H.R. 6491 — Streamline Transit Projects Act

This section establishes new 49 U.S.C. §5322, authorizing the Secretary of Transportation to assign to eligible recipients—direct recipients of Federal Transit Administration funds in urbanized areas with populations over 200,000 that demonstrate legal, technical, and financial capacity—responsibility for determining categorical exclusions from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental assessments or impact statements for designated transit activities, using criteria from 23 CFR part 771 (or successor). (Categorical exclusions apply to actions with no significant environmental effects, expediting project approvals.) The Secretary may also assign related responsibilities under other federal laws (except government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes), making the recipient solely responsible and liable. Assignments require memoranda of understanding (MOUs) developed after public notice and comment, with terms of up to 3 years (or 5 years for recipients with 10+ years of experience), subject to Secretary monitoring of compliance and finances, technical assistance, and termination by the Secretary after 120 days for corrective action or by the recipient after 90 days' notice. The provision preserves eligible recipients' flexibility in project delivery methods and requires their consent to federal court jurisdiction.