[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2024)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 66848-66855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16457]



[[Page 66847]]

Vol. 89

Friday,

No. 159

August 16, 2024

Part XII





Department of Transportation





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

  Federal Register / Vol. 89 , No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2024 / UA: 
Reg Flex Agenda  

[[Page 66848]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

14 CFR Chs. I-III

23 CFR Chs. I-III

33 CFR Chs. I and IV

46 CFR Chs. I-III

48 CFR Ch. 12

49 CFR Subtitle A, Chs. I-VI, and Chs. X-XII

[DOT-OST-1999-5129]


Department Regulatory and Deregulatory Agenda; Semiannual Summary

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 
(Regulatory Agenda).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Regulatory Agenda is a semiannual summary of all current 
and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and 
completed actions of the Department of Transportation. The Agenda 
provides the public information about the Department of 
Transportation's planned regulatory activity for the next 12 months. 
This information enables the public to participate in DOT's regulatory 
process. The public is encouraged to submit comments on any aspect of 
this Agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct all general comments and 
inquiries on the Agenda to Daniel Cohen, Assistant General Counsel for 
Regulation and Legislation, Office of the General Counsel, Department 
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; 
(202) 366-4702.
    Please direct all comments and inquiries relative to specific items 
in the Agenda to the individual listed in the summary of each 
regulation.
    To obtain a copy of a specific regulatory document in the Agenda, 
you should communicate directly with the contact person listed with the 
regulation. We note that most such documents, including the Semiannual 
Regulatory Agenda, are available through the internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose

    DOT is publishing this regulatory Agenda in the Federal Register to 
share with interested members of the public DOT's preliminary 
expectations regarding its future regulatory actions. This should 
enable the public to be more aware of DOT's regulatory activity and 
should result in more effective public participation. This publication 
in the Federal Register does not impose any binding obligation on DOT 
or any of the offices within DOT about any specific item on the Agenda. 
Regulatory action, in addition to the items listed, is not precluded.

Public Outreach

    When developing regulations and establishing our regulatory 
priorities, the Department fosters active participation and engagement 
from members of the public and affected communities. In this section, 
we detail engagement efforts that have helped to inform our priorities 
to date, as well as future engagement tools we plan to use. The 
Department is ensuring that we hear from members of the public who have 
not typically participated in the regulatory process.
    In rulemakings to enhance the transparency of airline ancillary 
service fees and to improve the ticket refund process, the Office of 
the Secretary of Transportation (OST) hosted virtual public hearings to 
hear from the public. OST also engaged with the Aviation Consumer 
Protection Advisory Committee, which comprises representatives for 
airlines, airport operators, consumers, and state and local 
governments, on these rulemakings.
    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is planning 
a series of public listening sessions in summer 2024 in a rulemaking to 
update its methodology for determining whether a motor carrier is not 
fit to operate commercial motor vehicles. FMCSA also held listening 
sessions in a separate rulemaking dealing with automated driving 
system-equipped commercial motor vehicles. In addition, FMCSA has been 
engaged in activities to advance the voluntary adoption of automatic 
emergency braking systems (AEB) for heavy vehicles, primarily through 
the Tech-Celebrate Now (TCN) program. Initiated in September 2019 and 
completed in February 2022, the first phase of this program encompassed 
research into advanced driver assistance (ADAS) technology adoption 
barriers; a national outreach, educational, and awareness campaign; and 
data collection and analysis. Outreach accomplishments included 
development of training materials for fleets, drivers, and maintenance 
personnel related to AEB technology and return-on-investment (ROI) 
guides; educational videos on ADAS braking, steering, warning, and 
monitoring technologies; a web-based TCN ADAS-specific ROI calculator; 
four articles on ADAS technologies; and a program website to host the 
training materials. Planning is underway for the second phase of the 
TCN program, which includes an expanded national outreach and education 
campaign, additional research into the barriers to ADAS adoption by 
motor carriers, and evaluation of the outreach campaign.
    The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) held a virtual listening 
session to solicit stakeholder comments and suggestions on its bus 
testing program. In a separate rulemaking, FTA released a recorded 
webinar which provided an overview of the Rail Transit Roadway Worker 
Protection Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. In addition, FTA hosted three 
listening sessions on the Transit Worker Hours of Service and Fatigue 
Risk Management advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM). FTA has 
also presented on the ANPRM at various conferences such as the 
ThinkTransit Conference in Tucson, Arizona.
    The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published its Notice of 
Proposed Amendments to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices on 
December 14, 2020. The comment period was set to close on March 15, 
2021. But halfway through the comment period, FHWA heard concerns from 
stakeholders that the scope and complexity of the proposal warranted an 
extension. In response, FHWA not only extended the comment period by an 
additional two months, but it also conducted a series of four public 
webinars that were also recorded and posted on FHWA's website to aid 
the public comment process. These webinars significantly increased the 
number and quality of comment submissions to the rulemaking docket.
    In a separate rulemaking, dealing with the tribal transportation 
program--bridge program, FHWA held numerous meetings and consultations 
with Tribal governments about the rulemaking. FHWA also published 
requests for information in the following three rulemakings: Update to 
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Standards and Requirements, 
Application of Buy America to Manufactured Products, Incorporating 
Safety Into Federal-aid Programs and Projects.

