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: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Meeting: Aviation Security and Technology, Coast Guard Authorizations, and Regional Ocean Partnerships: The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee meets April 14 to consider S.2378 (aviation security checkpoint technology funding), S.3257 (FAA regulations on disclosures of mental health conditions for certain aviation workers), S.3404 (federal support for commercial satellite system cybersecurity), S.3597 (National Quantum Initiative Act reauthorization), S.3791 (Regional Ocean Partnerships), and routine Coast Guard matters.

Federal Government News

CEQ Releases Updated Guidance on Categorical Exclusions for NEPA Reviews

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued new guidance for federal agencies on the adoption and application of categorical exclusions (CEs) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The document outlines procedures for agencies establishing or revising CEs, addressing amendments from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and CEQ’s repeal of prior regulations. Chairman Katherine Scarlett announced the addition of technology platforms—the Categorical Exclusion Explorer database and CE Works—to digitize the CE review process. The changes are intended to support permitted infrastructure, including transport and logistics projects, by clarifying the use of CEs for activities that generally do not have significant environmental impact. Agencies may reference the guidance to expedite NEPA compliance for future infrastructure developments.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

FMCSA Initiates Renewal of Information Collection: Transportation of Hazardous Materials, Highway Routing

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a notice of its intent to renew the approved Information Collection Request (ICR) titled 'Transportation of Hazardous Materials, Highway Routing.' Under 49 U.S.C. 5112 and 5125, states, tribal routing agencies, and territories must provide updates to hazardous materials routing designations, restrictions, and limitations within 60 days of changes. The data are collected every two years or upon change, consolidated by FMCSA, and published both in the Federal Register and on the agency’s website. The ICR affects 57 respondents and has an estimated annual burden of 7.125 hours. Comments on this renewal are due by May 11, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FHWA Requests Comments on Congestion Relief Program Information Collection

The Federal Highway Administration submitted a proposed new information collection for its discretionary 'Congestion Relief Program.' Targeted at states, metropolitan planning organizations, and city or municipal agencies in urbanized areas with populations over 1 million, the program will accept annual proposals for grant funds, grant agreements, and semi-annual reporting. FHWA expects 20 applicants per year, and the collection is estimated to require 24 hours for applications and 16 hours for grant and reporting phases, totaling 960 annual burden hours. Comments on the data collection are requested by May 11, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

US Postal Regulatory Commission Posts Notice on New and Modified Postal Service Contracts

The Postal Regulatory Commission released notice of a recent Postal Service filing to add several international services—International Priority Airmail, Commercial ePacket, Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, and First-Class Package International Service Contract 17—to its Competitive Product List. The public may submit comments by April 14, 2026. The proceeding, handled under Docket Nos. MC2026-192 and K2026-192, supplements ongoing updates to competitive postal product offerings.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Maritime Administration Seeks Input on ICE Pact Shipbuilding Capabilities

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) published a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE) Pact, a trilateral shipbuilding initiative involving the United States, Canada, and Finland. MARAD seeks information from US shipyards about their capacity to design and build ice-capable vessels, workforce development needs, technology priorities, industrial base concerns, and best practices in multinational shipbuilding cooperation. Responses are due by June 5, 2026, and the RFI outlines strategic motives to increase polar vessel capacity and on-shore supply chain resilience under presidential directive.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Interstate Ferry Fairness Act (H.R. 8200)

The Interstate Ferry Fairness Act was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill addresses provisions affecting the regulation of interstate ferry operations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act (H.R. 8218)

The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Latest legislative action is committee assignment.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill to Direct Collaboration Between Commerce and EPA on Environmental Revitalization (H.R. 8238)

A bill directing the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to collaborate on economic revitalization at contaminated sites was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as Financial Services and Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill on Safety Standards for Turbine-Powered Helicopter Operations (H.R. 8226)

This bill would create requirements for safety equipment, training, and maintenance for turbine-powered helicopters carrying two or more passengers. The measure was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bills to Nullify Iran- and Russia-Related General Licenses on Crude Oil Delivery

Separate bills introduced in the House would nullify Treasury Department General Licenses permitting crude oil and petroleum product deliveries involving Iranian and Russian-origin cargoes. Both measures were referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and the Judiciary for further action.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump Administration Pushes Biggest Noncombat Ship Upgrade in Decades: The Wall Street Journal covers federal plans for extensive investment in noncombat maritime fleets.
• Shippers weigh unusual routes as high air cargo rates, ocean gridlock persist: Reuters reports that high air cargo prices and ocean congestion drive shippers to pursue alternate logistics options.
• The Era of Free Seas Is Unraveling—and Now Everyone’s Going to Pay: The Wall Street Journal examines global maritime trade disruption following the closure and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Life and Death Aboard Ships Stranded Near the Strait of Hormuz: A Wall Street Journal article details the conditions for crews aboard vessels left idle in Middle East waters this spring.
• US transportation secretary sees room for airline mergers: Reuters discusses statement from the U.S. transportation secretary regarding potential for consolidation among airlines.

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