Congress transportation laws

What it would do: Requires the EPA to authorize diesel vehicle manufacturers to suspend engine derate or shutdown functions triggered by emissions control faults when ambient temperatures are at or below zero degrees Centigrade, and to exempt covered vehicles primarily operated north of 59 degrees north latitude from diesel exhaust fluid system requirements.

What it would do: Amends title 38 to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve multi-State apprenticeship programs for veterans educational assistance, allowing the Secretary to act as a State approving agency for such programs.

What it would do: Amends federal law to restrict states' issuance of commercial driver's licenses to non-domiciled individuals by requiring lawful immigration status and employment-based visas for foreign applicants, with special provisions for U.S. territories requiring citizenship or permanent resident status.

What it would do: Amends federal motor carrier safety regulations to clarify the Secretary's authority to enforce household goods shipping rules, require motor carriers and brokers to designate a principal place of business, disclose related business relationships, allow states to enforce household goods regulations and retain penalties, and permit states to use grant funds for household goods enforcement.

What it would do: Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission for fiscal years 2026-2029 ($49.2M to $57.016M). Establishes complaint procedures against shipping exchanges, creates two new advisory committees, requires rulemaking on containerized freight price indexes, and modifies definitions of ocean common carriers to include those controlled by nonmarket economy countries.

What it would do: Amends title 46 to require the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that 100 percent of cargo procured, financed, or furnished by the Department of Transportation is transported on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States, when such vessels are available at fair and reasonable rates.

What it would do: Amends title 46, United States Code to clarify that port infrastructure development program funds may be used for projects to upgrade or replace port cranes or crane parts installed, provided, maintained, controlled, or sponsored by the People's Republic of China or its government entities.

What it would do: Requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to audit each State's non-domiciled commercial driver's license issuance procedures within 3 years, emphasizing licenses issued to individuals without verified lawful presence, and to withhold FMCSA funding from States that fail to comply with corrective measures.

What it would do: Requires autonomous vehicle operators to submit emergency response guides and rescue sheets to NHTSA, maintain 24/7 hotlines for emergency responders, comply with geofence notices within 2 minutes, and meet minimum standards for emergency coordination by specified deadlines.

What it would do: Prohibits motor carriers from refusing to transport firearms, ammunition, or firearm component parts that are lawfully possessed and transportable, or from imposing discriminatory conditions or pricing on such shipments. Establishes civil penalties of $10,000 per violation and private right of action for damages.

What it would do: Requires the Comptroller General to study chameleon carriers and report within one year. Requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to develop and implement an advanced automation tool within one year to detect chameleon carrier applications in the USDOT registration process.

What it would do: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Next Generation Shipping Innovation Program providing grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support research, development, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and charging or fueling infrastructure, with $1 billion authorized annually through fiscal year 2036.

What it would do: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Next Generation Shipping Innovation Program providing grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support research, development, and deployment of zero-emission vessels and charging or fueling infrastructure, with $1 billion authorized annually through fiscal year 2036.

What it would do: Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations mandating placards on all refrigerated shipping containers to communicate pressurization risks to emergency responders, regardless of cargo. Requires a study assessing whether refrigerants should be a distinct hazard category.

What it would do: Repeals the 12-percent Federal excise tax on heavy trucks, tractors, and trailers under Internal Revenue Code Chapter 31, Subchapter C, effective upon enactment, and makes conforming amendments to related tax code sections.

What it would do: Requires private entities communicating about USDOT number registration to include a legible disclosure stating they are not a federal agency and prohibits them from using government names or implying payment is required. Creates a private right of action with statutory damages of $500 to $5,000 per violation.

What it would do: Requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to establish a database for non-domiciled commercial driver's license data and process it through immigration verification services, with states submitting license expiration dates and copies of licenses for verification of lawful presence.

What it would do: Repeals the 12-percent federal excise tax on heavy trucks, tractors, and trailers under Internal Revenue Code Chapter 31, Subchapter C, and makes conforming amendments to related tax provisions. The repeal applies to sales and installations on or after the bill's introduction date.

What it would do: Requires new State-issued driver's licenses and identification cards to indicate citizenship status to be federally recognized, effective 60 days after enactment. Establishes that federal agencies may only accept commercial driver's licenses from States that verify the holder is a U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible nonimmigrant with valid visa.

What it would do: Requires railroad carriers operating freight trains across the southern border into the United States to stop at the border for crew interchange and safety testing, then ensures only U.S. nationals or lawfully authorized aliens with primary U.S. reporting points operate those trains.

What it would do: Amends title 23, United States Code to withhold 10 percent of certain federal highway funding from States that do not have and enforce laws requiring verification of lawful presence for driver's license, commercial driver's license, and personal identification card applicants.

What it would do: Amends federal transportation law to combat freight fraud and theft by establishing an advisory committee, requiring coordination between DOT and DOJ, phasing out MC numbers in favor of USDOT numbers, strengthening commercial driver's license requirements for work authorization, and implementing fraud detection systems in motor carrier registration.

What it would do: Increases the minimum financial responsibility requirement for motor carriers transporting property from $750,000 to $5,000,000, effective 1 year after enactment, and requires the Secretary to adjust this amount every 5 years for medical care inflation.

What it would do: Prohibits certain aliens from presenting or using commercial driver's licenses in interstate or foreign commerce, with criminal penalties up to 5 years imprisonment, or death if the violation causes a fatal motor vehicle accident. Requires states to verify employment eligibility through E-Verify before issuing commercial driver's licenses.

What it would do: Prohibits the EPA and all federal agencies from requiring manufacturers, importers, or distributors to install, certify, or maintain emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems on motor vehicles or engines, and eliminates liability for manufacturing, selling, or modifying vehicles without such devices.