# Plain Language Summary: Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act

## What This Bill Does

This bill makes two main changes to federal transportation law to combat human trafficking. First, it expands the types of projects that can receive federal transportation funding to include installing human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops and welcome centers along Interstate highways. Second, it modifies an existing advisory committee at the Department of Transportation to include state transportation officials in discussions about combating human trafficking in commercial vehicles.

## Who Benefits and Who Is Affected

**Beneficiaries:**
- Travelers who will see awareness signs about human trafficking at rest stops
- Human trafficking victims who may recognize warning signs and seek help
- State transportation departments that can now access federal funding for these awareness projects

**Affected Parties:**
- The Department of Transportation, which must appoint a state transportation representative to its human trafficking advisory committee within 9 months
- States and local governments managing rest stops, who can now apply for federal grants to install signage

## Key Changes

- **Funding eligibility**: Projects to install human trafficking awareness signs at Interstate rest stops now qualify for federal transportation grants under existing programs
- **Advisory committee expansion**: The DOT's human trafficking advisory committee grows from 15 to 16 members, with the new seat reserved for a state transportation department representative
- **Streamlined requirements**: The bill removes certain standard eligibility restrictions for trafficking awareness sign projects, making them easier to fund