Transit to trails grant program

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Community of color

The term community of color means a geographically distinct area in which the population of any of the following categories of individuals is higher than the average population of that category for the State in which the community is located:(A)Black.(B)African American.(C)Asian.(D)Pacific Islander.(E)Other non-White race.(F)Hispanic.(G)Latino. (2)

Critically underserved community

The term critically underserved community means—(A)a community that can demonstrate to the Secretary that the community has inadequate, insufficient, or no park space or recreation facilities, including by demonstrating—(i)quality concerns relating to the available park space or recreation facilities;(ii)the presence of recreational facilities that do not serve the needs of the community; or(iii)the inequitable distribution of park space for high-need populations, based on income, age, or other measures of vulnerability and need;(B)a community in which at least 50 percent of the population is not located within 1/2 mile of park space;(C)an environmental justice community; and(D)any other community that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.(3)

Disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects

The term disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects means a situation where there exists higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects on communities of color, low-income communities, and Tribal and Indigenous communities. (4)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—(A)a State;(B)a political subdivision of a State (including a city or a county) that represents or otherwise serves an urban area or a rural area;(C)a special purpose district (including a park district);(D)an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) that represents or otherwise serves an urban area or a rural area; or(E)a metropolitan planning organization (as defined in section 134(b) of title 23, United States Code).(5)

Environmental justice community

The term environmental justice community means a community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or Tribal and Indigenous communities that experience, or is at risk of experiencing, a disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects. (6)

Low-income community

The term low-income community means any census block group in which 30 percent or more of the population are individuals with an annual household income equal to, or less than, the greater of—(A)an amount equal to 80 percent of the median income of the area in which the household is located, as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and(B)200 percent of the Federal poverty line. (7)

Program

The term program means the Transit to Trails Grant Program established under subsection (b)(1).(8)

Rural area

The term rural area means a community that is not an urban area.(9)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.(10)

Transportation connector

(A)

In general

The term transportation connector means a system that—(i)connects 2 zip codes or communities within a 175-mile radius of a designated service area; and(ii)offers rides available to the public.(B)

Inclusions

The term transportation connector includes microtransits, bus lines, bus rails, light rail, rapid transits, or personal rapid transits.(11)

Urban area

The term urban area means a community that—(A)is densely developed;(B)has residential, commercial, and other nonresidential areas; and(C)(i)is an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more; or(ii)is an urban cluster with a population of—(I)not less than 2,500; and(II)not more than 50,000.(b)

Grant program

(1)

Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a grant program, to be known as the Transit to Trails Grant Program, under which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for—(A)projects that develop transportation connectors or routes in or serving, and related culturally and linguistically appropriate education materials for, critically underserved communities to increase access and mobility to Federal or non-Federal public land, inland and coastal waters, parkland, or monuments; or(B)projects that facilitate transportation improvements to enhance access to Federal or non-Federal public land and recreational opportunities in critically underserved communities.(2)

Administration

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall administer the program to assist eligible entities in the development of transportation connectors or routes in or serving, and related culturally and linguistically appropriate education materials for, critically underserved communities and Federal or non-Federal public land, inland and coastal waters, parkland, and monuments.(B)

Joint partnerships

The Secretary shall encourage joint partnership projects under the program, if available, among multiple agencies, including school districts, nonprofit organizations, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, and State and local governmental agencies (including park and recreation agencies and authorities) to enhance investment of public sources.(C)

Annual grant project proposal solicitation, review, and approval

(i)

In general

The Secretary shall—(I)annually solicit the submission of project proposals for grants from eligible entities under the program; and(II)review each project proposal submitted under subclause (I) on a timeline established by the Secretary.(ii)

Required elements for project proposal

A project proposal submitted under clause (i)(I) shall include—(I)a statement of the purposes of the project;(II)the name of the entity or individual with overall responsibility for the project;(III)a description of the qualifications of the entity or individuals identified under subclause (II);(IV)a description of—(aa)staffing and stakeholder engagement for the project;(bb)the logistics of the project; and(cc)anticipated outcomes of the project;(V)a proposed budget for the funds and time required to complete the project;(VI)information regarding the source and amount of matching funding available for the project;(VII)information that demonstrates the clear potential of the project to contribute to increased access to parkland for critically underserved communities; and(VIII)any other information that the Secretary considers to be necessary for evaluating the eligibility of the project for funding under the program.(iii)

