US Federal Senate Bill SB1828

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/21/25
• Refer: 5/21/25

Caption

Safe Routes Improvement Act

Summary

The Safe Routes Improvement Act would amend federal highway law to require every state to designate a Safe Routes to School coordinator. That coordinator would serve as the main point of contact for the state’s Safe Routes to School program, and states would have to post the coordinator’s contact information on their department of transportation website. The bill also requires vacancies in the coordinator position to be filled within 180 days, but allows states to use an existing employee for the role. The bill further limits federal administrative burden by stating that the U.S. Department of Transportation may not require the coordinator to take on additional duties unless Congress specifically authorizes them. It also allows states to pay the coordinator using certain existing federal transportation funds, and makes a conforming change to remove a now-obsolete provision in current law.

Impact

This bill would amend Section 208 of Title 23 of the U.S. Code, which governs the Safe Routes to School program, by adding a new federal requirement for state-level coordination. It would affect state departments of transportation by obligating them to identify a coordinator, maintain public contact information, and fill vacancies promptly, while preserving flexibility to assign the role to current staff and use existing federal funding sources for salary support. The bill would also narrow federal discretion over the coordinator’s duties and repeal a related existing provision in Section 208(g)(3).

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to have a generally positive, administrative-efficiency-oriented purpose rather than a controversial policy change. The sponsors from both parties suggest bipartisan support, and the committee status indicates hearings were held in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works / Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. No recorded votes or transcript excerpts are available, so there is no evidence of formal opposition in the provided materials.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is federalism and administrative burden: the bill imposes a new state designation requirement, though it tries to soften that by allowing states to use existing staff and existing funds. Another possible issue is the limitation on the Secretary of Transportation’s ability to assign additional duties, which may appeal to states seeking clarity but could concern federal administrators who want flexibility. No specific objections from legislators, agencies, or stakeholders are included in the provided record.