Safety Agencies Seek to Increase Budgets to Hire Inspectors for Oil Transport
The three agencies that oversee truck, railroad and pipeline safety are asking to hire more inspectors to address concerns generated by the nation’s energy boom.
ATA Again Calls on FMCSA to Stop Posting Crash Info on Carriers
It is illogical and a poor use of scarce enforcement resources to label carriers as unsafe based on crashes they didn’t cause, American Trucking Associations said in comments filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Kentucky Acts at Last Minute to Stem Plunge in Fuel Tax Revenues
Kentucky lawmakers agreed just hours before adjourning March 24 to halt the precipitous decline in fuel tax revenues that has cost the state millions of dollars in road funding.
Sen. Deb Fischer Criticizes FMCSA’s Approach to Rulemaking on 34-Hour Restart
If the federal government had taken a performance-based rather than a prescriptive approach to its 34-hour restart rule, the regulation might have enhanced safety rather than adversely affected trucking operations, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) said at a hearing this week.
Scott Darling Will Continue to Run FMCSA But Not in Acting Capacity
Transportation SecretaryAnthony Foxx has announced that Scott Darling will continue to run the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, although without the title of acting administrator.
Barletta Bill Would Stop FMCSA From Posting Safety Scores Pending Study
Rep. Lou Barletta ( R-Pa.) has reintroduced a bill that would keep the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from making public truck and bus operator safety scores until the agency redesigns its measurement system.
Bills Introduced to Allow Hair Testing to Replace Urinalysis for Drug Use
Long-sought legislation among many in the trucking and safety communities to allow carriers to use hair testing in place of urinalysis to detect drug use in drivers was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate March 19.
House Bill Would Create Freight Trust Fund Supported by Waybill Fee
Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill to create a freight transportation infrastructure trust fund supported by a 1% waybill fee on the cost of moving goods.
Senators Seek Permitting Reforms For Rail Projects
Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) have introduced the Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network (TRAIN) Act, which they said would streamline the environmental permitting process for rail projects.
State Officials Plead for Continued Federal Role in Transportation
WASHINGTON — State and local officials made the case before a House panel for federal transportation funding and against any notion the states alone can maintain the nation’s road and transit system.