The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has confirmed plans to complete a bipartisan, multi-year surface transportation reauthorization before the current law expires.
The House Committee announced that the existing surface transportation authorization—established through the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA)—will lapse on September 30, 2026, if not reauthorized. According to the Committee, multi-year bills like the IIJA are crucial because they offer states long-term budget certainty needed for capital-intensive transportation projects. The Committee is prioritizing the next authorization bill during the 119th Congress to ensure uninterrupted infrastructure investment.
Hearings that began in early 2025 have focused on evaluating federal transportation programs and identifying reforms to improve efficiency and impact. According to AASHTO’s published white paper, states need advance federal action to ensure predictable funding flows and continuity across project cycles. The Committee is also reviewing public feedback on formula allocation, discretionary grants, and federal permitting rules.
A notable case highlighting legal gaps in transportation liability involves Enterprise Rental Car. CT Insider reports that Connecticut courts sided with Enterprise after a known high-risk driver rented one of its vehicles and caused a serious pedestrian injury. The court said that state law required no more than a visual check of the driver's license, even if digital databases revealed red flags. This legal outcome has prompted calls for the surface transportation bill to include stronger vicarious liability language to clarify rental company obligations and protect the public.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, one of the largest and most active committees in the House, manages legislative and oversight functions across all major infrastructure systems. Its jurisdiction includes roads, transit, ports, and airports, shaping billions in federal investment.
