
Regulatory and Legislative Update - March 2025
March 19, 2025 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement Comments on broker transparency proposal are due March 20 Adrienne Camire named FMCSA acting administrator Senate confirms Chavez-DeRemer as Labor secretary EPA plans to reverse electric vehicle mandate, reconsider NOx rule CVSA schedules International Roadcheck for May 13-15 Legislation Senate panel holds hearing on cargo fraud and theft Courts Carrier sues TQL for refusing FMCSA dictate over disclosure Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement Comments on broker transparency proposal are due March 20 As discussed last month, FMCSA under the Trump administration has signaled that it is inclined to pursue the broker transparency proceeding launched late in the Biden administration. Although virtually all other regulatory activity has been halted pending review, FMCSA reopened the comment period that initially ended on January 21. Comments are...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - February 2025
February 26, 2025 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA reopens comment period on broker transparency Truck Leasing Task Force issues final report opposing lease-purchase programs DOT appoints several FMCSA officials FMCSA withdraws several pending rulemaking following regulatory freeze Nomination hearing for Trump’s DOL pick slated for February 19 Trump orders 10-for-1 deregulation initiative EPA refers Biden administration’s CARB waivers to Congress Legislation Bills on FMCSA enforcement authority introduced in the House and Senate Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA reopens comment period on broker transparency In a sign that the Trump administration is considering expanded broker transparency in some form, FMCSA has reopened the comment period on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) issued last November despite a halt on almost all other federal regulatory activity initiated...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - January 2025
January 15, 2025 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA expands crash preventability review criteria FMCSA to highlight upcoming SMS changes in January 16 webinar Compliance date pushed back for certain provisions of broker/forwarder rule Trump labor pick, port dispute stance raise questions about labor policy FMCSA proposes to waive hazmat endorsements for certain limited operations Company denied exemption for limited interstate driving by younger drivers Private fleet denied lighting exemption due to inactive DOT number Autonomous vehicle firms denied exemption concerning warning devices FMCSA removes 15 devices from list of registered ELDs Legislation Multiple trucking-related bills die at the end of the 118th Congress Courts Supreme Court won’t review law allowing California to set emissions standards Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA expands crash preventability review...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - November 2024
November 22, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement Trump presidency to bring big labor, environmental policy changes FMCSA regulations might not change much under Trump President Trump nominates former Rep. Sean Duffy as DOT secretary FMCSA acts on broker transparency, SMS changes in election’s aftermath FMCSA plans to postpone elements of broker/forwarder financial responsibility rule States begin mandatory CDL downgrades for clearinghouse violations Truck Leasing Task Force meeting rescheduled for December 3 Legislation Lame duck session of Congress unlikely to produce much change for trucking Courts Federal judge strikes down rule expanding overtime pay eligibility Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement Trump presidency to bring big labor, environmental policy changes The election of President Trump might not mean that much for motor carrier safety regulation in the near term, but it...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - October 2024
October 25, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Contents Legislation Speed limiters, preemption, and Norton bill await possible lame duck action DOT Funding Bill Additional States Considering California Type CARB Restrictions Regulation and Enforcement Significant FMCSA regulation is limited before the next administration FMCSA Registration Modernization Stakeholder Day III Advocacy and Comment Legislation Speed limiters, preemption, and Norton bill await possible lame duck action Although Congress technically continues to meet in October, all significant legislative action paused at the end of September until after the election. Congress is scheduled to reconvene November 12 in what is informally called a “lame duck” session. Among the big issues on the docket are continued funding of the federal government, which has been held in place through December 20 by virtue of a stopgap measure enacted by Congress and signed by President...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - September 2024
September 28, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement House panel approves bill to address FMCSA’s commercial enforcement House panel advances bill granting carrier access to driver safety history Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA once again seeks input on plan to revamp online registration FMCSA seeks input by September 26 on its periodic review of guidance documents Truck Leasing Task Force to meet in October and November FMCSA removes two devices from list of registered ELDs FMCSA denies ELD exemption to owner-operator Wisconsin carriers receive exemption for alternative securement of logs Advocacy and Comment Legislation House panel approves bill to address FMCSA’s commercial enforcement The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on September 18 approved legislation (H.R. 8505) that addresses FMCSA’s enforcement of the commercial regulations on motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders....
