WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today passed out of committee the Surface Transportation Investment Act, advancing several provisions led by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).

“My provisions will make sensible changes to keep railroad crossings safe, encourage more women to join the trucking industry during a national driver shortage and modify regulations that are cumbersome to truckers hauling cattle or other agriculture products,” said Sen. Moran. “I’m pleased this important legislation passed out of committee with bipartisan support, and I look forward to supporting it on the Senate floor. Safe roads and robust interstate commerce benefit our Kansas producers, truckers and families.”

Sen. Moran Provisions Included in the Surface Transportation Investment Act:

• Promoting Women in Trucking: In February, Sen. Moran introduced the Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act to support women in the trucking industry and establish a Women in Trucking Advisory Board. This legislation would help address the current driver shortage, while supporting women in the trucking industry.
• Extending Farm-Related Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs): Sen. Moran introduced an amendment to the Surface Transportation Reauthorization legislation that would expand Seasonal Ag CDL restrictions and restart the calendar year on Jan. 1 of each year. These modifications would provide more flexibility to drivers and prevent unnecessary delays to farm-industry operations.
  • Addressing Blocked Railroad Crossings: In March, Sen. Moran introduced legislation to identify and address instances of blocked railroad crossings. This legislation would authorize the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)’s blocked crossing portal as a three-year pilot program, ensuring data collection continues. The FRA would be required to analyze submissions to the portal based on key criteria and provide an analysis to Congress. By authorizing the blocked crossing portal and examining the results, Congress can better understand the scope and severity of blocked crossings and develop targeted, effective policy to address them.
  • Regulatory Flexibility for Livestock Haulers: Sen. Moran cosponsored the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act, which will provide much-needed flexibility to agriculture and livestock haulers. The Surface Transportation Investment Act included critical language from the HAULS Act that would add the backend 150 air-mile exemption from HOS.

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