Regulatory and Legislative Update - December 2021
December 15, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 through February 28. For the latest version and other guidance related to COVID-19 is available at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Note that use of the declaration now requires monthly reporting by carriers. Legislation House passes ocean shipping reform bill House passes Build Back Better Act House bill would federalize major crash lawsuits, criminalize staging of crashes Proposed legislation seeks to relieve supply chain crunch Bills would set the stage for a shared chassis pool in Memphis Regulation and Enforcement Vaccination/testing mandate still on hold pending Sixth Circuit review AAMVA seeks CDL test exemption for three states Advocacy and Comment Legislation House passes ocean shipping reform bill The U.S. House of Representatives on December 8 passed by a 364 to 60 vote legislation (H.R. 4996) that would...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - November 2021
November 16, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 through November 30. For the latest version and other guidance related to COVID-19 is available at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Note that use of the declaration now requires monthly reporting by carriers. Legislation Senate version of infrastructure bill becomes law Senate bill would revise hours-of-service rules, lower CDL age to 18 House bill would pay carriers to assist during port congestion, national emergencies Regulation and Enforcement OSHA issues vaccination/testing mandate for employees of larger companies FMCSA requires annual inspections of rear impact guards MCSAC to resume consideration of supply chain issues, regulation of small vehicles FMCSA allows armored car operation to weld front doors shut Courts Supreme Court seeks Justice Department thoughts on AB 5 case Appeals court throws out federal GHG...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - October 2021
October 7, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents Regulation and Enforcement DOT seeks input on ‘supply chain resilience’ in freight and logistics FMCSA rule to link clearinghouse data to CDL Reporting requirement for FMCSA COVID declaration kicked in October 1 FMCSA renews steel company’s exemptions from HOS and securement rules Oak Harbor Freight Lines seeks exemption on driver training instructors Keep Truckin seeks windshield exemption Legislation Infrastructure bill remains in limbo Senate bill would bar vaccination mandate for interstate passenger travel Courts Supreme Court acts in two cases related to trucking Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement DOT seeks input on ‘supply chain resilience’ in freight and logistics The U.S. Department of Transportation is requesting comments by October 18 on ways to address near-term and future constraints in the transportation sector, especially for ports, rail, and...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - September 2021
September 17, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA seeks feedback on Part 379 records retention requirements FMCSA extends COVID enforcement relief, seeks carrier reports on its use CVSA policy adopted as certification standards for driver/vehicle inspections Comments due September 23 on MRB report regarding alternative vision standard FMCSA plans to renew consumer complaint database FMCSA seeks approval for information collection related to waivers and exemptions Werner seeks exemption for drivers who have passed the CDL skills test Steel company seeks HOS relief for scrap metal haulers Legislation House bill seeks to tighten regulations on ocean shipping Courts California to respond to CTA’s Supreme Court petition next month Advocacy and Comment Legislation FMCSA seeks feedback on Part 379 records retention requirements FMCSA is requesting comments by September 23 on the necessity and...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - August 2021
August 13, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 through August 31. For the latest version and other guidance related to COVID-19 is available at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Legislation Senate passes bipartisan infrastructure bill with motor carrier provisions House passes fiscal 2022 funding for DOT Senate bill would repeal excise tax on trucks and trailers Courts California Trucking Association asks Supreme Court to review AB 5 ruling Regulation and Enforcement EPA eyes further regulation on NOx and greenhouse gases FMCSA deletes ‘on-site’ from definition of a compliance review FMCSA codifies statutory mandate for electronic exchange of CDL driver info Proposes rule would implement HHG working group recommendations FMCSA seeks medical records missing due to registry outage ATA seeks exemption to allow TMC training to establish inspector qualification Bus...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - July 2021
July 13, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 through August 31. The latest version and other guidance related to COVID-19 is available at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Courts Enforcement of AB 5 on trucking is on hold pending Supreme Court action Supreme Court set to decide whether to review broker preemption case Legislation House passes transportation bill in narrow partisan vote Senate panel advances transportation bill with motor carrier provisions Regulation and Enforcement MCSAC to consider supply chains, aging drivers, and regulation of delivery operations CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week set for July 11-17 FMCSA extends compliance date on medical examiner certification provisions FMCSA proposes changes in its regulations on windshield-mounted devices Firm seeks exemption for pulse lighting system Advocacy and Comment Courts Enforcement of AB 5 on...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - June 2021
June 10, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 through August 31. The latest version and other guidance related to COVID-19 is available at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Courts Supreme Court asked to rule on preemption of common law claims against brokers Appeals CTA seeks rehearing of 9th Circuit ruling on AB 5 Legislation Organizations ask Senate to support independent contractor model House panel approves infrastructure bill with numerous motor carrier provisions House carrier section bill would mandate new safety fitness rule Texas legislature enacts reform of CMV crash litigation Regulation and Enforcement DOT seeks public input on data and tools to help assess transportation equity Waste Management seeks brake lighting exemption Advocacy and Comment Courts Supreme Court asked to rule on preemption of common law claims against brokers C.H. Robinson has asked...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - May 2021
May 4, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 through May 31. For the latest version and other guidance related to COVID-19 is available at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Courts Appeals court panel rules that California can enforce AB 5 on motor carriers Legislation Senate Republicans float a smaller infrastructure bill; House plans action in May Texas legislature advances reform of CMV crash litigation Regulation and Enforcement Joshi nominated as FMCSA administrator FMCSA proposes to extend deadline related to medical examiner certification FMCSA’s Medical Review Board to meet May 19-20 Advocacy and Comment Courts Appeals court panel rules that California can enforce AB 5 on motor carriers The State of California may soon be allowed to outlaw motor carriers’ use of leased owner-operators within the state following a key federal appeals court decision. On April...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - April 2021
