Sponsor
Greg Stanton
Representative · D-AZ
Alters title 23 to allow greater Tribal use of Tribal Transportation Program funds for road grading and requires a BIA study on the effects of removing the prior limit.
Representative · D-AZ
The bill increases funding and regulatory flexibility to improve tribal road conditions, safety, and local economic opportunity while producing a study to guide future policy — at the cost of higher federal spending, potential shifts in infrastructure priorities, some loss of uniform oversight, and a delay before evidence-based changes take effect.
Tribal communities and residents will have safer, more reliable roads and faster emergency response and access to services because the bill funds road repairs and allows grading projects.
Tribal members and nearby rural communities may gain more local jobs and economic opportunities from increased road work, reduced isolation, and better transport for businesses.
Tribal governments will have greater ability to manage road projects—through funding and regulatory flexibility—which strengthens tribal self-determination and local control over infrastructure decisions.
Taxpayers could face higher federal spending and budget trade-offs because the bill increases federal funding dedicated to Tribal road needs.
Immediate benefits are delayed because a multi-year study (at least three years) postpones policy changes based on its findings.
Giving Tribes more regulatory flexibility could reduce federal oversight and create inconsistent standards or accountability across projects.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Official title: To remove certain limitations with respect to road grading under Tribal transportation programs and study the impacts of such removal, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 2, 2026 by Greg Stanton · Last progress April 2, 2026
Allows Tribes greater flexibility to use Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) funds for road grading by changing a limit in title 23 and orders a Bureau of Indian Affairs study on the effects of removing that limit. The bill directs the Interior Department to measure how changes affect miles graded, road conditions, Tribal spending priorities, economic and emergency outcomes, employment on projects, and Tribal satisfaction, and to report findings and recommendations to Congress within two years after the study is finished.