New Bill Introduced Seeks to Make Sweeping Changes to the Trucking Industry
A bill introduced this week in the U.S. House of Representatives focuses on sweeping changes to the trucking industry in a bid to recruit and retain more drivers for the longevity of the nation’s supply chain.
On January 24th, the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act was introduced by U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Jim Costa (D-CA).
“Disruptions in our trucking supply chain continue to drive up costs and create uncertainty for American consumers and producers,” said Costa. “We need to recruit, train, and retain truck drivers to keep our supply chain moving, while also updating best practices to improve trucking to fit our modern economy. That is why we introduced this bipartisan legislation to strengthen the workforce and make it easier to move products across the country.”
Encouraging Drivers with Tax Credits and Grants
The SHIP IT Act would provide Established truck drivers eligibility for a tax credit of $7500 while new drivers entering the industry would be eligible for a $10,000 tax credit. The bill would also allow truckers to apply for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grants, which would help new drivers pay for Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) costs or other driver education costs and provide grants to states or private entities to create more safe trucking parking opportunities.
Easier CDL Testing Processes
Lawmakers also included a measure in the SHIP IT Act to streamline the CDL process, making it easier for states and third parties to administer testing.
“Americans experienced a slew of freight disruptions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Johnson. “Last year we addressed ocean shipping reform, and it’s clear that updates are needed for other parts of the supply chain. The SHIP IT Act will bridge gaps, keep costs down for consumers, and make it easier for shippers to move products across the U.S.”
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