# 119-s-2653: RECHARGE Act

119-s-2653, RECHARGE Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2653
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2653
- Congress: 119
- Title: RECHARGE Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-08-01
- Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Authorizes EV charging at Interstate rest areas.** This bill would let the Secretary of Transportation permit electric vehicle charging for passenger cars at rest areas on the Interstate System while keeping commercial uses limited to what is necessary for charging and consistent with existing highway rules. - Drivers and travelers: EV drivers would gain more charging options along interstates, helping reduce long-trip range gaps. - State transportation agencies and rest-area operators: States could approve installations at rest areas but must follow section 109(s) and limit on-site commercial activity to charging needs. - Charging networks and private providers: Providers would be allowed to install and operate chargers at rest areas only for vehicle charging under the new permission. - Program language updates: The bill updates related statutory references in the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program and MAP-21 to reflect charging-related facilities.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Allow EV charging at interstate rest areas: benefit, low. If enacted, the Secretary of Transportation would be allowed to permit electric vehicle charging equipment at Interstate rest areas. The permission would apply only to passenger automobiles as defined in 49 U.S.C. 32901(a). Charging sites must follow section 109(s) and could only operate for EV cha…
- Legal fixes for charging and refueling: mixed, low. If enacted, the bill would remove an explicit reference to electric vehicle battery charging stations in one MAP-21 clause. It would change CMAQ wording to refer to natural gas vehicle refueling stations. The bill would also say it is not a statement of Congress about agency authority under 23 U.S.…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
- 119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-s-2653 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2653)

## Related
- [119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5238)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5022)
- [119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2838)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2653 (as of 2026-09-10).