NPC Endorses Bill Supporting Ag Transport And Infrastructure

Would address need for more truck drivers, truck parking, productivity, flexibility

Published online: Apr 03, 2023 Articles National Potato Council
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Recently, NPC joined a letter to House and Senate leadership in support of the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking Act (SHIP IT).

According to the letter, the SHIP IT bill would:

  • Bolster the nation’s driver workforce with two years of tax incentives for qualified drivers, grants to help cover driver schooling costs, and additional options for obtaining commercial drivers’ licenses;
  • Provide authorization for additional parking facilities to help improve drivers’ quality of life; and,
  • Increases truck productivity and environmental efficiency by allowing states to opt into pilot programs to permit trucks with at least six axles to weigh up to 91,000 pounds on interstate highways.

“The pandemic highlighted the importance of trucking to our nation’s well-being and we believe economic and environmental benefits can be unlocked through legislative reform,” wrote the group. “We support the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking Act (SHIP IT) and the meaningful solutions it provides to address the need for more truck drivers, truck parking, productivity, environmental efficiency, options during emergencies, and flexibility for ag haulers.”

Read the full letter here.