To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for free public transportation for individuals who are recently released from incarceration.

Sponsor: Emanuel Cleaver (Democratic-MO)July 23, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Provides free public transportation for one year to people recently released from prison.

This bill would give people recently released from prison free public transportation for one year. Public transportation agencies would need to offer this service to get certain federal grants. The bill sets aside $40 million each year for five years to help pay for it.

What Would Change

Today, there is no federal program requiring free public transportation for people recently released from prison. This bill would change that. It would require public transportation agencies that get certain federal grants to offer free rides for one year to eligible individuals. It would also set aside $40 million each year for five years to help agencies pay for these services.

Key Provisions

Requires public transportation agencies to offer free rides for one year to people recently released from prison.
Makes offering this service a requirement for public transportation agencies to receive certain federal grants.
Sets aside $40 million each year from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to pay for the free public transportation program.
Requires transportation agencies to set up enrollment systems, train staff, and track how the service is used.
Allows the Secretary of Transportation to pay back agencies for the costs of running the free transportation service.
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to create new rules within one year to guide the program.

View on Congress.gov

HR 9898 · 119th Congress · July 23, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10

To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for free public transportation for individuals who are recently released from incarceration.

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity