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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3413 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3413
To reauthorize and improve the reconnecting communities program, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 10, 2025
Ms. Blunt Rochester (for herself, Mr. Merkley, and Mr. Warnock)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize and improve the reconnecting communities program, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Restoring Essential Public Access
and Improving Resilient Infrastructure Act'' or the ``REPAIR
Infrastructure Act''.
SEC. 2. RESTORING ESSENTIAL PUBLIC ACCESS AND IMPROVING RESILIENT
INFRASTRUCTURE (REPAIR INFRASTRUCTURE) PROGRAM.
(a) Reauthorization.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated out
of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account)
$3,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to
carry out the REPAIR infrastructure program under section 11509
of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101
note; Public Law 117-58), of which--
(A) $750,000,000 shall be for planning grants under
subsection (c) of that section; and
(B) $2,250,000,000 shall be for capital
construction grants under subsection (d) of that
section.
(2) Treatment.--Amounts made available under paragraph (1)
shall be--
(A) available for obligation in the same manner as
if those amounts were apportioned under chapter 1 of
title 23, United States Code, except that those amounts
shall remain available until expended; and
(B) administered as if--
(i) apportioned under chapter 1 of title
23, United States Code; or
(ii) allocated under chapter 2 of title 23,
United States Code, in the case of amounts made
available to a Tribal government.
(3) Conforming amendments.--Section 11509 of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note;
Public Law 117-58) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking
``reconnecting communities pilot'' and inserting
``restoring essential public access and improving
resilient infrastructure (repair infrastructure)
program'';
(B) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by striking ``pilot''; and
(C) in subsection (f), by striking ``the period of
fiscal years 2022 through 2026'' and inserting ``the
period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031''.
(4) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law
117-58; 135 Stat. 429) is amended by striking the item relating
to section 11509 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 11509. Restoring essential public access and improving resilient
infrastructure (REPAIR infrastructure)
program.''.
(b) Selection Criteria.--Section 11509 of the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 117-58) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(4)(B)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``the demonstration by the applicant that'';
(B) in clause (i), by inserting ``the demonstration
by the applicant that'' before ``the eligible
facility'';
(C) in clause (ii)--
(i) in the matter preceding subclause (I),
by inserting ``the demonstration by the
applicant that'' before ``the eligible
facility''; and
(ii) in subclause (II), by striking ``and''
at the end;
(D) in clause (iii)--
(i) by inserting ``the demonstration by the
applicant that'' before ``on the basis''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) if information is available, the
extent to which the project will promote--
``(I) new or improved affordable
transportation options to increase safe
mobility and connectivity for all,
including for people with disabilities,
to promote access to economic activity
centers, including workforce housing,
jobs, healthcare, grocery stores,
schools, places of worship, recreation,
childcare, natural infrastructure, and
parks;
``(II) safe accommodation for all
users and seamless integration with the
surrounding character, context, and
land use, with consideration of the
economy and public health; or
``(III) economically thriving
communities for individuals to work,
live, and play by creating
transportation choices for individuals
to move freely and have meaningful
access to opportunities;
``(v) if information is available, the
extent to which the application demonstrates--
``(I) a robust community
participation plan that engages
community members most impacted by the
existing facility;
``(II) formal partnerships, backed
by signed commitment letters and a
budget, with organizations based in
communities adjacent to the project
area, including community-based
organizations and community development
financial institutions;
``(III) an approach that
meaningfully redresses historic
economic and physical barriers and
benefits underserved communities; or
``(IV) a representative community
advisory group, advisory board, or
other place-based management
organization with oversight authority,
including a community land trust,
community benefit agreement, or other
community development activity to
redress transportation-related gaps in
access; and
``(vi) if information is available, the
extent to which the applicant demonstrates--
``(I) creative placemaking; or
``(II) community restoration,
stabilization, and mechanisms to
preserve affordability, limit
disruption of low-income communities,
and prevent displacement of existing
residents, such as--
``(aa) assistance for
renters and legacy homeowners
and small businesses;
``(bb) preservation,
rehabilitation, and expansion
of location-efficient
affordable housing;
``(cc) mixed-income mixed
use development;
``(dd) affordable
commercial spaces; and
``(ee) other community
wealth-building activities.'';
and
(2) in subsection (d)(4)--
(A) by striking the paragraph designation and
heading and all that follows through ``basis of--'' in
subparagraph (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) and
inserting the following:
``(4) Selection criteria.--
``(A) Solicitation.--The Secretary shall solicit
applications for capital construction grants.
