WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Safe Transit Accountability Act today to keep labor unions from endangering Utahns and blocking public transportation agencies from implementing necessary safety measures. Reps. Burgess Owens (R-UT) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) have introduced the bill in the House of Representatives. The legislation has earned endorsements from Utah Transit Authority (UTA), the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

“American families deserve to have safe, reliable public transit,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Under President Biden, labor unions were given a veto over public transit agency safety plans, allowing them to stall projects and interfere with federal funding for safe transit. Just last year, such obstruction threatened resources for the Utah Transit Authority. The Safe Transit Accountability Act ensures that these disputes can be resolved by the executive authority responsible for rider and operator safety.”   

“The Safe Transit Accountability Act restores common sense by removing bureaucratic roadblocks and putting safety decisions back in the hands of those responsible for running our transit systems,” said Rep. Burgess Owens. “I’m proud to lead this bill with Congressman Smucker in the House and Senator Lee in the Senate to empower agencies like the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority to protect riders and ensure Utah’s growing communities have the safe, reliable service they deserve.”

 “Millions of Americans rely on public transit every day, and travelers deserve to know their safety is always a priority,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker. “I am grateful for Senator Lee’s partnership in introducing the Safe Transit Accountability Act, which streamlines transit system operations and cuts red tape to efficiently address risk and safety concerns. I’m committed to ensuring transit systems here in Pennsylvania and across the nation provide the service America’s travelers deserve.”

 "Safety is and always will be the Utah Transit Authority’s top priority, and the Safe Transit Accountability Act is an important step forward in strengthening public transit safety across the country. This legislation ensures efficient compliance with federal safety standards while empowering transit systems to best protect our riders and employees. UTA thanks Senator Lee for his leadership in introducing this important bill in the Senate.” – Carlton Christensen, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Utah Transit Authority (UTA)

 “A strong safety plan is essential—not just for compliance, but to protect riders and operators every day. This legislation brings needed clarity to the process and helps ensure transit agencies can act quickly and responsibly. We appreciate Representative Owens’ and Senator Lee’s leadership and are proud to support this commonsense legislation.” – Carlos Braceras, Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)

 "APTA applauds Senator Mike Lee's leadership in introducing the Safe Transit Accountability Act. This bill addresses a real operational challenge by giving public transit agencies the clarity they need to meet Federal safety requirements while ensuring the highest standards for the millions who depend on their services every day" – Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Background

In 2021, Democrats pushed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) through Congress to codify President Biden’s irresponsible spending.

The IIJA requires transit agencies who receive certain funds to create “Safety Committees” equally composed of labor unions and agency members. Safety Committees are required to review and approve Public Transit Agency Safety Plans (PTASPs). This gives labor unions the ability to obstruct PTASPs during negotiations, jeopardizing an agency’s federal funding.

In December 2024, labor representatives on UTA’s Safety Committee stalled approval of its PTASP. This obstruction by the union threatened Utahns’ safety as well as crucial funding for UTA, as The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) threatened to suspend UTA’s federal funds over the issue.

The Safe Transit Accountability Act will protect Utahns by ensuring the timely implementation of safety measures and guard against funding losses used by labor unions to play politics with Utahns’ safety.

Read full text of the Safe Transit Accountability Act here.

Read UTA’s letter of support here.

Read exclusive coverage by Deseret News here.

###