Congress Finally Passes New Transportation Bill

On June 29 after 1,003 days and nine extensions, Congress authorized a new surface transportation program, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century or MAP-21 (H.R. 4348). The House voted 373 to 52, while the Senate voted 74 to 19. This newest program will cover 27 months, totaling roughly $110 billion. Its passage will allow for continued funding of transportation construction projects and provide more economic certainty to the industry. 

On June 13, just 16 days before MAP-21’s passage, NRMCA participated in another transportation rally on Capitol Hill to help advocate for passage when it appeared Congress was stalled in political gridlock. With a backdrop of half a dozen concrete mixer trucks, NRMCA was joined by other transportation construction industry representatives, a handful of senators and NRMCA Vice Chairman Bill Childs (president & CEO of Chaney Enterprises) who gave remarks about the necessity for a new transportation program.

Although NRMCA supported passage of the final bill, the bill contained some shortcomings and, therefore, was bittersweet. Unfortunately, not included in the final bill was NRMCA supported language which would have replaced EPA’s proposed hazardous waste label for fly ash with new disposal standards at the state level. As well, Congress included a provision which directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to promulgate a rule mandating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) install and use electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) for compliance with hours of service (HOS) regulations. However, immediately following the passage of the EOBR mandate in MAP-21, the House agreed to an amendment to a transportation appropriations bill (H.R. 5972) that prohibits DOT funding for promulgating rules that mandate EOBRs, GPS units, and event data recorders in CMVs and passenger vehicles.

In light of these two conflicting votes, it is clear the EOBR fight is not over. NRMCA will continue to press hard for further positive outcomes and to seek more significant policy changes that benefit the industry on EOBRs.