S. 1218: Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Cities Act of 2025, aims to provide financial and planning support for cities and organizations that host international sporting events in the United States, particularly the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. The key provisions of the bill include the following:

Purpose

The bill is designed to assist local, state, and tribal governments in addressing transportation challenges and enhancing the economic benefits of hosting major international sporting events.

Definitions

• Covered Events: This includes events such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Special Olympics, and FIFA World Cups that take place in the U.S.
• Eligible Entities: These are entities such as state governments, local governments, Indian Tribes, and nonprofit organizations that are involved with or supporting a covered event.
• Host Metropolitan Planning Organization: This refers to the planning organization in an urbanized area where a covered event is held.

Funding Allocation

The bill outlines a system for distributing federal funds for transportation projects related to covered events:

• Each fiscal year, the Secretary of Transportation will allocate funds to host planning organizations for the most imminent covered events, up to $10 million per event.
• If funds remain after allocations for imminent events, they will be distributed among other eligible host organizations based on the same $10 million cap.

Use of Funds

The funds can be utilized for:

• Transportation projects supporting the movement of people or goods in relation to the covered event.
• Transportation planning activities that facilitate coordination and improve transportation capabilities related to the event.

Requirements and Limitations

The bill specifies requirements for projects funded through these grants:

• Projects must be located within 100 miles of the event and cannot involve temporary infrastructure solely intended for the event.
• Only projects commenced within five years prior to the covered event and wrapping up within 30 days after will be eligible for funding.

Studies on Impact

The bill mandates studies by the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate the effects of hosting the Olympics and FIFA World Cup on the travel and tourism industry. These studies will look at:

• Changes in international and domestic travel frequency.
• Revenue impacts on businesses within the travel and tourism sector.
• Changes in employment rates in the same industry.

Reports from these studies will be published on the Department of Commerce's website.

Technical and Planning Assistance

The Secretary of Transportation will provide assistance to eligible entities to help with transportation planning and coordination related to the covered events. This may include:

• Providing technical support for transportation project planning.
• Assisting with intermodal transportation planning.
• Facilitating cooperation between various governmental and private sector agencies.

Authorization of Appropriations

The bill authorizes $50 million annually for the Secretary of Transportation to facilitate these programs and initiatives.

Relevant Companies

• IDEX Corporation (IEX) - May benefit from increased demand for specialized transportation services and systems due to heightened infrastructure needs during events.
• Fluor Corporation (FLR) - As a company involved in construction and engineering, it might be contracted for infrastructure projects related to the events.
• Piedmont Lithium Limited (PLD) - Could see opportunities through partnerships in infrastructure development or transportation solutions as part of the logistics related to hosting significant sporting events.
• Dover Corporation (DOV) - May engage in products and services related to transportation systems for the events.