July 10, 2024
On Friday the FMCSA released their Spring 2024 Regulatory agenda, previewing and in some cases, updating timelines for key regulatory actions for the remainder of the year and beyond. While other actions will be taken by the agency, the agenda focuses on the most impactful to industry and stakeholders, as measured through compliance time and estimated costs.
Highlights and background on relevant regulations for the domestic household goods industry are below:
- The agency noted they will delay until May of 2025 a second notice of proposed rulemaking regarding speed limiter requirements for commercial vehicles weighing more than 26k lbs.
- The FMCSA has also delayed a notice of proposed rulemaking for greater transparency in all property broker transactions from January of 2024 to October of this year. As IAM has previously spotlighted, this rulemaking would amend property broker rules in response to petitions from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC). The agency will take comment and consider whether or not brokers should be required to provide an electronic copy of each transaction record automatically within 48 hours after the contractual service has been completed, and if brokers should be explicitly prohibited from including provisions in their contracts that require motor carriers to waive their rights to access transaction records.
- Delayed by another year is a demonstration of knowledge test for household goods motor carriers. Earlier approved legislation allowed for the FMCSA to require agency registration in order to provide transportation of household goods. This would include successful completion of a to-be-developed proficiency examination and intent to comply with applicable Federal laws relating to consumer protection, estimating, consumers’ rights and responsibilities, and options for limitations of liability for loss and damage. The updated notice of proposed rulemaking was moved to June of 2025. The FMCSA also indicated they may revisit broader safety knowledge requirements for all new motor carrier applicants during the same time next year. Also pushed to June of next year is an overhaul of the current Safety Fitness Determination motor carrier rating system.
IAM will keep members apprised of opportunities for engagement and association positions as they are developed. For more information, or if you have any questions on the agency proposals highlighted, please contact Bryan Vickers (703-403-2882, bvickers@pacellp.com) with IAM’s Government and Regulatory Affairs Team.