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119-hr-7298119th CongressWALLET

Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

In Committee

Summary

Expands and funds transit-oriented development planning by adding predevelopment work and a dedicated grant stream. The bill replaces a pilot with a formal grant program, broadens eligible projects to include new fixed guideway and corridor-based investments, and requires better access for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and other transit-dependent riders.

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  • Transit agencies and local planners can use grants for predevelopment activities such as planning, engineering and architectural design, site evaluation, community engagement, feasibility studies, utility coordination, and accessibility assessments. Eligible projects now explicitly include new fixed guideway capital projects, bus rapid transit, and corridor-based investments in existing systems.
  • Riders and communities will see requirements to improve access to transit-oriented development sites and stations for all users, including paratransit connectivity and bicycle infrastructure to help seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities reach and navigate transit.
  • The law creates a dedicated funding stream and a statutory home for the program by authorizing $75 million per year for FY2027–2031 and relocating the grant authority into section 5303 of title 49, U.S. Code.

*Authorizes $75 million per year for FY2027–2031 (totaling $375 million), representing an increase in federal spending relative to current law.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More planning money for transit access

If enacted, the bill would authorize $75 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for transit-oriented development planning grants. This would be in addition to amounts under section 5338. Grants would cover planning and predevelopment work like site studies, engineering and design, community engagement, utility coordination, and accessibility assessments. Eligible projects would include new fixed-guideway projects, fixed-guideway bus rapid transit, and corridor upgrades to existing rail. The program would prioritize addressing utilities and improving access for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and other transit-dependent riders, including paratransit connections and bicycle access. The bill would also move this program’s statutory location into section 5303 of title 49.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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