A bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill, the BUILD for America’s 250th Act, is an important step toward modernizing the federal highway safety grant program and strengthening data-driven investment in roadway safety initiatives.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caroline Cash, 240-409-6375
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) applauds the introduction of a bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), calling it an important step toward modernizing the federal highway safety grant program and strengthening data-driven investment in roadway safety initiatives.
Traffic crashes remain one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. More than 100 people are killed and another 6,500 injured on the nation’s roads every day. These tragedies are preventable, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), unsafe driver behavior is a contributing factor in the overwhelming majority of crashes.
Against this backdrop, the legislative package — the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development (BUILD) for America’s 250th Act — would reauthorize surface transportation programs, including NHTSA’s State Highway Safety Grants, a cornerstone federal program focused on reducing unsafe driving behaviors.
Of particular importance to State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs), the bipartisan proposal would combine Sections 402 and 405 into a single unified grant program. The new structure would maintain a focus on national priority areas — including occupant protection, impaired driving, distracted driving, motorcycle safety and nonmotorized safety — while adding a new emphasis on speed.
This proposed framework places greater emphasis on data-driven investments tied to measurable safety outcomes. GHSA has long supported reforms that give SHSOs greater flexibility to implement comprehensive Safe System-centered programs, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens that create barriers to working with local partners and better align federal resources with the most pressing safety needs in local communities.
“This bipartisan proposal reflects a clear recognition that for us to continue making progress, states must be able to make data-driven investments in programs that address their most urgent roadway safety challenges,” said Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer of GHSA. “By breaking down funding silos and reducing unnecessary administrative complexity, Congress can help states spend less time navigating process and more time saving lives. If enacted, this change would significantly strengthen the tools SHSOs have at their disposal to work toward zero roadway deaths.”
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to consider the legislation during a markup on Thursday, May 21. While the bill represents meaningful progress, additional legislative action will be required before a final surface transportation reauthorization package is enacted. GHSA urges Congress to act before current surface transportation programs expire on September 30, 2026.
# # #
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans.