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.
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, 2015Daily 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.
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, 2015OOIDA 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.
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, 2015FMCSA 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.