Statement of FMCSA Administrator Annettte Sandberg
Before The
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Maring
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
United States Senate
April 5, 2005

Chairman Lott, Senator Inouye, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for inviting me today to discuss the successes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has had in enhancing safety on our nation’s highways, particularly as they relate to the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and their operators. I last appeared before this committee in June 2003, just one month after my confirmation hearing. Nearly two years later, I am pleased to report that CMV safety has greatly improved during my tenure as Administrator.

... However, in order for FMCSA to fully achieve its safety mission, we ask the Committee to address the following issues: the codification of the existing hours of service rule for interstate CMV drivers, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) improvements, the safety and security of the Southern Border, increasing penalties for unscrupulous household goods brokers, establishment of the medical review board and medical registry, mandatory fuel surcharge, and hazardous materials transportation safety.

HOUSEHOLD GOODS ENFORCEMENT

The Administration has requested greater enforcement of violations by movers of household goods (HHG). I know that the Chairman and members of this Committee have noticed an increase in consumer complaints about household goods carriers. The Administration’s proposal establishes more visible enforcement through increased investigations and expanded outreach. Our efforts seek to increase consumer awareness and help citizens make better-informed decisions when moving across State lines. Additionally, we seek authority for State Attorneys General to enforce Federal household goods regulations against interstate carriers. We believe this authority will help reduce abusive practices and makes sure there is consistency in enforcement across the country by having one set of regulations rather than many state regulations.

For FY 2005, FMCSA is conducting strike force activity in States where we have seen the highest level of complaints, with a goal of 300 investigations. These states are Florida, New York, New Jersey, and California. Since the beginning of the fiscal year, the Agency has conducted over 100 investigations, three times as many as in FY 2004, and is on target to meet its annual goal. FMCSA used the $1.3 million appropriated to hire Federal employees to investigate HHG complaints and to conduct concentrated strike force activities, bringing together investigators from throughout the country to operate in a specific area for a short period of time. Currently, the Agency has 10 full-time safety investigators devoted to HHG enforcement and we have trained an additional 37 investigators to support this effort. Our agency is committed to eradicating this threat to American consumers.