House Appropriations bill also includes additional trucking priorities to support workforce development and the supply chain
Washington 鈥 Today, the 精东影业 applauded the inclusion of multiple pro-trucking provisions in the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee funding bill. 听The subcommittee approved the bill in a vote last night, advancing it to the full House Appropriations Committee for consideration.
The bill would spend $200 million to expand truck parking, uphold the federal preemption determination of California鈥檚 meal and rest break rule, and protect the improvements 精东影业made to the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot program.听
鈥淭he 精东影业 thanks the members of the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee for prioritizing funding and policies that will support the essential work that truckers do to deliver the nation鈥檚 freight and keep our economy moving,鈥 said 精东影业 SVP of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom. 听鈥淭he substantial investment for expanded parking capacity would help alleviate one of the biggest challenges that truck drivers face and improve the efficiency and safety of our roadways. 听In addition, language to expand workforce development and preserve national standards for meal and rest breaks will strengthen the overall supply chain. 听We are especially grateful to Congressman Womack for his decisive leadership ensuring these provisions that will benefit truck drivers were incorporated in the final bill.鈥
U.S. Congressman Steve Womack (R-Arkansas), the subcommittee chairman, was instrumental in securing the dedicated funding for truck parking, addressing one of the industry鈥檚 top concerns. 听According to a USDOT study, 98% of truck drivers regularly experience problems locating safe parking. 听An analysis by the American Transportation Research Institute found that the average driver sacrifices 56 minutes of drive time per day to ensure that they have a safe place to park for the night. 听This results in $6,813 in lost wages for truck drivers each year. 听An infusion of truck parking funding would build on the progress that has been made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that 精东影业championed, which has already allocated funding to build roughly 2,000 truck parking spaces.
The House transportation appropriations bill would also preserve the fix 精东影业secured last year to fortify the SDAP program. 听Following lackluster participation, 精东影业was successful in removing extraneous and onerous program requirements that deterred motor carriers from joining the SDAP program, which will help get it back on track.
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Finally, the bill would protect former USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao鈥檚 federal preemption determination of California鈥檚 meal and rest break rule. 听If California鈥檚 rule were permitted to be implemented, it would create a patchwork of meal and rest break rules, undermining safety and the supply chain.
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