2025 THUD Funding Bill: Impact on Trucking Industry

The House Appropriations Committee recently unveiled the 2025 funding bill for the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Subcommittee. This bill includes significant provisions for the trucking industry, focusing on blocking a potential speed limiter mandate and increasing funding for truck parking.

Key Provisions of the 2025 THUD Bill

Truck Parking Funding

The bill allocates $200 million for truck parking projects under the INFRA Grant program. Importantly, it includes a stipulation that prohibits grant recipients from charging truck drivers for parking at locations funded by these grants. This measure aims to enhance truck parking availability and safety for drivers.

Speed Limiter Mandate Block

The bill contains a provision preventing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from enforcing a speed limiter requirement on vehicles over 26,000 pounds in interstate commerce. This provision responds to concerns within the trucking industry about the safety implications of speed limiters.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) Exemption

Another significant inclusion is a provision that bars regulations requiring the use of electronic logging devices by operators of commercial motor vehicles transporting livestock or insects. These operations currently benefit from a statutory exemption from ELD requirements.

Industry Reactions

Support for Truck Parking Provision

The truck parking funding has garnered support from major trucking organizations, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the American Trucking Associations (ATA). Both organizations emphasize the critical need for safe parking options to prevent drivers from having to park in unsafe or illegal locations due to lack of availability.

Opposition to Speed Limiter Mandate

OOIDA also supports the provision against the speed limiter mandate, highlighting safety concerns associated with drastic speed differentials on highways. The organization has long argued that such a mandate could increase crash rates and endanger all road users.

Current Status of Speed Limiter Rulemaking

FMCSA's efforts to implement a speed limiter mandate have stalled. The agency's last update in February projected a proposed rulemaking to be published by May. However, as of now, the proposal has not yet reached the White House's Office of Management and Budget for approval, delaying its publication and subsequent public comment period.

Next Steps

The THUD funding bill will be reviewed by the subcommittee on June 27 and by the full House Appropriations Committee on July 8. The outcome of these discussions will determine the final provisions and their impact on the trucking industry.

Conclusion

The FY 2025 THUD funding bill introduces pivotal measures for the trucking sector, addressing critical issues such as truck parking and speed limiter mandates. The support from industry leaders underscores the importance of these provisions in enhancing safety and operational efficiency for truck drivers.

BLOOM SERVICES

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If you are interested in taking home over $3,000 + a week in a stellar rental or lease-purchase program.  Apply right away or call our office for more information (630)-504-6126. We look forward to hearing from you.