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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 6, 2023 03:16 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kyle J. Mullins |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Truck Driver Shortage Resolution |
| Across Pennsylvania and our nation there is a significant shortage of qualified truck drivers – nearly 78,000 according to the American Trucking Association. As such, I will be introducing a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pursue legislative remedies to allow individuals under the age of 21 with a Commercial Drivers' License (CDL) to participate in interstate commerce activities. The shortage of drivers is expected to increase with the need for new drivers rising to 1.2 million drivers over the next decade. To ensure Pennsylvania’s economic security and supply chain efficiency, we must expand the pool of qualified drivers. To date, 49 states, including Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C., allow under-21 CDL holders to operate Commercial Motor vehicles in intrastate commerce. Current Federal regulations require CDL drivers to be at least 21 years old to operate in interstate commerce. In other words, an under-21 Pennsylvania truck driver is currently permitted to pick up a shipping container at the Port of Philadelphia and haul it 300 miles across the state to Pittsburgh, yet the same driver is prohibited from transporting the same freight on the eight mile journey across the Delaware River to the East Camden Rail Yard. Allowing CDL drivers under the age of 21 to participate in interstate commerce will significantly broaden the pool of qualified drivers to address the current shortage while mitigating the future need for CDL drivers. Not only will this benefit the Commonwealth, but it will also benefit the CDL drivers who will have earlier access to career opportunities enabling them to establish themselves in the industry and find family-sustaining jobs. Please join me in urging the U.S. Congress to pursue legislative remedies to allow individuals under the age of 21 with a CDL to participate in interstate commerce activities. |
Introduced as HR322