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.

Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

Fischer: FMCSA Overhaul to Be Introduced in Spring

Programs and initiatives at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration strongly criticized by the trucking industry would be greatly changed under legislation Sen. Debra Fischer (R-Neb.) is expected to introduce this spring.

April 13, 2015

Daily Briefings from Transport Topics

Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.

Government, Business, Safety, Technology

Sen. Deb Fischer Urges FMCSA to Remove ‘Inaccurate’ CSA Scores from App, Provide Disclaimers

In a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, Sen. Deb Fischer expressed hope that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would remove from the agency’s QCMobile smartphone application Compliance, Safety, Accountability information that is deemed inaccurate.

April 10, 2015
Government, Business

OOIDA Petitions Federal Court to Join Lawsuit Against DOT Over Mexican Truckers

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has filed a petition to join a lawsuit against the federal government for opening the border to Mexican longhaul carriers.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
April 9, 2015
Government, Business

House Lawmakers Push Bill to Aid Small Businesses Owned by Veterans

States that receive certain federal funds for infrastructure projects would be required to set aside a portion of that for veteran-owned businesses under legislation offered by a group of House lawmakers in recent weeks.

April 9, 2015
Government, Business, Safety, Autonomous

FMCSA Shuts Down Carrier for Safety Violations that Include HOS Failure

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that the carrier owned by Carnell Pompey, doing business as Mortise Trucking Co. in Darlington, South Carolina, has been shut down as an imminent hazard to public safety.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
April 9, 2015
Government, Business

Manufacturers Group Presses Rep. Paul Ryan for Long-Term Bill

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers called on Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) this week to advance a long-term transportation bill before funding authority for highway programs expires May 31.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
April 8, 2015
Government, Business, Safety

Rep. Hanna Urges U.S. Transportation Chief to Ensure Fair HOS Study

Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) recently urged Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to make sure a study of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service rule consists of drivers who are representative of the industry.

Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter
April 7, 2015
Government, Business, Fuel

NTSB Urges Increased Safety Requirements for Oil Tank Cars

The National Transportation Safety Board on April 6 urged hazardous material regulators to step up requirements for replacing or retrofitting tank railcars that carry flammable liquids such as crude oil and ethanol with better thermal protection.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 7, 2015
Government, Business, Safety

Arkansas Truckers Now Operating With Anti-Indemnification Protection

Arkansas has become the 42nd state to protect truckers against having to choose between losing a load or signing a contract that makes them liable for any and all accidents, regardless of who is to blame.

Michele Fuetsch | Staff Reporter
April 6, 2015
Government, Business, Safety

Texas, Indiana Counties Issue Most CSA Points, Vigillo’s Bryan Says

An inordinate number of inspection violations issued in several counties in Texas and Indiana are examples of “disparate enforcement” that limits the effectiveness of the federal Compliance, Safety, Accountability program, according to the head of a data analytics firm.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
April 6, 2015