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.
Governor Signs Bills Allowing Autonomous, Platooning Vehicles in Michigan
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder turned the bills governing autonomous and platooning vehicles into law Dec. 9. Senate Bills 995-997 had been passed overwhelmingly by both houses of Michigan’s Legislature.
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Canadian Carrier Consolidated Fastfrate Begins Cross-Border US Service
Consolidated Fastfrate, a less-than-truckload company headquartered in Ontario, is offering cross-border service into the United States through partnerships with other carriers, the company announced Dec. 6.
December 9, 2016US Chamber of Commerce Said to Tell Mexico It Will Defend Nafta From Trump
MEXICO CITY — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce told a closed-door gathering of Mexican and American corporate and government leaders that it is aiming to keep Donald Trump from fulfilling his campaign threat to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement, according to three people with direct knowledge of the matter.
EEOC Sues Stevens Transport for Refusing to Hire Driver
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a federal lawsuit against Dallas-based refrigerated carrier Stevens Transport Inc. for refusing to hire a truck driver with bipolar disorder.
Oklahoma’s Scott Pruitt Is Trump’s Pick to Lead Environmental Agency
President-elect Donald Trump is tapping Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, he announced Dec. 8, placing a chief opponent of the Obama administration’s climate agenda in charge of implementing the nation’s environmental laws.
Former Gov. Ed Rendell: New Tolls on Interstates Ideal for Infrastructure Projects
WASHINGTON — Allowing states to establish tolling facilities on existing interstate highways would help finance large-scale infrastructure projects, the former governor of Pennsylvania argued while on a panel here on Dec. 8.
Vermont’s Gov.-Elect Phil Scott Wants to Boost Transportation, Not Taxes
Vermont is Bernie Sanders’ home state, but its governor-elect is hardly in the former Democratic presidential candidate’s tax and spend model. Speaking to the Vermont Petroleum Association on Dec. 7, Republican Phil Scott said he wants to rebuild the state’s infrastructure but without raising taxes.
Sen. Cory Booker Still Wants HOS Provision Removed From Funding Bill
WASHINGTON — The top Democrat on a Senate trucking subcommittee said he is hopeful Republican leaders will be forced to remove a provision in a short-term funding bill that would clarify an hours-of-service rule for truckers.
FMCSA Issues Final Entry-Level Driver Training Rule
Federal trucking regulators announced a final entry-level driver training rule on Dec. 7 that dropped an earlier proposal requiring that new truck drivers complete a minimum of 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training to become eligible for a commercial driver license.
Hours-of-Service Provision Attached to Short-Term Funding Bill
A clarification to regulators about an hours-of-service rule for truck drivers has been attached to a short-term funding bill the House and Senate need to advance by Dec. 9 to keep the federal government running beyond this week.