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Governor declares emergency related to hours of service regulations

On Jan. 13, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a Declaration of Emergency Notice providing relief from regulations pertaining to hours of service of motor carriers and drivers of commercial motor vehicles. This exemption is exclusive to those commercial drivers transporting and delivering fuels necessary for the continued heating of homes, businesses and other structures.

The exemption remains in effect through Feb. 6, 2022 unless rescinded sooner by appropriate order. It applies only to 49 CFR Part 395 and no other sections of the FMCSRs.

The full text of the declaration is available online, and a PDF is available for download.

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY NOTICE
(Title 49 CFR Part 390.23)

Pursuant to 49 CFR Section 390.23, I, Governor Charles D, Baker, declare that an emergency exists pertaining to the delivery of essential supplies, more specifically propane and heating and fuel oil to customers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

This emergency exemption is issued as a result of the confluence of below average cold temperatures that have caused on increased demand for fuel throughout the Commonwealth and workforce shortages, caused by the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

This emergency declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicles operation while providing direct assistance supporting the delivery of propane and heating and fuel oil into the affected areas and to consumers during the emergency,

This emergency exemption is effective beginning 11:59 PM, EST, January 11, 2022 and will remain in effect until 11:59 P.M., EST, February 6, 2022 unless rescinded sooner by appropriate order.

The following ls ordered:

  1. An emergency exists that requires relief from regulations adopted in Massachusetts and Federal Statutes and Regulations pertaining to hours of service of motor carriers and drivers of commercial motor vehicles, while transporting and delivering fuels necessary for the continued heating of homes, businesses, and other structures,  (49 CFR Part 395).
  2. Nothing contained in this declaration shall be construed as an exemption from the Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing requirements (49 CFR Part 382), the Commercial Driver’s License requirements (49 CFR Part 383), the Financial Responsibility requirements (49 CFR Part 387), applicable Size and Weight requirements, or any other portion of the regulation not specifically authorized pursuant to Title 49 CFR Section 390.23.
  3. No motor carrier operating under the terms of this exemption shall require or allow a fatigued or ill driver to operate a motor vehicle.  A driver who informs a carrier that he or she needs immediate rest shall be given at least ten consecutive hams off-duty before the  driver is allowed to return to service.
  4. Motor carriers or drivers that have an Out of Service Order in effect may not take advantage of the relief from regulations that this declaration provides under Title 49 CFR 390.23.
  5. Drivers of motor carders that operate under this Declaration of Emergency Notice must have a copy of it in their possession.
  6. Consistent with Title 49 CFR Section 390.23, this emergency notice will remain in effect through 11:59 P.M., February 6,  EST or sooner if terminated by the Governor.

DATE:  January 13, 2022

Charles D. Baker
Governor

Last updated: Friday, January 14, 2022
FMCSA emergency declaration

FMCSA extends Emergency Declaration 2020-002

This morning, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended Emergency Declaration 2020-002 to Feb. 28. 2022, subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth herein unless modified or terminated sooner.

From the FMCSA.

FMCSA is continuing the exemption and associated regulatory relief in accordance with 49 CFR § 390.25, because the presidentially declared emergency remains in place and because, although the number of COVID-19 cases began to decline in the U.S. following widespread introduction of vaccinations, persistent issues arising out of COVID-19 continue to affect the U.S. including impacts on supply chains and the need to ensure capacity to respond to variants and potential rises in infections. Therefore, a continued exemption is needed to support direct emergency assistance for some supply chains.

The American Trucking Associations sent out an email today with additional information. It included the following:

The declaration published today is limited to the transportation of:

  1. Livestock and livestock feed;
  2. Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19;
  3. Vaccines, constituent products, and medical supplies and equipment, including ancillary supplies/kits for the administration of vaccines, related to the prevention of COVID-19;
  4. Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; and,
  5. Food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;
  6. Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and ethyl alcohol; and,
  7. Supplies to assist individuals impacted by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., building materials for individuals displaced or otherwise impacted as a result of the emergency).

This declaration applies only to 395.3 “Maximum Driving Time for Property-Carrying Vehicles”. This declaration becomes effective at 12:00 a.m. December 1, 2021 and expires February 28, 2022 unless modified or terminated sooner. Reporting requirements previously established remain in effect. To be eligible, the transportation must be both (1) of qualifying commodities and (2) incident to the immediate restoration of those essential supplies. We strongly encourage everyone to review the applicability, restrictions, and limitations listed within the waiver.

