Today’s Pickup: Amendment to delay ELD rule rejected by House

Good day,

The U.S. House of Representatives defeated an amendment late Wednesday that would have restricted funding for the ELD mandate until at least Sept. 30, 2018. The amendment was added to an appropriations bill by Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX).

It was voted down 246-173.

There is a still a Babin standalone bill that would delay the mandate for two years, but despite at least 45 co-sponsors, it still has not been moved to the House floor for any vote.

The appropriations bill that still must be voted on does include some other trucking-related provisions, according to CCJ, including a one-year delay in ELD compliance for livestock haulers, a rule that would prevent states from requiring paid breaks for drivers, and a provision that would prevent FMCSA from issuing a Safety Fitness Determination rulemaking until it revamps the CSA program.

“ATA has supported, and will support, this important regulation,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Congress has now voted a fourth time to move forward with electronic logging of the existing hours of service information required for decades.  Make no mistake, the time for debate about electronic logging is over, and we’re pleased that Congress has rejected this ill-conceived effort to delay their implementation.

Did you know?

Preliminary Class 8 net orders for August were 14% better than July and 50% above August 2016, says FTR. Fleets placed orders for 20,700 units in the month.

Quotable:

“Self-driving cars hold the promise of making America’s roads safer, creating new economic opportunities, and helping seniors and those with disabilities live more independently. This bipartisan bill paves the way for advanced collision avoidance systems and self-driving cars nationwide, and ensures that America stays a global leader in innovation.”

– Commerce Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) said in a joint statement upon passage of the Self Drive Act

In other news:

Hours-of-service regs suspended in Oregon, Washington

The raging wildfires in Oregon and Washington have resulted in the suspension of hours-of-service regulations in those states for truckers supply emergency relief or essential supplies in the states. (CCJ)

Amazon to open NY fulfillment center

Amazon will open its first fulfillment center on Staten Island, bringing some 2,250 jobs to the area, it announced. (Wall Street Journal)

Washington to test mileage tax

The state of Washington will begin testing a per-mile tax next year in a pilot program involving 2,000 residents. (Seattle Times)

3PL Radiant Logistics acquires cross-border provider

Radiant Logistics, a third-party logistics provider, has acquired Sandifer Valley Transportation and Logistics in a move to expand its cross-border expertise with Mexico. (DC Velocity)

Truckers and coders working hand-in-hand

Starsky Robotics wants its engineers to work with truckers, and to think like truckers, as it builds driverless trucks. (Supply Chain Brain)

Final Thoughts

While most of the focus has been in Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, another natural disaster is greatly impacting the nation, and that is raging wildfires out west. Major highways have been closed and travel is difficult in Oregon, Washington and even parts of California.

Hammer down everyone!