April 9, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 through May 31. For the latest version and other guidance related to COVID-19 is available at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Regulation and Enforcement DOL proposes to withdraw rule on worker classification DOT rescinds Trump administration’s changes on rulemakings, guidance CVSA to hold enforcement events in May and July Bus operator seeks exemption from full clearinghouse query in hiring Armored car operation seeks exemption to weld front doors shut FMCSA grants windshield exemption to Bendix Legislation West Virginia law allows clear path to independent contractor status Biden infrastructure plan envisions passage of the PRO Act Bills reintroduced to allow 18-year-old interstate drivers under specific conditions House and Senate bills would require underride protection rulemaking House bill would authorize $755...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - March 2021 Addendum
March 13, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents Legislation House passes PRO Act with strict ABC test COVID RELIEF ALERT – New Legislation Could Provide Additional Relief for Small Carriers and Brokers Advocacy and Comment Legislation House passes PRO Act with strict ABC test The U.S. House of Representatives on March 8 passed on a party line 225 to 206 vote legislation that would mandate a federal ABC test for worker classification similar to that in California’s AB 5. The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (H.R. 842) now moves to the Senate. The same legislation passed the House in the 116th Congress but died in the Republican-controlled Senate. Although Democrats technically control the Senate by virtue of Vice President Harris’ tie-breaking vote, H.R. 842 faces an uphill battle owing to the filibuster. Some observers believe that killing the filibuster altogether would be the only path to final passage of the...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - March 2021
March 4, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding COVID-19 through May 31. For the latest version and other guidance related to COVID-19 is available at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Regulation and Enforcement DOL postpones effective date on independent contractor rule DOL withdraws opinions sleeper berth pay, independent contractor status SBA takes steps to improve PPP access for very small businesses FMCSA postpones effective date on rule changing rulemaking procedures Wilson Logistics wins exemption on use of permit-holding drivers Legislation House Democrats reintroduce PRO Act House, Senate bills would establish an advisory board to promote women in trucking House bill would provide HOS relief on perishable agricultural products Open Issues Comment period still open on proposed alternative vision standard Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement DOL postpones...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - February 2021
February 5, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has updated various guidance related to COVID-19, including guidance related to the Center for Disease Control’s order related to use of masks at “transportation hubs.” For the latest, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Regulation and Enforcement President Biden charts new regulatory course; White House freezes rulemaking Buttigieg confirmed as new DOT secretary, FMCSA deputy named DOL withdraws opinion on safety requirements’ impact on worker status FMCSA proposes alternative vision standard to replace exemption program Proposed pilot on split rest dropped from website Final rule on third-party CDL testing likely dead Medical registry problems limit FMCSA’s oversight of driver qualifications, OIG says CVSA schedules International Roadcheck for May 4-6 FMCSA expands MCSAC membership, appoints new driver subcommittee FMCSA proposes changes in HHG broker disclosures Courts...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - January 2021
January 14, 2021 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has modified various guidance related to COVID-19. For the latest, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Regulation and Enforcement DOL finalizes rule to clarify independent contractor status FMCSA proposes to revise HOS guidance on yard moves Final rule announced to allow third-party CDL examiners to test their own trainees FMCSA implements FAST Act requirements on rules and petitions Annual inspections of rear impact guards proposed FMCSA proposes to drop mandate for annual driver reports of traffic violations Railroads win relief from HOS regulations during ‘unplanned events Helicopter firm seeks HOS relief for ground support operators Netradyne receives windshield exemption for safety system Comment period still open on TIA petition Legislation Trucking loses legislative buffer as Democrats control the Senate Applications for the PPP to reopen week of January 11 Advocacy...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - December 2020
December 11, 2020 | Dan Boaz
Contents FMCSA has extended its emergency declaration regarding enforcement relief for drivers and carriers involved in COVID-19 response through February 28, 2021 and has expanded the declaration to specifically include vaccines and related products within the coverage of the declaration. For details, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA declares preemption against Washington’s meal and rest break rules Interim final rule clarifies definition of agricultural commodity FMCSA seeks comments on TIA’s petition on reporting mandate, dispatch services FMCSA considers preemption request regarding Illinois carrier ID requirements Ohio carrier obtains exemption for alternate cargo securement for metal coils Minnesota seeks reconsideration of CDL skills testing decision Grote obtains exemption for pulsating warning lamps FMCSA grants windshield exemption to J.J....
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - November 2020
November 12, 2020 | Dan Boaz
Contents The emergency declaration regarding enforcement relief for drivers and carriers involved in COVID-19 response is in place through December 31. For details, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19. Regulation and Enforcement Coalition urges DOL to affirm that owner-operators are independent contractors FMCSA seeks nominations for Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee Comment period extended until November 18 on broker transparency petitions FMCSA to expand pool for military younger driver program FMCSA rejects ELD, HOS relief for drivers traveling with pets Knight-Swift wins limited exemption from MVR update requirement FMCSA approves tank truck group’s exemption allowing pulsating brake light FMCSA rejects mobile medical operation request for HOS relief Samsara, Nauto granted windshield placement exemptions Election Analysis: A Biden administration likely would pursue tighter safety...
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