July 22, 2026
Ms. Alsobrooks (for herself and Mr. Cramer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
To amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify the assistance available for recipients of assistance under chapter 53 of such title for acquisition of real property interests, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Modal Parity in Permitting Act
.
Sec. 2. Acquisition of real property interests
(a) In general
Section 5323(q) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in the heading, by striking Corridor preservation
and inserting Real property interests
;
(2)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
by striking right-of-way
each time it appears and inserting real property interests
; and
(B)
by inserting acquired
after may use the
; and
(3)
in paragraph (2), by striking Right-of-way
and inserting Real property interests
.
(b) Updates required
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration shall update the FTA Circular 5010.1F
(published on November 1, 2024), or any successor circular or regulations, and any other relevant guidance as necessary to implement the amendments made by subsection (a).
Sec. 3. Passenger rail project transactions
(a) In general
Chapter 242 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
24203. Passenger rail project transactions
(a) Acquisition of real property interests during environmental review
A recipient of financial assistance under chapter 229, 249, or 243 may use such assistance to acquire, through purchase, lease, or otherwise, any real property interest necessary for a project before the environmental review for the project is complete if the acquisition or related transaction is otherwise permitted by Federal law.
(b) Timing of development
A real property interest purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired under subsection (a) may not be physically developed or improved in anticipation of the project until all required environmental reviews for the project have been completed.
(b) Clerical amendment
The analysis for chapter 242 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: