Local Officials Endorse Bipartisan Transportation BASICS Act

Legislation aims to invest in priority infrastructure projects across America

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A coalition of national organizations representing local and regional governments has announced their support for the bipartisan BASICS Act, introduced by Representatives Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI). The legislation would renew and update provisions of the federal surface transportation law to focus on local bridges, road safety, and community-selected priority transportation projects.

Why it matters

The BASICS Act seeks to make federal highway program funding more responsive to the priority needs of local officials and their communities across the U.S. by targeting bridge funding based on condition, strengthening flexible formula programs for local and regional project delivery, directing safety dollars to high-risk roads, supporting metropolitan and rural transportation planning capacity, and reinforcing accountability and locally driven project selection.

The details

The national organizations supporting the BASICS Act include the United States Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, National Association of Development Organizations, and National Association of Regional Councils. The legislation proposes to empower local decision-makers, make infrastructure safer and more responsive to changing economic and mobility needs, and ensure that more counties, especially rural ones, can utilize federal funding for important road, bridge, and safety projects.

  • The current federal surface transportation law expires after September 30, 2026.
  • Key Congressional committees are now developing legislative proposals to renew the law.

The players

Rep. Rob Bresnahan

Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania who introduced the BASICS Act.

Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet

Democratic Congresswoman from Michigan who introduced the BASICS Act.

James Hovland

Mayor of Edina, Minnesota and Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Transportation Standing Committee.

Matt Chase

Executive Director of the National Association of Counties.

Kevin Kramer

Councilmember in Louisville, Kentucky and National League of Cities President.

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What they’re saying

“This bipartisan legislation, rightly, further empowers local decision-makers and local areas in the next renewal law, and embodies reforms which are certain to make our surface transportation infrastructure safer and more responsive to our ever-changing economy and mobility needs.”

— James Hovland, Mayor of Edina, MN, and Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Transportation Standing Committee

“The BASICS Act would be a monumental step in ensuring that counties have access to federal funding for transportation infrastructure. This bill would ensure that more counties—especially rural counties—can utilize federal funding for important road, bridge and safety projects in our communities.”

— Matt Chase, Executive Director, National Association of Counties

“Local governments strongly support the BASICS Act because it streamlines federal investment into regional priorities so we can rebuild local bridges and roads that Americans use every day.”

— Kevin Kramer, Councilmember, Louisville, KY, and National League of Cities President

What’s next

Key Congressional committees are now developing legislative proposals to renew the federal surface transportation law, and the BASICS Act is expected to be a core part of those discussions.

The takeaway

The BASICS Act represents a bipartisan effort to empower local and regional governments in shaping federal transportation infrastructure investments, ensuring that funding is directed to the most pressing local needs like bridge repairs, road safety, and community-selected priority projects.