Special Edition V.43 (June 2020)
MAINE NEWS
BREAKING – TSA to Replace Portland Enrollment Center

Just in from Senator Susan Collins office – they have contacted the Transportation Security Administration about the trucking industry’s concern about the closure of the Portland TWIC/HAZMAT Enrollment Center originally conveyed earlier this week. We are happy to report that, while the Lancaster Street location will permanently close on the 26th, the TSA will be opening up a new Portland location on June 30th. Once the address is known we will share it with MMTA members.

We want to thank Senator Collins for her quick response and good news to share!
CORONAVIRUS NEWS
FMCSA Extends Emergency Declaration to July 14, 2020
FMCSA

The extension of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to COVID-19 and is limited to transportation of:
  1. livestock and livestock feed; 
  2. medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; and 
  3. 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.  

Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.

This extension of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 is effective at 12:00 A.M. (ET), June 15, 2020 and remains in effect until 11:59 P.M. (ET), July 14, 2020, or until the revocation of the Presidentially declared COVID-19 national emergency, whichever is sooner.

ATA’s Randy Guillot Touts Infrastructure Funding to Alleviate COVID-19 Impact
Transport Topics

In the era of COVID-19, approval of a comprehensive highway funding package would help industries assisting in an economic recovery, the leader of American Trucking Associations told a House panel June 9.

Specifically, additional investments in infrastructure systems, such as freight corridors and transit operations, would facilitate the much-needed flow of goods and people, ATA Chairman Randy Guillot asserted during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing.

“Truckers are the difference between a fully stocked grocery store and one lined with empty shelves. They’re why doctors and nurses have [personal protective equipment] to protect themselves. They’re how test kits get to hot spots for local officials to use to fight the virus’ spread,” said Guillot, who, in addition to his role at ATA, is president of Louisiana-based Triple G Express Inc. and Southeastern Motor Freight.

Limited Waiver in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to Permit the Operation of Intermodal Equipment with Expired Annual Inspection Decals
FMCSA

FMCSA grants a waiver to the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), on behalf of intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) and motor carriers operating intermodal chassis, from the requirements of 49 CFR 396.17(c) to allow the operation of intermodal chassis with annual inspection decals (or similar documentation) that show an expiration date of March 31, 2020, or later.

This waiver applies to the operation of intermodal chassis included in IANA’s GIER in situations where the chassis are with motor carriers or at facilities, and intermodal equipment providers’ maintenance personnel or maintenance vendors do not have access to conduct annual inspections of the chassis prior to the expiration of the annual inspection decal currently affixed to the chassis. The waiver is effective beginning at 12:01 a.m. (ET) on June 1, 2020, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on September 1, 2020.
  1. Intermodal equipment providers and motor carriers subject to the waiver may operate intermodal chassis with expired inspection decals provided the decal expired on or after March 31, 2020;
  2. Intermodal equipment providers and motor carriers subject to the waiver may operate the chassis until they can be returned to an IEP facility where the annual inspection can be performed by a qualified individual, not to exceed three months from the date of the waiver.
  3. All the parties involved continue to comply with the rules under 49 CFR 396.12 prohibiting IEPs from offering unsafe chassis for transportation, and carriers being coerced into accepting such chassis.
  4. Motor carriers and their drivers continue to be responsible for reporting chassis defects to the IEPs, and IEPs continue to accept responsibility for addressing the defect reports.
  5. Motor carriers must ensure that their drivers conduct a pre-trip/pre-dispatch inspection as required by 49 CFR 392.7 prior to using a chassis with an expired annual inspection decal to ensure there are no visible defects or deficiencies likely to cause a mechanical breakdown while on public roads.
  6. FMCSA reserves the right to revoke this waiver for IANA’s intermodal equipment provider members’ failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this waiver.

MMTA Still Has Cloth Face Coverings
June 10, 2020

The Maine Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with FEMA, has provided the Maine trucking industry with 20,000 FREE cloth face coverings for distribution to companies and drivers. The masks are made by Hanes and, according to MEMA, are washable up to 50 times. MaineDOT delivered the masks yesterday and they are now ready for pickup/delivery.


In an effort to distribute the masks in an orderly fashion, we are asking members to fill out an  online form found HERE. You will be asked to select whether you want to pick up the masks at our Whitten Road office, or have us send them to you at your expense. Please allow us additional time if you want us to ship them to you as we anticipate heavy demand on these  FREE cloth face coverings.

Also note that we may limit quantities to ensure everyone who needs masks has an opportunity to receive them. We further understand that there may be an additional disbursement of free face coverings in the future, but recommend you place your order as soon as possible.

Disposable surgical masks are still available (we have a little over 1,000 left) for sale at $0.56/each plus tax and plus shipping if you want them delivered. For these masks,  order online here.

If you have any questions, please contact Makala (  makala@mmta.com) or Victoria (  VictoriaE@mmta.com) at MMTA.
CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
We will keep MMTA members posted as new information comes in. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to email Tim, Randy or Brian if you have questions.
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