House Transportation Committee Advances BUILD America Highway Bill
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure completed a lengthy markup session early this morning, advancing the BUILD America Act to the full House for consideration.
The bill addresses several issues that directly affect daily operations for commercial drivers, including truck parking availability, leasing practices, and electronic logging device requirements.
Committee members worked through the night to review and amend the legislation before sending it forward. The markup process allowed lawmakers to debate specific provisions and make adjustments before the committee vote.
Truck parking provisions in the bill aim to address the ongoing shortage of safe, legal places for drivers to rest. Limited parking options have been a persistent challenge for drivers seeking to comply with hours-of-service regulations while maintaining safety.
The legislation also includes measures related to truck leasing practices. Certain leasing arrangements have drawn scrutiny for terms that can place financial strain on owner-operators and small fleet operators.
Electronic logging device certification requirements are another focus of the bill. The provisions would establish standards for ELD systems used to track driver hours and vehicle activity.
Drivers have raised concerns about device reliability, data accuracy, and the cost of compliance since ELDs became mandatory. The certification process outlined in the bill seeks to address some of these operational issues.
The BUILD America Act represents a broad infrastructure measure that combines multiple transportation policy areas. Highway funding, safety regulations, and equipment standards are all part of the legislative package.
Committee leadership described the markup as a necessary step to move the legislation through the House process. The bill now awaits scheduling for a floor vote.
Industry groups and driver organizations have been monitoring the bill’s progress, particularly the sections that could affect daily operations and compliance costs.
The legislation will require further review and potential amendments as it moves through the House and, if approved, to the Senate for consideration.