Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act
Click any stage to learn more about the legislative process.
Would expand the Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking by one seat, requiring that the new slot be filled by a representative from state departments of transportation.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill as reported would amend the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act (Public Law 115-99) to increase the maximum number of external stakeholder members on the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking from 15 to 16. The additional seat would be specifically designated for a representative from state departments of transportation, which are not currently required to be represented. The Secretary of Transportation would have 9 months from enactment to make that appointment.
Note: An earlier introduced version of the bill would also have expanded grant eligibility under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the RAISE (Local and Regional Project Assistance) program to fund human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops and welcome centers along the Interstate Highway System — but that provision was removed by the Senate Commerce Committee before the bill was reported. The reported text covers only the advisory committee change.
Key provisions
- 1Would increase the maximum number of external stakeholder members on the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking from 15 to 16.
- 2Would add state departments of transportation as a required membership category on the advisory committee.
- 3Would require the Secretary of Transportation to appoint the new state DOT representative within 9 months of enactment.
Who would be affected
The DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking and state departments of transportation, which would gain a formally required seat on the committee. The change is limited in scope: it affects only the committee's composition, not any broader set of agencies, grant recipients, or the public directly.
Why it matters
State transportation agencies would gain a guaranteed seat on the federal advisory body that shapes DOT recommendations and policy on combating human trafficking in transportation. Without a required state DOT slot, state-level transportation perspectives on trafficking prevention could be absent from the committee's deliberations.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act (Public Law 115-99) (Sec. 2)
Raises the committee's external stakeholder cap from 15 to 16 and adds state departments of transportation as a required membership category.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Deadline for Secretary to appoint the new state DOT committee representative
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates S. 1442 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2026–2030 period, with no effect on direct spending, revenues, or the deficit.
CBO estimates that implementing S. 1442, the Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act, would cost less than $500,000 over the 2026–2030 period; that spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds (discretionary spending approved annually by Congress) and is not estimated beyond 2030. The bill would have no effect on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues, and would not increase the deficit in any period. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
How implementation would work
The Secretary of Transportation would be required to appoint a representative from state departments of transportation to the Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking within 9 months of enactment. No rulemaking, grant cycles, or additional reporting requirements are imposed by the reported bill text. The appointment deadline is the sole implementation mechanism.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 184.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
This bill allows specific Department of Transportation (DOT) grants to be used for the installation of human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops and expands the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking.
Specifically, grants for projects under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program may be used for a project to procure and install human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops and welcome centers along the Interstate Highway System. The Local and Regional Project Assistance Program is also known as Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE). RAISE grants support multimodal projects for state, local, and tribal governments.
In addition, the bill expands the membership for the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking to not more than 16 external stakeholder members (from 15) and requires the committee to include a representative from state departments of transportation. Current membership on the committee must include representatives from trafficking advocacy organizations; law enforcement; and trucking, bus, rail, aviation, maritime, and port sectors.
Legislative subjects
Advisory bodies; Crime prevention; Human trafficking; Roads and highways; State and local government operations; Transportation and Public Works
Committee report
S. Rept. 119-75