Congressman DeSaulnier and Senators Cortez Masto, Burr, Sinema, and Gardner Introduce Moving FIRST Act to Promote Innovation in America's Transportation Systems

Press Release

Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) introduced the Moving and Fostering Innovation to Revolutionize Smarter Transportation (Moving FIRST) Act. The Moving FIRST Act creates a competitive grant program for large and medium-sized cities as well as rural communities to seek federal grants for the creation of efficient, creative and innovative transportation projects. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Burr (R-NC), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Cory Gardner (R-CO).

"Today's transportation problems -- increased congestion, pollution, and infrastructure in disrepair -- need innovative and tailored solutions. Smart technologies will allow the efficient and safe movement of people and goods while reducing congestion and improving public health. This legislation will pave the path for cities both big and small to make improvements that will have far-reaching benefits," said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.

"I've had a front row seat as Nevada has become the Innovation State and organizations like the Regional Transportation Commissions of Washoe County and Southern Nevada have helped lead the way in creating innovative solutions throughout the Silver State," said Senator Cortez Masto. "My legislation promotes more innovative problem solving by allowing local communities to compete for grants that allow them to address local transportation challenges. I look forward to ensuring this bipartisan legislation moves forward in the United States Senate."

The Moving FIRST Act would make annual grant awards available to communities of all different sizes which seek to advance projects like autonomous vehicle technology and sensor-based infrastructure in order to meet the transportation challenges they face. Specifically, the bill establishes the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Challenge Grant, which will annually award:

A large city with up to $50 million in grant funding
A mid-sized city with up to $50 million in grant funding
Two rural communities or regional partnerships with up to $20 million in grant funding or 20% of the total funds available
The Moving FIRST Act is supported by the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, Lyft, Uber, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the U.S. Chamber Technology Engagement Center (C-TEC), the Association of Global Automakers, Honda North America, Inc., the American Trucking Association, the Railroad Passengers Association, the League of American Bicyclists, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the Smart City Council, Venture Smarter, the Smart Regions Initiatives, the Center for Data Innovation, Panasonic Corporation of North America, GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA), Qualcomm, CompTIA, Security Industry Association (SIA), CTIA, Verizon, Sprint, Geotab, Hotwire Communications, Small UAV Coalition, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE), and The Electrification Coalition.

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