Sec. 354 — Establishment of national security registry for motor carriers handling Department of Defense freight

Statutory text

(a) In general. Subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 139 the following:140Secure Defense Freight Carrier Registry14001.Definition of registryIn this chapter, the term registry means the Secure Defense Freight Carrier Registry established under section 14002.14002.Establishment of registryNot later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this chapter, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish and maintain a registry, to be known as the Secure Defense Freight Carrier Registry, of motor carriers approved to transport freight for the Department of Defense.14003.Eligibility and approval

(a) Eligibility requirements. To be included in the registry, a motor carrier shall—(1)hold valid operating authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration;(2)meet all applicable Department of Defense carrier qualification standards;(3)undergo enhanced national security vetting, including—(A)screening for ownership, control, or significant business relationships with—(i)an entity identified on the list maintained by the Department of Defense under section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (10 U.S.C. 113 note; Public Law 116—283); or(ii)any other foreign adversary entity designated by the Secretary of Defense; and(B)verification that drivers and personnel with access to Department of Defense freight meet security standards comparable to those required under Transportation Worker Identification Credential programs or other relevant Federal security programs; and(4)submit to periodic revetting not less frequently than once every 2 years.

(b) Application and approval process

(1) In general. The Secretary shall establish a streamlined application process for inclusion on the registry.

(2) Requirement. The process established under paragraph (1) shall include coordination with existing Department of Defense carrier approval systems.14004.Use of registry

(a) Prohibition. Subject to subsection (b), beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of this chapter, a motor carrier may not bid on or perform a Department of Defense freight transportation contract unless the motor carrier is included in the registry.

(b) Waivers. The Secretary of Defense may grant waivers from the prohibition under subsection (a) for exigent circumstances..

(b) Clerical amendment. The analysis for subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 139 the following:.