PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 27, 2023
Carrying Automobiles Responsibly and Safely Act or the CARS Act
This bill allows for the operation on the Interstate System of certain automobile transporters with a gross vehicle weight that is 10% above the current weight limit.
Specifically, the bill prohibits a state from barring the operation of a stinger-steered combination automobile transporter with a gross weight of 88,000 pounds or less on the Interstate System or specific federal-aid highways. The current weight limit is 80,000 pounds. A stinger-steered combination automobile transporter is a truck tractor semitrailer wherein the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rear-most axle of the power unit.
Further, a state is prohibited from enacting or enforcing a law that denies these automobile transporters reasonable access from highways to loading or unloading points or facilities for food, fuel, repair, and rest.
People & committees
Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5] · R–TX
Legislative record
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Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 789.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-937.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-937.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 29.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Discharged
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Nov 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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