The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is campaigning once again for federal fuel surcharge legislation, but this time with a twist.
Unlike past proposals, such as the one included in the transportation funding bill passed this year by the U.S. House of Representatives, this legislation would not make fuel surcharges mandatory.
This approach removes a charge made by opponents of past fuel surcharge bills, which is that the legislation would re-regulate the industry, said Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive vice president.
“The re-regulation argument is gone,” Spencer said. “It’s now an accountability issue, a fairness issue.”
The Fairness in Trucking Transactions Act would require that if a surcharge is assessed by the carrier and paid by the shipper, then it is passed in its entirety to the fuel buyer. It also would require an accounting of shippers’ fees to all parties involved in the transaction.
OOIDA hopes to interest members of Congress in the bill once they go back into session today, Oct. 17.
