Bill · H.R. 8692· House(119-HR-8692)
SAM Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 5/7/2026
- Last activity
- 5/7/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Sponsored by
- Kevin Kiley
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Shared Autonomous Mobility Act of 2026 aims to update existing laws to allow the use of specific grant funds for autonomous shared mobility vehicles. It establishes the Accelerating Innovative Mobility Grant Program, which provides competitive grants for the deployment of new bus models equipped with automated driving systems. The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish testing facilities specifically for these new vehicle models. Additionally, it amends various existing grant programs to allow for the acquisition and updating of automated driving software. The legislation includes specific funding authorizations for these programs through the early 2030s.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?+6
The act creates new grant programs and funding avenues specifically for deploying autonomous shared mobility vehicles.
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The bill requires the Secretary to reserve at least 15 percent of program funds for rural area projects.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The legislation mandates that 15 percent of the new grant funds be reserved specifically for projects in rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Support for Rural Areas: The Secretary is required to reserve at least 15 percent of the Program funds specifically for projects carried out in rural areas (Section 2(b)(d)).
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Access to New Technology: The bill allows for the acquisition of equipment, software for automated driving systems, and software for monitoring autonomous vehicles through competitive grants (Section 2(b)(e)(2)).
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Enhanced Testing Standards: The Act mandates the establishment of testing facilities for new covered shared mobility vehicles to ensure they meet standards for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance, fuel economy, emissions, and noise (Section 3(a)(1)(B)).
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Modernized Transit Funding: By amending existing laws, the bill expands the ability of various grant programs to fund the acquisition and updates of software related to automated driving systems (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Guarantee of Quality: An aggregate test score issued for a new bus model is intended only to indicate if federal funds can be used to acquire it and is not a warranty or guarantee that the vehicle will meet a purchaser's specific requirements (Section 3(b)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+6Improves Rural Development+5Improves Environmental Protections+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- 5/7/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House