H.R. 7437, the Bridges And Safety Infrastructure for Community Success Act (BASICS Act), is a new bipartisan transportation bill recently introduced in Congress that makes targeted updates to existing federal transportation programs to improve accountability and speed in delivering local and regional transportation projects. GMA supports the inclusion of this legislation in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization because it would help deliver more funding with greater reliability for Georgia cities.
Overview and Support for BASICS
The BASICS Act renews and updates federal surface transportation programs with a focus on local bridges, road safety and community-selected priority transportation projects. The bill also strengthens flexible formula programs for local projects and bolsters regional planning capacity. Current federal transportation programs expire on Sept. 30, 2026, and Congress is preparing to renew surface transportation programs later this year.
The bill was introduced by a bipartisan pair of members on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, shaped by priorities submitted for the next surface transportation reauthorization.
Through the Local Officials in Transportation (LOT) coalition, eight of the nation's leading local and regional government organizations have united in support of the BASICS Act — representing more than 25,000 counties, cities, towns, planning agencies and regional economic development organizations across the United States. GMA is one of 75 state associations, spanning all 50 states, that have signed on in support of the legislation.
How BASICS Supports Communities' Priority Transportation Projects
- Delivers Regional Priority Projects Faster: Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) develop Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) that identify local priority projects meeting federal performance goals. The BASICS Act accelerates delivery of these projects by increasing funding for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program. As the most flexible federal transportation formula program, STBG allows states and regions to move projects forward efficiently and deliver tangible benefits for local businesses, workers and communities in every congressional district.
- Invests in Repairing Bridges: The BASICS Act builds on the Bridge Formula Program to continue fixing the nation's most deficient bridges, with a focus on both state- and locally owned infrastructure. Unlike prior approaches, it ensures funding for locally owned bridges is proportional to the number of locally owned bridges in each state — directing resources to the bridges in worst condition regardless of ownership.
- Focuses on Road Safety: The BASICS Act strengthens the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) by increasing overall safety funding and preventing states from transferring HSIP dollars away from safety priorities. The bill also ensures that 25 percent of HSIP funding is delivered regionally in both urban and rural areas, giving local governments direct access to capital for proven safety projects.
- Improves Transparency and Collaboration: The BASICS Act improves transparency around how funding flows, what resources are available to regions and how projects advance from planning to delivery. By reinforcing collaboration across federal, state, regional and local partners, the bill helps ensure projects move efficiently and deliver real results on the ground.
- Builds Planning Capacity for Rural and Urban Regions: The BASICS Act invests in planning capacity by strengthening Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) and increasing Metropolitan Planning (PL) funding. Strong planning leads to better project selection, faster delivery and smarter investments, ensuring both rural and metropolitan regions can advance projects that reflect local priorities and long-term needs.
Next, the legislation will move through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and will need broad buy-in from members of both parties and other transportation stakeholders. Learn more about the BASICS Act from the LOT coalition.