Airline Shenanigans Face Scrutiny: DOT Revives Deception Hearing Rules

2026-06323 — Pipeline Safety: Class Location Change Requirements; Response to Petition for Reconsideration

Pipeline companies and safety pros, listen up! PHMSA just said no to changes requested by the Interstate Natural Gas Association about pipeline safety rules for areas where people live or work. This means the current rules about how pipelines must be upgraded when neighborhoods grow stay in place, so companies should keep their safety upgrades on schedule without extra costs or delays.

2026-05024 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 102 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles

NHTSA wants to update a safety rule to help self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or gear shifts. They’re proposing to remove the need for a gear position display in these automated vehicles, cutting costs without hurting safety. If you have thoughts, speak up by April 15, 2026!

2026-05023 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 103 and FMVSS No. 104 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Incorporation by Reference

NHTSA is updating rules for windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing to better fit self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or pedals. These cars won’t have to follow old rules meant for human drivers, cutting costs and unnecessary requirements without hurting safety. The changes kick in about six months after the final rule, and manufacturers can still add these features if they want.

2025-22674 — Public Hearing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

The government is holding a virtual public hearing on January 7, 2026, about new fuel economy rules for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031. These rules aim to keep vehicles safer and more affordable while improving fuel efficiency. If you care about how much gas your car uses or how much you pay at the pump, this is your chance to speak up before the rules are finalized.

2025-18980 — Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers With Disabilities Using Wheelchairs

The U.S. Department of Transportation is hitting pause on some parts of the new wheelchair safety rules for air travelers while they rethink a few details. This affects airlines and travelers who use wheelchairs, especially around how airlines handle broken wheelchairs, training, notifications, and refunds. No changes to other rules yet, and the DOT will update everyone once they decide—so no extra costs or hassles for now!

2026-06492 — Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

The FAA wants all Airbus A350-941 and -1041 airplanes to replace certain flight control parts that might have been damaged during testing. This change keeps planes safe by banning the use of these risky parts. Airlines need to act before May 18, 2026, and while it might cost some money, it’s all about keeping flights smooth and secure.

Previous: 2025-19690 — Registry of Supervised Nonbanks That Use Form Contracts To Impose Terms and Conditions That Seek To Waive or Limit Consumer Legal Protections; Withdrawal of Proposed Rule

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has decided to stop moving forward with a rule that would have made certain nonbank companies register if they use contracts that limit consumer rights. This means these companies won’t have to share that info with the CFPB, and no new costs or deadlines are coming from this. If you’re a nonbank or a consumer, nothing changes for now!

Next: 2025-19711 — Unsafe or Unsound Practices, Matters Requiring Attention

The OCC and FDIC want to clearly define what counts as 'unsafe or unsound practices' for banks and update how they handle warnings called 'matters requiring attention.' This affects banks and financial institutions by making rules clearer and improving supervision. Comments on these changes are open until December 29, 2025, so banks and the public can weigh in before any money or rule impacts kick in.