Senate Judiciary Committee to Hold Hearing on Real ID 
The Senate Committee on the Judiciary has scheduled a hearing on "Will Real ID Actually Make Us Safer? An Examination of Privacy and Civil Liberties Concerns" for Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. More information will be available at
http://judiciary.senate.gov/.
COPS Grant Program Funding to Counterterrorism Efforts
The COPS Improvements Act of 2007 (HR 1700) was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 26, 2007 and was approved on April 26, 2007. The Act allows the attorney general to "award grants to pay for officers hired to perform intelligence, anti-terror, or homeland security duties" and to make grants to pay for additional community prosecuting programs including protgrams that assign prosecutors to "address counter-terrorism problems, specific violent crime problems (including intensive illegal gang, gun, and drug enforcement and quality of life initiatives), and localized violent and other crime problems based on needs identified by local law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and others." A summary of
HR 1700 is available online.
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Releases Traffic Safety Report
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released the hardcopy of a report entitled
Improving Traffic Safety Culture in the United States: The Journey Forward, which analyzes and addresses culture in the context of motor vehicle traffic safety. The report is available for
download on the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Web site at
www.aaafoundation.org.
FMCSA Seeks Comments on Revision of Approved Information Collections
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) invites public comment on its intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise two information collections (ICs) entitled, “Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program” (2126-0010) and “Transportation of Household Goods; Consumer Protection” (2126-0025). These revised ICs are necessary to ensure that motor carriers and the states comply with changes made by various provisions of the Safe Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), that will be implemented in a separate final rule. Comments must be submitted on or before May 23, 2007 to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: DOT/FMCSA Desk Officer. For further information, including copies of the proposed collection of information and supporting documentation, contact Frederic Wood, Office of Chief Counsel, Regulatory Affairs Division (MC-CCR), FMCSA, Room 8201, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-0834. View the
Federal Register Notice online.
DHS Notice of Public Meeting and Request for Comments on Real ID
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Secretary, will hold a public meeting to receive comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Minimum Standards for Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes,” published in the
Federal Register on March 9, 2007 (72 FR 10820). Interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting and submit comments for discussion during the meeting. In addition, comments may be submitted via e-mail for discussion during the meeting from any party who is unable to attend in person. The webcast of the public meeting will be viewable at
http://www.realidtownhall.com. The public meeting will be held on on May 1, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Freeborn Hall on the campus of the University of California, Davis, For more information, contact Mike Kangior, DHS, at (202) 282-8939. Supplemental information is available online in the
Federal Register notice.
ID Theft Prevention Act Passes Commerce Committee
On April 25, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed S.1178, the “Identity Theft Prevention Act.” Committee Vice Chairman Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) introduced the legislation and it is cosponsored by Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) and Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida). This bill would strengthen information safeguards and ensure notification to consumers whose sensitive personal information has been acquired without authorization. The bill would also direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce rules to protect such information. Under the bill, consumers would be able to freeze their credit for a reasonable fee to protect themselves from identity theft. The bill now moves to the Senate where it awaits consideration.
View the press release online.
TIRF Releases New Report on Ignition Interlock Devices
The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) has released a report,
A Criminal Justice Perspective on Ignition Interlocks, which identifies some of the challenges associated with these devices in the criminal justice system that can contribute to low participation rates and inconsistent use, and offers insight into the needs of professionals implicated in the delivery of interlocks. The report provides guidance for key stakeholders on ways to improve the delivery of interlock devices. Two approaches are suggested – providing uniform and consistent educational opportunities for the various professionals, and identifying practical system improvements to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of enforcement, prosecution, adjudication and sanctioning, monitoring, and licensing. The report also contains a list of critical questions that agencies can use to identify weaknesses and loopholes in delivery mechanisms. To learn more about the Working Group or to download a copy of
A Criminal Justice Perspective on Ignition Interlocks, visit
www.tirf.org.
Federal Trade Commission Issues ID Theft Plan
On April 23, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras released a strategic plan to combat identity theft in response to President Bush’s Executive Order 13402, creating a Task Force on Identity Theft.
The report describes the extent of the identity theft problem and includes 31 recommendations to combat the crime. Included in the report are several references to AAMVA and our joint efforts with federal agency partners to train local, state and federal law enforcement officers on how to detect, investigate, prevent and prosecute the crime. Other recommendations in the report include conducting public awareness campaigns, protecting data and assisting in the financial recovery of victims. To view the full
Strategic Plan, visit the FTC Web site at
www.ftc.gov. For more information on how AAMVA members can assist in combating identity theft, contact AAMVA's
Selden Fritschner.
FMCSA Notice of RFI: Accident Recordkeeping Requirements
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) invites public comment on its intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise the information collection (IC) entitled, “Accident Recordkeeping Requirements,” covered by OMB Control Number 2126-0009. This information collection is necessary for FMCSA to assess the effectiveness of the safety management controls of motor carriers. The IC is currently due to expire on June 30, 2007. All comments must be received on or before June 22, 2007. View the
Federal Register notice for submission details. For further information, contact Tom Yager, Driver & Carrier Operations Division, Office of Bus & Truck Standards and Development (MC-PSD), DOT, FMCSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington DC 20590-0001; (202)366-4009; e-mail:
MCPSD@dot.gov.
DHS Announces Name Changes: ICE and CBP
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently
posted a notice in the
Federal Register informing the public that the DHS has changed the name of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the name of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Pursuant to section 872(a)(2) of the HSA (6 U.S.C. 452(a)(2)), DHS is required to provide notice of the name change to Congress no later than 60 days before the change will be effective. DHS notified Congress on January 18, 2007. For information on CBP, contact Harold Singer, Director for the Regulations and Disclosure Law Division, Office of International Trade, (202) 572-8700. Further information on ICE is available at
www.ice.gov.
FMCSA Administrator John Hill Testifies on Commercial Vehicle Safety
On April 19, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator John Hill testified before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies on FMCSA's efforts to make the highways safer as it relates to commercial vehicle operations. More trucks are traveling more miles and the proportion of fatalities are down; however, an overall drop in fatalities has yet to be seen. To fight this challenge, Hill stated that FMCSA will continue to work closeley with its state partners and stakeholders from the trucking and motorcoach industries, and the many safety advocate organizations through the newly chartered advisory committees, the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Task Force.
View the testimony on FMCSA's Web site.
Gale Rossides Named Acting Deputy Administrator of TSA
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has named Gale Rossides acting deputy administrator. “Gale is an outstanding leader who brings an incomparable level of energy and intelligence to her work,” said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. “Her demonstrated success and commitment to the men and women of TSA are perfect fits for the agency.” During Rossides’ tenure, TSA established a senior leadership team and a collaborative review panel for promotions. She was also instrumental in the development of multiple workforce initiatives, including an innovative pay for performance system, an extensive career progression strategy and a model workplace program. Rossides earned her bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and is a graduate of George Washington University’s Masters in Public Administration for Federal Executives program.
DHS Announces Grant for Technical Services
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the availability of $1,809,852 for technical services in security and video quality. DHS established the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) to address critical interoperability and compatibility issues to improve local, tribal, state, and federal emergency response and preparedness. Priority areas include communications, equipment, and training. OIC, along with its federal partners, identified two technical areas (security and video quality) requiring further research and development. The objective of this effort is to establish a strong technical foundation to guide the public safety community as it moves forward in defining requirements and architecture framework, conducting gap analyses, and ultimately developing interface standards for public safety communications. OIC is seeking applications from universities and nonprofit organizations with expertise in security and video quality to refine the Public Safety Statement of Requirements (PS SoR). View the grant announcement at
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=13609.
FHWA Motorcyclist Advisory Council Notice of Meeting
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has posted
a notice in the
Federal Register anouncing the second meeting of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council to the FHWA (MAC-FHWA). The purpose of this meeting is to advise the Secretary of Transportation, through the Administrator of the FHWA, on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists, including (1) barrier design; (2) road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and (3) the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies, pursuant to section 1914 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The meeting of the MAC-FHWA is scheduled for May 9-10, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 9 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 10 at the Sheraton Crystal City, 1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. For more information, contact
Michael Halladay, the Designated Federal Official, Office of Safety, (202) 366-2288 or
Dr. Morris Oliver, Office of Safety, (202) 366-2251, FHWA.
AAMVA Seeks Information on How Jurisdictions Handle CDL Holders Cited for BAC
Jurisdictions have differing processes for dealing with commercial drivers cited for having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than .04 while driving a commercial motor vehicle. In the upcoming Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) Modernization project, AAMVA wants to ensure it accurately captures the data necessary for all jurisdiction requirements. To help in this aim, please respond to the survey titled "Citation of CDL Holder for BAC > .04 in CMV."
Share Information with Other Jurisdictions
If you haven't already done so, please respond to the following surveys:
Ready to Enhance Your Job Skills?
Take your training to a higher level; sign up today for a course with AAMVA University. Following are upcoming fraud courses to be held in Arlington, Virginia. AAMVA University can also provide training at your jurisdiction's facility. Visit
www.aamva-u.org for details or to register online, or call (866) 908-8270.
- FDR Instructor Certification Course: May 21-25; cut-off May 4 (prerequisite: FDR Level II Course)
- VDEC Instructor Course: June 4-7; cut-off May 18 (prerequisite: VDEC Course)
- FDR Level II Course: July 9-12, 2007; cut-off June 22
- FDR Instructor Certification Course: Aug. 13-17, 2007; cut-off July 27 (prerequisite: FDR Level II Course)
Don't Miss Out, Save the Dates Now!
Plans for "Bridging the Gap to Highway Safety" are underway! AAMVA's themed fall workshop will be held in Glendale, Arizona, Nov. 5-8, 2007. The workshop will focus on bridging the gap between the different areas within the highway safety arena to ensure communication, collaboration and most importantly, saving lives on our roadways. You won't want to miss this interactive, collaborative workshop! A preliminary agenda will be posted by mid-May. Be sure to bookmark the
workshop information page and check back for frequent updates. In the meantime, save the dates!
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"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."
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