Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 2979
116th Congress(2019-2020)
Preventing Opioid and Drug Impairment in Transportation Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Dec 4, 2019
Overview
Text
Introduced
Dec 4, 2019
Latest Action
Dec 15, 2020
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
2979
Congress
116
Policy Area
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation and Public Works
Primary focus of measure is all aspects of transportation modes and conveyances, including funding and safety matters; Coast Guard; infrastructure development; travel and tourism. Measures concerning water resources and navigation projects may fall under Water Resources Development policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Mississippi
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Preventing Opioid and Drug Impairment in Transportation Act

This bill addresses drug and alcohol testing for transportation-related activities.

Specifically, the bill requires

  • the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to report on methods it uses to ensure supervisors of employees in safety-sensitive positions receive the required training on how to detect drug and alcohol use;
  • the Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine whether to mandate that Amtrak locomotive engineers and conductors report arrests due to drug or alcohol offenses;
  • DOT to report on the ability of pipeline companies that operate from Canada or Mexico into the United States to conduct the same drug and alcohol tests of safety-sensitive personnel that are required in the United States;
  • DOT to amend its auditing program to improve the efficiency of certain drug and alcohol regulations related to testing contractors working in multiple states;
  • the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study the ways it can reduce and better detect impaired driving, including marijuana- and opioid-impaired driving;
  • DOT to conduct a study regarding the accuracy of on-site oral fluid screening for tetrahydrocannabinol and opiate presence in order to reduce the potential impact on traffic safety due to drug and polysubstance-impaired drivers;
  • the Government Accountability Office to review DOT's process for setting guidelines and drug testing requirements for transportation employees; and
  • reports on whether to add fentanyl to the drug testing panel and the status of the guidelines for hair testing of transportation employees.
Text (2)
December 15, 2020
December 4, 2019
Actions (5)
12/15/2020
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 634.
12/15/2020
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-328.
12/11/2019
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
12/04/2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
12/04/2019
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:43:52 PM