Bill Summary
The "District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act" is a bill aimed at amending existing federal law to ensure that the District of Columbia (D.C.) is treated as a state for certain transportation-related grant programs. Specifically, the bill modifies several sections of Title 49 of the United States Code to include D.C. in various federal funding formulas and programs.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Formula Grants for Buses**: D.C. will be recognized alongside states in the allocation of federal funds for bus programs.
2. **Apportionments for Growing and High-Density States**: The bill ensures that D.C. is included in the apportionment calculations for federal funding based on population growth and density.
3. **National Culvert Grant Program**: D.C. will also be eligible for grants aimed at culvert removal, replacement, and restoration, which are essential for infrastructure maintenance and environmental protection.
4. **Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program**: D.C. will be acknowledged as a state when applying for funds aimed at improving road safety and infrastructure.
Overall, this legislation seeks to enhance transportation funding equity by granting D.C. access to the same federal resources available to states, recognizing its unique status and needs.
Possible Impacts
The **District of Columbia Transportation Funding Equality Act** could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Increased Transportation Funding**: By treating the District of Columbia as a state for specific grant programs, residents could see an increase in funding for public transportation projects. This could lead to improved bus services, expanded routes, and better overall public transit infrastructure, benefiting daily commuters and reducing traffic congestion.
2. **Enhanced Safety Initiatives**: The inclusion of the District of Columbia in grant programs focused on safe streets and roads could enable the city to implement more safety measures, such as better crosswalks, bike lanes, and traffic calming features. This would potentially lead to a decrease in traffic accidents and promote safer travel for pedestrians and cyclists, enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.
3. **Environmental Improvements**: The amendments regarding national culvert removal, replacement, and restoration grant programs could lead to better water management and environmental restoration projects in the District. This could improve water quality in local rivers and streams, mitigate flooding, and create healthier ecosystems, which would positively impact the community and its natural surroundings.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6950 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6950
To amend title 49, United States Code, to treat the District of
Columbia as a State for purposes of certain grant programs, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 6, 2026
Ms. Norton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to treat the District of
Columbia as a State for purposes of certain grant programs, 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 ``District of Columbia Transportation
Funding Equality Act''.
SEC. 2. FORMULA GRANTS FOR BUSES.
Section 5339(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``and the District of
Columbia'' after ``United States''; and
(2) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``the District of
Columbia,''.
SEC. 3. APPORTIONMENTS BASED ON GROWING STATES AND HIGH DENSITY STATES
FORMULA FACTORS.
Section 5340(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``and the District of Columbia'' after ``United States''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL CULVERT REMOVAL, REPLACEMENT, AND RESTORATION GRANT
PROGRAM.
Section 6703(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``or the District of Columbia'' after ``a State''.
SEC. 5. SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 24112(a)(2)(B) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act (23 U.S.C. 402 note(a)(2)(B)) is amended by inserting ``, including
the District of Columbia'' after ``a State''.
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