KEY AGENCIES
May 8, 2026 Updates
There was no reportable FHWA activity last week.
The World Shipping Council filed an amendment to its agreement with the FMC that would allow WSC members to develop tools that enhance cargo screening efforts to improve safety. Additionally, the amendment allows WSC members to create and maintain databases of incidents relating to the identification of undeclared or non-compliant goods. The amendment takes effect on April 13.
FMCSA issued a 30-day request for comments to gather additional data on how driver schedules impact overall performance and fatigue. Data will be collected for hours of service duty logs, accident and incident data, and inspection violation records. According to FMCSA, this information is required to comply with a 2015 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report that directed the agency to develop a comprehensive database of crash data and driver schedules. Comments are due on May 20.
As mentioned in more detail in our CAGTC update, the Maritime Administration is soliciting applications for the fiscal year 2026 round of the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which funds projects that improve ports’ ability to move goods, streamline supply chain movements, and modernize port operations. The NOFO makes $488.6 million available for this year’s awards. Applications are due on June 26, 2026.
In Sept. 2025, STB issued a NPRM to amend its Positive Train Control (PTC) reporting requirements for Class I carriers. The NPRM proposed to eliminate the reporting of certain measurements that were imposed while the Class I railroads deployed PTC. Additionally, the NPRM would require Class Is to provide the following metrics to improve monitoring of rail service reliability: (1) service as measured by compliance with the original estimated time of arrival and (2) service at the first or last mile, as captured by industry spot and pull, measuring local placements and pick-ups. This week STB adopted a final rule that includes the requirements included in the NPRM, with minor modifications. For example, the NPRM suggested excluding railroad-supplied unloaded/empty cars from the industry spot and pull metric. Following feedback from industry groups, this metric will now be included in railroad reporting. The final rule will take effect on June 7 and the initial reporting date will be July 8, 2026.
Other Offices & Agencies
- The Maritime Administration announced the recipients of the fiscal year 2025 round of the U.S. Marine Highway Program grants. The program awarded a total of $13.2 million to 11 marine highway projects across 7 states. The full list of grant awards can be found here.
- MARAD issued its FY26 notice of funding opportunity for the Small Shipyard Grant Program. The program will award $35 million toward projects to: upgrade ship repair and construction facilities; purchase new equipment, including cranes, plasma cutters, and welding systems; and bolster maritime training programs. Applications are due by May 11, 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service
- Maritime Administration
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- National Labor Relations Board
- Office of the United States Trade Representative
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- Transportation Security Administration
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- U.S. Department of Justice
- U.S. Department of Labor
- International Maritime Organization