The FMCSA has also extended the CDL and CLP waivers under certain circumstances. Details can be found on the FMCSA website concerning the waiver and updated today.

Additionally, FMCSA has extended waivers related to third-party CDL skills test examiners, and CLP holders operating a CMV.

American Trucking Association logo

Trucking industry associations file lawsuit over vaccine mandate

A press release from the American Trucking Association.

Suit Filed in Fifth Circuit, Which Has Preliminarily Stayed Mandate

Arlington, Virginia – Today, the American Trucking Associations, along with the Louisiana Motor Truck Association, the Mississippi Trucking Association and the Texas Trucking Association led a number of groups representing various facets of the supply chain in suing the Biden Administration over its employer-based COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

“To be very clear, ATA and its member companies support efforts to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – our trucks and drivers have been on the front line in fighting this pandemic since the beginning, moving personal protective equipment, test kits, the vaccine itself and much more as the country locked down, but we believe that the Biden Administration has overstepped its statutory authority in issuing this Emergency Temporary Standard,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “This standard arbitrarily picks winners and losers, and puts employers in an untenable position of forcing workers to choose between working and their private medical decisions, which is something that cannot be allowed.

“We told the administration that this mandate, given the nature of our industry and makeup of our workforce, could have devastating impacts on the supply chain and the economy and they have, unfortunately, chosen to move forward despite those warnings,” he said. “So we are now, regrettably, forced to seek to have this mandate overturned in court.”

ATA and its state partners filed their challenge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and they were joined in the suit by the Food Marketing Institute, the International Warehouse Logistics Association, the National Association of Convenience Stores, the National Retail Federation, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and the National Federation of Independent Business.

“We are asking the court to stay implementation of the mandate because we believe the Occupational Safety and Health Administration did not satisfy the statutory requirements for issuing this Emergency Temporary Standard instead of going through the proper rulemaking process,” said Nicholas Geale, ATA vice president of workforce policy. “A stay pending full review is essential to ensure our members can continue to keep the supply chain moving without the enormous disruptions this unlawful ETS will cause the trucking industry and our nation’s consumers – including the 80% percent of American communities that depend exclusively on trucks for their needs.”

ATA pushes back on vaccine mandates

American Trucking Association President and CEO Chris Spear noted any vaccine mandates placed on the trucking industry – including drivers –  will result in additional disruptions to an already strained supply chain.

The Biden administration’s plan requires companies with more than 100 employees to mandate vaccines or weekly COVID testing.

“The first rule of any public health policy should be ‘do no harm,'” said Spear. “Unfortunately, these latest mandates and the unintended consequences they’ll create fall short of that standard.”

For additional information, read the article by Jason Cannon on the Commercial Carrier Journal website.

Transportation workers can sign up for COVID vaccine March 22

Certain workers in Massachusetts will be eligible to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments as part of Phase 2, effective this coming Monday, March 22.

For a complete list of worker categories in this eligibility group, visit the Massachusetts government website related to vaccinations. This information is current as of Wednesday, March 17 and is subject to change.

Worker categories include, but are not limited to…

Food, meatpacking, beverage, agriculture, consumer goods, retail, or food service workers – All staff involved in the production, processing, storage, transport, wholesale and retail sale, preparation, and service of food and consumer goods, including farm and other agricultural workers, including farm stand and nurseries.

Medical supply chain workers – Workers directly involved in the manufacturing and production, packaging, transport, quality control, and sale of materials critical to the delivery of medical care.

Vaccine development workers – Workers directly involved in research, development, manufacturing and production, packaging, transport, quality control, and sale of vaccines (COVID-19 and others).

Transit/transportation workers – Drivers/operators, attendants, sales, administrators, maintenance staff, public and private bus, train/subway, passenger boat/ferries, passenger air, and automobile (including rental car, car service/limousine, taxi, and ride apps) transportation, bridge and road construction and maintenance workers, shipping port and terminal workers, commercial transportation.

Public works, water, wastewater, or utility workers – Utility: Electrical generation and supply system, natural gas delivery, nuclear power plant, water supply, telephone, cable/fiber optical/broadband/cellular service workers Public works including street repair, street lighting, public park, beach, and trail maintenance workers.

