Cyber-Security Enhancement Act 
On May 14, the Cyber-Security Enhancement Act of 2007 (
HR 2290) was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would expand the jurisdiction for cybercrimes and give 30 million in additional funding for resources to investigate and prosecute criminal activity involving computers. The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
U.S. DOJ Continues to Demonstrate Leadership with NMVTIS
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been working diligently to promote and support the
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). Recently, it underscored these efforts by posting on its Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Web site, information about NMVTIS. The site includes an overview of the system, why it’s a powerful tool for motor vehicle agencies, law enforcement and consumers, the history of the system, the requirements of the law along with a section entitled, "The Future of NMVTIS" which details its strategic approach to system. Visit
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/nmvtis.html to learn more.
Senate Approves Bill Requiring More Child Safety Features in Motor Vehicles
The Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007 (
S. 694) was approved by the Senate on May 16, 2007. The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside of light motor vehicles, and for other purposes. Specifically, the bill would require: (1) automatic reversal of direction by power windows and panels when they detect an obstruction; (2) a rearward visibility performance standard to prevent backing incidents; and (3) automatic transmissions to have an anti-rollaway system that requires the service brake to be depressed before the transmission can be shifted out of park, which will function in any starting system key position in which the transmission can be shifted out of park.
Maine Commercial Truck Highway Safety Demonstration Program
Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME) introduced
H.R. 2263, to the House on May 10, 2007. The purpose of this Act is to establish a commercial truck highway safety demonstration program in the State of Maine, and for other purposes. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Available, NMVTIS Development Funding Possible
The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. Funds can be used for demonstration, replication, expansion, enhancement, training and/or technical assistance programs.
Please note, state Motor Vehicle Agencies or Departments of Revenue or Public Safety can work with their state or local law enforcement agencies to submit an application for National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) development funding under one of the six categories. Please visit the Department of Justice Web site at
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/ for more details. The closing date for applications is June 25, 2007. You can also
view the announcement on Grants.gov.
Canada Creates Terrorist Watch List for Air Travel
On May 11, 2007, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, together with the Honourable Stockwell Day, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, announced new regulations that will strengthen air passenger security screening. Once implemented, new measures under a program known as Passenger Protect will prevent persons who pose an immediate threat to aviation security from boarding a commercial aircraft. These proposed regulations were first published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on October 28, 2006, after which a 75-day period followed to enable interested parties and the public to provide comments. The final regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on May 16, 2007. A
press release and
backgrounder with more information on the Passenger Protect program and the new Identity Screening Regulations are available on Transport Canada's Web site.
New Senate Bill Would Allow for Better Local-Federal Communication
Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) will be introducing legislation that will allow for better communication between local law enforcement officials and federal law enforcement agencies regarding suspected immigration violations. Currently, a number of cities throughout the nation are using a loophole to get around Sec. 642 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 by instituting ordinances forbidding local law enforcement to even ask the question as to whether a person is in the U.S. lawfully, thereby evading their legal responsibility to report their suspicions to the federal government. Senator Coleman plans to introduce this bill next week as the Senate prepares to take up immigration reform legislation. View Coleman's
press release for more information.
DOT Announces Two Service Disruptions
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announces two service disruptions relating to the relocation of the DOT Docket Operations Facility, which manages the Docket Management System (DMS) containing the public dockets for all agencies of the DOT except the Surface Transportation Board. DOT’s Docket Operations facility is moving to 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 and will be located on the West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140. Hours for the new facility will continue to be 9-5, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Operations telephone number will continue to be (202) 366-9826. Disrupted services are, 1) To prepare for the relocation to the new facility, the Docket Operations office will be closed to the public on Friday, May 25, 2007, through Tuesday, May 29, 2007, and 2) To move the computers that host the electronic dockets, the DMS will be unavailable for use from Wednesday, June 13, 2007, through Sunday, June 17, 2007. View the
Federal Register Notice for more information.
