There are several legislative and regulatory issues currently affecting the moving and storage industry. Here’s a review of what’s going on:

Regulatory Items:

ELD Rule in Full Effect – As of December 16, any carriers subject to the ELD rule who are not using an AOBRD or non-ELD compliant logging software will be placed out of service.

Clearinghouse Rule in Effect – On January 6, 2020, all motor carriers using CDL-drivers must be registered and using the FMCSA’s new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse database.

Legislative Items:

Congress Passes DP3 Language – On December 17, 2019, Congress passed the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act to dictate spending and policy guidelines for the Pentagon. The $738 billion bill included AMSA-backed language ensuring that military movers’ voice is heard directly by the Sec. of Defense on the Defense Personal Property Program (“DP3”) and that it is appropriately studied.

FY20 Funding Package Passes – On December 19, 2019, Congress passed a $1.4 trillion spending deal to fund the government through September 30, 2020. The final agreement included language preventing FMCSA from publishing CSA data before studies are completed and drops previous efforts to prevent the Agency from preempting state rest breaks and eliminating the federal 30-minute rest rule.

Drug-Impaired Driving Bill Advances – On December 11, 2019, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee passed S. 2979, the Preventing Opioid and Drug Impairment in Transportation Act. The proposal would study impaired driving countermeasures and work to advance employer testing tools to deter prohibited drug use. Bill now awaits further consideration on Senate Floor.