Sanitation workers – Drivers, solid waste handlers, recycling staff, street cleaners, sewer and storm water system workers

How to Schedule

Register in advance…

  • Preregister at VaccineSignUp.mass.gov to be notified when it’s your turn to schedule an appointment at one of 7 mass vaccination locations: Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, Reggie Lewis Center, DoubleTree Hotel in Danvers, Eastfield Mall in Springfield, Natick Mall and former Circuit City in Dartmouth.

or

  • Use VaxFinder.mass.gov to search for appointments at pharmacies, health care providers, and other community locations

RMV implements further federal credential extensions through May

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has implemented further Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extensions to the renewal timelines for expiring Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs), and CDL Medical Certificates.

This extension does not apply to any CDL or CPL holders whose privileges were suspended or revoked for traffic offenses, or to non-domiciled CDL or CLP holders whose lawful presence has expired.

Credential Extensions

  • All CDLs and CLPs that expire between March 1, 2020 and May 30, 2021 will remain valid until May 31, 2021
    • CLP holders do not need to retake the general or endorsement knowledge tests if their permits originally expired during this time and have been extended.

CDL Medical Certificates

  • Certificates that expire between December 1, 2020 and May 30, 2021 will expire on May 31, 2021.
  • Commercial drivers must self-certify prior to the expiration date listed above or their CDLs will be downgraded to Class D licenses.

CDL Road Tests

  • The RMV has also waived the 14-day road test waiting period until May 31, 2021.

These changes are part of the continuing effort by the RMV to minimize in-person interaction between customers, RMV Service Center staff, and associated business partners.

Note

  • This is the last extension implemented by the RMV unless declared by the FMCSA.
  • The RMV is sending emails next week to commercial drivers informing them of the most recent extensions.

FMCSA extends Medical Exam waivers again

FMCSA issued another extension to the previous CDL/CLP and Medical Examination waivers that were set to expire the end of this month. This waiver becomes effective on March 1, 2021 and expires on May 31, 2021. Please read the specific provisions below, as the dates and applicability vary. As with the previous extensions, state drivers licensing agencies (SDLAs) have the authority to exercise discretion in extending these dates, consistent with the outline below. Carriers and drivers should check with the SDLA to confirm their state’s expiration periods.

For CDL/CLP Drivers, the waiver will:

  • Waive until May 31, 2021, the maximum period of CDL validity for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020;
  • Waive until May 31, 2021, the maximum period of CLP validity for CLPs that are due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020, without requiring the CLP holders to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests;
  • Waive until May 31, 2021, the requirement that CLP holders wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test;

Medical Requirements for CDL/CLP and non-CDL drivers:

  • This notice will waive, until May 31, 2021, the requirement that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance that were issued for a period of 90 days or longer and that expired on or after December 1, 2020.
  • This notice will also waive, until May 31, 2021, the requirement that, in order to maintain the medical certification status of “certified,” CDL or CLP holders provide the SDLA with an original or copy of a subsequently issued medical examiner’s certificate and any required medical variance, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after December 1, 2020.

For State Driver License Agencies (SDLA):

  • This notice waives, until May 31, 2021, the requirement that the SDLA change the CDL or CLP holder’s medical certification status to “not certified” upon the expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided that they have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after December 1, 2020. Additionally, the notice waives certain requirements with regards to SDLAs downgrading a driver’s CDL or CLP upon expiration of the medical examiner’s certificate or medical variance, provided the SDLAs have proof of a valid medical certification or medical variance that expired on or after December 1, 2020.

NOTE—in the notice, FMCSA reiterates that the extension “permits, but does not require” states to extend the validity periods and processes referenced above. This ultimately means that a SDLA may choose not to extend the validity periods, based on the operational status within their state. The full waiver notice can be found here. Carriers and drivers should review this waiver, and confirm with the SDLA, to ensure all terms, conditions, and restrictions are met.

Additionally, FMCSA also announced extension of waivers related to CLP holders operating with a CDL driver in the front seat, out of state CDL applicant testing, and third-party knowledge testing.

[Update] Massachusetts truck drivers and COVID vaccine

Updated Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. ET

While we were initially told Massachusetts truck drivers were included in Phase 2, Group 3, we have been informed this is not the case. At this time, truck drivers do not have any favorable status. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has also informed us they will not be reviewing requests from any groups concerning vaccine availability until at least until April.

TAM will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

The original post from Feb. 1 is below.

[Original post starts here.] The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirms Truck Drivers in Massachusetts will be in Phase 2, Group 3, Transit. They advise to monitor, When can I get the COVID-19 Vaccine? | Mass.gov webpage, for the latest information on the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. At this time, the Department of Public Health is not scheduling appointments directly.

