# 119-hr-9088: Polar Express Act of 2026

119-hr-9088, Polar Express Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] (R-AK); status introduced (as of 2026-07-25).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9088
- As of: 2026-07-25
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-9088
- Congress: 119
- Title: Polar Express Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-06-02
- Sponsor: Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] (R-AK)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-25

## Summary

**A federal feasibility study to assess a rail link connecting Alaska to the continental U.S.** This bill would direct the Secretary of Transportation to begin a study called the Polar Express and to report findings to Congress after the study is complete. - Alaska communities would get a formal federal analysis of a potential rail connection that could inform local planning and discussions. - The Secretary of Transportation would decide the study's scope and may consult federal agencies, State, Tribal, local, and foreign governments and other stakeholders. - The study would have a start deadline of no later than 180 days after enactment and a report due to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee within 2 years of starting the study. - The bill includes a rule of construction stating it would not authorize construction or commit Federal funds for the rail route.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Feasibility study for Alaska rail link: mixed, low. If enacted, this bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to start a study called the Polar Express. The study would examine a rail link connecting Alaska to the continental U.S. rail network and must begin within 180 days after enactment. The Secretary would set the study's scope, conten…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025
- 119-hr-3633: Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
- 119-hr-471: Fix Our Forests Act
- 119-hr-7613: ALERT Act
- 119-hr-4075: Fire Weather Development Act of 2025
- 119-hr-5351: NSF AI Education Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-9088 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9088)

## Related
- [119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4669)
- [119-hr-3633: Digital Asset Market Clarity Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3633)
- [119-hr-471: Fix Our Forests Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-471)
- [119-hr-7613: ALERT Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7613)
- [119-hr-4075: Fire Weather Development Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4075)
- [119-hr-5351: NSF AI Education Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5351)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9088 (as of 2026-07-25).