119-hr5465

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5465 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 5465

 To amend title 23, United States Code, to require transportation 
 planners to consider projects and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas 
 emissions, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 September 18, 2025

 Mr. Huffman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To amend title 23, United States Code, to require transportation 
 planners to consider projects and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas 
 emissions, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Generating Resilient, 
Environmentally Exceptional National Streets Act'' or the ``GREEN 
Streets Act''.

SEC. 2. PUBLIC ROADS PERFORMANCE MEASURES.

 

Section 150 of title 23, United States Code, is amended--

    (1) in subsection

    (b) --
        (A) by redesignating paragraph

    (7) as paragraph

    (8) ; and
        (B) by inserting after paragraph

    (6) the following:
 ``

    (7) Combating climate change.--To reduce carbon dioxide 
 and other greenhouse gas emissions and improve the resilience 
 of the transportation system.'';

    (2) in subsection
            (c) --
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by striking the paragraph designation 
 and all that follows through ``Not later'' and 
 inserting the following:
 ``

    (1) Rulemaking.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--Not later''; and
            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
        (B) Updates.--The Secretary shall periodically 
 update the rulemaking promulgated under subparagraph
        (A) as necessary, including to implement the amendments 
 made to this section by the GREEN Streets Act.'';
        (B) in paragraph

    (5) --
            (i) in subparagraph
        (A) , by striking 
 ``and'' at the end;
            (ii) in subparagraph
        (B) , by striking the 
 period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``
            (C) transit accessibility (as defined in 

section 5326

    (a) of title 49);
 ``
            (D) transit stop distance (as defined in 

section 5326

    (a) of title 49); and
 ``
        (E) transit mode share (as defined in 

section 5326

    (a) of title 49).''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (7) Performance goals for public roads.--For the purpose 
 of carrying out 

section 119

    (f)

    (3) , the Secretary shall 
 establish--
 ``
        (A) minimum standards for States to use in 
 decreasing per capita vehicle miles traveled on public 
 roads, including through--
 ``
            (i) alignment of zoning and land use 
 policy and planning;
 ``
            (ii) investment in active and safe 
 transportation infrastructure, such as 
 sidewalks, trails, and bike lanes;
 ``
            (iii) public transit and safe multimodal 
 access to public transit; and
 ``
            (iv) intercity passenger service by train 
 or bus;
 ``
        (B) minimum standards for States to use in 
 improving the resilience of public roads;
 ``
            (C) in consultation with the Administrator of the 
 Environmental Protection Agency, minimum standards for 
 the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on public 
 roads, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions; 
 and
 ``
            (D) measures for States to use to assess--
 ``
            (i) carbon dioxide emissions on public 
 roads;
 ``
            (ii) air pollutants and multipollutants 
 on public roads, including noise pollution; and
 ``
            (iii) any other greenhouse gas emissions 
 on public roads, as determined to be 
 appropriate by the Secretary.''; and

    (3) in subsection
            (d) (1) --
        (A) by striking ``subsection
            (c) , each State shall 
 set'' and inserting ``subsection
            (c) (1)
        (A) , and not 
 later than 1 year after each update of that rulemaking 
 under subsection
            (c) (1)
        (B) , each State shall set or 
 update, as applicable,''; and
        (B) by striking ``and

    (6) '' and inserting ``

    (6) , 
 and

    (7) ''.

SEC. 3. ANALYSIS FOR ROAD CAPACITY EXPANSION PROJECTS.

    (a) Metropolitan Transportation Planning.--

    (1) Federal-aid highways.--

Section 134

    (h) of title 23, 
 United States Code, is amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (F) through
        (J) as subparagraphs
        (H) through
            (L) , 
 respectively; and
            (ii) by inserting after subparagraph
        (E) the following:
 ``
        (F) reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse 
 gas emissions;
 ``
        (G) decrease per capita vehicle miles 
 traveled;''; and
        (B) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (4) Analysis of projects that increase traffic 
 capacity.--
 ``
        (A) === Definitions. ===
-In this paragraph:
 ``
            (i) Covered project.--The term `covered 
 project' means a project that--
 ``
            (I) uses funds made available 
 under this title to increase traffic 
 capacity, including--
 ``

