Massachusetts has indefinitely suspended a 2% biodiesel mandate for fuel and heating oil that was to take effect this month, saying that without the federal tax credit for the producers, the cost of biodiesel would be too high for consumers.

The Pennsylvania House has unanimously passed a bill that would ban indemnification contracts that some shippers and receivers force trucking firms to sign.

Massachusetts and Iowa enacted laws to combat distracted driving late last week, with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) signed legislation Friday outlawing texting while driving, making his the 29th state to outlaw the practice.

A bill in the New York State Legislature would create a system of loans and tax incentives for businesses willing to build safe parking facilities for truck drivers.

Large trucks will pay about $1.50 a mile to travel peak hours on the first segment of Maryland’s Intercounty Connector, scheduled to open by early next year.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) signed a bill Friday allowing the state’s Department of Transportation to develop a permit process to allow trucks to carry up to 88,000 pounds on non-interstate highways.

American Trucking Associations, truck manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have urged the Senate to address a research and development bill on increasing fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Kansas’ move to become the 26th state to outlaw texting while driving has drawn praise from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for pushing the country past the halfway mark to a nationwide ban on the practice.

Federal officials have granted Boston a 45-day extension to keep restrictions in place on where trucks carrying hazardous materials can travel in the city.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance is asking that its federal government abandon a plan to adopt a 2% biodiesel mandate for all diesel fuel sold in the country.