[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6047]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE DEVOLUTION ACT OF 2003

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                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 2003

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I introduced the ``Commercial 
Driver's License Devolution Act of 2003.'' This legislation will give 
states the option to establish their own commercial driver's license 
(CDL) requirements for intrastate drivers.
  As many in this House already know, I have always been a strong 
advocate for taking power out of Washington and returning it to the 
states. I do not believe that our traditional, one-size-fits-all 
approach to governing is effective, efficient or economical for the 
American taxpayer.
  The legislation which I propose today would return power to the 
states by giving states the option, and I emphasize option, to license 
intrastate drivers of commercial motor vehicles based upon testing 
standards determined by the individual states. As you know, the 
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA) required states to 
establish a new and uniform program of testing and licensure for all 
operators of commercial vehicles both intra- and interstate. The 
principal objectives of this Act have been met and would not be harmed 
by this legislation.
  The CMVSA is good law, and its provisions were necessary and timely 
for improving standards of performance for long-haul truck drivers. The 
CMVSA, however, was also imposed upon intrastate commerce where the 
operation of trucks may be a small but necessary part of an 
individual's job. We imposed our will on thousands of small businesses 
not involved in long-haul trucking and somehow expected them to adjust 
to any circumstance that might arise. Under these conditions, I believe 
it should be within a state's discretion to determine what kind of 
commercial vehicle licensure and testing is required for commerce 
solely within its borders.
  I again want to emphasize that it would be entirely up to each state 
whether it chooses to reassume authority over licensing and testing of 
intrastate drivers. A state that chooses to exercise this option would 
in no way diminish the role of the CDL in the long-haul trucking 
industry. Additionally, this legislation effectively precludes two or 
more states from using this option as the basis for an interstate 
compact. I am confident that those states taking advantage of this 
option will develop testing standards that maintain the same level of 
safety offered by the federal program. After all, the primary mission 
of all state DOTs is to ensure the safety of those travelling on its 
roads.
  This legislation is extremely important to our nation's small 
businesses, and I urge the House to adopt this measure.

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