[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 119 (Thursday, June 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51936-51937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13500]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2022-0003]


Safety Fitness Determinations; Virtual Public Listening Sessions

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

ACTION: Notice of virtual public listening sessions.

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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that it will host two virtual public listening 
sessions pertaining to development of an updated methodology to 
determine when a motor carrier is not fit to operate commercial motor 
vehicles in or affecting interstate commerce. Specifically, the Agency 
would like to hear from members of the public on issues of concern 
relating to the current Safety Fitness Determination (SFD), including, 
for example, the three-tiered rating system (Satisfactory, 
Unsatisfactory, Conditional) versus changing to a proposed single 
rating only when a carrier is found to be Unfit; utilizing inspection 
data and FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (SMS); incorporating driver 
behavior into SFD ratings; and revising the list of safety violations 
used to calculate the rating, and adjusting the weights allocated to 
particular violations including increasing the weight for unsafe 
driving violations. In a separate notice, FMCSA announced and provided 
registration information for a related in-person listening session on 
the same topics to be held in June 2024.

DATES: The first virtual public listening session will be held on 
Tuesday, June 25, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. A copy of the 
agenda will be available in advance of the session at https://
events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/24fb5978-6282-4bc0-9edf-

[[Page 51937]]

606db60155aa@c4cd245b-44f0-4395-a1aa-3848d258f78b.
    The second virtual public listening session will be held on 
Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. A copy of the 
agenda will be available in advance of the session at https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/6d8b1246-2138-4ba9-821c-e926441fd2e1@c4cd245b-44f0-4395-a1aa-3848d258f78b.
    Either session may end early if all participants wishing to express 
their views have done so.
    Public Comment: The virtual sessions will allow members of the 
public to make brief statements to the panel. FMCSA will also accept 
written comments to the docket through August 7, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Both sessions will be held virtually. The link will be sent 
to participants after they register, which may be done at any time.
     Registration for the June 25, 2024, session must be 
completed at https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/24fb5978-6282-4bc0-9edf-606db60155aa@c4cd245b-44f0-4395-a1aa-3848d258f78b.
     Registration for the July 31, 2024, session must be 
completed at https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/6d8b1246-2138-4ba9-821c-e926441fd2e1@c4cd245b-44f0-4395-a1aa-3848d258f78b.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacy Ropp, (609) 661-2062, 
[email protected].
    Services for Individuals with Disabilities: FMCSA is committed to 
providing equal access to the listening session. For accommodations for 
persons with disabilities, please email [email protected] at least 
1 week in advance of the session you wish to attend to allow time to 
make appropriate arrangements.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    FMCSA encourages participation in the sessions and providing of 
comments. Members of the public may submit written comments to the 
public docket using any of the following methods:

A. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
notice (FMCSA-2022-0003). You may submit your comments and material 
online or by mail or hand delivery, but please use only one of these 
methods. FMCSA recommends that you include your name, email address, or 
a phone number in the body of your document.
    To submit your comment online, go to www.regulations.gov. Insert 
the docket number (FMCSA-2022-0003) in the keyword box and click 
``Search.'' Choose the document you want to comment on and click the 
``Comment'' button. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    FMCSA will consider all comments and materials received during the 
comment period for this notice, as described in the DATES section.

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, go to www.regulations.gov and insert the docket 
number (FMCSA-2022-0003) in the keyword box and click ``Search.'' 
Choose this notice and click ``Browse Comments.'' If you have questions 
on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Dockets 
Operations at (202) 366-9826. Business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also 
submit or view docket entries in person or by mail: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 366-9317 or (202) 366-9826 before visiting Dockets 
Operations.

C. 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, 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 https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices. The comments 
are posted without edits and are searchable by the name of the 
submitter.

II. Background

    FMCSA believes it is in the public interest to host two virtual 
public listening sessions to receive additional comments on possible 
updates to the Agency's SFD methodology and process. Accordingly, FMCSA 
is announcing these virtual listening sessions, being held on June 25 
and July 31, 2024. FMCSA has also published another notice formally 
announcing, and providing separate registration information for, a 
related in-person listening session on the same topics to be held in 
Houston, TX in June 2024 (89 FR 48703, June 7, 2024).
    FMCSA is currently contemplating changes to its SFD process. To 
that end, the Agency published an ANPRM soliciting public input on the 
potential use of the SMS methodology to issue SFDs (88 FR 59489, Aug. 
29, 2023). These virtual public listening sessions are intended to gain 
additional feedback on issues of concern relating to the current SFD, 
including, for example:
     Continuing the current SFD three-tiered rating system 
(Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, Conditional) versus changing to a 
proposed single rating, issued only when a carrier is found to be 
Unfit;
     Utilizing inspection data and FMCSA's SMS;
     Incorporating driver behavior into SFD ratings; and
     Revising the list of safety violations used to calculate 
the rating, and adjusting the weights allocated to particular 
violations, including increasing the weight for 49 CFR 392.2 (unsafe 
driving) violations.

III. Meeting Participation

    The virtual listening sessions are open to the public. Speakers' 
remarks will be limited to 3 minutes each.

Sue Lawless,
Acting Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-13500 Filed 6-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P