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Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act

USA119th CongressHR-3449| House 
| Updated: 5/16/2025
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (144)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Donald Norcross (Democratic)Nikema Williams (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)Becca Balint (Democratic)Laura Friedman (Democratic)John Garamendi (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Sylvia R. Garcia (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)Mikie Sherrill (Democratic)Gabe Amo (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Robert Garcia (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Jennifer L. McClellan (Democratic)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)Ed Case (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Emanuel Cleaver (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Bill Foster (Democratic)Patrick Ryan (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Laura Gillen (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Greg Casar (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Frank J. Mrvan (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)George Latimer (Democratic)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Joseph D. Morelle (Democratic)Emilia Strong Sykes (Democratic)Glenn Ivey (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Sara Jacobs (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Lucy McBath (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Val T. Hoyle (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Nellie Pou (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Richard E. Neal (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Timothy M. Kennedy (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Josh Riley (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Eric Sorensen (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Maxine Waters (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Seth Magaziner (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Jared Moskowitz (Democratic)Nancy Pelosi (Democratic)Luz M. Rivas (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Frank Pallone (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Jimmy Gomez (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Ayanna Pressley (Democratic)Veronica Escobar (Democratic)Herbert C. Conaway (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Highways and Transit Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act" proposes to amend title 49, United States Code, by establishing a new "High Quality Transit Operating Support Program." This program, overseen by the Secretary of Transportation, aims to provide grants to eligible recipients for public transportation operating costs. Its primary goals are to enhance mobility, improve environmental sustainability, and invest in service improvements across the nation. Funding under this program would be apportioned to urbanized areas, States, and Indian Tribes, initially based on 50 percent of their average annual operating costs over the preceding three years. Any remaining funds would be distributed proportionally based on total operating costs reported to the National Transit Database. However, no recipient can receive more than 80 percent of their average operating costs in a given year, ensuring a local contribution. Eligible projects for these grants include a wide range of service enhancements such as decreasing headways, expanding service areas or hours, improving transit reliability, and implementing IT enhancements for customer information and safety. The program also supports initiatives for seamless complete trips, service planning, measuring access to essential services, enhancing customer safety, improving the transit environment, and workforce development necessary to maintain or improve service. A key requirement is that a preponderance of grant funds must be used for projects benefiting underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty . The Federal share for most projects is 50 percent, but it increases to 80 percent for operating assistance components in these disadvantaged areas, and Indian Tribes receive a 100 percent Federal share. Recipients must also meet specific reporting requirements to the Federal Transit Administration, including data on service to underserved areas and conducting regular surveys of riders and non-riders. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $20,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to carry out this program. Additionally, it increases the Federal share for operating assistance in rural areas under section 5311 to 80 percent. The Secretary is directed to establish a multimodal access measurement interface, and the Government Accountability Office will review the program's outcomes, particularly its impact on access to work and essential services in disadvantaged communities.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7039
Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3744
Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act
May 15, 2025
Introduced in House
May 15, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
May 16, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7039
    Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3744
    Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act


  • May 15, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 15, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • May 16, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Transportation and Public Works

Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act

USA119th CongressHR-3449| House 
| Updated: 5/16/2025
The "Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act" proposes to amend title 49, United States Code, by establishing a new "High Quality Transit Operating Support Program." This program, overseen by the Secretary of Transportation, aims to provide grants to eligible recipients for public transportation operating costs. Its primary goals are to enhance mobility, improve environmental sustainability, and invest in service improvements across the nation. Funding under this program would be apportioned to urbanized areas, States, and Indian Tribes, initially based on 50 percent of their average annual operating costs over the preceding three years. Any remaining funds would be distributed proportionally based on total operating costs reported to the National Transit Database. However, no recipient can receive more than 80 percent of their average operating costs in a given year, ensuring a local contribution. Eligible projects for these grants include a wide range of service enhancements such as decreasing headways, expanding service areas or hours, improving transit reliability, and implementing IT enhancements for customer information and safety. The program also supports initiatives for seamless complete trips, service planning, measuring access to essential services, enhancing customer safety, improving the transit environment, and workforce development necessary to maintain or improve service. A key requirement is that a preponderance of grant funds must be used for projects benefiting underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty . The Federal share for most projects is 50 percent, but it increases to 80 percent for operating assistance components in these disadvantaged areas, and Indian Tribes receive a 100 percent Federal share. Recipients must also meet specific reporting requirements to the Federal Transit Administration, including data on service to underserved areas and conducting regular surveys of riders and non-riders. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $20,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to carry out this program. Additionally, it increases the Federal share for operating assistance in rural areas under section 5311 to 80 percent. The Secretary is directed to establish a multimodal access measurement interface, and the Government Accountability Office will review the program's outcomes, particularly its impact on access to work and essential services in disadvantaged communities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7039
Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3744
Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act
May 15, 2025
Introduced in House
May 15, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
May 16, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7039
    Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3744
    Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act


  • May 15, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 15, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.


  • May 16, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (144)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Donald Norcross (Democratic)Nikema Williams (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Marcy Kaptur (Democratic)Becca Balint (Democratic)Laura Friedman (Democratic)John Garamendi (Democratic)Jonathan L. Jackson (Democratic)Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Sylvia R. Garcia (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Marc A. Veasey (Democratic)Mikie Sherrill (Democratic)Gabe Amo (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Robert Garcia (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Jennifer L. McClellan (Democratic)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)Ed Case (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Emanuel Cleaver (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Bill Foster (Democratic)Patrick Ryan (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Ilhan Omar (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Greg Landsman (Democratic)Laura Gillen (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Juan Vargas (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Dina Titus (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Greg Casar (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Shri Thanedar (Democratic)Frank J. Mrvan (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Ro Khanna (Democratic)George Latimer (Democratic)Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Democratic)Nikki Budzinski (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Joseph D. Morelle (Democratic)Emilia Strong Sykes (Democratic)Glenn Ivey (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Sara Jacobs (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Morgan McGarvey (Democratic)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Adelita S. Grijalva (Democratic)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Lucy McBath (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Val T. Hoyle (Democratic)Brad Sherman (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Nellie Pou (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Richard E. Neal (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Timothy M. Kennedy (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Josh Riley (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Mike Quigley (Democratic)Sean Casten (Democratic)Diana DeGette (Democratic)Eric Sorensen (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Maxine Waters (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)Adam Smith (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Seth Magaziner (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Jared Moskowitz (Democratic)Nancy Pelosi (Democratic)Luz M. Rivas (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Kevin Mullin (Democratic)Frank Pallone (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Jimmy Gomez (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Kweisi Mfume (Democratic)Ayanna Pressley (Democratic)Veronica Escobar (Democratic)Herbert C. Conaway (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Highways and Transit Subcommittee

Transportation and Public Works

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted