Government
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.
Anthony Foxx to Tout Infrastructure at D.C.’s Union Station
On Feb. 20, the secretary is scheduled to wrap up his weeklong regional tour where he will promote infrastructure spending at an event in Union Station in Washington, D.C.
FMCSA Extends Comment Period on Crash Weighting
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it will accept comments for an additional month on its crash-weighting analysis published in January.
California Democrat Hahn Won’t Seek Re-Election to Congress
U. S. Representative Janice Hahn, a California Democrat, said she will run for an open seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors instead of seeking re-election to Congress in 2016.
Sorbon Transport Shut Down by FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has placed a Colorado-based trucking company out of service, labeling the firm an “imminent hazard to public safety,” the agency said Feb. 18.
ATA’s Osiecki Outlines Trucking’s Legislative, Regulatory Outlook
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The trucking industry is continuing to pursue policy goals in a long-term highway bill, including a permanent fix to the suspended hours-of-service restart provision, American Trucking Associations’ Dave Osiecki said.
Suspending HOS Rules Forced ELD Makers to Adjust, Executives Say
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A congressional mandate that suspended parts of the hours-of-service rule until Sept. 30 required electronic logging device manufacturers to make costly adjustments and retests of their software for their customers.
FMCSA to Publish Final ELD Rule in November
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to publish its final electronic logging device rule in November, an agency official said.
NTSB Urges Greater Attention to Truck Maintenance Issues
WASHINGTON — Trucking companies with poor safety records should redouble their maintenance efforts and pay particular attention to brake systems, the acting chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board said.
February 16, 2015West Coast Ports’ Partial Shutdown Stokes Fear of Prolonged Closures
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Port operators ratcheted up the pressure to resolve West Coast contract talks by shutting down vessel operations over the Presidents Day weekend, escalating fears of a shutdown.
February 16, 2015Anthony Foxx Asks Congress to Pass ‘New and Improved’ Funding Plan
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx urged a House panel to adopt the White House’s “new and improved” transportation funding plan to avoid a potential slowdown of critical state-level infrastructure projects.
February 16, 2015