Inside This Issue...

A survey on highway reauthorization priorities was sent to all chief administrators on June 26. AAMVA wants to advocate for projects that will benefit the motor vehicle community in the next highway reauthorization bill and we need input on priority issues. Survey results will be used to draft a white paper with recommendations to the AAMVA Board in August so they can determine legislative priorities for the reauthorization bill. Responses are due by July 13 to Cian Cashin, ccashin@aamva.org. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was enacted Aug. 10, 2005 and authorizes the federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 5-year period 2005-2009. The highway reauthorization law will expire in August 2009.

In a July 3 Federal Register notice, the Social Security Administration (SSA) proposed to change the way the agency assigns Social Security Numbers (SSNs). SSA intends to eliminate the geographical significance of the first three digits of the SSN (the “area number”) by no longer allocating entire area numbers for assignment to individuals in specific states. Instead, the SSN will be randomly assigned from the remaining pool of available SSNs, and the first three digits of the SSN will no longer have any geographical significance. By changing the way SSA assigns the SSN, SSA will ensure that there will be a reliable supply of SSNs for years to come. Additionally, SSA believes this will help reduce opportunities for identity theft and SSN fraud and misuse. SSA invites comments to help determine whether this change would have any unanticipated effects on the public. Comments are due on or before Aug. 2, 2007. For more information, view the July 3 Federal Register notice.

On July 6, CQ Today reported that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is adding document checking to its list of duties at several high-traffic airports. Travel document verification is the responsibility of commercial airlines at the majority of large U.S. airports, but in the last six months TSA has taken on the duties at several airports. President Bush’s fiscal 2008 budget request calls for $60 million to add an additional 1,329 transportation security officers capable of checking travel documents at the 40 highest risk airports in the country. The agency already has roughly 700 transportation security officers trained to screen travel documents. TSA initiated the transfer of document-checking responsibilities to gain more control of the airport environment and create another layer of security designed to keep terrorists off of aircraft. Transportation security officers who check travel documents will undergo training in suspicious behavior observation techniques and fraudulent ID recognition, in addition to the 190 hours of basic training every TSO receives.

In a July 9 statement, Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Vice Chair Rosemary Rodriguez noted that it is important to establish a dialogue with organizations that are dedicated to making sure the rights of voters are protected. “I seek to gauge whether there is interest in participating in monthly brownbag lunch discussions about issues that impact voters as we approach the 2008 election,” stated Rodriguez. “I also seek input on the agenda, including the topics of discussion, for these sessions, which would take place at EAC's office in Washington, D.C. I would also like input on the possibility of hosting similar sessions in cities that I plan to visit over the next year.” Comments can be shared with Rodriguez at rrodriguez@eac.gov or toll-free at 866-747-1471.

On July 3, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced an extension of the comment period for its June 8 notice concerning a project to demonstrate the ability of Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the United States beyond the commercial zones. On May 1, FMCSA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the demonstration project as part of the Agency's implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) cross-border trucking provisions. On June 8, FMCSA published a second notice adding certain details concerning the demonstration project. The FMCSA extends the comment period on the June 8 notice to give the public more time to review supplemental information added to the docket; and because of technical problems associated with the relocation of the computers that host the electronic docket, which interfered with access to the Docket Management System. Comments must be received on or before July 9, 2007. For more information, read the July 3 Federal Register notice.

In a July 9 Federal Register notice, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that it received an application from The EI Group, Inc. (EI) seeking an exemption from classifying a specific motor vehicle as a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), for purposes of driver licensing requirements. Under the exemption, EI employees would not be required to comply with commercial driver’s license requirements when operating a specifically-listed truck and trailer in combination, in interstate commerce. EI is requesting the exemption on behalf of all EI employees, and those contracted by EI, who operate its CMVs. EI states that approximately three EI drivers will be allowed to operate the subject equipment under the requested exemption. FMCSA requests public comment on EI’s application for exemption by Aug. 8, 2007.

In a July 5 Federal Register notice, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced adoption as final certain regulations required by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). These regulations govern state compliance plans under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program; withholding of federal-aid highway funds based on state noncompliance with the Commercial Driver’s License Program; intrastate operations of interstate motor carriers; civil penalties and disqualifications for violations of out-of-service orders; civil penalties for denial of access to records and property and for violations of statutes and regulations governing hazardous materials transportation; exemption from the federal hours-of-service regulations for operators of commercial motor vehicles engaged in certain defined operations; exemption of drivers of propane service or pipeline emergency vehicles during emergency conditions requiring immediate response; and interstate transportation of household goods. The SAFETEA-LU provisions requiring these rules became effective on Aug. 10, 2005. Adoption of the rules is a nondiscretionary ministerial action that can be taken without issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking and receiving public comment, in accordance with an exception available to federal agencies under the Administrative Procedure Act. Regulations become effective Sept. 4, 2007. Petitions for Reconsideration must be received no later than Sept. 4, 2007.

