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S4245119th CongressWALLET

Safer Roads for Those Who Serve Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Introduced

Summary

Highway worker safety is the core goal of this bill. It tightens crash data collection, updates Move Over outreach and public announcements, funds research and outreach, and requires federal grants and projects to include work zone protections.

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  • Highway workers gain distinct treatment in federal crash and fatality data. States must list strategies in their highway safety plans and trigger extra planning when worker injuries or deaths rise.
  • Drivers and people stopped on roadways get broader Move Over outreach. NHTSA must update materials within two years, issue a public service announcement within 180 days, and is authorized $2.0 million per year for 2027–2031 to support outreach.
  • Project sponsors and state agencies must include work zone safety measures and plans to protect highway workers during and after construction. A new research and outreach program is authorized at $3.0 million per year for 2027–2031 to fund behavior, engineering, and technology solutions.

*This authorizes roughly $5.0 million per year from 2027 through 2031 and therefore increases federal spending.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grant scoring to protect highway workers

If enacted, DOT grant programs (BUILD, INFRA, MEGA) would be scored to require or consider measures that protect highway workers during construction and after project completion. INFRA projects would need planning to reduce vehicle intrusions and manage speeds during construction. MEGA projects would need a work zone safety plan or a clear description of worker protections. These changes would apply when evaluating project applications.

More protections for roadside workers

If enacted, this would expand national safety goals and Move Over coverage to explicitly protect highway workers and more stopped or parked situations. The NHTSA Administrator would have to update public awareness materials within two years and run a public service announcement within 180 days after the update. NHTSA could partner with FHWA outreach programs. The bill would authorize $2 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 for these outreach activities.

Research and data for roadside safety

If enacted, the Department of Transportation would start a research and outreach program to reduce roadside incidents involving highway workers. The program would use Turner‑Fairbank, university transportation centers, and the Transportation Research Board. FHWA would be required to collect and separate crash data for highway workers from other road users. The bill would authorize $3 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 for the research program.

States must address highway worker deaths

If enacted, when a State's annual highway worker injuries and deaths increase over the most recent two-year period, the State would have to list strategies in its next strategic highway safety plan to address those increases. Strategies must take into account FHWA Work Zone Management Program practices. This requirement would take effect upon enactment.

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Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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