Department of Transportation November 6, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the renewal Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. This Information Collection (IC) is voluntary and may be utilized by certified Medical Examiners (ME) responsible for issuing Medical Examiner's Certificates (MEC) to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Certified MEs who choose to use this IC do so in an effort to communicate with treating healthcare professionals, who are responsible for prescribing certain medications, so that the certified MEs fully understand the reasons the medications have been prescribed. The information obtained by this IC assists the certified MEs in determining if drivers are physically qualified and if there are medical conditions or being treated with certain prescribed medications that would adversely affect the drivers' ability to safely operate CMVs. FMCSA requests approval to renew an ICR titled, ``391.41 CMV Driver Medication Form.'' In response to the Federal Register notice published on July 3, 2019, requesting public comment, FMCSA received two comments.

This notice details the application requirements and procedures to obtain grant funding for eligible projects under the Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Grants Program. This notice makes available R&E Grants Program funding provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (2018 Appropriation) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (2019 Appropriation), as well as available funding remaining from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (2017 Appropriation). The opportunities described in this notice are made available under Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 20.324, ``Restoration and Enhancement.''

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracked external lugs of the aluminum cargo door latch fittings in the lower part of the forward and aft cargo doors. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the external lugs of the aluminum cargo door latch fittings for cracks, and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. Accomplishing the installation of new aluminum cargo door latch fittings constitutes terminating action for the repetitive detailed inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340- 200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that non-approved passenger oxygen containers (POCs) may have been installed on the affected airplanes. This AD requires a one-time special detailed inspection (SDI) of each POC, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces that Wilson Logistics has applied for an exemption from the requirement that the holder of a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) be accompanied by the holder of a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), seated in the front seat, while the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is being driven by the CLP holder. Specifically, Wilson Logistics requests an exemption to allow CLP holders who have successfully passed the CDL skills test to drive a CMV without having a CDL holder seated in the front seat. Wilson Logistics states that the CDL holder would remain in the CMV while the CLP holder is driving, but not necessarily in the passenger seat. Wilson Logistics believes that the exemption, if granted, would promote greater productivity and help individuals who have passed the CDL skills test return to actively earning a living faster. FMCSA requests public comment on Wilson Logistics' application for exemption.