Transportation

in committee · United States · House Jan 23, 2025

HR 623: LICENSE Act of 2025

HR 623, the LICENSE Act of 2025, modifies federal commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations to improve testing flexibility and standards. It requires the Transportation Secretary to revise two key regulations: (1) allowing third-party examiners to administer knowledge tests only if they hold valid certification, complete specific training, and have 1 unit of required instruction (per 49 CFR §384.228), and (2) enabling any state to administer skills tests to CDL applicants regardless of their state of residence or where they received training (per 49 CFR §383.79). These changes directly affect CDL applicants, states administering tests, and third-party examiners. The bill focuses on streamlining testing processes while establishing clearer examiner qualifications and removing geographic barriers for skills testing.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill modifies CDL regulations to improve testing standards and flexibility, enhancing safety and efficiency in commercial vehicle operations, a core transportation policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Freight Tags Licensing

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passed · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

SRES 512: A resolution designating November 30, 2025, as "Drive Safer Sunday".

SRES 512 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating November 30, 2025, as "Drive Safer Sunday" to promote highway safety awareness. It encourages schools, trucking companies, clergy, law enforcement, and the public to participate in educational efforts - such as campus campaigns, driver safety reminders via CB radios, and community outreach - focusing on seat belt use and safe driving habits. The resolution specifically highlights the Sunday after Thanksgiving as a high-traffic period and references the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's data on seat belts saving over 15,000 lives annually. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or requirements but aims to foster voluntary safety practices across communities.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes highway safety awareness via seat belt campaigns and driver education during high-traffic periods, aligning with transportation safety enhancement indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 1373: USRC Funding Eligibility Act

This bill makes the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) eligible to receive specific federal transportation grants with 100% federal funding. It amends four grant programs (BUILD, National Infrastructure Project Assistance, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure, and Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail) to explicitly include the USRC as an eligible recipient. For all these programs, the bill requires the federal government to cover 100% of eligible project costs for USRC projects, eliminating typical cost-sharing requirements. The bill directly affects the USRC, enabling it to access these federal funds without contributing state or local matching funds. This is a policy change affecting federal grant eligibility and funding structure for the USRC.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly provides 100% federal funding for USRC to access transportation grants, directly advancing infrastructure projects through expanded funding eligibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Rail

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in committee · United States · House Feb 10, 2026

HR 7428: SECURES Act of 2026

The SECURES Act of 2026 requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to propose new federal safety standards for seat belts on all new school buses within 180 days of the bill becoming law. The proposed rule must consider evidence showing lap/shoulder belts provide the highest passenger safety benefit, including findings from the National Transportation Safety Board and past guidance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It specifically directs the rulemaking to evaluate seat belt detection systems and existing state requirements for school bus seat belts. This bill affects all manufacturers of new school buses and school districts purchasing new vehicles, setting the stage for potential future federal seat belt mandates.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires new federal safety standards for school bus seat belts, enhancing transportation safety as directed by NTSB and NHTSA.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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in committee · United States · House Dec 13, 2025

HR 6701: HEAT Act of 2025

The HEAT Act of 2025 updates federal disaster funding rules to include extreme heat as a qualifying event for transportation infrastructure repairs, addressing a gap where heat-related damage was previously excluded. It requires the Transportation Secretary to conduct a study on heat event costs and damage tracking methods, and to issue a best management practices report for highway and bridge safety. The bill directly affects state transportation departments, public transit systems, and freight rail operators by enabling them to seek federal relief for heat-induced infrastructure failures like cracked bridges or jammed drawbridges. Key provisions expand eligibility under Section 125 of Title 23, U.S. Code, and mandate new reporting to help states manage heat-related risks to critical transportation networks.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands disaster funding to cover heat-related infrastructure repairs and mandates safety studies, directly advancing transportation infrastructure protection and safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · House Jun 6, 2025

