Truck parking coalition urges House to vote on parking bill

More than a dozen trucking industry stakeholders, led by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, are urging the House of Representatives to move forward with the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which has not been approved since it passed the committee in May of last year.

On Monday, July 29, a coalition of associations representing various stakeholders in the trucking industry sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging them to bring the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act to the House floor for a vote.

HR2367 would provide $755 million over three years for projects that expand the capacity of truck parking lots. Any project funded by the bill would not be allowed to include paid parking. All parking created under the bill would be publicly accessible and free.

“Access to safe and secure truck stops is an integral part of daily life for professional drivers, many of whom spend weeks traveling the nation’s highways,” the letter reads. “Members of Congress from every corner of the country and across the political spectrum supported HR 2367 because they understand that their constituents are impacted by the ability of truck drivers to meet necessary rest requirements and work as safely as possible.”

In the letter, the coalition of mostly trucking associations informs House leaders that truck parking is a safety issue that affects all motorists, not just truck drivers. Truck drivers often have to choose between parking in an unsafe location or driving while fatigued or outside of federally mandated hours of operation.

The coalition highlights safety concerns, citing a high-profile crash involving a Greyhound bus and three trucks parked on the shoulder of an Interstate 70 exit ramp in Illinois. The crash killed three people and injured 14 others. The crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The letter also assures House leadership that the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act will not contribute to increased spending.

Instead, the bill redistributes money that is already available, allowing Congress to exercise its power over the budget through the annual budget process.

“The House of Representatives’ passage of HR 2367 would be an important step not only to improve highway safety, but also to demonstrate to all the hardworking men and women in the trucking industry that Congress can work together to address issues that impact their daily lives on the road,” the coalition wrote. “Truckers operate in one of the most heavily regulated industries, especially for small businesses. They often feel that the federal government imposes strict regulations on their operations but fails to act when it comes time to address the critical safety issues they’ve identified.”

The coalition, led by OOIDA, consists of:

• Agriculture Transport Coalition – AgTC
• American Clothing and Shoe Association
• American Chemistry Council
• American Highway Users Alliance
• American Trucking Associations
• Association of Consumer Brands
• Institute for Safer Freight Transport
• Mid-West Truck Drivers Association
• National Association of Small Trucking Companies
• National Association of Truck Stop Operators
• National Automobile Association
• National Council for Private Trucks
• North American Punjabi Trucking Association
• Association of Transport Brokers
• Association of Truck Carriers
• Western States Trucking Association
• Women in the trucking industry

The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act has been in limbo for over a year. In May 2023, the bill passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by a vote of 60-4. That vote advanced the bill to the full House for consideration, but no action has been taken since.

As of Tuesday, July 30, HR2367 has 49 co-sponsors, 25 Republicans and 24 Democrats. Is your House representative not on the list? Get in touch by visiting FightingForTruckers.com and filling out a quick form that will send a letter directly to your federal legislators encouraging them to support the truck parking bill. LL

Mark Schremmer, editor-in-chief of Land Line, contributed to this report.