H.R. 6671

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6671 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6671

To reauthorize and improve the reconnecting communities program, and 
for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 11, 2025

Mr. Ryan (for himself and Mr. Figures) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To reauthorize and improve the reconnecting communities program, 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 ``Restoring Essential Public Access 
and Improving Resilient Infrastructure Act'' or the ``REPAIR 
Infrastructure Act''.

SEC. 2. RESTORING ESSENTIAL PUBLIC ACCESS AND IMPROVING RESILIENT 
INFRASTRUCTURE (REPAIR INFRASTRUCTURE) PROGRAM.

(a) Reauthorization.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated out 
of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) 
$3,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to 
carry out the REPAIR infrastructure program under section 11509 
of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 
note; Public Law 117-58), of which--
(A) $750,000,000 shall be for planning grants under 
subsection (c) of that section; and
(B) $2,250,000,000 shall be for capital 
construction grants under subsection (d) of that 
section.
(2) Treatment.--Amounts made available under paragraph (1) 
shall be--
(A) available for obligation in the same manner as 
if those amounts were apportioned under chapter 1 of 
title 23, United States Code, except that those amounts 
shall remain available until expended; and
(B) administered as if--
(i) apportioned under chapter 1 of title 
23, United States Code; or
(ii) allocated under chapter 2 of title 23, 
United States Code, in the case of amounts made 
available to a Tribal government.
(3) Conforming amendments.--Section 11509 of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; 
Public Law 117-58) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking 
``reconnecting communities pilot'' and inserting 
``restoring essential public access and improving 
resilient infrastructure (repair infrastructure) 
program'';
(B) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ``pilot''; and
(C) in subsection (f), by striking ``the period of 
fiscal years 2022 through 2026'' and inserting ``the 
period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031''.
(4) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 
1(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 
117-58; 135 Stat. 429) is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 11509 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 11509. Restoring essential public access and improving resilient 
infrastructure (REPAIR infrastructure) 
program.''.
(b) Selection Criteria.--Section 11509 of the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 117-58) is 
amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(4)(B)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
``the demonstration by the applicant that'';
(B) in clause (i), by inserting ``the demonstration 
by the applicant that'' before ``the eligible 
facility'';
(C) in clause (ii)--
(i) in the matter preceding subclause (I), 
by inserting ``the demonstration by the 
applicant that'' before ``the eligible 
facility''; and
(ii) in subclause (II), by striking ``and'' 
at the end;
(D) in clause (iii)--
(i) by inserting ``the demonstration by the 
applicant that'' before ``on the basis''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting a semicolon; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) if information is available, the 
extent to which the project will promote--
``(I) new or improved affordable 
transportation options to increase safe 
mobility and connectivity for all, 
including for people with disabilities, 
to promote access to economic activity 
centers, including workforce housing, 
jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, 
schools, places of worship, recreation, 
childcare, natural infrastructure, and 
parks;
``(II) safe accommodation for all 
users and seamless integration with the 
surrounding character, context, and 
land use, with consideration of the 
economy and public health; or
``(III) economically thriving 
communities for individuals to work, 
live, and play by creating 
transportation choices for individuals 
to move freely and have meaningful 
access to opportunities;
``(v) if information is available, the 
extent to which the application demonstrates--
``(I) a robust community 
participation plan that engages 
community members most impacted by the 
existing facility;
``(II) formal partnerships, backed 
by signed commitment letters and a 
budget, with organizations based in 
communities adjacent to the project 
area, including community-based 
organizations and community development 
financial institutions;
``(III) an approach that 
meaningfully redresses historic 
economic and physical barriers and 
benefits underserved communities; or
``(IV) a representative community 
advisory group, advisory board, or 
other place-based management 
organization with oversight authority, 
including a community land trust, 
community benefit agreement, or other 
community development activity to 
