Transportation Security Administration as of late March was holding firm on the April 1 deadline for inauguration of fingerprint-based background checks for truck drivers authorized to haul hazardous materials. States that cannot meet the current deadline must apply for an extension from the TSA before April 1. States granted an extension have until Dec. 1 to comply.

Wabash National Corp. said that due to price increases from its suppliers of steel, aluminum and wood, it is increasing the prices of its new trailers by 4.5 percent to 6 percent, effective immediately.

American Trucking Associations has made available for purchase and installation “Good Stuff – Trucks Bring It” decals, which are among the chief elements of ATA’s new trucking industry image campaign. Decals are available in two sizes – 30 inches by 30 inches and 12 inches by 12 inches For more information, visit www.truckline.com/store.

Oklahoma’s legislature is considering legislation (HB 2559) that would put to the state’s voters a proposal for a sharp increase in fuel taxes. Under the bill, which passed the House last month, the diesel tax would grow to 22 cents per gallon from 13 cents. The gasoline tax would grow to 23 cents from 16 cents.

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation repealing the state’s 4 percent tax on cargo picked up and delivered within the state. Intrastate carriers had complained that the 10-year-old tax made it difficult for them to compete with trucking companies. located just across the state’s borders that did not have to pay the tax when hauling across the state line.

Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal signed legislation that will, effective July 1, make it a misdemeanor to leave containers of body waste, such as bottles of urine, along state roadways. Violators would be subject to fine of up to $1,000, jail time or both. Alternatively, the court may allow the violator to pay for his crime by working 40 hours picking up litter from roadsides.

GAO suggests engine incentives
The General Accounting Office, Congress’ watchdog agency that investigates the executive branch, recommended that the Environmental Protection Agency consider ways to address fleet concerns about cost, reliability and availability of engines complying with EPA’s upcoming 2007 diesel emissions standards. In comments on GAO’s draft report, EPA said it feared that establishing such a panel might delay progress toward meeting the 2007 standard, but GAO disagreed.