Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act
Sponsored By: Representative Johnson (GA)
In Committee
Summary
Creates a new High Quality Transit Operating Support Program to expand federal operating aid for public transit, improve access to jobs and essential services, and target underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
New federal support for transit operations
This bill would create a new federal grant program to support day-to-day transit service. It would authorize $20 billion each year for 2025–2028, subject to later appropriations. Each year, eligible areas would first get 50% of their 3-year average operating costs, then a pro‑rata share of what is left, capped at 80% of the 3-year average. Funds could be obligated for two years; unused amounts would roll into the next year’s pot within 30 days. The Secretary would issue program rules within one year of enactment.
Stronger transit service and higher federal match
Grants could pay to add or speed up service, extend hours, improve reliability, share real‑time info, and plan better connections. They could also support cleaning, safety, outreach to unhoused riders, and workforce training; using these funds would not affect eligibility for other federal transit or highway funds. The federal share would generally be up to 50%; it could be up to 80% for operating help in underserved or persistent‑poverty areas, and 100% for Tribes receiving an apportionment. Up to 25% of the non‑federal match could come from in‑kind capital work. Most of each grant would need to benefit underserved communities or areas of persistent poverty, using definitions set in the bill and future rules.
New transit data and rider surveys
To get funding, recipients would have to report key data to the Federal Transit Administration. Urban areas would report frequency, vehicle hours, trips, and jobs and services reachable by transit. Tribes and rural recipients would send similar data and run rider and non‑rider surveys at least every two years. Survey results would be published online. The Secretary would build a tool to measure access to jobs and essential services; interim data could be used until it is ready.
Cap on rural transit operating aid
The bill would limit rural transit operating grants under section 5311. A grant could not exceed 80% of a project’s net operating costs, as set by the Secretary.
Transit agencies must keep funding effort
Each year, recipients would certify within 30 days that they will keep up their own transit funding. They would report last year’s and this year’s non‑HQ‑TOSP operating spending. If they fail to keep that level, next year’s HQ‑TOSP amount would be cut by one‑third.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Cosponsors
Cohen
TN • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Wilson (FL)
FL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Smith (WA)
WA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
OH • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
KY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
MD • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
TX • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
NV • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
McBath
GA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
MA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]
NC • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
OH • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
CO • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Mfume
MD • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
OH • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Neal
MA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Casten
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Jackson (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]
TX • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Sherrill
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
AL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Escobar
TX • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]
FL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Ivey
MD • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 5/20/2025
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Pallone
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Scott, David
GA • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Swalwell
CA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/24/2025
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Sponsored 6/30/2025
Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/30/2025
Cisneros
CA • D
Sponsored 6/30/2025
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Norcross
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Friedman
CA • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]
NY • D
Sponsored 7/22/2025
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 8/12/2025
Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
OR • D
Sponsored 8/19/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Pelosi
CA • D
Sponsored 9/2/2025
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Conaway
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Sponsored 9/9/2025
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Espaillat
NY • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Trahan
MA • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
OH • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
VT • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 1/22/2026
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 1/22/2026
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Auchincloss
MA • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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