The newly passed Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023, which gained Senate approval last year, received a nod from the House through a voice vote on Wednesday. This bill is now en route to the White House, with the president anticipated to endorse it.

“Our veterans deserve every opportunity to participate in the American dream they’ve fought to protect,” emphasized Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., who spearheaded the legislation. “But when their service is over, many veterans face unfair roadblocks when they look for jobs. My legislation makes it easier for veterans to get their CDL licenses and earn a good living.”

The legislation, championed by the American Trucking Associations and the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, aims to eliminate the existing two-year waiting period that affects certain CDL training schools veterans might wish to attend using their GI Bill benefits.

Presently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cannot approve CDL courses at new branches of educational institutions unless those branches have been operational for at least two years. This bill seeks to change that by allowing the VA to approve programs at new sites, provided they are state-licensed and align with the curricula of already approved primary institutions.

Originally, House members sought to modify the bill’s language to ensure safeguards against enrolling veterans in substandard truck driving schools. “I do wish to point out that our committee has been working on this bill for months, and we reached a bipartisan agreement on improved language that would empower state agencies to conduct proper oversight and limit automatic approval of these programs if they’re opening in states without existing CDL programs,” stated Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., during the House discussions.

Despite the bill’s current wording mirroring the Senate’s version and overlooking the House’s efforts, there is a promise of support from Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., to introduce enhanced protections in future legislation.

Source: Freightwaves

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During the sixth annual “Call on Washington” this September, TCA members engaged with lawmakers, legislative aides, and industry specialists.

David Heller, TCA’s Senior VP for Safety and Government Affairs, described the event as a pivotal platform to spotlight significant industry concerns.

Beyond advocating for increased parking accessibility, TCA participants voiced issues regarding the shift to electric vehicles and the emission standards set during the Biden administration.

The association also highlighted the importance of the independent contractor model and discussed strategies for workforce recruitment and retention. Throughout the week of September 9, TCA hosted panels featuring industry stakeholders and government officials.

“The feedback from our members who attended these meetings was overwhelmingly positive,” Heller mentioned to Transport Topics on September 13, following TCA’s Capitol Hill engagements. “Workforce-related issues are frequently intertwined with these discussions.”

The annual “fly-in” method employed by groups like TCA aims to optimize engagement with policymakers by facilitating in-person discussions. Heller noted that TCA conducted around 100 meetings during this year’s fly-in, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the trucking industry’s daily challenges to lawmakers.

A transportation funding bill for fiscal 2025, currently under review in the House, proposes $200 million for expanding truck parking facilities. The bill awaits a vote for presidential approval. TCA supports the truck parking provision along with other freight stakeholders.

Should this funding proposal not pass for fiscal 2025, Heller remains hopeful for its inclusion in the forthcoming comprehensive highway policy legislation. “We recognize the pressing issue of truck parking and its prioritization by professional drivers,” he stated.

Earlier this year, TCA celebrated its drivers of the year, who were present at the “Call on Washington” discussions on Capitol Hill.

Tim Chelette, an esteemed driver with Big G Express and previous America’s Road Team captain, raised significant parking concerns, stating, “If they want their freight, [then] they need to have places for us to park as well, along with a bigger truck stop. You could go in some of these states, and they have a rest area that you could put 500 trucks in and you go in another state and you can’t move but 15, maybe 20 trucks.”

These parking issues were echoed by fellow TCA drivers of the year. James White from P&S Logistics remarked, “Hopefully we can get something done.”

Rosalinda Tejada, representing Knight Transportation, emphasized the value of Capitol Hill interactions. “We’re able to adequately educate those people who might want to come [into] the industry or have questions,” she explained. “Given the platform awarded to us as truck drivers of the year, it’s up to us to determine its potential.”

Clark Reed, a seasoned driver with Nussbaum Transportation, emphasized the critical role of drivers. “This is such a noble profession that, like we talked about, we keep this economy rolling,” Reed said. “If it wasn’t for us, and this sounds very conceited, but if it wasn’t for us, nothing would be here. We wouldn’t have anything.”

Source: Transport Topics

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