This section lists the latest in federal regulatory activity affecting the public transportation industry. You can view documents related to notices, comments, rules, and associated documents.

Executive and Regulatory Actions Tracker

APTA FACT SHEET Executive Orders and Other Executive Actions

Here is a quick snapshot of the actions/comments/notices/letters APTA is working on.

TOPICAGENCYRULE/NOTICE/LETTERCOMMENT PERIOD ENDS / DUE DATEPUBLISHED DATEFINALIZATION DATEAPTA ACTION & CURRENT STATUS
Presidential ProclamationWhite House OMBPresidential Proclamation: Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States2025/02/10Immediate
Presidential ProclamationWhite House OMBPresidential Proclamation: Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States2025/02/10Immediate
USDOT FHWASuspending Approval of State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Programs2025/02/06Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Progress on the Situation at Our Southern BorderN/A2025/02/03Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Progress on the Situation at Our Northern BorderN/A2025/02/03Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Unleashing Prosperity Through DeregulationN/A2025/01/31Immediate
Presidential Action US Department of TransportationEnsuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis in Department of Transportation Policies, Programs, and ActivitiesN/A2025/01/29Immediate
Presidential ActionUS Department of TransportationUSDOT Memorandum: Memorandum for Secretarial Officers and Heads of Operating AdministrationsN/A2025/01/29Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBOMB Memorandum: Rescission of M-25-13N/A2025/01/29Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBOMB Memorandum: Guidance for Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance ProgramsN/A2025/01/28Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBOMB Memorandum: Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance ProgramsN/A2025/01/27Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBMemorandum: America First Trade PolicyN/A2025/01/20Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based OpportunityN/A2025/01/21Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Initial Recission of Harmful Executive Orders and ActionsN/A2025/01/20Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and PreferencingN/A2025/01/20Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial IntelligenceN/A2025/01/23Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Regulatory Freeze Pending ReviewN/A2025/01/20Immediate
Presidential ActionWhite House OMBExecutive Order: Unleashing American EnergyN/A2025/01/20Immediate
SafetyFTANotice of Proposed Policy Statement Regarding the Applicability of FTA's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program to Transportation Network Companies2025/02/132025/12/20Under Consideration
GuidanceFTAThird Party Contracting Guidance: Final GuidanceN/A2025/01/16N/A
Buy AmericaFRARequest for Comments: Notice of Proposed Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Tier 0, Tier 1, and Non-Tiered Locomotives2025/01/282025/01/13
Charter ServiceFTANotice of Proposed Rulemaking -- Charter Service2025/03/102025/01/08Under Consideration
AVNHTSAHOLON U.S. Inc.-Receipt of Petition for Temporary Exemption From Various Requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for an Automated Driving System-Equipped Vehicle2025/01/072024/11/08Filed Comments
Buy AmericaFTANotice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Battery Electric Minibuses and Request for Comment2025/01/062024/12/20Complete Comments
EnvironmentalFTA; FRA; FHWARequest for Comments on Section 139 Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decisionmaking and One
Federal Decision Interim Final Guidance
2025/02/182024/12/17Likely to submit comments
GuidanceUSDOT - Build America BureauProposed Guidance: Evaluation of the Appropriateness of Public-Private Partnership Project Delivery Including Value for Money or Comparable Analyses; Bipartisan Infrastructure Law2024/12/312024/11/13Under Consideration
Buy AmericaFTANotice of Extension: Buy America Waiver for Purchase of Vanpool VehiclesN/A2024/11/18The waiver is effective November 15, 2025 for five years. APTA had submitted comments seeking the relief granted.
SafetyFTAFinal Rule: Rail Transit Roadway Worker ProtectionN/A2024/10/30Final Rule is effective November 29, 2024Comments Submitted

RailFRANotice of Proposed Rulemaking: Procedures for Waivers and Safety Related Proceedings2024/12/302024/10/24Under Consideration
RailFRANotice of Proposed Rulemaking: Positive Train Control2024/12/242024/10/25Comments will be submitted
RailFRANotice of Proposed Rulemaking: Track Geometry Measurement System Inspections2024/12/242024/10/24Under Consideration
SafetyFTAState Safety Oversight Final RuleN/A2024/10/17APTA submitted comments on the NPRM in December 2023. This is now a final rule, effective January 1, 2025.
