Washington, DC – Yesterday, three of U.S. Senator Dean Heller’s (R-NV) priorities, focused on transportation safety and economic development, were included in the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act of 2015 (S. 1732), approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. S.1732, which authorizes the office of the Secretary of Transportation for the next six years and contains key reforms to enhance safety, streamline grant programs, and improve the accountability and efficiency of oversight efforts, will be a component of the multi-year surface transportation legislation expected to be considered by the U.S. Senate. Following the Committee’s approval, Senator Heller issued this statement:

“I am pleased to see all three of these important amendments included in this legislation and passed through committee. Transportation is the backbone of Nevada’s economy, driving commerce and business throughout the state. It is important that safety on our nation’s roads is a priority, while at the same time, supporting our transportation industry and the many businesses utilizing it. I believe these three amendments do just that,” said Senator Dean Heller.

Heller Provisions included in S. 1732:

1. Safety Through Informed Consumers Act (STICRS) Act (S. 1535) – This bipartisan, bicameral legislation promotes safer cars by requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to integrate crash avoidance technology information, such as active braking and lane-tracking technology, into the safety rating information listed on the car sticker for consumers purchasing new vehicles. This Heller bill is Sections 4421 and 4422 of S.1732.
2. Hours of Service (HOS) Exemption for the ready mixed concrete truck drivers– Sec.2201(F)(1)(d) makes the existing HOS exemption for perishable goods, such as concrete, permanent. Under an existing rule, drivers of commercial motor vehicles are required to take a 30-minute break after at most eight consecutive hours of work. Industries, such as the ready mixed concrete industry – whose products are perishable – find it difficult to implement the HOS regulation given the unique conditions of their work. Once a delivery is started, it must be completed or the concrete may harden in the truck, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. The concrete industry is critical to our nation’s transportation, and as such, its needs must be taken into consideration. Alongside fellow members of the Commerce Committee, Senator Heller led a letter requesting this policy be included in the bill.
3. Safe Streets Amendment– Senators Heller, Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Ed Markey (D-MA) teamed up on an amendment to address the continued increase in pedestrian injuries and fatalities across the country, which was adopted by the Committee. In Nevada, pedestrian fatalities are 24.8 percent of total traffic fatalities. The state is 6th most dangerous for pedestrians over 65 years old. Specifically, the amendment:
   1. Directs the Secretary to establish standards that states can use to ensure safe design of their transportation network for both motorized users and pedestrians.
   2. Waives the standards for states or localities that have already adopted laws or policies that provide for safe design.
   3. Asks states that have not already adopted safe design standards to submit a plan to the Secretary outlining how they will begin using the standards.

Background:

Last month, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee unanimously passed the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act (DRIVE Act).  Included in the legislation was Senator Heller’s bill to extend the future Interstate 11 (I-11) from Las Vegas through the State of Nevada to Interstate 80 (I-80). The DRIVE Act, along with the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act of 2015 and components from the Banking and Finance Committees, will become part of the larger surface transportation bill expected to be considered by the U.S. Senate.

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