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - August 2024
August 20, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA supports legislation to assess penalties for unlawful brokerage FMCSA Holds Final Listening Session on SFD Initiative FMCSA pushes back timing of various rulemaking proceedings DOT’s artificial intelligence head named FMCSA deputy administrator Company loses exemption bid for additional driving time FMCSA denies HOS exemption for drivers hauling cement FMCSA removes four devices from list of registered ELDs CVSA schedules Brake Safety Week for August 25-31 FMCSA allows multiple carriers to use pulse lighting systems Carriers allowed to use two camera systems instead of mirrors Legislation House DOT funding bill would block speed limiters, preemption changes Committee directs DHS to establish task force on supply chain fraud and theft Courts U.S. Supreme Court weakens executive agencies’ regulatory authority Federal judge likely to strike down...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - June 2024
June 20, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA to hold listening sessions on safety fitness procedures FMCSA outlines plan for updating registration process FMCSA to hold public meeting on fees charged for towing and recovery UCR fees to rise in 2025 after two years of decreases FMCSA rejects SBTC petition related to broker role in executing cargo claims Washington high school seeks age relief on commercial permits Company seeks exemption to allow limited interstate driving by younger drivers Oregon DOT seeks relief related to drivers from Freely Associated States AAMVA procedures for CDL system administration incorporated into FMCSRs Covenant, Landair seek relief from CDL restriction Legislation House bill would address FMCSA’s commercial regulations enforcement Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA to hold listening sessions on safety fitness procedures FMCSA will hold...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - May 2024
May 16, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Regulatory and legislative news for May 2024 includes the FMCSA renewing consideration of knowledge/proficiency exams for carriers and brokers, the FMCSA inviting comments on its plan for a new online registration platform and Hawaii seeking exemption on student transportation options. The FMCSA is also set to revise a younger driver pilot program. Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA formally drops certain conditions for younger driver pilot program Pitt Ohio’s denied relief from CDL requirement of younger driver program FMCSA to hold virtual public meeting on registration modernization Carrier receives approval for pulse lighting system Legislation House passes bill to facilitate use of G.I. Bill benefits for CDL training House passes bill to increase safety scrutiny of motor carriers transporting mail House, Senate bills would establish a crash victim advocate within DOT...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - April 2024
April 19, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Regulatory and legislative news for April 2024 includes the FMCSA renewing consideration of knowledge/proficiency exams for carriers and brokers, the FMCSA inviting comments on its plan for a new online registration platform and Hawaii seeking exemption on student transportation options. The FMCSA is also set to revise a younger driver pilot program. Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA renews consideration of knowledge/proficiency exams for carriers, brokers FMCSA invites comments on its plan for a new online registration platform FMCSA to revise younger driver pilot program following new law EPA finalizes rule to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions in trucks FMCSA rejects Florida’s exemption application on CDL skills testing Carrier seeks exemption for metal coil securement method Hawaii seeks exemption on student transportation options Reminder: CSVA schedules International...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - March 2024
March 13, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Regulatory and legislative updates for March include the FMCSA awarding $180 million in grants to promote CMV safety, finalizing a rule governing billing practices, CVSA opening nominations for driver award, the FMCSA updating ELD guidance related to cross border transportation and more. Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA to award $180 million in grants to promote CMV safety FMC finalizes rule governing billing practices for demurrage and detention Truck Leasing Task Force to Hold Hybrid Meeting at MATS CSVA schedules International Roadcheck for May 14-16 CVSA opens nominations for driver award Comment periods still open in various proceedings Recreational activity providers exempted from authority registration FMCSA updates ELD guidance related to cross border transportation FMCSA removes five devices from list of registered ELDs Owner-operator seeks ELD exemption on grounds of...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - February 2024
February 22, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Regulatory news for February 2024 includes the FMCSA eyeing June 2025 for proposed rule on safety fitness procedures, the FMCSA asking drivers to provide copies of lease-purchase agreements, the FMCSA proposing to revise various CDL regulations, updates of medical advisory criteria and more. Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA eyes June 2025 for proposed rule on safety fitness procedures Groups question relevance of studies to safety fitness procedures rewrite FMCSA asks drivers to provide copies of lease-purchase agreements FMCSA proposes to revise various CDL regulations Input sought on FMCSA study of sexual assault and harassment in trucking Comments sought on FMCSA driver detention study FMCSA updates medical advisory criteria, publishes updated handbook Certified medical examiners must correct outdated info by February 23 Legislation New Jersey increases CMV minimum insurance...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - January 2024
January 28, 2024 | Hank Seaton
Regulatory and legislative news for January 2024 includes FMCSA Registration Modernization Stakeholder Day, the DOL issuing its final rule on independent contractor classification, comments being sought on petitions to overturn California and Washington preemption and more. Contents Regulation and Enforcement FMCSA Registration Modernization Stakeholder Day DOL issues final rule on independent contractor classification Comments sought on petitions to overturn California and Washington preemption FMCSA seeks comments on additional info related to safety fitness proceeding CARB suspends enforcement of zero-emissions fleet rule pending EPA action Truck Leasing Task Force meeting held January 18 DOT increases civil penalties by about 3.2 percent FMCSA proposes to raise UCR fees by 25 percent Legislation House bill would increase truck insurance minimum to $5 million House bill would lower...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - November 2023
November 22, 2023 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement NLRB issues final rule on determining joint employer status Comments due November 29 on potential SMS changes FMCSA issues final rule on broker/forwarder financial responsibility Medical waste removal firm seeks exemption for additional driving time Company seeks HOS exemption for drivers hauling cement Firm seeks exemption to allow use of camera alternative to mirrors Legislation House and Senate bills would repeal overtime exemption for truckers Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement NLRB issues final rule on determining joint employer status The National Labor Relations Board issued a final rule addressing the standard for determining joint-employer status under the National Labor Relations Act. The rule reverses a 2020 rule that had set a higher threshold for joint-employer status by requiring that a putative joint employer possess and...
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Regulatory and Legislative Update - October 2023
October 20, 2023 | Hank Seaton
Contents Regulation and Enforcement White House considering final DOL rule on independent contractor status FMCSA narrows the scope of emergency regulatory relief DOT updates tentative schedule for significant rulemakings Comment periods still open on SMS, DataQs proposals FMCSA to withhold public access to certain carrier data Truck Leasing Task Force to meet October 17 Women of Trucking Advisory Board to meet October 26 Advocacy and Comment Regulation and Enforcement White House considering final DOL rule on independent contract status The White House Office of Management and Budget is reviewing a draft final Department of Labor (DOL) rule that would revise how the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) analyzes worker classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA). Although the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published in October 2022 did not address issues specific to trucking,...
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