Va. Lawmakers Reach Tentative Deal on Transportation Funding
Virginia House and Senate negotiators agreed to a compromise transportation plan Wednesday that would eliminate the per-gallon tax on diesel and gasoline, replacing both with wholesale taxes paid by fuel distributors, the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch reported.
Lautenberg Won’t Seek Re-Election in 2014
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), a longtime advocate of transportation safety and infrastructure, will not seek reelection in 2014, he announced Thursday.
DOT Seeking Nominations for Freight Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday it is seeking nominations for a committee to advise leaders about freight policies aimed at improving the national freight transportation system.
CVSA Asks for Delay of Hours-of-Service Changes
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to delay implementing scheduled changes to the hours-of-service rules for truck drivers until three months after a pending legal challenge is resolved.
FMCSA Waives Hearing Standard for 40 Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has waived the federal hearing standard for 40 deaf or hard-of-hearing people who want to get commercial driver licenses, the agency said Friday.
Supreme Court Agrees to Hear ATA Appeal in L.A. Port Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from American Trucking Associations in ATA’s lawsuit over what it calls “burdensome” requirements the Port of Los Angeles has put on fleets serving the port, the court said.
Michigan Approves Anti-Indemnification Law
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has approved a law that prevents trucking companies from being held responsible for accidents, negligence or other damage that is a shipper’s fault.
Congress Kicks off Session
The 113th session of the U.S. Congress started at noon Thursday, with party dynamics staying unchanged from the last session, and some new leadership in transportation-related committees.
Google Hires NHTSA’s Deputy Administrator
Ron Medford, a top highway safety regulator in the federal government, has been hired by Google Inc. to help it develop self-driving cars.
FMCSA to Hold Listening Session on Driver Training Rule
Federal regulators will hold a listening session next month to gather input on their efforts to require training for entry-level commercial drivers.