[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7737]



[[Page 14662]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

49 CFR Parts 387, 390, 391, 392, 395, 396, and 397

[FHWA Docket No. MC-97-3]
RIN 2125-AD72


Review of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; 
Regulatory Removals and Substantive Amendments

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in 
the Federal Register on January 27, 1997 (62 FR 3855), in which the 
agency requested comments on its intent to remove, amend, and 
redesignate certain regulations in parts 387, 390, 391, 392, 395, 396, 
and 397 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The 
comment period for the NPRM was scheduled to close on March 28, 1997. 
In response to a request for an extension of the comment period, the 
FHWA is extending the comment period until May 12, 1997.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than May 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket 
number that appears at the top of this document and must be submitted 
to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received will be available 
for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring 
notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, 
stamped envelope or postcard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Peter C. Chandler, Office of Motor 
Carrier Research and Standards, (202) 366-5763, or Mr. Charles E. 
Medalen, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1354, Federal Highway 
Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The first FMCSRs were promulgated in 1937. The FMCSRs have been 
amended many times during the past 60 years. In September 1992, the 
FHWA began a comprehensive multi-year project to develop modern, 
uniform safety regulations that are up to date, clear, concise, easier 
to understand, and more performance oriented. This project has been 
named the Zero Base Regulatory Review.
    Consistent with the Zero Base project and the President's 
Regulatory Reinvention Initiative, the FHWA published an NPRM in the 
Federal Register on January 27, 1997 (62 FR 3855), in which the agency 
requested comments on its intent to remove, amend, and redesignate 
certain regulations concerning financial responsibility; general 
applicability and definitions; accident recordkeeping requirements; 
qualifications of drivers; driving of commercial motor vehicles; hours 
of service of drivers; inspection, repair, and maintenance; and the 
transportation of hazardous materials. These regulations were 
identified as being obsolete, redundant, unnecessary, ineffective, 
burdensome, more appropriately regulated by State and local 
authorities, better addressed by company policy, in need of 
clarification, or more appropriately contained in another section.
    The National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. (NTTC) requested the FHWA to 
extend the comment period of the NPRM by 30 days. The NTTC explained 
that it will be holding an annual meeting in early April and a review 
of the NPRM is planned at the meeting. The timing of the meeting would 
make the NTTC unable to submit substantive comments to the docket on 
behalf of its membership by the March 28, 1997, deadline.
    The FHWA has decided to grant a 45 day extension of the comment 
period. Because of the importance of the rulemaking, and the volume and 
complexity of issues raised in it, the FHWA believes that the public 
interest would be served by permitting the NTTC, regulated entities and 
their representative associations and organizations, interested 
parties, and the public an additional 45 days in which to submit 
comments. Any additional time beyond 45 days, however, would 
unnecessarily delay the issuance of the final rule. Accordingly, the 
FHWA is extending the comment period for this docket until Monday, May 
12, 1997.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 504, 5112, 5125, 31132, 31133, 31136, 
31138, 31139, 31502, and 31504; sec. 345, Pub.L. 104-59, 109 Stat. 
568, 613; and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: March 19, 1997.
Jane Garvey,
Acting Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-7737 Filed 3-26-97; 8:45 am]
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