Infrastructure contractors have a lot on their plate in Texas right now. But it’s worth pausing occasionally to check whether something you took for granted six months ago still holds true.
Compliance requirements change. Certifications change. Regulations change. Probably even more – but these are our focus today.
So, here’s our quick rundown of three developments that you, as an infrastructure contractor, should have on your radar.
ELD Compliance: Is Your Hauler Still Using an Approved Device?
Using an electronic logging device (ELD) doesn’t necessarily mean a hauler is currently compliant.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) continues to remove devices from its list of registered ELDs when they fail to meet minimum requirements. Five more devices were removed in August 2026, following other removals earlier in the year.
Carriers are given a limited period to replace revoked devices. Once that period ends, drivers who continue to use them can be placed out of service.
For infrastructure contractors, that makes the question you ask a little different. Instead of simply checking whether a hauling company uses ELDs, you need to know that the devices it uses remain on the FMCSA registered list.
(Read more about ELD certification and what to ask your hauler.)
Heavy-Duty Emissions Rules Are Changing Again
Federal emissions requirements for heavy-duty vehicles have been through significant changes during 2026.
In February, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) repealed federal greenhouse gas emissions standards for highway vehicles. However, that doesn’t mean every emissions requirement affecting heavy-duty trucks has disappeared.
Separate EPA standards covering pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter remain relevant, and the agency proposed amendments to parts of its heavy-duty vehicle regulations in July.
For contractors planning infrastructure projects, the details may seem a long way from getting material moved from A to B. But regulatory changes can affect fleet planning, equipment decisions, and the haulers available to support your project.
(See our earlier update on EPA emissions standards.)
Texas DBE Certification Is Being Reevaluated
The federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program has also changed.
Following changes to federal eligibility requirements, Texas is reevaluating existing DBE and Airport Concession DBE certifications. Firms undergoing reevaluation are being removed from the Texas Unified Certification Program directory and reinstated if they demonstrate that they meet the revised requirements.
TxDOT makes an important point clear: the DBE program itself still exists.
For general contractors working on federally funded infrastructure projects, however, previous DBE status shouldn’t simply be assumed to remain current. Check the latest certification information when it matters to your project requirements.
(Read more about the changes to the federal DBE program.)
Keep Your Hauling Plans Current Too with Cowboy Trucking
Regulations and certifications aren’t the only things that can change during your infrastructure project. Schedules move, access points change, material needs shift, and hauling requirements can look very different from one phase to the next.
Cowboy Trucking works with general contractors across Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond to keep your construction hauling dependable as projects move forward.
With GPS tracking, electronic documentation, and a fleet supported by experienced drivers available night and day all year, we help you keep the hauling side of the job under control.
We’re easy to work with and familiar with a wide range of infrastructure projects and terrains. Talk to us about the hauling requirements for your next infrastructure project.
Image © Cowboytruckingdfw.com