IB 
Union Calendar No. 87 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1773 
[Report No. 110–147] 
To limit the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to grant authority 
to motor carriers domiciled in Mexico to operate beyond United States 
municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 29, 2007 
Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas (for herself, Mr. DEFAZIO, and Mr. OBERSTAR) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure 
MAY 14, 2007 
Additional sponsors: Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. WILSON of Ohio, 
Mr. LANTOS, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Ms. HERSETH
SANDLIN, Mr. 
CARNAHAN, Mr. FERGUSON, Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee, Mrs. 
EMERSON, Mrs. MILLER of Michigan, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. LOBIONDO, 
Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. HOEKSTRA, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. 
ALTMIRE, Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. SKELTON, 
Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky, Mr. SHULER, Mr. CARNEY, Mr. KAGEN, Ms. 
CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. BAIRD, Mr. COSTELLO, 
Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. LATOURETTE, Mr. MITCHELL, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. 
HIGGINS, Mr. MURTHA, Mr. WALZ of Minnesota, Mr. ARCURI, Mr. PAT-
RICK MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. HARE, 
Mr. POE, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. MOLLOHAN, Mr. MOORE of 
Kansas, Mr. ELLSWORTH, Mr. ROSS, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. BERRY, Mr. 
JOHNSON of Georgia, and Mr. ROSKAM 
MAY 14, 2007 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 29, 2007] 
A BILL 
To limit the authority of the Secretary of Transportation 
to grant authority to motor carriers domiciled in Mexico 
to operate beyond United States municipalities and com-
mercial zones on the United States-Mexico border. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Safe American Roads 
Act of 2007’’. 
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON GRANTING AUTHORITY. 
The Secretary of Transportation may not grant au-
thority to a motor carrier domiciled in Mexico to operate 
beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones 
on the United States-Mexico border, except under the pilot 
program authorized by this Act. 
SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
may carry out, in accordance with section 350 of Public 
Law 107–87, section 31315(c) of title 49, United States 
Code, all Federal motor carrier safety laws and regulations, 
and this Act, a pilot program that grants authority to not 
more than 100 motor carriers domiciled in Mexico to oper-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
ate beyond United States municipalities and commercial 
zones on the United States-Mexico border. 
(b) LIMITATION ON COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES 
PARTICIPATING IN PILOT PROGRAM.—The number of com-
mercial motor vehicles owned or leased by motor carriers 
domiciled in Mexico which may be used to participate in 
the pilot program shall not exceed 1,000. 
(c) PILOT PROGRAM PREREQUISITES.—The Secretary 
may not initiate the pilot program under subsection (a) 
until— 
(1) the Inspector General of the Department of 
Transportation submits to Congress and the Secretary 
a report— 
(A) independently verifying that the De-
partment is in compliance with each of the re-
quirements of subsections (a) and (b) of section 
350 of Public Law 107–87; and 
(B) including a determination of whether 
the Department has established sufficient mecha-
nisms— 
(i) to apply Federal motor carrier safe-
ty laws and regulations to motor carriers 
domiciled in Mexico; and 
(ii) to ensure compliance with such 
laws and regulations by motor carriers 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
domiciled in Mexico who will be granted 
authority to operate beyond United States 
municipalities and commercial zones on the 
United States-Mexico border; 
(2) the Secretary of Transportation— 
(A) takes such action as may be necessary 
to address any issues raised in the report of the 
Inspector General under paragraph (1); and 
(B) submits to Congress a detailed report 
describing such actions; 
(3) the Secretary determines that there is a pro-
gram in effect for motor carriers domiciled in the 
United States to be granted authority to begin oper-
ations in Mexico beyond commercial zones on the 
United States-Mexico border; 
(4) the Secretary publishes in the Federal Reg-
ister and provides sufficient opportunity for public 
comment on the following: 
(A) a detailed description of the pilot pro-
gram and the amount of funds the Secretary will 
need to expend to carry out the pilot program; 
(B) the findings of each pre-authorization 
safety audit conducted, before the date of enact-
ment of this Act, by inspectors of the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration of motor 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
carriers domiciled in Mexico and seeking to par-
ticipate in the pilot program; 
(C) a process by which the Secretary will be 
able to revoke Mexico-domiciled motor carrier op-
erating authority under the pilot program; 
(D) specific measures to be required by the 
Secretary to protect the health and safety of the 
public, including enforcement measures and pen-
alties for noncompliance; 
(E) specific measures to be required by the 
Secretary to enforce the requirements of section 
391.11(b)(2) of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act; 
(F) specific standards to be used to evaluate 
the pilot program and compare any change in 
the level of motor carrier safety as a result of the 
pilot program; 
(G) penalties to be levied against carriers 
who, under the pilot program, violate section 
365.501(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act; 
(H) a list of Federal motor carrier safety 
laws and regulations for which the Secretary 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
will accept compliance with a Mexican law or 
regulation as the equivalent to compliance with 
a corresponding Federal motor carrier safety law 
or regulation, including commercial driver’s li-
cense requirements; and 
(I) for any law or regulation referred to in 
subparagraph (H) for which compliance with a 
Mexican law or regulation will be accepted, an 
analysis of how the requirements of the Mexican 
and United States laws and regulations differ; 
and 
(5) the Secretary establishes an independent re-
view panel under section 4 to monitor and evaluate 
the pilot program. 
