Wainstain Selected as Assistant to President for Homeland Security & Counterterrorism 
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff issued a statement on March 21 regarding the recent selection of Ken Wainstain to serve as the President's Assistant for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. "Ken brings to this critical job nearly a generation’s worth of devoted and honorable service to our country in a law enforcement and counterterrorism capacity," said Chertoff. "As U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and General Counsel and Chief of Staff at the FBI, he has the expertise and experience to work effectively with my Department and its people to protect our country against terrorism and other threats to America’s safety."
Resolution to Reduce Underage Drinking Introduced in House
A resolution (H.Res. 1042) was introduced in House on March 12, 2008 that supports the goals and ideals of campaigns working to improve long-term public health and well being, including campaigns that work to prevent underage drinking of alcoholic beverages, such as the We Don't Serve Teens Campaign. The resolution encourages Americans to utilize resources that provide a wealth of information beneficial to combating and reducing such underage drinking. It also commends the leadership and continuing efforts of all groups working to reduce underage drinking.
View the resolution as introduced.
NIST Requests Comments on Proposed Biometrics Lab Accreditation Program
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is requesting comments on the proposed establishment of an accreditation program for laboratories that perform biometric testing, including interoperability, performance and conformance using internationally recognized standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), NIST and the International Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITES). Additional standards may be identified throughout the development of the accreditation program technical requirements. Comments must be received by March 31, 2008. More information is available in the
Feb. 29 Federal Register notice.
UCR Board of Directors Meeting
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces a Unified Carrier Registration Plan (UCR) Board meeting to take place telephonically on April 10 from 11 am to 2 pm (EDT). This meeting will take place telephonically. The UCR Board of Directors will continue its work in developing and implementing the UCR Plan and Agreement and to that end, may consider matters properly before the Board. Any interested person may call Avelino Gutierrez at (505) 827-4565 to receive the toll-free numbers and pass codes needed to participate in these meetings.
Public Meeting on Passenger Vessel Disability Access
The Department of Transportation (DOT) will hold a public meeting on April 8-9, 2008, in connection with its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on passenger vessel disability access guidelines. The comment period for the proposed rule published on Jan. 23, 2007 (72 FR 2833), will reopen from April 8, 2008 to April 23, 2008 to allow for the posting of comments related to the meeting held on April 8-9, 2008, from 9 am to 4 pm (EDT). The meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters located at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, in the DOT Conference Center, Rooms 8/9/10. Enter at the New Jersey Avenue entrance, on the corner of M St., SE., and New Jersey Avenue, SE. This entrance is accessible for individuals with disabilities. More details are available in the
Federal Register notice.
North American Cargo Securement Public Forum
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces a public meeting concerning the implementation of the North American Standard for Protection Against Shifting or Falling Cargo. FMCSA’s cargo securement rules are based on the North American Cargo Securement Standard Model Regulations (Model Regulations), reflecting the results of a multi-year comprehensive research program to evaluate what were then current U.S. and Canadian cargo securement regulations; the motor carrier industry’s best practices; and recommendations presented during a series of public meetings involving U.S. and Canadian industry experts, federal, state and provincial enforcement officials, and other interested parties. Canada’s Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety approved a National Safety Code Standard for cargo securement that is also based on the Model Regulations. This meeting is to discuss the process for ensuring the consistent interpretation of the harmonized cargo securement standards by FMCSA and the Canadian provinces, and interpret issues raised by enforcement agencies and motor carriers in the U.S. and Canada. The meeting will be held at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street, Denver, Colorado on March 26, 2008, from 8 am to 5 pm.
View the Federal Register notice for more details.
FMCSA Medical Review Board Meeting
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces a public meeting of the Agency’s Medical Review Board (MRB). The MRB public meeting will provide the public an opportunity to observe and participate in MRB deliberations about the revision and development of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) medical standards, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The MRB meeting will be held from 8 am to 3:45 pm on April 7, 2008. The meeting will take place at the Westin Gateway, 801 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia, 22203.