    (aa) by adding new travel 
 lanes, including on an existing 
 road; or
 ``

    (bb) by converting 
 shoulder lanes into new travel 
 lanes; or
 ``
            (II) is projected to receive not 
 less than $25,000,000 of Federal funds 
 made available under this title.
 ``
            (ii) Environmental justice community.--
 The term `environmental justice community' 
 means a community with significant 
 representation of communities of color, low-
 income communities, or Tribal and Indigenous 
 communities, that experiences, or is at risk of 
 experiencing, higher or more adverse human 
 health or environmental effects.
 ``
        (B) Analysis.--In furtherance of the planning 
 goals described in subparagraphs
        (F) and
        (G) of 
 paragraph

    (1) , a metropolitan planning organization, 
 with input from local community-based organizations 
 with relevant expertise, shall conduct and publish an 
 analysis of--
 ``
            (i) the impact on per capita vehicle 
 miles traveled, mobile source greenhouse gas 
 emissions, and non-single-occupancy-vehicle 
 trips, including trips by bicycle, pedestrian 
 travel, public transportation, and passenger 
 rail, prior to approval of each covered project 
 within the metropolitan planning area; and
 ``
            (ii) with respect to environmental 
 justice communities served by the metropolitan 
 planning organization, air pollution, toxic air 
 contaminants, and other environmental justice 
 metrics measured by a Federal environmental 
 justice tool, such as the environmental justice 
 mapping and screening tool created by the 
 Environmental Protection Agency.
 ``

    (5) Requirement for new capacity projects.--Before 
 carrying out a project to construct new capacity for single 
 occupancy passenger vehicles, a metropolitan planning 
 organization shall submit to the Secretary and make publicly 
 available documents that demonstrate--
 ``
        (A) that the metropolitan planning organization 
 has shown progress in achieving a state of good repair 
 on the National Highway System, as defined in the asset 
 management plan of the State under 

section 119

    (e) ;
 ``
        (B) that the project--
 ``
            (i) supports the achievement of 
 performance targets of the State established 
 under 

section 150; and
 ``
            (ii) is more cost effective, as 
 determined by a benefit-cost analysis, than--
 ``
            (I) an operational improvement to 
 the facility or corridor;
 ``
            (II) the construction of a public 
 transportation project eligible for 
 assistance under chapter 53 of title 
 49; or
 ``
            (III) the construction of a non-
 single occupancy passenger vehicle 
 project that improves freight movement; 
 and
 ``
            (C) that the metropolitan planning organization 
 and the owner of the facility have a public plan for 
 maintaining and operating the new asset while 
 continuing progress in achieving a state of good repair 
 as described in subparagraph
        (A) .''.

    (2) Public transportation.--

Section 5303

    (h)

    (1) of title 49, 
 United States Code, is amended--
        (A) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (F) through
            (I) as subparagraphs
        (H) through
        (K) , respectively; and
        (B) by inserting after subparagraph
        (E) the 
 following:
 ``
        (F) reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse 
 gas emissions;
 ``
        (G) decrease per capita vehicle miles 
 traveled;''.

    (b) Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning.--

    (1) Federal-aid highways.--

Section 135
            (d) of title 23, 
 United States Code, is amended--
        (A) in paragraph

    (1) --
            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (F) through
        (J) as subparagraphs
        (H) through
            (L) , 
 respectively; and
            (ii) by inserting after subparagraph
        (E) the following:
 ``
        (F) reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas 
 emissions;
 ``
        (G) decrease per capita vehicle miles 
 traveled;''; and
        (B) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (4) Analysis of projects that increase traffic 
 capacity.--
 ``
        (A) === Definitions. ===
-In this paragraph:
 ``
            (i) Covered project.--The term `covered 
 project' means a project that--
 ``
            (I) uses funds made available 
 under this title to increase traffic 
 capacity, including--
 ``

