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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is considering granting exemptions to 11 individuals from the vision requirements needed to drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. These exemptions, if approved, would allow these drivers, who have various vision impairments in one eye, to legally operate CMVs based on their safe driving history and medical evaluations. The public is invited to comment on these exemption requests until March 25, 2021, using various submission methods provided by FMCSA. The agency will review all comments to assess whether the exemptions meet the safety levels required by law.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) decided to allow three drivers to bypass a vision requirement for interstate commercial driving. These drivers have vision limitations in one eye due to issues like amblyopia and cataracts; however, they have demonstrated safe driving abilities despite these limitations. Each exemption will last for two years, and conditions include annual medical exams to ensure continued qualification. The three drivers benefiting from this exemption are Terence L. Broadwater, Shannon L. Cagle, and Frank L. Crenshaw.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published a notice regarding a petition from the California Fire Pilots Association. The petition seeks an exemption from certain logging requirements of flight time under the Federal Aviation Regulations. Specifically, the California Fire Pilots Association wants their pilots to be able to log flight time while flying firefighting aircraft, which is not currently allowed under existing regulations unless the flights are related to law enforcement operations. The petition also requests that this exemption last until changes are made to the regulations as outlined in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) under the Department of Transportation has received a request for a waiver of the coastwise trade laws for a vessel over three years old, named ISLAND REEF, to allow it to carry up to twelve passengers for hire. The vessel is intended to be used for snorkel, sport fishing, and scuba tours in Puerto Rico. The public is invited to submit comments on this request by February 8, 2021. Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by mail, and they will be made publicly available.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a Draft Condensed Environmental Assessment (Draft CEA) for proposed changes at Chicago Midway International Airport, including decommissioning and redeveloping Runway 13L-31R. They are seeking public feedback and may hold a public meeting if requested. The Draft CEA will be open for review and comments from December 6, 2024, to January 7, 2025. Interested parties can view the document online and submit comments by email or letter.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has decided to renew exemptions for 13 individuals, allowing them to continue driving commercial motor vehicles across state lines, despite not meeting hearing requirements outlined in federal regulations. These exemptions, which span a two-year period, permit deaf or hard-of-hearing drivers to operate safely under specific conditions. Upon evaluation, the FMCSA determined that these drivers could maintain a level of safety equal to or greater than if they complied with existing hearing standards. The exemptions can be revoked if drivers do not adhere to the set conditions or if safety levels decline.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the Department of Transportation has announced a list of applications for new special permits related to hazardous materials. These permits are part of the Department's Hazardous Material Regulations. Comments on the applications are will be accepted until February 18, 2025. To learn more, individuals can contact the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety or visit the Records Center in Washington, DC.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has announced that it will not enforce compliance with the rule titled “Electronic Issuance of Aircraft Registration and Dealer Certificates” until March 20, 2025. Originally published on January 17, 2025, this rule allows for the electronic processing of these certificates. The delay is to provide time for review to ensure the rule aligns with legal and administration policies based on a directive from the President regarding a regulatory freeze. This measure gives officials a chance to evaluate the rule before its enforcement begins.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the Department of Transportation has issued a notice asking for public comments on three sets of information collections related to the transportation of hazardous materials. This request is part of a process where PHMSA seeks to renew these collections with the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice provided details on current and upcoming reporting requirements for various entities involved in the handling and transportation of hazardous materials. Comments must be submitted by April 26, 2021, and can be sent through several methods, including online, fax, mail, or hand delivery.

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, alongside the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation of Canada, has updated the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules used in their regions. These changes, now effective as of January 10, 2025, aim to clarify current requirements related to vessel conditions, navigation, radio communications, hazardous cargo, and reporting procedures. The rules also detail specific requirements, such as the need for landing booms on certain vessels and the conditions under which vessels can load at increased draughts. The updates are intended to ensure consistency and avoid confusion among users of the Seaway, with the amendments aligning closely between the United States and Canada.