Bill Summary
The "Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act" is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing highway safety, particularly for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The bill amends Title 23 of the United States Code, which governs highway safety improvement programs.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Expansion of Highway Safety Improvement Projects**: The bill introduces new criteria for highway safety improvement projects, specifically allowing for the connection of existing bicyclist and pedestrian infrastructure and the implementation of strategies aimed at reducing safety risks for these vulnerable users.
2. **Increased Federal Funding**: The legislation allows for the federal government to cover up to 100% of the costs for certain highway safety improvement projects that meet the new criteria. This aims to encourage states to prioritize projects that enhance the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
3. **Flexible Financing Options**: The bill provides options for states to calculate their non-federal share of costs more flexibly, allowing funds to be credited toward this share for projects that incorporate proven safety countermeasures for cyclists and pedestrians.
4. **Safety Plans**: The legislation emphasizes the importance of safety plans, such as pedestrian and bicyclist safety plans or Vision Zero Action Plans, which can inform eligible projects and strategies to improve road safety.
Overall, the act seeks to enhance transportation safety for non-motorized users, promote active transportation, and facilitate federal support for state safety initiatives.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Safety for Vulnerable Road Users**: By including provisions that connect segments of existing bicyclist or pedestrian infrastructure, the legislation aims to create safer pathways for cyclists and pedestrians. This could lead to a reduction in accidents and injuries for these vulnerable road users, promoting a more secure environment for those who choose to walk or bike.
2. **Higher Federal Funding for Safety Projects**: The act allows for federal funding to cover up to 100% of the cost for projects that focus on improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians. This financial support can encourage local governments to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, such as better crosswalks, bike lanes, and traffic calming measures, ultimately enhancing the safety and usability of these transportation options for community members.
3. **Encouragement of Comprehensive Safety Planning**: The legislation emphasizes the development of safety plans that address the needs of vulnerable road users, including pedestrian and bicyclist safety plans. This requirement may lead local governments and regional planning organizations to engage more actively with communities to identify safety concerns and develop targeted strategies. As a result, residents could see improvements in their local transportation networks that better accommodate and protect pedestrians and cyclists.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 944 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 944
To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the highway
safety improvement program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 11 (legislative day, March 10), 2025
Mr. Van Hollen (for himself, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Hagerty, and
Ms. Alsobrooks) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the highway
safety improvement 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 ``Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active
Transportation Safety Act''.
SEC. 2. HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Highway Safety Improvement Project.--Section 148(a)(4)(B) of
title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in clause (xxix), by striking ``through (xxviii)'' and
inserting ``through (xxx)'';
(2) by redesignating clause (xxix) as clause (xxxi); and
(3) by inserting after clause (xxviii) the following:
``(xxix) The connection of 2 or more
segments of existing bicyclist or pedestrian
infrastructure.
``(xxx) The reduction of safety risks to
vulnerable road users through a project or
strategy described in a program of projects or
strategies developed pursuant to subsection
(l)(2)(B).''.
(b) Federal Share of Certain Highway Safety Improvement Projects.--
(1) In general.--Section 148(j) of title 23, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``Except as provided in sections
120 and 130'' and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in sections 120 and
130 and paragraph (2)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Federal share of the cost of a highway safety
improvement project carried out with funds apportioned to a
State under section 104(b)(3) may be up to 100 percent if the
project is a project described in clause (xxix) or (xxx) of
subsection (a)(4)(B).''.
(2) Flexible financing.--Section 133(h)(7) of title 23,
United States Code, is amended--
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (E); and
(B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) Flexible financing.--Notwithstanding section
120--
``(i) the non-Federal share for a project
under this subsection may be calculated on a
project, multiple-project, or program basis;
and
``(ii) the Federal share of the cost of an
individual project under this subsection may be
up to 100 percent.
``(C) Treatment as non-federal share.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds made
available to carry out section 148 may be credited
toward the non-Federal share of the costs of a project
under this subsection if--
``(i) the project includes a Proven Safety
Countermeasure for bicyclists or pedestrians,
as determined by the Federal Highway
Administration;
``(ii) the relevant State strategic highway
safety plan includes an emphasis area related
to vulnerable road users; or
``(iii) the proposed project--
``(I) was described in a program of
projects or strategies developed
pursuant to section 148(l); or
``(II) was identified by a local
government, metropolitan planning
organization, or regional
transportation planning organization,
including in a safety plan described in
subparagraph (D), as addressing 1 or
more areas of high risk to vulnerable
road users during the consultation
process required under section
148(l)(4)(B) and through a planning
process and data-based analysis.
``(D) Safety plans described.--A safety plan
referred to in subparagraph (C)(iii)(II) is--
``(i) a pedestrian or bicyclist safety
plan;
``(ii) a Complete Streets plan;
``(iii) a local roadway safety plan;
``(iv) a Vision Zero Action Plan;
``(v) a transition plan described in
section 35.150(d) of title 28, Code of Federal
Regulations (or successor regulations)
(commonly known as an `ADA Transition Plan');
``(vi) a Tribal transportation safety plan;
``(vii) a comprehensive safety action plan
(as defined in section 24112(a) of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23
U.S.C. 402 note; Public Law 117-58)); or
``(viii) any other safety plan, as
determined by the Secretary.''.
(3) Increased federal share for proven safety
countermeasures.--Section 120(c)(1) of title 23, United States
Code, is amended, in the first sentence, by inserting ``Proven
Safety Countermeasures for bicyclists or pedestrians (as
determined by the Federal Highway Administration),'' before
``breakaway utility poles''.
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