House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Draft Funding Bill
The House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee approved a draft funding measure on May 18, 2007, that included
$50 million in grants each for an emergency communications grant program and a grant program to cover states' expenses for issuing secure driver's licenses and identification cards as required under the Real ID Act. The same bill would also boost funding to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to $7.1 billion. FEMA's state and local programs would receive $3.1 billion.
Thieves Burglarize California DMV's Oakland Office
The California Department of Motor Vehicles' Oakland office was burglarized last night and the following inventory was stolen:
- 183 (2007) stickers- range J3691018-J3691200
- 160 (2008) stickers- range L4069841-L4070000
- 61 Permanent Disabled Person Parking Placards, Inventory Range: 210079J to 210100J, and 209358J to 209400J
- 19 Temporary Disabled Person Parking Placards, Inventory Range: 2821821 to 2822001
Investigators are reviewing surveillance videotape showing three people, wearing hoods and gloves as they kick in the window and enter the building. The California Highway Patrol speculates that the stolen goods are likely to show up on the black market because they hold value. The tags are marked with unique serial numbers so officials can trace them. Please distribute this information to the appropriate personnel.
Senate to Resume Talks on Immigration Reform
On Monday, May 21, 2007, the U.S. Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S. 1348, a bill to provide for comprehensive immigration reform and for other purposes. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) will be recognized to speak for up to three hours. The remaining time, until 5:30 p.m., will be equally divided. At 5:30 p.m., the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to
S. 1348. The immigration bill has critics from both the Democratic and the Republican parties, ensuring an extensive and heated debate.
NHTSA Requests Comments on Proposed Collection of Information
Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, federal agencies must solicit public comment on the proposed collection of information. This
Federal Register Notice describes a proposed collection of information under regulations in 49 CFR parts 591, 592, and 593 that pertain to the importation of motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment that are subject to the Federal motor vehicle safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards. Comments must be received on or before July 16, 2007. More details are available in the
Federal Register Notice.
Safe American Roads Act of 2007 Passes House
The Safe American Roads Act of 2007 (
H.R.1773) is designed to limit the authority of the Secretary of Transportation to grant authority to Mexican motor carriers to operate beyond United States municipalities and commercial zones on the United States-Mexico border. The bill passed the House on May 15, 2007, by a vote of 411-3 and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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 with this effort,
please respond to the survey titled "Citation of CDL Holder for BAC > .04 in CMV."
Register for the 2007 Law Institute
The Annual Motor Vehicle and Traffic Law Insitute Law Institute is in Pittsburgh, Penn., Aug. 4-8, 2007. The Law Institute is the premier meeting for anyone with an interest in legal issues affecting the administration and enforcement of motor vehicle laws.
Register online today!
2007 Fall Workshop: Save the Dates Now!
Plans for "Bridging the Gap to Highway Safety" are underway! AAMVA's themed fall workshop will be held in Glendale, Ariz., 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 in late May. Be sure to bookmark the
workshop information page and check back for frequent updates. In the meantime, save the dates!
2007 AAMVA Regional PACE Award Winners Announced
Want to know who won an AAMVA 2007 Regional PACE Award?
Click here to view this year's winners! The International PACE Award Winners will be announced in the coming months. Stay tuned! And congratulations to this year's regional winners!
Like Developing Best Practices, Want to Come to Washington, D.C. ?
A recently approved CSD/PACE charter now needs the assistance of four CSD (Customer Service & Delivery) representatives and four PACE (Public Affairs and Consumer Education) representatives to help identify, and prioritize, customer service impacts of Real ID. Once these items are identified, the group will draft best practices on how the AAMVA jurisdictional membership can consistently address these consumer concerns. You'll need to be able to commit to a few conference calls over the next several months (probably no more than one per month) and one trip to Arlington, VA in mid-July (AAMVA picks up the tab). You should have an interest in volunteering and writing best practices. For more information, or to volunteer, contact AAMVA's
Dianne Graham, liaison, CSD Discipline or
Jason D. King, liaison, PACE Discipline by
May 24, 2007. Don't forget, you'll need the approval of your supervisor to volunteer.
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