AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION for AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION

Transportation TRA

Legislation concerning commercial motor vehicles, including HR 471, HR 3013, and bills related to emissions, CDLs, and climate change/e-vehicles. Matters related to highway planning, rural bus transportation, 5311 program and congestion pricing, and FY 2025 appropriations, and preparation for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.

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

Bills named: H.R. 471 (118th), H.R. 3013 (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 25, and the award process for FY 2024 funding. 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: Transportation Security Administration (TSA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); 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. 3510 (118th), H.R. 471 (118th), S. 1944 (118th)

Travel/Tourism TOU

Reviewing/responding to the National Parks Service intiative for an online commercial use authorization (CUA) registration system; responding to efforts to add language to Interior appropriations bill regarding study on dynamic pricing for NPS units with reservation systems. Monitoring fee proposals for CUAs.

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

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 and advocacy related to appropriations for the U.S. Department of Transportation and its modal administrations (FY 25 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill); and monitoring and advocacy related to the Interior appropriations bill.

Contacted: Natl Park Service (NPS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Transportation Security Administration (TSA); SENATE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Federal Highway Administration (FHA)

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, report filing; the NLRB's new regulations on joint employer status and union elections. Monitor and engagement on OSHA proposed heat standard.

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

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.

Contacted: Small Business Administration (SBA)

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; engaging in response to the FHWA regulation concerning GHG emissions performance measures.

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

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