This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning the trucking, rail, and shipping industries, ports, storage centers, cargo and container terminals, international and inter-provincial logistics, fulfillment centres, courier and delivery services. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-22 to 2026-03-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Postal Service Proposes Overweight and Oversize Fee Revision

The Postal Service released a proposed amendment to the Domestic Mail Manual that would apply a $200 fee to all retail and commercial overweight or oversize items found in the postal network, except those returned to the mailer during retail transactions. Current policy only assesses the fee under specific circumstances, but under the new rule, payment would be required for packages exceeding 70 pounds or 130 inches in length and girth combined across the network. The change is scheduled for July 12, 2026, and public comment is open until April 24, 2026. Amendments to 39 CFR Part 111 will be published to formalize the fee structure.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Memorandum Orders Pay for TSA Employees Amid Shutdown

President Trump issued a memorandum following the six-week shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which left over 60,000 Transportation Security Administration employees unpaid. The memo notes nearly 500 officers resigned and sick leave rates reached record highs, leading to travel disruptions at airports. The President directed the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to use available funds to compensate TSA employees consistent with law, and instructed DHS to adjust accounts once funding is restored. The memorandum outlines the operational and security challenges resulting from the shutdown.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FMCSA Information Collection Request for Unified Registration System Renewal

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to submit a request to renew the Unified Registration System information collection, covering registration and updates for motor carriers, freight forwarders, brokers, and intermodal equipment providers. The request affects approximately 183,261 respondents annually, each requiring an estimated 1.34 hours to complete FMCSA Form MCSA-1, with a total annual burden of 245,569 hours. Registration enables FMCSA to monitor and track operational and safety data for entities across the freight and passenger sectors. Comments are invited until April 22, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Surface Transportation Board Proposes Revised Environmental Review Regulations

The Surface Transportation Board published proposed rules to update environmental review processes under NEPA and associated laws, affecting rail construction, abandonment, and discontinuance. The proposal delegates regulatory authority to the Office of Environmental Analysis, revises lists of actions exempt from review, adds new categorical exclusions such as certain abandonments, and eliminates draft Environmental Impact Statements. The Board aims to reduce procedural delays by shortening prefiling notice requirements and incorporating NEPA page limits and deadlines. Comments on the proposed rules are due by April 24, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Maritime Commission Amends Vessel Sharing Agreement for PAD Service

The Federal Maritime Commission filed an amendment to Agreement No. 011931-013 between CMA CGM S.A. and Compagnie Maritime Marfret S.A.S., expanding the geographic scope to include Ireland and increasing the number of operated vessels. Interested parties may submit comments during the review period; expedited review requests prompt a seven-day window for submissions. The amendment's proposed effective date is May 3, 2026, and documentation is available through the FMC website or Office of General Counsel.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act of 2025

Bill 6267, targeting improvements in aviation supply chain safety and security, was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The legislation aims to digitize safety and security operations across the aviation supply chain.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025

Bill 6427, offering regulatory relief for airports, was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The measure could affect airport operations and regulatory burdens for industry stakeholders.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act

Bill 6618, focused on enhancing aerial response capabilities during wildfires, entered the Senate and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The act addresses aviation safety in wildfire operations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act

Bill 3410, supporting the modernization of supersonic aviation, was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The bill intends to update regulations for supersonic commercial aircraft.

Sources: www.congress.gov

ACPAC Modernization Act

Bill 5663, aiming at modernizing the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The proposal considers changes to consumer protection policy in aviation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Exclusive | Postal Service to Impose Its First-Ever Fuel Surcharge on Packages: USPS is preparing to implement its inaugural package fuel surcharge.
• Long Lines and Frustration: Inside Three Airports Across the U.S.: Three U.S. airports reported extended security waiting times and passenger delays.
• Exclusive | Cold-Storage Vacancies Hit 20-Year High: US cold storage warehouse vacancy rates have reached two-decade highs.
• Mar 26: 122,000 Truck Drivers Disappeared According to the BLS.: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a substantial reduction in U.S. truck driver count.
• FMCSA Is Achieving What the Freight Recession Failed To: Permanently Reducing Capacity: FMCSA policies are contributing to persistent declines in freight carrier capacity.

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