GuidanceAdvisory Committee on Historic PreservationProposed Program Comment on Accessible, Climate-Resilient, and Connected Communities2024/10/092024/08/08Reviewing
SafetyFRAAccident/Incident Investigation Policy2024/12/162024/10/01Final Action effective 10/31/2024
GuidanceFTAAward Management Requirements, Final CircularN/A2024/09/27No action planned
GuidanceFTAEnhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities: Grant Program Guidance, Final CircularN/A2024/09/27No action planned
GuidanceFTARural Areas Formula Grant Programs Guidance, Final CircularN/A2024/09/27No action planned
GuidanceFTAUrbanized Areas Formula Grant Programs Guidance, Final CircularN/A2024/09/27No action planned
FRARequest for Comments -- Proposed Nonavailability Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Certain High-Speed Rail Products for the California Inaugural High-Speed Rail Service Project2024/10/052024/09/20
IRSNotice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Section 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit2024/11/182024/09/19
OSHANotice of Proposed Rulemaking: Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings2024/12/302024/08/30Under consideration
FHWANotice of Request for Information (RFI) on Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Charging Technologies and Infrastructure Needs
AccessibilityUSDOTTransportation for Individuals With Disabilities; Adoption of Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way
Buy AmericaFTABuy-America Waiver for Purchase of Vanpool Vehicles (Docket No. FTA-2022-0013)Comments Submitted
SafetyFTAPublic Transportation Agency Safety Plans Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)N/A2024/04/10Petition for Reconsideration
GuidanceFTACapital Investment Grants Program: NPRMClosed2024/04/05Completed Comments
SecurityDHSCyber Incident Reporting for Criticial Infrastructure: Proposed RuleClosed2024/04/04Completed Comments
Funding & Program GuidanceFTARural Areas Formula Grant Program Guidance Proposed CircularClosed2024/04/04Under Consideration
SafetyFTARail Transit Roadway Worker Protection: NPRMClosed2024/03/25Final Rule Issued October 30, 2024Pending Final Action by FTA
Buy AmericaFHWABuy America: Discontinuation of General Waiver for Manufactured Products: NPRMClosed2024/03/13Pending Final Action by FTA
Funding & Program GuidanceFTAAward Management Requirements Circular (C 5010.1) Proposed Updates: Request for CommentClosed2024/02/14Under Consideration at FTA
Funding & Program GuidanceDOTProposed Rulemaking Amending the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program and Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program RegulationsClosed2024/01/25Competed Comments
SafetyFTAProposed General Directive on Required Actions for Assaults on Transit WorkersClosed2023/12/20Completed Comments
EnvironmentalEPALocomotives and Locomotive Engines; Preemption of State and Local Regulations (Final Rule)N/A2023/11/08This was the Final Rule
SafetyFTAState Safety Oversight (NPRM)Closed2023/11/15Completed Comments-- Final Rule Not yet Issued
AccessibilityDOTRequest for Information on Accessibility Improvements for Transportation (RFI) facilities.Closed2023/11/06Completed Comments
SafetyFTATransit Worker Hours of Service and Fatigue Risk Management (ANPRM)Closed2023/10/30Completed Comments
SafetyFTAPublic Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (NPRM)Closed2023/10/26Completed Comments
Buy AmericaOMBImplementation Guidance on Application of Buy America Preference in Federal Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure (Memo)N/A2023/10/25N/A
FRAFinal Rule: Locomotive Image and Audio Recording Devices for Passenger TrainsN/A2023/10/12N/A
Funding & Program GuidanceOMBProposed Rule: Guidance for Grants and AgreementsClosed2023/10/05
EnvironmentalFTARequest for Comments: Notice of Availability of Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transit ProjectsClosed2023/09/25Final Rules Issued
SafetyNTSBANPRM: Railroad, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials InvestigationsClosed2023/08/31Completed Comments
Funding & Program GuidanceOMBFinal Rule: Final Guidance for Grants and AgreementsN/A2023/08/23Completed Comments
Buy AmericaDOTNotice: Buy America Waiver for De Minimis Costs and Small GrantsN/A2023/08/16N/A
AccessibilityDOJNPRM: Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government EntitiesClosed2023/08/04N/A