[[Page 66849]]

Request for Comments

General

    DOT's Agenda is intended primarily for the use of the public. Since 
its inception, DOT has made modifications and refinements that provide 
the public with more helpful information, as well as make the Agenda 
easier to use. We would like the public to make suggestions or comments 
on how the Agenda could be further improved.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DOT has long recognized the importance of regularly reviewing its 
existing regulations to determine whether they need to be revised or 
revoked. Our Regulatory Policies and Procedures require such reviews. 
DOT also has responsibilities under section 610 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review,'' and Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review,'' 76 FR 3821 (January 18, 2011) to conduct such 
reviews. We are committed to continuing our reviews of existing rules 
and, if it is needed, will initiate rulemaking actions based on these 
reviews. Generally, each DOT operating administration divides its rules 
into 10 different groups and plans to analyze one group each year. In 
each Fall Agenda, each operating administration will publish the 
results of the analyses it has completed during the previous year. The 
most recent results appeared in DOT's Regulatory and Deregulatory Fall 
2023 Agenda Preamble, which was published in the Federal Register on 
February 9, 2024. DOT is interested in obtaining information on 
requirements that have a ``significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities'' and, therefore, must be reviewed under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. Suggestions of regulations that should be 
reviewed should be submitted to DOT, along with an explanation of why 
they should be reviewed.

Consultation With State, Local, and Tribal Governments

    Executive Orders 13132 and 13175 require DOT to develop a process 
to ensure ``meaningful and timely input'' by State, local, and Tribal 
officials in the development of regulatory policies that have 
federalism or tribal implications. These policies are defined in the 
Executive orders to include regulations that have ``substantial direct 
effects'' on States or Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the 
Federal Government and them, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the Federal Government and various levels of 
Government or Indian tribes. Therefore, we encourage State and local 
Governments or Indian Tribes to provide us with information about how 
DOT's rulemakings impact them.

Subash Iyer,
Acting General Counsel, Department of Transportation.

               Office of the Secretary--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
159.......................  Refunding Airline Tickets          2105-AF04
                             and Ancillary Services
                             Fees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


             Federal Aviation Administration--Prerule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
160.......................  Aircraft Registration,             2120-AK37
                             Airman Certification, and
                             Airman Medical
                             Certificate Fees.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Federal Aviation Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
161.......................  Requirements to File               2120-AK77
                             Notice of Construction of
                             Meteorological Evaluation
                             Towers and Other
                             Renewable Energy Projects
                             (Section 610 Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


            Federal Aviation Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
162.......................  Drug and Alcohol Testing           2120-AK09
                             of Certificated Repair
                             Station Employees Located
                             Outside of the United
                             States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Federal Aviation Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
163.......................  Regulation Of Flight               2120-AJ78
                             Operations Conducted By
                             Alaska Guide Pilots.
164.......................  Applying the Flight, Duty,         2120-AK26
                             and Rest Requirements to
                             Ferry Flights that Follow
                             Commuter or On-Demand
                             Operations (FAA
                             Reauthorization).
165.......................  Helicopter Air Ambulance           2120-AK57
                             Pilot Training and
                             Operational Requirements
                             (HAA II) (FAA
                             Reauthorization).
166.......................  Registration and Marking           2120-AK82
                             Requirements for Small
                             Unmanned Aircraft.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 66850]]


    Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
167.......................  Self-Insurance Program             2126-AC58
                             Cost Recovery (Section
                             610 Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


     Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
168.......................  Safety Monitoring System           2126-AA35
                             and Compliance Initiative
                             for Mexico-Domiciled
                             Motor Carriers Operating
                             in the United States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


