The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has announced its intention to pass the next bipartisan, multi-year surface transportation reauthorization before the current law expires.
According to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, the existing surface transportation law was authorized under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is set to expire on September 30, 2026. The Committee emphasized that multi-year reauthorizations are crucial for states to plan and execute long-term infrastructure projects. As part of the 119th Congress, passing this reauthorization is one of the Committee’s legislative priorities.
In January 2025, the Committee initiated a series of hearings to evaluate the performance and identify gaps within current surface transportation programs, including highway, transit, and rail. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), states depend on the predictability of reauthorization bills to commit to major capital investments. These hearings aim to gather legislative input and identify improvements in funding formulas, grant structures, regulatory streamlining, and project delivery.
A significant policy focus within the upcoming bill is vicarious liability protections in vehicle leasing and rental sectors. This issue was highlighted by a 2024 Connecticut case involving Enterprise Rental Car (EAN Holdings LLC). According to CT Insider, Enterprise was sued by a pedestrian after one of its customers—previously convicted of DUI and required to use an ignition interlock device—rented a vehicle and injured the plaintiff while driving intoxicated. The court ruled that Enterprise was not liable due to existing state law requiring only a visual license check. Legal experts suggest this case illustrates why federal transportation legislation should establish clearer liability standards for rental companies when leasing vehicles to drivers with known risk factors.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is a standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives with legislative jurisdiction over all modes of transportation, including roads, public transit, rail, aviation, maritime, and associated infrastructure systems.
