U.S. Legislative Issues

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it will hold a one-day forum to explore the prevalence, impact, and dangers of drowsy driving on the nation’s roadways. The event, "Awake, Alert, Alive: Overcoming the Dangers of Drowsy Driving," will be held in Washington, DC on October 21, 2014.

The forum will take an in-depth look at the risk factors for fatigue-related traffic crashes involving noncommercial vehicles. Board members and technical staff will question panelists on factors such as workplace issues, health issues, and special concerns relating to young drivers. Forum panelists will also discuss countermeasures that could reduce the risk of drowsy driving crashes.

For more information about the forum, visit www.ntsb.gov/drowsydriving.



In a memo sent to the House Republican Caucus earlier this month, new Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) outlined the Leadership’s intention to combine five tax bills that have already cleared the House as part of one, larger economic messaging bill that will eventually be sent to the Senate.

Of the five tax bills, two are of specific importance to fleets: a permanent extension of the Bonus Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or "bonus depreciation" program and an increase in expensing limits under Section 179 of the tax code.

Prior to its expiration on December 31, 2013, the MACRS program allowed bonus depreciation to be taken for up to fifty percent of a truck’s purchase price, as well as a deduction of up to $8,000 for automobiles, light trucks, vans, and SUVs. Under the Section 179 provision which also expired at the end of 2013, small- and medium-sized businesses could write off up to $500,000 in capital assets.

Extensions of both of these incentives were passed by the House in June, but the Senate has yet to take them up. Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) has expressed a desire to pursue a comprehensive tax reform bill rather than follow the House’s piecemeal approach. The White House has threatened to veto both bills unless they are accompanied by budgetary offsets acceptable to the Administration.



The Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program, in cooperation with the DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, will host a webinar about the fueling infrastructure for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) on September 16, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM EST. The webinar will include an overview of the key components of a CNG station, how a CNG station works, and factors that affect the cost.

For more information about the webinar, click here. To register for the webinar, click here.
 

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