Regulation
EPA Cancels Mandatory Requirement for Diesel Exhaust Fluid Sensors
On March 27, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revoked the requirement that diesel equipment be equipped with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) sensors, instead encouraging manufacturers to adopt software-based monitoring solutions using nitrous oxide sensors, including retrofits for existing equipment. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called DEF system failures a "national disaster," and this move was welcomed by trucking industry groups.
EPA Cancels Mandatory Requirement for Diesel Exhaust Fluid Sensors
On March 27, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revoked the requirement that diesel equipment be equipped with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) sensors, instead encouraging manufacturers to adopt nitrogen oxide sensor-based monitoring technology, including retrofits for existing equipment. This move was welcomed by trucking industry groups.
Dalilah's Law Amendment Proposes English Proficiency as a Requirement for CDL Issuance
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted 35 to 26 on March 18 to pass the Dalilah's Law amendment, which establishes English proficiency as a condition for obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL) and stipulates that drivers who do not meet the requirements will be taken out of service. The bill, introduced by Committee Chairman David Rouzer, aims to strengthen oversight of CDL issuance, prevent undocumented immigrants from obtaining licenses, and combat freight fraud and CDL fraud operations.
Dalilah's Law Amendment Proposes Making English Proficiency a Requirement for CDL Issuance
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the Dalilah's Law amendment on March 18 by a vote of 35 to 26, which proposes making English proficiency a condition for issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) and stipulates that non-compliant drivers will be taken out of service. The bill, introduced by Committee Chairman and North Carolina Republican Representative David Rouzer, aims to close loopholes in non-resident CDL programs and enhance safety oversight.
2025 Compliance Impact Survey: DEI and Immigration Policy Shocks Far Exceed AI, Employer Feedback Shows
Littler Mendelson's latest survey shows that the Trump administration's DEI and immigration policies in 2025 have the greatest impact on employer compliance, far exceeding AI. Among more than 300 employer representatives, the proportion mentioning the impact of DEI or immigration policies was more than twice that of other categories. EEOC actions and immigration enforcement have heightened employer uncertainty, leading one-third of respondents to lay off workers and 30% to pause or reduce hiring.
2025 Compliance Impact Survey: DEI and Immigration Policy Shocks Lead, AI Impact Relatively Low
A survey released by Littler Mendelson on March 5 shows that in 2025, the Trump administration's policy shifts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and immigration have a significantly greater impact on employers than other areas such as artificial intelligence. The survey covered more than 300 employer representatives, and results show that the impact ratios of DEI and immigration policies are more than twice those of other categories. After restoring a quorum, the EEOC quickly rescinded the Biden-era workplace harassment guidance, raising uncertainty over the interpretation of Title VII. On immigration, 65% of surveyed employers reported being affected by executive orders, involving new asylum application rules, termination of Temporary Protected Status, and increases in H-1B wage standards. Regulatory and economic uncertainty led more than one-third of respondents to lay off workers, while another 30% paused or reduced hiring. Changes in state and local regulations also have broad impacts, leaving employers caught in conflicts between federal and state policies.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation to Add 15 Weigh-in-Motion Stations
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced a partnership with Canadian technology company Quarterhill, investing $6.4 million to add 15 weigh-in-motion stations along multiple major interstate highways and state roads, along with the deployment of a commercial vehicle compliance software platform. This initiative will nearly triple the number of weigh-in-motion stations in the state from the current six, covering Districts 1 through 5 of the department, aiming to improve road safety, enhance freight data collection, and advance infrastructure modernization.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation to Add 15 Weigh-in-Motion Stations
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced a partnership with Quarterhill to invest $6.4 million in adding 15 weigh-in-motion stations across multiple interstate highways and state routes, and to deploy a commercial vehicle compliance software platform, aiming to improve road safety and enhance freight data collection capabilities.
California says FMCSA intervention on nonresident commercial licenses blocks court relief
California's DMV says about 13,000 commercial drivers, despite winning a court ruling on March 2, still cannot obtain new nonresident commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) because the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains its suspension requirement. The state says all applications will be held for up to one year until the federal suspension is lifted.
California Says FMCSA Intervention on Non-Resident CDLs Hinders Court Relief
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued a statement saying that despite an Alameda Superior Court ruling on March 2 allowing affected drivers to immediately apply for new licenses, the FMCSA's mandatory 'suspension' still prevents the state from issuing non-resident commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), causing applications from approximately 13,000 drivers to be delayed for up to one year.