ATA Pledges Support for Legislation to Modernize Nation’s Highways

Washington - Today, in response to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee unveiling the BUILD America 250 Act, legislation to reauthorize the nation's surface transportation programs, American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear issued the following statement:

"ATA commends Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and members of the House T&I Committee for putting forward a visionary five-year plan to invest $580 billion to modernize and revitalize the nation's infrastructure.

"Since last January, ATA has testified multiple times on Capitol Hill and met with key lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to lay the groundwork for the surface transportation bill. We are pleased to see that many of the trucking industry's priorities have been included in the base text.

"Every American benefits from a modern, safe, and efficient transportation network. It is even more essential to the 3.6 million truck drivers who are indispensable to our way of life. Roads and bridges are their shop floor.

"The highway bill has always been a bipartisan product, and it is encouraging to see Republicans and Democrats coming together prior to the September 30th deadline to expand truck parking, enforce safety rules, and take additional steps that will strengthen our industry. ATA is committed to being a constructive partner throughout the legislative process and will continue to work with Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen to build a 21st century supply chain that can meet our economy's needs over the long term."

ATA has been deeply engaged throughout the consideration of the surface transportation reauthorization bill, including through testimony before the House T&I Committee and a record-setting Call on Washington season during the 119th Congress.

Some key wins secured by ATA as a result of this advocacy include:

• Robust investment in roads and bridges: $580 billion for our nation's infrastructure is tangible proof that Congress understands how important the supply chain is. This investment will help make our roads safer for drivers, help get goods to market faster, and keep our economy moving.
• Truck Parking: $750 million over the next five years for the construction of new truck parking and conversion of existing property into additional parking spaces is a tremendous win. Drivers work to comply with federal regulations like hours of service requirements but are often forced to park in illegal and unsafe locations due to a lack of dedicated truck parking. This funding will help keep drivers, and the motoring public, more safe.
• Prevent Bridge Strikes: Including the Bridges Not Bumpers Act creates a DOT working group to develop best practices to reduce instances of bridge strikes.
• Bathroom Access: Including the bipartisan Trucker Bathroom Access Act helps give drivers the dignity they deserve when they are working. Drivers servicing shippers and receivers should not be denied access to bathroom facilities, and this language makes sure they won't be.
• Extension of Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program: ATA was supportive of this program when it was included in IIJA, and we wholeheartedly endorse its extension. Building a pathway for 18-to-20-year-olds to enter the industry is essential to meeting the demand for safe and qualified drivers today and in the future.
• Household Goods: The inclusion of the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act is a win for both consumers and the moving and storage industry. This bipartisan bill helps consumers find reputable moving and storage companies and avoid being scammed, while also helping those same companies protect themselves from bad actors that steal their company name in order to commit fraud.
• Autonomous Vehicles: ATA has been a strong voice calling for a national framework for autonomous commercial vehicles. This legislation directs DOT to create performance-based safety requirements, ensuring that adoption of AVs is done with safety at the forefront.
• Electric Vehicle Fees: For too long, electric vehicles have not paid their fair share into the Highway Trust Fund as a result of not paying the federal fuel tax. This legislation takes an important step in making sure that funding that goes into the Trust Fund is done on an equitable basis with all road users paying for maintenance and upkeep of our highways.
• Axle Weight Tolerance: The bill includes the bipartisan VARIANCE Act. This language allows for a 10% axle weight enforcement tolerance for dry bulk vehicles, accounting for load distribution changes when the vehicle brakes and accelerates. This commonsense language will improve the efficiency of dry bulk carriers across the country.
• Connecting Veterans with Trucking Jobs: The bipartisan TRANSPORT Jobs Act is included in this legislation, directing federal agencies to develop a plan to address barriers in transportation and supply chain occupations for separating and retiring service members.
• Closing the Front Door to Bad Actors: Directs an important review of the FMCSA New Entrant Safety Assurance program, which will help Congress and the agency make reforms to ensure that only safe trucking companies enter the industry.
• Cleaning Up CDL Schools: The bill includes language directing FMCSA to remove noncompliant training providers from the Training Provider Registry within 90 days. This language will help ensure that people working to get their CDL are receiving the training necessary to operate in a safe fashion.
• Access to Performance History Data: The bill includes the Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act, which allows motor carriers to access safety records for prospective and current drivers. Inclusion of this language gives carriers better oversight of driver records to make sure safety is accounted for.
• Cargo Theft: Building on recent successes in combating supply chain theft and fraud, ATA supports language in the bill creating a Cargo Theft Advisory Committee. This Committee will provide recommendations to DOT on ways to prevent these crimes.

ATA will monitor amendments introduced for consideration during the markup scheduled for Thursday to ensure that the bill retains its pro-trucking provisions.