H.R. 6569 – RETILE Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:15 PM UTC

The RETILE Act requires state and local governments to obtain a waiver before installing differently colored tiles in tunnel projects when doing so would raise costs. It applies to projects that receive disaster‑relief assistance under the Stafford Act and adds a new rule to Title 23 that can withhold federal funds for non‑compliant projects. The bill gives the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to grant waivers based on safety, historic preservation, or other relevant factors.

Key Provisions

Prohibits the use of differently colored tiles in covered tunnel projects unless a waiver is obtained from the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Defines a “covered project” as one that receives a public assistance grant under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Allows the Secretary to grant waivers based on safety, historic preservation, or other relevant considerations, and requires regulations to be issued within 180 days of enactment.
Amends Title 23 to add Section 171, which authorizes withholding of federal funding for projects that use differently colored tiles without a waiver, and mirrors the waiver process outlined in the new section.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Highways and Transit Subcommittee

July 27, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 26, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

July 26, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

July 27, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Highways and Transit Subcommittee

July 27, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 26, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6569

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 26, 2018

Mr. Faso introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To require a waiver if the installation of differently colored tiles in certain tunnel projects is expected to create additional costs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Removing Extra Transportation Infrastructure Luxury Expenses Act or the RETILE Act.

2.

Differently colored tiles in projects

(a)

Projects for a public facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State or local government, for purposes of a covered project, may not install differently colored tiles in a tunnel if—

(A)

the installation of such tiles is reasonably expected to incur a higher cost than the installation of same-color tiles; and

(B)

such government has not obtained a waiver from the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(2)

Waiver

(A)

In general

A State or local government may apply for a waiver from this requirement.

(B)

Granting of waiver

The Secretary may grant a waiver based on safety factors, historical preservation factors, or any other factor the Secretary considers relevant.

(3)

Covered project

In this subsection, the term covered project means a project for which a State or local government receives a public assistance grant under section 406 or 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172 or 5189f).

(4)

Regulations

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this subsection.

(b)

Projects under title 23, United States Code

(1)

In general

Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

171.

Use of tiles in initial construction, replacement, or repair in tunnel projects

(a)

Withholding of funds for noncompliance

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall withhold any funding for any project under this chapter if such project uses differently colored tiles in a tunnel and—

(A)

the installation of such tiles is reasonably expected to incur a higher cost than the installation of same-color tiles; and

(B)

the Secretary has not issued a waiver under this section.

(2)

Availability of waiver

(A)

In general

A State may apply for a waiver from this requirement.

(B)

Granting of waiver

The Secretary may grant a waiver based on safety factors, historical preservation factors, or any other factor the Secretary considers relevant.

(3)

Regulations

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this section.

.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 170 the following new item:

171. Use of tiles in initial construction, replacement, or repair in tunnel projects.

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