Bill > HR7298

This bill, titled the "Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026," amends the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 to expand eligibility for the transit-oriented development planning grant program. Specifically, it renames the program from a "pilot program" to a "grant program" and broadens the definition of eligible projects to include not only new fixed guideway capital projects and core capacity improvements but also fixed guideway bus rapid transit projects and corridor-based capital investments in existing fixed guideway systems. The bill also clarifies that "predevelopment activities" encompass a wider range of planning and design tasks, such as site evaluation, engineering, community engagement, and feasibility studies. Furthermore, it enhances the grant program's objectives to include supporting these predevelopment activities and improving access to transit and transit-oriented development sites for all users, including individuals with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations, by ensuring safe and efficient navigation and connectivity, including through paratransit and bicycle infrastructure. The bill authorizes $75 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for this grant program, in addition to other appropriated funds, and relocates the program's provisions within the U.S. Code for better organization.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7298/all-info