July 05, 2026 to July 11, 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

• 🏛️ 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 Business Meeting: Markup of Aviation and Communications Bills: On July 15, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee will hold an open business meeting in Russell Senate Office Building 253 to mark up legislation, including S.1759 (civil supersonic flights), S.3258 (FAA medical certification), S.3885 (FAA type certification updates), S.4429 (foreign adversary vehicle/software ban), S.4448 (BEAD grant tracking), S.4691 (disaster communications), S.4802 (NOAA aircraft acquisition), and consider nominations for DOT, Surface Transportation Board, and CPSC.

Federal Government News

FAA Moves to Preempt State and Local Meal and Rest Break Laws for Flightcrew and Flight Attendants

The Federal Aviation Administration published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on July 6, proposing regulatory amendments to clarify federal preemption over state and local meal and rest break requirements for flightcrew members and flight attendants. The agency cited recent litigation, including Bernstein v. Virgin America Inc., as prompting clarification. The proposal would add Sections 117.31 and 121.468 to ensure only federal regulations govern duty and rest periods. The FAA argues that conflicting state laws could disrupt nationwide staffing and safety protocols, increasing operational costs and posing safety risks, particularly in the event of emergencies and lithium battery incidents. The proposed rule also seeks comment on its effects and potential inclusion of collective bargaining agreement terms in future regulations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Proclamation on Imports of Commercial Aircraft, Jet Engines, and Parts

On July 9, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 addressing national security risks associated with imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and related parts. The administration cited concerns over foreign supply chain dependence, counterfeit components, and the impacts on the domestic aerospace workforce. The proclamation directs the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to pursue negotiations with foreign partners, with an update due in 180 days. It grants authority for further action, including potential tariffs, should negotiations prove unsuccessful.

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

Coast Guard Requests Comments on Lightering of Oil and Hazardous Material Cargoes

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a sixty-day notice soliciting public comment on its information collection requirements for lightering oil and hazardous materials and advance notice of transfers, published July 10. The collection, required under 46 U.S.C. 3715 and related regulations, enables timely response to operational incidents and environmental risks. The estimated annual burden has increased to 913 hours owing to a higher forecasted number of responses.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Federal Railroad Administration Seeks Input on Signal Safety Reporting and Police Officer Notifications

On July 8, the Federal Railroad Administration requested comments on proposed extensions of information collection activities concerning highway-rail grade crossing signal system safety regulations and railroad police officer notifications. The signal system regulation requires reporting activation failures and grade crossing incident impacts, with 60,252 annual responses and a total burden of 5,042 hours. The police officer notification collection relates to updating states on commissioned personnel, with an estimated 15 annual hours.

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

Bureau of Transportation Statistics Announces National Census of Ferry Operators

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics published a notice on July 9 regarding a request for clearance to revise its National Census of Ferry Operators, mandated by federal transportation legislation. The biennial census covers up to 260 ferry operators and requests data on terminals served, vessel descriptions, routes, passenger and vehicle traffic, and sources of funding. The next cycle will collect data in 2027 for operations in 2026, with an estimated annual burden of 130 hours.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026

Bill 8770, SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 in the transportation and public works policy area, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 641, on July 9. The bill awaits further action in the House.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Improving Travel for American Families Act

Bill 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act, advanced to the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 639. This legislation addresses transportation and travel policy concerns and is pending House floor consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

BILL Drivers Act

Bill 9630, the BILL Drivers Act, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 9. The bill encompasses provisions related to professional driver licensing and workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Modernizing Aeronautical Standards Act

Bill 9622, Modernizing Aeronautical Standards Act, was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The act proposes updates to aeronautical safety and certification standards.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Data-Center Construction Boom Lifts Airfreight Demand: U.S. airfreight carriers benefit from increased shipments of equipment to support new data-center construction.
• Why Reliable Healthcare Supply Chains Matter More After the Pandemic: The pandemic continues to impact healthcare supply chains, prompting closer scrutiny of reliability and resilience.
• How to Lie Flat for Less: A Guide to Basic Business: Airlines expand basic business class offerings to attract cost-sensitive travelers.
• RPT Russia halts Don-Azov channel shipping, affecting grain trade, after Ukraine attacks: Russia suspended Don-Azov channel shipping, disrupting freight flows for grain exports.
• Freight rates for Russia's Urals shipments to India fall on higher tanker availability, sources say: Increased tanker supply drives lower freight rates for Russian Urals crude shipments to India.
• Traffic slows through Strait of Hormuz as Iran tensions flare: Ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz slowed as regional tensions in Iran increase.

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