Department of Transportation December 23, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

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 to renew an ICR titled, ``Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.'' The Agency's final rule, published December 5, 2016, titled ``Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse'' (Clearinghouse) established the regulatory requirements for the Clearinghouse. The compliance date of the final rule is January 6, 2020. Since the original ICR was approved, FMCSA has opened the Clearinghouse to user registration, resulting in the collection of user contact information. With the upcoming compliance date, this ICR is needed to ensure that Clearinghouse querying and reporting requirements are met to improve compliance with the existing requirement that Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) holders who have drug or alcohol testing violations cannot perform safety-sensitive functions, including driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), without participating in the required return-to-duty process.

FMCSA announces that Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc. (Knight-Swift) has applied for an exemption from regulations requiring motor carriers to obtain the motor vehicle record (MVR) of its drivers holding a commercial driver's license (CDL) whenever the driver's MVR is updated by a new medical examination. Knight-Swift seeks exemption only when a newly-hired driver undergoes a medical examination. Knight-Swift suggests that in these cases it be permitted to satisfy this requirement by obtaining other proof of the results of the medical examination. FMCSA requests public comments on the request for exemption. The application is available in the docket.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project for the construction of US-641/State Route (SR) 54 from just north of Puryear in Henry County, Tennessee to just south of Murray in Calloway County, Kentucky. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project. The FHWA's Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) provides details on the Selected Alternative for the proposed improvements.