Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB2450

Introduced
3/30/23  

Caption

Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act of 2023

Impact

The bill stipulates eligibility requirements that include holding a valid Class A commercial driver’s license and a limit on adjusted gross income to ensure that the credit benefits those most in need. The maximum income thresholds are set at $135,000 for joint returns and $90,000 for individual filers. Furthermore, the bill encourages active participation in the industry by requiring that drivers have a significant number of driving hours annually. This could boost the number of drivers actively on the road and support the transportation of goods across the nation.

Summary

House Bill 2450, known as the ‘Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act of 2023’, proposes significant amendments to the Internal Revenue Code to introduce a refundable tax credit aimed directly at commercial truck drivers. This legislation seeks to incentivize a profession crucial to transportation and supply chain efficiency by establishing a credit of $7,500 for eligible drivers. The aim is to alleviate financial burdens on drivers and to address workforce shortages within the trucking industry, which have been exacerbated by recent supply chain challenges.

Contention

While proponents of HB2450 argue that this tax credit is a necessary measure to support the trucking industry and enhance supply chain resilience, concerns have been raised about its potential effectiveness. Critics may question whether a tax incentive alone will resolve deeper issues such as worker conditions, training, and recruitment challenges faced within the industry. The bill is also set to undergo close scrutiny to assess if the monetary assistance would adequately address the complexities of staffing shortages in trucking and whether it would reach those most in need of support.

Companion Bills

US HB471

Related Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking Act or the SHIP IT Act This bill expands programs and special permits for trucks and truck drivers. Specifically, a state may issue a special permit for certain overweight vehicles based on a Presidential major disaster declaration or a Department of Transportation (DOT) declaration (1) of an emergency (including non-natural or financial), or (2) that the United States supply chain is having issues. Currently, a state may issue a special permit only based on a Presidential major disaster declaration. DOT must also, subject to the availability of funds, award competitive grants to construct or improve commercial vehicle parking facilities. Under the bill, the Department of Labor must provide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grants for entry level commercial motor vehicle driver training. The bill also establishes a limited tax credit, adjusted annually based on inflation, for eligible commercial driver's license holders. Further, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration must revise certain regulations related to commercial driver's license testing and permits, including to allow a third-party examiner to administer commercial driver's license tests. DOT must also establish a pilot program allowing states to issue permits for qualifying vehicles with six axles or more operating at greater than 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on a state's Interstate System. (Generally, the federal commercial vehicle weight limit is 80,000 pounds, with some exceptions.) The bill also exempts the battery weight from the gross vehicle weight for certain commercial motor vehicles powered primarily by electric battery power. Finally, existing driving time exemptions are expanded for truck drivers transporting agricultural commodities and farm supplies within a 150-mile radius.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.