In The News

HEADS UP: Official highway bill campaigns underway

Truckers, what do you want to see in the next highway bill? And just as importantly, what should be kept out of the next highway bill?

With the next multiyear bill due in Congress later this year, it’s never too early to get your priorities in order and your lawmakers programmed into your speed dial.

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to conduct the first of what promises to be many highway bill hearings on Tuesday, Jan. 14, in Washington, D.C.

Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., has titled the hearing “Building the Foundation for Surface Transportation Reauthorization.” The hearing will be webcast on the committee’s website.

The highway bill, also known as the surface transportation reauthorization bill, is where federal policies and funding levels are set for roads, bridges, motor carrier safety and regulations for trucking and transportation.

The current highway bill, MAP-21, or Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, is a two-year bill that became law in 2012. Its official expiration date is Sept. 30, 2014.

Lawmakers aren’t the only ones gearing up for a future vote on policies and funding.

OOIDA fights for the rights of professional truckers for the highway bill in addition to other bills and regulations. The Association’s lead-up to the next highway bill is also underway.

OOIDA is targeting comprehensive entry-level driver training as one of its top priorities for the next highway bill. The Association and its media provide regular updates and information on this and many other topics related to your profession.

The Association also works to prevent costly and intrusive regulations such as mandatory speed limiters and electronic logging devices from getting into the bill. This is an important, and ongoing, fight.

Where do you stand on the issues? And are you ready to make a difference for your business and your profession?

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