EnvironmentalCEQCEQ, NEPA Implementing Regulations Revisions Phase 2Closed2023/07/31Completed Comments
Funding & Program GuidanceFTARequest for Comments: Grant Management for Urbanized Areas Proposed CircularClosed2023/07/11N/A
SafetyFRANPRM: Certification of Signal EmployeesClosed2023/05/31 Final Rule 5/21/2024Completed Comments
SafetyFRANPRM: Certification of DispatchersClosed2023/05/31Completed Comments
SafetyFTANational Public Transportation Safety Plan Request for CommentsClosed2023/05/31Completed Comments
SafetyNHTSARequest for Comment: National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s
New Car Assessment Program
Closed2023/05/26N/A
SecurityTSANotice of Proposed Rulemaking: Vetting of Certain Surface Transportation EmployeesClosed2023/05/22Completed Comments
EnvironmentalEPASupport New Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Lower Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Construction Materials and ProductsClosed2023/01/19N/A
SafetyFRARegulations Governing Certain Positive Train Control System OutagesN/A2023/04/27N/A
SafetyNHTSA/ FMCSAFMVSS: Automatic Emergency Braking System for Heavy Duty Vehicles (NPRM)Closed2023/07/06N/A
SafetyPHMSAHazardous Materials: FAST Act Requirements for Real-Time Train Consist Information (NPRM)Closed2023/06/27Final Rule Publish 6/24/2024Completed Comments
SafetyNHTSAFMVSS: Automatic Emergency Braking System for Light Duty Vehicles (NPRM)Closed2023/06/13Final rule 5/9/2024N/A
SafetyFTAPublic Transportation Agency Safety Plans Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)Closed2023/04/26Final Rule Publish 4/11/2024Petition for Reconsideration
Funding & Program GuidanceOMBNotice of Availability and Request for Comments: Implementing Guidance for Section 2(e) of Executive Order 14094 Modernizing Regulatory ReviewClosed2023/04/07N/A
Funding & Program GuidanceOMBNotice of Availability and Request for Comments: Proposed Revisions to OMB Circular A-4Closed2023/04/07N/A
SafetyFRAPassenger Equipment Safety Standards: High-Speed Trainsets Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)Closed2023/04/01Completed Comments:
Part 1 | Part 2
SafetyFRAAdvancing High-Speed Rail Projects Intended for Operations Over 160 Miles Per Hour Through Domestic Sourcing Plans and Buy America ComplianceN/A2023/03/22N/A
SafetyFRAEmergency Escape Breathing Apparatus Standards Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)Closed2023/03/22Final Rule Publish 1/26/2024Final Rule
Funding & Program GuidanceFTANotice of availability of proposed guidance relating to an asset disposition option for FTA recipients under the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022Closed2023/03/16N/A
GeneralOMBRequest for Information Revising 2 CFR Chapters I and IIClosed2023/02/09Final Revisions Public 5/23/2024Completed Comments
SafetyFTAFinal Notice Regarding Changes to NTD Safety and Security ReportingClosed2022/07/15N/A
GeneralDOTRequest for Information on Changes to Transportation Disadvantaged Census Tracts ToolClosed2023/02/17N/A
Buy AmericaOMBRequest for Information on Proposed Revisions to OMB Guidance on Build America, Buy America RequirementsClosed2023/02/09Completed Comments
GeneralFTANotice of Availability: Proposed Updates to Joint Development CircularClosed2023/01/27New Circular Issued 1/31/2024New Circular Issued
EnvironmentalEPAFinal Rule: Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle StandardsN/A2023/01/19N/A
EnvironmentalCEQNational Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate ChangeClosed2023/01/19Completed Comments
Funding & Program GuidanceFTANotice of Availability of Final Initial Updated Policy Guidance for the Capital Investment Grants ProgramClosed2023/01/19N/A
Funding & Program GuidanceFRAGuidance on Development and Implementation of Railroad Capital ProjectsClosed2023/01/19N/A
EnvironmentalEPAControl of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle StandardsClosed2023/01/19N/A
SafetyFTA2023 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Transit Worker and Rider Safety Best Practices Research ProjectClosed2022/12/14N/A
SecurityTSAEnhancing Surface Cyber Risk Management; Advance Notice of Proposed RulemakingClosed2022/11/30Submitted Comments, but included sensitive security information and not available for public viewing or posting.
