Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3013

Introduced
4/28/23  
Refer
4/28/23  
Refer
5/1/23  

Caption

LICENSE Act of 2023 Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act of 2023

Impact

If enacted, HB3013 will significantly impact the way commercial driver's license tests are administered across states. Allowing state or third-party examiners to conduct knowledge tests, regardless of where the applicant completed their training, promotes uniform standards. This change encourages efficiency and may expedite the training and licensing process for commercial drivers, addressing some of the existing bottlenecks in the system.

Summary

House Bill 3013, known as the Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act of 2023 (LICENSE Act), aims to modify existing regulations concerning the requirements for commercial driver's license testing and commercial learner's permit holders. The bill mandates the Secretary of Transportation to revise specific sections of the federal regulations to streamline the testing process, thus enabling state or third-party examiners to administer the commercial driver's license knowledge tests under certain conditions.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB3013 appears to be largely positive among stakeholders in the transportation sector. Proponents believe that easing the restrictions on who can administer licensing tests will increase accessibility and reduce administrative burdens. This is seen as vital in meeting the growing demand for commercial driver positions, especially given the current labor shortages in the trucking industry. However, there are also concerns about maintaining safety and standards if oversight is less stringent.

Contention

While support for the bill is notable, it is not without contention. Critics worry that loosening the regulations could compromise the quality of training and assessment. There are fears that the revisions might allow less experienced or adequately trained personnel to administer crucial driving tests, potentially endangering road safety. This highlights a tension between enhancing workforce accessibility and ensuring stringent testing standards necessary for safety in commercial driving.

Companion Bills

US SB1649

Same As LICENSE Act of 2023 Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act of 2023

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.

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