          Federal Railroad Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
169.......................  Positive Train Control             2130-AC95
                             Systems (Section 610
                             Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Federal Railroad Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
170.......................  Train Crew Size Safety             2130-AC88
                             Requirements (Completion
                             of a Section 610 Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration--Proposed Rule
                                  Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
171.......................  Pipeline Safety: Pipeline          2137-AF52
                             Operational Status.
172.......................  Pipeline Safety: Safety of         2137-AF53
                             Gas Distribution
                             Pipelines and Other
                             Pipeline Safety
                             Initiatives.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
173.......................  Hazardous Materials: FAST          2137-AF21
                             Act Requirements for Real-
                             Time Train Consist
                             Information.
174.......................  Pipeline Safety: Gas               2137-AF51
                             Pipeline Leak Detection
                             and Repair.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


              Maritime Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
175.......................  Cargo Preference--U.S.             2133-AB97
                             Flag Vessels Regulatory
                             Update (Section 610
                             Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                Maritime Administration--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
176.......................  Establishing Safe and              2133-AB99
                             Secure Merchant Marine
                             Training, Every Mariner
                             Builds A Respectful
                             Culture (EMBARC) (Section
                             610 Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 66851]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Office of the Secretary (OST)

Completed Actions

159. Refunding Airline Tickets and Ancillary Services Fees [2105-AF04]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 41712; 49 U.S.C. 40101, 49 U.S.C.41702
    Abstract: The Department of Transportation has consistently 
interpreted 49 U.S.C. 41712, which prohibits U.S. air carriers, foreign 
air carriers, and ticket agents from engaging in unfair practices in 
the sale of air transportation, to require carriers and ticket agents 
to provide requested refunds to passengers when a carrier cancels or 
significantly changes a flight to, from, or within the United States. 
This rulemaking would clarify that, under the Department's rule 
requiring airlines to provide prompt refunds when ticket refunds are 
due and its rule requiring ticket agents to make refunds promptly when 
service cannot be performed as contracted, carriers and ticket agents 
must provide prompt ticket refunds to passengers when a carrier cancels 
or makes a significant change to a flight. This rulemaking would define 
cancellation and significant change, including addressing whether new 
itineraries involving delays of a certain length or additional stops 
constitute a significant change requiring a refund. This rulemaking 
would also address protections for consumers who are unable to travel 
due to government restrictions. In addition, the rulemaking under RIN 
2105-AE53 has been merged into this rulemaking. As such, this 
rulemaking would also require airlines to refund checked baggage fees 
when they fail to deliver the bags in a timely manner as provided by 
the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016, and require 
airlines to promptly provide a refund to a passenger of any ancillary 
fees paid for services that the passenger did not receive as provided 
by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/22/22  87 FR 51550
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/21/22
Final Rule..........................   04/26/24  89 FR 32760
Final Rule Effective................   06/25/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Blane A. Workie, Assistant General Counsel, 
Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202-366-9342, Fax: 202-366-
7153, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2105-AF04

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Prerule Stage

160. Aircraft Registration, Airman Certification, and Airman Medical 
Certificate Fees [2120-AK37]

    Legal Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701; 4 U.S.C. 1830; 49 U.S.C. 106(f); 
49 U.S.C. 106(g); 49 U.S.C. 106(l)(6); 49 U.S.C. 40104; 49 U.S.C. 
40105; 49 U.S.C. 40109; 49 U.S.C. 40113; 49 U.S.C. 40114; 49 U.S.C. 
44101 to 44108; 49 U.S.C. 44110 to 44113; 49 U.S.C. 44701 to 44704; 49 
U.S.C. 44707; 49 U.S.C. 44709 to 44711; 49 U.S.C. 44713; 49 U.S.C. 
45102; 49 U.S.C. 45103; 49 U.S.C. 45301; 49 U.S.C. 45302; 49 U.S.C. 
45305; 49 U.S.C. 46104; 49 U.S.C. 46301; Pub. L. 108-297, 118 Stat. 
1095
    Abstract: This rulemaking would establish fees for airman 
certificates, medical certificates, and provision of legal opinions 
pertaining to aircraft registration or recordation. This rulemaking 
also would revise existing fees for aircraft registration, recording of 
security interests in aircraft or aircraft parts, and replacement of an 
airman certificate. This rulemaking addresses provisions of the FAA 
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. This rulemaking is intended to 
recover the estimated costs of the various services and activities for 
which fees would be established or revised.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   07/00/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Isra Raza, Department of Transportation, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 
20591, Phone: 202-267-8994, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2120-AK37

