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Traffic safety

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Enhance State Transportation Flexibility

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Congresswomen Harriet Hageman and Dina Titus have introduced the Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at providing state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) with greater flexibility in managing federal highway funds. Currently, approximately 90% of federal highway funding is distributed to states through a complex set of formula-based programs, but states are limited in their ability to transfer funds between programs. The bill, if enacted, would raise the cap on funding transfers from 50% to 75%, allowing states to better prioritize and allocate resources to meet their unique transportation needs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act aims to provide state DOTs with greater flexibility in managing federal highway funds.
  • Approximately 90% of federal highway funding is distributed to states through a complex set of formula-based programs.
  • The bill would raise the cap on funding transfers from 50% to 75%, allowing states to shift a greater share of funds between programs.
  • The bill has earned the endorsement of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), which represents state DOTs across the country.
  • A companion bill has already been introduced in the Senate by Senators Kevin Cramer and Angela Alsobrooks.
  • The bill would allow states to better prioritize and allocate resources to meet their unique transportation needs, enhancing their ability to respond to pressing infrastructure challenges.
  • AASHTO's core policy principles for surface transportation reauthorization call on Congress to strengthen the federally-assisted state administered program by increasing transferability among formula program categories without federal approval.
  • The bill is sponsored by Congresswoman Harriet Hageman and Representative Dina Titus, who stated that states know best where their most urgent transportation needs lie and need the flexibility to invest in high-priority infrastructure projects.

Statistics:

  • 90% of federal highway funding is distributed to states through a complex set of formula-based programs. [1]
  • The cap on funding transfers would be raised from 50% to 75% under the Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act. [1]
  • AASHTO represents state DOTs across the country. [2]
  • There are approximately 50 state Departments of Transportation in the United States. [2]
  • Approximately 75% of federal highway funding is currently allocated to specific formula programs, limiting state flexibility. [2]
  • The bill aims to increase flexibility, allowing states to shift a greater share of funds between programs. [1]
  • The companion bill in the Senate has already been introduced by Senators Kevin Cramer and Angela Alsobrooks. [1]
  • The bill would mark a significant step toward empowering states with the tools they need to deliver modern, responsive infrastructure solutions. [1]

Sources:

  • [1] "Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act" (press release, office of Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman)
  • [2] "AASHTO Endorses Highway Funding Transferability Improvement Act" (press release, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)
  • [3] "Companion Bill Introduced in Senate" (press release, office of Senator Kevin Cramer)
  • [4] "Statement from Congresswoman Dina Titus" (press release, office of Congresswoman Dina Titus)

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