Senate Holds Hearing on FAST Act Reauthorization

On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held a hearing entitled: “FAST Act Reauthorization: Transportation and Safety Issues” to examine the implementation of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which expires at the end of fiscal year 2020, and priorities for the Department of Transportation as Congress prepares for surface transportation reauthorization.

Witnesses at the hearing included: The Honorable Ronald Batory (Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration); The Honorable Raymond Martinez (Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration); The Honorable Joel Szabat (Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Transportation); and Ms. Heidi King (Deputy Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

In his opening statement, Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) spoke about a pilot program in the FAST Act that would help address the nationwide truck driver shortage. Wicker stated, “Until such time as autonomous vehicles are pervasive on our roads and used commercially, there is still an urgent need for truck drivers to help move our nation’s goods. I know the FMCSA is working on a pilot program to meet this need by studying the feasibility of allowing 18 to 20-year-old drivers with military experience to operate trucks in interstate commerce.” Several senators floated the prospect of changing the interstate trucking age, switching it to 18, down from 21. Under current law, drivers ages 18-20 can only operate commercial vehicles (CMVs) in intrastate commerce. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced last month that it is seeking public comment on this potential pilot program. PMAA will submit comments prior to the July 15, 2019 deadline. Click here to view the details of the pilot program.

In his written testimony, FMCSA Administrator Raymond Martinez noted that he wants to “provide greater flexibility for drivers while maintaining the highest degree of safety” as FMCSA works to move forward with a proposed rule on increasing the short haul exemption on-duty driving time as well as the 30-minute rest break provision. The proposed rule is still under review at the Office of Management and Budget after receiving more than 5,200 comments during the comment period. “We understand that there is a shortage of drivers,” Mr. Martinez said at the hearing.

From PMAA