[Federal Register: May 5, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 88)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 26166-26167]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05my00-29]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 350, 390, 394, 395, and 398

[Docket No. FMCSA-97-2350]
RIN 2126-AA23


Public Hearing on Hours of Service of Drivers; Driver Rest and
Sleep for Safe Operations

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

ACTION: Notice of hearings.

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SUMMARY: The FMCSA is announcing the first of seven public hearings for
interested persons to present comments and views on the FMCSA's
proposed revisions to its hours-of-service regulations (65 FR 25540,
May 2, 2000). This action is necessary to inform the public about the
date, time, and structure of the first hearing. The FMCSA hopes to hear
from the public about how the proposed hours-of-service regulations
would improve highway safety, affect the personal, professional, and
family life of commercial vehicle drivers, and the impact on the
various segments of the motor carrier industry. All oral comments will
be transcribed and placed in the rulemaking docket for the FMCSA's
consideration.

DATES: The first of seven sessions will be held on Wednesday May 31 and
Thursday June 1, 2000, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. The
dates and times for sessions 2 through 7 will be announced in the near
future.

ADDRESSES: The first session will be held at the DOT Headquarters
building, Room 2230, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-
0001. The locations for sessions 2 through 7 will be held at sites
convenient for truck and motor coach parking in Atlanta, GA; Denver,
CO; Los Angeles, CA; Indianapolis, IN; Kansas City, MO; and the
Springfield, MA/Hartford, CT area.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General Information. To request time
to be heard at the Washington, D.C. hearing and for other general
information about all the sessions contact Mr. Stanley Hamilton, Office
of Regulatory Development, (202) 366-0665. Specific Information. For
information concerning the rulemaking contact Mr. David Miller, Office
of Driver and Carrier Operations, (202) 366-1790, or Mr. Charles
Medalen, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1354.

[[Page 26167]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    Internet users may access all comments received by the U.S. DOT
Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL):
http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each
year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and
help.
    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a
computer, modem and suitable communications software from the
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202)
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's
web page at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara. Internet users may also
find this document at the FMCSA's Motor Carrier Regulatory Information
Service (MCREGIS) web site for notices at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
rulesregs/fmcsr/rulemakings.htm.

Background

Structure of Washington Hearing

    Speakers must limit their oral presentations to no more than 10
minutes duration. Presenters may submit additional written
documentation to be placed in the public docket.
    The public hearing will be subdivided and the FMCSA will seek
comments on specific topics during the prescribed time period, as
follows:

Day One

1. Opening remarks--8:30 a.m.
2. Supportive science--8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., with general comments about
any subject from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Day Two

3. Daily cycle (18, 24, other) and weekly cycle (7-day, 168-hour,
other)--8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
4. Minimum rest period to recover from cumulative multi-day fatigue--
10:45 a.m. to noon.
5. Work-rest requirements for various types of operations--1 to 2 p.m.
6. Information collection methods and requirements, including
electronic on-board recorders and Department of Labor time records--2
to 3 p.m.
7. General comments--3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Washington Participants

    All persons who would like to present comments must notify Mr. Stan
Hamilton by telephone at (202) 366-0665 by 4 p.m. e.t., no later than
May 26, 2000. All persons attending will be subject to Federal and DOT
workplace security measures. All persons will need photo identification
and must display the identification to DOT security officers. All
persons will be required to sign in at the guard's desk, walk through
metal detectors, and be subject to random search. All visitors will be
required to wear a ``Visitor'' tag at all times while in the building.
Persons failing to satisfy security requirements will be denied entry
and forfeit their opportunity to participate in the hearing. Such
persons may, however, submit their written comments by the close of
business on July 31, 2000, to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room
PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20950-0001.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 31502, and 31136; and 49 CFR 1.73.

    Issued on: May 2, 2000.
Brian M. McLaughlin,
Director, Office of Policy Plans and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 00-11334 Filed 5-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P