Fuel Surcharge Mandate To Get Hearing on Hill

May 30, 2000 2:15 PM, EDT

A proposal that would require fuel surcharges to benefit independent truckers will get a June 8 hearing on Capitol Hill.

If it becomes law, the mandate would force carriers and shippers to turn the surcharges over to the independents. It would go into effect when “diesel fuel prices are the subject of sudden and exorbitant increases,” according to the language of the legislation.

Rep. Nick Rahall II (D-W.Va.) introduced the Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act of 2000 on May 11 to keep the “small businessman” from going out of business, said Jim Zoia, spokesman for the congressman.

Existing transportation contracts or agreements that already contain fuel surcharges would not be affected.

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