I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2407 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 6, 2011 Mr. DeFazio (for himself, Mr. Lipinski, and Mr. Hunter) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To protect the safety of America’s roads by limiting the operation of motor carriers domiciled in Mexico beyond municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border to a pilot program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting America’s Roads Act or PARA.

2.

Limitation on operating authority

(a)

In general

Unless expressly authorized by Congress, the Secretary of Transportation may not grant authority to a motor carrier domiciled in Mexico to operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border except under a pilot program that meets the requirements of this Act. (b)

Pilot Program Duration

Any pilot program carried out pursuant to this Act shall— (1)not exceed a period of 3 years; and (2)be carried out for a period sufficient to generate statistically valid findings on the safety impacts of the pilot program. (c)

Pilot program requirements

In carrying out any pilot program pursuant to this Act, the Secretary— (1)shall meet the requirements of section 6901 of Public Law 110–28, section 350 of Public Law 107–87, and section 31315(c) of title 49, United States Code; (2)may not grant a motor carrier domiciled in Mexico authority to operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border permanently, or for any period that exceeds the duration of the pilot program; (3)shall require motor carriers domiciled in Mexico and participating in the pilot program to submit to electronic monitoring to ensure compliance with the Secretary’s hours of service regulations; and (4)may not purchase, acquire, or install electronic on-board recorders for motor carriers domiciled in Mexico and participating in the pilot program. (d)

Suspension of authority

The Secretary shall suspend the authority of all motor carriers domiciled in Mexico to operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border on the date of termination of any pilot program carried out pursuant to this Act. (e)

Report to congress

Not later than 60 days after the termination date of any pilot program carried out pursuant to this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall report to Congress on the impact on safety as a result of such pilot program.