Industry Says HOS Proposal Would Hurt Supply Chain, Short Hauls
On June 14, 2011, a House Small Business Subcommittee1 held a hearing on the impact of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed hours of service regulations on small trucking businesses. At the hearing, witnesses testified that the proposed HOS changes should not apply to short haul drivers and the interstate household goods industry and would complicate logistics networks and supply chains.
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Would Complicate Logistics Networks and Supply Chains
The American Trucking Associations testified that the FMCSA should abandon its proposed rule and retain the current HOS regulations. According to ATA, the proposed changes would result in a loss of productivity that would likely be felt by small business shippers, manufacturers, and retailers in the form of increased costs. In addition, the proposed rule would complicate the scheduling of pick-ups and deliveries and inexplicably complicate logistics networks and supply chains in ways that would further hamper the growth of small businesses.
Should Not Apply to Short Haul Drivers, Interstate Household Goods Industry
The Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) stressed the need for FMCSA to take into consideration the differences between short haul and long haul drivers and that the proposed HOS changes should not apply to short haul drivers.
The American Moving & Storage Association testified that in recognition of its unique customer-service model, the proposed HOS changes should not be applied to the interstate household goods industry and the current rules should continue to apply.
1Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations
Hearing materials, including opening statements and witness testimony available here