Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 48061-48062 [2020-17284]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 153 / Friday, August 7, 2020 / Notices jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES The impacts of loss of AMHS ferry service to Gustavus during the summer months would be significant. The economy in Gustavus relies heavily on summer tourism. Because of the large number of tourists who arrive by boat or plane in the area, Gustavus is considered the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. Between 3,000 and 4,000 passengers visit Gustavus by ferry annually, with about half of that traffic in just three months between June and August. All of this traffic goes through the Gustavus Ferry Terminal. Thus, ongoing loss of AMHS ferry service to Gustavus during the summer months would have a devastating impact on the economy of the town. Lack of ferry service also increases costs and economic stress related to supply deliveries, especially on small businesses. Although landing craft and fishing vessels may be used for freight deliveries while ferry service is suspended, many of the small businesses in Gustavus ordinarily rely heavily on the AMHS ferry service to obtain supplies. For example, small business owners often travel by ferry in their vehicles to Juneau, load their vehicles with needed supplies, and subsequently return to Gustavus by ferry. For these reasons, timely restoration of the ferry service to Gustavus is an economic necessity for the town. Finding and Request for Comments Based on all the information available to the Agency, FHWA concludes that there are no domestic manufacturers of the wire rope assemblies needed for the lift systems in the Gustavus Ferry Terminal Improvement project. This finding is only for the procurement of non-domestic iron and steel components for procurement of the wire rope assemblies for the project. This finding does not apply to other parts in the original waiver request, including hoists, sheave assemblies, hanger rod clamps, and bridge control components. Alaska DOT&PF and its contractors and subcontractors involved in the procurement of the wire rope assemblies are reminded of the need to comply with the Cargo Preference Act in 46 CFR part 38, if applicable. In accordance with the provisions of Section 117 of the SAFETEA–LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110–244, 122 Stat. 1572), FHWA is providing this notice as its finding that a waiver of Buy America requirements is appropriate. The FHWA invites public comment on this finding for an additional 5 days following the effective date of the finding. Comments may be submitted to FHWA’s website via the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:25 Aug 06, 2020 Jkt 250001 link provided to the waiver page noted above. Authority: 23 U.S.C. 313; Pub. L. 110–161; 23 CFR 635.410. Nicole R. Nason, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. [FR Doc. 2020–17220 Filed 8–6–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2013–0445; FMCSA– 2018–0052] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for three individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ‘‘no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.’’ The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. DATES: Each group of renewed exemptions were applicable on the dates stated in the discussions below and will expire on the dates provided below. SUMMARY: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64–224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Operations, (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 48061 https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=FMCSA-2013-0445 or https:// www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA2018-0052 and choose the document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Operations in Room W12–140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366–9317 or (202) 366–9826 before visiting Docket Operations. B. Privacy Act In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.transportation.gov/privacy. II. Background On June 5, 2020, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision to renew exemptions for three individuals from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (85 FR 34715). The public comment period ended on July 6, 2020, and no comments were received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and determined that renewing these exemptions would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by complying with § 391.41(b)(8). The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding epilepsy found in § 391.41(b)(8) states that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person has no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause the loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV. In addition to the regulations, FMCSA has published advisory criteria 1 to assist medical examiners in determining whether drivers with certain medical conditions are qualified to operate a CMV in interstate commerce. I. Public Participation A. Viewing Documents and Comments To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, go to PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1 These criteria may be found in APPENDIX A TO PART 391—MEDICAL ADVISORY CRITERIA, section H. Epilepsy: § 391.41(b)(8), paragraphs 3, 4, and 5, which is available on the internet at https:// www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title49-vol5/pdf/ CFR-2015-title49-vol5-part391-appA.pdf. E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 48062 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 153 / Friday, August 7, 2020 / Notices III. Discussion of Comments DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FMCSA received no comments in this preceding. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration IV. Conclusion [Docket No. FMCSA–2020–0008] Based on its evaluation of the three renewal exemption applications, FMCSA announces its decision to exempt the following drivers from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in § 391.41(b)(8). In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following groups of drivers received renewed exemptions in the month of July and are discussed below. As of July 1, 2020, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following two individuals have satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (85 FR 34715): Jesse Hansen (MN) and Nicholas Ramirez (AL). The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA–2018–0052. Their exemptions are applicable as of July 1, 2020, and will expire on July 1, 2022. As of July 14, 2020, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following individual has satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers: Ronald Blount (GA). The driver was included in docket number FMCSA–2013–0445. His exemption is applicable as of July 14, 2020, and will expire on July 14, 2022. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid for 2 years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b). Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2020–17284 Filed 8–6–20; 8:45 am] 20:25 Aug 06, 2020 FMCSA announces its decision to exempt five individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye. DATES: The exemptions were applicable on June 30, 2020. The exemptions expire on June 30, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64–224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Operations, (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Public Participation A. Viewing Documents and Comments To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov/ docket?D=FMCSA-2020-0008 and choose the document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Operations in Room W12– 140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366–9317 or (202) 366– 9826 before visiting Docket Operations. B. Privacy Act In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of final disposition. AGENCY: Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.transportation.gov/privacy. II. Background On May 29, 2020, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of applications from five individuals requesting an exemption from vision requirement in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10) and requested comments from the public (85 FR 32438). The public comment period ended on June 29, 2020, and one comment was received. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and determined that granting the exemptions to these individuals would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by complying with § 391.41(b)(10). The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding vision found in § 391.41(b)(10) states that a person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person has distant visual acuity of at least 20/40 (Snellen) in each eye without corrective lenses or visual acuity separately corrected to 20/40 (Snellen) or better with corrective lenses, distant binocular acuity of a least 20/40 (Snellen) in both eyes with or without corrective lenses, field of vision of at least 70° in the horizontal meridian in each eye, and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing red, green, and amber. III. Discussion of Comments FMCSA received one comment in this proceeding. Kyle Hoadley submitted a comment in support of the Agency’s decision to grant the exemptions. IV. Basis for Exemption Determination Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption from the FMCSRs for no longer than a 5-year period if it finds such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption. The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 5-year period. FMCSA grants medical exemptions from the FMCSRs for a 2year period to align with the maximum duration of a driver’s medical certification. The Agency’s decision regarding these exemption applications is based on medical reports about the applicants’ vision, as well as their driving records and experience driving with the vision E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 153 (Friday, August 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48061-48062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17284]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2013-0445; FMCSA-2018-0052]


Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and 
Seizure Disorders

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for three 
individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) 
drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of 
epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of 
consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions 
enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are 
taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in 
interstate commerce.

DATES: Each group of renewed exemptions were applicable on the dates 
stated in the discussions below and will expire on the dates provided 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, [email protected], FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64-224, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have 
questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
contact Docket Operations, (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

A. Viewing Documents and Comments

    To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this notice 
as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2013-0445 or https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FMCSA-2018-0052 and choose the document to review. If you do not have access 
to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting the Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To 
be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or 
(202) 366-9826 before visiting Docket Operations.

B. Privacy Act

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the 
public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these 
comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.transportation.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On June 5, 2020, FMCSA published a notice announcing its decision 
to renew exemptions for three individuals from the epilepsy and seizure 
disorders prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8) to operate a CMV in 
interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (85 FR 
34715). The public comment period ended on July 6, 2020, and no 
comments were received.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and 
determined that renewing these exemptions would achieve a level of 
safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved 
by complying with Sec.  391.41(b)(8).
    The physical qualification standard for drivers regarding epilepsy 
found in Sec.  391.41(b)(8) states that a person is physically 
qualified to drive a CMV if that person has no established medical 
history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which 
is likely to cause the loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to 
control a CMV.
    In addition to the regulations, FMCSA has published advisory 
criteria \1\ to assist medical examiners in determining whether drivers 
with certain medical conditions are qualified to operate a CMV in 
interstate commerce.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ These criteria may be found in APPENDIX A TO PART 391--
MEDICAL ADVISORY CRITERIA, section H. Epilepsy: Sec.  391.41(b)(8), 
paragraphs 3, 4, and 5, which is available on the internet at 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2015-title49-vol5/pdf/CFR-2015-title49-vol5-part391-appA.pdf.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 48062]]

III. Discussion of Comments

    FMCSA received no comments in this preceding.

IV. Conclusion

    Based on its evaluation of the three renewal exemption 
applications, FMCSA announces its decision to exempt the following 
drivers from the epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in Sec.  
391.41(b)(8).
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following 
groups of drivers received renewed exemptions in the month of July and 
are discussed below. As of July 1, 2020, and in accordance with 49 
U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), the following two individuals have 
satisfied the renewal conditions for obtaining an exemption from the 
epilepsy and seizure disorders prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate 
CMV drivers (85 FR 34715):
    Jesse Hansen (MN) and Nicholas Ramirez (AL).
    The drivers were included in docket number FMCSA-2018-0052. Their 
exemptions are applicable as of July 1, 2020, and will expire on July 
1, 2022.
    As of July 14, 2020, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b), the following individual has satisfied the renewal conditions 
for obtaining an exemption from the epilepsy and seizure disorders 
prohibition in the FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers:
    Ronald Blount (GA).
    The driver was included in docket number FMCSA-2013-0445. His 
exemption is applicable as of July 14, 2020, and will expire on July 
14, 2022.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), each exemption will be valid 
for 2 years from the effective date unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. 
The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The person 
fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the 
exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained 
prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not 
be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 
31315(b).

Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2020-17284 Filed 8-6-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.