redress transportation-related gaps in 
access; and
``(vi) if information is available, the 
extent to which the applicant demonstrates--
``(I) creative placemaking; or
``(II) community restoration, 
stabilization, and mechanisms to 
preserve affordability, limit 
disruption of low-income communities, 
and prevent displacement of existing 
residents, such as--
``(aa) assistance for 
renters and legacy homeowners 
and small businesses;
``(bb) preservation, 
rehabilitation, and expansion 
of location-efficient 
affordable housing;
``(cc) mixed-income mixed 
use development;
``(dd) affordable 
commercial spaces; and
``(ee) other community 
wealth-building activities.''; 
and
(2) in subsection (d)(4)--
(A) by striking the paragraph designation and 
heading and all that follows through ``basis of--'' in 
subparagraph (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) and 
inserting the following:
``(4) Selection criteria.--
``(A) Solicitation.--The Secretary shall solicit 
applications for capital construction grants.
``(B) Criteria.--The Secretary shall evaluate 
applications received under subparagraph (A) on the 
basis of--'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (vii), by striking ``; and'' 
at the end and inserting ``and a description of 
how those feasibility studies provide a basis 
for better access to daily destinations;'';
(ii) in clause (viii)(II), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(ix) a description of how partner 
resources and other Federal and non-Federal 
funds will support the project, including a 
detailed description of all funding 
commitments, financing, and in-kind support;
``(x) the extent to which the project will 
encourage public and private investments to 
support greater commercial and mixed-income 
residential development near public 
transportation, along rural main streets, or in 
walkable neighborhoods;
``(xi) the extent to which the project will 
promote--
``(I) new or improved affordable 
transportation options to increase safe 
mobility and connectivity for all, 
including for people with disabilities, 
to promote access to economic activity 
centers, including workforce housing, 
jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, 
schools, places of worship, recreation, 
childcare, natural infrastructure, and 
parks;
``(II) safe accommodation for all 
users and seamless integration with the 
surrounding character, context, and 
land use, with consideration of the 
economy and public health; or
``(III) economically thriving 
communities for individuals to work, 
live, and play by creating 
transportation choices for individuals 
to move freely and have meaningful 
access to opportunities;
``(xii) the extent to which the application 
demonstrates--
``(I) a robust community 
participation plan that engages 
community members most impacted by the 
existing facility;
``(II) formal partnerships, backed 
by signed commitment letters and a 
budget, with organizations based in 
communities adjacent to the project 
area, including community-based 
organizations and community development 
financial institutions;
``(III) an approach that 
meaningfully redresses historic 
economic and physical barriers and 
benefits underserved communities; or
``(IV) a representative community 
advisory group, advisory board, or 
other place-based management 
organization with oversight authority, 
including a community land trust, 
community benefit agreement, or other 
community development activity to 
redress transportation-related gaps in 
access; and
``(xiii) the extent to which the applicant 
demonstrates--
``(I) creative placemaking; or
``(II) community restoration, 
stabilization, and mechanisms to 
preserve affordability, limit 
disruption of low-income communities, 
and prevent displacement of existing 
residents, such as--
``(aa) assistance for 
renters and legacy homeowners 
and small businesses;
``(bb) preservation, 
rehabilitation, and expansion 
of location-efficient 
affordable housing;
``(cc) mixed-income mixed 
use development;
``(dd) affordable 
commercial spaces; and
``(ee) other community 
wealth-building activities.''; 
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Additional information.--An applicant may 
include in an application under subparagraph (A) 
information about land use policies that reduce 
regional displacement pressures in the area in which 
the project is located, including measurements of, of 
the land that permits residential use--
``(i) the percentage that allows duplexes, 
accessory dwelling units, or higher unit count;
``(ii) the percentage that allows triplexes 
or higher unit count;
``(iii) the percentage that allows 
quadruplexes or higher unit count; and
``(iv) the percentage that has no minimum 
parking requirements.''.
(c) Travel Lanes.--Section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 117-58) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as 
subsections (f) through (h), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Travel Lanes.--Amounts from a grant under this section may 
not be used for a project that increases the number of travel lanes on 
an existing highway.''.

SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY FOR REPAIR INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM PROJECTS.

(a) National Highway Performance Program.--Section 119(d)(2) of 
title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``(T) Construction of a project eligible for 
assistance under the REPAIR infrastructure program 
under section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 117-
58).''.
(b) Surface Transportation Block Grant Program.--Section 133 of 
title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting after paragraph (3) the 
following:
``(4) Projects eligible for assistance under the REPAIR 
infrastructure program under section 11509 of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; 
Public Law 117-58).''; and
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``(5)'' and inserting 
``(4)''.
(c) Highway Safety Improvement Program.--Section 148 of title 23, 
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (16) as 
paragraphs (2) through (17), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
redesignated) the following:
``(1) Divisive roadway infrastructure.--
``(A) In general.--The term `divisive roadway 
infrastructure' means a highway or other transportation 
facility that creates a barrier to community 
connectivity, including barriers to mobility, access, 
or economic development, due to high speeds, grade 
separations, or other design factors.
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `divisive roadway 
infrastructure' includes--
``(i) a limited access highway;
``(ii) a viaduct; and
``(iii) any other principal arterial 
facility.''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) (as so 
redesignated)--
(i) by redesignating clause (xxix) as 
clause (xxx);
(ii) by inserting after clause (xxviii) the 
following:
``(xxix) A project eligible for assistance 
under the REPAIR infrastructure program under 
section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 
117-58).''; and
(iii) in clause (xxx) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ``(xxviii)'' and inserting 
``(xxix)'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``subsections 
(a)(13)'' and inserting ``subsections (a)(14)''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
(i) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' at 
the end;
(ii) in clause (vi), by adding ``and'' 
after the semicolon at the end; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(vii) to evaluate the impacts of divisive 
roadway infrastructure;''; and
(3) in subsection (d)(2)(B)(i), by striking ``subsection 
(a)(13)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(14)''.
(d) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.--
Section 149(b) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (10)(B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (11)(B), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) if the project is a project eligible for assistance 
under the REPAIR infrastructure program under section 11509 of 
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; 
Public Law 117-58).''.
(e) Territorial Highway Program.--Section 165(c)(6)(A) of title 23, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(viii) Projects eligible for assistance 
under the REPAIR infrastructure program under 
section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 
117-58).''.
(f) National Highway Freight Program.--Section 167(h)(5)(C) of 
title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating clauses (xxii) and (xxiii) as clauses 
(xxiii) and (xxiv), respectively;
(2) by inserting after clause (xxi) the following:
``(xxii) A project eligible for assistance 
under the REPAIR infrastructure program under 
section 11509 of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 
117-58).''; and
(3) in clause (xxiii) (as so redesignated), by striking 
``(xxi)'' and inserting ``(xxii)''.
(g) Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program.--Section 173(e)(1) 
of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) a project eligible for assistance under the 
REPAIR infrastructure program under section 11509 of 
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 
101 note; Public Law 117-58).''.
(h) Carbon Reduction Program.--Section 175(c) of title 23, United 
States Code, is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
following:
``(2) Flexibility.--
``(A) In general.--If the Secretary makes a 
certification described in subparagraph (B), a State--
``(i) shall first use funds apportioned 
under section 104(b)(7) for a project eligible 
for assistance under the REPAIR infrastructure 
program under section 11509 of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 
U.S.C. 101 note; Public Law 117-58), as 
determined by the Secretary, taking into 
consideration any projects that received 
planning grants under that program; and
``(ii) if funds remain available after 
carrying out clause (i), in addition to 
eligible projects under paragraph (1), may use 
funds apportioned under section 104(b)(7) for a 
project eligible under section 133(b).
``(B) Certification.--A certification referred to 
in subparagraph (A) is a certification by the Secretary 
that the State has demonstrated a reduction in 
transportation emissions--
``(i) as estimated on a per capita basis; 
and
``(ii) as estimated on a per unit of 
economic output basis.''.
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