Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

NHTSA Requests Comments on Speeding Survey ICR
On Aug. 3, 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a notice and request for comments on an information collection request (ICR) on speeding attitudes and behavior. NHTSA is seeking approval to conduct a national survey on the extent to which drivers speed, reasons and motivations for speeding, perceptions of speed, and knowledge and attitudes towards countermeasure strategies to deter speeding. Comments are due by Oct. 2.

FMCSA Requests Comments on ICR for Class I and Class II Motor Carriers of Property Report
On July 31, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a notice and request for comments on an ICR for Class I and Class II motor carrier reporting. The notice seeks to renew an already approved ICR titled “Annual Report of Class I and Class II Motor Carriers of Property” which is used to ensure motor carriers comply with the agency’s financial and operating statistics requirements. Comments are due by Aug. 31.

PHMSA Announces Change in Location of Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee Public Meeting
On July 29, 2020, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced that the Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee meeting, which is scheduled for Sept. 16-17, will be held virtually instead of in person, as was originally announced.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Denies TPI Hours-of-Service Exemption Request
On Aug. 5, 2020, FMCSA announced the decision to deny as moot the exemption application from Turfgrass Producers International (TPI). TPI had requested that commercial motor vehicle operators transporting turfgrass sod be included in the agricultural commodity 150 air-mile exemption. FMCSA determined that turfgrass already qualifies as an agricultural commodity and the exemption is not needed. The decision was effective Aug. 5, 2020.

CVSA Active Exemption Tracker
CVSA maintains a list of active exemptions issued by FMCSA. The exemption tracker can be found at www.cvsa.org under the “Inspections” tab at the top of the page.