April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

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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📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

DOT Finalizes Comprehensive Rule for Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures

The U.S. Department of Transportation published a final rule reinstating procedural reforms governing rulemaking, guidance documents, and enforcement actions across multiple DOT agencies. The rule consolidates departmentwide procedures, including the recodification of previous policies, new cost assessment requirements for guidance, and strengthens transparency and clarity for regulated parties. It mandates disclosure of key information supporting rulemakings, codifies minimum comment periods for significant guidance, expands the role of the Regulatory Reform Task Force, and establishes enhanced procedures for high-impact rules, including formal public hearings for rules with major economic impacts. The final rule also adds explicit enforcement rights for regulated parties to petition the General Counsel for review of procedural violations during enforcement actions. The rule aims to ensure public participation, robust analysis, and consistent standards for DOT administrative actions. The effective date is May 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

OSHA Revokes Open Fires in Marine Terminals Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has removed the Open Fires in Marine Terminals Standard (29 CFR 1917.21). OSHA found the standard unnecessary, citing the absence of recent violations and significant declines in practices that initially prompted the rule. The revocation takes effect April 28, 2026, and is identified as a deregulatory action under Executive Order 14192.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FRA Allows Electronic Posting of Reportable Injuries and Occupational Illnesses

The Federal Railroad Administration issued a final rule permitting railroads to fulfill the requirement for posting injury and illness data at an establishment electronically, in place of paper postings. The rule also removes the requirement for listings to be signed by the preparer, but retains the requirement to include the annual average number of employees. The change aims to enhance efficiency and maintains employee access to safety information. The rule becomes effective May 28, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FRA Clarifies Enforcement Attorneys’ Prosecutorial Discretion

The Federal Railroad Administration finalized a rule clarifying that its Office of the Chief Counsel may exercise discretion to decline or dismiss violations, including technical violations that do not present practical safety issues. The rule memorializes existing practice, outlines the process for civil penalty reductions, and responds to stakeholder input. It is effective May 28, 2026, and is expected to streamline enforcement and reduce unnecessary burdens.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Executive Order on Federal Contracting Efficiency and Accountability

On April 30, 2026, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order requiring agencies to adopt fixed-price and performance-based contracts and tie profits to contractor performance. Agencies must review existing non-fixed-price contracts, seek approval for exceptions, and file regular reports with the Office of Management and Budget. The OMB and Office of Federal Procurement Policy are directed to issue implementation guidance and regulatory changes. The initiative targets $120 billion in FY 2024 cost-reimbursement obligations and seeks to align procurement with private-sector best practices.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

H.R. 8579: FAA to Regulate Strollers in Contracts of Carriage

This bill directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue regulations requiring strollers to be included in airline contracts of carriage and sets liability limits for damaged strollers. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 8599: USPS Report on St. Louis Region Mail and Package Delivery Performance

This bill instructs the United States Postal Service to submit a report to Congress analyzing mail and package delivery performance in the St. Louis region. It has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 8640: FMCSA to Establish Commercial Driver's License Data Database

The bill mandates the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to create and maintain a comprehensive database for commercial driver’s license (CDL) data. The latest action is referral to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 8514: Active Transportation for Public Lands Act

Seeks to promote active transportation within public lands. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 4452: Raise Retirement Age for Commercial Aviation Pilots

This bill amends Title 49, United States Code, to raise the retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation. It was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

New York Launches Operation Plate Check for License Plate Fraud Enforcement

Governor Hochul announced a week-long enforcement campaign targeting fraudulent license plate use across New York, with the State Police and Department of Motor Vehicles participating.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Connecticut Begins Major Upgrades of Waterbury Branch Line Train Stations

Governor Lamont announced the start of construction improving four Metro-North Waterbury Branch Line stations with ADA accessibility, platform expansions, and intermodal enhancements. Service outages are scheduled as part of the work.

Sources: portal.ct.gov

Indiana Senator Urges Expansion of State Gas Tax Suspension

State Senator Ron Alting called for Governor Braun to extend Indiana’s gas tax holiday and suspend the per-gallon state excise tax due to recent fuel price increases.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

New Jersey Advances Gateway Program’s New Jersey Surface Alignment

Governor Sherrill announced that the Gateway Development Commission will soon award the contract for the New Jersey Surface Alignment, the next phase of the Gateway Tunnel approach tracks.

Sources: www.nj.gov

Connecticut FY 2027 Budget Bill Proposes Transportation and Infrastructure Investments

Governor Lamont’s FY 2027 budget bill includes new funding for education, property tax relief, transportation projects, and dedicated funds for town, city, and transit infrastructure.

Sources: portal.ct.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion | Spirit Airlines and the New State Capitalism: The Wall Street Journal discusses evolving government roles in the airline sector, citing Spirit Airlines as an example.
• UK's Starmer and Trump discuss 'urgent need' to restore shipping in Strait of Hormuz: Reuters covers talks between UK and U.S. leaders on reopening the Strait of Hormuz for maritime traffic.

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