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🚢Coastwise Endorsement Eligibility Notice by Maritime Administration

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

🚢Coastwise Endorsement Eligibility Determination for Foreign Vessels

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

🚀Notice of Funding for Rural Business Development Grants

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is issuing this notice to invite applications for grants to provide technical assistance for passenger Rural Transportation (RT) systems under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program and the terms for such funding. Grant funds will provide technical assistance for RT systems including designated funds to provide technical assistance to RT systems operating within Tribal lands of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes (FRNAT) (collectively "Programs"). This notice is being issued in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within fiscal year (FY) 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $750,000 will be made available for FY 2025. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.

🌍Exemption of NY Congestion Charges for Foreign Missions Announced

💼Grant Opportunity to Combat Human Trafficking in Transportation

The annual Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award (the award) is a component of the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking initiative that seeks to raise awareness among transportation stakeholders about human trafficking and increase training and prevention to combat the crime. The award serves as a platform for transportation stakeholders to creatively develop impactful and innovative counter-trafficking tools, initiatives, campaigns, and technologies that can be shared with the broader community to help stop human trafficking. The award is open to individuals and entities, including non-governmental organizations, transportation industry associations, research institutions, and State and local government organizations. Entrants compete for a cash award of up to $50,000 to be awarded to the individual(s) or entity selected for creating the most impactful counter-trafficking initiative or technology.

🚚FMCSA Renews Driver Hearing Requirement Exemptions for Businesses

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 25 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

🚚FMCSA Renews Exemptions for Drivers with Epilepsy in 2025

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 19 individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have "no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV." The exemptions enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

🚢Update on St. Lawrence Seaway Tariff of Tolls Effective 2025

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Tariff of Tolls in their respective jurisdictions. The Tariff sets forth the level of tolls assessed on all commodities and vessels transiting the facilities operated by the GLS and the SLSMC. The GLS is revising its regulations to reflect the fees and charges levied by the SLSMC in Canada starting in the 2025 navigation season, which are effective only in Canada.

🚦Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations Impacting Business for 2025

This notification of determination announces FRA's minimum annual random drug and minimum annual random alcohol testing rates for covered service, maintenance-of-way (MOW), and mechanical (MECH) employees for calendar year 2025.

🚍National Transit Database Reporting Changes

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is reopening the comment period for the Federal Register notice regarding FTA's National Transit Database reporting changes and clarifications, which was published on October 31, 2024, with the original comment period closing on December 30, 2024.