[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 6, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 40781] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-19916] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration 49 CFR Parts 361, 362, 363, 364, 385, 386 and 391 [FHWA Docket No. MC-96-18] RIN 2125-AD64 Rules of Practice for Motor Carrier Proceedings; Investigations; Disqualifications and Penalties; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The FHWA announces the extension of the comment period for its April 29, 1996, notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in which the agency proposed changes to our procedural rules governing investigations of motor carrier compliance with agency regulations, penalty assessments and adjudications, safety ratings, and driver qualifications. The FHWA has determined this extension is necessary in response to requests from members of the affected public for additional time to review and comment on this broad rulemaking proposal. The comment period is extended to September 13, 1996. DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 13, 1996. ADDRESSES: Submit written, signed comments to FHWA Docket No. MC-96-18, FHWA, Office of the Chief Counsel, HCC-10, Room 4232, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self- addressed, stamped postcard/envelope. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Brennan, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-0834, Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 29, 1996 (61 FR 18866), the FHWA published a NPRM (Docket MC-96-18) that requested comments on its proposal to revise and amend procedural rules relating to the exercise of the agency's authority to investigate compliance with the various regulations subject to its jurisdiction; to assess penalties and to adjudicate claims for violations of these regulations; to assign safety ratings to carriers; to determine driver qualifications and other matters involving formal and informal proceedings. The FHWA proposed the creation of four new parts in chapter III of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, replacing 49 CFR Part 385, 386 and a portion of Part 391. The FHWA heard reports from the affected public that because of the broad scope of the proposal, more time was needed to file meaningful comments. On December 29, 1995, the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act was enacted, which transferred certain residual functions of the ICC to the Department of Transportation, some of which were delegated to the FHWA. The FHWA will be proposing to supplement its April 29, 1996 NPRM to integrate procedural aspects of its inherited ICC function into the proposed procedural rule. The extension of time should be sufficient to accommodate consideration of the supplemental NPRM, which will be issued in the near future. The FHWA is mindful of the need for all interested parties to have enough time to prepare relevant and useful comments. The FHWA therefore is extending the deadline for submitting comments on Docket MC-96-18 an additional 45 days. As indicated in the Rulemaking Analyses and Notices section of the NPRM, all comments received before the close of business on the comment closing date indicted above will be considered and will be available for examination in the docket at the above address. Comments received after the closing date will be filed in the docket and will be considered to the extent practicable. In addition to late comments, the FHWA will continue to file relevant information in the docket as it becomes available after the comment closing date, and interested parties should continue to examine the docket for new materials. Authority: 49 U.S.C. chapters 5, 51, 59, 311, 313, 315; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: July 26, 1996. Rodney E. Slater, Federal Highway Administrator. [FR Doc. 96-19916 Filed 8-1-96; 2:58 pm] BILLING CODE 4910-22-P