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Proposed Rule Stage

161. Requirements To File Notice of Construction of Meteorological 
Evaluation Towers and Other Renewable Energy Projects (Section 610 
Review) [2120-AK77]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103
    Abstract: This rulemaking would add specific requirements for 
proponents who wish to construct meteorological evaluation towers at a 
height of 50 feet above ground level (AGL) up to 200 feet AGL to file 
notice of construction with the FAA. This rule also requires sponsors 
of wind turbines to provide certain specific data when filing notice of 
construction with the FAA. This rulemaking is a statutory mandate under 
section 2110 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 
(Pub. L. 114-190).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/00/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Juan Yanguas, Department of Transportation, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave NW, Washington, DC 20591, 
Phone: 202-267-1082, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2120-AK77

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Final Rule Stage

162. Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees 
Located Outside of the United States [2120-AK09]

    Legal Authority: 14 CFR; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 49 U.S.C. 40113; 49 
U.S.C. 44701; 49 U.S.C. 44702; 49 U.S.C. 44707; 49 U.S.C. 44709; 49 
U.S.C. 44717
    Abstract: This rulemaking would require controlled substance 
testing of some employees working in repair stations located outside 
the United States. The intended effect is to increase participation by 
companies outside of the United States in testing of employees who 
perform safety critical functions and testing standards similar to 
those used in the repair stations located in the United States. This 
rulemaking is a statutory mandate under

[[Page 66852]]

section 308(d) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public 
Law 112-95).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   03/17/14  79 FR 14621
Comment Period Extended.............   05/01/14  79 FR 24631
ANPRM Comment Period End............   05/16/14
Comment Period End..................   07/17/14
NPRM................................   12/07/23  88 FR 85137
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   01/24/24  89 FR 4584
NPRM Comment Period End.............   02/05/24
End of Extended Comment Period......   04/05/24
Final Rule..........................   01/00/25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Julia Brady, Program Analyst, Program Policy 
Branch, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20591, Phone: 202-267-8083, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2120-AK09

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Long-Term Actions

163. Regulation of Flight Operations Conducted by Alaska Guide Pilots 
[2120-AJ78]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 49 U.S.C. 1153; 49 U.S.C. 1155; 
49 U.S.C. 40101 to 40103; 49 U.S.C. 40113; 49 U.S.C. 40120; 49 U.S.C. 
44101; 49 U.S.C. 44105 to 44016; 49 U.S.C. 44111; 49 U.S.C. 44701 to 
44717; 49 U.S.C. 44722; 49 U.S.C. 44901; 49 U.S.C. 44903 to 44904; 49 
U.S.C. 44906; 49 U.S.C. 44912; 49 U.S.C. 44914; 49 U.S.C. 44936; 49 
U.S.C. 44938; 49 U.S.C. 46103; 49 U.S.C. 46105; 49 U.S.C. 46306; 49 
U.S.C. 46315 to 46316; 49 U.S.C. 46504; 49 U.S.C. 46506 to 46507; 49 
U.S.C. 47122; 49 U.S.C. 47508; 49 U.S.C. 47528 to 47531; Articles 12 
and 29 of 61 Statue 1180; P.L. 106-181, Sec. 732
    Abstract: The rulemaking would establish regulations concerning 
Alaska guide pilot operations. The rulemaking would implement 
Congressional legislation and establish additional safety requirements 
for the conduct of these operations. The intended effect of this 
rulemaking is to enhance the level of safety for persons and property 
transported in Alaska guide pilot operations. In addition, the 
rulemaking would add a general provision applicable to pilots operating 
under the general operating and flight rules concerning falsification, 
reproduction, and alteration of applications, logbooks, reports, or 
records. This rulemaking is a statutory mandate under section 732 of 
the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st 
Century, (Pub. L. 106-181).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Action Undetermined............           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    Agency Contact: Jeff Smith, Department of Transportation, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20785, Phone: 202 365-3617, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2120-AJ78

