The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Surface Transportation Reauthorization & Reform Act of 2015 by a vote of 363-64 on Thursday. The bill is a multi-year reauthorization of highway transportation programs, which would provide certainty for state and local governments to maintain and move forward with transportation projects. It also provides new flexibilities and streamlines environmental review and permitting processes aimed at accelerating projects. The bill also establishes a National Highway Freight Policy, Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program, and National Multi-modal Freight Network, which are aimed at improving freight movement and strengthening U.S. economic competitiveness. During consideration on the House floor, an amendment was also approved to provide an exemption for agriculture industry drivers with Class A commercial driver's licenses from a Hazardous Materials endorsement, enabling them to transport more than 118 gallons of fuel, up to 1,000 gallons, without the additional certification. This amendment passed on voice vote.

While these are all positive aspects, there were some issues important to the American Soybean Association (ASA) that were not favorably addressed in the House bill. Most significantly, the bill does not address the ability for states to allow increased truck weights on federal interstates.The House of Representatives voted 187-236 to defeat an amendment offered by Rep. Reid Ribble which would have provided states the option to increase truck weight limits on federal interstates.

This was a disappointing outcome for ASA and soybean farmers, and a missed opportunity for Congress to improve transportation efficiency and the competitiveness of U.S. farmers and businesses. The House similarly rejected, 185-240, an amendment offered by Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) that would have allowed states to let livestock trucks with a gross vehicle weight of up to 95,000 pounds operate on their roads if they obtain a special permit.

The bill will now proceed to a Conference Committee with the Senate, which passed their version of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization in July.