January 30, 2026
Ms. Simon (for herself and Ms. Jacobs) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
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.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026
.
Sec. 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.