High Risk Rural Roads Safety Act of 2021

To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a high risk rural roads safety program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the High Risk Rural Roads Safety Act of 2021 2. High risk rural roads safety grant program Section 148 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (l) High risk rural roads program set-aside (1) Definition of Indian Tribe (A) In general In this subsection, the term Indian Tribe (B) Inclusions In this subsection, the term Indian Tribe 43 U.S.C. 1602 (2) Reservation of funds (A) In general Of the funds apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(3) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve an amount such that the Secretary reserves a total under this subsection of $750,000,000, of which— (i) $150,000,000 shall be for grants to Indian Tribes under paragraph (3); and (ii) $600,000,000 shall be apportioned to States in accordance with paragraph (4). (B) Not transferable Amounts reserved under this paragraph shall not be transferable. (3) Tribal grant program (A) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall establish a program to provide grants to Indian Tribes to improve safety on high risk rural roads. (B) Applications To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, an Indian Tribe shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (C) Use of funds An Indian Tribe may use funds from a grant under this paragraph only for a highway safety improvement project on a high risk rural road. (D) State strategic highway safety plan A project carried out under this paragraph shall not be required to be included in a State strategic highway safety plan. (E) Federal share The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out with a grant under the program may be up to 100 percent. (4) State apportionment (A) In general The Secretary shall apportion amounts under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) to States based on the proportion that— (i) the amount apportioned to the State under section 104(b)(3) for the fiscal year; bears to (ii) the amount apportioned to all States under section 104(b)(3) for the fiscal year. (B) Allocation within a State Funds apportioned to a State under this paragraph shall be obligated in areas of the State in which the population is not more than 50,000, based on the proportion that— (i) the population of the applicable area of the State; bears to (ii) the total population of all areas of the State with a population of not more than 50,000. (C) Reservation For each fiscal year, a State may reserve not more than 2 percent of the funds apportioned to a State under this paragraph to provide technical assistance to assist areas of the State described in subparagraph (B) in carrying out an eligible project under subparagraph (D). (D) Eligible projects (i) In general A State may use amounts apportioned under this paragraph only for a highway safety improvement project on a high risk rural road. (ii) Selection To the maximum extent practicable, in selecting projects to carry out under this paragraph, a State shall consult with the unit of local government representing the area in which the project will be carried out. (E) Federal share The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this paragraph shall be 100 percent. .

Summary: High Risk Rural Roads Safety Act of 2021 This bill establishes a high-risk rural roads safety program to support safety improvements for roads in rural and tribal communities. Specifically, the bill directs Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide grants to Indian tribes to improve safety on high risk rural roads. It also requires DOT to set aside specified funds for Indian tribes and states. Funds apportioned to a state must be obligated in areas of the state in which the population is not more than 50,000. The federal share of the cost of a project carried out under the bill may be up to 100%.