Department of Transportation November 30, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule codifies existing FTA administrative guidance for safety-sensitive employees of ferryboat operations that are subject to the drug and alcohol (D&A) testing regulations of both FTA and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). This rule will provide regulatory relief to ferryboat operators who were previously subject to duplicative D&A testing regulations, and improve ferryboat operator compliance with FTA D&A testing regulations. This rule does not adopt the proposed rule with respect to certain motor carrier operators who are subject to the D&A testing regulations of both FTA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FTA will retain its current guidance and interpretation with respect to these motor carrier operators.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A380-800 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. Many of these novel or unusual design features are associated with the complex systems and the configuration of the airplane, including its full-length double deck. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards regarding ground turning loads. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Airbus Model A380-800 airplane.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires the Federal Transit Administration (FTA or the Agency) to make certain changes to the Buy America requirements. This Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) proposes a publication process for public interest waivers to provide an opportunity for public comment; a clarification of Buy America requirements with respect to microprocessor waivers; new provisions to permit post-award waivers; clarifications in the definition of ``end products'' with regards to components and subcomponents, major systems, and a representative list of end products; a clarification of the requirements for final assembly of rolling stock and a list of representative examples of rolling stock items; expanding FTA's list of eligible communications, train control, and traction power equipment; and an update of the debarment and suspension provisions to bring them into conformity with statutory amendments made by SAFETEA-LU.