U.S. House Approves Adding National Hiring Standard to FAA Reauthorization Bill
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
On Friday, April 27, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act that would create a National Hiring Standard for motor carriers. The amendment was sponsored by TIA and offered by U.S. Reps. Jimmy Duncan (R-TN) and Jason Lewis (R-MN). The final vote was 212 to 191.
There were more than 250 amendments submitted to the Rules Committee for consideration. TIA cannot thank Congressmen Duncan and Lewis enough for their leadership and passion on this issue.
The amendment plays an important role towards improving safety within the transportation industry, specifically by establishing a national standard for hiring motor carriers. Under the language, a hiring entity would be required to:
- ensure that a carrier is properly registered,
- has obtained the minimum required insurance, and
- does not have an unsatisfactory safety rating.
Currently, there is no standard or duty of care an entity must take when hiring a carrier. This is a huge step towards removing unsafe carriers from the highways and will remove liability traps plaguing the 3PL industry.
The U.S. Senate is currently set to consider its version of the FAA Reauthorization in late May or early June. TIA will seek to have the Hiring Standard language included in the Senate version and the subsequent Conference Committee Report.
TIA thanks all the members of the Association who personally reached out to their elected officials, wrote letters in support of the Amendment, and contributed to the TIA Political Action Committee.
“TIA has built an amazing government affairs team that shepherded the amendment through the House. TIA is also blessed by business leader members who are engaged in their communities and their Association. Member calls to Congress and financial support to the PAC allow TIA to succeed in Washington,” stated TIA President and CEO Bob Voltmann.
If you have any questions, please contact Chris Burroughs at burroughs@tianet.org or (703) 299-5705.