View the Federal Register notice for a preliminary agenda and instructions on submitting comments.
Supplemental Proposed Rule With Employer Guidance Regarding No-Match Letters
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released March 21 a
Supplemental Proposed Rulemaking for the No-Match Rule previously issued on Aug. 15, 2007. This rulemaking addresses three issues cited in a decision of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California enjoining the August 2007 No-Match Rule. This Supplemental Proposed Rulemaking provides a more detailed analysis of how DHS developed the No-Match policy and will help responsible employers ensure they are not employing unauthorized workers. The rule does not create new legal obligations for businesses. It simply outlines clear steps an employer may take in response to receiving a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that an employee’s name does not match the Social Security Number on file. If the business follows the guidance in the No-Match Rule, comprising various actions to rectify the no-match within 90 days of receiving the letter, they will have a safe harbor from the no-match letter being used against them in an enforcement action. The original No-Match Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published on June 14, 2006, and the comment period was open for 60 days. The department then incorporated the comments and issued a final rule on Aug. 15, 2007. DHS is requesting public comment on the Supplemental Proposed Rulemaking for 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register. View the Proposed Rulemaking
here.
Volvo Applies for CDL Exemption
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces that Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) has applied for an exemption from the federal requirement for a driver of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to hold a commercial driver's license (CDL). Volvo requests the exemption cover three Swedish field test engineers who will test-drive CMVs for Volvo within the United States. These three Volvo employees all hold a valid Swedish CDL. Volvo states the exemption is needed to support a Volvo field test to meet future clean air standards, to test-drive Volvo prototype vehicles to verify results in “real world” environments and to deliver the vehicles if necessary in the United States. Volvo believes the knowledge and skills tests and training program that Swedish drivers undergo to obtain a Swedish CDL ensures the exemption would provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety obtained by complying with the U.S. requirements for a CDL. Comments must be received on or before April 14, 2008.
View the Federal Register notice for more details.
DHS Blogs on REAL ID
Check out what Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Policy, Stewart Baker has to say about REAL ID in his recent blog posting entitled "REAL ID—Plain and Simple." View the blog at
http://www.dhs.gov/journal/leadership/Extension of Comment Period for Roof Crush Resistance Proposed Rule
In January 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking in connection with its ongoing rulemaking to upgrade the federal motor vehicle safety standard on roof crush resistance. That rulemaking is part of a comprehensive plan for reducing the serious risk of rollover crashes and the risk of death and serious injury in those crashes. NHTSA received a petition from Public Citizen and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety requesting an extension of the comment period. After considering the petition, NHTSA is extending the comment period by 10 days, from March 17, 2008, to March 27, 2008. View the March 14
Federal Register notice for more details.
3 States Have Yet to Seek REAL ID Extensions
South Carolina, Maine and New Hampshire are the only three states that have not been granted a REAL ID Extension. Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff has warned states that if they have not received an extension by the end of March, their citizens will not be able to use their driver's licenses to board domestic flights. Those citizens will be required to show passports or other federal identification to board flights or enter federal buildings in order to avoid more thorough security screening. For more information about REAL ID, visit AAMVA's REAL ID section at
www.aamva.org/realid.
EAC Adopts HAVA Funds Policy Clarification
The Election Assistance Commission on March 20 unanimously adopted a
Policy Clarification on Allowable Uses of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Funds as proposed by Chair Rosemary Rodriguez with changes offered by Commissioner Gracia Hillman. EAC Vice Chair Caroline Hunter released a statement in support of the proposed policy stating, "I believe a state's decision to purchase voting machines with federal funds, provided the state meets the requirements of HAVA, is reasonable even if such funds are used to replace machines purchased with federal funds."
View the entire statement on the EAC Web site.
More information is available on the EAC Web site.
