Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

FMCSA Announces UCR Plan Board Meetings
On May 31, 2018, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced upcoming meetings of the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan Board of Directors. The meetings are June 3 and June 5 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and are open to the public in person or by conference call.

FMCSA Requests Comment on Impact of Regulations on Small Businesses
On May 31, 2018, FMCSA published a request for comment on the impact of its regulations on small businesses. Specifically, the agency is seeking feedback on rules that disproportionately have an economic impact on small businesses and rules that have difficult language to understand. Comments are due by July 30.

NHTSA Submits ICR for State Crash Data Collection
Also on May 31, 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) submitted an information collection request (ICR) to collect motor vehicle crash data from states to be housed in one database. Motor vehicle crash data would be transferred by electronic means to reduce the current burden of manual entry. Comments are due by July 30.

U.S. DOT Announces Notice of Intent to Submit ICR for General Feedback
Also on May 31, 2018, the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) published a 30-day notice of intent to submit an ICR request for general feedback from customers and stakeholders. The U.S. DOT wishes to collect information on stakeholders’ perceptions, experiences and expectations. Comments are due by July 2.

NRC Revises Guidance on Occupational Radiation Exposure Reporting
On May 29, 2018, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published a fourth revision to their “Instructions for Recording and Reporting Occupational Radiation Dose Data.” The revision no longer requires consideration of exposure to radiation by previous employers.

FMCSA Makes Corrections to Electronic Documents and Signature Rule
On May 25, 2018, FMCSA published a final rule making technical corrections to the agency’s electronic documents and signatures final rule, originally published on April 16, 2018. In addition, the agency rescinds related regulatory guidance and interpretations published Jan. 4, 2011. The corrections are effective June 15, at which point the rescission goes into effect.

FMCSA Submits an ICR to Collect Data on the Commute of CMV Operators
On May 24, 2018, FMCSA announced its plan to submit an IRC to conduct a voluntary survey on the commuting habits of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators. This is in response to a provision in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act requiring a study be done on the safety effects of commutes that exceed 150 miles. Comments are due by June 25.

FMCSA Seeks Renewal of ICR to Conduct a Customer Satisfaction Survey
On May 24, 2018, FMCSA published a request for renewal of an ICR on customer satisfaction of the agency. Comments are due by June 25.

PHMSA Requests Comment on Emergency Response Guidebook
On May 23, 2018, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a request for comment on ways to improve the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). PHMSA is particularly interested in feedback from emergency service personnel who have experience implementing the ERG in response to hazardous materials transportation.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Announces Regional Emergency Declaration
On May 27, 2018, FMCSA published a regional emergency declaration in response to subtropical storm Alberto. CMVs transporting relief goods and emergency supplies are exempt from hours-of-service regulations if traveling to areas affected by the storm in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas. The exemption expires on June 27, 2018, or when the emergency is over, whichever is earlier.

CVSA Active Exemption Tracker
CVSA maintains a list of active exemptions issued by FMCSA. Members can access the document by logging into their CVSA member portal and clicking on the “Exemptions” tab at the top of the page.