[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8692 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8692
To amend title 49, United States Code, to allow certain grant funds
issued by the Secretary of Transportation to be used for the deployment
and purchasing of technology for certain autonomous shared mobility
vehicles, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 7, 2026
Mr. Kiley of California introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to allow certain grant funds
issued by the Secretary of Transportation to be used for the deployment
and purchasing of technology for certain autonomous shared mobility
vehicles, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Shared Autonomous Mobility Act of
2026'' or ``SAM Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. ACCELERATING INNOVATIVE MOBILITY GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Amendment to Chapter 53 Defined Terms.--Section 5302 of title
49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (14)(B) by striking ``configuration or
components'' and inserting ``configuration or components
(including a major change to equip or facilitate automated
driving systems)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(26) Covered shared mobility vehicle.--The term `covered
shared mobility vehicle' means a new bus model equipped with an
automated driving system.
``(27) Automated driving system.--With respect to a new bus
model, the term `automated driving system' means a system of
hardware and software that--
``(A) is collectively capable of performing the
entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis,
regardless of whether such system is limited to a
specific operational design domain; and
``(B) is a level 3, 4, or 5 vehicle driving
automation system, as defined in the standard titled
`J3016_202104--Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms
Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor
Vehicles' and published by SAE International on April
29, 2021, or any substantially similar successor
standard of SAE International.''.
(b) Program.--Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 5341. Accelerating innovative mobility grant program
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of the Shared Autonomous Mobility Act of 2026, the Secretary
shall establish a program (referred to in this section as the
`Program') under which the Secretary may make competitive grants to
covered entities for use carrying out a project to accelerate the
deployment of a covered shared mobility vehicle in accordance with this
section.
``(b) Application.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
the Program, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application--
``(A) during a 60-day submission period to be
specified by the Secretary and occurring not less
frequently than once annually; and
``(B) in such form and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
``(2) Solicitation.--The Secretary may solicit a covered
entity to submit an application under paragraph (1).
``(c) Selection.--Not later than 60 days after the end of a
submission period under subsection (b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall
select for receipt of a Program grant such applicants as the Secretary
determines appropriate based on criteria established by the Secretary.
``(d) Reservation of Funds.--From the amounts made available under
subsection (h) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not
less than 15 percent to make grants to covered entities for use
carrying out in rural area projects for which Program funds may be
used.
``(e) Allowable Uses.--Recipients of a Program grant may use
Program funds on the following:
``(1) Projects eligible for Federal assistance under
section 5312.
``(2) Acquisition of equipment (including vehicles),
acquisition (including by license) of software (including
software automated driving systems and software for the
operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), and updates to
such software.
``(f) Project Funding.--
``(1) Federal share.--Notwithstanding section 5311, the
Federal share of a project carried out using Program funds may
not exceed 80 percent of the estimated total cost of the
project.
``(2) In-kind contributions.--The non-Federal share of the
cost of a project carried out using Program funds may be
provided in the form of in-kind contributions.
``(g) Other Sources of Federal Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to prohibit a Program grant recipient from receiving
financial assistance under any other law for use in a project
for which the grant is issued.
``(2) Combination permitted.--A project carried out using
Program funding may receive funding under section 5307 or any
other provision of law.
``(3) Government share.--Nothing in this subparagraph shall
be construed to alter the Government share required under
subsection (f), section 5307, or any other provision of law.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary for use carrying out this section--
``(1) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to remain available
through fiscal year 2030; and
``(2) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2028 to remain available
through fiscal year 2031.
``(i) Covered Entity Defined.--In this section, the term `eligible
recipient' means--
``(1) an entity that is an eligible recipient under section
5339 or an entity described in section 5312(b)(2); and
``(2) a partnership, entered into through a contract that
satisfies the competitive procurement process under section
5325, between an entity described in paragraph (1) and--
``(A) a private entity, including a transit vehicle
manufacturer, for purposes of carrying out a project to
accelerate the deployment of a covered shared mobility
vehicle; or
``(B) a transit vehicle manufacturer for purpose of
carrying out any project for which Program funds may be
used under this section.''.
(c) Technical Amendment.--The table of sections in chapter 53 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item
relating to section 5340 the following:
``5341. Accelerating innovative mobility grant program.''.
(d) Rolling Stock.--Section 3019(b)(1)(A) of the FAST Act (49
U.S.C. 5325 note) is amended--
(1) in clause (iv) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in clause (v) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(vi) the term `rolling stock and related
equipment' includes--
``(I) buses, vans, and cars;
``(II) software for automated
driving systems in such buses, vans,
and cars;
``(III) software for the operation
or monitoring of autonomous vehicles,
include autonomous buses, vans, and
cars; and
``(IV) updates to software
described in subclauses (II) and
(III).''.
SEC. 3. TESTING FACILITIES FOR NEW BUS MODELS, INCLUDING CERTAIN
AUTONOMOUS SHARED MOBILITY VEHICLES.
(a) Bus Testing Facilities.--Section 5318 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) Facilities.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Bus models.--The Secretary shall maintain one
facility for testing new bus models (other than a new
bus model that is a covered shared mobility vehicle)
for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance
(including braking performance), structural integrity,
fuel economy, emissions, and noise.
