H.R. 8692

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8692 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8692

To amend title 49, United States Code, to allow certain grant funds 
issued by the Secretary of Transportation to be used for the deployment 
and purchasing of technology for certain autonomous shared mobility 
vehicles, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2026

Mr. Kiley of California introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title 49, United States Code, to allow certain grant funds 
issued by the Secretary of Transportation to be used for the deployment 
and purchasing of technology for certain autonomous shared mobility 
vehicles, 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 ``Shared Autonomous Mobility Act of 
2026'' or ``SAM Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. ACCELERATING INNOVATIVE MOBILITY GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Amendment to Chapter 53 Defined Terms.--Section 5302 of title 
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (14)(B) by striking ``configuration or 
components'' and inserting ``configuration or components 
(including a major change to equip or facilitate automated 
driving systems)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(26) Covered shared mobility vehicle.--The term `covered 
shared mobility vehicle' means a new bus model equipped with an 
automated driving system.
``(27) Automated driving system.--With respect to a new bus 
model, the term `automated driving system' means a system of 
hardware and software that--
``(A) is collectively capable of performing the 
entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis, 
regardless of whether such system is limited to a 
specific operational design domain; and
``(B) is a level 3, 4, or 5 vehicle driving 
automation system, as defined in the standard titled 
`J3016_202104--Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms 
Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor 
Vehicles' and published by SAE International on April 
29, 2021, or any substantially similar successor 
standard of SAE International.''.
(b) Program.--Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 5341. Accelerating innovative mobility grant program
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of the Shared Autonomous Mobility Act of 2026, the Secretary 
shall establish a program (referred to in this section as the 
`Program') under which the Secretary may make competitive grants to 
covered entities for use carrying out a project to accelerate the 
deployment of a covered shared mobility vehicle in accordance with this 
section.
``(b) Application.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
the Program, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an 
application--
``(A) during a 60-day submission period to be 
specified by the Secretary and occurring not less 
frequently than once annually; and
``(B) in such form and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Solicitation.--The Secretary may solicit a covered 
entity to submit an application under paragraph (1).
``(c) Selection.--Not later than 60 days after the end of a 
submission period under subsection (b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall 
select for receipt of a Program grant such applicants as the Secretary 
determines appropriate based on criteria established by the Secretary.
``(d) Reservation of Funds.--From the amounts made available under 
subsection (h) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not 
less than 15 percent to make grants to covered entities for use 
carrying out in rural area projects for which Program funds may be 
used.
``(e) Allowable Uses.--Recipients of a Program grant may use 
Program funds on the following:
``(1) Projects eligible for Federal assistance under 
section 5312.
``(2) Acquisition of equipment (including vehicles), 
acquisition (including by license) of software (including 
software automated driving systems and software for the 
operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), and updates to 
such software.
``(f) Project Funding.--
``(1) Federal share.--Notwithstanding section 5311, the 
Federal share of a project carried out using Program funds may 
not exceed 80 percent of the estimated total cost of the 
project.
``(2) In-kind contributions.--The non-Federal share of the 
cost of a project carried out using Program funds may be 
provided in the form of in-kind contributions.
``(g) Other Sources of Federal Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to prohibit a Program grant recipient from receiving 
financial assistance under any other law for use in a project 
for which the grant is issued.
``(2) Combination permitted.--A project carried out using 
Program funding may receive funding under section 5307 or any 
other provision of law.
``(3) Government share.--Nothing in this subparagraph shall 
be construed to alter the Government share required under 
subsection (f), section 5307, or any other provision of law.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary for use carrying out this section--
``(1) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to remain available 
through fiscal year 2030; and
``(2) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2028 to remain available 
through fiscal year 2031.
``(i) Covered Entity Defined.--In this section, the term `eligible 
recipient' means--
``(1) an entity that is an eligible recipient under section 
5339 or an entity described in section 5312(b)(2); and
``(2) a partnership, entered into through a contract that 
satisfies the competitive procurement process under section 
5325, between an entity described in paragraph (1) and--
``(A) a private entity, including a transit vehicle 
manufacturer, for purposes of carrying out a project to 
accelerate the deployment of a covered shared mobility 
vehicle; or
``(B) a transit vehicle manufacturer for purpose of 
carrying out any project for which Program funds may be 
used under this section.''.
(c) Technical Amendment.--The table of sections in chapter 53 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item 
relating to section 5340 the following:

``5341. Accelerating innovative mobility grant program.''.
(d) Rolling Stock.--Section 3019(b)(1)(A) of the FAST Act (49 
U.S.C. 5325 note) is amended--
(1) in clause (iv) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in clause (v) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(vi) the term `rolling stock and related 
equipment' includes--
``(I) buses, vans, and cars;
``(II) software for automated 
driving systems in such buses, vans, 
and cars;
``(III) software for the operation 
or monitoring of autonomous vehicles, 
include autonomous buses, vans, and 
cars; and
``(IV) updates to software 
described in subclauses (II) and 
(III).''.

SEC. 3. TESTING FACILITIES FOR NEW BUS MODELS, INCLUDING CERTAIN 
AUTONOMOUS SHARED MOBILITY VEHICLES.

