U.S. may use negotiated rulemaking for hours of service overhaul

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 5) — The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has hired two convenors to help the agency decide whether to use negotiated rulemaking as an approach to developing hours-of-service rules for commercial drivers.

Under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1996, convenors impartially help a government agency evaluate the feasibility of a negotiated rulemaking process. In a negotiated rulemaking, an agency invites those likely to be affected by a regulation to work together on a negotiating committee to develop a consensus draft of the proposed rule. If the FHWA approves, the consensus proposed rule is then published by the agency for public comment under traditional U.S. regulatory procedures.

The convenors hired by the FHWA will interview drivers, motor carriers, safety groups, enforcement officials, and other stakeholders before recommending whether to form a negotiating committee.