FMCSA extends comment period for ELD rule

   The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended the comment period on its proposed rulemaking regarding electronic logging devices to June 26, extending the initial 60-day comment period.
   In a proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register, the agency wrote that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance requested a 30-day extension on comments on the electronic logging device (ELD) rule.
   On May 7, the CVSA wrote the agency requesting for more time because of the complexity of the issues at hand and the significance of the rulemaking.
   “In particular, the issue of data transmission roadside is critical to an effective ELD rule,” the agency wrote. “Additional time is needed to fully understand the technology options put forth in the rule and to gather input from the states on their functional capabilities. Further, the states need additional time to fully vet the proposal and evaluate any additional impacts to enforcement in the field.”
   The original timeline, CVSA argued, didn’t give parties enough time to fully submit a thorough commentary on the issue at hand.
   “While timely implementation of the ELD mandate is important,” the group wrote, “it is also imperative that stakeholders have adequate time to review the proposal and provide feedback.”