[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7737]
[[Page 14662]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
49 CFR Parts 387, 390, 391, 392, 395, 396, and 397
[FHWA Docket No. MC-97-3]
RIN 2125-AD72
Review of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;
Regulatory Removals and Substantive Amendments
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The FHWA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in
the Federal Register on January 27, 1997 (62 FR 3855), in which the
agency requested comments on its intent to remove, amend, and
redesignate certain regulations in parts 387, 390, 391, 392, 395, 396,
and 397 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The
comment period for the NPRM was scheduled to close on March 28, 1997.
In response to a request for an extension of the comment period, the
FHWA is extending the comment period until May 12, 1997.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than May 12, 1997.
ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket
number that appears at the top of this document and must be submitted
to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received will be available
for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring
notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope or postcard.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Peter C. Chandler, Office of Motor
Carrier Research and Standards, (202) 366-5763, or Mr. Charles E.
Medalen, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1354, Federal Highway
Administration, Department of Transportation, 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:
Background
The first FMCSRs were promulgated in 1937. The FMCSRs have been
amended many times during the past 60 years. In September 1992, the
FHWA began a comprehensive multi-year project to develop modern,
uniform safety regulations that are up to date, clear, concise, easier
to understand, and more performance oriented. This project has been
named the Zero Base Regulatory Review.
Consistent with the Zero Base project and the President's
Regulatory Reinvention Initiative, the FHWA published an NPRM in the
Federal Register on January 27, 1997 (62 FR 3855), in which the agency
requested comments on its intent to remove, amend, and redesignate
certain regulations concerning financial responsibility; general
applicability and definitions; accident recordkeeping requirements;
qualifications of drivers; driving of commercial motor vehicles; hours
of service of drivers; inspection, repair, and maintenance; and the
transportation of hazardous materials. These regulations were
identified as being obsolete, redundant, unnecessary, ineffective,
burdensome, more appropriately regulated by State and local
authorities, better addressed by company policy, in need of
clarification, or more appropriately contained in another section.
The National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. (NTTC) requested the FHWA to
extend the comment period of the NPRM by 30 days. The NTTC explained
that it will be holding an annual meeting in early April and a review
of the NPRM is planned at the meeting. The timing of the meeting would
make the NTTC unable to submit substantive comments to the docket on
behalf of its membership by the March 28, 1997, deadline.
The FHWA has decided to grant a 45 day extension of the comment
period. Because of the importance of the rulemaking, and the volume and
complexity of issues raised in it, the FHWA believes that the public
interest would be served by permitting the NTTC, regulated entities and
their representative associations and organizations, interested
parties, and the public an additional 45 days in which to submit
comments. Any additional time beyond 45 days, however, would
unnecessarily delay the issuance of the final rule. Accordingly, the
FHWA is extending the comment period for this docket until Monday, May
12, 1997.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 504, 5112, 5125, 31132, 31133, 31136,
31138, 31139, 31502, and 31504; sec. 345, Pub.L. 104-59, 109 Stat.
568, 613; and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: March 19, 1997.
Jane Garvey,
Acting Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-7737 Filed 3-26-97; 8:45 am]
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