``(B) Covered shared mobility vehicles.--Not later
than January 1, 2027, the Secretary shall establish and
maintain not fewer than one facility for testing new
covered shared mobility vehicles for maintainability,
reliability, safety, performance (including braking
performance), structural integrity, fuel economy,
emissions, and noise.
``(2) Location.--The Secretary shall ensure that each
facility established under paragraph (1)(B) be at a facility at
which, as of the date of establishment, substantial road-based
(including track-based) validation testing of vehicles equipped
with automated driving systems occurs.'';
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ``maintain the facility''
and insert ``maintain each facility under subsection (a)(1)'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``The person'' and inserting ``Each
person''; and
(B) by striking ``maintaining the facility'' and
inserting ``maintaining a facility under subsection
(a)(1)'';
(4) in subsection (d) by striking ``the operator of the
facility'' and inserting ``each operator of a facility under
subsection (a)(1)''; and
(5) in subsection (f) by striking ``new bus models'' and
inserting ``new bus models (other than a new bus model that is
a covered shared mobility vehicle) or new covered shared
mobility vehicles, as applicable''.
(b) Timing of Testing.--Section 5318(e) of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``a bus of that model has''
and inserting ``prior to delivery and
acceptance of the new bus model, a bus of such
model has''; and
(ii) by striking ``subsection (a)'' and
inserting ``subsection (a)(1)''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i) by striking ``by the
Secretary by rule'' and inserting ``by the Secretary in
the final rule maintained under paragraph (2) such that
the new bus model has received a passing aggregate
score from the bus model scoring system under such
final rule''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Bus test `pass/fail' standard.--The Secretary shall
maintain a final rule that--
``(A) includes a bus model scoring system that
results in a weighted, aggregate score that uses the
testing categories described in subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of subsection (a)(1) and accounts for the relative
importance of each such testing category; and
``(B) establishes a `pass/fail' standard that uses
the aggregate score described in the subparagraph (A).
``(3) Collaboration.--In developing a bus model scoring
system under paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall work with
each bus testing facility under subsection (a)(1), bus
manufacturers, and transit agencies.
``(4) Non-warranty.--An aggregate test score issued for a
new bus model pursuant to the final rule maintained pursuant to
paragraph (2) is for use indicating only whether the amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available under this chapter may
be obligated or expended to acquire the new bus model and shall
not be interpreted as a warranty or guarantee that the new bus
model will meet any specific requirements of a purchaser.''.
(c) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a final rule, or
modify an existing final rule, to comply with section 5318(e)(2) of
title 49, United States Code, as amended by this section and include in
the final rule any modifications necessary to enable timely testing of
covered shared mobility vehicles under section 5318(a)(1) of such
title.
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO ALLOW CERTAIN GRANT FUNDS TO BE USED TO ACQUIRE
SOFTWARE FOR AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS.
(a) Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grant
Program.--Section 25005(e)(2)(B)(vii) of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 502 note) is amended by striking ``acquisition
of equipment, including vehicles'' and inserting ``acquisition of
equipment (including vehicles), acquisition (including by license) of
software (including software for automated driving systems and software
for the operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), updates to
such software''.
(b) Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants.--Section 5309(b)(2)
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking ``infill
stations,'' and inserting ``infill stations, acquisition (including by
license) of software (including software for automated driving systems
and software for the operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles),
updates to such software,''.
(c) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities.--Section 5339 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(A) by striking ``including'' and
inserting ``including acquisition (including by license) of
software (including software for automated driving systems and
software for the operation or monitoring of autonomous
vehicles), updates to such software, and'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A) by striking ``equipment'' and
inserting ``equipment, including acquisition (including by
license) of software (including software for automated driving
systems and software for the operation or monitoring of
autonomous vehicles), updates to such software''; and
(3) in subsection (c)(1)(B)--
(A) in clause (i) by inserting before the semicolon
``, including acquisition (including by license) of
related software (including software for automated
driving systems and software for the operation or
monitoring of autonomous vehicles), updates to such
software'';
(B) in clause (ii) by inserting before the
semicolon ``, including acquisition (including by
license) of related software (including software for
automated driving systems and software for the
operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles),
updates to such software''; and
(C) in clause (iii) by inserting before the
semicolon ``including acquisition (including by
license) of related software (including software for
automated driving systems and software for the
operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles),
updates to such software''.
(d) National Infrastructure Project Assistance.--Section
6701(h)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking
``and operational improvements'' and inserting ``operational
improvements, and acquisition (including by license) of software
(including software for automated driving systems and software for the
operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles), and updates to such
software''.
(e) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Grant
Program.--Section 6702 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(l) Acquisition of Certain Software.--In carrying out an eligible
project for which a grant under the Program is awarded, an eligible
entity may use grant funds to update or acquire (including by license)
software (including software for automated driving systems and software
for the operation or monitoring of autonomous vehicles) that is related
to, or a component of, the eligible project.''.
<all>