Department of Transportation May 9, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2011-0041 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084, April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

FMCSA has placed four additional documents in the public docket of its recent notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) concerning hours of service (HOS) for commercial motor vehicle drivers. The Agency is reopening the comment period on the NPRM to allow for review and discussion of these documents and FMCSA's possible consideration of their findings in the development of the final rule. Comments will only be considered on the four documents listed below.

In accordance with section 109 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), FRA is soliciting public comment on the issue of whether it is in the public interest, including public safety and the legal rights of persons injured in railroad accidents, to withhold from discovery or use in litigation in a Federal or State court proceeding for damages involving personal injury or wrongful death against a carrier any report, survey, schedule, list, or data compiled or collected for the purpose of evaluating, planning, or implementing a railroad safety risk reduction program required under the RSIA, including a railroad carrier's analysis of its safety risks and its statement of the mitigation measures with which it will address those risks.