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CVSA Meeting Shows Promise
The recent meeting of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) was one of the most promising meetings to date due to the enforcement personnel seeming to have more of an interest in what the industry had to say.
The following topics were discussed during the meeting:
30-Minute Break Requirement
CVSA made a recommendation that the Executive Committee write a letter to FMCSA, asking them to completely remove this break requirement. The thought behind that recommendation is that there are many segments of the industry that have requested, and been granted, exemptions from this requirement. If it is safe for the exempted carriers to operate without a break, why would it not be good for everyone?
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Rule
FMCSA said they are poised, and ready, to release the rule before the end of the year. The rule has taken longer to clear the Office of Management and Budget than was expected. Due to the questions that will come about from this rule, FMCSA has a team in place with their sole purpose being to review the questions and come up with an answer to every posed question.
The Speed Limiter Rule
FMCSA did not share whether they were in support of or not, simply stating that it is held up at the Office of Management and Budget. There was no consensus in the meeting concerning speed limiters.
CDL/CLP Final Rule
FMCSA and AAMVA reported that not all states are compliant at this point. They said that there are at least six states that are not yet up to speed. They also discussed that they are having trouble with some states not accepting testing scores from other states.
Medical Registry
It was stated that some states are still taking multiple weeks to enter updated physical exam certification data into the system. Considering that a carrier is required to run a new MVR to prove physical certification within 15 days of the physical re-certification, this lag in entering the updates is throwing off the entire process.
Diabetic Drivers
FMCSA believes that the current rule that prevents diabetic drivers from driving is eliminating some quality drivers from being involved in trucking simply because they cannot pass the current physical requirements due to taking shots for their diabetes. Watch for a proposed rule on this issue, which could eventually allow diabetic drivers to be physically qualified if they have their diabetes under control.
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of Directors
President
Mike Connell
Bennett Motor Express
First Vice President
Dave Gallano
Gallano Trucking
Second Vice President
Tom Witt
Roehl Transport
Past President
Jon Coca
Diamond Transportation System, Inc.
Clayton Fisk
Warren Transport
Jeremy Ihle
Ihle Transport, Inc.
Heather Johnson
Landstar
Transportation Logistics
TMHA Mission Statement
To provide an ongoing forum for education, networking and advocacy for flatbed, step-deck and lowboy (RGN) carriers that specialize in the transportation of machinery and machinery-related commodities throughout the United States and Canada.
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What Happens to Trucking When Interest Rates (Finally) Rise?
It didn't happen in September, but one day the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates - perhaps as early as this fall, with Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen saying in a late September speech that a rate hike "sometime this year" would likely be appropriate. But what will this mean for trucking?
We're talking about the Federal Funds Rate, the rate banks charge each other to borrow money overnight. This essentially sets the basis for all other borrowing across the country, and is currently between 0% and 0.25%.
A single, isolated rate increase would have little impact on trucking, according to Jim Meil, industry analysis at the commercial vehicle analysis firm ACT Research and former chief economist with Eaton. The focus is what will follow the first rate hike in nearly a decade. "The pattern in the past has been for the Federal Reserve to launch a series of rate increases, usually to combat inflation," he says. "This would raise the cost of capital" - the interest rates used in borrowing money to fund new equipment and facilities.
Typically, this means a quarter point increase here and maybe even a half percent jump there, rather than all at once.
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Registration, Hotel Information Available for Winter Meeting
Preparations for the The Machinery Haulers Association Winter Meeting are well underway with online registration now open. Additionally, a hotel room block has been established at Jumer's Hotel & Casino in Rock Island, Ill., where the meeting will be held December 2-3.
Mark Barber, a Shareholder with Baker Donelson, will present on the Reptile Damages Strategy that is sweeping the country. He will inform you on this strategy and how to use it to your advantage. Also, an in-depth panel discussion focusing on the hot-topic of In-Cab Cameras will be led by both carriers and vendors.
The meeting is free of charge to attend, but registering is still appreciated so the TMHA staff can deliver an accurate attendance number to dinner location and hotel for food and beverages. Please utilize the online link provided below to complete your registration.
Hotel accommodations have been arranged at Jumer's Hotel with a special room block available until Thursday, November 19. To reserve a room at the discounted group rate of $89.99 per night, call (800) 477-7747.
