H.R. 2948 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2948 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 27, 2023Mr. Gooden of Texas (for himself, Mr. Mast, and Mr. Bean of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the operation of certain specialized hauling vehicles on the Interstate System, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Carrying Automobiles Responsibly and Safely Act or the CARS Act. 2. Operation of certain specialized hauling vehicles on Interstate Section 127 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (x) Operation of certain specialized hauling vehicles on the Interstate (1) In general A State may not prohibit the operation of a stinger-steered combination automobile transporter with a gross weight of 88,000 pounds or less on— (A) any segment of the Interstate System (except a system exempted under section 31111(f) of title 49); or (B) the classes of qualifying Federal-aid primary highways designated by the Secretary under section 31111(e) of title 49. (2) Reasonable access No State may enact or enforce a law denying reasonable access to stinger-steered combination automobile transporters, to and from highways described in paragraph (1), to loading or unloading points or facilities for food, fuel, repair, and rest. (3) Axle weight tolerance A State shall allow a stinger-steered combination automobile transporter an increase of not more than 10 percent on the axle weight limitations set forth in subsection (a). (4) Stinger-steered combination automobile transporter defined In this subsection, the term stinger-steered combination automobile transporter means a truck tractor semitrailer wherein the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rear-most axle of the power unit. .