H.R. 7298

119 HR 7298 IH: Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-01-30
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 7298  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   January 30, 2026   Ms. Simon  (for herself and  Ms. Jacobs ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure    A BILL
To amend the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 to alter project eligibility for the transit-oriented development planning grant program, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026  .
2.
Grant program for transit-oriented development planning
(a)
In general
Section 20005(b) of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 ( 49 U.S.C. 5303  note) is amended—
(1)
in the subsection heading by striking
Pilot program   and inserting
Grant program  ;
(2)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
in subparagraph (A) by striking  means a new fixed guideway capital project or a core capacity improvement project, as those terms are defined in section 5309 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this division.  and inserting
means—
(i)
a new fixed guideway capital project or a fixed guideway bus rapid transit project, as those terms are defined in section 5309; or
(ii)
a corridor-based capital investment in an existing fixed guideway system.
 ; and
(B)
by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
(B)
Predevelopment activities
The term  predevelopment activities  includes planning, site evaluation, engineering and architectural design, community engagement, feasibility studies, utility coordination, accessibility assessments, and other activities necessary to prepare a site for transit-oriented development.
 ;
(3)
in paragraph (2)—
(A)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting  and predevelopment activities  after  planning ;
(B)
in subparagraph (E)—
(i)
by striking  infrastructure  and inserting  and address infrastructure and utility ; and
(ii)
by striking  and  at the end;
(C)
in subparagraph (F) by striking the period at the end; and
(D)
by inserting at the end the following:
(G)
support predevelopment activities; and
(H)
improve access to transit and transit-oriented development sites for all users, including individuals with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations, to ensure people of all ages and abilities can safely and efficiently reach and navigate transit stations and transit-oriented developments, including through paratransit connectivity and bicycle infrastructure.
 ;
(4)
in paragraph (3)—
(A)
in subparagraph (D) by inserting  and predevelopment activities  after  plan ; and
(B)
in subparagraph (E)(iii) by inserting  and predevelopment activities  after  plan ; and
(5)
by adding at the end the following:
(4)
Authorization of appropriations
In addition to any amounts appropriated under section 5338, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
 .
(b)
Transfer
Section 20005(b) of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 ( 49 U.S.C. 5303  note) is transferred to appear as subsection (s) of section 5303 of title 49, United States Code.