Department of Transportation February 21, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA withdraws its September 3, 2003, notice concerning exemptions for certain individuals with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) and its November 8, 2005, revision. This action is in response to the Qualifications of Drivers; Diabetes Standard final rule, published on September 19, 2018, which revised the physical qualifications standard for ITDM individuals who wish to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The revised standard allows certified medical examiners, in consultation with the treating clinician, to evaluate and determine whether to grant an ITDM individual a medical examiner's certificate (MEC) to drive a CMV in interstate commerce. FMCSA has determined, therefore, that an exemption program for ITDM individuals is no longer necessary.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 61 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirements in one eye.

The Board is instituting a proceeding to determine the railroad industry's cost of capital for 2018. The decision solicits comments on the following issues: The railroads' 2018 current cost of debt capital; the railroads' 2018 current cost of preferred equity capital (if any); the railroads' 2018 cost of common equity capital; and the 2018 capital structure mix of the railroad industry on a market value basis. Comments should focus on the various cost-of-capital components listed above using the same methodology followed in Railroad Cost of Capital2017, EP 558 (Sub-No. 21) (STB served Dec. 6, 2018).

WestRock, formerly known as RockTenn has requested a renewal of its exemption from certain provisions of the hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for drivers of property-carrying vehicles. WestRock currently holds an exemption for the period April 17, 2014, through April 16, 2019 for 11 shipping department employees and occasional substitute commercial driver's license (CDL) holders who transport paper mill products over a 275-foot stretch of public road between its shipping and receiving locations. WestRock requested an exemption from the 14-hour rule and the requirement for 10 consecutive hours off duty before the start of the workday. The renewal of the exemption would allow these individuals occasionally to drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty and allow them to return to work following eight consecutive hours off-duty. FMCSA requests public comment on WestRock's application for exemption.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant Stoneridge, Inc.'s (Stoneridge) application for a limited 5-year exemption to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) with the company's MirrorEyeTM Camera Monitor System (CMS) installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). The Agency has determined that granting the exemption to allow use of the MirrorEyeTM system in lieu of mirrors would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulation.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 30 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as an incorrect size bolt may have been used to assemble the elevator bellcrank pivot joint. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Charleston, Mississippi County Airport in Charleston, MO. The FAA is proposing this action due to the decommissioning of the Charleston non-directional radio beacon (NDB).