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To amend title 23, United States Code, to permit the use of certain electric vehicle charging stations at rest areas on the Interstate System, and for other purposes.
Summary
- Permits electric vehicle charging infrastructure for passenger automobiles at rest areas on the Interstate System.
- Limits the commercial use of Interstate rights-of-way to only what is necessary for electric vehicle charging.
- Makes conforming amendments clarifying that other provisions apply to natural gas vehicle refueling stations rather than electric vehicle charging.
- Does not constitute a statement of congressional intent regarding existing authority related to rest area uses.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
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![Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]](https://media.civicgate.org/people/d/politicians/M001176.thumb.jpg)
Sen. Merkley, Jeff (D-OR)
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Jeff Merkley’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- Employer not reported $19,422
- CG 7600 LP $6,600
- DIGITAL VISION INC $4,629
- PAHLISCH HOMES INC. $3,000
- SCHAEFFER MFG. $2,900
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Jeff Merkley → · Outside spending →
Actions (2)
- Aug 1, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. · senate
- Aug 1, 2025 Introduced in Senate
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Text versions (1)
Bills are re-published as they move (Introduced → Reported → Engrossed → Enrolled …). Each stage below is a separate text; pick two to see what changed. Data from Congress.gov.
Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 1, 2025
Mr. Merkley introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
A BILL
To amend title 23, United States Code, to permit the use of certain electric vehicle charging stations at rest areas on the Interstate System, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Recharge your Electric Car on the Highway to Alleviate Range Gaps Effectively Act” or the “RECHARGE Act”.
SEC. 2. USE OF AND ACCESS TO REST AREAS ON THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS.
(a) In General.—Section 111 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(f) Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.—
“(1) In general.—Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the Secretary shall permit, consistent with section 109(s), electric vehicle charging infrastructure for passenger automobiles (as defined in section 32901(a) of title 49) at rest areas on the Interstate System.
“(2) Savings clause.—Nothing in this subsection permits commercial activities on rights-of-way on the Interstate System except as necessary for the charging of electric vehicles in accordance with this subsection.”.
(b) Conforming Amendments.—
(1) Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program.—Section 149(c)(2) of title 23, United States Code, is amended—
(A) by striking “such stations” and inserting “such natural gas vehicle refueling stations”; and
(B) by striking “of title 23, United States Code”.
(2) Jason’s law.—Section 1401(d)(2) of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (23 U.S.C. 137 note; Public Law 112-141) is amended by striking “Electric vehicle battery charging stations or natural” and inserting “Natural”.
(c) Congressional Intent.—Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act is intended as a statement of congressional intent with respect to the existing authority of the President or any other Federal agency under section 111 of title 23, United States Code. <all>
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