H.R. 4643: Business Uninterrupted Monetary Program Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Business Uninterrupted Monetary Program Act of 2025, introduces a new requirement for certain transportation projects funded by federal grants. It establishes a program designed to provide financial assistance to businesses negatively affected by disruptions caused by these projects, such as road construction or public transit improvements.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of BUMP Funds: Project sponsors seeking federal grants under the fixed guideway capital investment and federal-aid highway programs must create a fund called a BUMP Fund (Business Uninterrupted Monetary Program Fund).
• Funding Requirements:
  • Contributions to the BUMP Fund may count towards the project's non-federal cost share.
  • These funds will be used to reimburse businesses adversely affected by project interruptions caused by construction activities.
• Contribution Amounts: The project sponsor is required to set aside a specific amount for the BUMP Fund, which must:
  • Not impact the overall project budget.
  • Be sufficient to cover anticipated damages to businesses due to project disruptions.
  • Be set according to a percentage limit based on the project's total non-federal share.
• Eligible Expenses: Funds from the BUMP Fund can be used for a variety of business expenses, including:
  • Utilities
  • Insurance
  • Rent or mortgage payments
  • Payroll
  • Loss of income
• Distribution of Funds: Each project sponsor must outline how they will determine which businesses are eligible for BUMP Fund assistance and establish processes for distributing these funds.
• Retention and Use of Funds: Funds set aside in a BUMP Fund must remain available for one year post-project completion, unless certified as unnecessary. Unused funds can be allocated for project enhancements or transferred to another eligible project.
• Waivers and Adjustments: The Secretary of Transportation may waive certain fund contribution requirements in specific scenarios, such as if an equivalent program is in place or if a project is unlikely to cause disruptions.

Implementation Timeline

The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with implementing the requirements of this act within 270 days of its enactment.

Definitions

The bill defines key terms such as:

• BUMP Fund: A fund established for providing financial assistance to businesses affected by transportation project interruptions.
• Covered Entities: Private businesses or non-profit organizations that may receive assistance from the BUMP Fund.
• Interruption: An event resulting from project activities that disrupts business operations and negatively impacts financial performance.
• Project Sponsor: The entity responsible for carrying out the project funded by federal grants.

Relevant Companies

None found.