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S 2789119th CongressIn Committee
Rural Safety Administration Flexibility Act
Introduced: Sep 11, 2025
Agriculture & FoodInfrastructure
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The Rural Safety Administration Flexibility Act, introduced in the Senate by Senator Sheehy on September 11, 2025, would amend title 23 of the U.S. Code to change how highway safety program funds must be spent. Specifically, for “rural states,” it would reduce the required share that must be spent by political subdivisions (such as counties and municipalities) from 40 percent to 20 percent. The bill also adds a definition of “rural state”—a state whose population density is below the national average, based on the most recent decennial Census. In effect, the bill gives rural states more flexibility to use highway safety funds at the state level or for purposes beyond mandatory local spending.
Key Points
- 1Change: For rural states, the minimum share of highway safety program funds that must be spent by political subdivisions would drop from 40 percent to 20 percent.
- 2Definition: Adds a definition of “rural state” as a state with population density below the national average, based on the most recent decennial Census data.
- 3Scope: The change applies to highway safety programs governed by 23 U.S.C. § 402(b).
- 4Intent: Creates greater flexibility for rural states in allocating highway safety funds, potentially shifting funds away from local subdivisions toward state-level administration or other uses.
- 5Oversight/Context: The bill does not create new funding; it adjusts requirements for how existing funds must be distributed.
Impact Areas
Primary: Political subdivisions (counties, municipalities) in rural states, and the state highway safety offices and agencies that administer these programs.Secondary: Local law enforcement and safety program providers that rely on funds previously required to be spent locally; rural residents who benefit from highway safety initiatives.Additional: Federal and state administrative oversight and compliance considerations, and potential shifts in how grant funds are allocated and reported within rural states.
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