Section 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”.
Facilitating Access to Swiftly Transport Goods during a Publicly Announced State of Emergency Situation Act
A BILL
To facilitate access to swiftly transport goods during a publicly announced state of emergency situation.
Sec. 2 Study on critical cargo
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—
efforts to expedite the movement of critical cargo through ports and marine terminals; and
methodologies, practices, and processes for moving such cargo during an event for which an emergency is declared by the President or a Federal agency.
Contents— In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall examine methodologies, practices, and processes for—
identifying critical cargo and expediting the movement of such cargo through the marine terminals and ports;
expediting the movement of critical cargo across all modes of transportation after leaving marine terminals and ports; and
mitigating the impact on the movement of other cargo that is not critical.
Consultation— In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with—
the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and
other relevant Federal agencies.
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).
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—
the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a); and
recommendations for methodologies, practices, and processes described in such subsection, including recommendations for using data from commercial and government data tracking initiatives to—
determine when cargo is critical and needs to be expedited;
identify such critical cargo at port and marine terminals; and
expedite the movement and distribution of such cargo to end users.
Sec. 3 Pilot program
Voluntary pilot programs— In conducting the study required under section 2, 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.
Limitations— The Secretary may only establish a pilot program under subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the pilot program does not—
allow for the purchase of any fully automated cargo handling equipment that is remotely operated or remotely monitored with or without the exercise of human intervention or control; or
result in a net loss of jobs within a port or port terminal.
Sec. 4 Savings clause
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to interfere with or supersede any port labor agreements.