Bill · H.R. 6491· House(119-HR-6491)
Streamline Transit Projects Act
- Introduced
- 12/5/2025
- Last activity
- 2/2/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Kennedy
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Streamline Transit Projects Act'' aims to amend the United States Code regarding transit funding. It allows certain funding recipients to take over responsibilities related to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. These recipients must be located in urbanized areas with more than 200,000 people and demonstrate legal, technical, and financial capacity. The Secretary may assign the responsibility of determining categorical exclusions for specific activities to these eligible recipients. Additionally, the bill allows for the assignment of other federal environmental review or consultation responsibilities. These arrangements are established through a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary and the recipient.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+6
The bill empowers local urbanized transit agencies to assume federal responsibilities previously held by the Secretary.
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?+5
The bill streamlines the environmental review process for transit projects, potentially accelerating their implementation.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+3
The bill targets urbanized areas with large populations to facilitate more efficient local transit improvements.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
The bill allows local agencies to take over environmental review responsibilities, which may reduce the oversight rigor provided by federal agencies.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?-1
The bill specifically carves out exceptions to ensure tribal consultation remains a government-to-government process, implying a potential loss of such protections if not explicitly excepted.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Efficiency for Transit Agencies: Eligible recipients can assume responsibility for determining categorical exclusions for certain designated activities, which could help streamline project delivery (Section 2(b)(1)).
-
Technical Support for Local Agencies: The Secretary is required to provide technical assistance, training, or other support to eligible recipients as they assume new responsibilities (Section 2(d)(2)).
-
Financial Flexibility for Projects: An eligible recipient can use funds apportioned under the chapter for attorney's fees that are directly attributable to activities associated with a specific project (Section 2(g)).
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Preservation of Project Methods: The Secretary is prohibited from requiring a recipient to give up project delivery methods that are otherwise allowed for transit projects as a condition of assuming these responsibilities (Section 2(b)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Liability for Local Agencies: An eligible recipient that assumes responsibility for a Federal law becomes solely responsible and solely liable for complying with that law, relieving the Secretary of that responsibility or liability (Section 2(c)(2)).
-
Legal Burden on Recipients: An eligible recipient must consent to accept the jurisdiction of Federal courts for the enforcement and compliance of any responsibilities assumed from the Secretary (Section 2(d)(4)).
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Limited Protections for Tribal Consultation: While other responsibilities may be assigned, the bill specifically excludes government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes from being reassigned (Section 2(c)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+3Good For Native Americans+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+5Improves Environmental Protections-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity-1
- 5/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/2/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 1/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/5/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Burgess OwensRepublican · Utah
Greg StantonDemocrat · Arizona