The Research and Special Programs Administration has extended the comment period on proposed changes that would give it juridiction over hazardous materials loading and unloading, and has scheduled two public meeting to discuss the issues.

Last June the agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, proposed new definitions to clarify its jurisdiction over hazardous materials transportation. (See "New Rules Would Officially Give RSPA Authority Over Hazmat Loading/Unloading." Among other things, it recommended that “transportation in commerce,” as it pertains to federal hazmat regulations, would apply to a carrier’s possession of a hazardous material from pickup through delivery. That would include loading and unloading by drivers and other carrier personnel as well as storage in transit. The proposal is intended to reduce confusion among federal, state and local agencies concerning the extent of RSPA’s jurisdiction.
The agency has scheduled two public meetings to discuss the proposal. The first will be held Sept. 14 in Washington, D.C. The second will be held Oct. 30 in Diamond Bar, Calif. The deadline for written comments is now Nov. 30.
More information on the proposal, including comments received to date, can be found at the DOT Dockets Management System website at http://dms.dot.gov. Reference docket number RSPA-98-4952.