A bill from an independent
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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 Shared Autonomous Mobility Act of 2026 aims to update existing laws to allow the use of specific grant funds for autonomous shared mobility vehicles. It establishes the Accelerating Innovative Mobility Grant Program, which provides competitive grants for the deployment of new bus models equipped with automated driving systems. The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish testing facilities specifically for these new vehicle models. Additionally, it amends various existing grant programs to allow for the acquisition and updating of automated driving software. The legislation includes specific funding authorizations for these programs through the early 2030s.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +6
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
The act creates new grant programs and funding avenues specifically for deploying autonomous shared mobility vehicles.
- Scored +5
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill requires the Secretary to reserve at least 15 percent of program funds for rural area projects.
- Scored +5
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The legislation mandates that 15 percent of the new grant funds be reserved specifically for projects in rural areas.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Rural Areas: The Secretary is required to reserve at least 15 percent of the Program funds specifically for projects carried out in rural areas (Section 2(b)(d)).
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Access to New Technology: The bill allows for the acquisition of equipment, software for automated driving systems, and software for monitoring autonomous vehicles through competitive grants (Section 2(b)(e)(2)).
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Enhanced Testing Standards: The Act mandates the establishment of testing facilities for new covered shared mobility vehicles to ensure they meet standards for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance, fuel economy, emissions, and noise (Section 3(a)(1)(B)).
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Modernized Transit Funding: By amending existing laws, the bill expands the ability of various grant programs to fund the acquisition and updates of software related to automated driving systems (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Guarantee of Quality: An aggregate test score issued for a new bus model is intended only to indicate if federal funds can be used to acquire it and is not a warranty or guarantee that the vehicle will meet a purchaser's specific requirements (Section 3(b)(4)).
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.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The act creates new grant programs and funding avenues specifically for deploying autonomous shared mobility vehicles. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill requires the Secretary to reserve at least 15 percent of program funds for rural area projects. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill mandates testing for fuel economy and emissions standards for new bus models.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The legislation mandates that 15 percent of the new grant funds be reserved specifically for projects in rural areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Enhanced public transit systems often benefit low-income households by improving mobility.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The expansion of autonomous transit technology and new grant programs may stimulate job growth in the transit and tech sectors. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investing in new transportation technologies can modernize infrastructure and facilitate economic activity.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds the establishment of new testing facilities for autonomous driving systems.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes specific competitive grant processes and federal standards for vehicle testing.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Improved transit access can indirectly support housing stability by improving mobility.
- 5/7/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House