GREEN Streets Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced
Summary
Combating climate change is added as a core performance goal across federal highway and transit programs while also setting national standards to expand transit access and resilience. The bill ties planning, reporting, and project funding to measurable targets that prioritize lower driving, cleaner emissions, and better access to transit.
Show full summary
- Families and commuters gain clearer transit access goals and metrics, including a defined "45-minute" transit accessibility standard and new measures for first/last mile access and transit stop distance. These guide investments like sidewalks, bike lanes, and fare reductions.
- Metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies covered by the bill must set targets and report on performance using new national standards; the Secretary provides technical help and tools, including disability accessibility guidance. Covered entities are those serving populations of at least 250,000.
- States that fail to meet targets must direct a share of apportioned highway and transit funds to projects that achieve those goals, initially 33% of 104(b)(1) and 10% of 104(b)(2) until targets are met.
This law also requires tougher analyses for major road capacity projects on vehicle miles travelled, GHGs, non‑single‑occupant vehicle trips, and environmental justice outcomes using EPA tools.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New national transit and climate standards
If enacted, the Secretary of Transportation would set national transit access standards within one year. The standards would cover stop distance, transit mode share, first/last mile access, and disability accessibility consistent with Access Board guidance. The bill would add "Combating climate change" to public-roads performance rules and require State standards to cut per-person driving, reduce greenhouse gas emissions (aiming for net-zero on public road projects), and boost road resilience. The Secretary would update public-roads rules as needed to carry out these changes.
State funding shifts when targets missed
If enacted, when a State reports it missed targets the next fiscal year it would have to obligate 33% of amounts apportioned under 104(b)(1) and 10% of amounts under 104(b)(2) (excluding certain suballocations) to projects that help meet the targets. The 33% share would increase by 2 percentage points each fiscal year the State continues to miss targets. The obligation would remain until the Secretary says the State met the targets. Eligible uses would include federal-aid highways, transit expansion and service improvements, fare reductions, active transportation, micromobility, and transit-oriented land-use projects.
Targets, reports, and technical help
If enacted, each covered entity would have 180 days after the Secretary issues standards to set targets and file an initial performance report. The initial report must show performance on each new measure and, by road type, the share of housing and roadways with sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. The Secretary would provide analytical tools and technical assistance to covered entities and to States, rural, and Tribal communities on a voluntary basis. The Secretary would set later reporting dates within 180 days after getting each initial report.
Which projects and places must comply
If enacted, the bill would define which projects and places must follow GREEN Streets rules. A "covered project" would be a Title 23 road capacity project or any project expected to get at least $25,000,000 in federal funds. A "covered entity" would be any metropolitan planning area with 250,000 or more people and the State that hosts it. The bill would also define terms like "environmental justice community" and "transit accessibility."
Major projects: new EJ and climate reviews
If enacted, MPOs and approving States would have to publish analyses before approving any covered project. Analyses must show effects on per-person driving, mobile-source greenhouse gas emissions, and non-single-occupant-vehicle trips. For environmental justice areas the analyses must include air pollution, toxic contaminants, and other EJ metrics using a federal EJ tool. MPOs must get input from local community groups. Projects that add single-occupant vehicle capacity must also show progress toward a state of good repair, a benefit-cost comparison versus alternatives, and a plan to operate and maintain new assets.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 9/18/2025
Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE-At Large]
DE • D
Sponsored 3/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in