    (aa) by adding new travel 
 lanes, including on an existing 
 road; or
 ``

    (bb) by converting 
 shoulder lanes into new travel 
 lanes; or
 ``
            (II) is projected to receive not 
 less than $25,000,000 of Federal funds 
 made available under this title.
 ``
            (ii) Environmental justice community.--
 The term `environmental justice community' 
 means a community with significant 
 representation of communities of color, low-
 income communities, or Tribal and Indigenous 
 communities, that experiences, or is at risk of 
 experiencing, higher or more adverse human 
 health or environmental effects.
 ``
        (B) Analysis.--In furtherance of the planning 
 goals described in subparagraphs
        (F) and
        (G) of 
 paragraph

    (1) , a State shall conduct and publish an 
 analysis of--
 ``
            (i) the impact on per capita vehicle 
 miles traveled, mobile source greenhouse gas 
 emissions, and non-single-occupancy-vehicle 
 trips, including trips by bicycle, pedestrian 
 travel, public transportation, and passenger 
 rail, prior to approval of each covered project 
 within the State; and
 ``
            (ii) with respect to environmental 
 justice communities served by the State, air 
 pollution, toxic air contaminants, and other 
 environmental justice metrics measured by a 
 Federal environmental justice tool, such as the 
 environmental justice mapping and screening 
 tool created by the Environmental Protection 
 Agency.
 ``

    (5) Requirement for new capacity projects.--Before 
 carrying out a project to construct new capacity for single 
 occupancy passenger vehicles, a State shall submit to the 
 Secretary and make publicly available documents that 
 demonstrate--
 ``
        (A) that the State has shown progress in 
 achieving a state of good repair on the National 
 Highway System, as defined in the asset management plan 
 of the State under 

section 119

    (e) ;
 ``
        (B) that the project--
 ``
            (i) supports the achievement of 
 performance targets of the State established 
 under 

section 150; and
 ``
            (ii) is more cost effective, as 
 determined by a benefit-cost analysis, than--
 ``
            (I) an operational improvement to 
 the facility or corridor;
 ``
            (II) the construction of a public 
 transportation project eligible for 
 assistance under chapter 53 of title 
 49; or
 ``
            (III) the construction of a non-
 single occupancy passenger vehicle 
 project that improves freight movement; 
 and
 ``
            (C) that the State has a public plan for 
 maintaining and operating the new asset while 
 continuing progress in achieving a state of good repair 
 as described in subparagraph
        (A) .''.

    (2) Public transportation.--

Section 5304
            (d) (1) of title 49, 
 United States Code, is amended--
        (A) by redesignating subparagraphs
        (F) through
            (I) as subparagraphs
        (H) through
        (K) , respectively; and
        (B) by inserting after subparagraph
        (E) the 
 following:
 ``
        (F) reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse 
 gas emissions;
 ``
        (G) decrease per capita vehicle miles 
 traveled;''.

SEC. 4. INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS TO MEET PERFORMANCE GOALS.

 

Section 119

    (f) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--

    (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Conditions'' 
 and inserting ``Conditions; Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Public 
 Roads''; and

    (2) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (3) Greenhouse gas emissions on public roads.--
 ``
        (A) Obligation requirement.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--Subject to clause
            (ii) , 
 if a State reports, in a performance target 
 report under 

section 150

    (e) , that the State has 
 not achieved the targets of the State for 
 performance measures described in 

section 150
            (d) pertaining to the minimum standards for 
 public roads established by the Secretary under 
 

section 150
            (c) (7) , the State shall be required, 
 during the following fiscal year--
 ``
            (I) to obligate 33 percent of the 
 amount apportioned to the State under 
 

section 104

    (b)

    (1) for the purpose of 
 achieving the targets through projects 
 described in clause
            (iii) ; and
 ``
            (II) to obligate 10 percent of 
 the amount apportioned to the State 
 under 

section 104

    (b)

