Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act

House Bill

H.R. 502

119th Congress

Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 16, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Doris O. Matsui

Representative

Democratic

CA-7

Cosponsors

8

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Summary

This bill modifies the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program to include areas with populations of 30,000 or less, down from 200,000. Small communities under 5,000 get 90 percent federal cost-share and at least 5 percent of annual program funds.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

SponsorDoris O. Matsui (D-CA)

Introduced1/16/2025

StatusReferred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act

This bill modifies the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program to include areas with populations of 30,000 or less, down from 200,000. Small communities under 5,000 get 90 percent federal cost-share and at least 5 percent of annual program funds.

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill modifies the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program to include areas with populations of 30,000 or less, down from 200,000. Small communities under 5,000 get 90 percent federal cost-share and at least 5 percent of annual program funds.

Bill Number: 502
Sponsor: Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)
Introduced: 1/16/2025
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act
Bill Number: 502
Sponsor: Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Introduced: 1/16/2025
Summary: This bill modifies the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program to include areas with populations of 30,000 or less, down from 200,000. Small communities under 5,000 get 90 percent federal cost-share and at least 5 percent of annual program funds.

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill modifies the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program to include areas with populations of 30,000 or less, down from 200,000. Small communities under 5,000 get 90 percent federal cost-share and at least 5 percent of annual program funds.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act This bill modifies the definition of rural area that is used for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program and adds provisions for small communities.As background, the grant program supports projects that improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. Eligible applicants for the grant program include states, regional transportation planning organizations, local governments, and tribal governments.For purposes of the program, the bill defines rural area as an area outside an urbanized area that has a population of 30,000 or less. Current law requires a rural area to be outside of an urbanized area with a population of over 200,000.The bill includes provisions for small communities (i.e., an area outside an urbanized area and that has a population of 5,000 or less). The bill sets the maximum federal cost-share at 90% for project grants carried out in a small community. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must use at least 5% of the program's annual funds to provide grants for projects in small communities. The bill also removes the prohibition against DOT using more than 10% of program funds for grants that are under $25 million.Further, program grants may be used for highway, road, bridge, or tunnel projects that would benefit the economic development or quality of life for citizens of the local community.The bill also specifies that the program's goals include the generation of economic growth and development in rural areas.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Expands rural area definition for grants
Increases federal share to 90 percent for small towns
Reserves 5 percent of funds for small communities
Supports economic development goals
Removes minimum grant size restrictions

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Small rural communities would have better access to transportation infrastructure funding. Towns with fewer than 5,000 people would receive preferential cost-sharing. Rural roads, bridges, and tunnels could see significant improvements.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

502, 119th Congress (2025). "Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-502