Phase 2 will launch Feb. 1.

  • First group is now 75 and older
  • Second group is now 65+ or individuals of any age with two co-morbidities as outlined by the CDC. Please remember it is only the diagnosis that puts an individual “at increased risk” grouping, not the “may put at risk” grouping on the CDC website – Certain Medical Conditions and Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness | CDC. Start date for this group is TBD and based on availability of vaccines.
  • The rest of the phases remains as two additional groups
    • Early education and K-12 workers, transit, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works, and public health workers,
    • Individuals with one comorbidity.

Additional information will be forthcoming regarding groups within this phase, timing, vaccination access and clinics. Groups are placed sequentially within each Phase. You will also be able to check with your primary care provider or local pharmacy. Your primary care provider and local pharmacy may also have additional information at that time.

Phase 3, once the vaccine is available to the public, which is projected to be in April, vaccine clinics will be available on the CDC’s interactive website: vaccinefinder.org.

Please monitor COVID-19 Vaccine in Massachusetts | Mass.gov for updates to the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan.

Second COVID-19 relief package expected soon

The US House of Representatives is set to pass a second COVID-19 relief package – totaling about $900 billion – on Monday night [Dec. 21]. The coronavirus relief is wrapped into a $2.4 trillion spending package. From Forbes.

This proposed bill is being enacted to correct a number of problems that PPP borrowers have had, and also opens the door to new opportunities for borrowers who were not treated as well under the previous program.

The broad parameters concerning the business side of the legislation are generally not surprising, though there are important details still outstanding:

  • PPP first and second draw loans are included . It appears there will be a $284 billion pot for all PPP loans. The maximum loan size for any PPP loan will be $2 million. Additional qualifying expenses for PPP loan forgiveness include computing software to enable remote work for employees, property damage from the public unrest earlier this year, supplier costs of essential goods or services in effect at the time the PPP loan was applied for, and costs related to PPE and adaptive investments made to comply with local governmental mandates. Authority for the SBA to issue PPP first and second loans expires March 31, 2020. PPP loans that are under $150,000 shall have a simplified loan forgiveness application.
  • In order to qualify for a second draw PPP loan, a business may not have more than 300 employees, have spent or will spend their first PPP loan, and demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts against same 2019 quarter.
  • The bill allows businesses to deduct expenses associated with their forgiven PPP loans- though we are not sure if there’s a cap on the size of the loan that you can be permitted to deduct (I saw one report of a $150k cap, which wouldn’t be great for us)
  • PPP eligibility expanded to 501(c)(6) entities with some restrictions. A 501c6 is eligible for a PPP loan if it does not receive more than 15% (up from 10% in “908” of its receipts from lobbying. Lobbying activities cannot compromise more than 15% of the activities of the entity, and the cost of lobbying activities of the organization did not total more than $ 1 million during the most recent tax year that ended Feb. 15, 2020. Finally, to be eligible for a PPP loan, a 501(c)(6) cannot have more than 300 employees.
  • Business meals will be fully deductible for the next two years (2021-2022). Currently there is only a 50% deduction for such expenses.
  • The Employee Retention Credit is extended to June 30, 2021. Beginning in January 2021, the new credit rate rises from 50% to 70% of qualified wages. The legislation also expands eligibility for the credit by reducing the required year-over-year gross receipts decline from 50% to a 20% decline.
  • The agreement would also temporarily allow people receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit and the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit to use their 2019 incomes when applying for the payments. Because the credits are linked to how much people earn, that would help those who’ve seen their incomes fall in the wake of the pandemic.
  • Direct payments: Individuals making up to $75,000 a year will receive a payment of $600, while couples making up to $150,000 will receive $1,200, in addition to $600 per child. The deal also makes the stimulus checks more accessible to immigrant families.
  • Employers who receive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans may still qualify for the ERTC with respect to wages that are not paid for with forgiven PPP proceeds . This is retroactive to enactment of the CARES Act.

Updated FMCSA COVID-19 guidance

Please see the attached waivers, Notices of Enforcement Discretion Decision (NEDDs), and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), which update FMCSA’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) guidance previously issued on Sept. 18.

These waivers are posted at the links below and allow carriers and SDLAs to continue to adapt to the pressing issues related to physically distancing and COVID-19 in light of the continuing public health emergency.

These waivers, NEDDs, and FAQs have been updated to extend the expiration date to Feb. 28, 2021, and include the following: