WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), Arlington, Virginia, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology outlining essential research priorities to guide the nationwide deployment of Automated Vehicles (AVs). AAMVA's recommendations, informed by nearly a century of experience in managing vehicle fleets and regulatory requirements, focus on achieving  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- ACT, the App Association, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology regarding the advancement of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) across the nation. The association calls for a coordinated research effort to ensure safe and efficient operations of automated vehicles on American roadways. Representing small business innovators involved in software development and high-tech s more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- ACT, the App Association, has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advocating for adjustments in the agency's draft strategic plan for FY 2026-2030. The App Association, a not-for-profit trade organization representing small business technology developers, highlighted the pivotal role of the app economy, valued at approximately $1.8 trillion and responsible for over 6 million American jobs. In its letter, the organization emphasized the  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Labor expressing support for the proposed rule to withdraw the COVID-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard (ETS). The letter emphasizes the organization's stance on the removal of the recordkeeping and reporting requirements associated with the ETS, which they believe created undue burdens for the dental industry without enhancing safety for patients  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD) has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) expressing reservations regarding proposed updates to its drug and alcohol testing programs. The organization, which represents 40 affiliated unions within the transportation sector, emphasizes the need for careful consideration of how these changes could impact employees in safety-sensitive positions. In the letter, TTD acknowledges the  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Airlines for America (A4A) has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) raising critical operational concerns regarding the agency's draft tiered environmental assessment related to SpaceX's launch activities in Boca Chica, Texas. The association highlights that the proposed changes could significantly impact existing airline operations and, consequently, the safety of the traveling public. A4A's letter comes on the heels of previous  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College (BCC), Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education expressing concerns over the proposed "Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement" (ACTS) Survey. The college, known for its commitment to serving a diverse student body, argues that the new reporting requirements would impose overwhelming administrative and financial burdens on open-access institutions. I more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Computing Community Consortium (CCC) and Computing Research Association (CRA) have submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology advocating for critical research and frameworks to support the safe and efficient deployment of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) across the nation. The response emphasizes the necessity for robust data standards and integration, which are essential for more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA), Richardson, Texas, has submitted a public comment letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) endorsing the reappointment of Samuel T. Ariaratnam to the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC). The DCA, representing contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers involved in the distribution construction services sector, highlighted Ariaratnam's extensive qualifications and expertise in underground c more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Damian Horton, director of Eloy, London, England, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts in the deployment of automated vehicles (AVs) across the U.S. The company, specializing in research and technology, points out that while AVs promise enhanced road safety and connectivity, challenges related to their collective operation and interaction with human drivers remain significant. T more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Indiamart Intermesh Ltd., Noida, India, has submitted a public comment letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) urging the agency to reconsider its inclusion in the upcoming "Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy" report. The company argues that previous representations and proactive steps taken to combat counterfeiting on its platform warrant exclusion from the list. Indiamart, which operates one of India's largest B2B marketplaces more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The International Franchise Association (IFA) has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expressing support for the agency's proposed Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030. The organization, which represents a vast network of franchise companies, individual franchisees, and related service providers, is advocating for essential reforms to the Franchise Rule in light of evolving business practices and technological advancements. In its  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- JD.com Inc., Beijing, China, has submitted a public comment letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in response to claims made by Corsearch UK Ltd. in a recent submission regarding the 2025 Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets. JD.com contends the nomination by Corsearch UK, for inclusion on the Notorious Markets List, lacks substantiation and factual credibility. In its letter, JD.com emphasizes its strong commitment to intellectual p more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advocating for the introduction of a regulation aimed at enhancing the safety of drivers and livestock on U.S. roads. PETA's proposal seeks to amend 49 CFR Sec. 383.51 by adding a subsection that would impose longer disqualification periods for drivers convicted of certain offenses related to operating commercial motor vehicles more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Kirstin Burdette and Tre'Morris Tooles, law students from Samford University Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham, Alabama, submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding proposed amendments to its drug-testing regulations that would include fentanyl and norfentanyl in its testing panels. The proposed changes are a response to growing concerns over transportation safety amidst rising overdose fatalities tied to fentanyl, a powerf more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Transportation Division (SMART-TD) has submitted a public comment letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) expressing strong opposition to CSX Transportation's request for an extension of a waiver allowing electronic-only postings of workplace injury and illness logs. The union represents approximately 100,000 transportation employees, including engineers and conductors. In its c more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Tokopedia, South Jakarta, Indonesia, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) appealing for its exclusion from the 2025 Notorious Markets List for Counterfeiting and Piracy. In the letter, Tokopedia outlined its proactive and reactive measures to combat intellectual property infringement and safeguard users. Tokopedia asserts that it maintains a strong commitment to protecting intellectual property through enhanced governance strategie more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The U.S. Vote Foundation, Arlington, Virginia, has issued a public comment letter to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) expressing opposition to a petition from the America First Legal Foundation. The petition requests the implementation of documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration, a move the nonprofit organization argues would impose unnecessary barriers for U.S. citizens living abroad. The U.S. Vote Foundation, renowned for its commitment to im more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Steven Jones, executive director of the Alabama Transportation Institute at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, has submitted a public comment letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation nominating Trayce Hockstad, a law and policy analyst, for membership on the Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking. The director supported the nominee, stating her record reflects deep, transportation-specific counter-trafficking expertise and an ability to translate research into  more ST

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- The Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), which represents tens of thousands of workers in the electric, gas, water, and renewable energy sectors, has issued a public comment letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in opposition to proposed changes to the General Duty Clause under Docket ID OSHA-2025-0041. The letter emphasizes concerns that the changes could endanger worker safety by introducing vague language and eroding existing protections more ST