Bills · S 3786
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3786Transportation and Public Works
Balance the Highway Trust Fund Act
INTRO FEB 5· LAST ACTION FEB 5
READING
5MIN
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it directly impacts how federal infrastructure projects, from highways to public transit, are funded. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to greater fiscal discipline by ensuring the Highway Trust Fund doesn't spend more than it collects, potentially preventing future federal debt related to infrastructure. However, it could also mean fewer new projects or slower repair work if the fund's revenue isn't sufficient to meet existing infrastructure needs. If it doesn't become law, the current practice of sometimes covering Highway Trust Fund shortfalls with general tax dollars could continue, allowing more infrastructure spending but potentially adding to the national debt or diverting funds from other areas.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Limits annual spending for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs to only the net revenue collected by the Highway Trust Fund for that year.
This provision ties spending directly to incoming revenue, preventing the fund from operating at a deficit.
PROVISION 02
Limits annual spending for mass transit programs (from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund) to only the net revenue collected by that account for that year.
This extends the fiscal discipline to public transportation projects, ensuring they also operate within their means.
PROVISION 03
Establishes specific rules for the Secretary of Transportation to distribute the limited funds, excluding administrative expenses and unspent balances from previous years.
This provision dictates how states and programs will receive their share of the now-limited federal infrastructure money.
PROVISION 04
Allows for the redistribution of any unused highway spending authority after August 1st each fiscal year to states that can obligate additional funds.
This helps ensure that federal infrastructure dollars are spent efficiently and not left idle if a state cannot use them.
PROVISION 05
Sets the effective date for the bill and its amendments as October 1, 2027.
This provides a clear timeline for when these new spending limitations would begin.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Utah
YRS IN OFFICE
15
BILLS LED
138
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 5
Introduced in Senate
FEB 5
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3786
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 5, 2026
Last actionFeb 5, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 5, 2026
Senate BillS 3786Transportation and Public Works
Balance the Highway Trust Fund Act
INTRODUCED FEB 5, 2026· LAST ACTION FEB 5, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
