What This Bill Does · Plain English
GovGreed Synthesis · AI extraction
This bill amends the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 to expand an existing transit-oriented development (TOD) planning grant program. It broadens the definition of eligible projects to include fixed guideway bus rapid transit and corridor-based investments in existing systems. It expands the scope of 'predevelopment activities' that grants can fund to include site evaluation, engineering, community engagement, and accessibility assessments. It also adds new grant purposes, such as supporting predevelopment activities and improving access for disabled individuals, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations. The bill authorizes $75 million per year for five fiscal years (2027-2031) for this program.
Carveouts & Earmarks · 2 line items · $375M tagged
Specific dollar amounts in this bill that flow to identifiable companies or programs — the actual cash trail.
$375M
Sec. 2(a)(5)
"In addition to any amounts appropriated under section 5338, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031."
→ to carry out this subsection
—
Sec. 2(a)(2)(B)
"The term predevelopment activities includes planning, site evaluation, engineering and architectural design, community engagement, feasibility studies, utility coordination, accessibility assessments, and other activities necessary to prepare a site for transit-oriented development."
→ Grant recipients
Action Timeline
2026-01-30
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2026-01-30
Introduced in House
2026-01-30
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.7298 pass?
HR.7298 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.7298 do?
This bill amends the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 to expand an existing transit-oriented development (TOD) planning grant program. It broadens the definition of eligible projects to include fixed guideway bus rapid transit and corridor-based investments in existing systems. It expands the scope of 'predevelopment activities' that grants can fund to include site evaluation, engineering, community engagement, and accessibility assessments. It also adds new grant purposes, such as supporting predevelopment activities and improving access for disabled individuals, seniors, veterans, a…
Who sponsored HR.7298?
HR.7298 was sponsored by Lateefah Simon (D-California).
How much money does HR.7298 spend?
HR.7298 contains $375M in identified line-item carveouts to specific programs and companies, across 2 earmarks.
Full Bill Text
119 HR 7298 IH: Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026 U.S. House of Representatives 2026-01-30 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7298 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 30, 2026 Ms. Simon (for herself and Ms. Jacobs ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 to alter project eligibility for the transit-oriented development planning grant program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026 . 2. Grant program for transit-oriented development planning (a) In general Section 20005(b) of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 ( 49 U.S.C. 5303 note) is amended— (1) in the subsection heading by striking Pilot program and inserting Grant program ; (2) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking means a new fixed guideway capital project or a core capacity improvement project, as those terms are defined in section 5309 of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this division. and inserting means— (i) a new fixed guideway capital project or a fixed guideway bus rapid transit project, as those terms are defined in section 5309; or (ii) a corridor-based capital investment in an existing fixed guideway system. ; and (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Predevelopment activities The term predevelopment activities includes planning, site evaluation, engineering and architectural design, community engagement, feasibility studies, utility coordination, accessibility assessments, and other activities necessary to prepare a site for transit-oriented development. ; (3) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting and predevelopment activities after planning ; (B) in subparagraph (E)— (i) by striking infrastructure and inserting and address infrastructure and utility ; and (ii) by striking and at the end; (C) in subparagraph (F) by striking the period at the end; and (D) by inserting at the end the following: (G) support predevelopment activities; and (H) improve access to transit and transit-oriented development sites for all users, including individuals with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations, to ensure people of all ages and abilities can safely and efficiently reach and navigate transit stations and transit-oriented developments, including through paratransit connectivity and bicycle infrastructure. ; (4) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (D) by inserting and predevelopment activities after plan ; and (B) in subparagraph (E)(iii) by inserting and predevelopment activities after plan ; and (5) by adding at the end the following: (4) Authorization of appropriations In addition to any amounts appropriated under section 5338, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. . (b) Transfer Section 20005(b) of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 ( 49 U.S.C. 5303 note) is transferred to appear as subsection (s) of section 5303 of title 49, United States Code.
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