Surface Transportation

Section 2(c) requires that cargoes procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation be transported on privately-owned commercial vessels of the United States, benefiting U.S. maritime shipping companies and related surface transportation/logistics firms involved in cargo movement.

The repeal lowers costs for trucking companies (e.g., J.B. Hunt, Schneider) and logistics firms (UPS, FedEx) by reducing the purchase price of new heavy trucks and trailers, encouraging fleet modernization.

Section 2 authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve multi-State apprenticeship programs provided by commercial truck driving schools for VA educational assistance, which benefits the trucking industry and related surface transportation sectors by expanding training and workforce pipelines.

Section 2(b)(4) directs the Secretary of Transportation to consult with the transportation supply chain industry, modal transportation supply chain employers, and organizations representing modal transportation supply chain employees, indicating a benefit to surface transportation industries through workforce development and outreach.

Title I provides $62,657,105,821 in obligation limitations for Federal-aid highway programs and $63,396,105,821 for liquidation of contract authorization, benefiting freight rail, trucking, and logistics industries through highway infrastructure funding.

Section 2(b)(1)-(2) allows apprentices under 21 to drive commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce during and after apprenticeship programs, expanding the labor pool for trucking and freight carriers.

Section 3(a) authorizes Amtrak to bring civil actions to enforce passenger rail preference over freight transportation, which benefits passenger rail (Amtrak) and potentially harms freight railroads by giving passenger trains priority; this affects the surface transportation industry, specifically freight rail operators.

Section 1(d) provides a 5-year grace period exempting USVI and Puerto Rico from withholding of federal highway funds for failure to comply with commercial driver license requirements, benefiting surface transportation operators in those territories by avoiding funding penalties.

Section 2 extends authorization for grants under section 24911 of title 49 U.S.C. (Intercity Passenger Rail Grants) through FY 2032, providing continued funding for passenger rail infrastructure, which benefits surface transportation industries including freight rail, trucking, and logistics that rely on or interface with rail systems.

Section 2 amends requirements for issuing commercial driver's licenses to non-domiciled individuals, which directly affects trucking and freight rail industries that rely on CDL holders; easing licensing for foreign domiciled workers with lawful status could expand labor supply, benefiting surface transportation.

Section 2 amends 49 U.S.C. § 20167 to require continued periodic reports on highway-rail grade crossing safety, including stakeholder collaboration with railroads to reduce pedestrian fatalities. This benefits surface transportation industries (freight rail, trucking, logistics) by improving safety and potentially reducing accidents and delays.

Section 2 amends 49 U.S.C. § 5307 to provide eligibility for urbanized area formula grants for public transportation that services Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, which benefits public transit operators and related surface transportation services.

Section 2(a) establishes a grant program to construct barriers near rail lines to mitigate rail activity impacts such as derailments, noise, and vibrations. This benefits surface transportation industries (freight rail, trucking, shipping, logistics) by funding safety improvements that could reduce disruptions and liabilities associated with rail operations near residential areas.

Section 2(a)(1)(B) prioritizes maintenance dredging in waters used for commercial and navigation activities, which benefits surface transportation industries such as freight rail, trucking, shipping, and logistics that rely on navigable waterways.

Section 2 amends 46 U.S.C. § 55101(b) to exempt certain noncontiguous trade from coastwise laws, reducing regulatory barriers for shipping routes (e.g., to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico) and benefiting freight carriers, trucking, rail, and logistics firms involved in maritime-surface intermodal transport.

Section 2 amends 49 U.S.C. § 13701(d)(1) to define a reasonable rate for noncontiguous domestic ocean trade as within 10% of a comparable international ocean rate index recognized by the Federal Maritime Commission. This provision affects surface transportation industries involved in maritime shipping, such as freight carriers, shipping lines, and logistics firms that operate in noncontiguous domestic routes (e.g., between mainland U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and territories). By providing a clearer,

Section 2 codifies the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, which includes freight and passenger railroad carriers, Amtrak, and railroad labor organizations, providing a forum for collaborative rulemaking and regulatory program development that benefits surface transportation stakeholders.

Title II includes $222,886,000 for CBP procurement, construction, and improvements, which funds border security assets and infrastructure, including vehicles and vessels used in surface transportation security operations.

Section 2 allows foreign-flag vessels to transport merchandise in noncontiguous trade, reducing barriers for maritime shipping and benefiting surface transportation industries like freight shipping and logistics.

Section 2 amends 46 U.S.C. § 70022 to allow vessels that have transited ports in Western Hemisphere free trade agreement countries, where access is via land owned by U.S. persons and the port has been designated by the President due to expropriation/nationalization, to enter U.S. navigable waters or transfer cargo. This benefits shipping and logistics firms involved in surface transportation by expanding permissible vessel operations under certain conditions.