HR 3746: Rebuilding America’s Airport Infrastructure Act

This bill increases the maximum passenger facility charge (PFC) airports can collect from travelers. It sets new annual caps: $5.50 starting January 1, 2027; $6.50 in 2028; $7.50 in 2029; and $8.50 starting January 1, 2030, with future annual inflation adjustments. The policy directly affects airlines and travelers who pay these fees at participating airports. It amends existing law to update the PFC structure, effective for fees imposed on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases airport fees to fund infrastructure improvements, directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding through updated PFC structure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Ports Transportation Funding

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signed · United States · House Jun 12, 2025

HJRES 87: Providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Emission Warranty and Maintenance Provisions; Advanced Clean Trucks; Zero Emission Airport Shuttle; Zero-Emission Power Train Certification; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision".

H.J. Res. 87 (Public Law 119-15) is a congressional disapproval resolution that prevents an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule from taking effect. The rule, submitted by the EPA on April 6, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 20688), related to California’s authority to enforce stricter vehicle emission standards, including for heavy-duty trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, and advanced clean truck requirements. By disapproving this rule, Congress blocks California from implementing these specific pollution controls under its existing waiver authority. This directly affects California’s ability to regulate motor vehicle emissions independently, as the rule would have allowed the state to enforce its own standards beyond federal requirements.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks EPA rule enabling California's zero-emission vehicle standards and clean truck requirements, weakening clean energy infrastructure implementation.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks EPA rule enabling California's stricter vehicle emissions standards (including zero-emission requirements), weakening environmental protections by preventing stronger pollution controls.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBlocks EPA rule enabling stricter vehicle emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks and zero-emission transit, opposing enhanced transportation environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Airports Vehicle Registration

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3807: Miranda’s Law

S 3807, "Miranda’s Law," creates a national system requiring states to automatically notify employers when a school bus driver’s commercial license is suspended, revoked, or changed due to violations. It directly affects schools, school districts, and private transportation companies that provide student transportation, as they must participate in this notification service. The law mandates states to implement the system within two years of federal rules, and participating employers are exempt from annual driving record checks required under existing regulations. This focuses on ensuring employers are promptly informed of driver license issues for safety purposes.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates notification of license suspensions for school bus drivers to enhance transportation safety standards, directly strengthening vehicle regulation compliance in school transportation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Public Transit

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 18, 2025

S 2909: Seasonal Agriculture CDL Modernization Act

This bill modernizes restrictions on commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) for seasonal agricultural workers. It requires the Transportation Secretary to create online systems for farm-related businesses and seasonal workers to easily renew restricted CDLs within one year of enactment. The bill also clarifies that agricultural equipment ("implements of husbandry") are not considered commercial vehicles and are exempt from weight calculations. These changes directly affect seasonal farm workers and agricultural service businesses that rely on specialized vehicle operations. The policy focuses on simplifying license renewals and removing regulatory confusion around farm equipment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSimplifies CDL renewal for seasonal farm workers, reducing administrative barriers to employment and clarifying exemptions for agricultural equipment.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill modifies CDL regulations for agricultural workers, clarifying exemptions and streamlining renewals, directly affecting vehicle regulation within transportation policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Driver Licensing Freight Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · House Feb 2, 2026

HR 6491: Streamline Transit Projects Act

The Streamline Transit Projects Act (HR 6491) allows large urban transit agencies (with populations over 200,000) to assume responsibility for environmental reviews of routine transit projects, such as bus lanes or minor station upgrades, that typically qualify as "categorical exclusions" under federal law. This means qualifying agencies - like major city transit authorities - can skip full environmental impact studies for these standard projects, instead conducting their own reviews under federal guidelines. The bill requires agencies to meet capacity standards, enter formal agreements with the federal government, and handle all legal liability for compliance, while still maintaining public access to information. The change directly affects large metropolitan transit agencies by shifting environmental review responsibilities from federal officials to local entities, aiming to accelerate project timelines without altering environmental standards.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines environmental reviews for transit projects like bus lanes, enabling faster implementation of public transit infrastructure improvements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

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