Mike Kennedy (R-UT)
Streamline Transit Projects Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Streamline Transit Projects Act'' aims to amend the United States Code regarding transit funding. It allows certain funding recipients to take over responsibilities related to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. These recipients must be located in urbanized areas with more than 200,000 people and demonstrate legal, technical, and financial capacity. The Secretary may assign the responsibility of determining categorical exclusions for specific activities to these eligible recipients. Additionally, the bill allows for the assignment of other federal environmental review or consultation responsibilities. These arrangements are established through a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary and the recipient.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill empowers local urbanized transit agencies to assume federal responsibilities previously held by the Secretary.
- Scored +5
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
The bill streamlines the environmental review process for transit projects, potentially accelerating their implementation.
- Scored +3
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The bill targets urbanized areas with large populations to facilitate more efficient local transit improvements.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill allows local agencies to take over environmental review responsibilities, which may reduce the oversight rigor provided by federal agencies.
- Scored -1
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill specifically carves out exceptions to ensure tribal consultation remains a government-to-government process, implying a potential loss of such protections if not explicitly excepted.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Efficiency for Transit Agencies: Eligible recipients can assume responsibility for determining categorical exclusions for certain designated activities, which could help streamline project delivery (Section 2(b)(1)).
-
Technical Support for Local Agencies: The Secretary is required to provide technical assistance, training, or other support to eligible recipients as they assume new responsibilities (Section 2(d)(2)).
-
Financial Flexibility for Projects: An eligible recipient can use funds apportioned under the chapter for attorney's fees that are directly attributable to activities associated with a specific project (Section 2(g)).
-
Preservation of Project Methods: The Secretary is prohibited from requiring a recipient to give up project delivery methods that are otherwise allowed for transit projects as a condition of assuming these responsibilities (Section 2(b)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Liability for Local Agencies: An eligible recipient that assumes responsibility for a Federal law becomes solely responsible and solely liable for complying with that law, relieving the Secretary of that responsibility or liability (Section 2(c)(2)).
-
Legal Burden on Recipients: An eligible recipient must consent to accept the jurisdiction of Federal courts for the enforcement and compliance of any responsibilities assumed from the Secretary (Section 2(d)(4)).
-
Limited Protections for Tribal Consultation: While other responsibilities may be assigned, the bill specifically excludes government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes from being reassigned (Section 2(c)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill empowers local urbanized transit agencies to assume federal responsibilities previously held by the Secretary.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill targets urbanized areas with large populations to facilitate more efficient local transit improvements. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill protects tribal sovereignty by explicitly excluding government-to-government consultation from the reassignment of responsibilities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill streamlines the environmental review process for transit projects, potentially accelerating their implementation. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill allows local agencies to take over environmental review responsibilities, which may reduce the oversight rigor provided by federal agencies.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill may indirectly benefit local businesses by streamlining transit project delivery through faster environmental reviews.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill specifically carves out exceptions to ensure tribal consultation remains a government-to-government process, implying a potential loss of such protections if not explicitly excepted.
- 5/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/2/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 1/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/5/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Burgess OwensRepublican · Utah
Greg StantonDemocrat · Arizona