    (2) (other than 
 amounts suballocated to metropolitan 
 areas and other areas of the State 
 under 

section 133
            (d) ) for the purpose 
 of achieving the targets through 
 projects described in clause
            (iii) .
 ``
            (ii) Increase.--For each fiscal year 
 after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
 that the State does not achieve the targets of 
 the State for performance measures described in 
 

section 150
            (d) pertaining to the minimum 
 standards for public roads established by the 
 Secretary under 

section 150
            (c) (7) , the amount 
 required to be obligated under clause
            (i) 
            (I) shall be increased by 2 percent over the amount 
 required to be obligated in the previous fiscal 
 year.
 ``
            (iii) Projects described.--A project 
 referred to in clause
            (i) is any of the 
 following:
 ``
            (I) A project on a Federal-aid 
 highway.
 ``
            (II) Transit expansion, including 
 an expansion of regular bus routes, 
 arterial bus rapid transit, highway bus 
 rapid transit, rail transit, and 
 intercity passenger rail.
 ``
            (III) Transit service 
 improvements, including an increased 
 service level.
 ``
            (IV) Transit fare reduction or 
 transit priority treatments.
 ``
            (V) A project for active 
 transportation infrastructure.
 ``
            (VI) A project for micromobility 
 infrastructure and service, including 
 shared vehicle services.
 ``
            (VII) A land use project, 
 including residential and other density 
 increases, mixed-use development, and 
 transit-oriented development.
 ``
        (B) Restoration.--The obligation requirement in 
 subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) 
            (I) for a fiscal year shall remain 
 in effect for each subsequent fiscal year until the 
 date on which the Secretary determines that the State 
 has achieved the targets of the State for performance 
 measures described in 

section 150
            (d) pertaining to the 
 minimum standards for public roads established by the 
 Secretary under 

section 150
            (c) (7) .''.

SEC. 5. TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY.

    (a) In General.--

Section 5326 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--

    (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and 
 accessibility'' after ``management'';

    (2) in subsection

    (a) --
        (A) by redesignating paragraphs

    (2) and

    (3) as 
 paragraphs

    (5) and

    (6) , respectively;
        (B) by inserting after paragraph

    (1) the following:
 ``

    (2) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity' means--
 ``
        (A) any metropolitan planning area with a 
 population of not fewer than 250,000 individuals on the 
 date of enactment of the GREEN Streets Act; and
 ``
        (B) any State in which there exists a 
 metropolitan planning area with a population of not 
 fewer than 250,000 individuals on the date of enactment 
 of the GREEN Streets Act.
 ``

    (3) First last mile accessibility.--The term `first last 
 mile accessibility' means the requirement of a traveler to 
 travel--
 ``
        (A) from the starting point of their journey to 
 the place of transportation; and
 ``
        (B) from place of transportation to their final 
 destination.
 ``

    (4) Transit accessibility.--The term `transit 
 accessibility' means the share of jobs, health care facilities, 
 grocery stores and other food suppliers, schools, and other 
 destinations accessible by public transportation in any 45-
 minute period.''; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (7) Transit mode share.--The term `transit mode share' 
 means the percentage of trips taken by public transportation 
 for both commuting and noncommuting trips.
 ``

    (8) Transit stop distance.--The term `transit stop 
 distance' means the average distance by census block to the 
 nearest transit stop, passenger station, or terminal providing 
 regularly scheduled service.'';

    (3) by redesignating subsections
            (c) and
            (d) as subsections
            (d) and

    (e) , respectively; and

    (4) by inserting after subsection

    (b) the following:
 ``
            (c) Transit Access.--
 ``

    (1) Standards and performance measures.--Not later than 1 
 year after the date of enactment of the GREEN Streets Act, the 
 Secretary shall establish national transit access standards and 
 performance measures for--
 ``
        (A) transit accessibility;
 ``
        (B) transit stop distance;
 ``
            (C) transit mode share;
 ``
            (D) first last mile accessibility; and
 ``
        (E) accessibility for individuals with 
 disabilities in accordance with guidance issued by the 
 Access Board on accessibility for transportation 
 vehicles, streets, and sidewalks.
 ``

    (2) Performance targets and initial report.--Not later 
 than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary establishes 
 the standards and performance measures under paragraph

    (1) , the 
 Secretary shall--
 ``
        (A) require each covered entity to--
 ``
            (i) establish targets for the covered 
 entity relating to each of the standards and 
 performance measures described in paragraph

    (1) ; and
 ``
            (ii) submit to the Secretary a report 
 describing--
 ``
            (I) the performance of the 
 covered entity with respect to each of 
 the standards and performance measures 
 described in paragraph

