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Capitol Watch Busy start of the year: From cargo screening to roadability amendment By Adrienne Gildea, senior associate, Blakey & Agnew, LLC DHS, Sen. Rockefeller consider postponing 100 percent scanning deadlines At a hearing in early December, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano informed Congress that the department would be seeking an extension for the congressionally mandated 100 percent scanning requirement, due to take effect in 2012. Citing prohibitive costs and a lack of appropriate technology, the Secretary indicated more time is needed to meet the requirements. Following the hearing, Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) acknowledged that some sort of extension is likely necessary. The GAO has also released a report on the 100 percent scanning requirements. The report examines progress made so far, as well as the ongoing implementation plans, the extent to which US Customs and Border Patrol has estimated costs and conducted a cost-benefit analysis of 100 percent scanning, and any challenges to integrating the program with existing container security programs. Echoing Secretary Napolitano’s comments, the report concludes that much work remains to be done in developing and implementing a plan for 100 percent cargo screening, and recommends that CBP conduct and submit to Congress a comprehensive feasibility analysis, cost estimates, and a cost-benefit analysis. CONGRESS considers infrastructure spending in jobs bill, gets creative with Surface Transportation Authorization In early December, with the record high unemployment numbers and an economy only barely showing signs of eventual progress, many in Congress and the Administration were considering the possibility of a jobs bill to infuse additional funds into the economy and stimulate job creation. While the Administration hosted a Jobs Summit to discuss possible solutions, Congressmen Oberstar and Obey spearheaded an effort to provide $100-plus billion in general funds for transportation infrastructure investment over the next two years, buying them some time on the Surface Transportation Authorization in the process. Should this measure pass, obligations from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) would essentially be halted for two years, allowing revenues to build up in the HTF and supporting higher spending levels for the last 4 years of the authorization cycle. This would, hopefully, help address the funding challenge that has slowed the reauthorization and led to multiple extensions. With the next two years worth of funding addressed through the jobs bill, Congress could then turn their attention to the larger issues of the reauthorization some time mid-next 2010, and the new policies, programs, spending, and revenue sources would kick in for years 3-6 of the authorization cycle. FMCSA agrees to revisit controversial Hours of Service Rule In late October, after months of back and forth over the public challenge to FMCSA’s Hours of Service (HOS) Rule, FMCSA and the Teamsters reached an agreement. FMCSA agreed to revisit the current rule and propose a new rule within nine months. In exchange, the Teamsters agreed to put their lawsuit on hold. As part of this effort, FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) held a committee meeting in Washington, DC, in early December. At this meeting, the committee heard testimony and research findings and agreed to draft and submit recommendations by February 2010. FMCSA to amend Roadability Rule The FMCSA announced that it would amend the regulations regarding intermodal container chassis — the Roadability rule - to allow a fifth intermodal equipment marking option. This will enable the identification of chassis and other intermodal equipment through a system that matches equipment to the responsible Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP). The amendment to the final rule will advance the Global Intermodal Equipment Registry (GIER), an industry sponsored solution that was developed by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).	In This Issue Up Front News, Trends & Analysis New Items Transport Economics: Don’t be so gloomy Capitol Watch: From cargo screening to roadability equipment Trade Tools: A different world of trade in 2010 Supply Chain Chris Steele: The corner and what’s around it Compliance Corner: Hot trade compliance issues for 2010 Tech Trends: Five trends for 2010 Commentary David Bennett: Five predictions for 2010 Gateway Glance Georgia Vietnam The Port Community East Coast Ports 2010: Five things to watch for West Coast Ports 2010: The future of West Coast port productitivy? The Shipping Environment: Five sustainable trends for 2010 Product Review: Cranes Casualties Triple-deck trailer barge snaps towline, tankers leak, Coast Guard ice breaker runs aground ... and much more Final Say Your supply chain dynamics: 2010 crisis? Or oppotrunities?
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Capitol Watch

Busy start of the year: From cargo screening to roadability amendment