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House Science Committee advances Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026
Summary
The House Science Committee on Wednesday advanced HR 8748, a bipartisan bill to reauthorize Department of Transportation surface transportation research through FY2031, and adopted multiple amendments on EV fire response, transit workforce, data modernization, and rail safety research before reporting the measure favorably to the House.
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on Wednesday voted to report HR 8748, the Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026, to the full House after adopting several bipartisan amendments.
Representative Fong (R.), a sponsor of the bill, said the measure "reauthorizes critical research and development programs" at the Department of Transportation and strengthens partnerships with universities and innovators to improve road and rail safety. "If we want safer roads, stronger supply chains, and infrastructure built to last, we must invest in innovation, research, and better data‑driven decision‑making," he said.
Representative Sykes (D.), the Democratic co‑lead, praised provisions that expand university transportation center funding and direct research toward rail safety and hazardous materials transport, citing the East Palestine derailment. "HR8748 would take a small step forward by reauthorizing the rail cooperative research program which conducts applied research on problems important to freight and commuter rail operators," she said.
During markup the committee adopted a string of amendments by voice vote. Representative Obernoldi’s amendment established an electric vehicle (EV) fire response working group to develop guidance and best practices for first responders and towing/recovery operators. Representative Riley’s amendment directs the Federal Transit Administration to develop a comprehensive transit workforce strategy. Representative Sykes’s amendment expands DOT research into human trafficking on transportation networks and harmonizing data collection. Other adopted amendments directed DOT studies or programs on digital infrastructure modernization, long‑term exploratory research, wildfire impacts on highways, underride crash reporting, materials testing and standards for construction materials, transit vehicle innovation deployment, and a study of private toll pricing.
Committee members adopted the package and the panel’s chair announced the bill as amended was "ordered favorably reported" to the House. The committee did not record roll‑call vote counts in the hearing transcript; multiple amendments were adopted by voice vote and the chair declared "the eyes have it." The staff was authorized to make technical and conforming changes before the bill is filed for floor consideration.
What’s next: HR 8748, as amended, is expected to be placed on the House floor schedule per standard legislative procedures; committee members were given two days to submit supplemental views into the record.