    (1) ; and
 ``
            (II) by functional 
 classification, the share of housing 
 units and roadways in the covered 
 entity that have--
 ``

    (aa) sidewalks;
 ``

    (bb) crosswalks;
 ``
            (cc) dedicated bike 
 lanes; or
 ``
            (dd) other forms of 
 dedicated nonmotorized 
 facilities; and
 ``
        (B) provide technical assistance, including 
 analytical tools, to assist a covered entity in--
 ``
            (i) establishing targets under 
 subparagraph
        (A)
            (i) ; and
 ``
            (ii) reporting on performance under 
 subparagraph
        (A)
            (ii) .''.

    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 53 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to 

section 5326 and inserting the following:

``5326. Transit asset management and accessibility.''.

SEC. 6. REPORTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--

Section 5326
            (c) of title 49, United States Code 
(as amended by 

section 5

    (a)

    (4) ), is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
 ``

    (3) Subsequent reports.--
 ``
        (A) Timing.--Not later than 180 days after 
 receipt of the initial report under paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (ii) , the Secretary shall establish a schedule 
 for the submission of subsequent reports by each 
 covered entity.
 ``
        (B) Contents.--Each subsequent report under this 
 paragraph shall describe--
 ``
            (i) the progress of the covered entity in 
 meeting the targets of the covered entity 
 relating to the standards and performance 
 measures described in paragraph

    (1) , including 
 any change in performance since the submission 
 of the previous report;
 ``
            (ii) any revision of existing targets or 
 establishment of new targets relating to the 
 standards and performance measures described in 
 paragraph

    (1) ; and
 ``
            (iii) any proposal for the revision of 
 existing targets or the establishment of new 
 targets relating to the standards and 
 performance measures described in paragraph

    (1) .
 ``
            (C) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall 
 provide technical assistance, including analytical 
 tools, to assist a covered entity in--
 ``
            (i) reporting on performance under this 
 paragraph; and
 ``
            (ii) establishing or revising performance 
 targets relating to the standards and 
 performance measures described in paragraph

    (1) .
 ``

    (4) Other entities.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--With respect to any State or 
 community that is not a covered entity, including a 
 rural community or Tribal community, the Secretary 
 shall provide technical assistance, including 
 analytical tools, to assist those entities with 
 reaching each of the standards and performance measures 
 described in paragraph

    (1) .
 ``
        (B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in 
 subparagraph
        (A) requires any entity described in that 
 subparagraph to comply with the standards, performance 
 measures, or reporting requirements under this 
 subsection.''.

    (b) Metropolitan Transportation Planning.--

Section 5303

    (h)

    (2)
        (B)
            (i) 
            (I) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``title 23,'' and inserting ``title 23 and 

section 5326,''.
            (c) Conforming Amendments.--

    (1) Section 134

    (h)

    (2)
        (B)
            (ii) of title 23, United States 
 Code, is amended by striking ``5326
            (c) '' and inserting 
 ``5326
            (d) ''.

    (2) Section 135
            (d) (2)
        (B)
            (ii) of title 23, United States 
 Code, is amended by striking ``5326
            (c) '' and inserting 
 ``5326
            (d) ''.

    (3) Section 5303

    (h)

    (2)
        (B)
            (ii) of title 49, United States 
 Code, is amended by striking ``5326
            (c) '' and inserting 
 ``5326
            (d) ''.

    (4) Section 5304
            (d) (2)
        (B)
            (ii) of title 49, United States 
 Code, is amended by striking ``5326
            (c) '' and inserting 
 ``5326
            (d) ''.

    (5) Section 5309
            (c) (1)
            (C) of title 49, United States Code, 
 is amended by striking ``5326
            (c) (2) '' and inserting 
 ``5326
            (d) (2) ''.

    (6) Section 5337

    (a)

    (4)
        (B) of title 49, United States Code, 
 is amended by striking ``5326
            (d) '' and inserting ``5326

    (e) ''.

    (7) Section 24904
            (d) (2)
        (A) of title 49, United States Code, 
 is amended by striking ``5326

    (a)

    (3) '' and inserting 
 ``5326

    (a)

    (6) ''.
 <all>