SEC. 4. INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PANEL.—The Secretary of 
Transportation shall establish an independent review panel 
to monitor and evaluate the pilot program under section 
3. The panel shall be composed of 3 individuals appointed 
by the Secretary. 
(b) DUTIES.— 
(1) EVALUATION.—The independent review panel 
shall— 
(A) evaluate any effects that the pilot pro-
gram has on motor carrier safety, including an 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
analysis of any crashes involving motor carriers 
participating in the pilot program and a deter-
mination of whether the pilot program has had 
an adverse effect on motor carrier safety; and 
(B) make, in writing, recommendations to 
the Secretary. 
(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—If the independent re-
view panel determines that the pilot program has had 
an adverse effect on motor carrier safety, the panel 
shall recommend, in writing, to the Secretary— 
(A) such modifications to the pilot program 
as the panel determines are necessary to address 
such adverse effect; or 
(B) termination of the pilot program. 
(c) RESPONSE.—Not later than 5 days after the date 
of a written determination of the independent review panel 
that the pilot program has had an adverse effect on motor 
carrier safety, the Secretary shall take such action as may 
be necessary to address such adverse effect or terminate the 
pilot program. 
SEC. 5. INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Inspector General of the De-
partment of Transportation— 
(1) shall monitor and review the pilot program; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
(2) not later than 12 months after the date of 
initiation of the pilot program, shall submit to Con-
gress and the Secretary of Transportation a 12-month 
interim report on the Inspector General’s findings re-
garding the pilot program; and 
(3) not later than 18 months after the date of 
initiation of the pilot program, shall submit to Con-
gress and the Secretary an 18-month interim report 
with the Inspector General’s findings regarding the 
pilot program. 
(b) SAFETY DETERMINATIONS.—The interim reports 
submitted under subsection (a) shall include the determina-
tion of the Inspector General of— 
(1) whether the Secretary has established suffi-
cient mechanisms to determine whether the pilot pro-
gram is having any adverse effects on motor carrier 
safety; 
(2) whether the Secretary is taking sufficient ac-
tion to ensure that motor carriers domiciled in Mex-
ico and participating in the pilot program are in 
compliance with all Federal motor carrier safety laws 
and regulations and section 350 of Public Law 107– 
87; and 
(3) the sufficiency of monitoring and enforce-
ment activities by the Secretary and States to ensure 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
compliance with such laws and regulations by such 
carriers. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date of submission of the 18-month interim report 
of the Inspector General under this section, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on— 
(1) the actions the Secretary is taking to address 
any motor carrier safety issues raised in one or both 
of the interim reports of the Inspector General; 
(2) evaluation of the Secretary whether granting 
authority to additional motor carriers domiciled in 
Mexico to operate beyond United States municipali-
ties and commercial zones on the United States-Mex-
ico border would have any adverse effects on motor 
carrier safety; 
(3) modifications to Federal motor carrier safety 
laws and regulations or special procedures that the 
Secretary determines are necessary to enhance the 
safety of operations of motor carriers domiciled in 
Mexico in the United States; and 
(4) any recommendations for legislation to make 
the pilot program permanent or to expand operations 
of motor carriers domiciled in Mexico in the United 
States beyond municipalities and commercial zones 
on the United States-Mexico border. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
SEC. 6. DURATION OF PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
may carry out the pilot program under this Act for a period 
not to exceed 3 years; except that, if the Secretary does not 
comply with any provision of this Act, the authority of the 
Secretary to carry out the pilot program terminates. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the 
last day of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a final report on the pilot program. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 87 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 1773 
[Report No. 110–147] 
A BILL 
To limit the authority of the Secretary of Transpor-
tation to grant authority to motor carriers domi-
ciled in Mexico to operate beyond United States 
municipalities and commercial zones on the 
United States-Mexico border. 
MAY 14, 2007 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
20:50 May 14, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6651
Sfmt 6651
E:\BILLS\H1773.RH
H1773
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with BILLS