Congress·In Committee·S. 3972

Sen. Cruz Leads Bipartisan Push for Highway Formula Fairness Act to Boost State Road Funding

Highway Formula Fairness Act

16 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Law

Key Points

This bill changes how the federal government distributes highway funding to states, starting in fiscal year 2027. It replaces the current formula with one that ties each state's share more closely to how much gas tax money its drivers actually pay into the Highway Trust Fund.
From policy text
“For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount for each State of combined apportionments for the national highway performance program under section 119, the surface transportation block grant program under section 133”
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Every state would be guaranteed to receive back at least 95% of the gas taxes its highway users contributed to the Highway Trust Fund. This is designed to fix the imbalance where some states pay in far more than they get back in federal road money.
From policy text
“the amount of combined apportionments for the programs shall not be less than an amount equal to-- ``(I) 95 percent of the applicable percentage; multiplied by ``(II) the total amount of funds available for apportionment.”
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The formula uses the most recent available tax data to calculate each state's share, rather than relying on older numbers. This means fast-growing states with more drivers would see their funding keep pace with actual road use.
From policy text
“the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in the State that were paid into the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for the most recent fiscal year for which data are available”
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The bill covers a broad range of federal highway programs including highway performance, surface transportation, safety improvements, congestion relief, freight, carbon reduction, and disaster resilience. It was introduced with bipartisan support by Senators Cruz, Cornyn, Kelly, and Gallego.
From policy text
“Mr. Cruz (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Kelly, and Mr. Gallego) introduced the following bill”
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Infrastructure TransportationEconomy Finance

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 3, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Related News

1 article

Houston Chronicle·about 1 year ago

Cruz, Pfluger introduce bills to repeal methane fee

While focusing on energy fees, the report notes that Senator Cruz and Rep. Pfluger also introduced the Highway Formula Fairness Act, which would establish a minimum guarantee for fuel tax revenue received by states tied to the percentage of total funds paid into the Highway Trust Fund.

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