NATSO Outlines Highway Reauthorization Priorities for U.S. DOT
NATSO outlined its policy priorities for the U.S. Transportation Department in response to an agency Request for Information soliciting stakeholder input on the upcoming Highway Transportation Reauthorization. Current surface transportation law is set to expire in September 2026. Lawmakers aim to introduce legislative text later this year.
Among its priorities, NATSO urged U.S. DOT to support long-term funding mechanisms for the Highway Trust Fund and oppose counterproductive revenue-raising “shortcuts” such as commercializing Interstate rest areas or tolling existing Interstates.
The Surface Transportation Reauthorization is also an opportunity to ensure that motorists traveling the Interstate Highway System continue to have access to reliable, convenient refueling infrastructure alongside safe, well-lit amenities such as restrooms and food and beverage options. NATSO encouraged the Agency to support codifying the recent positive changes in the Agency’s guidance as requirements under the NEVI Program as a part of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization.
U.S. DOT’s newly issued guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure grant program prioritizes site hosts that co-locate chargers at retail locations with onsite amenities and eliminates ancillary technical requirements that hindered the success of the Program. NATSO commended the Agency for prioritizing site hosts who also operate charging infrastructure or maintain executed contracts.
NATSO reiterated its call for U.S. DOT to encourage private investment in truck parking capacity and urged the agency to develop a strategic plan to improve roadside safety for service repair technicians. NATSO supports the Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act (H.R. 2992), legislation led by Representatives Rudy Yakym (R-IN) and Troy Carter (D-LA), that would strengthen highway safety across the board for motorists, commercial drivers, and roadside repair technicians. NATSO urged U.S. DOT to encourage Congress to ensure that this legislation, and any other safety related measures, includes the perspectives of those who maintain and repair commercial motor vehicles. Specifically, the Agency should explicitly include the truck repair industry in any highway safety related task forces.
NATSO also thinks Congress should adopt parity with respect to weight regulations on alternative fuel vehicles. Congress should ensure that all alternative fuel technologies, including hydrogen, are treated equally with respect to federal vehicle weight limitations.
NATSO Letter to U.S. DOT Outlining Policy Priorities
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