H.R. 5479: Modernizing Access to Public Roads Act

This bill, known as the "Modernizing Access to Public Roads Act," aims to improve access to county roads by establishing a grant program administered by the Secretary of Transportation. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill would do:

Grant Program Establishment

The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to create a pilot grant program within 180 days of the bill's enactment. This program will provide funding to states for:

• Digitizing county roads
• Creating centralized and publicly accessible road datasets
• Enhancing rural commerce and public safety

Application Process

States wishing to receive grants must submit an application to the Secretary. The applications will be prioritized based on several factors, including:

• Identification of significant deficiencies in current road digitization
• The ability to administer subgrants to counties
• Commitment to creating shared geospatial data standards with counties

Use of Funds

Funds received by counties can be used for various activities, including:

• Digitizing official county road records
• Converting outdated maps into standard geospatial datasets
• Training staff or hiring contractors to assist in data entry and conversion

Each state transportation department will serve as the central repository for the road data collected and must ensure that:

• The data is published on a publicly accessible website
• The information distinguishes between public and private roads
• The data is compatible with third-party mapping tools and updated at least annually

Reporting Requirements

States that receive grants must report back to the Secretary every six months for the first three years. Reports must include:

• Counties that received funding
• Amount of funds distributed
• Miles of roads digitized
• Development of state repositories for road data
• Any recommendations for program improvements or expansions

Definitions and Provisions

The bill defines key terms, including:

• County: As recognized under federal law.
• County road: A public road maintained by county governments.
• Digitization: The process of converting analog maps into digital formats.
• Geospatial data: As defined by existing federal legislation.

Restrictions and Guidelines

The bill includes specific provisions to ensure that:

• It does not grant new authority to counties or states over road designations where none exists.
• It does not change the legal status of any roads or rights associated with them.
• It does not allow public disclosure of sensitive historical or archaeological geographic data.

Funding Authorization

The legislation authorizes $20 million for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2031 to support the grant program, with a maximum of 2% of the funds allocated for administrative expenses.

Expiration of Grant Authority

The authority to issue grants under this program will terminate on September 30, 2031, unless Congress reauthorizes it.

Relevant Companies

None found.