Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Update August 24, 2006

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) replaces the Single State Registration System (SSRS) –What is the purpose of SSRS – UCR? SSRS is a state administered registration program covering for- hire inter-state motor carriers. SSRS ensures that all inter-state motor carriers maintain public liability insurance at the appropriate levels and are properly authorized to operate. The new UCR will include all motor carriers, private, for-hire, brokers, freight forwarders, leasing companies and exempt for- hire motor carriers. SAFETEA-LU ensures that all participating states will not lose essential funding due to the re-structuring of the fee structure.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) replaces the Single State Registration System (SSRS) The UCR Agreement is the interstate agreement developed under the UCR Plan to govern the collection and distribution of registration and financial responsibility information provided and fees paid by motor carriers including for-hire & private motor carriers, freight forwarders, brokers and leasing companies The UCR Plan means the organization of State, Federal and Industry representatives responsible for developing, implementing and administering the UCR Agreement

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) What is the Unified Carrier Registration System (UCR)? –The UCR is a unified carrier registration system that shall serve as a clearinghouse and depository of information on and identification of all foreign and domestic motor carriers, motor private carriers, freight forwarders, brokers and others required to register with the US Department of Transportation, including information with respect to carrier’s safety ratings, compliance with required levels of financial responsibility, and compliance with the provisions of the law. The US DOT shall ensure that Federal agencies, States, representatives of the motor carrier industry and the public have access to the UCR system including records and information contained in the system.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) UCR Agreement –The UCR Agreement shall provide the following Determination of fees Determination of Ownership or Operation Calculation of Number of Commercial Motor Vehicles Owned or Operated Payment of Fees Distribution of UCR Agreement Revenue Distribution of Funds from the Depository Intra-State Carriers Identification of Vehicles

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) UCR Plan Governance –The UCR Plan shall be governed by a Board of Directors –The UCR Board of Directors shall consist of representatives of: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) State Agencies Motor Carrier Industry US Department of Transportation

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Rules and Regulations Governing the UCR Agreement –The Board of Directors shall issue rules and regulations to govern the UCR Agreement –The rules and regulations shall Prescribe uniform forms and formats Provide for the administration of the UCR Agreement, including procedures for amending the Agreement and obtaining clarification of any provision of the Agreement Designate a Depository (Bank) –The Board may contract with any private commercial or non-profit entity or any agency of a State to perform administrative functions required under the UCR Agreement, but may not delegate its decision or policy making responsibilities

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Determination of Annual Fees Carriers Pay –The Board of Directors shall recommend to the DOT Secretary the initial annual fees to be assessed to carriers –In making its recommendation the Board shall consider The administrative cost associated with the UCR Plan and the Agreement; Whether the revenues generated in the previous year and any surplus or shortage from that or prior years enable the participating States to achieve the revenue levels set by the Board

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Seeking Extension of SSRS for One Year –Working with other interested organizations to try to secure an extension of the SSRS for one year to be repealed January 1, 2008 instead of January 1, 2007 as it will under the current provisions. On Thursday July 20th the full Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary and Housing and Urban Development appropriations. The SSRS extension language stayed in the bill and was included in the bill. Stay tuned for future updates as they come.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Seeking Extension of SSRS for One Year –Senate Appropriations Committee Language –ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION –Section 130 subjects the funds in this act to section 350 of Public Law in order to ensure the safety of all cross-border long haul operations conducted by Mexican-domiciled commercial carriers. –Section 131. SAFETEA-LU includes a provision for the repeal of the Single State Registration System [SSRS] on January 1, 2007, and its replacement with a new Unified Carrier Registration System [UCR]. The Committee, however, believes that a repeal of SSRS is premature given that progress on instituting the UCR has been insignificant. The current SSRS brings in approximately $100,000,000 in registration fees to the States that participate in the program, funds that are often used to cover the cost of transportation safety and enforcement programs. For this reason, the Committee includes language that would delay the repeal of SSRS by 12 months, and require the Government Accountability Office to report to the Congress on the progress being made in establishing the UCR. –Section 132. This section makes a correction to Public Law regarding the definition of a commercial motor vehicle and regulation of freight forwarders and brokers.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Unresolved issues to be addressed by UCR Board –UCR rules and regulations –UCR Agreement –UCR Fees –UCR Board administrative procedures –UCR on-line system –Approval of UCR State Plans –Creation of sub-committees (dispute resolution, etc.) – ?????

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Issues States need to address: –Obtain enabling legislation to participate and collect fees under the UCR –Submit UCR Plan for approval –Carrier education –Implement UCR processing system –Establish enforcement plan

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) UCR Enabling Legislation –State will, in most cases, need to obtain enabling state legislation allowing them to participate in the UCR –In some cases states may only have to change SSRS to UCR in their current law –In some states they are including much of the requirements of the UCR –In some state they are simply stating the States authority to participate –Some states are using this an a opportunity to give clearer authority

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) UCR State Plans –No State shall be eligible to participate in the UCR plan or to receive any revenues derived under the UCR Agreement, unless the State submits to the US DOT Secretary not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the UCR Act of 2005, a plan Identifying the State agency that has or will have the legal authority, resources, and qualified personnel to administer the UCR Agreement Demonstrate that an amount at least equal to the revenue derived by the State from the UCR shall be used for motor carrier safety programs, enforcement, or the administration of the UCR Plan and UCR Agreement.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) A lot of work to be done and not a lot of time to get it done. Please share: –Enabling legislation –State Plans –Implementation plans –System information