In a July 5 Federal Register notice, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that it has received from the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) an application for an exemption from the commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements. NAAA requests that commercial motor vehicle drivers working with agricultural aircraft operators be exempt from the required knowledge and skills tests and be eligible to receive a restricted CDL. NAAA also requests an exemption to allow these restricted CDL holders to transport fuels used to power agricultural aircraft engines if transported in quantities of 1,000 gallons or less. FMCSA requests public comments on the NAAA application for exemption by Aug. 6, 2007.

On July 9, CQ reports that as the House and Senate Appropriations committees churn out bills, President Bush’s veto threats are not the only obstacle to completion of spending legislation before the 2008 fiscal year begins Oct. 1. There’s also logistics in the Senate. When Republicans controlled Congress, Democrats criticized their management of the appropriations process. But the Democrats are now discovering just how difficult it is to carve out enough floor time to pass spending bills in the Senate. “It’s a logistical nightmare,” said Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-IL). None of the fiscal 2008 bills has been scheduled for floor action yet. Democratic leaders say they hope to move a couple before the August recess. But it remains highly unlikely that the Senate will pass even a majority of the 12 spending bills by Oct. 1, let alone reconcile them with House versions and send them to the president by that date.

If you haven’t already done so, please respond to the following surveys:
Ohio – Emergency Contact (Ends 07/12/2007)
Ohio – Vision Standards (Ends 07/13/2007)
Connecticut – Employee Satisfaction in the Workplace (Ends 07/17/2007)
AAMVA – Administrative License Revocation (ALR) (Ends 07/31/2007)

The week of July 9 proves to be busy for transportation appropriations. Senate appropriators will mark up their Transportation-HUD spending bill for fiscal 2008 in subcommittee on July 10 at 3 pm and in full committee on July 12. Meanwhile, House appropriators will have a full committee markup of their "THUD" bill on July 11 at 10 a.m. The House Transportation and Infrastructure - Subcommittee on Highways and Transit will hold a hearing on FMCSA oversight of high-risk carriers on July 11 at 2:00 p.m. For more information on hearings, access schedules through the Legislative Calendar on AAMVA’s Web site.

CQ Today reports that although a comprehensive immigration overhaul is likely dead until after the 2008 elections, piecemeal legislation still has a chance, including measures to make Social Security cards more secure. The failed Senate immigration bill and three House bills (HR 1645, HR 98 and HR 2413) all propose increasing the security of Social Security cards. They differ on whether that would be done using biometric data such as fingerprints, a digital photo, a machine-readable electronic identification strip or some combination of those. A pilot program could determine which type of biometric is best, whether to store biometric information on a card or solely in a database, what the necessary new equipment would cost employers, and how to make the enrollment process convenient. Regardless of whether Congress passes a bill to increase the security of Social Security cards, the Social Security Administration is continuing to upgrade the cards. In October, it will issue new cards with features to prevent tampering, but those do not include a biometric or photograph.

National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark V. Rosenker praised the U.S. Senate for its passage of a resolution designating July 2007 as National Teen Safe Driver Month. The newly signed legislation, which is being observed by federal, state and local governments, encourages the development of resources to provide affordable, accessible and effective driver training for every teenage driver of the United States. Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for 15- through 20-year-olds. In 2004, teen drivers constituted only 6.3 percent of licensed drivers, but were involved in 13.6 percent of all highway fatal crashes and 18 percent of all police-reported crashes. View the full press release.

The 2007 Fall 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. Don’t miss the chance to come to sunny Glendale, Arizona, Nov. 5-8, 2007 for an interactive and collaborative workshop with industry peers and federal partners. Start planning now! Registration information and the full program are available on the AAMVA Web site.

Take your professional training and skills to a higher level; sign up today for the FDR Instructor Certification Course with AAMVA University. The course is to be held in Arlington, Virginia on Aug. 13-17, 2007. The registration deadline is July 27 (prerequisite: FDR Level II Course). Additional courses will be added soon. 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.

AAMVA is actively seeking a qualified individual to fill the Director of Driver Fitness position within the Programs Division. This position is responsible for the development, coordination, monitoring and disseminating of information in the following areas: Younger Driver, Older Driver, Driver Fitness, Driver Improvement, Graduated Driver's License, and Financial Responsibility and Insurance. Additional responsibilities include serving as staff liaison to committees, subcommittees and working groups in these areas as well as serving as the staff liaison to the Financial Responsibility and Insurance (FR&I) discipline. A job description and submission guidelines are available on AAMVA's Web site. More details are also available in the job advertisement.

Recent activity on the AAMVA Fraud Early Warning System (FEWS) has increased due to an increase in the number of states participating. As an example, Colorado recently posted a lengthy list of fraudulent and missing birth certificates, warning of possible identity theft. In the past, these notices have been delivered via the Law Enforcement Committee’s YAHOO group. That practice is being eliminated due to the success and convenience of FEWS. Visit the AAMVA Web site for more information on how to participate in the FEWS system or contact Selden Fritschner at (703) 908-5855 or e-mail sfritschner@aamva.org.