Legislative Bulletin - November 6, 2009

Anne Ferro Confirmed as FMCSA Administrator

On Thursday, November 5, 2009 Anne Ferro was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a unanimous vote to become the next Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Ferro was nominated for the position in June by President Obama. Her confirmation follows the October 27 vote of approval by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. An exact date for her swearing in has not yet been announced.

Ferro is highly qualified to become the FMCSA Administrator; she has extensive knowledge of the commercial trucking and transportation industry due to her past professional experience. Before her nomination by President Obama to head the FMCSA, Ferro has held the position of president of the Maryland Motor Truck Association since 2003. Prior to her time at MMTA, she was the Administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.

Ferro will take over for Acting Deputy Administrator Rose McMurray, who has been serving in that capacity since President Obama took office in January. Prior to McMurray taking over with the new Administration, John Hill served as FMCSA Administrator under President Bush from August 2006 until the end of the Bush Administration.

TRALA is looking forward to working with Ms. Ferro and the FMCSA on behalf of the truck renting and leasing industry. The FMCSA was established to try to improve safety among motor carriers, and is responsible for regulations such as Hours of Service (HOS) rules, enforcing the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA), and commercial driver’s license drug and alcohol testing compliance, among many other things.

For more information about the FMCSA, please contact TRALA’s Tom James at tjames@trala.org or (703) 299-9120.