EnvironmentalEPAGreenhouse Gas Reduction Fund; Request for InformationClosed2022/10/21Completed Comments
TaxationIRSPrevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Initial Guidance Under Section 45(b)(6)(B)(ii) and Other Substantially Similar Provisions; Notice of Initial GuidanceClosed2022/11/30N/A
TaxationIRSRequest for Comments on Section 45W Credit for Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles and Section 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property CreditClosed2022/11/03Completed Comments
GeneralHUDHUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget for an information collectionClosed2022/09/19N/A
TaxationIRSRequest for Comments on Elective Payment of Applicable Credits and Transfer of Certain CreditsClosed2022/10/05Completed Comments
Buy AmericaDOT/OSTNotice of Proposed Temporary Waiver of Buy America Requirements for the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants ProgramClosed2022/10/06N/A
SafetyFRATraining, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad EmployeesClosed2022/09/30N/A
Buy AmericaFHWANotice of Proposed Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle ChargersClosed2022/08/31Notice of Waiver Issued 2/21/2023Coalition Comments Filed Notice Of Waiver Issued
EnvironmentalFHWANational Performance Management Measures; Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Greenhouse Gas Emissions MeasureClosed2022/07/15Final Rule Publish 12/7/2023Completed Comments
SafetyDOTDrug and Alcohol Testing Electronic Signatures, Forms and Storage for Drug and Alcohol Testing RecordClosed2022/08/05N/A
SafetyFRATrain Crew Size Safety RequirementsClosed2022/07/28Final Rule 4/9/2024Completed Comments
Buy AmericaDOTRequest for Information on Construction Materials Used in Federal Financial Assistance Projects For Transportation Infrastructure in the United States Under the Build America, Buy America ActClosed2022/07/28Completed Comments
DBEDOTDisadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Modification ImplementationClosed2022/07/20Final Rule Publish 4/9/2024Letter Urging Rule Finalizations
Buy AmericaFTANotice and Request for Comment Proposed Buy America Waiver [Mini-Vans]Closed2022/07/19Waiver was issued for two years ending October 25, 2024. New waiver request has been submitted (see above)
SafetyFTANational Transit Database Reporting Requirements for Safety and SecurityClosed2022/07/15Final Notice 2/23/2023Final Notice Published
EnvironmentalFTADear Colleague Letter Regarding Real Estate and NEPAN/A2022/07/11N/A
GeneralFTADear Colleague Letter Intercity Bus Nationwide Allocation ModelN/A2022/07/05N/A
GeneralFTANational Transit Database Reporting RequirementsClosed2022/07/01Final Notice 3/3/2023Comment
SafetyDOTRequest for Information Drug and Alcohol Testing DataClosed2022/06/30N/A
Funding & Program GuidanceFRAGuidance on Development and Implementation of Railroad Capital ProjectsClosed2022/06/28Final guidance Publish 1/12/2023Comments
Funding & Program GuidanceFRANotice of Proposed Approach (Notice) to the Northeast Corridor Project Inventory and the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program for Northeast Corridor projects.Closed2022/06/24Notice of Inventory 4/18/2024Inventory Published
Funding & Program GuidanceFHWAFHWA NPRM National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula ProgramClosed2022/06/22Final Rule Published 2/28/2023Final Rule Published
ResearchFTARequest for Information Bus Automation Research and DemonstrationClosed2022/06/01Comments
SafetyFRANPRM on Safety Glazing Standards for Exterior Windows on Railroad EquipmentClosed2022/04/18Final Rule 11/17/2022Comment
SafetyFTADear Colleague Letter Setting PTSAP DeadlinesN/A2022/02/17Comment
Buy AmericaOMBRequest for Information and Extension of Comment Period Applying BIL Requirements to Construction MaterialsClosed2022/05/26Comment
Funding & Program GuidanceDOTMultimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity Historically Disadvantaged Communities Mapping ToolClosed2022/03/23Comment
Funding & Program GuidanceCMSComments on Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Non-Emergency Medical Transportation ProgramN/AN/AComment
Buy AmericaDOTTemporary Waiver of Buy America for Construction MaterialsClosed2022/05/20Comment
Funding & Program GuidanceDOLUpdating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts RegulationsClosed2022/03/18 Final Rule 8/23/2023N/A
Funding & Program GuidanceFRAProposed Approach (Notice) to the Northeast Corridor Project Inventory and the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program for Northeast Corridor projectsClosed2018/03/04N/A
SafetyDOTProcedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs: Addition of Oral Fluid Specimen Testing for DrugsClosed2022/02/28 Final Rule 6/26/2024Comment
Funding & Program GuidanceFTACapital Investment FTA Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program Initial Guidance Proposals2022/04/152022/03/15 Final Notice of Guidance 4/5/2024Comment
ResearchDOTNotice and Request for Comment Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation TechnologyClosed2022/03/09N/A
DOEClean Hydrogen Manufacturing, Recycling and Electrolysis Request for InformationClosed2022/02/16N/A
DOEHydrogen Hubs Implementation Strategy Request for InformationClosed2022/02/16N/A
Funding & Program GuidanceFTARecession: Equitable Economic Recovery and Workforce Development Through Construction Hiring Pilot ProgramClosed2022/02/10N/A
FTADear Colleague Letter Transit Management Update RequirementN/A2022/02/09N/A
DOTRequest for Information Corridor Identification and Development ProgramClosed2022/02/07Comment