Fong Autonomous Trucking Framework Provisions Pass Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This morning, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the BUILD America 250 Act with Congressman Vince Fong's (CA-20) autonomous vehicle trucking framework. Originally introduced as the AMERICA DRIVES Act, the inclusion of these provisions marks a historic step forward in modernizing America's supply chain by establishing the first-ever national framework for autonomous vehicles (AVs). The BUILD America 250 Act passed the Committee by a vote of 62-2 and now awaits a vote on the House Floor.

"With other nations rapidly integrating autonomous trucking into their supply chains, America cannot afford to fall behind," said Congressman Fong. "Currently, a confusing patchwork of state regulations is holding us back. Today's committee passage is a major milestone. These provisions establish the clear federal framework our industry needs to safely scale autonomous trucking, strengthen our supply chains, and ensure the United States remains unbeatable in the global marketplace. This is critical framework for the future of America's transportation innovation, and I'm thrilled to see it pass with bipartisan support thanks to the leadership of Chairman Sam Graves and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee."

Currently, 35 states allow some form of autonomous truck testing or deployment, while others have imposed restrictive or conflicting regulations. Meanwhile, the truck driver shortage of 80,000 drivers in 2021 is projected to double to over 160,000 by 2030. Rep. Fong's AV trucking provisions in the BUILD America 250 Act directly address both challenges.

Specifically, Congressman Fong's AV trucking provisions:

• Establish a federal framework over state laws requiring human drivers in commercial vehicles with Level 4 or 5 ADS, update federal definitions to include ADS-equipped vehicles, align ADS levels with Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International standards, and authorizes interstate testing and operation of fully automated trucks without human or remote drivers onboard.
• Codify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) 2018 interpretation that federal safety regulations don't require a human driver, directs FMCSA to update rules by 2027 for ADS-equipped vehicles, exempt fully autonomous trucks from human-specific requirements (e.g., hours of service, drug testing), defines "remote driver" and "remote assistance" per SAE International standards, and prohibit regulations that uniquely burden ADS vehicles.
• Codify that a flashing, cab-mounted warning beacon may be used instead of warning triangles for disabled commercial vehicles, aligning with a 2023 FMCSA exemption request.

Fong's provisions have wide-ranging support from industry leaders, including the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA), TechNet, Aurora, and Kodiak AI:

"AVIA commends Rep. Fong for his strong leadership on autonomous vehicle policy that will solidify American excellence in this life-saving technology," said Jeff Farrah, CEO of AVIA. "Key provisions of Rep. Fong's AMERICA DRIVES Act are included in the BUILD America 250 Act. These policies will make our roadways safer, supply chains more resilient, and support farmers and small businesses in the Central Valley."

"The committee's approval of this bipartisan bill is an important step toward modernizing America's transportation infrastructure for the next generation. The inclusion of key provisions from Congressman Fong's AMERICA DRIVES Act puts a clear focus on U.S. competitiveness by creating a unified national standard for the safe and efficient operation of commercial autonomous trucks on our roads. This framework is critical to ensuring not only that the U.S. remains a global leader in transportation innovation, but also to addressing longstanding freight and workforce challenges in our supply chain that are holding our economy back. TechNet is grateful for the leadership of Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen, as well as Congressman Fong, in advancing this bill through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. We urge House leadership to move the legislation forward to unlock the safety and economic benefits of autonomous freight and build a more resilient transportation network nationwide," said Linda Moore, TechNet President and CEO.

"Representative Fong is a forward-thinking leader whose steadfast partnership and vision for the future of transportation are invaluable to the entire AV industry," said Gerardo Interiano, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs at Aurora. "His commitment to advancing autonomous trucking will help deliver safer highways, more resilient supply chains, and a stronger American economy."

"Kodiak AI thanks Representative Fong for advocating for the inclusion of autonomous trucking in the historic, bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act," said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO, Kodiak AI. "Representative Fong's leadership brings the United States closer to achieving a significant milestone: the creation of a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for autonomous commercial motor vehicles. This framework will allow Americans to benefit from the safety and economic advantages that autonomous driving technology delivers while ensure the United States remains the global leader in autonomous vehicle technology."

Last year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke to the importance of developing a federal framework for AV technology in a Transportation and Infrastructure hearing with Rep. Fong.