Legislation introduced the night of Sept. 29 to extend funding authority for programs under the Highway Trust Fund through May 31, 2005, passed the House today, Sept. 30, by a vote of 409-8.

The vote allows Congress to adjourn for the elections around Oct. 8 and finish the highway bill during the next session of Congress, as late as the Memorial Day recess in May 2005.

Of particular importance to truckers is a provision that keeps the current HOS rules in place until Sept. 30, 2005, to give DOT and FMCSA officials time to address a Washington, DC, appeals court decision that invalidated the HOS rules.

The House bill says rules currently before the appeals court would remain in effect until the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration developed a new set of regulations governing HOS or until Sept. 30, 2005, whichever comes first.

The Senate is expected to clear the bill sometime Sept. 30 by unanimous consent, clearing it for Presidential signature before midnight when the funds are cut off.

– By Dick Larsen, senior editor
dick_larsen@landlinemag.com