164. Applying the Flight, Duty, and Rest Requirements To Ferry Flights 
That Follow Commuter or On-Demand Operations (FAA Reauthorization) 
[2120-AK26]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f); 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 49 U.S.C. 
1153; 49 U.S.C. 40101; 49 U.S.C. 40102; 49 U.S.C. 40103; 49 U.S.C. 
40113; 49 U.S.C. 41706; 49 U.S.C. 44105; 49 U.S.C. 44106; 49 U.S.C. 
44111; 49 U.S.C. 44701 to 44717; 49 U.S.C. 44722; 49 U.S.C. 44901; 49 
U.S.C. 44903; 49 U.S.C. 44904; 49 U.S.C. 44906; 49 U.S.C. 44912; 49 
U.S.C. 44914; 49 U.S.C. 44936; 49 U.S.C. 44938; 49 U.S.C. 45101 to 
45105; 49 U.S.C. 46103
    Abstract: This rulemaking would require a flight crew member who is 
employed by an air carrier conducting operations under part 135, and 
who accepts an additional assignment for flying under part 91 from the 
air carrier or from any other air carrier conducting operations under 
part 121 or 135, to apply the period of the additional assignment 
toward any limitation applicable to the flight crew member relating to 
duty periods or flight times under part 135.
    Timetable: Next Action Undetermined.
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Chester Piolunek, Department of Transportation, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20591, Phone: 202-267-3711, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 2120-AK26

165. Helicopter Air Ambulance Pilot Training and Operational 
Requirements (HAA II) (FAA Reauthorization) [2120-AK57]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f); 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 49 U.S.C. 
40113; 49 U.S.C. 41706; 49 U.S.C. 44701; 49 U.S.C. 44702; 49 U.S.C. 
44705; 49 U.S.C. 44709; 49 U.S.C. 44711 to 44713; 49 U.S.C. 44715 to 
44717; 49 U.S.C. 44722; 49 U.S.C. 44730; 49 U.S.C. 45101 to 45105
    Abstract: This rulemaking would develop training requirements for 
crew resource management, flight risk evaluation, and operational 
control of the pilot in command, as well as to develop standards for 
the use of flight simulation training devices and line-oriented flight 
training. Additionally, it would establish requirements for the use of 
safety equipment for flight crewmembers and flight nurses. These 
changes will aide in the increase in aviation safety and increase 
survivability in the event of an accident. Without these changes, the 
Helicopter Air Ambulance industry may continue to see the unacceptable 
high rate of aircraft accidents. This rulemaking is a statutory mandate 
under section 306(e) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 
(Pub. L. 112-95).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Action Undetermined............           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Chris Holliday, Department of Transportation, 
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20591, Phone: 202 267-4552, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 2120-AK57

166. Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft 
[2120-AK82]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 49 U.S.C. 41703, 44101-44106, 
44110-44113, and 44701
    Abstract: This rulemaking would provide an alternative, streamlined 
and simple, web-based aircraft registration process for the 
registration of small unmanned aircraft, including small unmanned 
aircraft operated exclusively for limited recreational operations, to 
facilitate compliance with the statutory requirement that all aircraft 
register

[[Page 66853]]

prior to operation. It would also provide a simpler method for marking 
small unmanned aircraft that is more appropriate for these aircraft. 
This action responds to public comments received regarding the proposed 
registration process in the Operation and Certification of Small 
Unmanned Aircraft notice of proposed rulemaking, the request for 
information regarding unmanned aircraft system registration, and the 
recommendations from the Unmanned Aircraft System Registration Task 
Force.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Final Rule..................   12/16/15  80 FR 78593
Interim Final Rule Effective........   12/21/15
OMB Approval of Information            12/21/15  80 FR 79255
 Collection.
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      01/15/16
 End.
Final Rule..........................   08/00/25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Bonnie Lefko, Department of Transportation, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 6500 South MacArthur Boulevard, Room 118, 
Registry Building 26, Oklahoma City, OK 73169, Phone: 866 762-9434, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2120-AK82

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Proposed Rule Stage

167. Self-Insurance Program Cost Recovery (Section 610 Review) [2126-
AC58]

    Legal Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701 and 49 U.S.C. 13906(d); 49 U.S.C. 
13908(d)
    Abstract: FMCSA will propose to amend fees collected for the 
processing of new self-insurance applications and add new fees for 
ongoing monitoring of carrier compliance with the self-insurance 
program requirements. Application fees will be directed to FMCSA's 
Licensing and Insurance (L&I) Account while monitoring fees must be 
sent to the Treasury. This rulemaking will amend 49 CFR 360.3T/360.3 to 
ensure that the limited number of primarily large motor carriers that 
benefit from the program bear a proportionate cost of participating in 
the program. FMCSA may also need to amend 49 CFR 360.5T/360.5 to 
reflect any specific updates to the user fee methodology that are 
required by this rulemaking.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Kenneth Riddle, Office Director, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, W65-308, Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202 366-9616, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2126-AC58

