Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
- Committees
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 27, 2025
Bottom line
The bill creates a dedicated federal grant program to address the critical national shortage of safe and accessible truck parking, aiming to improve highway safety and supply chain efficiency.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a new competitive grant program within the Department of Transportation to fund projects aimed at increasing public parking for commercial motor vehicles and enhancing the safety of commercial motor vehicle drivers. It authorizes $151 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for these projects, which can include new construction, expansion of existing facilities, and technology solutions.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the severe shortage of safe and accessible truck parking forces commercial drivers to park in unsafe locations, leading to increased fatigue, accidents, and crime, and that this bill directly addresses a critical highway safety issue while supporting the nation's supply chain.
Opponents contend
No organized opposition is typically raised against bills addressing truck parking shortages, as it is widely recognized as a safety and economic issue. Potential concerns might revolve around the scale of funding or the specific mechanisms, but not the underlying goal of increasing parking capacity.
The bill is relatively short and clearly structured, allowing for a quick and comprehensive understanding of its provisions.
Section 1
Short Title
This section formally names the Act as the "Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act," providing a common and concise reference for the legislation throughout its lifecycle and public discourse.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a clear and descriptive short title helps in easily identifying and referring to the legislation, effectively communicating its primary purpose to all stakeholders.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the short title of a bill, as it is a standard legislative practice.
Tradeoffs
None.
Section 2
National Priority for Truck Parking
This section expresses the Sense of Congress that addressing the shortage of parking for commercial motor vehicles on the Federal-aid highway system should be a national priority. The stated goal is to improve highway safety by providing adequate rest facilities for drivers.
Section 3, adding Section 180(b) to title 23, United States Code
Commercial Motor Vehicle Parking Grant Authority
This provision establishes a new competitive grant program, administered by the Secretary of Transportation, to fund projects that create public parking for commercial motor vehicles and improve driver safety. Grants are contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds, ensuring a dedicated funding stream for this specific infrastructure need.
Section 3, adding Section 180(c) to title 23, United States Code
Broad Eligibility for Grant Recipients
This section defines the entities eligible to receive grants, including States, metropolitan planning organizations, units of local government, political subdivisions, Tribal governments, and multi-jurisdictional groups. It also explicitly permits eligible entities to partner with private entities to carry out eligible projects, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors.
Section 3, adding Section 180(d) to title 23, United States Code
Scope of Funded Projects
This provision outlines a comprehensive list of eligible projects, including constructing new safety rest areas, adding parking capacity at private truck stops or public freight facilities, reopening unused government facilities for parking, improving existing public parking, using intelligent transportation systems to manage parking, and enhancing driver safety and truck stop electrification at parking facilities. Projects must be on or have reasonable access to Federal-aid highways or freight facilities.
Section 3, adding Section 180(e) and (f) to title 23, United States Code
Grant Application and Project Selection Criteria
This section details the application requirements and selection criteria for grants. Applicants must describe their proposed project, and the Secretary of Transportation will select projects based on factors such as a demonstrated parking shortage, consultation with stakeholders (motor carriers, drivers, public safety, private providers), the project's likelihood to increase parking, facilitate freight movement, improve safety/congestion/air quality, and the applicant's ability to maintain the facility. Geographic dispersion is also a key consideration.
Section 3, adding Section 180(h) and (i) to title 23, United States Code
Funding Limitations and Public Access Requirements
This provision specifies that grant funds can be used for development phase activities (up to 25% of the grant) and construction/operational improvements. It limits funds for projects solely identifying existing parking to 10% annually, unless part of an expansion project. Crucially, it prohibits the use of funds for constructing charging or fueling infrastructure for vehicles. All parking facilities funded must be publicly accessible to all commercial motor vehicle drivers, and no fees may be charged for access.
Section 4
Biennial Report on Parking Availability and Program Effectiveness
This section mandates that the Secretary of Transportation submit a report every two years, starting four years after enactment, to Congress. The report must evaluate the availability of adequate public and private truck parking, assess the effectiveness of the grant program, evaluate the sustainability of funded facilities, and report on overall progress. The results must be made publicly available and aligned with State freight plans.
Section 5
Funding Authorization
This section authorizes the appropriation of $151,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for the commercial motor vehicle parking projects established under the new Section 180 of title 23, United States Code. This provides the legislative authority for future appropriations to fund the grant program.
Prohibits eligible entities from charging a fee to commercial motor vehicle drivers for access to parking facilities constructed, opened, maintained, or improved with grant funds.
Section 3, adding Section 180(i)(2)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to include operational rules and restrictions within the requirements section of a grant program, ensuring the intended public benefit of federal investment.
Case for: Proponents argue this ensures the public benefit of federal investment, making parking freely accessible to all drivers, which is critical for safety, equity, and reducing the financial burden on the trucking industry.
Case against: Opponents might argue that allowing a nominal fee could help grant recipients cover ongoing maintenance, security, and operational costs, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the facilities without relying solely on public funds.
Estimated impact: Ensures that millions of dollars in federally funded parking spaces remain free for commercial drivers, potentially impacting the business models of private truck stops that charge for parking.
Explicitly states that funds made available under this section shall not be used for the construction or development phase activities related to charging or fueling infrastructure for vehicle propulsion, including commercial motor vehicles.
Section 3, adding Section 180(h)(3)
Why it matters:This is likely a deliberate policy choice to narrow the scope of this specific grant program, potentially to avoid overlap with other federal initiatives or to focus solely on the immediate parking shortage without addressing broader vehicle technology transitions.
Case for: Proponents argue this keeps the program focused on its core mission of providing physical parking spaces, preventing funds from being diverted to other infrastructure needs that may have separate funding streams or policy debates.
Case against: Critics might argue this is a missed opportunity to future-proof truck parking facilities by integrating necessary charging infrastructure for the growing electric truck fleet, potentially leading to additional costs and retrofits later as the industry transitions.
Estimated impact: Directs potentially hundreds of millions of dollars exclusively to parking infrastructure, explicitly excluding EV charging or alternative fuel stations from this specific funding source.