[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29787-29788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14879]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
Federal Highway Administration


Announcement of Conference on DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing 
Requirements for Mexican Carriers

AGENCIES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Highway Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary (OST), the Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA), and the Mexico Secretariat of Communication in 
Transportation (SCT) are holding a conference on the implementation by 
Mexican motor carriers of the DOT-required drug and alcohol testing 
rules. Members of the Mexican motor carrier industry and the general 
public are invited to attend. The governments of Mexico and the United 
States are working cooperatively to ensure that companies needing to 
comply with the rules are able to do so by the effective date. This 
conference will provide Mexican carriers with an opportunity to meet 
SCT and DOT personnel and speak with them on all issues related to 
implementation of these rules. Both governments strongly urge 
attendance and participation of Mexican carriers.

DATES: June 24, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Holiday Inn, Downtown Market Square, 318 West Durango 
Street, San Antonio, Texas. The conference will run from 8:00 a.m. to 
5:00 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Bernstein, Director, Office of 
Drug Enforcement and Program Compliance, Room 10317, (202-366-3784), 
400 7th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing 
Act of 1991 required the Secretary of Transportation to issue 
regulations requiring controlled substances and alcohol testing of 
commercial motor vehicle drivers who are subject to the commercial 
driver's licensing requirements of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety 
Act of 1986, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 313. The final rules, 49 CFR Part 40, 
``Procedures for Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs,'' 
and 49 CFR Part 382, ``Commercial Driver's License Program and 
Controlled Substance and Alcohol Use and Testing,'' implementing such 
testing, were published on February 15, 1994. Following comments from 
United States, foreign industry, and other interested parties, FHWA 
amended Part 382 on September 22, 1995 (60 FR 49322) and extended the 
drug and alcohol testing requirements to foreign employers and drivers 
who drive into the United States. The implementation dates of the 
requirements of 49 CFR Part 40 and Part 382 will go into effect on July 
1, 1996, for large foreign employers (with more than 50 drivers), and 
will go into effect on July 1, 1997, for small foreign employers (with 
less than 50 drivers).
    Currently, Mexico has a drug and alcohol testing program which is 
wholly supported and operated by the government. This program will 
remain intact under the control and enforcement of SCT and run 
concurrently with, but in addition to, the DOT program requirements. 
Mexican motor carriers must comply with DOT requirements on their own, 
by partnering with SCT, or by contracting the requirements to 
consortia/third party administrators (C/TPA) working on the employer's 
behalf. The DOT is providing technical assistance in a number of areas 
to speed up the implementation process.
    This conference will be an opportunity for the Mexican employers 
and their industry associations to have a dialogue with OST, FHWA, and 
SCT personnel regarding implementation issues, questions, and concerns. 
OST, FHWA, and SCT personnel will present to the participants a concise 
overview of the rule requirements. Although the primary purpose of this 
conference is to meet with Mexican motor carrier industry officials, 
other Mexican or United States interested parties, such as 
laboratories, consortia, third party

[[Page 29788]]

administrators, manufacturers of alcohol testing equipment, and urine 
collection and alcohol testing services are invited. SCT has decided, 
and DOT agrees, that only authorized Mexican personnel will perform 
medical review officer and substance abuse professional functions.
    The conference is free-of-charge to participants. However, 
attendees will need to pay for the costs of their own travel and hotel 
accommodations. Hotel rooms will be available at a discounted rate for 
conference attendees. Please contact the Holiday Inn at (210) 225-3211, 
for room rate information and to make reservations. Mexican carriers 
interested in attending this meeting should register by faxing the 
following information to DOT at (202) 366-3897 by June 19, 1996: name 
of the individual(s) attending; company name, address, and telephone 
number; number of drivers in the company; and, number of drivers 
crossing the border into the United States.
    Vendors who want exhibit space will need to work directly with the 
hotel. Vendors who are planning on attending and having an exhibit, 
should also register by faxing the following information to DOT at 
(202) 366-3897 by June 19, 1996: name of the individual(s) attending; 
company name, address, and telephone number; and, indicate type of 
service provided (e.g., laboratory, alcohol testing equipment, 
consortium, etc.).

    Issued this 5th day of June, 1996, at Washington, D.C.
Mary Bernstein,
Director, Office of Drug Enforcement and Program Compliance.
[FR Doc. 96-14879 Filed 6-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P