Consultation; approval or disapproval

The Secretary shall, with respect to each project proposal submitted under this subparagraph, as appropriate—(I)consult with the government of each State in which the proposed project is to be conducted;(II)after taking into consideration any comments resulting from the consultation under subclause (I), approve or disapprove the proposal; and(III)provide written notification of the approval or disapproval to—(aa)the individual or entity that submitted the proposal; and(bb)each State consulted under subclause (I).(D)

Priority

To the extent practicable, in determining whether to approve project proposals under the program, the Secretary shall prioritize projects that—(i)are designed to increase access and mobility to local or neighborhood Federal or non-Federal public land, inland and coastal waters, parkland, monuments, or recreational opportunities;(ii)use low- or zero-emission vehicles;(iii)provide free or discounted rates for low-income riders of transportation connectors;(iv)provide opportunities for youth engagement;(v)give employment preference to individuals living in the community in which the project is carried out;(vi)are carried out in—(I)a community of color;(II)a low-income community;(III)a Tribal or Indigenous community; or (IV)a rural community;(vii)would capitalize on existing established public-private partnerships; and(viii)comply with applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). (3)

Transportation planning procedures

(A)

Procedures

In consultation with the head of each appropriate Federal land management agency, the Secretary shall develop, by rule, transportation planning procedures for projects conducted under the program that are consistent with metropolitan and statewide planning processes.(B)

Requirements

All projects carried out under the program shall be developed in cooperation with States and metropolitan planning organizations.(4)

ADA compliance

The Secretary shall ensure that all new transportation connectors and routes developed under the program are accessible to people with disabilities in accordance with accessibility specifications for transportation vehicles under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).(5)

Stakeholder engagement

In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall—(A)meaningfully engage with relevant stakeholders, particularly—(i)impacted community members;(ii)transportation partners;(iii)existing potential passengers of the transportation connectors;(iv)Indian Tribes and Tribal representatives; and(v)faith-based and community-based organizations; and(B)ensure that the input of the stakeholders described in subparagraph (A) is central to the determination of new transportation connectors and routes. (6)

Non-Federal contributions

(A)

In general

The Federal share of the cost of an eligible project provided a grant under the program shall not exceed 80 percent.(B)

Non-Federal share

The non-Federal share of the cost of an eligible project provided a grant under the program may be in the form of in-kind contributions.(7)

Eligible uses

Grant funds provided under the program may be used—(A)to develop transportation connectors or routes in or serving, and related culturally and linguistically appropriate education materials for, critically underserved communities to increase access and mobility to Federal and non-Federal public land, inland and coastal waters, parkland, and monuments; and(B)to create or significantly enhance access to Federal or non-Federal public land and recreational opportunities in an urban area or a rural area.(8)

Grant amount

A grant provided under the program shall be—(A)not less than $25,000; and(B)not more than $500,000.(9)

Technical assistance

It is the intent of Congress that grants provided under the program deliver project funds to areas of greatest need while offering technical assistance to all applicants and potential applicants for grant preparation to encourage full participation in the program.(10)

Public information

The Secretary shall ensure that current schedules and routes for transportation systems developed after the receipt of a grant under the program are available to the public, including on a website maintained by the recipient of a grant.(c)

Reporting requirement

(1)

Reports by grant recipients

The Secretary shall require a recipient of a grant under the program to submit to the Secretary at least 1 performance and financial report that—(A)includes—(i)demographic data on communities served by the project; and(ii)a summary of project activities conducted after receiving the grant; and(B)describes the status of each project funded by the grant as of the date of the report.(2)

Additional reports

In addition to the report required under paragraph (1), the Secretary may require additional reports from a recipient, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including a final report.(3)

Deadlines

The Secretary shall establish deadlines for the submission of each report required under paragraph (1) or (2).(d)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—(1)$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023;(2)$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025; and(3)$40,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.