Complete Streets Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
In Committee
Summary
Creates a national Complete Streets program at the Department of Transportation to fund and guide safer, more accessible streets for people of all ages and abilities, with an emphasis on equitable benefits for underserved communities. It sets design standards, a competitive grant and technical assistance process, and requires States and eligible local entities to adopt complete streets policies and prioritization plans.
Show full summary
- People who walk, bike, or take transit will see more sidewalks, crosswalks, protected bike lanes, lighting, and other accessible pedestrian features, and accessibility standards will be updated to address vision, hearing, cognitive, and language needs. Design standards must be issued within 180 days and apply to many federal-aid metropolitan projects starting in 2 years.
- States and metropolitan planning organizations must adopt governance and certification arrangements and meet minimum policy standards to participate. A State that does not certify is ineligible for the national grant program.
- Local entities can get technical assistance up to $100,000 per year and compete for design and construction grants. Individual State grant obligations are capped at the lesser of $20 million or 20 percent of State-level program funding, and each State must obligate 5 percent of specified federal apportioned funds to support the program.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to communities for safer streets
Each State would have to start a competitive Complete Streets program by October 1 of the second full fiscal year after enactment. States would have to begin awarding grants by October 1 of the third full fiscal year. Cities, Tribes, MPOs, transit agencies, and nonprofits could seek design help and construction grants. To get funds, an entity would need a State- or MPO‑approved Complete Streets policy and an approved prioritization plan. States could give up to $100,000 per fiscal year to help an entity finish its prioritization plan. If a State lets an MPO approve policies, the State would have to pay the MPO’s reasonable review costs. If an entity is not certified, it could not get grants but could still use its policy locally.
Nationwide safer street design rules
DOT would set Complete Streets design standards within 180 days and publish guidance within one year. Many Federal‑aid projects in metro areas with transit that use 23 U.S.C. 104(b) funds, are new construction or reconstruction, or cost over $10,000,000 would have to follow the standards starting two years after enactment. Full compliance would be due by the earlier of five years after enactment or the first statewide transportation improvement program that starts after the two‑year date. Limited exceptions would apply, such as for limited‑access highways, certain heavy‑industrial arterials without transit, documented lack of need, ongoing compliant projects, and emergency repairs with temporary accommodations. MPOs could appeal State denials to FHWA regional offices and Headquarters. DOT would also require States and MPOs to adopt and use inclusive design standards, set certification methods, require State reports, and report to Congress by October 1 of the fourth fiscal year after enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
TN • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Latimer
NY • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 1/16/2026
Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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