FAST PASS Act

The FAST PASS Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to study and potentially pilot methods for speeding up the movement of critical cargo through ports and marine terminals during declared emergencies, while protecting port labor agreements and jobs.

Sec. 2, Study on critical cargo: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Transportation must start a study on how to expedite critical cargo movement through ports and marine terminals during a declared emergency. The study will look at identifying critical cargo, speeding its movement across all transportation modes after leaving ports, and reducing impacts on non-critical cargo. The Secretary must consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies, issue a public request for information, and submit a report with findings and recommendations to Congress within two years.

Sec. 3, Pilot program: While conducting the study, the Secretary may set up one or more voluntary pilot programs to test methods for expediting critical cargo movement through ports. However, the Secretary can only do so if the program does not allow purchase of fully automated cargo handling equipment that is remotely operated or monitored without human intervention, and does not cause a net loss of jobs at a port or terminal.

Sec. 4, Savings clause: Nothing in this Act overrides or interferes with any port labor agreements.