Legislative Scoreboard

ABA's 2006 Legislative and Regulatory Scorecard

This scorecard provides an at-a-glance summary of ABA's major accomplishments on Capitol Hill and in the regulatory agencies in 2006, and its government affairs agenda for 2006.

ISSUE: Wheelchair Lift Grants

Goal: Seek additional funds for the existing grant program that provides financial assistance to U.S. operators purchasing wheelchair lifts. Action: ABA worked with the Bush administration and congressional appropriations committees in an attempt to increase program funding. Status: The Transportation Reauthorization Bill [1] signed by President Bush increases the funds available for wheelchair lifts from $7 million in 2004 to $9 million in 2009.

Sample grant application [2]

ISSUE: Unfair Competition for Charter Opportunities

Goal: Prevent federally subsidized transit programs from illegally taking charter business away from ABA members. Action: ABA pressed this issue in its TEA-21 reauthorization proposals and has raised the issue with every stakeholder during the year. In the Transportation Reauthorization Bill [3], ABA was successful in getting Congress to provide the Secretary of Transportation with the power to fine transit agencies that violated the charter rules and to investigate our complaints. In addition ABA will work for stricter regulations as part of a Congressionally mandated negotiated rulemaking at the FTA.

ISSUE: Motorcoach Size and Weight

Goal: Provide relief from axle weight restrictions for motorcoaches.

Action: ABA persuaded Congress to include in the Transportation Reauthorization Bill an exemption from the axle weight restrictions on motorcoaches. Status: The exemption was included in the Transportation Reauthorization Bill [4]. However, each state may still enforce its own axle weight limitation on the interstate highway system. ABA will continue to oppose this inequality.

ISSUE: Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicle

Goal: Apply the U.S. federal motor carrier safety regulations to all vehicles that carry eight or more passengers.

Action: In February 2001, the FMCSA issued two rules to improve the safe operation of eight- to 15-passenger vans. The first, effective Feb. 12, 2002, enables the U.S. Department of Transportation to collect data needed to assess the operational safety of all for-hire interstate motor carriers operating small buses and vans. The other requires certain van and small bus operators to comply with the same regulations motorcoach operators must follow concerning driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle equipment necessary for safe operation and inspection, and repair and maintenance. Status: ABA continues to monitor the impact of these rules and others to ensure that all commercial motor vehicles operate safely and that the rules apply equally to all operators.

ISSUE: Funds for Bus Security

Goal: Provide funds to U.S. bus operators for enhancing the security of their buses and facilities. Action: Since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, ABA has lobbied Congress to provide security funds for bus operators. The association furnished Congress with testimony highlighting the terrorist attacks' impact on the bus industry and provided legislative proposals to address the issue. Status: ABA has succeeded in having Congress appropriate an additional $20 million for motorcoach security grants for FY 2006 through Transportation Appropriations and Homeland Security Appropriations.

Sample grant application [5]

ISSUE: Funds for Intermodal Bus Passengers Facilities

Goal: Convince Congress and the administration that establishing multi-modal passenger facilities is necessary to travel and tourism. Action: ABA included as a part of its reauthorization proposals a program to provide funds for these facilities. Status: $35 million a year to establish such facilities is included in the Transporation Reauthorization Bill [6].

ISSUE: Curbside Operators

Goal: Convince the Congress and Administration of the dangers these operators pprovide as they operate without proper equipment, safeguards or respect for the law. Status: ABA continues to work with the Department of Transportation and Department of Justice to bring these operators into compliance.