H.R. 5008: Affordable Commutes Act of 2025

The bill, titled the Affordable Commutes Act of 2025, aims to address concerns surrounding the pricing practices of private toll roads in the United States. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill would do:

Investigation of Private Toll Road Pricing

The Secretary of Transportation will conduct an investigation focused on:

• How toll prices are set by private companies.
• Identifying any instances of price gouging or unfair pricing practices.
• Evaluating whether the toll prices are deemed unreasonable.

If the investigation uncovers evidence of unfair practices, the Secretary will refer those cases to the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission to take appropriate action.

Study on Government Acquisition of Toll Roads

The Secretary will also conduct a study to assess the feasibility and financial implications of the federal government purchasing private toll roads and transferring ownership of these roads to state governments. This study will consider:

• Whether state ownership would result in lower toll costs for consumers.
• The necessary procedures for the federal government to purchase and transfer these roads.
• Additional policies that could be implemented to reduce costs for commuters utilizing toll facilities.

Report to Congress

Within one year of the bill’s enactment, the Secretary of Transportation is required to submit a report to Congress that includes:

• The findings from the pricing investigation.
• The results of the study on toll road ownership transfers.
• Recommendations on how to address any instances of price gouging or unfair practices encountered during the investigation.
• Suggestions for executing the proposed purchases and transfers of toll roads as outlined in the study.

Toll Benefits to Consumers

Overall, the bill seeks to ensure that toll road operations are fair to consumers and evaluates the potential benefits of transitioning toll roads from private to state control, which may lead to lower costs for drivers.

Relevant Companies

• None found