OOIDA legislative and regulatory issues are discussed and approved at every directors meeting.
The legislative items on the agenda for Spring 2009 include:
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Pursue solutions to safety, work loss and homeland security concerns caused by the influx of foreign drivers on America’s highways; Ensure the enforcement of federal cabotage laws
- Pursue initiatives that will effectively increase highway safety; Oppose unfounded and anticompetitive measures that are falsely promoted as safety initiatives such as mandatory speed limiting devices for commercial motor vehicles and federally required electronic onboard recorders
- Ensure federal and state authorities enforce and codify regulations that protect the economic vitality of small businesses in the trucking industry
- Establish full transparency in trucking-related transactions; Promote the full pass through of fuel surcharges to individuals bearing fuel costs
- Pursue solutions to loading/unloading problems, coerced lumping and excessive detention time
- Pursue solutions to maintain a safe and efficient national highway system through equitable and cost-efficient highway funding; Oppose the privatization of existing public transportation infrastructure
- Promote Hours-of-Service rules that reduce driver fatigue, provide for efficient vehicle operation and ensure compliance by all stakeholders
- Expand the number of safe and secure places for trucks to park
- Promote tax and exemption incentives for the attainment and usage of idle reduction/low emission technology; Establish uniform idling guidelines
- Increase broker registration oversight and surety bond requirements; Expand the enforcement of existing laws governing freight brokers
- Promote mandatory driver education and training for all entry-level truck drivers; Promote the implementation of graduated CDLs
- Remove truck drivers’ exemption from the Fair Labor Standards Act requirements for overtime pay and promote hourly compensation for employee drivers