H.R. 8692: Shared Autonomous Mobility Act of 2026

The Shared Autonomous Mobility Act of 2026 aims to encourage the development and deployment of shared autonomous mobility vehicles, specifically new bus models equipped with automated driving systems. The key components of the bill include the following:

Establishment of Grant Programs

The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to create a competitive grant program, known as the Accelerating Innovative Mobility Grant Program. This program will allow eligible entities, such as public transit authorities or partnerships with private companies, to apply for funding to support projects focused on:

• Deploying new automated bus models (termed "covered shared mobility vehicles").
• Acquisition of necessary equipment and software for these vehicles, which includes automated driving systems and related operational software.

Grant Application Process

To secure these grants, eligible entities must:

• Submit an application to the Secretary within a specified time frame at least once a year.
• Provide relevant information as required by the Secretary.

Funding and Allocation

The Secretary is required to select grant recipients based on criteria they establish. Notably, a minimum of 15% of the grant funds must be reserved for projects in rural areas. The total funding authorized under the program includes:

• $60 million for fiscal year 2027.
• $40 million for fiscal year 2028.

Testing Facilities for Autonomous Buses

The bill mandates the establishment of bus testing facilities. By January 1, 2027, at least one facility must be dedicated to testing covered shared mobility vehicles, ensuring they meet necessary safety, performance, and maintenance standards.

Modifications to Existing Laws

The legislation amends several sections of existing law to facilitate the use of grant funds for acquiring software and related technologies. This includes:

• Allowing grants to be utilized for purchasing software related to automated driving systems.
• Ensuring updates to existing software can be funded as part of the projects supported by the grants.

Regulatory Compliance and Standards

The Secretary is instructed to create or modify existing regulations to ensure timely testing of covered shared mobility vehicles and to maintain a system for evaluating bus models. This regulation will include standards for scoring performance in various categories, contributing to their approval for grant funding.

Impact and Intent

The overall goal of the Shared Autonomous Mobility Act is to promote the deployment of innovative transportation technologies, improve public mobility options, and support the transition to a more automated transit system across the United States.

Relevant Companies

• TSLA (Tesla, Inc.): Tesla's advancements in automated driving technologies could directly benefit from increased demand for automated buses and related systems.
• GOOGL (Alphabet Inc.): Alphabet's Waymo, which focuses on autonomous vehicles, may see increased collaboration opportunities for the deployment of autonomous bus systems.
• GM (General Motors Co.): GM's investment in autonomous vehicle technology could be bolstered by funding opportunities for developing autonomous buses.
• CMI (Cummins Inc.): As a provider of powertrain products, Cummins might be involved in supplying technologies for the automated driving systems in new bus models.