July 22, 2025
Mr. Bost (for himself, Mr. Riley of New York, Mr. Mann, Mr. Nehls, Mr. Hurd of Colorado, and Mr. Onder) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish an agricultural and rural road improvement program, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Agricultural and Rural Road Improvement Program Act
.
Sec. 2. Agricultural and rural road improvement program
(a) In general
Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end of the following:
180. Agricultural and rural road improvement program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish and implement an agricultural and rural road improvement program to—
(1)
improve first- and last-mile access to farms and to facilities producing, supplying, storing, and transporting agricultural inputs and products;
(2)
reduce the number of weight-limited bridges and capacity-limited local roads and rural minor collectors in rural communities; and
(3)
improve the safety, resiliency, and efficiency of the local roads and rural minor collectors that are essential to a strong American agricultural sector and a vibrant rural economy.
(b) Eligible projects
Funds apportioned to a State under subsection 104(b)(9) to carry out this section may only be obligated for a project that is on a road functionally classified as a local road or rural minor collector road and that is—
(1)
a project to replace or rehabilitate one or more bridges in order to eliminate a posted weight limitation;
(2)
a project on a highway or bridge that provides or increases first- and last-mile access to a farm, facility producing, supplying, storing, and transporting agricultural inputs and products, agricultural facility, or other facility that supports the economy of a rural area;
(3)
a project eligible under section 167(h)(5)(C); and
(4)
a project to improve highway safety, including a project to improve a high risk rural road (as defined in section 148).
(c) Federal cost share
The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this section may not exceed 90 percent.
(b) Clerical amendment
The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Sec. 3. Conforming amendments
(a) Apportionment
Section 104(b) of title 23, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by inserting the agricultural and rural road improvement program,
after section 175,
;
(2)
in paragraph (7), by striking 2.56266964565637
and inserting 2.02664265
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(9) Agricultural and rural road improvement program
For the agricultural and rural road improvement program under section 180, 0.536027 percent of the amount remaining after distributing amounts under paragraphs (4), (5), and (6).
(b) Carbon reduction program
Section 175(e)(1)(A) of title 23, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in clause (i) by adding and
at the end;
(2)
in clause (ii) by adding and
at the end; and
(3)
by striking clauses (iii) and (iv).