| Proposed FMCSA Pilot Program Allows CDL Drivers to Pause Daily On-Duty Time Up to Three Hours
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing a new 3-year pilot program to allow CDL drivers to pause their 14-hour maximum daily on-duty time under certain circumstances. The pilot program is important to petroleum marketers because a pause in driver daily maximum on-duty time would increase driver productivity and provide more scheduling flexibility than is allowed under the current HOS rules. Specifically, the pilot program (Split Duty Period Pilot Program) would allow participating CDL drivers to pause their 14-hour maximum daily on-duty period with one off-duty period of no less than 30 minutes and no more than 3 hours.
Click here to view the full article.
PMAA Requests Further Extension of the Expiring CDL Driver License and HME Endorsement Waivers
PMAA this week asked both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to extend the federal regulatory waivers that recognize the validity of expired or expiring CDL licenses and hazardous material endorsements (HME). The current FMCSA waiver authorizing the validity of CDLs expiring on or after March 1, 2020 ends on September 30, 2020. The TSA waiver authorizing the validity of HMEs expiring on or after March 1, 2020 ends on October 29, 2020.
Click here to view the article.
IRS Issues Employer Guidance on the Temporary Deferral of Federal Payroll Taxes
This week, the IRS issued guidance for employers who wish to defer payments of certain federal payroll taxes. The new IRS guidance implements President Trump’s recent Executive Orderallowing for the voluntary deferment of withholding and payment of the social security tax contribution share paid by the employee.
Click here to view the full article.
Mnuchin and Pelosi Agree on Deal to Avoid Government Shutdown
Congress Will Likely Approve One Year Surface Transportation Extension
This week, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that they have reached an informal deal to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September by use of a short-term spending bill. Click here to view the story.
Meanwhile, Congress is expected to extend surface transportation authorization, which is set to expire on September 30th, into next year. Congress is punting on transportation reauthorization because many believe there will be a “blue wave” and Democrats will regain control of the Senate and the White House, therefore allowing them to pass their own bill without having to compromise with Republicans. Further, lawmakers are more focused on COVID-19 related legislation and securing relief funding.
Senate GOP Discussing Possible “Targeted” Coronavirus Relief Bill
Many Senate GOP lawmakers are hoping to bring up a coronavirus relief bill for a vote sometime next week when everyone returns from August recess. The vote could back Democrats into a corner before the November elections by making the vote politically difficult. Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) said, “We have a focused, targeted solution that we hope that the House would pass, and the House would agree to.” However, the Senate will need 60 votes to approve the measure and Democrats are expected to block the measure. Disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over funding for state and local governments, business liability protection and total cost of the bill caused the two parties to walk away from a potential 4th and final COVID-19 deal before their annual August recess.
Click here to view the story.
FDA to Publish List of ENDS Products That Have Submitted PMTA’s
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that it will publish a public list of currently marketed electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products for which the Agency has received a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) by the September 9, 2020 deadline. In a statement, Director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) Mitch Zeller stated, “We request your patience as we work through the appropriate processes to ensure the posted information is accurate and compliant with federal laws. In the interim, we encourage retailers and other interested parties to refer to the public statements made by the companies or contact the companies directly to get information about applications they may have submitted.” Click here to view the story.
By law, ENDS products that were first introduced into the marketplace or modified after February 15, 2007, also known as the predicate date, are required to submit PMTA’s for the FDA to review and approve by the September 9, 2020 deadline. PMTA’s require a product to meet a regulatory hurdle that can be complex and costly. By the FDA providing a public list of ENDS products that meet the proper requirements, retailers of these products will be informed as to which they can sell legally in their stores.
PMAA recently joined four other groups in urging the FDA to publish a public list. Joining PMAA were the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), the National Association of Truckstop Operators (NATSO), the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA) and the Food Industry Association (FMI). Click here to view the letter.
Federated Insurance: It’s Your Life
Document your Business Transition Plan
Have you taken steps to ensure a smooth transition of your business after you are no longer involved? Many business owners think about what they would like to happen to their business but fail to actually put a succession plan in place. According to a 2019 PricewaterhouseCoopers Survey, only 18 percent of family businesses have a documented transition plan in place.
