BUILD America 250 Act: Three Motor Carrier Provisions You Need to Know

Key Details The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released the BUILD America 250 Act on May 17, a bipartisan five-year surface transportation bill that must pass Congress before current law expires September 30. While headlines focus on $50 billion in bridge investments and autonomous truck frameworks, the real operational changes for carriers and brokers are buried in Title V, the motor carrier section. Why It Matters Three provisions deserve immediate attention: broker qualifications, DataQs reform, and hair testing. None take effect immediately, but all fundamentally change how you operate and manage compliance risk. DataQs Changes Section 5203 addresses two critical issues that directly impact your safety record and insurance costs. First, contested violations must now be labeled as disputed in the Motor Carrier Management Information System and related databases like Pre-Employment Screening Program and Safety Measurement System, keeping the violation visible but flagged as under challenge. Second, appeals of DataQs decisions must be reviewed by someone other than the original violation issuer. The Bottom Line These changes matter because your crash record and CSA scores directly influence insurance pricing and renewal decisions. Currently, violations remain visible in your profile during disputes with no indication they're being challenged. The new bill doesn't guarantee you'll win disputes, but it ensures transparency and neutral review, protecting your insurability while fighting violations.