BOYDA’S BILL WILL REIN IN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PILOT PROGRAM FOR UNSAFE MEXICAN TRUCKS

TOPEKA, KS – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Safe American Roads Act of 2007 on a 411-3 vote. The legislation, which was authored by Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District), would rein in a reckless Department of Transportation (DOT) pilot program for Mexico-domiciled trucks.

Under current law, trucks registered in Mexico can drive only within narrow border zones in the United States before their cargoes are transferred to an American vehicle. This system keeps America’s highways safe from poorly regulated Mexican traffic, prevents drug smuggling and illegal immigration, and defends American transportation jobs. But the DOT has proposed a new pilot program that would allow hundreds of Mexican trucks to drive far into the American heartland.

Boyda’s legislation would require any DOT pilot program to meet strict guidelines to protect America’s road safety, border security, and economic interests.

“If the DOT pilot program proceeds as planned, drivers in Kansas and across the United States will soon share their roads with unsafe Mexican trucks,” Boyda said. “By decisively approving the Safe American Roads Act, the House is protecting the millions of American families who drive on our highways every day.”

Specifically, Boyda’s bill:

• Requires the DOT cross-border pilot program to comply with all 22 requirements of the FY 2002 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act and all requirements set forth under TEA 21 relating to pilot programs;
  
• Requires the DOT, prior to initiation of the pilot program, to provide notice and opportunity for public comment on the details of the program, including the measures in place to protect the health and safety of the public, enforcement measures, penalties for non-compliance, and safety metrics used to evaluate the program;
  
• Restricts the timeframe for a pilot program and requires termination no later than three years after enactment of the bill. The program can be terminated at any point during the three years if the Secretary of Transportation does not comply with all provisions within the Act; 
  
• Creates an independent review panel to monitor and evaluate the pilot program after its launch; 
  
• Requires an Inspector General review of the pilot program to determine whether Mexico-domiciled motor carriers participating in the pilot program are in full compliance with U.S. motor carrier safety laws and report to Congress within 90 days of completion of the pilot program; and 
  
• Requires the DOT to submit a report to Congress on the results of the pilot program within 60 days of completion of the pilot program.