Author: admin

Update from the TN Department of Revenue

Posted on by admin

As you know we closed our doors to the general public yesterday afternoon but were allowing your offices to pick-up credentials. We were able to do this because we were going to have a limited amount of staff still in our offices, that has changed. Beginning close of business today we will no longer have Motor Carrier staff in office, so pick-ups will not be an option. We will begin issuing only temporary permits until we are back in office, this includes renewals. If you are missing the required documentation needed, we will not issue a temporary permit.

We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we are moving through this quickly changing situation.

Tennessee IFTA IRP 3-20-20

TN EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 15

Posted on by admin

Gov. Lee signed Executive Order 15 to relieve regulatory burdens and free up the Executive Branch to more effectively respond to COVID-19 in Tennessee. This executive order works to quickly boost our health care capacity, continue important consumer protections and provide enhanced customer service to our citizens during this pandemic.

Please note Items 14, 15, 22, and 23. 

Item 23: All Driver Licenses, Learner Permits, Commercial Driver Licenses, Photo Identification Licenses (ID), and Handgun Carry Permits that would expire between March 12, 2020, and May 19, 2020, will be extended for six (6) months from the original expiration date. The Department will issue a letter of extension to the individuals affected. Affected individuals will be required to keep the letter with them during the extension period.

TN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Posted on by admin

TN Department of Revenue 

Motor Carrier walk-in lobby will be temporarily closing to the general public as of 4:30 this afternoon until April 12. We will still have a limited amount of staff in office working supplements submitted via TNTAP and mail. We encourage everyone to utilize TNTAP for the quickest turnaround time. We will allow pick up only for your offices between 2-3 every day. We will be issuing temporary credentials to everyone that has submitted all necessary paperwork to us, this will include renewals. We are working diligently to have everything processed as quickly as possible.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate through unchartered territory.

Motor Carrier flyer 

FMCSA Emergency Declaration 3/13/2020

Posted on by admin

The President has declared an emergency and pursuant to 49 CFR 390.23(a)(l)(i), an emergency exists that warrants an exemption from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), except as otherwise restricted by the attached Emergency Declaration. Such emergency is in response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks and their effects on people and the immediate risk they present to public health, safety and welfare in the fifty States and the District of Columbia.

This Emergency Declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations that are providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks, including transportation to meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; (3) food for emergency restocking of stores; ( 4) equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19; (5) persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and ( 6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response. Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, or transportation of mixed loads that include essential supplies, equipment and persons, along with supplies, equipment and persons that are not being transported in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks.

In accordance with. 49 CFR § 390.23, this declaration is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until the termination of the emergency (as defined in 49 CFR § 390.5) or until 11 :59 P.M. (ET) on April 12, 2020, whichever occurs sooner.

FMCSA Emergency Declaration

FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Identifies Nearly 8,000 Substance Abuse Violations in First Weeks of Operation

Posted on by admin

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration today released data following the first weeks of operation of its Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The information released showed that the clearinghouse has detected and identified nearly 8,000 positive substance abuse tests of commercial drivers since January 6, 2020.  The clearinghouse now has more than 650,000 registrants.

“We’ve seen encouraging results from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, but there’s still work to do to ensure we identify more drivers who should not be behind the wheel.  The clearinghouse is a positive step, and the Agency continues to work closely with industry, law enforcement, and our state partners to ensure its implementation is effective,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen. 

Read More

FMCSA Publishes Final Rule on USR Fees

Posted on by admin

This final rule is effective February 13, 2020.

 

This rule establishes reductions in the annual registration fees the States collect from motor carriers, motor private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement for the registration years beginning in 2020. For the 2020 registration year, the fees will be reduced by 14.45 percent below the 2018 registration fee level to ensure that fee revenues collected do not exceed the statutory maximum, and to account for the excess funds held in the depository. The fees will remain at the same level for 2021 and subsequent years unless revised in the future. The reduction of the current 2019 registration year fees (finalized on December 28, 2018) range from approximately $3 to $2,712 per entity, depending on the number of vehicles owned or operated by the affected entities.

FMCSA UCR Fees FInal Rule

Adams and Reese Legislative Update 3-01-2020

Posted on by admin

This month, legislative activity picked up significantly at the Capitol, with the General Assembly eyeing a mid-April adjournment.  We remained busy at the Cordell Hull Building tracking and crafting legislation on behalf of the TTA.  In particular, Rep. Dan Howell and Sen. Becky Massey, the Chairs of the House and Senate Transportation Committees, will sponsor legislation to eliminate an outdated law relative to the drop dead distance from the king pin to the rear of trailers in Tennessee.  We have been actively working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Department of Safety on the measure, with both agencies poised to support the legislation.  Chairman Howell intends to run the legislation next week. 

 

Similarly, we are working with the Department of Revenue on potential legislation to clarify the application of the Tennessee business tax to intrastate revenue generated by common and private carriers.  Next week, we will meet with Department of Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano to determine whether we will need to run legislation on the matter, but we have a caption/placeholder bill reserved for such a purpose, if necessary.  We will keep you updated on both legislative matters. 

 

Finally, please note that the bill to reverse the hands-free driving law implemented last year failed this week in the Senate Transportation Committee. Sponsor Sen. Jon Lundberg unsuccessfully argued that the new law should be repealed because it actually makes the roads more hazardous with people hiding their phones. While the bill (SB1751) still included provisions against texting while driving and use of phones in an active school and work zones, many committee members claimed to not understand the bill’s purpose. The Department of Safety spoke against the bill, saying distracted driving fatalities are down because of the new law.  Ultimately, the measure is dead for the year, a successful outcome for the TTA. 

 

Please pay particular attention to the bill tracking report, especially with an eye toward those bills that are moving.  With all signs pointing toward a mid-April adjournment, a majority of the non-finance committee legislative activity will take place in the next 3-4 weeks.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

William H. Reed, Jr. Memorial Call on Washington Travel Grant     

Posted on by admin

This grant is designed to encourage first time participants in the annual Tennessee Trucking Association Call on Washington event that Bill enthusiastically supported for over a decade. The grant will cover expenses related to travel, lodging, and meals for one selected individual each year. Eligible recipients will be selected from existing members of the Young Professionals Council. In order to receive this travel grant, a request for consideration must be completed. The request for consideration will include the following;

Name:

Company:

Occupation:

Years in the industry:

In two hundred and fifty words, or less, please explain the importance of the attending this event and how attending it relates to your professional development within your chosen transportation field.

The requests for consideration will be reviewed, and the selection will be made, by a group representing both current and former carrier and allied members of the Executive Committee. Submit your request to dhuneryager@tntrucking.org.