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: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Armed Services Subcommittee Hearing on Shipbuilding and Maritime Industrial Base: The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces will convene a hearing titled 'Revitalizing Shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base' on April 22, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET in Rayburn 2118.
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Examines Environmental Law Effects on Material Supply Chains: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment is scheduled for a hearing, 'Help or Hindrance? The impact of U.S. Environmental Laws on Critical Material Supply Chains, National Security, and Economic Growth,' on April 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET in Rayburn 2123.

Federal Government News

OSHA Finalizes Revocation of House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has formally revoked the House Falls in Marine Terminals Standard, effective April 17, 2026. This standard, in place since 1983, addressed cargo gear safety for marine terminals but is now considered unnecessary due to industry practices shifting toward containerized cargo handled by cranes. OSHA cited a lack of recent citations or evidence of ongoing use of house falls equipment. The agency determined that removing the standard will reduce compliance costs, estimating annual savings between $2,800 and $15,400 depending on the scenario. State OSHA plans are not required to amend their programs, and the revocation does not impose new information collection requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

PHMSA Seeks Comment on Special Permit Applications for Hazmat Transport

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released a notice detailing new special permit applications under Hazardous Material Regulations. Applications include authorizations for rotorcraft external load operations to remote areas (Heli-1 Corporation, Hillcrest Aircraft), rail freight alternatives (Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, R.J. Corman Railroad), electronic documentation for rail hazmat, methanol transport exceeding inner packaging limits (Filtrous Corp.), and non-DOT packaging for hazardous shipments. Also included are proposals for MRI device air shipments, Division 1.4S explosives under limited quantity exceptions, and the movement of radioactive materials without standard shipping requirements. Comments must be submitted by May 15, 2026, referencing each application number.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Presidential Permits Reissued for Enbridge Pipeline Operations at U.S.–Canada Border

On April 15, 2026, President Trump issued new Presidential permits authorizing Enbridge Energy subsidiaries to continue operating and maintaining crude oil and petroleum product pipeline facilities at international boundaries in St. Clair County, Michigan, and Pembina County, North Dakota. These permits, which replace prior versions from 1953, 1994, and 2017, define regulated U.S. border facilities and stipulate compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations. Provisions include notification requirements for substantial changes, mandatory inspection and maintenance practices, indemnification of the U.S. government, and requirements for reporting ownership or control changes. The government retains the right to take possession during national emergencies, with compensation to the permittee.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

U.S. Postal Service Proposes New Domestic Mailing Standards and Changes to Service Agreements

The Postal Service filed proposed revisions to the Domestic Mail Manual with the Postal Regulatory Commission, targeting an effective date of July 12, 2026. Key adjustments include eliminating certain ADC/AADC rate categories in favor of 3-digit rates, restructuring Periodicals pricing, increasing maximum weights for Marketing Mail flats, introducing 'Heavy Printed Matter' parcel categories, and implementing barcode quality noncompliance fees. Separate notices were also filed to amend International Priority Airmail, Commercial ePacket, Priority Mail Express International, and First-Class Package International Service Agreements, with documents available for review at the Postal Regulatory Commission website.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Boeing Seeks Exemption from Fuel Efficiency Standards for 777F Freighters

The Boeing Company submitted a petition to the Federal Aviation Administration requesting exemption from 14 CFR 38.1 and 40 CFR 1030.1, which implement International Civil Aviation Organization standards for airplane CO₂ certification. Boeing aims to gain relief allowing certification of 35 777F aircraft past the January 1, 2028, deadline for meeting fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission criteria. Boeing cites continued customer demand and the need to maintain production continuity until its next-generation 777-8F freighter is available. Comments on the petition are due by May 7, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 Advances in Senate Committee

Bill 2378, the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025, which addresses transportation and public works, was ordered reported favorably with a substitute amendment by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 Moves Out of Committee

Bill 3257, the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025, was ordered to be reported favorably with an amended substitute by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025 Passes Committee Stage

Senate Bill 1682, the Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025, covering commerce issues, advanced in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2026 Progresses in Senate Committee

Bill 3791, the Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2026, was ordered to be reported favorably, as amended, by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025 Reported by Committee

Bill 3404, Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025, was ordered reported favorably with a substitute amendment by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Texas Governor Reappoints Leadership to Alamo and Grayson County Regional Mobility Authorities

Governor Greg Abbott reappointed John Asel as presiding officer of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority and William “Bill” Douglass as presiding officer of the Grayson County Regional Mobility Authority, both through February 2028.

Sources: gov.texas.gov, gov.texas.gov

California Court Upholds State’s Authority over Offshore Pipeline

A Santa Barbara Superior Court ruling barred Sable Offshore Corp. from operating its pipeline absent California state approval, dismissing arguments from the Trump administration related to use of emergency powers for pipeline restart.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Ships test Strait of Hormuz after opening, seek assurances on safety: Shipping companies are seeking further clarity before transiting the reopened Strait of Hormuz.
• Air traffic control applicants top 8,000 in 13 hours, transportation secretary says: FAA received over 8,000 applications for air traffic control positions in just over half a day.
• What We Know—and Don’t Know—About the Tariff-Refund Process: The Wall Street Journal details uncertainties surrounding how tariff refunds will be processed.
• Process to Refund Tariffs to Begin Next Week: U.S. authorities are set to initiate tariff refund procedures during the upcoming week.
• The story behind FedEx, one of the brands that helped shape America: USA Today examines FedEx's influence on U.S. commerce and national logistics.

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