Government

About Government News...

Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.

Special Coverage, Government, Business

PrePass Plus Expands to Include All Fleets

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — PrePass Plus has been expanded to include all fleets, the service’s nonprofit partner Help Inc., announced March 29. The firm formally issued its announcement at the Mid-America Trucking Show here.

April 2, 2016
Government, Business

OOIDA Files Documents with Appeals Court to Support Request for Review of ELD Rule

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has told an appeals court that a federal mandate requiring electronic logging devices on commercial vehicles “does not advance safety, is arbitrary and capricious and violates Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.”

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 1, 2016
Government

FDA Sanitary Food Transportation Rule to Soon Become Public

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on April 1 said it has submitted its final sanitary transportation rule for publication in the Federal Register, but it could take several days to process before the rule is available to the public.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 1, 2016
Government, Business

PrePass Expands Toll Bypass Program

PrePass' weigh station bypass technology is being expanded to become available to fleets of all sizes.

April 1, 2016
Special Coverage, Government, Business

FMCSA's Darling Returns to MATS to Hear From Drivers, Vendors

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The country’s top trucking regulator joined the opening day crowds at the Mid-America Trucking Show here on March 31 because he said he wanted to hear from drivers and vendors.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
March 31, 2016
Government, Fuel, Business

Missouri Senate Gives Initial Nod to Fuel-Tax Increase

Missouri’s Senate gave preliminary approval on March 30 to a fuel-tax hike of 5.9 cents per gallon on both diesel and gasoline. The first-round voice vote still must have a final reading in the Senate before moving on to the House, where Transportation Committee Chairman Glen Kolkmeyer is its leading proponent.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
March 31, 2016
Government

Kentucky Senate Passes P3 Bill

Kentucky’s Senate has followed its House in passing a bill that would permit public-private partnerships, including those for transportation projects. The 29-9 vote in the Senate on March 24 followed an 83-11 vote by the House on Feb. 11.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
March 31, 2016
Government

R.I. Legislators Question RhodeWorks' Constitutionality

Several Rhode Island Republican state legislators are trying to slow Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo’s RhodeWorks law from going into effect by questioning the constitutionality of its truck-only tolls and by requesting documentation of her Department of Transportation’s contract with outside counsel, which has cost taxpayers $450,000.

David Elfin | Staff Reporter
March 30, 2016
Government

Ohio DOT to Tackle $2.1 Billion Worth of Highway and Bridge Projects This Year

Ohio will work on nearly $2.1 billion worth of new and ongoing road and bridge projects this year.

Rick Armon | Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal
March 30, 2016
Government, Business

Lockheed Wins $480 Million Order for 12 Freight-Hauling Airships

Lockheed Martin Corp. won an order for as many as 12 airships worth $480 million as lower crude receipts spur cost-conscious oil and gas companies to consider aircraft able to carry workers and cargo to remote locations without the need for hefty investment in runways and roads.

Benjamin D Katz | Bloomberg News
March 30, 2016