``(B) Criteria.--The Secretary shall evaluate
applications received under subparagraph (A) on the
basis of--'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (vii), by striking ``; and''
at the end and inserting ``and a description of
how those feasibility studies provide a basis
for better access to daily destinations;'';
(ii) in clause (viii)(II), by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(ix) a description of how partner
resources and other Federal and non-Federal
funds will support the project, including a
detailed description of all funding
commitments, financing, and in-kind support;
``(x) the extent to which the project will
encourage public and private investments to
support greater commercial and mixed-income
residential development near public
transportation, along rural main streets, or in
walkable neighborhoods;
``(xi) the extent to which the project will
promote--
``(I) new or improved affordable
transportation options to increase safe
mobility and connectivity for all,
including for people with disabilities,
to promote access to economic activity
centers, including workforce housing,
jobs, healthcare, grocery stores,
schools, places of worship, recreation,
childcare, natural infrastructure, and
parks;
``(II) safe accommodation for all
users and seamless integration with the
surrounding character, context, and
land use, with consideration of the
economy and public health; or
``(III) economically thriving
communities for individuals to work,
live, and play by creating
transportation choices for individuals
to move freely and have meaningful
access to opportunities;
``(xii) the extent to which the application
demonstrates--
``(I) a robust community
participation plan that engages
community members most impacted by the
existing facility;
``(II) formal partnerships, backed
by signed commitment letters and a
budget, with organizations based in
communities adjacent to the project
area, including community-based
organizations and community development
financial institutions;
``(III) an approach that
meaningfully redresses historic
economic and physical barriers and
benefits underserved communities; or
``(IV) a representative community
advisory group, advisory board, or
other place-based management
organization with oversight authority,
including a community land trust,
community benefit agreement, or other
community development activity to
redress transportation-related gaps in
access; and
``(xiii) the extent to which the applicant
demonstrates--
``(I) creative placemaking; or
``(II) community restoration,
stabilization, and mechanisms to
preserve affordability, limit
disruption of low-income communities,
and prevent displacement of existing
residents, such as--
``(aa) assistance for
renters and legacy homeowners
and small businesses;
``(bb) preservation,
rehabilitation, and expansion
of location-efficient
affordable housing;
``(cc) mixed-income mixed
use development;
``(dd) affordable
commercial spaces; and
``(ee) other community
wealth-building activities.'';
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Additional information.--An applicant may
include in an application under subparagraph (A)
information about land use policies that reduce
regional displacement pressures in the area in which
the project is located, including measurements of, of
the land that permits residential use--
``(i) the percentage that allows duplexes,
accessory dwelling units, or higher unit count;
``(ii) the percentage that allows triplexes
or higher unit count;
``(iii) the percentage that allows
quadruplexes or higher unit count; and
``(iv) the percentage that has no minimum
parking requirements.''.
(c) Travel Lanes.--Section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 117-58) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as
subsections (f) through (h), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Travel Lanes.--Amounts from a grant under this section may
not be used for a project that increases the number of travel lanes on
an existing highway.''.
SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY FOR REPAIR INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM PROJECTS.
(a) National Highway Performance Program.--Section 119(d)(2) of
title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(T) Construction of a project eligible for
assistance under the REPAIR infrastructure program
under section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 117-
58).''.
(b) Surface Transportation Block Grant Program.--Section 133 of
title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting after paragraph (3) the
following:
``(4) Projects eligible for assistance under the REPAIR
infrastructure program under section 11509 of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note;
Public Law 117-58).''; and
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``(5)'' and inserting
``(4)''.
(c) Highway Safety Improvement Program.--Section 148 of title 23,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (16) as
paragraphs (2) through (17), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(1) Divisive roadway infrastructure.--
``(A) In general.--The term `divisive roadway
infrastructure' means a highway or other transportation
facility that creates a barrier to community
connectivity, including barriers to mobility, access,
or economic development, due to high speeds, grade
separations, or other design factors.
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `divisive roadway
infrastructure' includes--
``(i) a limited access highway;
``(ii) a viaduct; and
``(iii) any other principal arterial
facility.''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) (as so
redesignated)--
(i) by redesignating clause (xxix) as
clause (xxx);
(ii) by inserting after clause (xxviii) the
following:
``(xxix) A project eligible for assistance
under the REPAIR infrastructure program under
section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law
117-58).''; and
(iii) in clause (xxx) (as so redesignated),
by striking ``(xxviii)'' and inserting
``(xxix)'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``subsections
(a)(13)'' and inserting ``subsections (a)(14)''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
(i) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(ii) in clause (vi), by adding ``and''
after the semicolon at the end; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(vii) to evaluate the impacts of divisive
roadway infrastructure;''; and
(3) in subsection (d)(2)(B)(i), by striking ``subsection
(a)(13)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(14)''.
(d) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.--
Section 149(b) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (10)(B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (11)(B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) if the project is a project eligible for assistance
under the REPAIR infrastructure program under section 11509 of
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note;
Public Law 117-58).''.
(e) Territorial Highway Program.--Section 165(c)(6)(A) of title 23,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(viii) Projects eligible for assistance
under the REPAIR infrastructure program under
section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law
117-58).''.
(f) National Highway Freight Program.--Section 167(h)(5)(C) of
title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating clauses (xxii) and (xxiii) as clauses
(xxiii) and (xxiv), respectively;
(2) by inserting after clause (xxi) the following:
``(xxii) A project eligible for assistance
under the REPAIR infrastructure program under
section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law
117-58).''; and
(3) in clause (xxiii) (as so redesignated), by striking
``(xxi)'' and inserting ``(xxii)''.
(g) Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program.--Section 173(e)(1)
of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) a project eligible for assistance under the
REPAIR infrastructure program under section 11509 of
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C.
101 note; Public Law 117-58).''.
(h) Carbon Reduction Program.--Section 175(c) of title 23, United
States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Flexibility.--
``(A) In general.--If the Secretary makes a
certification described in subparagraph (B), a State--
``(i) shall first use funds apportioned
under section 104(b)(7) for a project eligible
for assistance under the REPAIR infrastructure
program under section 11509 of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23
U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 117-58), as
determined by the Secretary, taking into
consideration any projects that received
planning grants under that program; and
``(ii) if funds remain available after
carrying out clause (i), in addition to
eligible projects under paragraph (1), may use
funds apportioned under section 104(b)(7) for a
project eligible under section 133(b).
``(B) Certification.--A certification referred to
in subparagraph (A) is a certification by the Secretary
that the State has demonstrated a reduction in
transportation emissions--
``(i) as estimated on a per capita basis;
and
``(ii) as estimated on a per unit of
economic output basis.''.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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