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: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

White House Authorizes Defense Production Act Measures for Domestic Petroleum and Logistics

On April 20, 2026, President Trump issued a memorandum to the Secretary of Energy, invoking Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to bolster domestic petroleum production, refining, and logistics. The determination, citing Executive Order 14156's declaration of a national energy emergency, identifies resilient petroleum infrastructure as essential for national defense. The directive authorizes federal actions, including purchases and financial support, to overcome industry barriers such as financing constraints, permitting, and supply chain limitations. Certain statutory requirements were waived to accelerate capacity expansion, and the Secretary of Energy is instructed to execute these measures and announce the determination.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

DOT Final Rule: One-Page Passenger Rights Summary Requirement for Air Carriers

The Department of Transportation has finalized a rule requiring covered air carriers to submit a one-page summary of passenger rights concerning delays, diversions, cancellations, baggage issues, and boarding procedures. The document must be posted in a prominent location on carrier websites within 90 days of submission once information collection requirements receive OMB approval. The rule implements Section 429 of the FAA Reauthorization Act, aiming to improve transparency. Compliance is effective May 26, 2026; carriers are not required to submit the summary until OMB approval is published in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Surface Transportation Board: L. Neill Cartage Co., Inc. – Continuance in Control Exemption for Class III Carriers

The Surface Transportation Board received a verified notice from L. Neill Cartage Co., Inc. to continue control of Proviso Railroad, Inc. and Mason Railroad, Inc. after their acquisition and operation of track segments in Illinois as Class III rail carriers. The tracks, totaling less than 1,400 feet and located in Berkeley and Bedford Park, will now be operated separately. The transaction is exempt from prior approval under 49 U.S.C. 11323, as the lines do not connect and involve only Class III carriers. The Board set May 9, 2026, as the earliest consummation date. Labor protection conditions will not be imposed for this transaction.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Administrative Rulemaking: PHMSA Proposes Amendments for Pipeline Regulatory Procedures

PHMSA has issued a proposed rule to amend regulatory procedures governing post-issuance administrative challenges of final rules by the Office of Pipeline Safety. The amendments aim to align the process with the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, consolidating the review path for all petitions for reconsideration and removing second-round appeals to the administrator. The NPRM requests public comments by June 23, 2026, and clarifies the procedural and analytical requirements under Executive Orders and the Federal Pipeline Safety Laws. No new substantive requirements or burdens for pipeline operators are proposed.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Petition for Exemption: Airlines for America Seeks Relief from Designating Alternate Airports on Long-Duration Dispatches

The Federal Aviation Administration published a summary notice for a petition filed by Airlines for America, seeking exemption from 14 CFR 121.621(a). If granted, member certificate holders could operate planned redispatch flights exceeding six hours without requiring an alternate airport designation on dispatch releases. Comments are invited through May 14, 2026. The petition is available in Docket No. FAA-2025-5105.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

To direct the United States Postal Service to study electronic weather and delivery notifications

Bill 8491 would require USPS to examine the feasibility of providing electronic notifications to customers about weather and mail delivery. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To protect the jobs of American railroad workers in cross border traffic with Mexico

Bill 8468 aims to safeguard employment for railroad workers engaged in cross-border operations with Mexico. The legislation was sent to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to apply requirements to centralized train dispatching and traffic control

Bill 8410 proposes that the Secretary of Transportation impose certain requirements on centralized computer-aided train-dispatching systems and centralized traffic control boards. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

STAR Act

Bill 8399, known as the STAR Act, was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. No further action was reported during the period.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Baby Changing on Board Act

Bill 71, the Baby Changing on Board Act, is currently placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders as Calendar No. 378. The measure addresses the provision of baby changing facilities on transportation infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

New York Sues DOT to Restore $73 Million in Highway Funds

Governor Hochul and Attorney General James filed suit in the Second Circuit Court to reverse DOT's withholding of over $73 million in federal highway funds from New York, citing compliance with licensing regulations.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

New York Launches $16.6 Million Project to Replace Seaway Trail Bridges

Governor Hochul announced work underway to replace six bridges and one culvert on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, improving travel and resilience along State Routes 3 and 12E.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Albany International Airport Opens New Departure Hall Section in $100 Million Upgrade

A 6,000-square-foot section of Albany International Airport's Departure Hall is now open for public use, part of the $100 million transformation supported by state and federal funds.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Texas Awards Over $1.6 Million in JET Grants for Career Training

Governor Abbott announced six Jobs and Education for Texans grants totaling $1.7 million to support training programs for truck drivers, nurses, and technicians across South Texas schools.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Texas Pilot Commissioners Appointed for Jefferson and Orange Counties

Governor Abbott reappointed Brandy Bergeron, Shawn Sparrow, and Amy Townsend to the Jefferson and Orange Counties Board of Pilot Commissioners, with jurisdiction over pilot services in local waterways.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Hormuz shipping again near standstill after shots and seizure: Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz nearly halted following an incident involving gunfire and vessel seizure.
• Iran war boosts European logistics profits as shipping chaos persists: European logistics companies report increased profits amid ongoing shipping disruptions linked to the Iran conflict.
• The Peril of Piloting Ships Through the Strait of Hormuz: Ship captains discuss operational challenges and risks navigating the Strait of Hormuz under current security tensions.
• Opinion | Why Trucking is So Deadly: An editorial examines the factors contributing to high fatality rates in the trucking sector.
• 'I Can’t Talk to Anybody.' One Air-Traffic Controller’s Mental-Health Struggle.: An air-traffic controller shares his experience managing work-related mental health pressures.
• Who is paying the price of high fuel costs and tariffs?: The article surveys impacts of elevated fuel prices and tariffs across transport supply chains.
• A New Bureau Will Oversee Both Offshore Drilling and Seabed Mining: The U.S. Interior Department establishes a bureau responsible for regulating offshore drilling and seabed mining.
• Trump Effect: American Manufacturing Is Roaring Back as Factory Activity Hits Four-Year High: Factory activity in the U.S. reaches a four-year high, spurred by major investments from large domestic and international firms.
• President Trump Addresses Key Issues Facing the Nation in Exclusive CNBC Interview: President Trump discusses Iran negotiations, domestic airline policy, and economic strategy during a televised interview.
• Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck (PVLT) Tires From China; Scheduling of Expedited Five-Year Reviews: U.S. International Trade Commission begins expedited reviews for PVLT tires from China under the Tariff Act.

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