House T&I Panel Calls for $580B Five-Year Transportation Bill
WASHINGTON—The beginning of what may be the next five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill began on May 17 with the release of a bipartisan proposal by key members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee. Congressional lawmakers leading the discussions are Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) who are seeking to authorize $580 billion in funding for highway, transit and safety programs through Sept. 30, 2031.
Existing highway and transit authorizations are set to expire Sept. 30.
One facet of The BUILD America 250 Act would establish a $130 annual fee on electric vehicles (EVs) and $35 annual fee for hybrid vehicles to ensure all users of the highway system support its maintenance and upkeep. These provisions would represent new revenue to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the first time in decades. The fees would gradually increase every two years but would be capped at $150 for EVs and $50 for hybrids, according to an analysis of the legislation released by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).
While the EV and hybrid user fees are a welcome recognition of the importance of the user pays system, Congress will have to identify additional resources to cover the measure’s total expenditures, ARTBA officials stated.
The Build America 250 Act continues total highway investment at current levels, with slight growth adjustments as the duration of the bill goes forward. The highway formula programs would increase by more than 3% in year-one, with more modest growth in the out-years. Formula funds would receive 90% of the proposed resources, and the remaining 10% would be directed to discretionary and allocated programs.
The measure would increase bridge formula program funding from $5.5 billion to $9 billion annually, but would make the current bridge discretionary grant program subject to annual appropriations. Total funding of $45 billion in bridge investments over five years would represent a 12% increase over prior law. The program would require at least 25% of funds go to local and off-system bridges.
Mass transit programs would receive a $2-billion investment cut to $16.9 billion in FY 2027 with modest growth thereafter. This cut is due, in large part, to the elimination of $1.6 billion in annual guaranteed Capital Investment Grants (CIG) included in current law, ATRBA noted.
The House T&I Committee is scheduled to act on the measure by Thurs. May 21, before Congress heads home for the Memorial Day District Work Period. The House Energy & Commerce Committee, Science, Space and Technology Committee, and Ways & Means Committee will also consider sections of the bill, prior to consideration by the full House. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is still aiming to release their highway portion of a reauthorization bill this summer.
Published: May 19, 2026.