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.

Business, Government

TT Archives: Highway Bill Becomes Law

With U.S. lawmakers still grappling with the next iteration of highway funding legislation, the headline in the July 2, 1956 issue of Transport Topics commemorates passage of the first long-term highway bill, allocating $50 billion towards construction of 750,000 miles of interstate highways.

May 18, 2015
Business, Safety, Government

Congress Considers 2-Month Funding Patch

The Senate was expected to consider a House-passed two-month transportation funding extension after Transport Topics went to press last week.

May 18, 2015
Business, Safety, Government

Trust Fund Extensions Pitched; Proposals Clash Over Length

WASHINGTON — The top Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works panel unveiled legislation May 14 that would extend surface transportation authorization into July, even as House GOP leaders say they soon will offer an extension through December.

May 18, 2015
Business, Government, Safety, Technology, Autonomous

Daimler’s Bernhard Wants Governments to Speed Approval of Self-Driving Trucks

Speaking at the Hoover Dam in Nevada just prior to formally introducing the Freightliner Inspiration autonomous-driving truck, Wolfgang Bernhard, head of Daimler’s global truck and bus unit, said “whoever has the regulatory framework in place” will be the first to get autonomous vehicles.

May 18, 2015
Business, Government, Safety

Reefer Manufacturers Seek Delay in Adoption of New EPA Proposal

Manufacturers of refrigerated trailers and trailer refrigeration units are seeking a delay in adoption of a new federal regulation that could have a profound effect on the equipment used by reefer fleets.

May 18, 2015
Business, Government, Safety, Autonomous

ATRI, Minnesota Trucking Assn. Plan Study on Safety Records of Younger Truck Drivers

The American Transportation Research Institute and the Minnesota Trucking Association are joining forces to conduct a pilot project that will compare the records of young drivers with those of more experienced drivers.

May 18, 2015
Business, Safety, Government

Bankruptcy Trustee Sues Carriers, Seeks Millions in Past Payments

The trustee for TransVantage Solutions Inc., a bankrupt freight bill payment firm, is suing more than 500 truckers and other transport companies in a bid to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars by claiming payments made over several years were improper.

May 18, 2015
Government, Business

Panel OKs Road Fund Bill That Includes HOS Provision

WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Committee on May 13 voted to send a fiscal 2016 transportation funding bill to the House floor after defeating an attempt by Democrats to remove a provision that would add new requirements to a study on an hours-of-service rule for truckers.

May 18, 2015
Government, Business

Paul Ryan, Bill Shuster Introduce House GOP Version of Two-Month Highway Fund Extension

The House Rules Committee has scheduled a hearing on a measure sponsored by the leaders of the tax-writing and transportation policy panels that would extend highway funding authority through July.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
May 15, 2015
Government

Secretary Anthony Foxx: ‘So Far Away From Having a 6-Year Bill’

Assessing the political landscape on Capitol Hill, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told government and business leaders May 14 that Congress is not close to passing a six-year highway bill.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
May 14, 2015