So how do you create a succession plan? To read the article in its entirety, please click here.
Please always feel free to contact your Federated regional representative or PMAA’s National Account Executive Jon Medo at 800.533.0472 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner.
This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate, any or all risk of loss. The information herein may be subject to, and is not a substitute for, any laws or regulations that may apply. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. © 2020 Federated Mutual Insurance Company.
Promote Your Products or Services in PMAA’s Online Buyer’s Guide
The Petroleum Marketers Association of America ("PMAA") exclusive PMAA Buyers’ Guide ((the "Guide") — the premier resource of relevant products and services for petroleum professionals — is available at the PMAA website.
PMAA partners with Overland Park, Kansas-based Strategic Value Media, a leading nationwide provider of print and digital media solutions for national, state and local trade and membership associations. PMAA is proud to provide its members with this useful and easily accessible year-round resource.
The 2020 version features updated and expanded company and product listings, in addition to other valuable information relating to the petroleum industry. The Guide provides PMAA members and other industry professionals with an efficient way to browse for goods and services and also offers petroleum suppliers and companies exceptional visibility by showcasing their products and services to a targeted, industry-specific buyer group.
If your company or business has not yet taken advantage of this exceptional opportunity to highlight your products and services here, it is not too late! To learn more about advertising your products or services in this exclusive Guide, please send us an email.
August 2020 PMAA Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC Contributions
PAC Co-Chairs Brad Bell and Tim Keigher are grateful for the PMAA Small Business Committee (SBC) PAC contributions from the following individuals during the August 1-31, 2020 time frame:
Connecticut: Robert Barrieau
Mississippi: Matthew Bogue, David Craddock, Steven Dickerson, John Fair Jr., Rex Gillis, Walton Gresham III, Charles Morris, Joe Morris Jr., Thomas Gresham, Charles Sansing, Isaac Sayle, Dan Smith, Sam Sumrall, William Sumrall, W. Clifton Van Cleave
Nebraska: Brian Copsey, Richard Jameson, Tim Keigher, Thomas Lippincott
Tennessee: Paul Fisher
Virginia: Robert Claytor, James Emmart, Timothy Hutchens, Susan Milby, Michael O’Connor, James Pollard III, Paul Pollard, Ronald Prewitt, James Ridenour Sr., William Russell, Leter Terhune III, Lewis Wall Jr., David Walsh
August 2020 PMAA MDF Contributors
PMAA’s Marketer Defense Fund wants to thank the following individuals for their contributions during the August 1-31 timeframe:
California: Nathan Crum
Florida: Edward Hinson. Gabriel Volante
Indiana: Trout Moser
Louisiana: Darrel McCartney
Michigan: Craig Hoppen
New Jersey: James Pierson
North Dakota: North Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association
Tennessee: John Small Jr.
Corporate donations are acceptable. MDF funds have been used for various studies, litigation and disaster relief dedicated to strengthening our lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. Click here to donate to the PMAA MDF.
Federated Insurance Response to Coronavirus
Federated Insurance is committed to helping you as our nation unites to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here is a link to many valuable resources designed to inform and support your members during these uncertain times. Because this page is not available on our public site, you may want to save it in your browser for future reference as it will be updated regularly when additional resources become available.
Federated’s valued policyholders have these and additional resources available to them at Federated’s Shield Network or by contacting our Risk Management Resource Center at 1-888-333-4949. For additional information or to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Federatedregional representative or PMAA’s National Account Executive Jon Medo at 800.533.0472. Federated is a PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner.
PMAA Corporate Gold Partner Spotlight Featuring: Sound Payments Petro Solutions
Sound Payments and NRS Announce Partnership
Sound Payments, a multi-channel technology company and National Retail Solutions (NRS), a subsidiary of publicly traded IDT Corporation and a leading provider of a Point of Sale network plus NRS PAY credit card processing, announced a partnership last month that will bring EMV to the pump to more stations nationwide.
For more information, please visit. Sound Payments is a PMAA Corporate Gold Partner.
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