With eight rule­makings underway, APTA staff and committees are working hard to represent the interests of the association’s members in these crucial regulatory actions. These efforts are incomplete without your input and support.

Want to stay up to date on all things regulatory? Click here to find a list of current rulemaking issues, links to the Federal Register and other sources, draft and final APTA comments, and a website where you can file your own comments.

What’s hot today?

Foremost is FTA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on public transit safety, asset management, and state of good repair. While ANPRM announcements are typically a couple of pages long and ask a handful of open-ended questions, this one stands out.

Filling 22 pages of the Federal Register and asking 123 questions, this ANPRM is the industry’s best opportunity to help shape several regulations likely to govern public transportation for many years. To gather members’ thoughts and reach consensus on these wide-ranging issues, APTA has scheduled a series of five free webinars on separate portions of the ANPRM. To learn more about the ANPRM, click here.

APTA members who serve on committees will get details about the webinars and comment drafting process from committee staff advisors. Members who do not serve on a committee can get webinar details by e-mailing James LaRusch. Final comments are due to FTA on Jan. 2, 2014.

Below is a list of other pending regulations and deadlines for comments:

* FTA, FHWA, and FRA published a joint Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning applications for the now-permanent Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program. Comments are due to the agencies on Oct. 29.

* DOT has reopened the comment period on modifications to its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise regulation. APTA and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) teamed up to comment on these ­proposals last December. DOT now seeks specific information on the burdens and benefits of various filings and required reports. Comments are due Oct. 30.

* FTA and FHWA published proposed guidance on adding transit representation to Metropolitan Planning Organizations in large urban areas, with comments due Oct. 30.

* The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comment on environmental policy as applied to the already difficult task of implementing Positive Train Control. Comments are due Nov. 6.

* FTA and FHWA published a joint NPRM that proposes ­adding ­categorical exclusions to the National Environmental Protection Act process and, in some cases, would authorize states to act in FHWA’s stead in approving cate­gorical exclusions. Comments are due Nov. 18.

* FTA has proposed changes to the formula grant process for rural areas. Comments are due Nov. 25.

* FRA has refined its views on hours of service and published an updated policy for review and comment. Comments are due Nov. 25.

A lot is going on in the regulatory world. Check it all out here.

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