Green Bus Act of 2019

To require any bus purchased for use in public transportation with funds provided by the Federal Transit Administration to be a zero-emission bus, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Green Bus Act of 2019 2. Zero-emission bus requirements (a) In general Chapter 53 section 5312 5313. Zero-emission bus requirements (a) In general Notwithstanding any other requirements of this chapter, not later than October 1, 2029, any bus purchased or leased with funds provided under this chapter or otherwise provided by the Federal Transit Administration for purposes of providing public transportation shall be a zero-emission bus. (b) Definition of zero-Emission bus In this section, the term zero-emission bus . (b) Conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 53 5313. Zero-emission bus requirements. . 3. Report on best practices implementing zero-emission bus fleets (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall compile, and make publicly available, a report containing best practices and lessons learned by transit agencies and States that have implemented or are in the process of implementing zero-emission bus fleets. (b) Consultation In compiling the report, the Secretary shall consult with transit agencies, States, zero-emission bus manufacturers, and other stakeholders that the Secretary determines are appropriate. (c) Updates to report The Secretary shall update the report required under subsection (a) annually. 4. Extensions of certain low- or no-emission vehicle programs (a) Additional authorization for certain programs (1) Authorization of appropriations Section 5338(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Additional authorization of appropriations There shall be available from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 2021 through 2029 such funds as are specifically allocated for those fiscal years under paragraph (2). Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize the appropriation of any amounts not so allocated. . (2) Conforming amendment Section 5338(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting or paragraph (3) paragraph (1) (b) Low- and No-Emission Component Assessment Program Section 5338(a)(2)(G) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (G) $28,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019 and $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2029 shall be available to carry out section 5312, of which— (i) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019 and $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2029 shall be available to carry out section 5312(h); and (ii) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019 and $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2029 shall be available to carry out section 5312(i); . (c) Low- or No-Emission Vehicle Program Section 5338(a)(2)(M) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking and $344,044,179 for fiscal year 2020 , $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $550,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, $650,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $800,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, $850,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, and $900,000,000 for fiscal year 2029 (2) by striking 2020 shall be available to carry out section 5339(c) 2019, $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, $550,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, and $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2029 shall be available to carry out section 5339(c) (d) Planning programs Section 5338(a)(2)(A) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking and $142,036,417 for fiscal year 2020 and $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2029 5. Preference under Low- or No-Emission Vehicle Program for operators with full fleet transition plans Section 5339(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (8) Preference In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give preference to applicants who have completed a full fleet transition plan. .

Summary: Green Bus Act of 2019 This bill requires all buses purchased or leased with Federal Transit Administration funds to be zero-emission beginning on October 1, 2029. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must issue an annual best practices report on zero-emission bus programs to help states and transit agencies implement zero-emission bus fleets. The bill reauthorizes through FY2029 specific programs related to low or no emission vehicles and components. DOT must give preference in awarding grants under the low or no emission program to transit agencies who have completed a full fleet transition plan.