HB3634, titled the Interactive Federal Review Act, would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to encourage the use of interactive, digital, cloud-based platforms and high-fidelity 3D digital models, including digital twins, in the environmental review process for federally funded highway projects. The bill focuses on reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and is aimed at improving environmental impact analysis and public/community engagement for transportation projects.
The Secretary of Transportation would be required to publish technology-neutral best-practice guidance within 90 days of enactment to promote these tools for project sponsors receiving federal funds. The bill also requires the Secretary to select at least 10 covered highway projects—those receiving INFRA, Mega, or RAISE/BUILD-related grants—to demonstrate these digital methods, and to prioritize future grant applications that propose using them. In addition, the Secretary must report to Congress within 180 days on the effectiveness of these tools and publish at least five example environmental documents developed using them within one year.
Impact
The bill would not rewrite NEPA itself, but it would add a federal policy preference for digital workflows in environmental review for highway projects and create new reporting and demonstration requirements for the Department of Transportation. It would affect recipients of federal highway funding, project sponsors, and agencies involved in NEPA reviews by encouraging the use of cloud-based platforms, digital twins, and 3D modeling to streamline analysis and public engagement. The bill also preserves state authority under 23 U.S.C. 327, so it does not alter responsibilities already assumed by states in the NEPA assignment program.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill, or at least no recorded opposition in the provided materials. The measure was introduced by Representatives Johnson of South Dakota and Stanton and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, then to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, with no votes or committee transcript excerpts provided. The bill’s framing emphasizes efficiency, modernization, and improved public engagement, which are typically presented as bipartisan administrative improvements rather than controversial policy changes.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is whether the federal government should actively steer project sponsors toward specific digital tools in the NEPA process, even though the bill describes the guidance as technology-neutral. Some stakeholders may question implementation costs, data management, interoperability, or whether the emphasis on digital twins could disadvantage smaller project sponsors or states with limited technical capacity. Another possible issue is the bill’s use of priority in grant selection for projects that plan to use these tools, which could be viewed as an indirect mandate or preference rather than a purely voluntary modernization effort.
Reforms the organizational structure for the Department of Transportation and Development including its duties, powers, and responsibilities of officers and employees (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)
A bill for an act providing for certain business entities acting under the jurisdiction of the secretary of state by providing for the removal of information from a filing based on a sworn affidavit and administrative dissolution based on the response to interrogatories.(See HF 2678.)