Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 350 and 355 [Docket No. FMCSA-98-4878 (formerly FHWA Docket No. FHWA-98-4878)] RIN 2126-AA40 (formerly RIN 2125-AE46) AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The FMCSA is revising the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) to comply with the congressionally-mandated provisions of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). This action broadens the scope of the MCSAP beyond enforcement activities and programs by requiring participating States to assume greater responsibility for improving motor carrier safety. These rules will now require States to develop performance-based plans reflecting national priorities and performance goals, revise the MCSAP funding distribution formula, and create a new incentive funding program. These rules provide States greater flexibility in designing programs to address national and State goals for reducing the number and severity of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) accidents. This action also includes conforming amendments to the regulations on compatibility of State laws and regulations affecting interstate motor carrier operations. DATES: The effective date of this rule is April 20, 2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. F. Daniel Hartman, National Safety Programs Division, MSP-10, (202) 366-9579, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,…