Rural Safety Administration Flexibility Act
The Rural Safety Administration Flexibility Act would modify how much of certain federal highway safety funds must be spent by local governments. Specifically, in most states, at least 40 percent of highway safety funds must be spent by political subdivisions (such as counties or municipalities). The bill creates a rural-state exception: for states with a population density below the national average, the required share would drop to 20 percent. A new definition is added to identify a “rural state” as any state whose population density is under the national average, based on the most recent decennial census. The bill does not create new funding or programs; it changes how the money must be allocated between state-level agencies and local governments in rural states, potentially giving more flexibility to state agencies.
Key Points
- 1Core change: In rural states, the required portion of highway safety program funds spent by political subdivisions would be 20 percent (instead of 40 percent); non-rural states would continue to follow the existing 40 percent rule.
- 2New definition: A “rural State” is defined as a state whose population density is below the national average, determined by data from the most recent decennial Census.
- 3Scope of change: The adjustment applies to Section 402(b)(1)(C) of title 23, United States Code, affecting how funds must be spent by local subdivisions within a state.
- 4No new funding amount: The bill does not create or reallocate funding levels; it changes the spending distribution requirement between state and local participants in rural states.
- 5Purpose and framing: Described as providing flexibility for rural states to administer highway safety programs more at the state level rather than requiring a higher share be expended by local governments.