GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. — The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is happy that the mandatory fuel surcharge legislation was brought back.

Congressman Nick Rahall of West Virginia and Congressman Roy Blunt of Missouri were the ones to bring the legislation, which will create a mandatory fuel surcharge program for the trucking industry, back. It’s there to help carriers and small business truckers fight the effects of sudden fuel increases. It’s called The Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act of 2001, HR2161.

HR2161 would make it mandatory that motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders add a proper fuel surcharge to cover the increased cost of fuel over $1.10 per gallon. It will also make sure the party paying for the transportation service pays the surcharge and that it is passed through in full to the party who pays for the fuel.

“Even though the fuel prices have been moderating to some extent as of late, it is important to recognize that the slightest supply disruption could send prices soaring again. With a mandatory fuel surcharge, high fuel prices will have less of an impact and recovery will be quicker for owner-operators,” says Jim Johnston, president of OOIDA.