New Director of National Cyber Security Center Appointed
On March 20, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced his appointment of Rod Beckstrom as the first Director of the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). Beckstrom will serve the department by coordinating cyber security efforts and improving situational awareness and information sharing across the federal government. The department is leading efforts to protect federal networks and enhance capabilities that defend and reduce cyber-associated risks. The NCSC will work with the interagency to implement cyber security strategies.
NGA Sends Letter to the Hill Regarding REAL ID Funding
On March 20 the National Governor's Association (NGA) sent a letter to the Hill requesting $1 billion in funding this year for states for their upfront costs of complying with the REAL ID Act. NGA also asked Congress to commit to providing additional funds to cover annual costs. The Office of Management and Budget estimates that state compliance with REAL ID regulations will cost states nearly $4 billion over the next ten years. Much of this cost will come in the first year as states develop and invest in new systems and alter existing business practices to comply with the law. To date, Congress has appropriated only $90 million for REAL ID. The fiscal year 2009 budget provides limited funding for REAL ID, including a $110 million competitive grant program that also funds other programs and $50 million for DHS to develop verification capabilities.
View the full letter on the NGA Web site.
AAMVA Announces New Online Community Directory
Is your information up-to-date in the new Community Directory? Find out now! AAMVA's new online
Community Directory allows members to search AAMVA's membership system for jurisdictional, federal government, associate member and AAMVA/IRP staff contacts. This members-only directory allows a search for people, organizations or committees. Members can keep their own records up to date through the use of
My AAMVA.
A PDF version of the jurisdiction portion of the AAMVA Membership Directory is still available and is posted as a members-only document. If you need assistance with a Web ID or password, contact the
Member and Conference Services Department.
Receive Updates to 2008 AAMVA Fall Workshop
Make plans to join AAMVA for the 2008 Fall Workshop, Oct. 27-30, in Tampa, Florida at the Hyatt Regency Tampa. Representatives from each program and support area of the membership are working on the agenda and developing networking and learning opportunities. Want the latest updates when they become available? Sign up for e-mails on
Workshop Updates today!
Real ID FAQ Database Now Available for Members
AAMVA has pulled together frequently asked questions (FAQs) about REAL ID and placed them in
a searchable database for AAMVA members. These questions are from jurisdictions and the answers have been supplied by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This online tool allows you to: search by topic/section of the rule; search using free text; run reports. A
user guide and
tutorial are also available online.
Note: This database is available to AAMVA members only. Share Information with Other Jurisdictions
If you haven’t already done so, please respond to the following surveys:
Your Photo Could be the Next Cover for "Move" Magazine
The deadline for the Summer 2007
Move cover photo contest has been extended to
March 31! So, you want to see your photo on the cover of
Move? Submit the best photo that depicts the theme for each issue of
Move, and it will be used on the cover and viewed by thousands of readers! Review the
submission guidelines and
release form. The theme for this issue is "Tools of the Trade." For more information visit
http://www.aamva.org/Publications/Move/ or e-mail
move@aamva.org. Good luck!
AAMVA University Rolls Out New Training Portal
AAMVA University has rolled out a new training portal located at
http://aamva.webroom.com. This platform gives AAMVA University more flexibility and range in training services and many jurisdiction members have already signed up and started classes.
To attend any class, you must do a one-time registration on the site and then self-enroll for each class you wish to attend. Visit
http://aamva.webroom.com and check out the new look of AAMVA University! The current round of Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) training began on Thursday, March 20. All classes are held on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 2 to 4pm (EDT) via the Web with live instructors and subject matter experts and are free for AAMVA members. There is one new course in this round:
3-Year Calculations for Serious Violations. This is a CDLIS Advanced course that covers information pertaining to Table 2 of 49 CFR §383.51 Disqualifications for serious traffic violations and uses several examples to demonstrate how to properly determine and apply penalties for second and third serious convictions within 3 years. This course is recommended for those involved in the CDL program within their jurisdiction.
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