Transportation for Reentry Act
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The Transportation for Reentry Act would amend federal transit law to require transit agencies that receive certain federal funding (urbanized area formula grants under Section 5307 and rural area formula grants under Section 5311) to operate a "reentry service" program offering free public transportation to people recently released from incarceration. Eligible "returning individuals"—those who served at least one year in federal or state prison—would receive one year of free transit access starting on their release date. Transit agencies would need to set up enrollment systems, train staff, track usage data, and verify compliance with the one-year limit; the Department of Transportation could reimburse agencies for related direct and indirect costs, including planning, training, outreach, and operations.
The bill primarily affects public transit agencies (which take on new administrative and reporting obligations) and formerly incarcerated individuals, who would gain a year of fare-free transit to help with reintegration, employment, medical appointments, and meeting parole requirements. Funding of $40 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 would come from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. The Secretary of Transportation would issue implementing regulations within a year, and the Government Accountability Office would report to Congress on the program's implementation and effect on recidivism within five years.
The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver with multiple cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 23, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9898 do?
- The Transportation for Reentry Act would amend federal transit law to require transit agencies that receive certain federal funding (urbanized area formula grants under Section 5307 and rural area formula grants under Section 5311) to operate a "reentry service" program offering free public transportation to people recently released from incarceration. Eligible "returning individuals"—those who served at least one year in federal or state prison—would receive one year of free transit access starting on their release date. Transit agencies would need to set up enrollment systems, train staff, track usage data, and verify compliance with the one-year limit; the Department of Transportation could reimburse agencies for related direct and indirect costs, including planning, training, outreach, and operations. The bill primarily affects public transit agencies (which take on new administrative and reporting obligations) and formerly incarcerated individuals, who would gain a year of fare-free transit to help with reintegration, employment, medical appointments, and meeting parole requirements. Funding of $40 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 would come from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund. The Secretary of Transportation would issue implementing regulations within a year, and the Government Accountability Office would report to Congress on the program's implementation and effect on recidivism within five years. The bill was introduced on July 23, 2026, by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver with multiple cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It has not yet received committee action, and would need to pass the House and Senate and be signed by the President before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 9898 become law?
- Not yet. As of 23 Jul 2026, H.R. 9898 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9898?
- H.R. 9898 was sponsored by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver [D-MO5] (Democrat-MO), with 17 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9898?
- Introduced (23 Jul 2026).
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