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Adds the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation to multiple lists of entities that may receive Department of Transportation grants and creates an exception allowing certain projects awarded to that Corporation to be funded at a full (100%) federal share. The change covers several DOT grant programs, including the BUILD/RAISE program and specified rail grant programs, and removes or reduces the recipient match requirement for eligible projects awarded to that Corporation. The result is that projects run by the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation can receive the same grant types as other applicants but — where the exception applies — receive complete federal funding, which lowers local costs and could speed project delivery for station redevelopment and related rail/transportation work.
The Union Station Redevelopment Corporation shall be eligible to receive grants under the program for national infrastructure investments (referred to in the text as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program and formerly the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program) carried out by the Department of Transportation.
The Federal share of a grant under the BUILD/RAISE program to the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation shall be 100 percent.
Amend 49 U.S.C. §6701(a)(2): revise subparagraph lettering (G),(H) and insert a new subparagraph (H) that adds 'Union Station Redevelopment Corporation' to the list of entities in subsection (a)(2).
Amend 49 U.S.C. §6701(i) by adding subsection (i)(4) (titled 'Exception') that states: Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the total amount awarded for a project under the program awarded to the entity described in subsection (a)(2)(H) shall be 100 percent of the total eligible project costs described in subsection (h).
Amend 49 U.S.C. §22907(b) by adding a new item (14) that names 'The Union Station Redevelopment Corporation' in the list of entities in subsection (b).
Primary effect: the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation is now legally eligible for several Department of Transportation grant programs and, for certain projects awarded to it, may receive the full federal share (100%). That reduces or eliminates the local matching requirement for those projects, lowering the up-front cost barrier and enabling potentially faster project starts and completions for station redevelopment and related rail/transportation improvements. Communities where Union Station projects occur and local governments partnering with the Corporation can benefit from reduced local funding needs and improved project timing.
Secondary effects: other grant applicants in the same programs will continue to compete under existing rules but may face tougher competition because the Corporation can receive awards without providing a local match where the exception applies. The change does not create new grant funds; it reallocates eligibility and cost-sharing rules, shifting more of the financial burden to the federal government for awarded projects. Administrative and regulatory burdens are minimal because the change amends eligibility and federal-share language; DOT program procedures and review processes still apply.
Fiscal and policy considerations: because the federal share can be set at 100% for projects awarded to the named corporation, more federal funds may be used for those projects instead of local or state contributions. The statute creates a site-specific exception (targeted benefit), raising questions about precedent for other localized 100% federal-share requests. It does not impose new mandates on states or localities and does not change tax law or include emergency-designation spending.
Amends 49 U.S.C. 6701: in subsection (a)(2) inserts a new subparagraph (H) adding the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation to the listed entities (and redesignates prior subparagraph (H) as (I)); and adds a new subsection (i)(4) 'Exception' providing that the total amount awarded for a project under the program awarded to the entity described in subsection (a)(2)(H) shall be 100 percent of the total eligible project costs described in subsection (h).
Amends 49 U.S.C. 22907: in subsection (b) adds a new paragraph (14) inserting 'The Union Station Redevelopment Corporation.'; also amends subsection (h)(2) by inserting text before the period (specific inserted text not provided in section).
Amends 49 U.S.C. 24911: in subsection (a)(1) inserts a new subparagraph (H) adding the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (and redesignates prior subparagraph (H) as (I)); and in subsection (f) adds a new paragraph (4) 'Exception' providing that the total amount awarded for a project under the program to the entity described in subsection (a)(1)(H) shall be 100 percent.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced April 9, 2025 by Christopher Van Hollen · Last progress April 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate