Bill > HR171

This bill, called the "Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act", requires the inspector general of the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive audit of federal funds received by the top five public transportation agencies (based on passenger trips in 2019) during the five fiscal years preceding the bill's enactment. The audit must examine the amount of funds received under several specific laws, including COVID-19 relief acts like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, and provide a detailed description of how these funds were spent. The inspector general is mandated to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment, detailing the findings of this audit. The bill defines "public transportation" using the existing definition in federal transportation code and specifically targets the five transit agencies with the most passenger trips in 2019 that received federal funding through the designated applicable laws. The primary goal is to increase transparency and accountability in how federal transportation funds, particularly those related to COVID-19 relief, were used by major transit agencies.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/171/all-info