While FMCSA ponders how best to rate truckers, two members of the U.S. Senate have introduced a bill to establish a carrier selection standard for shippers, brokers and others until FMCSA completes a rulemaking to revise safety fitness determination standards. Under the legislation, a shipper or broker must verify no earlier than 45 days prior to the date of the shipment that the carrier is licensed, registered, and insured, and requires FMCSA to proactively affirm that the carrier complies with all required federal safety standards.
The Senate bill also requires FMCSA to complete a safety fitness rulemaking within one year and states that the agency “shall consider the use of all available data to determine the fitness of a motor carrier.”
A similar bipartisan House bill was approved in May by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. The House bill creates a safe harbor for shippers and brokers in the selection of a carrier as long as they have verified a carrier’s registration and insurance and determined that FMCSA has not found the carrier unfit to operate. Unlike the Senate version, the House legislation does not require FMCSA to proactively affirm the carrier’s compliance.
ICSA will keep you informed on this legislation as well as the ongoing Safety Fitness Determination rulemaking.
The Trump Administration is waiting March 1 to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Trucking moves more than 70% of all goods transported in the United States, including imports and exports. In addition, such tariffs can raise the price of everything truckers need to operate
FMCSA cancelled the second and third webinars about SMS, scheduled for February 25 and March 25, likely because of President Trump’s 60-day moratorium on new regulations.
Three North Texas trucking company owners recently united to combat human trafficking. Through their initiative, named the "Gift of Freedom," these leaders raised awareness of this issue and provided support to organizations working tirelessly to end this modern-day slavery. This effort highlights the critical role that the trucking industry can play in disrupting trafficking networks and protecting vulnerable individuals.