(a) Bus Testing Facilities.--Section 5318 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) Facilities.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Bus models.--The Secretary shall maintain one 
facility for testing new bus models (other than a new 
bus model that is a covered shared mobility vehicle) 
for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance 
(including braking performance), structural integrity, 
fuel economy, emissions, and noise.
``(B) Covered shared mobility vehicles.--Not later 
than January 1, 2027, the Secretary shall establish and 
maintain not fewer than one facility for testing new 
covered shared mobility vehicles for maintainability, 
reliability, safety, performance (including braking 
performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, 
emissions, and noise.
``(2) Location.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
facility established under paragraph (1)(B) be at a facility at 
which, as of the date of establishment, substantial road-based 
(including track-based) validation testing of vehicles equipped 
with automated driving systems occurs.'';
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ``maintain the facility'' 
and insert ``maintain each facility under subsection (a)(1)'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``The person'' and inserting ``Each 
person''; and
(B) by striking ``maintaining the facility'' and 
inserting ``maintaining a facility under subsection 
(a)(1)'';
(4) in subsection (d) by striking ``the operator of the 
facility'' and inserting ``each operator of a facility under 
subsection (a)(1)''; and
(5) in subsection (f) by striking ``new bus models'' and 
inserting ``new bus models (other than a new bus model that is 
a covered shared mobility vehicle) or new covered shared 
mobility vehicles, as applicable''.
(b) Timing of Testing.--Section 5318(e) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``a bus of that model has'' 
and inserting ``prior to delivery and 
acceptance of the new bus model, a bus of such 
model has''; and
(ii) by striking ``subsection (a)'' and 
inserting ``subsection (a)(1)''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i) by striking ``by the 
Secretary by rule'' and inserting ``by the Secretary in 
the final rule maintained under paragraph (2) such that 
the new bus model has received a passing aggregate 
score from the bus model scoring system under such 
final rule''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Bus test `pass/fail' standard.--The Secretary shall 
maintain a final rule that--
``(A) includes a bus model scoring system that 
results in a weighted, aggregate score that uses the 
testing categories described in subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) of subsection (a)(1) and accounts for the relative 
importance of each such testing category; and
``(B) establishes a `pass/fail' standard that uses 
the aggregate score described in the subparagraph (A).
``(3) Collaboration.--In developing a bus model scoring 
system under paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall work with 
each bus testing facility under subsection (a)(1), bus 
manufacturers, and transit agencies.
``(4) Non-warranty.--An aggregate test score issued for a 
new bus model pursuant to the final rule maintained pursuant to 
paragraph (2) is for use indicating only whether the amounts 
appropriated or otherwise made available under this chapter may 
be obligated or expended to acquire the new bus model and shall 
not be interpreted as a warranty or guarantee that the new bus 
model will meet any specific requirements of a purchaser.''.
(c) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a final rule, or 
modify an existing final rule, to comply with section 5318(e)(2) of 
title 49, United States Code, as amended by this section and include in 
the final rule any modifications necessary to enable timely testing of 
covered shared mobility vehicles under section 5318(a)(1) of such 
title.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO ALLOW CERTAIN GRANT FUNDS TO BE USED TO ACQUIRE 
SOFTWARE FOR AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS.

(a) Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grant 
Program.--Section 25005(e)(2)(B)(vii) of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 502 note) is amended by striking ``acquisition 
of equipment, including vehicles'' and inserting ``acquisition of 
equipment (including vehicles), acquisition (including by license) of 
software (including software for automated driving systems and software 
for the operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), updates to 
such software''.
(b) Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants.--Section 5309(b)(2) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``infill 
stations,'' and inserting ``infill stations, acquisition (including by 
license) of software (including software for automated driving systems 
and software for the operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), 
updates to such software,''.
(c) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities.--Section 5339 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(A) by striking ``including'' and 
inserting ``including acquisition (including by license) of 
software (including software for automated driving systems and 
software for the operation or monitoring of autonomous 
vehicles), updates to such software, and'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A) by striking ``equipment'' and 
inserting ``equipment, including acquisition (including by 
license) of software (including software for automated driving 
systems and software for the operation or monitoring of 
autonomous vehicles), updates to such software''; and
(3) in subsection (c)(1)(B)--
(A) in clause (i) by inserting before the semicolon 
``, including acquisition (including by license) of 
related software (including software for automated 
driving systems and software for the operation or 
monitoring of autonomous vehicles), updates to such 
software'';
(B) in clause (ii) by inserting before the 
semicolon ``, including acquisition (including by 
license) of related software (including software for 
automated driving systems and software for the 
operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), 
updates to such software''; and
(C) in clause (iii) by inserting before the 
semicolon ``including acquisition (including by 
license) of related software (including software for 
automated driving systems and software for the 
operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), 
updates to such software''.
(d) National Infrastructure Project Assistance.--Section 
6701(h)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``and operational improvements'' and inserting ``operational 
improvements, and acquisition (including by license) of software 
(including software for automated driving systems and software for the 
operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), and updates to such 
software''.
(e) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Grant 
Program.--Section 6702 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(l) Acquisition of Certain Software.--In carrying out an eligible 
project for which a grant under the Program is awarded, an eligible 
entity may use grant funds to update or acquire (including by license) 
software (including software for automated driving systems and software 
for the operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles) that is related 
to, or a component of, the eligible project.''.
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