Opening Statement:
Full Committee Markup of:
H.R. 8748, Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026 - favorably reported to the House by voice vote
The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026 reauthorizes and strengthens key Department of Transportation research, technology, and data programs through fiscal year 2031. The bill supports transportation research and innovation by improving coordination of transportation data activities, advancing research into emerging technologies and infrastructure resilience, and helping develop science- and technology-driven solutions to improve the safety and efficiency of America’s transportation systems.
- Amendment #066 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Obernolte (R-CA) – passed by voice vote
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group to review and establish guidance and best practices for responding to electric vehicle fires. - Amendment #055 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Riley (D-NY) – passed by voice vote
Transit Workforce Strategy and Report—directs the Federal Transit Administration to develop a comprehensive strategy and report on strengthening the nation’s transit workforce, including identifying opportunities to leverage existing research, workforce development, and training programs—such as University Transportation Centers—to better prepare workers for advanced transit technologies, including electric propulsion systems, vehicle electrification, predictive maintenance, and cybersecurity. - Amendment #116 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Sykes (D-OH) – passed by voice vote
Adds a study on human trafficking prevention efforts. - Amendment #037 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Webster (R-FL) – passed by voice vote
Directs the Department of Transportation to study, strategize, and report on establishing a decentralized, interoperable, and vendor-neutral digital infrastructure to improve transportation planning, regulatory review, engineering processes, and lifecycle management. - Amendment #052 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Whitesides (D-CA) – passed by voice vote
Supports exploratory advanced research at the Department of Transportation. - Amendment #053 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Whitesides (D-CA) – passed by voice vote
This language would include wildfires in the "infrastructure integrity” research at the Federal Highway Administration. - Amendment #093 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Salinas (D-OR) – withdrawn
Establishes a task force to address the impacts of the chemical 6PPD and its by-product 6PPD-Q on the environment and to identify safer alternatives. - Amendment #075 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Ross (D-NC) – passed by voice vote
Directs a study and report on underride protection. - Amendment #062 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Foushee (D-NC) – passed by voice vote
Supports low-emissions materials standards and testing. - Amendment #099 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) – passed by voice vote
Authorizes the Transit Vehicle Innovation Deployment Centers program to coordinate advanced transit bus technology research and development. - Amendment #117 to H.R. 8748, offered by Rep. Subramanyam (D-VA) – passed by voice vote
Directs an economic study of the toll pricing practices by private toll roads in the U.S., including cases of excessive pricing. Recommendations from the study would include the feasibility of the federal government purchasing private toll roads and returning them to the states, as well as other policies the federal government can pursue to lower costs for commuters on private toll roads.
H.R. 8790, Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act - favorably reported to the House by voice vote
The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act directs the Department of Energy to support research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities related to next-generation geothermal and closed-loop geothermal systems.
- Amendment #058 to H.R. 8790, offered by Rep. Harrigan (R-NC) – passed by voice vote
Directs the DOE to include supercritical geothermal conditions within its FORGE Sites and R&D programs. - Amendment #015 to H.R. 8790, offered by Rep. Van Epps (R-TN) – withdrawn
Prioritizes geothermal projects intending to power high-load-factor facilities.
H.R. 7129, Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act - favorably reported to the House by voice vote
The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act reauthorizes and expands the Department of Energy’s research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities for hydropower and marine energy technologies to support innovation, grid resilience, workforce development, and America’s domestic energy capabilities.
- Amendment #001 to H.R. 7129, offered by Rep. Babin (R-TX) – passed by voice vote
Reduces authorization of appropriations to FY26 appropriated levels.