HR 213 · 119th CongressIn Committee

To prohibit the use of Federal financial assistance for a certain high-speed rail development project in the State of California, and for other purposes.

Latest updateJan 7, 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Transportation and Public Works

Sponsor

Kevin Kiley

Introduced

January 6, 2025

Latest action

January 7, 2025

Legislative Progress

How far this bill has traveled through Congress

Introduced

Bill filed in chamber

Committee

Reviewed & reported

Passed Chamber

House or Senate vote

Passed Both

House & Senate agree

President

Sent to White House

Enacted

Signed into law

Introduced

Bill filed in chamber

Committee

Reviewed & reported

Passed Chamber

House or Senate vote

Passed Both

House & Senate agree

President

Sent to White House

Enacted

Signed into law

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Plain-Language Summary

AI Generated

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has provided financial assistance to California through a cooperative agreement (FR-HSR-0118-12-01-01) to support development of a high-speed rail corridor. This project has received federal funding over multiple years as part of broader federal investment in rail infrastructure. Currently, the FRA may continue to provide federal financial assistance to California for this high-speed rail project under existing law, subject to standard federal grant and cooperative agreement procedures.

This bill prohibits the Federal Railroad Administration from providing any federal financial assistance to California for the high-speed rail corridor development project covered by the existing cooperative agreement or any project substantially similar to it. The prohibition applies to all forms of federal financial assistance, effectively blocking the FRA from awarding new grants, loans, or other federal funds to support this specific rail corridor or closely related versions of it. The bill does not specify an implementation timeline or require the FRA to recover previously awarded funds.

The prohibition takes effect upon enactment and applies prospectively to any future federal financial assistance decisions. Existing federal funds already disbursed under the cooperative agreement would not be affected by this bill. The change would prevent the FRA from approving new funding requests or continuing financial support for this project, potentially halting or delaying construction phases that depend on federal resources. Other high-speed rail projects in California or elsewhere would not be affected by this narrow prohibition.

Key Provisions

1Prohibits the Federal Railroad Administration from providing federal financial assistance to California for the high-speed rail corridor development project identified as Cooperative Agreement No. FR-HSR-0118-12-01-01 or any substantially similar project.
2Applies the prohibition to all forms of federal financial assistance, including grants, loans, and other funding mechanisms that the FRA might otherwise provide under existing law.

★ Why this matters

The bill cuts off federal funding for a specific California high-speed rail project, preventing the Federal Railroad Administration from awarding new grants or loans to support it. This could halt or delay construction phases that depend on federal resources. The prohibition applies to the project covered by an existing cooperative agreement and any substantially similar projects, narrowing the scope of federal rail investment in California.

● Who this affects

California state officials and the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which manages the project; construction workers and contractors hired for the rail corridor; communities along the planned rail route; the Federal Railroad Administration, which loses authority to fund this specific project; and taxpayers who might otherwise see federal rail investment in California.

Bill Text

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<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 213

To prohibit the use of Federal financial assistance for a certain high-
  speed rail development project in the State of California, and for 
                            other purposes.

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 6, 2025

   Mr. Kiley of California introduced the following bill; which was 
     referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

                                 A BILL

 
To prohibit the use of Federal financial assistance for a certain high-
  speed rail development project in the State of California, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON PROVISION OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
              CERTAIN HIGH-SPEED RAIL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

    No Federal financial assistance may be provided to the State of 
California for a high-speed rail corridor development project that is 
the same or substantially similar to the project that is the subject of 
Cooperative Agreement No. FR-HSR-0118-12-01-01 entered into between the 
California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Federal Railroad 
Administration.
                                 <all>

Auto-Whip

Where House representatives currently stand

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448 tracked

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447

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Members whose public record points toward backing the bill.

Kevin Kiley

I-California · District 3

Likely support

Kevin Kiley is an Independent (I-CA) representing California's 3rd District, which is in the Sacramento region—an area that would not directly benefit from the California high-speed rail project (primarily planned for Central Valley/LA-SF corridor). While the provided website content does not explicitly mention this specific bill, Kiley's demonstrated focus on government accountability, fiscal responsibility, and constituent services suggests he would be receptive to scrutiny of large federal expenditures. His independent status also indicates he may not reflexively support Democratic-backed infrastructure projects. However, without explicit statements on this bill or California's high-speed rail specifically, confidence cannot be higher. The bill's focus on prohibiting federal financial assistance aligns with potential conservative/fiscal conservative positions, which could appeal to an independent representing a moderate district.

To prohibit the use of Federal financial assistance for a certain high-speed rail development project in the State of California, and for other purposes.

Legislative Progress

Plain-Language Summary

Key Provisions

★ Why this matters

● Who this affects

Bill Text

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To prohibit the use of Federal financial assistance for a certain high-speed rail development project in the State of California, and for other purposes.

Legislative Progress

Plain-Language Summary

Key Provisions

★ Why this matters

● Who this affects

Bill Text

Where House representatives currently stand

Support

Opposition

No Position

Take Action

Active Organizations