On Oct. 31, 2019, the Senate passed a funding bill that included transportation funding for fiscal 2020. The bill includes full funding for commercial motor vehicle related grants at or above the FAST Act levels, with a $2 million increase to the commercial motor vehicle operators grant program and a $1 million dollar increase to the high-priority grant program.
- MCSAP Formula – $308.7 million
- High Priority – $45.9 million
- CDL – $33.2 million
- Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators – $3.3 million
In addition, the bill has several policy riders included.
Section 130 directs FMCSA to send notice of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations § 385.308 violations by a form of delivery that records notice of receipt. § 385.308 outlines violations that if committed by a new entrant may trigger an expedited safety audit or compliance review.
Section 131 prevents the U.S. DOT from enforcing ELD requirements for motor carriers transporting livestock or insects through Sept. 30, 2020.
Section 132 directs FMCSA to amend Appendix G of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to include rear impact guards.
The House of Representatives has passed a different version of the transportation funding package. The House and Senate will need to reconcile the differences in a joint conference committee made up of representatives from the two chambers in order to approve fiscal 2020 funding.