved: 9–15 members from community groups, tribes, local governments, academia, industry, and more, with a wide mix of backgrounds and places (urban, rural, tribal, territories, and underserved areas).
• What changes: DOT must set up the committee within 120 days; hold at least two public, accessible meetings each year; and appoint a full-time staff member to run it and keep records public. Meeting notices must be posted in advance.
• What the committee does: create a strategic plan and recommendations on national transportation measures, and review DOT’s work on connecting people to opportunity and community revitalization.
• Terms and support: members serve two-year terms with limited reappointments, and DOT’s policy office provides funding and administrative help.