Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary, P.C.

FMCSA announced an extension of its Modified Emergency Declaration through August 14, 2020, allowing motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the COVID-19 emergency relief efforts to continue operating under the exemptions set forth in the declaration through that date.

On a certified question from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the California Supreme Court decided a pair of cases that will certainly impact California wage and hour class actions against motor carriers. Read more about what that means for the transportation industry.

The Senate, by unanimous consent, approved the bill passed by the House last week that provides significant changes to the Paycheck Protection Program Loan landscape. The President is expected to sign the bill. The legislation provides borrowers greater flexibility with respect to the PPP loan forgiveness process. Read more.

Scopelitis has assembled a COVID-19 task force that is analyzing late-breaking international, national, and state developments on this issue as they impact the transportation industry. Learn more.

Scopelitis insight on the SBA and Treasury's Interim Final Rule (IFR) providing guidance for the calculation of PPP borrower loan forgiveness.

The latest regarding the scope of the Safe Harbor and the PPP loan program.

The FMCSA announced an extension of its Emergency Declaration through June 14, 2020, allowing motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the COVID-19 emergency relief efforts to continue operating under the exemptions set forth in the declaration through that date.

The editorial advisory board will provide feedback on Law360's coverage and insight on how best to shape future coverage of the industry.

Scopelitis President & Managing Partner Greg Feary in FreightWaves on fuel surcharges.

The Scopelitis COVID-19 Resource Page offers a COVID-19 Transportation Industry FAQ and other materials to aid transportation clients in managing their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact the Scopelitis COVID-19 Task Force for information on costs associated with tailoring these materials (if needed), or if you require assistance including but not limited these resources. 

Pursuant to Section 2102 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) enacted March 27, 2020, individuals not otherwise eligible to receive any state unemployment compensation benefits or extended federal benefits, including self-employed persons and independent contractors (ICs), may qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funded by the federal government. Read more about what this means for the transportation industry. 

FMCSA has extended its Expanded Emergency Declaration through May 15, 2020, allowing motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the COVID-19 emergency relief efforts to continue operating under the exemptions set forth in the declaration through that date. Read more about the expanded declarations list and other key points regarding this news. 

Scopelitis President & Managing Partner Greg Feary in Transport Topics regarding the latest development on California AB 5.

Scopelitis President and Managing Partner Greg Feary in FreightWaves on the coronavirus pandemic's effect on the debate regarding how AB 5 legislation applies to the transportation and logistics industry.

Late yesterday afternoon, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied a motion by intervenor-defendant-appellant International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) to stay the federal district court’s preliminary injunction pending appeal in California Trucking Association v. Beccera. The Ninth Circuit also ordered oral argument on the appeal of the preliminary injunction order fast-tracked. 

Scopelitis President & Managing Partner Greg Feary in Journal of Commerce regarding the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denying an appeal by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to stay a federal district court’s preliminary injunction issued in January that prohibits enforcement of the AB5 worker classification bill as it applies to trucking. 

Scopelitis Partner Brandon Wiseman on the role trucking has played and will continue to play in COVID-19 relief efforts.

The Scopelitis COVID-19 Task Force is monitoring the evolving legal landscape in these difficult times and is addressing questions and concerns unique to the transportation industry. Here are some of the more common and pressing considerations.

FMCSA issued a limited waiver for commercial drivers whose CDLs, CLPs, operator’s licenses, and/or medical cards have expired or are set to expire after March 1, 2020. The waiver, which is effective immediately and valid through June 30, 2020, comes in response to state DMV and medical clinic closures that have made it difficult for commercial drivers to renew expiring licenses and medical cards in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic continues to spread, state and local transportation news is changing by the hour – changes that stand to have a huge impact on your business. For a list of Shelter in Place jurisdictions, contact Scopelitis.