Thursday, July 2, 2015

SMS Update




SMS Update
            1.         Legislative Initiatives.  There are 3 Bills pending in Congress:

                        (1)        H.R. 1120 – "To Enhance Interstate Commerce by Creating a National Hiring Standard for Motor Carriers."  Introduced by John Duncan (R-TN) on 2/26/15.  This Bill, supported by TIA, would establish a new hiring standard of "licensed, authorized and insured" and is designed to protect shippers, brokers and intermediaries against negligent selection lawsuits.

                        (2)        H.R. 5532 – Reintroduced as H.R. 1371 – "Safer Trucks and Buses Act of 2015." Introduced by Lou Barletta (R-PA) on March 16, 2015.  Supported by NASTC, OOIDA and ATA, this Bill would require removal of SMS methodology from the website pending further study of its efficacy and a report back to Congress.