On October 29, 2008, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on "Investing in Infrastructure: The Road to Recovery." Testimony was heard from government, transportation, and public witnesses. (Congressional Record dated 10/30/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20081030).)
National Association of Manufacturers President Engler has called for in-depth study of a "Transatlantic Free Trade Area" between either the European Union and the U.S. or the EU and the North American Free Trade Agreement nations. (NAM press release, dated 10/21/08, available at http://www.nam.org/NewsFromtheNAM/EnglerPosesTransatlanticFreeTradeAgreement.aspx)
The Port of Long Beach has made available a webcast of its October 22, 2008 Clean Trucks Program workshop which addressed topics including what cargo owners need to know about the new Clean Trucks Program, such as PortCheck, the system for cargo owners to claim their cargo and for the Port to collect the Clean Trucks. (Webcast available at http://longbeach.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=465; PowerPoint presentation available at http://www.polb.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=5771)
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Web site has been enhanced to better facilitate travel by nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries to the U.S. Instructions on how to obtain an electronic travel authorization are now available in 13 additional languages. (DHS press release, dated 10/15/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1224103683923.shtm)
The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that it is preparing to send the first Food and Drug Administration staff to open offices in China, India, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission will hold a conference call on October 20, 2008 to discuss its proposed rule on labeling requirements for toy and game advertising. The call is intended to inform the public about the details of the proposed rule and give interested stakeholders the opportunity to raise questions and share concerns about the rulemaking. (CPSC Public Calendar, dated 10/15/08, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/calendar.html.)
The Census Bureau issued an Automated Export System (AES) broadcast announcing that the Ports of Export have been updated in AES (also, a Port of Export was added). (Broadcast 2008051, dated 10/06/08, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/documentlibrary/broadcasts/2008051.html.)
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which was enacted on August 14, 2008 as Public Law 110-314, requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to study/develop mandatory safety standards for durable infant and toddler products (for children under age five)1.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) which was enacted on August 14, 2008 as Public Law 110-314, affects many consumer products, including children's products, toys, products with lead content, products containing phthalates, paint, all-terrain vehicles, durable nursery products, etc.
The House passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040) conference report on July 30, 2008.