What’s on the minds of federal trucking regulators? A look at the latest Unified Regulatory Agenda provides some clues.

The Unified Regulatory Agenda displays the anticipated regulatory activity by departments and agencies across the federal government. “Anticipated” is a key word, as the dates shown for agency actions often slip. On the other hand, next steps are added as agencies complete the action last listed in the agenda. So, while the Unified Regulatory Agenda has formal spring and fall editions, updates are made regularly.

Here are some of those updates since PrePass last reviewed the agenda this past January and in February.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — FMCSA

Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility. The comment period on this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) ended on March 6, 2023 Now FMCSA anticipates a Final Rule in Feb. 2024.

Unique Electronic Identification of Commercial Motor Vehicles. The comment period for FMCSA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on UIDs ended Nov. 22, 2022. Now FMCSA looks to publish an NPRM, the actual proposed rule, in November 2023.

Speed Limiters. FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson stated that an NPRM on heavy vehicle speed limiters could be anticipated in the “summer” of 2023. Now the Unified Regulatory Agenda shows a June 2023 date for that NPRM, a date FMCSA acknowledges has already slipped.

Safety Fitness Procedures. As part of its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) overhaul announced Feb. 15, 2023 FMCSA said it would seek public comment on how safety data, including inspection results, could be better utilized. FMCSA would also review the use of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) in its safety analysis. Now the Unified Regulatory Agenda shows an anticipated June 2023 date for that public outreach. With that date having passed, possibly expect something on this by the end of the year.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — NHTSA

Camera-based mirror systems. NHTSA began studying alternatives to mirrors through an ANPRM released in 2019. Now the Unified Regulatory Agenda shows a Dec. 2023 date for NHTSA “analyzing comments,” with no next step announced.

Just a reminder: while these are changes in the Unified Regulatory Agenda, many other rulemakings remain unchanged… and moving forward as scheduled. Keep reading the PrePass blog for the latest news on trucking regulations.

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