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With the deadline for implementing a federal rule closing in, the trucking industry last week still had gotten no official word on whether the Transportation Security Administration would extend its deadline for states to conduct fingerprint background checks of drivers certified to haul hazardous materials.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s diversion of resources to fight terrorism means that trucking firms should expect less help from the bureau in pursuing cargo theft, the FBI’s lead agent in that area said last week.

WASHINGTON — Shippers should get tough with trucking firms to help prevent cargo theft, including making them install costly security systems, two shipper representatives said at a conference here last week.

WASHINGTON — The most effective security measures are often simple precautions that anyone can learn — and high-tech systems do not provide complete solutions to cargo theft problems, industry executives said last week.

The Highway Trust Fund could get $2 billion more yearly in fuel-tax money if legislation from Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) survives a House-Senate conference committee working on a final energy bill.

WASHINGTON — Congress should establish a bond guarantee program worth $20 billion to underwrite needed improvements for the nation’s railroads, a major trucking company executive said here.

WASHINGTON — President Bush this week signed legislation extending for five months funding for federal highway construction programs and transportation agencies.

The trucking industry last week was still waiting for official word on whether the federal government would extend fast-approaching deadlines for states to conduct fingerprint background checks of truck drivers certified to haul hazardous materials.

A few years ago, McKenzie Tank Lines partnered with equipment manufacturer Mack Trucks as part of a government initiative to reduce hazardous materials spills and accidents on the nation’s highways.

WASHINGTON — Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, President Bush’s nominee to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, last week declined to endorse stronger emissions controls for diesel engines.