A drawn-out battle is ongoing as 16 Democratic Attorney Generals (AGs) have made an unprecedented move by filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case in question is Bissonnette v. LePage Bakeries, here, the AGs are urging the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court’s ruling that has deemed truck drivers for…
In a move that is significant for environmental conservation efforts in the U.S., the United States Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration (DOT) has promulgated a final rule focusing on the tracking of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The rule is described as providing several key government organizations a national framework to follow up with GHG…
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated three of its cybersecurity directives that regulate freight and passenger railroad carriers, as stated in an October 2023 report. This move falls into a continuing effort to fortify the cybersecurity of surface transportation systems.Hogan Lovells reported the following three security directives have been renewed and updated: Enhancing…
As regulatory bodies across the globe ramp up their focus on consumer protection, the legislative scrutiny around robocalls is intensifying, particularly in the United States. The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband (hereinafter “Subcommittee”) recently held a hearing on “Protecting Americans from Robocalls”— an initiative that could have…
In the context of the U.S. Supreme Court’s precedent-setting verdict in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. 181 (2023) (SFFA), which curtailed the extent of race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions, a consequential federal lawsuit has now been leveled in the Eastern District of Kentucky. This…
In accordance with the announcement made on October 17, 2023, by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD), the U.S. Tanker Security Program (TSP) has reached full enrollment alongside its sister program, the Maritime Security Program (MSP). Both these initiatives play critical roles in supporting the U.S. Department of Defense during times of need….
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced the commencement of a comment period for proposed updates to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). This invitation allows stakeholders to discuss and propose suggestions on forty-six distinct topics related to the regulatory updates on hazardous materials (Hazmat) transportation. The comment period…
A pressing deadline looms for businesses and non-profits in Ontario. Those with a headcount of 20 or more have until December 31, 2023, to file their Accessibility Compliance Report with the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (the Ministry) or face potential penalties. Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, the news stresses the importance of…
On October 21, 2022, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) established definitive guidelines for Massachusetts’ 175 MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) communities. The guidelines aim to ensure compliance with M.G.L. c. 40A, § 3A (“Guidelines”). These new directives specifically apply to communities identified as Rapid Transit Communities. Compliance is…
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) made a noteworthy announcement on November 16, 2023, as per details provided on JD Supra. Acting on behalf of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, the EERE communicated its plans to issue a funding opportunity announcement (FOA). This prospective FOA is…
In a development on November 16, 2023 pertinent to stakeholders in the energy and LNG industry, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted Dominion Energy Virginia, also known as Virginia Electric and Power Company’s petition. Dominion’s request centered on FERC declaring that its planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, storage, and regasification facility in Greensville…
On October 26, 2023, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program encountered a fresh legal battle. The dispute was initiated in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky and currently stands as one of the most salient issues in the legal arena. The contention lies in the DOT’s implementation of a…
The MCS-90 endorsement, an additional component to trucking liability policies, is increasingly in focus as the American legal community navigates the complexities of the transport industry, particularly motor carriers participating in the interstate commerce of property. A requirement of federal law, motor carriers must exhibit proof of the financial capacity to cover any public damage…
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the proprietor of several transportation companies based in New York, alongside an immigration lawyer and her firm. The lawsuit alleges the sale of unregistered securities, and reportedly, these sales also included individuals seeking permanent U.S. residency through an immigrant investor program. As…
As legal professionals remain alert to the changing landscape of regulatory standards, it’s worth noting a recent development concerning healthcare and fringe benefit limits. On November 9th, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publicized additional inflation adjustments which involve amendments to the annual contribution and carryover limits for healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), as well…
A recent incident in London has sparked a conversation regarding the necessity of security on buses. Reports from Above the Law revealed that legal professionals found themselves victims of an anti-Semitic attack while on a London double-decker, leading many to question the measures in place to protect public transit passengers. This disturbing event is not…
As we embark on the holiday season, there are no shortages of gift-giving among friends, family, and business associates. However, within the corporate world, these simple gestures may sometimes blur ethical lines. An impactful example is the common misunderstanding that a bottle of wine gifted to a company’s purchasing manager from a long-standing vendor is…
In recent years, global supply chains have faced a great deal of pressure due to a series of exogenous shocks. These range from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical ruptures such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and escalating US-China tensions. The latest incident to cause disruption was the conflict that ensued after an…
In an unprecedented move, California’s Attorney General’s Office and the Labor Commissioner have teamed up to petition the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for a waiver of meal and rest period preemption determination, aimed at protecting the state’s drivers. The Attorney General’s push comes after FMCSA announced in August that it would commence the…
On November 9, 2023, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) pioneered the introduction of new delivery platforms for transportation infrastructure projects, successfully registering full attendance at their launch event in Indianapolis. The latest additions to the statutorily authorized pilot programs are Progressive Design-Build (PDB) and Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) methods. These platforms, authorized by Indiana…
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is preparing for what it anticipates will be its busiest holiday travel season to date. This comes as a potential government shutdown looms, possibly just days away. Despite these challenging circumstances, TSA employees and federal air traffic controllers are obligated to work, albeit without pay during a shutdown. This may…
A disturbing event unfolded in London when two attorneys, one from Slaughter and May, and the other from Morrison & Foerster, faced an antisemitic incident. The incident happened on a public transportation bus where an unidentified woman repeatedly harassed the couple with antisemitic questions. Post this incident, both lawyers sought the LinkedIn platform to share…
The recently released Fifth National Climate Assessment from the US government confirms an increase in extreme weather events as a direct result of climate change, despite a national decrease in US greenhouse gas emissions. The report emphasizes the urgent need for further action to avert potential nationwide catastrophe. The urgency comes in the backdrop of…
As we leave 2023 behind and look towards the fresh start offered by the new year, it’s an opportune time for Illinois employers and their legal advisors to reflect on new legislation set to impact their operations. Principal among these is House Bill 2068, a law implementing a “pre-tax commuter benefit” for employees, effective January…
The use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, by state and local agencies has significantly increased in recent years. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (Department) in Alaska, has been making headlines lately with their progressive utilization of drones. The department has begun using these remote-controlled devices for tasks such as…