H.R. 6140 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6140 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 1, 2023Mr. Ezell (for himself, Mr. Garamendi, and Mr. Balderson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To facilitate access to swiftly transport goods during a publicly announced state of emergency situation. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Facilitating Access to Swiftly Transport Goods during a Publicly Announced State of Emergency Situation Act or the FAST PASS Act. 2. Study on critical cargo (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall initiate a study to examine— (1) efforts to expedite the movement of critical cargo through ports and marine terminals; and (2) methodologies, practices, and processes for moving such cargo during an event for which an emergency is declared by the President or a Federal agency. (b) Contents In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall examine methodologies, practices, and processes for— (1) identifying critical cargo and expediting the movement of such cargo through the marine terminals and ports; (2) expediting the movement of critical cargo across all modes of transportation after leaving marine terminals and ports; and (3) mitigating the impact on the movement of other cargo that is not critical. (c) Consultation In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with— (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (2) other relevant Federal agencies. (d) Request for information The Secretary shall issue a request for information in the Federal Register seeking public comment on the matters to be considered in the study required under subsection (a). (e) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing— (1) the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a); and (2) recommendations for methodologies, practices, and processes described in such subsection, including recommendations for using data from commercial and government data tracking initiatives to— (A) determine when cargo is critical and needs to be expedited; (B) identify such critical cargo at port and marine terminals; and (C) expedite the movement and distribution of such cargo to end users. (f) Pilot program In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary may establish 1 or more voluntary pilot programs to test the effectiveness of methodologies, practices, and processes for expediting the movement of critical cargo through ports and marine terminals.