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Long-Term Actions

168. Safety Monitoring System and Compliance Initiative for Mexico-
Domiciled Motor Carriers Operating in the United States [2126-AA35]

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 107-87, sec. 350; 49 U.S.C. 113; 49 U.S.C. 
31136; 49 U.S.C. 31144; 49 U.S.C. 31502; 49 U.S.C. 504; 49 U.S.C. 5113; 
49 U.S.C. 521(b)(5)(A)
    Abstract: This rule would implement a safety monitoring system and 
compliance initiative designed to evaluate the continuing safety 
fitness of all Mexico-domiciled carriers within 18 months after 
receiving a provisional Certificate of Registration or provisional 
authority to operate in the United States. It also would establish 
suspension and revocation procedures for provisional Certificates of 
Registration and operating authority, and incorporate criteria to be 
used by FMCSA in evaluating whether Mexico-domiciled carriers exercise 
basic safety management controls. The interim rule included 
requirements that were not proposed in the NPRM but which are necessary 
to comply with the FY-2002 DOT Appropriations Act. On January 16, 2003, 
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals remanded this rule, along with two 
other NAFTA-related rules, to the agency, requiring a full 
environmental impact statement and an analysis required by the Clean 
Air Act. On June 7, 2004, the Supreme Court reversed the Ninth Circuit 
and remanded the case, holding that FMCSA is not required to prepare 
the environmental documents. FMCSA originally planned to publish a 
final rule by November 28, 2003.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/03/01  66 FR 22415
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/02/01
Interim Final Rule..................   03/19/02  67 FR 12758
Interim Final Rule Comment Period      04/18/02
 End.
Interim Final Rule Effective........   05/03/02
Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS..   08/26/03  68 FR 51322
EIS Public Scoping Meetings.........   10/08/03  68 FR 58162
Next Action Undetermined............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Crystal Williams, Department of Transportation, 
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202 366-0596, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 2126-AA35

BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Proposed Rule Stage

169. Positive Train Control Systems (Section 610 Review) [2130-AC95]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20103; 49 U.S.C. 20157
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend FRA's PTC regulations--Title 
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 236, subpart I--to accomplish 
two objectives: (1) improve FRA's oversight of the performance of PTC 
technology by clarifying and expanding certain reporting requirements, 
and (2) provide a clear framework under which railroads may safely 
operate without PTC technology, subject to operating restrictions and 
other requirements, in certain necessary situations. FRA has found that 
its existing PTC regulations do not provide sufficient flexibility to 
railroads to continue operating following initialization failures or in 
cases where a PTC system needs to be temporarily disabled during 
repair, maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, or capital projects. 
Previously, FRA's regulations provided railroads with flexibility that 
expired on December 31, 2022, and this rulemaking will reintroduce a 
certain flexibility

[[Page 66854]]

regarding initialization failures, establish additional parameters and 
operating restrictions under which railroads may continue to operate 
safely, and codify an existing process for FRA's approval of temporary 
PTC system outages related to repair, maintenance, infrastructure 
upgrades, and capital projects. In addition, this rulemaking will 
create a new exception to permit non-revenue passenger trains to 
operate to yards or maintenance facilities, without being governed by 
PTC technology, under certain conditions.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   08/00/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Amanda Maizel, Attorney Adviser, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202 308-3753, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 2130-AC95

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Completed Actions

170. Train Crew Size Safety Requirements (Completion of a Section 610 
Review) [2130-AC88]

    Legal Authority: 49 CFR 1.89(a); 49 U.S.C. 20103
    Abstract: This rulemaking would address the potential safety impact 
of one-person train operations, including appropriate measures to 
mitigate an accident's impact and severity, and the patchwork of State 
laws concerning minimum crew staffing requirements. This rulemaking 
would address the issue of minimum requirements for the size of train 
crews, depending on the type of operations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   07/28/22  87 FR 45564
NPRM Comment Period End.............   09/26/22
Final Rule..........................   04/09/24  89 FR 25052
Final Action Effective..............   06/10/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Amanda Maizel, Attorney Adviser, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202 308-3753, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 2130-AC88

BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Proposed Rule Stage

171. Pipeline Safety: Pipeline Operational Status [2137-AF52]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the pipeline safety 
regulations to define an idled operational status for natural gas and 
hazardous liquid pipelines that are temporarily removed from service, 
set operations and maintenance requirements for idled pipelines, and 
establish inspection requirements for idled pipelines that are returned 
to service. The proposed rule is necessary to respond to a mandate from 
the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act 
of 2020.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   12/00/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Anna Setzer, Transportation Specialist, Department 
of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 
202-366-4098, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2137-AF52

172. Pipeline Safety: Safety of Gas Distribution Pipelines and Other 
Pipeline Safety Initiatives [2137-AF53]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the pipeline safety 
regulations to enhance the safety requirements for gas distribution 
pipelines. The proposed rule is necessary to respond to several 
mandates from Title II of the Protecting our Infrastructure of 
Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 (PIPES Act of 2020).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   09/07/23  88 FR 61746
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/06/23
Analyzing Comments..................   04/00/25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Robert Jagger, Technical Writer, Department of 
Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202 366-4361, 
Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2137-AF53

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Final Rule Stage

173. Hazardous Materials: FAST Act Requirements for Real-Time Train 
Consist Information [2137-AF21]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking action responds to the Fixing America's 
Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015, which directs the Secretary 
of Transportation to require railroads that transport hazardous 
materials to generate accurate, real-time, and electronic train consist 
information. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 amended 
Section 7302 of the FAST Act to remove the provision requiring 
railroads to provide electronic train consist information to fusion 
centers and instead require the electronic train consist information be 
provided to emergency response officials responding to or investigating 
an incident involving the transportation of hazardous materials by 
rail.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   01/19/17  82 FR 6451
ANPRM Comment Period End............   04/19/17
NPRM................................   06/27/23  88 FR 41541
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/28/23
Final Rule..........................   07/00/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Eamonn Patrick, Transportation Specialist, 
Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20590,

[[Page 66855]]

Phone: 202 366-8553, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2137-AF21

174. Pipeline Safety: Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair [2137-
AF51]

    Legal Authority: 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq.
    Abstract: This rulemaking would amend the pipeline safety 
regulations to enhance requirements for detecting and repairing leaks 
on new and existing natural gas distribution, gas transmission, and gas 
gathering pipelines. The proposed rule is necessary to respond to a 
mandate from Section 113 of the Protecting our Infrastructure of 
Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   05/18/23  88 FR 31890
NPRM Comment Period End.............   07/17/23
Final Rule..........................   01/00/25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Sayler Palabrica, Department of Transportation, 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, District of Columbia, DC 20590, Phone: 202-366-0559, Email: 
[email protected].
    RIN: 2137-AF51

BILLING CODE 4910-60-P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Maritime Administration (MARAD)

Proposed Rule Stage

175. Cargo Preference--U.S. Flag Vessels Regulatory Update (Section 610 
Review) [2133-AB97]

    Legal Authority: FY23 NDAA, Pub. L. 117-263, 46 U.S.C. 55305.
    Abstract: The purpose of this rulemaking is to respond to a 
statutory directive in section 3502 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23 NDAA) requiring MARAD to 
issue a final rule to implement and enforce the cargo preference 
requirements in 46 U.S.C. 55305(d).
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   06/00/25
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Mitch Hudson, Senior Attorney, Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202 366-9373, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2133-AB97

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Maritime Administration (MARAD)

Final Rule Stage

176. Establishing Safe and Secure Merchant Marine Training, Every 
Mariner Builds a Respectful Culture (EMBARC) (Section 610 Review) 
[2133-AB99]

    Legal Authority: 46 U.S.C. 50101, 46 U.S.C. 51103, 46 U.S.C. 51322, 
46 U.S.C. 57100, 49 CFR 1.93
    Abstract: The purpose of this rule is to provide for a safe and 
secure work environment for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and State 
Maritime Academy cadets assigned to a vessel for training or 
educational purposes and to provide for the operation of a safe and 
efficient United States Merchant Marine through the prevention of, and 
response to prohibited behavior such as assault, rape, sexual assault, 
relationship violence, stalking, harassment of any kind, including 
gender-based and sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interim Final Rule..................   10/00/24
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Mitch Hudson, Senior Attorney, Department of 
Transportation, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202 366-9373, Email: [email protected].
    RIN: 2133-AB99

[FR Doc. 2024-16457 Filed 8-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P