MemoMemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum

Determination Under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995

In simple terms

President Bush modified a moratorium on motor carrier operating authority to allow U.S.-domiciled enterprises owned or controlled by Mexican persons to obtain permits for truck and bus services between U.S. points, implementing NAFTA obligations. The Department of Transportation was directed to immediately accept and expedite applications for such authority.

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 66 FR 30799

  3. Moratorium modifications effective; DOT begins accepting applications

Key directives

  • Modify moratorium to allow Mexican-owned U.S. enterprises to obtain truck operating authority for international cargo between U.S. points
  • Modify moratorium to allow Mexican-owned U.S. enterprises to obtain bus operating authority between U.S. points
  • Direct DOT to accept and expeditiously process applications effective immediately
  • Apply same federal and state regulations to Mexican-owned carriers as all other U.S. carriers

Who is ordered

What to expect

Immediate

  • Moratorium modification effective June 5, 2001
  • DOT begins accepting applications immediately
  • Expedited processing directive takes effect

Near term (90d)

  • Applications processed expeditiously
  • Implementation of safety and regulatory compliance for new entrants

Long term

  • NAFTA trade liberalization in transportation services
  • Potential market expansion for Mexican-invested U.S. carriers

Risks & tensions

  • Safety enforcement concerns for cross-border trucking (noted in text via drug/alcohol testing emphasis)
  • Labor opposition from U.S. trucking unions (implied by regulatory context, not explicit in text)
  • Coordination required across multiple agencies (DOT, Customs, INS, Labor)
Presidential Memorandum: Determination Under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 · Executive Orders