David Bonelli

David is a senior attorney and Congressional affairs liaison in the Office of Chief Counsel at NHTSA. His primary duties include managing requests from U.S. House and Senate members and Committees regarding proposed vehicle and behavioral safety legislation. David assists in developing Administration policies, testimony, hearing materials, and Congressional briefings for autonomous vehicles and other transportation safety issues. He drafted proposed NHTSA and DOT legislation and amendments for the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
David served as a detailee to the U.S Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. He worked with staff and members to draft and negotiate the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act during the committee, Senate floor, and House and Senate conference process. David also developed the implementing regulations for the “Cash for Clunkers” program. He drafted the eligibility, registration, insurance, trade-in and appeal process provisions.
David graduated summa cum laude, first in his law school class in 2004 from Hamline University School of Law. He has a B.A., English and Psychology from Georgetown University (1997). He joined the agency through the Department of Transportation Honors Attorney Program in 2004. David lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Anna and his two children.