FMCSA REAUTHORIZATION GOALS

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FMCSA REAUTHORIZATION GOALS REGULATORY UPDATE

• Larry W. Minor
• Chief, Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division
• International Traffic Records Forum
• Nashville, TN 07/27/04

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Todays Presentation

• FMCSA Reauthorization Goals
• Status of Reauthorization Effort
• Recently Published Final Rules
• Summer 2004 Regulatory Agenda
• Questions

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Background

• Periodically, Congress reviews and reauthorizes
  Federal programs. This process provides
  legislative direction to national programs.
• During the last reauthorization (TEA-21), FMCSA
  did not exist. Motor carrier safety programs
  were under the Federal Highway Administration.
• This reauthorization marks the 1st
  reauthorization of FMCSA. This is the
  culmination of the stand-up of our new agency.

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TEA-21 Established Fundamental Changes in Motor
Carrier Programs

• TEA-21 restructured the National Motor Carrier
  Safety Program eliminated earmarks, added new
  focus on strategic investments, gave States
  flexibility, and created new MCSAP set-asides.
• Funded new data programs and improvements

• Strengthened enforcement capabilities (mandatory
  shutdown for unfit carriers, revamped
  penalties).
• Set new procedures for waivers, exemptions, and
  pilot programs .
• The surface transportation bill will set a new
  direction for motor carrier safety programs.

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FMCSA Reauthorization Goals

• Establish a strong legislative base for the
  future direction of FMCSA programs.
• Establish authority for a national commercial
  motor vehicle research program.
• Establish the administrative infrastructure
  necessary to support accomplishment of agency
  mission.

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Reauthorization Goals (cont.)

• 1. Strengthen and expand traditional CMV safety
  enforcement partnerships.
• Maintain a secure funding base.
• Support new entrant safety audits.
• Expand traffic enforcement.

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Reauthorization Goals (cont.)

• 2. Build and expand commitment to
  performance-based programming.
• Improve data collection and analysis
  capability.
• 3. Enhanced focus on driver safety.
• Medical Review Board

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Reauthorization Goals (cont.)

• 4. Establish budget authorization to support
  regulatory development.
• 5. Expand education and outreach efforts.

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Reauthorization Goals (cont.)

• 6. Develop and deploy emerging
• technology and systems
• Performance and Registration Information System
  Management (PRISM).
• Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and
  Networks (CVISN).
• Intelligent Vehicle Initiative (IVI).

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Status of Reauthorization

• Senate Bill S. 1072 2/12/2004
• House Bill - H.R. 3550 4/2/2004
• On May 20, 2004, Senate named 21 members to a
  House-Senate conference on a six-year surface
  transportation reauthorization bill.
• On June 3, 2004 the House appointed 52 conferees.

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In the absence of reauthorization

• Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004
  February 29, 2004
• Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004,
  Part II April 30, 2004
• Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004,
  Part III June 23, 2004
• Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2004,
  Part IV July 23, 2004

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Recently Published Rules
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Safety Performance History of New Drivers
(3/30/04)

• Minimum driver safety performance data new or
  prospective employers are required to seek for
  applicants
• Specify where, and from whom information must be
  sought
• Require previous employers to provide the minimum
  history information.
• October 29, 2004, compliance date.

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Minimum Training Requirements for LCV Drivers
Instructors (3/30/04)

• Establish minimum training requirements for LCV
  drivers
• Establish minimum requirements for instructors
  who train LCV drivers
• June 1, 2004, compliance date.

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Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level
Drivers (5/21/04)

• Establishes standards for mandatory training for
  entry-level drivers required to hold a CDL
  driver qualifications (Part 391), hours of
  service (Part 395), driver wellness, and
  whistleblower protection
• July 20, 2004, compliance date.

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Hazardous Materials Safety Permits (6/30/04)

• Establishes a national safety permit program for
  motor carriers transporting
• Radioactive - highway route-controlled quantity
  of Class 7 material
• Explosives More than 25 kg of Division 1.1,
  1.2, or 1.3, or an amount of Division 1.5
  requiring placards

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Hazardous Materials Permits (Cont.)

• Toxic-by-inhalation (Division 2.3 and 6.1
  materials) Hazard Zone A, gt 1 liter
• Hazard Zone B, gt 450 liters Hazard Zone C or
  D, quantity gt13, 248 liters
• A shipment of compressed or refrigerated liquid
  methane or natural gas, or other liquefied gas
  with a methane content of at least 85, quantity
  gt13,248 liters.
• January 1, 2005, compliance date.

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Summer 2004 Regulatory Agenda
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Medical Qualifications As Part of the CDL Process
(12/2004)

• Would provide for a Federal medical
  certification as part of the CDL program.
• Prevent medically-unqualified individuals from
  obtaining a CDL.
• Eliminate the requirement for CDL operators to
  carry their medical certification.

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Unified Registration System (11/2004)

• Replaces four current identification and
  registration systems USDOT identification
  number system, single-State registration system,
  registration/licensing system, and financial
  responsibility system (insurance filings) with
  a unified, on-line system.
• Carriers, brokers, freight forwarders.

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Questions?
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For Further Information
Larry W. Minor Vehicle Roadside
Operations Division, FMCSA 400 Seventh Street,
SW Washington, DC 20590 Phone [phone]
E-mail larry.minor_at_fmcsa.dot.gov