On May 13, 2025, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a confirmation hearing for David Fink, nominee for Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Led by Senator Ted Cruz, the hearing spanned two hours and focused on Fink’s industry background, safety record, and priorities for the FRA.Continue Reading Senate Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing for FRA Administrator Nominee David Fink
Autonomous Commercial Vehicles Now Come “Heavy-Duty” If New California DMV Law Passes
Autonomous heavy-duty motor vehicles — those with a gross weight of 10,001 pounds or greater — to date have been barred from public roadways in California. This will change if newly proposed California DMV regulations take effect.
The proposed regulations include several notable changes and perhaps most notable among them is the opportunity for providers of autonomous heavy-duty vehicles to apply for a permit to operate through testing or deployment.Continue Reading Autonomous Commercial Vehicles Now Come “Heavy-Duty” If New California DMV Law Passes
DOT Announces Progress on Key Drone Regulations
On May 14, 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced significant advancements in drone regulations. FAA’s proposed rules related to Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS) and restricting UAS operations at a fixed site facility have been submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) marking a significant step forward. Continue Reading DOT Announces Progress on Key Drone Regulations
Upcoming FRA Nomination Hearing
On May 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, chaired by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, will hold a nominations hearing that will address key nominations for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak’s Board of Directors, and the Department of Commerce. Among the nominees is David Fink, who has
New Executive Order on English Language Requirement for Commercial Vehicle Drivers
On April 28, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order for Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers. The EO declares it “the policy of [the] Administration to support America’s truckers and safeguard our roadways by enforcing the commonsense English-language requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers and removing needless regulatory burdens that undermine the working conditions of America’s truck drivers.” Current Federal law provides that a commercial motor vehicle driver must be able to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.” 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(2). A June 15, 2016, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) guidance document describes circumstances in which that regulation will and will not be enforced. The new EO requires that the Secretary of Transportation rescind that guidance document within 60 days and issue new guidance with “revised inspection procedures necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2).” Such guidance should ensure that “a violation of the English language proficiency requirement results in the driver being placed out-of-service.”Continue Reading New Executive Order on English Language Requirement for Commercial Vehicle Drivers
NHTSA Announces Actions Under Trump Administration’s New Framework for Removing Regulatory Barriers for Automated Vehicles
On April 24, the Department of Transportation announced the Trump Administration’s new framework for the regulation of Automated Vehicles (“AVs”). To learn more, please read our Client Alert NHTSA Announces First Actions Under Trump Administration’s New Framework for Removing Regulatory Barriers for Automated Vehicles.
Trump Picks New FAA Administrator
On March 17, 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Bryan Bedford to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the agency’s new Administrator. Mr. Bedford’s nomination comes as the FAA faces heightened scrutiny over safety incidents and challenges to the air traffic control workforce. Mr. Bedford will take over the role from Chris Rocheleau, who was named Acting Administrator soon after Mike Whittaker, the former FAA Administrator, stepped down from the position on January 20, 2025.Continue Reading Trump Picks New FAA Administrator
Steven G. Bradbury Confirmed as Deputy Secretary of DOT
Steven G. Bradbury has been appointed as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) after the Senate confirmed him 51-46. Deputy Secretary Bradbury will be second in command to Secretary Sean Duffy.
Deputy Secretary Bradbury has a broad background in transportation, which includes serving as general counsel of the DOT from 2017 to 2021 and Acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation under the prior Trump Administration.Continue Reading Steven G. Bradbury Confirmed as Deputy Secretary of DOT
CPSC: New Staff Appointments Announced
Key staffing changes are afoot at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), as two individuals have recently joined the Agency’s leadership ranks. To learn more, read Crowell’s Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer blog post CPSC Announces New Staff Appointments.
DOT Reverses Course and Rescinds Policy Memos Related to Infrastructure Projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has rescinded Biden-era memorandums from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that prioritized infrastructure projects with social justice and climate goals, aligning with the Trump administration’s policy direction. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated these memos lacked statutory basis and will no longer influence DOT programs. Critics of the earlier policies had noted that the policy prioritized infrastructure projects intended to maintain or upgrade existing roads, highways, and bridges rather than new construction. This will also give states more autonomy in prioritizing funding allocations. Continue Reading DOT Reverses Course and Rescinds Policy Memos Related to Infrastructure Projects