[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 118 (Thursday, June 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36932-36933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13160]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0180]


Hours of Service of Drivers: Application for Exemption From the 
14-Hour Rule During Independence Day Celebrations for Illumination 
Fireworks Partners, LP, and ACE Pyro, LLC

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of final disposition.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant Illumination Fireworks 
Partners, LP, and ACE Pyro, LLC (Applicants), an exemption from the 
requirements that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must not 
drive following the 14th hour after coming on duty. The exemption will 
apply solely to the drivers of 60 CMVs employed by the applicants in 
conjunction with staging fireworks shows in celebration of Independence 
Day during the period of June 28-July 8, for the next five years (2020-
2024) inclusive. During this period, the CMV drivers employed by the 
applicants would be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time 
of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers will 
not be allowed to drive after accumulating a total of 14 hours of on-
duty time, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and will continue 
to be subject to the 11-hour driving-time limit, and the 60 and 70-hour 
on-duty limits. FMCSA has determined that the terms and conditions of 
the exemption will likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or 
greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

DATES: This exemption is effective June 18, 2020 and expires June 18, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to www.regulations.gov at any time or visit Room W12-140 
on the ground level of the U.S. Department of Transportation West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. 
The on-line Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is available 24 
hours a day, 365 days a year.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT 
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information 
the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the 
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Pearlie Robinson, FMCSA Driver and 
Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle 
Safety Standards; telephone: 202-366-4325. Email: [email protected]. If you 
have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov, insert the 
docket number, ``FMCSA-2019-0180 in the ``Keyword'' box, and click 
``Search.'' Next, click the ``Open Docket Folder'' button and choose 
the document to review. If you do not have access to the internet, you 
may view the docket online by visiting the Docket Management Facility 
in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, 
Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

II. Legal Basis

    FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315 to grant 
exemptions from certain parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Regulations. FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in 
the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the 
public an opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the 
application, including any safety analyses that have been conducted. 
The Agency must also provide an opportunity for public comment on the 
request.
    The Agency reviews the safety analyses and the public comments, and 
determines whether granting the exemption would likely achieve a level 
of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be 
achieved by the current regulation (49 CFR 381.305). The decision of 
the Agency must be published in the Federal Register (49 CFR 
381.315(b)) including the reason for the grant or denial; the specific 
person or class of persons receiving the exemption, if granted; and the 
regulatory provision or provisions from which exemption is granted. The 
notice must also specify the effective period of the exemption (up to 
five years), and explain the terms and conditions of the exemption. The 
exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).

III. Request for Exemption

    The Hours of Service (HOS) rule in 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) prohibits a 
property-carrying CMV driver from driving a CMV after the 14th hour 
after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. 
Illumination Fireworks Partners, LP (USDOT 3247742), and ACE Pyro, LLC 
(USDOT 1352892) (Applicants), are fireworks display companies that 
employ CMV drivers who hold Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) with 
hazardous materials endorsements. The drivers transport Division 1.3G 
and 1.4G fireworks and setup materials for fireworks shows at 
Independence Day celebrations. The applicants seek an exemption from 
the 14-hour rule in 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) to permit their drivers to 
exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the 
calculation of the 14 hours. The applicants state that the basis for 
the request is the existing FMCSA exemption granted to Illumination 
Fireworks, LLC, and ACE Pyro, LLC, under Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0111. 
They are seeking the HOS exemption because compliance with the 14-hour 
rule would impose economic hardship on cities, municipalities, and 
themselves. Complying with the existing regulation means that most 
shows would require two drivers, significantly increasing the cost of a 
fireworks display.
    The applicants assert that without this exemption safety would 
decline, as fireworks drivers would be unable to return to their home 
base following each show, should they have fireworks remaining after a 
display. Drivers would be forced to park the CMVs carrying Division 
1.3G and 1.4G products in areas less secure than the motor carrier's 
home base.

[[Page 36933]]

IV. Method To Ensure an Equivalent or Greater Level of Safety

    To ensure an equivalent level of safety, the applicants refer to 
the short distances involved in driving from the distribution point to 
the site of a fireworks display, no more than 150 miles. Drivers drive 
to the site of the display in the early morning during light traffic. 
In addition, drivers have several hours off duty in the late afternoon 
and early evening on the day of the event. Lastly, the applicants state 
that they have not been involved in any reportable accidents while 
operating under terms and conditions of the same exemption granted to 
the previous owner of the companies.

V. Public Comments

    On October 23, 2019, FMCSA published notice of this application and 
asked for public comment (84 FR 56887). The Agency did not receive any 
comments.

VI. FMCSA Decision

    FMCSA has determined that granting an exemption to Illumination 
Fireworks Partners, LP, and ACE Pyro, LLC, will likely achieve a level 
of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that compliance with 
the 14-hour rule would achieve. FMCSA ensured that these motor carriers 
possess active USDOT registrations, have minimum required levels of 
insurance, and were not subject to any ``imminent hazard'' or other 
Out-of-Service (OOS) orders. The Agency conducted a comprehensive 
review of the motor carriers' safety performance, which included a 
review of the Motor Carrier Management Information System safety 
records, and inspection and accident reports submitted to FMCSA by 
state agencies.
    The applicants have ``satisfactory'' safety ratings and valid 
Hazardous Materials Safety Permits.

VII. Terms and Conditions of the Exemption

Period of the Exemption

    The exemption from 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) is effective from June 28 
through July 8, at 11:59 p.m. local time, each year from 2020 through 
2024 for the drivers employed by the applicants in this notice.

Terms and Conditions of the Exemption

    Drivers covered by this exemption may exclude off-duty and sleeper-
berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14-hour limit. 
This exemption is limited to drivers employed by the applicants. The 
conditions of this exemption are as follows:
     Drivers must not drive more than 11 hours in the 14-hour 
period after coming on duty; and
     Drivers must have 10 consecutive hours off duty following 
14 hours on duty prior to beginning a new driving period.
    The carrier and drivers must comply with all other requirements of 
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR parts 350-399) and 
Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR parts 105-180).

Preemption

    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR 
381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no state shall 
enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate commerce that 
conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption with respect to a 
firm or person operating under the exemption. States may adopt the same 
exemption with respect to operations in intrastate commerce.

FMCSA Notification

    The applicants must notify FMCSA within five business days of any 
accident (as defined by 49 CFR 390.5) involving the operation of any of 
their CMVs while under this exemption. The notification must be emailed 
to [email protected] and include the following information:
    a. Name of the Exemption: ``Illumination Fireworks Partners or Ace 
Pyro'';
    b. Date of the accident;
    c. City or town and state in which the accident occurred, or which 
is closest to the scene of the accident;
    d. Driver's name and driver's license state, number, and class;
    e. Co-driver's name and driver's license state, number, and class;
    f. Vehicle company number and power unit license plate state and 
number;
    g. Number of individuals suffering physical injury;
    h. Number of fatalities;
    i. The police-reported cause of the accident;
    j. Whether the driver was cited for violation of any traffic laws, 
or motor carrier safety regulations; and
    k. The total driving time and the total on-duty time of the CMV 
driver at the time of the accident.
    In addition, if there are any injuries or fatalities, the carrier 
must forward the police accident report to [email protected] as soon as 
available.

Termination

    The FMCSA does not believe the drivers covered by this exemption 
will experience any deterioration of their safety record. However, 
should this occur, FMCSA will take all steps necessary to protect the 
public interest, including revoking the exemption. The FMCSA will 
revoke the exemption immediately for failure to comply with its terms 
and conditions.

James A. Mullen,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-13160 Filed 6-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P