Federal Funding Extended Through Dec. 11
On Sept. 30, 2020, a continuing resolution that included transportation funding was signed into law. The continuing resolution extends funding at fiscal 2020 levels through Dec. 11. This also extends the electronic logging device (ELD) exemption for livestock and insect haulers, included in the 2020 appropriations bill, through Dec. 11. The House passed its version of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill on July 31, 2020. The Senate has not yet introduced or passed its version of the bill. In order to approve fiscal 2021 funding, the Senate needs to introduce and pass its version which will then be sent to a Congressional Conference Committee for the House and Senate to reconcile the differences between the two versions of bill. Either another continuing resolution or fiscal 2021 funding bills will have to be passed and signed into law on or before the Dec. 11 funding expiration to avoid a federal government shutdown.
Authorization for Surface Transportation Programs Extended by One Year
Also on Sept. 30, 2020, a one-year extension of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law. The FAST Act, which authorizes highway programs, including commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement grants, was set to expire on Sept. 30, 2020. On July 24, 2020, the House passed its version of a long-term surface transportation bill, but the Senate has yet to pass its version of the bill. The one-year extension authorizes surface transportation programs through Sept. 30, 2021, giving Congress another year to negotiate and pass a long-term bill.