News Digest
DOT 48-13
NEWS DIGEST
FMCSA Proposes to Eliminate Outdated Reporting Requirement. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a new rule that would eliminate a quarterly financial data reporting requirement for some interstate motor carriers. The financial data reporting program originated in 1938 under the authority of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). With the disbandment of the ICC in 1996, the program was transferred to DOT and later FMCSA. The financial information collected does not support any of FMCSA’s regulatory functions, and eliminating the requirement will have no impact on motor carrier safety. Once the rule becomes final, it would become the second regulatory relief action taken by FMCSA this year. On April 26, 2013, the agency announced it had eliminated a reporting regulation for interstate commercial truck and bus drivers and state licensing offices made redundant by technological advances. The Federal Register notice announcing the proposed rule is available at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-05-24/pdf/2013-12339.pdf. Contact: Duane DeBruyne (202) 366-9999.
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary LaHood Awards more than $7 Million to Improve Freight Transportation Options to Southern Oregon and Northern California. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today awarded more than $7 million to the State of Oregon through a TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant to support a $9.4 million project that will rehabilitate a 296-mile stretch of short line railroad track operated by the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad. The project will help improve tunnels, rails, ties and bridges. As the track runs parallel to I-5 between Northern California and Oregon, reopening the line provides an environmentally friendly, economically competitive alternative for shipping goods in the region. Contact: Kevin Thompson (202) 493-6024.
Maritime Administration Seeks Comments on Certification of Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Training Providers. The Maritime Administration is proposing that organizations seeking to have their cruise vessel security and safety training programs certified by MARAD may voluntarily submit their programs for review and approval by the MARAD Administrator. The proposed policy is in keeping with the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, and may be viewed in the Federal Register at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-12300. Comments may be submitted to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, or by mailing or hand delivering comments to: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, D.C., 20590. MARAD Contact: Kim Strong (202) 366-5807
FY 2014 PHMSA HMIT and SPST Grants Application Period Begins. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today announced it is accepting applications for the Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) grant and the Hazardous Materials Supplemental Public Sector (SPST) grant programs through July 3, 2013. The HMIT grants fund nonprofit organizations that train instructors of hazmat employees. The SPST grant funds national non-profit fire service organizations to train hazmat instructors to conduct training programs for local emergency responders. For more information, go to: http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/grants. PHMSA Contact: Joe Delcambre (202) 493-0730
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