Trucking industry groups said they would support new legislation focusing federal efforts on checking the backgrounds of drivers who haul “security-sensitive” material, provided it replaces the current system.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have required haulers of flammable liquids to fully drain the pipes used in loading and unloading after a pickup or delivery.

While meeting the Bush administration’s request for more than $500 million in funding for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for fiscal 2007, the House Appropriations Committee issued an accompanying report chiding the agency for its handling of carrier safety compliance reviews and new driver training.

Rail industry officials told Congress they need liability limits for accidental hazardous-material releases because recent high-profile accidents have caused insurers to reduce their levels of coverage.

David Hugel, the new deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said he would be receptive to hearing from all interested parties on various regulations, including an upcoming rule governing the use of electronic monitors for driver hours of service.

WASHINGTON — John Hill, the Bush administration’s nominee to head the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, faced questions about truck size and weight and the agency’s on-going effort to revise driver work rules during his Senate confirmation hearing here June 8.

Trucking industry officials said they were encouraged by the discussions at the first meeting of the federal panel charged with examining how to pay for the country’s future surface transportation needs.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said he does not think Congress will lift the federal 80,000-pound weight limit for trucks or change existing regulations concerning the use of triple trailers on the federal highway system.

American Trucking Associations said it will join with a sleep research firm to study the effects of last year’s change to the rule governing truck drivers’ use of sleeper berths.

The United States and Mexico are “very close” to completing an agreement to allow U.S. inspectors to examine Mexican fleet operations in Mexico, the last hurdle before opening the border to Mexican carriers, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said.