Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB502

Introduced
1/16/25  
Refer
1/16/25  

Caption

Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act This bill modifies the definition of rural area that is used for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program and adds provisions for small communities.As background, the grant program supports projects that improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. Eligible applicants for the grant program include states, regional transportation planning organizations, local governments, and tribal governments.For purposes of the program, the bill defines rural area as an area outside an urbanized area that has a population of 30,000 or less. Current law requires a rural area to be outside of an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000.The bill includes provisions for small communities (i.e., an area outside an urbanized area and that has a population of 5,000 or less). The bill sets the maximum federal cost-share at 90% for project grants carried out in a small community. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must use at least 5% of the program's annual funds to provide grants for projects in small communities. The bill also removes the prohibition against DOT using more than 10% of program funds for grants that are under $25 million.Further, program grants may be used for highway, road, bridge, or tunnel projects that would benefit the economic development or quality of life for citizens of the local community.The bill also specifies that the program's goals include the generation of economic growth and development in rural areas. 

Impact

The proposed amendments under HB 502 are expected to generate economic development within rural areas, improving the quality of life for residents. By expanding the eligibility for the grant program to include smaller communities, the bill intends to facilitate better access to necessary funding for infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and tunnels, which are crucial for economic activities and connectivity in these regions.

Summary

House Bill 502, titled the 'Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act,' aims to enhance accessibility to the rural surface transportation grant program specifically for areas classified as rural. The bill seeks to amend existing statutes under title 23 of the United States Code to redefine criteria regarding community size, categorizing areas with populations of 30,000 or less as eligible for this federal grant program. This change is anticipated to benefit smaller communities and improve their infrastructure capabilities significantly.

Contention

While proponents argue that this bill is essential for addressing the unique transportation needs of rural areas and enhancing infrastructure investment, there may be concerns regarding the allocation of federal funds and the effectiveness of such programs. Critics may question whether these changes will translate into meaningful improvements on the ground, especially in managing project execution and ensuring that funds are utilized effectively to generate real economic benefits for rural communities.

Congress_id

119-HR-502

Policy_area

Transportation and Public Works

Introduced_date

2025-01-16

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB5626

A bill to modify the Federal share of operating costs for certain projects that receive grants under the Formula Grants to Rural Areas Program of the Federal Transit Administration.

US HB9531

To make projects in certain counties eligible for funding under the rural surface transportation grant program, and for other purposes.

US HB414

Investing in Rural Manufacturing Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to make loans for certain costs to businesses that manufacture goods essential to critical infrastructure sectors in rural areas. Businesses that meet at least 75% of their job creation goals under such loans may receive partial loan forgiveness.

US SB4301

A bill to grant States and Indian Tribes the authority to waive the 2-year foreign residence requirement for educators in rural and Tribal areas, and for other purposes.

US SB5456

A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize rural residency planning and development grant programs, and for other purposes.

US HB43

Rural Broadband Window of Opportunity Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to prioritize the processing of applications for certain rural broadband expansion projects that are located in areas with the shortest construction seasons (e.g., areas with long winters and heavy snowfall).

US SB5172

A bill to amend the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to ensure that businesses and organizations that work with vulnerable populations are able to request background checks for their contractors who work with those populations, as well as for individuals that the businesses or organizations license or certify to provide care for those populations.

US HB221

Professional Pell Education Learning Act or the PROPEL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by allowing students to use these grants for enrollment in educational programs that consist of vocational or technical training, flight training, apprenticeship, or other on-job training. In addition, the bill expands institutional eligibility under the Federal Pell Grant program, including by allowing these vocational and training programs to be unaccredited.

US HB485

Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act of 2023 This bill prohibits all federal health care programs, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and federally funded state health care programs (e.g., Medicaid) from using prices that are based on quality-adjusted life years (i.e., measures that discount the value of a life based on disability) to determine relevant thresholds for coverage, reimbursements, or incentive programs.

US HB9050

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a grant program for the transportation of veterans who reside in highly rural areas to medical facilities.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.