119-HR-2424 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 2424 Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2025
A bipartisan House bill would end the 12% federal excise tax on new heavy trucks and trailers to lower upfront costs and speed the move to newer, cleaner, safer rigs; supporters say it modernizes fleets and helps zero‑emission adoption, while opponents worry it would cut Highway Trust Fund revenue without a clear replacement; as of April 30, 2026, it sits in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Headline Summary
End the 12% federal excise tax on new heavy trucks and trailers to make modern, cleaner, and safer equipment more affordable.
What It Does
H.R. 2424, the “Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2025,” would repeal the federal 12% retail excise tax on new heavy-duty trucks, tractors, and trailers. The bill’s stated aim is to lower the purchase price of new vehicles so fleets and owner‑operators replace older rigs sooner, improving fuel economy, safety, and emissions. If enacted, the repeal would apply to sales and installations on or after March 27, 2025 (the date the bill was introduced).
Who’s For It
- Sponsors from both parties: originally introduced by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R‑CA) with Reps. Chris Pappas (D‑NH), Darin LaHood (R‑IL), Salud Carbajal (D‑CA), and Max Miller (R‑OH). On April 30, 2026, the House agreed to consider Rep. LaHood the first sponsor for adding cosponsors and reprints.
- Supporters’ reasons (as stated in the bill’s findings): the 12% tax is unusually high and raises the price of cleaner, safer trucks; removing it could accelerate turnover of older vehicles, cut fuel use and emissions, and help higher‑cost electric and alternative‑fuel trucks compete.
Who’s Against It
- Lawmakers and transportation‑funding advocates concerned about the Highway Trust Fund: repealing the tax would remove a revenue source; the bill itself says Congress should consider a more reliable replacement mechanism.
- Budget watchdogs who may oppose retroactive application (back to March 27, 2025), which could increase near‑term revenue loss.
- Some environmental and fiscal skeptics who may argue that, without a clear replacement revenue plan or targeted incentives, repeal could broadly subsidize all new trucks (including diesel) rather than prioritizing the cleanest options.
What’s Next
- Current status (as of April 30, 2026): Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means; administrative change designates Rep. Darin LaHood as first sponsor for cosponsoring/reprint purposes.
- Next steps: the committee could hold hearings and a markup. If approved, it goes to a full House vote; if it passes, the Senate then considers it; after both chambers pass the same text, it would go to the President.
Discussion