BASICS Act

Full Title:
BASICS Act

Summary#

The Bridges And Safety Infrastructure for Community Success (BASICS) Act changes how some Federal transportation money is divided and how planning and bridge projects are chosen. It creates a new Strengthening Bridges Formula Program for bridge construction, replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection on public roads. The bill sets rules for how states must share these funds inside the state, requires local consultation for some small areas, and updates planning and safety program rules. It also makes changes to metropolitan and regional planning funding and gives certain metropolitan planning organizations direct access to Federal funding systems.

What it means for you#

  • State transportation departments will receive a new, dedicated bridge formula program and must follow new rules for how money is shared inside the state.
  • Local governments and small towns may get more direct consultation rights when projects affect areas under 50,000 people.
  • Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) can seek direct recipient status to receive and manage Federal planning funds and get the same access to Federal-aid financial systems as State DOTs.
  • Regional and rural planning groups may get new grant or formula money to build planning capacity and plan for transportation and economic development.
  • Tribal governments and local owners of off-system bridges may be eligible for federally funded bridge projects with full Federal share in some cases.

Expenses#

  • The bill sets aside $5,500,000,000 for the Strengthening Bridges Formula Program for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031.
  • It sets a total of $150,000,000 for carrying out regional transportation planning each fiscal year 2027 through 2031.
  • The minimum amount apportioned to a State each year under the bridges program is $45,000,000.
  • States must provide each federally designated regional transportation planning organization at least $300,000 in fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
  • From the bridges program, the Secretary must set aside 3 percent to carry out 23 U.S.C. 202(d) and may set aside up to 0.5 percent for FHWA administration and operations.
  • The bill makes the Federal share 100 percent for local, off-system bridge projects and makes metropolitan planning funds fully Federal-funded (100 percent Federal share) for the covered activities.
  • The bill alters percentage apportionments and suballocation rules in section 104 of title 23 (as shown in the bill text). No other cost estimates or budget impacts are provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill text says it will strengthen bridges, improve local consultation, support regional and rural planning capacity, and speed project delivery by allowing more planning funds to be used for preliminary design, administration, and related local needs.
  • The bill contains a "sense of Congress" that States should obligate funds to locally selected projects and that the Secretary should work with States to ensure local consultation and coordination processes are followed.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.