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.
FMCSA Raises Fines, Penalties as Part of MAP-21
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Oct. 1 announced 17 regulatory changes mandated by last year’s transportation law, ranging from increased civil penalties to expanding some of the agency’s power to more severely punish other regulatory violations.
Proposal Would Require Tank Endorsements for More Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a proposed rule that could require as many as nearly 300,000 less-than-truckload drivers to obtain tanK-vehicle endorsements.
October 1, 2013Congress Backs Increased Funding to Fix Flood-Damaged Colo. Roads
The U.S. House and Senate are backing increased funding to fix Colorado’s flood-damaged roads, the Associated Press reported.
October 1, 2013EEOC Appeals $4.7 Mln. Order in CRST Case
The Equal Opportunity Employment Commission on Sept. 30 appealed a federal judge’s order to pay CRST Van Expedited Inc. $4.7 million in attorneys’ fees and expenses in connection with the agency’s 2007 class action sexual harassment lawsuit the judge called “frivolous.”
Nafta Surface Trade Grows 6.8%
Surface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico grew 6.8% in July from the same month last year and fell 1.4% from June, the Department of Transportation reported.
September 30, 2013Consumer Confidence Falls to Five-Month Low
Consumer confidence fell to a five-month low this month, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index released Sept. 27.
September 27, 2013House Approves Bill Requiring FMCSA To Conduct Rulemaking on Apnea
The U.S. House passed a bill Sept. 26 to require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to conduct a full rulemaking process if it wants to require sleep apnea testing and treatment for truck drivers.
I-43 Bridge in Wisconsin Closed Due to Sagging
A bridge on Interstate 43 in Green Bay, Wis., will remain closed indefinitely after a support pier settled, causing the roadway to sag about 2 feet, the Associated Press reported.
September 26, 2013Boxer Proposes Eliminating, Replacing Fuel Tax
The chairwoman of the Senate committee that will write the next highway bill said she wants to end the per-gallon federal fuel taxes Americans pay at the pump.
U.S. Postal Service Wants First Class Stamp Hike
The financially strapped U.S. Postal Service wants to raise the price of a first-class stamp to 49 cents, Bloomberg News reported.
September 26, 2013