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HR 7298

Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Sara Jacobs and 3 co-sponsors

Expands and funds a formal TOD planning program to include predevelopment work, accessibility improvements, and coordinated infrastructure, through 2031.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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Bill Summary · HR 7298

Overview

  • Bill: HR 7298, the Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026
  • Session/Jurisdiction: 119th Congress, United States
  • Introduced: January 30, 2026 by Rep. Lateefah Simon (with Reps. Jacobs, Quigley, McIver as sponsors)
  • Primary aim: Amend the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 to modify eligibility and scope for the transit-oriented development (TOD) planning grant program, expanding activities and authorizing new funding for predevelopment work and accessibility improvements.

Purpose and intent

  • Expand and reclassify the TOD planning grant program from a pilot to a formal grant program.
  • Broaden allowed activities to include predevelopment planning and related work necessary to prepare sites for transit-oriented development.
  • Enhance access and equity by requiring that TOD planning support improvements in access to transit for all users, with a focus on individuals with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations.
  • Ensure projects address broader infrastructure and utility coordination needs within TOD planning.
  • Establish dedicated federal funding for the TOD planning program through 2031.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Program redefinition and eligibility (Section 2(a))

    • Replaces the existing “pilot program” designation with a formal TOD planning grant program.
    • Redefines eligible project types:
      • (i) New fixed guideway capital projects or fixed guideway bus rapid transit projects (as defined in 5309).
      • (ii) Corridor-based capital investments in an existing fixed guideway system.
    • Adds a new category: Predevelopment activities, defined to include planning, site evaluation, engineering and architectural design, community engagement, feasibility studies, utility coordination, accessibility assessments, and other site-prep activities needed for TOD.
    • Expands the scope of activities under the program to include predevelopment work.

  2. Programmatic enhancements and requirements (Section 2(a)(2)-(3))

    • Adds “predevelopment activities” to the list of planning-related activities.
    • Expands and refines language to require addressing infrastructure and utility coordination (instead of infrastructure alone), and to explicitly include accessibility, paratransit connectivity, and bicycle infrastructure.
    • Introduces explicit language to improve access to transit and TOD sites for all users, including those with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations.

  3. Authorization of appropriations (Section 2(a)(5))

    • Sets an authorizing line item: $75,000,000 per fiscal year for 2027 through 2031 to carry out the TOD planning program, in addition to any funds under existing section 5338.

  4. Administration and alignment (Section 2(b))

    • Provides for the transfer of the program text to appear as a subsection of section 5303 (49 U.S.C.), aligning the TOD planning program within the broader United States Code framework.

Who/what would be affected

  • Transit agencies and planning organizations seeking federal support for TOD initiatives.
  • Projects involving new fixed-guideway capital projects, fixed-guideway bus rapid transit, or corridor-based investments in existing fixed-guideway systems.
  • Stakeholders engaged in predevelopment activities, including planning staff, engineers, community organizations, and disability/accessibility groups.
  • Transit-dependent populations (riders with disabilities, seniors, veterans) who could gain improved access to transit-oriented developments and associated services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative status: Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (Jan 30, 2026) and then to Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (Jan 31, 2026).
  • Funding timeline: Authorized appropriations proposed for fiscal years 2027–2031 ($75 million annually); uses would be subject to further appropriations processes.
  • Next steps: If enacted, the program’s scope would shift from a pilot to a full grant program with expanded eligible activities and a defined funding stream. Evaluation criteria, application processes, and implementation timelines would likely be established in subsequent rulemaking or program guidance.

Summary of impact

  • The bill aims to accelerate TOD by enabling and funding comprehensive predevelopment work, thus reducing project risk and improving viability of transit-oriented communities.
  • By explicitly including accessibility and inclusive design goals, the bill prioritizes equitable access to transit and TODs for diverse user groups.
  • The addition of a dedicated funding stream through 2031 would provide more predictable support for planning activities that connect transit investments with surrounding development.

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

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