Sec. 2 extends funding for technology and innovation programs related to highway and intermodal transportation systems through fiscal years 2027-2031, benefiting surface transportation industries. Sec. 5 amends the University Transportation Centers program, extending funding through 2027-2031. Sec. 6 creates an open research initiative for advanced transportation research. Sec. 7 mandates a study on emerging headlamp technologies and safety effects. Sec. 8 develops a strategy to encourage utiliz

SEC. 2 amends title 49 to allow eligibility for projects installing human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops and welcome centers along the Interstate System, and adds such projects to the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, benefiting surface transportation infrastructure stakeholders.

Section 2 reauthorizes the diesel emissions reduction program through 2029, which provides funding for retrofitting or replacing diesel engines in trucks, buses, and other surface transportation vehicles, benefiting the industry.

Title I provides $62,657,105,821 in obligation limitation for Federal-aid highways and $63,396,105,821 for liquidation of contract authority, directly funding freight rail, trucking, and logistics industries.

Section 2 expands the VA transportation grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in rural/highly rural areas, which could increase demand for transportation services such as freight rail, trucking, and logistics providers that may be contracted to deliver these services.

Resolution honors the trucking industry in the United States for providing drivers, equipment, and related services to assist in the transportation of wreaths across the United States to over 5,050 locations (see 'Whereas the trucking industry in the United States will continue to support...' and '(3) recognizes-- (C) the trucking industry in the United States;').

Title XIII includes multiple surface transportation provisions: Section 11301 funds Federal Highway Administration programs ($340,500,000), Federal Railroad Administration ($100,000,000), and transit grants ($45,568,868), plus Section 11302 maintains contract authority limitations for highway and transit programs, benefiting freight rail, trucking, and logistics industries.

Findings (4) and (6) highlight cargo theft across rails, roads, and distribution points; Sec. 3 amends statutes related to interstate shipments (section 659) and transportation of stolen goods (2314, 2315), directly benefiting freight rail, trucking, and logistics industries.

Title III includes the Rural Utilities Service--Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account, which authorizes $4,333,000,000 for cost of money direct loans and $2,167,000,000 for guaranteed rural electric loans. While focused on electricity and telecommunications, these investments support broader rural infrastructure that enables surface transportation logistics (e.g., power for truck stops, signal systems, and depot operations). Additionally, the bill's emphasis on rural

Title IV includes $70M for DC emergency planning and security costs, which could benefit surface transportation providers through increased security contracts for events and infrastructure protection.

Division B, Title III includes funding for Rural Utilities Service programs that support transportation infrastructure in rural areas. Division D includes military construction that may support surface transportation logistics for defense purposes.

Section 2(b) streamlines NEPA review for freight rail, trucking facilities, or port expansions needing Federal approvals, benefiting surface transportation.

Division B, Title I, Corps of Engineers--Civil, operation and maintenance: $6,013,217,000 for expenses necessary for the operation, maintenance, and care of existing river and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related projects authorized by law; providing security for infrastructure owned or operated by the Corps, including administrative buildings and laboratories; maintaining harbor channels provided by a State, municipality, or other public agency th

Title III includes $99,750,000 for Public Transportation Security Assistance, Railroad Security Assistance, and Over-the-Road Bus Security Assistance, directly supporting surface transportation security.

Section 3(b)(2)(D) requires coordination with the Federal Communications Commission to ensure counter-UAS systems do not adversely impact civilian telecommunications, which benefits surface transportation logistics firms (e.g., Union Pacific, UPS) that rely on uninterrupted communications and GPS for freight rail and trucking operations.

Section 163 maintains Essential Air Service program operations, supporting surface transportation logistics and freight rail/trucking industries that depend on air cargo connections.

Section 3 adds provisions allowing states to use grant funds for enforcement of Federal household goods statutes and regulations, and Section 4 allows states to retain penalties and fines imposed on carriers or brokers, potentially benefiting state-level surface transportation enforcement agencies.

Section 2(b)(2)(C) states the Program will expand environmental observational networks in the roadway environment to provide real-time road weather and surface conditions for surface transportation and related economic sectors, benefiting freight rail, trucking, and logistics.

Prohibiting congestion tolls reduces costs for freight and passenger vehicles using DC roadways, benefiting trucking, logistics, and related sectors.

The rule's Advanced Clean Trucks and Zero Emission Airport Shuttle provisions would have imposed new requirements on freight and trucking operations; disapproval relieves these burdens, benefiting surface transportation carriers.

Increased weight limits for agricultural vehicles affect trucking and freight logistics; carriers may see demand changes for hauling agricultural products, though effect is niche to Virginia Interstate segment.

Section 13 includes linear infrastructure projects for transportation of people, water, or wastewater in nationwide permits, benefiting freight rail, trucking, and logistics.

Title III, Procurement sections: Funding for procurement of vehicles and equipment supports surface transportation industry. Title VIII, Section 8090: Funds for Operation and Maintenance, Navy can be used for National Defense Reserve Fleet programs related to maritime transportation.

Section 13 requires the Federal Maritime Commission to develop containerized freight indexes for shippers, which could improve transparency and efficiency in freight logistics, benefiting surface transportation industries involved in freight rail, trucking, shipping, and logistics.