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HR 9036

American High-Speed Rail Act

119th Congress Introduced by Jake Auchincloss and 49 co-sponsors

The bill would broadly expand funding, planning, and private-partner participation to accelerate intercity and higher-speed rail corridors with a focus on equity, resilience, and i

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9036

Overview

The American High-Speed Rail Act (H.R. 9036, 119th Congress) aims to expand and accelerate high-speed rail corridor development in the United States. It would amend chapter 261 of title 49, United States Code to broaden funding eligibility, adjust project definitions, increase federal investment, and strengthen labor and procurement provisions related to high-speed and higher-speed rail projects. The bill authorizes substantial funding across several programs for 2027–2031 and introduces new mechanisms to support planning, technology, and cross-border or intercity rail development.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • To advance development of high-speed rail corridors through expanded federal support, streamlined planning, and greater use of private and non-federal participation.
  • To enable faster project delivery and interoperability within a nationwide high-speed rail network.
  • To address equity, resilience, sustainability, climate impacts, and regional economic development as part of corridor planning and implementation.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • High-Speed Rail Corridor Planning (49 U.S.C. §26101)

    • Expands eligibility for corridor planning from governmental entities only to include groups of public agencies and consortia that include private entities, with a funding match up to 100% (previously up to 50%).
    • Establishes a new category of “specified financial sources” (e.g., RRIF, TIGER/INF funding, foreign or cross-border funds, state/local/private sources, and combinations).
    • Replaces a hard limit on public planning funding with a requirement that at least 20% of total eligible costs come from specified sources.
    • Allows the Secretary to prioritize funding for corridors where specified sources provide at least 20% of costs.
    • Adds emphasis on equity and other impact factors in project considerations.

  • Higher-Speed Rail (Definitions and Projects)

    • Defines “higher-speed rail” as rail-based, non-highway transport with sustained speeds over 110 mph and less than 186 mph, publicly available for passengers (excluding urban rapid transit unless connected to the general rail system).
    • Authorizes up to 20% of certain grants for higher-speed rail projects and allows applicability of high-speed rail requirements where appropriate.

  • Funding and Federal Role (Financing and Shares)

    • Federal share for net capital costs may be up to 100% for projects (subject to program rules).
    • Non-federal funding must come from specified sources, with funds from such sources repaid by states, localities, or private entities.
    • Adds protection and preference for projects involving equity, resilience, sustainability, and climate considerations.

  • Advanced Property Acquisition (Advance Acquisition)

    • Creates a new §24203 to permit advance acquisition of right-of-way and adjacent real property for projects under certain conditions, prior to full environmental reviews, with stringent certification requirements and environmental review timing protections.

  • Labor Protections and Workforce Development

    • clarifies labor responsibilities for entities working on rail infrastructure funded by the act, ensuring coverage under Railroad Retirement Act, Railway Labor Act, and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act for certain workers.
    • Limits the application of such protections to specific rail-related work and allows contractors to employ workers not covered by these programs when operating under collective bargaining agreements in certain contexts.

  • Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development

    • Adds special consideration for communities where high-speed rail projects are proposed.
    • Authorizes $20 million per year (FY 2027–2031) for this pilot.

  • Cross-Border and Permitting

    • Enhances presidential permits processes for projects at international boundaries, with national security considerations.

  • New Authorities and Planning Tools

    • Authorizes designation of high-speed rail corridors by the Secretary.
    • Includes a provision to designate private-public coalitions and to facilitate intermodal connectivity and integration with other passenger rail systems.

Potential Impact

  • Increased funding and flexibility could accelerate corridor planning and construction across larger portions of the U.S. rail network.
  • Greater use of private participation and mixed sources may broaden project financing and risk-sharing.
  • Emphasis on equity, resilience, climate, and intermodal connectivity seeks to align rail projects with broader infrastructure and community development goals.
  • Labor provisions aim to clarify carrier and contractor responsibilities while preserving certain workforce rights through the Railway Labor Act framework.

Timeline and Funding

  • Authorized appropriations: $3.0 billion annually for high-speed corridor planning (FY 2027–2031), $3.0 billion annually for high-speed rail technology improvements, and $35.0 billion annually for high-speed rail corridor development (FY 2027–2031). A 20% cap is placed on federal funds for higher-speed rail projects.
  • Pilot development and cross-border permitting provisions are tied to the same multi-year window (2027–2031) with ongoing implementation.

Note: The bill establishes multiple structural changes to funding, planning, and governance that would require rulemaking and regulatory updates to implement.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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