ASAP Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
- Committees
- Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 22, 2026
Bottom line
This bill reauthorizes and expands a grant program aimed at making older public rail transit stations fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.
What it actually does
This bill reauthorizes and amends Chapter 53 of Title 49, U.S. Code, to establish a competitive grant program. This program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities to upgrade the accessibility of legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems for persons with disabilities, ensuring stations meet current ADA new construction standards.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill is crucial for ensuring equitable access to public transportation for all individuals, particularly those with disabilities, by addressing long-standing accessibility gaps in older infrastructure that predates the Americans with Disabilities Act. They emphasize the importance of modernizing these systems to comply with current standards and improve the quality of life and independence for disabled riders.
Opponents contend
No explicit opposition is typically raised against bills focused solely on improving accessibility for persons with disabilities in public infrastructure, as such efforts generally enjoy broad support. Potential concerns, if any, might revolve around the cost or the pace of implementation, but not the underlying goal.
The bill is concise and can be read and understood quickly, allowing for easy evaluation of its provisions.
Section 1
Short Title - ASAP Act
This section establishes the official short title of the Act as the "All Stations Accessibility Program Reauthorization Act" or the "ASAP Act," providing a common and easily recognizable name for the legislation.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a clear and memorable short title helps in public discourse and legislative tracking, making it easier to refer to and understand the bill's purpose.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the naming of a bill.
Tradeoffs
None apparent.
Section 2(a), inserting 49 U.S.C. 5316(b)
Competitive Grants for Legacy Rail Accessibility
This provision authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to award competitive grants to state and local governmental authorities. These grants are specifically for financing capital projects that upgrade the accessibility of legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems for persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users, by increasing the number of existing stations or facilities that meet or exceed new construction standards under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Section 2(a), inserting 49 U.S.C. 5316(a)(4)
Defining "Legacy Rail System"
This section defines "legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation system" as a rail system that was in operation before July 26, 1990. It explicitly includes commuter rail systems that use stations or facilities constructed before this date, ensuring that older, non-ADA compliant infrastructure is the target of the grant program.
Section 2(a), inserting 49 U.S.C. 5316(c)
Scope of Eligible Project Costs
This provision outlines what expenses are eligible for grant funding. It includes repairing, improving, modifying, retrofitting, or relocating station infrastructure, developing or modifying accessibility plans (including assessments by disability advocacy groups), and other projects that meet or exceed ADA new construction standards. It also limits eligible costs to those directly associated with achieving the accessibility upgrade purpose.
Section 2(a), inserting 49 U.S.C. 5316(e)
Recipient Accessibility Commitment Plan
Any entity receiving a grant under this section must adopt a plan committing to public transportation accessibility projects. This plan must enhance customer experience and maximize accessibility for individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, improve operations, and address equity of service for all riders regardless of income, age, race, or ability, taking into account historical and current service gaps.
Section 2(b), amending 49 U.S.C. 5338(f)
Funding for Accessibility Grants
This provision authorizes an appropriation of $350,000,000 from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter to carry out the accessibility grant program. It also mandates annual adjustments for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for fiscal year 2028 and subsequent years.
The Secretary is encouraged to promote coordination between grant recipients and disability advocacy entities (like protection and advocacy systems or centers for independent living) and to encourage assessments of accessibility or planned modifications by such entities.
Section 2(a), inserting 49 U.S.C. 5316(f)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to provide guidance without imposing strict mandates, allowing for flexibility in implementation. It ensures that the expertise of advocacy groups is considered without creating an unfunded mandate for recipients to hire them.
Case for: Supporters argue that involving disability advocacy groups directly in planning and assessment ensures that accessibility upgrades are truly effective and meet the needs of the community they serve, leveraging their specialized knowledge.
Case against: Some might argue that "encouraging" rather than mandating such coordination could lead to inconsistent application across different grant recipients, potentially diluting the impact.
Estimated impact: Enhances the quality and user-centricity of accessibility projects, potentially leading to more effective use of grant funds.