According to this week’s Traffic World, major sectors of the transportation community are slugging it out over a provision in the House-passed version of the federal highway bill.
The provision requires motor carriers, brokers and freight fowarders to impose a fuel surcharge if fuel prices exceed an adjustable benchmark. The money would be paid to whoever actually purchased the fuel, often the owner operators.
According to Traffic World, House Majority Whip Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., inserted the surcharge at the urging of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Assn. Shippers and brokers, on the other hand, claim the measure is a return to regulation. Opponents include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Assn. of Manufacturers, the Retail Industry Leaders Assn. and Wal-Mart. OOIDA on Monday issued a second "call to action" to its membership asking members in certain states to contact key senators to express support of the measure.
The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to debate the surcharge this month.