In a decisive move, the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Appropriations has approved a pivotal funding measure for the Department of Transportation alongside other related agencies, passing with an impressive vote of 28-1. This legislation sets forth the budget for Fiscal Year 2025 for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (THUD), closely mirroring key aspects of the House’s THUD appropriations bill, which secured approval earlier this month. Notably absent from the Senate’s version is a controversial provision aimed at curbing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) ability to impose speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks. Furthermore, it sidesteps a clause found in the House bill that aimed to limit states from enforcing trucking hour regulations that exceed federal guidelines, such as the meal and rest breaks instituted in California.
Shared Features of Senate and House Proposals
While differences exist between the two bills, several common attractions unite their proposals:
- Increased Truck Parking Funding: Both versions instruct the DOT to leverage discretionary grants to support truck parking initiatives.
- Exemptions for Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): The allocation of funds is restricted from mandating ELD usage for livestock and insect haulers, preserving their statutory exemption.
- Restrictions on Inward-Facing Cameras and Apprenticeship Program Registrations: The bills ensure that no funds will be used to enforce the use of inward-facing cameras or to mandate registration with the Department of Labor for participation in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program.
- Collaborative Cargo Theft Reporting: The legislation mandates the DOT to work with the FBI, Department of Justice, and other agencies to monitor cargo theft trends and devise an effective strategy for prevention.
- Guidelines for Towing Practices: A direction is provided for the FMCSA to engage with various stakeholders to establish fair towing and recovery regulations and fee structures.
Chris Spear, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, emphasized the association’s commitment by stating, “we will continue to push the Senate to back up its clear statements of support for truck parking and cargo theft with robust funding, and we will seek to ensure that the final conference agreement addresses trucking’s priorities.”
Moving Forward: What Lies Ahead for Both Bills
The House and Senate bills are now awaiting full chamber votes. Should they both progress without amendments, a conference committee will be established to harmonize any discrepancies in the legislation.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