More information will be forthcoming as more speakers and details are confirmed.
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House Highway Bill Removing CSA Scores Takes Step Forward
The House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee pushed to the full House a six-year highway bill that would, if law, require FMCSA to remove carrier rankings in the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program and require the agency to rework the program, among other trucking regulatory changes.
The long-term highway bill, dubbed the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act, is a $325 billion bill and could be the groundwork for Congress' longest highway funding measure since 2009's SAFTEA-LU and the first multi-year bill since 2012.
The Senate passed a long-term bill, the DRIVE Act, at the end of July that included similar trucking policy changes. There are differences between the two chambers' bills in whole, however, meaning if the full House does clear the bill, the two chambers will have to work out any differences and bring a new bill to a vote.
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A pair of senators who have pushed for a multiyear highway bill say such a proposal could reach President Obama's desk by Thanksgiving.
The Senate passed a bill that includes three years of guaranteed highway funding in July, and the House has now begun working on a six-year, $325 billion infrastructure package of its own that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved.
By contrast, the highway bill that was approved by the House Transportation Committee would require lawmakers to pass new legislation to "unlock" additional funding after the initial three years, instead of guaranteeing it in advance.
The traditional source for transportation funding is revenue collected by the federal gas tax, which is currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon. The federal government spends about $50 billion per year on roads, but the gas tax take only brings in $34 billion annually.
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Overweight Permit Fees Moving Forward in Will County, Illinois
In Illinois, a Joliet City Council committee gave an early OK to the city's first fees for overweight trucks. The proposed fee schedule, along with other proposed trucking regulations, will next go to the full council for approval.
The fees were moved forward despite some concerns they should first get reviewed by trucking interests. The permit fees range from $75 to $300 depending on the weight of the trucks and whether they were making single trips or round trips. Fees for trucks carrying grain are at $50 daily, $250 weekly and $500 monthly.
City Attorney Marty Shanahan noted most municipalities charge fees for overweight permits, although Joliet has not.
The permit fee schedule was among several items getting rewrites and changes in the city's trucking ordinance after a review by Shanahan. Many of the changes were legal fine points aimed at tidying up city ordinances.
But others, including a new fine for blocking roads, reflect heightened interest in regulating truck traffic as the logistics industry in the area continues to grow.
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Millennials Dominate the Workforce --- What Does That Mean to You?
It is estimated that by 2025 millennials will account for 40% of the workforce, up from one-third from this year, the first time that there is more of the 18- to 34- year olds in the American workforce than any other age group.
Generally speaking, this age group is different from previous generations for many reasons. This age group views work life as an engaging experience rather than a daily task. This age group values the following benefits; consumer-directed health plans, wellness benefits, generous parental leave plans, help with college debt, flexible work schedules and employer -paid professional development and training opportunities. In addition, this age group also value and appreciate weekly, even daily reviews by supervisors instead of more-formal annual performance evaluations.
SOURCE: Kiplinger Letter
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The Economy --- Recession Looming?
There seems to be a lot of talk about a recession looming around the corner and experts continue to argue as to if a recession is indeed in our immediate future.
Though the economic expansion turned six years old in July, some experts believe it will continue...even though six years is fairly long as expansion goes. However, the expansion we are now in has moved very slowly. Only recently have we seen a tightening of the slack in the job market and the housing market is showing a clear upswing. Moreover, the annual GDP growth is just now showing signs of exceeding 2% for the second consecutive year.
Some experts don't see anything "unpredictable" on the horizon which would signal an economic collapse anytime soon.
SOURCE: Kiplinger Letter
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The Machinery Haulers Association Staffing Update
We are pleased to announce that Don Egli, Director of Safety & Compliance for the Iowa Motor Truck Association, will be assuming the duties of Executive Director for the Machinery Haulers Association, effective immediately.
Don has many years in the trucking industry and is a strong advocate for not only the industry itself, but for the safety and compliance segment. Don's expertise and working relationships with the TMHA membership will provide for a seamless transition into this new role.
If you have questions for Don or are in need of his assistance, please email him at [email protected] or call him at (515) 244-5193.
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