Senators Curtis and Lee introduced bipartisan legislation today to improve transit project timelines and quality by restoring the responsibility for environmental reviews back to state agencies from the federal government. The Streamline Transit Projects Act is cosponsored by Senators Kelly, and Warnock and endorsed by Utah Transit Authority, Wasatch Front Regional Council, and the American Public Transportation Association.
I will restore the responsibility for environmental reviews of transit projects to state agencies from the federal government to improve project timelines and quality.
Occurrences
U.S. Senators John Curtis and Mike Lee introduced bipartisan legislation today to improve transit project timelines and quality by restoring the responsibility for environmental reviews back to state agencies from the federal government. The Streamline Transit Projects Act gives transit agencies the flexibility to meet local needs more efficiently.
Given an opportunity, Utah would love to serve as the lead agency in environmental projects. And we’d love to talk to you about that and how that might help us streamline.
Evidence
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Curtis and Mike Lee introduced bipartisan legislation today to improve transit project timelines and quality by restoring the responsibility for environmental reviews back to state agencies from the federal government. The Streamline Transit Projects Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and endorsed by Utah Transit Authority, Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
During an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) advocated for key Utah priorities to be included in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill. During his exchange with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Senator Curtis stressed the urgency of expanding the FrontRunner commuter rail system ahead of projected population growth in Utah and the 2034 Winter Olympics. He also raised concerns with burdensome federal regulations—noting how they raise project costs by 30%—and offered Utah as a lead agency model to allow for more efficient timelines.
Curtis and Lee said they introduced the Streamline Transit Projects Act to restore transit environmental review responsibility to state agencies and speed project delivery.
The Senate bill text would let eligible transit recipients assume NEPA-related categorical exclusion responsibilities, and the filing states it was read twice and referred to committee.
Curtis's Senate office said Curtis and Mike Lee introduced the Streamline Transit Projects Act to move transit environmental review responsibility from the federal government back to state agencies, with Kelly and Warnock as cosponsors.
The Senate bill text would amend 49 U.S.C. chapter 53 to allow eligible transit funding recipients to assume NEPA categorical-exclusion and related environmental-review responsibilities from the Secretary of Transportation under an MOU.
Curtis's office reported that, in an EPW hearing with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Curtis asked what roles traditionally performed by the federal government could be transitioned to states and offered Utah as a lead-agency model.
The eCFR version current to June 25, 2026 states Part 771 sets FHWA, FRA, FTA, and DOT NEPA procedures for public transportation actions; it says applicants may prepare documents only with federal guidance and independent federal evaluation, and FTA approval remains required for additional FTA categorical exclusions.
FTA describes its Office of Environmental Policy and Programs as developing and promoting environmental decision-making for FTA projects, implementing NEPA and related legislation, and maintaining environmental-review resources for project sponsors.
Assessments
Curtis made a direct same-term legislative attempt by introducing the Streamline Transit Projects Act, which closely matched the promise to shift transit environmental-review responsibility from federal control to state agencies. But the evidence shows the bill was only introduced and referred to committee, while current federal NEPA/FTA regulations and FTA environmental-program materials still leave key transit environmental-review authority with DOT/FTA. Because the promised transfer was not enacted or implemented, this is not delivered, though the serious legislative effort merits the effort badge.
Curtis co-sponsored and introduced the Streamline Transit Projects Act and publicly advocated for shifting transit environmental reviews to state agencies, which is a serious attempt toward the promise. But the evidence only shows introduction, referral, and advocacy; there is no enactment or implementation restoring that responsibility, so the promised outcome was not delivered.
Senator Curtis introduced bipartisan legislation (the Streamline Transit Projects Act) and publicly advocated for shifting transit environmental review responsibility to states, including testimony at an EPW hearing and securing cosponsors and stakeholder endorsements. However, the evidence shows only bill introduction and advocacy; there is no indication the proposal was enacted or that federal responsibility was formally returned to state agencies. Because Curtis made a clear legislative attempt but the promised policy change was not completed, the outcome is judged as never delivered despite substantive effort.
Senator Curtis introduced bipartisan legislation (Streamline Transit Projects Act) and advocated in hearings to transfer environmental review authority for transit projects from the federal government to states, directly attempting to fulfill his campaign promise. However, there is no evidence that this bill became law or that the policy has been enacted, so the promise was not delivered. The legislative initiatives and public advocacy indicate significant effort.