AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION for AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION

Transportation TRA

Legislation concerning commercial motor vehicles, including HR 471, HR 2367, HR 3013, HR 3318, HR 3408, HR 3447, S.J.Res.11/H.J.Res.53, and bills related to parking, CDLs, sexual assault policies, and climate change/e-vehicles. Matters related to implementation of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs act, concerning commercial motor vehicles and highway infrastructure. Reauthorization of federal aviation programs, and matters concerning rural transportation, 5311 program and congestion pricing. Finalization of FY24 funding, and FY25 Budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Contacted: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 3318 (118th), H.J.Res. 53 (118th), H.R. 3408 (118th), H.R. 3013 (118th), H.R. 3447 (118th), H.R. 471 (118th), H.R. 2367 (118th), S.J.Res. 11 (118th)

Homeland Security HOM

Over-the-Road Bus security assistance, as authorized by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act, seeking continued funding for the program through the annual appropriations process, FY 24 and proposals for FY 25. Ongoing engagement/work with the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency related to the grant program and other security related matters concerning the motorcoach industry.

Contacted: SENATE; Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Monitoring federal fuel tax provisions, in the context of financing federal transportation programs; regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury related to transportation and small businesses, including implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act; legislation on CDL tax credits (H.R. 471 et al); legislation on tax relief for Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services grants (HR 3510/S. 1944); legislation addressing bonus depreciation, business interest deduction, and gifts and estate tax.

Contacted: Treasury, Dept of; SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Bills named: H.R. 471 (118th), S. 1944 (118th), H.R. 3510 (118th)

Travel/Tourism TOU

Reviewing/responding to the National Parks Service intiative for an online commercial use authorization (CUA) registration system. Monitoring fee proposals for CUAs.

Contacted: Natl Park Service (NPS); Interior, Dept of (DOI); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Commerce, Dept of (DOC)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Monitoring the annual appropriations process; advocating for continued funding of the Over-the-Road Bus security assistance program under the Homeland Security appropriations bill; monitoring appropriations for the U.S. Department of Transportation and its modal administrations (FY 24 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill, and prep for FY 25 funding).

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Federal Highway Administration (FHA); Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR

Monitoring legislative activity regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act, in relation to exemption language, and overtime salary thresholds; tracking DOL regulatory matters related to overtime pay, heat standards, report filing; the NLRB's new regulations on joint employer status and union elections.

Contacted: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA); Labor, Dept of (DOL); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE

Small Business SMB

Monitoring legislative activity, generally, for matters that affect small business entities; tracking Dept. of Labor regulations addressing overtime pay thresholds and heat standards; Dept. of Treasury's FinCEN Corporate Transparency Act regulation on beneficial ownership reporting.

Roads/Highway ROD

Monitoring policy and grant programs administered jointly by the Federal Highway Administration and the Department of Energy, related to electric vehicles and infrastructure; implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, in connection with highway programs that impact commercial motor vehicles operations; monitoring the New York City congestion pricing initiative under the FHWA Value Pricing Pilot program; monitoring the establishment federal system funding alternative advisory board.

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Energy, Dept of; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; SENATE; Federal Highway Administration (FHA)

Clean Air and Water (quality) CAW

Diesel Engine Replacement program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency; engine emissions and standards regulatory actions pertaining to heavy-duty vehicles; programs related to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act affecting commercial vehicles and/or operations; rule-makings concerning NOx and GHG Phase 3, and related activities with the California Air Resources Board.

Contacted: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE