Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, July 30, 2020:
ATA moves annual conference online
The American Trucking Associations announced this week it is moving its annual Management Conference & Exhibition to an online format. ATA had been planning for MCE to be one of the first in-person events for the trucking industry since the COVID-19 pandemic, but local restrictions in the Denver area, where the event was planned to be held, will prohibit an in-person event.
MCE will be held Oct. 24-27 with a theme of “Moving Forward from Crisis to Recovery.” It will focus on what fleets and others in trucking need to do to continue delivering for the nation.
“Unfortunately the state of Colorado and the city of Aurora have recently put additional restrictions in place that will not allow us to continue with an in-person event, and we don’t anticipate those restrictions changing much this year,” ATA said in a statement.
The association said it will reach out to those already registered to attend, committed to a booth or sponsored a program to discuss options.
ATA added that it’s putting the final touches on its virtual program to allow them to continue policy discussions, educational sessions and other programs.
“We plan to continue with many of the programs already in place and will address issues that can help our industry recover from the pandemic and move forward,” the group said.
TSA extending hazmat endorsement renewal waiver through October
The Transportation Security Administration is extending for 90 days a waiver from renewal of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Security Threat Assessment for certain individuals.
TSA first published the waiver on April 8 that allows states to extend hazmat endorsement expiration dates for those that expired on or after March 1. The waiver was set to expire July 31, and it will now be effective through at least Oct. 29.
The agency says states and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators requested the extension because states continue facing challenges in maintaining regular operations at state driver’s license agencies due to COVID-19.
TSA adds that drivers looking to renew their hazmat endorsements must initiate a security threat assessment at least 60 days before the end of the state-granted extension.
