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April 23, 2002 12:59 PM, EDT

A federal law requiring criminal background checks of all drivers applying to haul hazardous material moved closer to enactment after a Senate committee approved a bill giving the Department of Transportation instructions on how to conduct the investigations.

The bill was essentially unchanged since it was introduced in November, but now includes a deadline for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to develop interim rules fleshing out background check requirements.

For the full story, see the April 22 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

en. Ernest Hollings (D-S.C.), along with Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and John Breaux (D-La.)., introduced the Hazmat Endorsement Requirements Act to clarify the sweeping anti-terrorist provisions of the USA Patriot Act related to the transport of hazardous materials.

For the full story, see the April 22 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.