Department of Transportation February 14, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to revise an ICR titled ``Practices of Household Brokers'' to no longer include one-time costs previously incurred by brokers to come into compliance with 49 CFR part 371, and to update other wage related costs that have changed since the last approval. This ICR is necessary to support the requirements of subpart B of 49 CFR part 371 and FMCSA's responsibility to ensure consumer protection in the transportation of household goods (HHG). On November 13, 2013, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on this ICR. The agency received no comments in response to that notice.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The FMCSA requests approval to extend an existing ICR is titled, ``Transportation of Hazardous Materials, Highway Routing.'' The information reported by States and Indian tribes is necessary to identify designated/restricted routes and restrictions or limitations affecting how motor carriers may transport certain hazardous materials on their highways, including dates that such routes were established and information on subsequent changes or new hazardous materials routing designations. FMCSA received one comment from a trucking association in response to the 60-day Federal Register Notice published on October 23, 2013.

FMCSA announces that 51 individuals have applied for a medical exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). If the Agency determines the exemptions would satisfy the statutory requirements and decides to grant theses requests after reviewing the public comments submitted in response to this notice, the exemptions would enable 51 individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

Spartan Motors, Inc. on behalf of Spartan Motors Chassis, Inc. (Spartan) has determined that certain model year 2008 through 2013 Spartan Gladiator and MetroStar chassis cabs do not fully comply with paragraph S5.3.3.1(a) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, Air Brake Systems. Spartan has filed an appropriate report dated April 19, 2013, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is reopening and extending the comment period for its notice requesting comments on an application for exemption from Van Hool N.V. and Coach USA (Van Hool/Coach USA) to allow the use of double deck motorcoaches constructed with a sleeper berth that has an exit that does not meet the minimum dimensional requirements specified in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). In its comments responding to the notice, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) pointed out that the Agency failed to include a copy of the Van Hool/Coach USA application in the docket for public inspection as required by statute and regulation. In response to the Advocates concern, the Agency (1) has placed a copy of the Van Hool/Coach USA application in the docket, (2) is reopening the docket, and (3) is extending the comment period from February 14, 2014 until March 3, 2014.