Washington, D.C. – To improve traffic and pedestrian safety, increase transit accessibility, and modernize transportation infrastructure, Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) introduced eight bills representing his key legislative priorities for inclusion in next year’s Surface Transportation Reauthorization.

Each of Rep. Mullin’s bills reflect a commitment to a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable transportation future. The multi-year omnibus Surface Transportation bill is up for reauthorization in 2026, and outlines federal highway, roadway safety, transit, and rail programs.

“Congress has a responsibility to advance common-sense policies that would improve safety, boost sustainability, and make public transit work better for everyone,” Rep. Mullin said. “Communities across America benefit from federal investments in transportation systems and I’m proud to submit these proposals that reflect real-world transit and infrastructure needs.”

In addition to these bills, Rep. Mullin asked the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which will ultimately finalize the Surface Transportation bill, to maintain key funding programs that support SamTrans, SFMTA, Caltrain, BART, and San Francisco Bay Ferry. He’s also advocating to maintain support for highway and pedestrian safety improvement programs.

Rep. Mullin’s Surface Transportation bills:

Empty Lots to Housing Act

This bipartisan bill would give the Federal Highway Administration the authority to allow state and local governments to repurpose underutilized land acquired with federal highway funds for transit-oriented affordable housing. It would help unlock urgently needed housing supply near public transit without requiring any new federal spending.

Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act

This legislation directs the Department of Transportation to study how emerging driver technologies, such as in-vehicle touchscreens and interface design, are impacting pedestrian safety. With pedestrian injuries and fatalities at record highs, the bill responds to the need for better data and understanding of the evolving driving environment.

SAFE Cross Act

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 2,252 collisions at rail crossings in 2024. The SAFE Cross Act would require a study on the use of AI-enabled sensors to improve safety at rail crossings, building on successful local pilot projects like Caltrain’s low-cost deployment in California’s 15th District. This legislation explores a promising, cost-effective interim measure to reduce rail-related accidents, which is especially helpful for communities that aren’t yet able to complete a full grade separation.

Forging Ahead on Rail Electrification (FARE) Act

The recent electrification of Caltrain has led to better service, improved air quality, and higher ridership. The FARE Act seeks to promote these advancements across the country by establishing an advisory committee to identify technical, regulatory, and economic barriers to railroad electrification. Building on a recent Department of Energy report, this bill promotes coordination among freight railroads, utilities, and federal agencies to accelerate electrification in the rail sector.

Battery and Regenerative Braking Act

Regenerative braking is a virtually untapped resource in the rail sector that could recoup up to 50% of the energy used by trains. This bill would expand eligibility under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program to include commuter rail projects that use regenerative braking and energy storage projects. Harnessing this technology could cut rail energy usage, making passenger service more sustainable and efficient.

Language Access in Transit Act

This bill would codify requirements for public transit agencies to provide meaningful access to individuals with limited English proficiency. These protections for individuals who primarily speak a language other than English are at risk following President Trump’s Executive Order that overturned longstanding requirements to provide language access to federally-funded programs. This bill would ensure continued language access in transit programs regardless of actions the current or a future administration may take.

Transit Captions Innovations Act

This proposal would fund a pilot program to deploy real-time captioning and translation services for transit riders who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have limited English proficiency. It would promote the testing of AI-driven technology solutions to eliminate communication barriers that leave many riders behind during unexpected schedule or route changes.

Rail and Highway Transmission Planning Act

This proposal calls for a comprehensive study to evaluate the feasibility of installing high-voltage transmission lines within existing highway and rail corridors. With energy demand rising and siting new transmission infrastructure becoming increasingly difficult, this study would help modernize the power grid while maximizing land use.

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