BILL ANALYSIS
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CONSENT
Bill No: SJR 33
Author: Lowenthal (D), et al
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 8-0, 6/29/10
AYES: Lowenthal, Huff, DeSaulnier, Harman, Kehoe, Pavley,
Simitian, Wolk
NO VOTE RECORDED: Ashburn
SUBJECT : National freight policy
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution requests that the Congress of
the United States adopt a national freight policy as part
of the next federal transportation bill.
ANALYSIS : The United States Constitution assigns the
right to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among
the states to the federal government.
The most recent federal transportation bill, which is known
as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Transportation Equity
Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), establishes federal
transportation policy, its funding. SAFETEA-LU authorized
research and demonstration projects to investigate various
transportation funding mechanisms. SAFETEA-LU did not,
however, articulate a national freight policy nor have any
of the preceding transportation bills.
CONTINUED
SJR 33
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Enacted in 2005, SAFETEA-LU was originally due to expire on
September 30th of last year. The Congress and the
President extended SAFETEA-LU several times, most recently
until December 31, 2010, in order to provide time to
develop a successor transportation bill.
This resolution requests that the Congress of the United
States adopt a national freight policy as part of the next
federal transportation bill and direct the United States
Department of Transportation to implement its provisions.
Comments
Purpose of the resolution . The author introduced this
resolution to support the creation of a national freight
policy. He argues that such a policy would provide a
federal basis for investment in trade-facilitating
infrastructure development, promoting public and private
participation in trade infrastructure, achieving
significant air quality benefits, and establishing a
platform for the equitable distribution of federal funds
such that California and its local transportation partners
would receive their fair share of those revenues.
Supporters note that while California's airports, border
crossings, and seaports are critical national assets that
facilitate massive amounts of international commerce, the
federal government lacks a coordinated plan to invest in
these assets. The lack of a national freight policy hurts
West Coast trade, as states here will continue to bear the
costs of both facilitating trade growth and reducing
environmental impacts. The adoption of a national freight
policy, as this resolution requests, would create a uniform
federal interest in improving the flow of cargo through
California's airports, seaports, and land ports of entry.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 6/30/10)
California Trade Coalition
Pacific Merchant Shipping Association
Port of Oakland
SJR 33
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JJA:mw 7/2/10 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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