# Plain Language Summary: Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act of 2022

If a U.S. city wins the bid to host the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, or Special Olympics, this bill gives the federal government new tools to help pay for transportation projects that city needs. The bill allows the Secretary of Transportation to prioritize funding for roads, transit systems, and other surface transportation improvements that are directly related to hosting these major sporting events. Cities wouldn't have to compete as hard with other communities for federal transportation dollars if their projects are connected to preparing for the Olympics.

The bill also provides practical support beyond just money. The federal government would help cities plan their transportation needs, speed up the approval process for transportation projects, and offer technical expertise. For example, if a city needs to expand public transit to handle the millions of visitors coming to the Olympics, or build new roads to connect Olympic venues, the federal government could help coordinate those efforts and move things along faster than usual. The money can cover temporary facilities and equipment needed just for the event, as well as permanent improvements that will benefit the city long after the games end.

The bill sets aside funding for this purpose from 2022 through 2034, giving cities over a decade to plan and build. Importantly, any federal money provided under this bill is extra—it doesn't replace other transportation funding the city would normally receive. This means Olympic host cities get additional resources on top of what they'd already have access to. The program automatically ends in 2034, so it's not a permanent change to how federal transportation money works, just a temporary boost for cities hosting these international events.

Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act of 2022

Brownley, Julia

Transportation Assistance for Olympic Cities Act of 2022 This bill authorizes through FY2034 the Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize providing grants for surface transportation projects relating to international Olympic, Paralympic, and Special Olympics events, including for temporary facilities, equipment, operations, and maintenance that meet the extraordinary needs associated with hosting such events. DOT must take all reasonable efforts to provide assistance for such events, including by developing intermodal transportation plans and expediting federal review of requests with regards to the events. Authority under the bill to provide grants and assistance terminates on September 30, 2034.