The Department of Transportation still expects to publish a Safety Fitness Determination rule in June, according to the DOT’s latest rule-makings update, and it still expects to send a speed limiter mandate proposal to the White House next month.
Here are the projected dates for all of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s upcoming 2015 rulemakings:
Safety Fitness Determination: The agency’s December projection held in its January report — FMCSA says it still expects to publish a Safety Fitness Determination rule on June 17. The Safety Fitness Determination rule has been in the works for nearly eight years, and the agency continues to push back its publication date. An FMCSA official told CCJ in October the rule was under review by the agency’s top officials. The latest rule-makings report shows a projected date of March 9 for the rule’s advancement to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, with OMB clearance expected in early June.
Speed limiter mandate: The speed limiter mandate, a joint rule between FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is projected to see action Feb. 2. The DOT report says the rule should move to the OMB that day, with a projected publication date in May. The rule would require the installation and use of speed limiters on heavy trucks. FMCSA has not said what the limited speed would be.
Electronic logging device mandate: The agency is projected to publish Sept. 30 a Final Rule mandating use electronic logging devices. The enforcement of the mandate will begin two years after the rule’s publication date.
Driver coercion prohibition rule: A Final Rule is also expected in September for the agency’s driver coercion prohibition rule. The DOT projects a publication date of Sept. 10. The rule puts in place safeguards against driver coercion by carriers, shippers and brokers and will impose fines and other penalties against those found coercing or pressuring drivers to break federal safety laws.
CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse: A Final Rule implementing the CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is expected to be published Oct. 30. The rule will institute a database of drivers who have failed or refused to take a drug or alcohol test. Carriers will be required to upload such information to the clearinghouse and query it when making new hires.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
