Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 5937 

about how to activate and use 

accessibility features. All information 

required by this section must be 

provided in a Web site format that is 

accessible to people with disabilities. 

* * * * * 

(f)(1) Information, documentation, 

and training. MVPDs and manufacturers 

of navigation devices shall ensure 

access to information and 

documentation it provides to its 

customers, if achievable. Such 

information and documentation 

includes user guides, bills, installation 

guides for end-user installable devices, 

and product support communications, 

regarding both the product in general 

and the accessibility features of the 

product. MVPDs and manufacturers of 

navigation devices shall take such other 

achievable steps as necessary including: 

(i) Providing a description of the 

accessibility and compatibility features 

of the product upon request, including, 

as needed, in alternate formats or 

alternate modes at no additional charge; 

(ii) Providing end-user product 

documentation in alternate formats or 

alternate modes upon request at no 

additional charge; and 

(iii) Ensuring usable customer support 

and technical support in the call centers 

and service centers which support their 

products at no additional charge. 

(2) MVPDs and manufacturers of 

navigation devices shall include in 

general product information the contact 

method for obtaining the information 

required by paragraph (f)(1) of this 

section. 

(3) In developing, or incorporating 

existing training programs, MVPDs and 

manufacturers of navigation devices 

shall consider the following topics: 

(i) Accessibility requirements of 

individuals with disabilities; 

(ii) Means of communicating with 

individuals with disabilities; 

(iii) Commonly used adaptive 

technology used with the 

manufacturer’s products; 

(iv) Designing for accessibility; and 

(v) Solutions for accessibility and 

compatibility. 

(4) If a consumer with a disability 

requests an accessible navigation device 

pursuant to Section 205, this also 

constitutes a request for a description of 

the accessibility features of the device 

and end-user product documentation in 

accessible formats. 

[FR Doc. 2016–00929 Filed 2–3–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6712–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

49 CFR Part 501 

[Docket No. NHTSA–2015–0129] 

RIN 2127–AL46 

Organization and Delegation of Duties 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA), 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA), 

Department of Transportation (DOT) is 

updating its regulations governing the 

organization of NHTSA and delegations 

of authority from the Administrator to 

Agency officials, to provide for a 

reorganization of the Agency’s internal 

structure. These changes will enable 

NHTSA to achieve its mission more 

effectively and efficiently. 

DATES: This rule is effective February 4, 

2016. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 

Russell Krupen, Office of the Chief 

Counsel, National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

Telephone: (202) 366–1834. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

This final rule amends 49 CFR part 

501, the chapter of the Code of Federal 

Regulations (CFR) that sets forth the 

organization of the National Highway 

Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 

and delegations of authority from the 

NHTSA Administrator to other Agency 

officials, to reflect a reorganization of 

the Agency’s internal structure, to 

update out-of-date information, and to 

improve accuracy and clarity. In 

addition, this rule amends the 

succession to the Administrator to 

conform to the new organizational 

structure. These changes will enable the 

Agency to achieve its mission more 

effectively and efficiently. 

In particular, NHTSA is eliminating 

the Senior Associate Administrator 

positions that were created in 2002 (67 

FR 44083) from its internal organization 

and adding the Executive Director and 

the Chief Financial Officer positions, as 

well as their functions and 

responsibilities. Conforming changes to 

the regulations, including descriptions 

of the Associate Administrator 

positions, succession to the 

Administrator, and delegations of 

authority, are included. Additional 

changes have been made to improve 

formatting and consistency throughout 

part 501. 

The amendments in this final rule 

relate solely to changes in the 

organizational structure and the 

placement of the delegations of 

authority for various functions within 

the agency. This final rule does not 

impose substantive requirements on the 

public. It is ministerial in nature and 

relates only to Agency management, 

organization, procedure, and practice. 

Therefore, the Agency has determined 

that notice and comment are 

unnecessary and that the rule is exempt 

from prior notice and comment 

requirements under 5 U.S.C. 

553(b)(3)(A). As these changes will not 

have a substantive impact on the public, 

the Agency does not expect to receive 

significant comments on the substance 

of the rule. Therefore, the Agency finds 

that there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 

553(d)(3) to make this rule effective less 

than 30 days after publication in the 

Federal Register. 

II. Regulatory Analyses and Notices 

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory 

Planning and Review) and DOT 

Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

NHTSA has determined that this final 

rule is not a significant regulatory action 

under Executive Order 12866 and DOT 

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 

FR 11034). It was not reviewed by the 

Office of Management and Budget. 

There are no costs associated with this 

rule. 

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) 

This final rule has been analyzed in 

accordance with the principles and 

criteria contained in Executive Order 

13132 (‘‘Federalism’’). This final rule 

does not have substantial direct effects 

on the States, on the relationship 

between the national government and 

the States, or on the distribution of 

power and responsibilities among the 

various levels of government. Therefore, 

the consultation requirements of 

Executive Order 13132 do not apply. 

Executive Order 13175 (Consultation 

and Coordination With Indian Tribal 

Governments) 

This final rule has been analyzed in 

accordance with the principles and 

criteria contained in Executive Order 

13175 (‘‘Consultation and Coordination 

with Indian Tribal Governments’’). 

Because this final rule does not 

significantly or uniquely affect the 

communities of the Indian tribal 

governments and does not impose 

substantial direct compliance costs, the 


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funding and consultation requirements 

of Executive Order 13175 do not apply. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

Because no notice of proposed 

rulemaking is required for this rule 

under the Administrative Procedure 

Act, 5 U.S.C. 553, the provisions of the 

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 

et seq.) do not apply. This rule will not 

impose any costs on small entities 

because it is merely organizational in 

nature and will not have a substantive 

impact on the public. I hereby certify 

that this final rule will not have a 

significant economic impact on a 

substantial number of small entities. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

This rule contains no information 

collection requirements under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 

U.S.C. 3501–3520). 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) does not 

require a written statement for this final 

rule because the rule does not include 

a Federal mandate that may result in the 

expenditure in any one year by State, 

local, and tribal governments, or the 

private sector, exceeding the threshold 

set forth in 2 U.S.C. 1532(a). 

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 501 

Authority delegations (Government 

agencies), Organization and functions 

(Government agencies). 

For the reasons stated in the 

preamble, NHTSA revises 49 CFR part 

501 to read as follows: 

PART 501—ORGANIZATION AND 

DELEGATION OF POWERS AND 

DUTIES 

Sec. 

501.1 Purpose. 

501.2 General. 

501.3 Organization and general 

responsibilities. 

501.4 Succession to Administrator. 

501.5 Exercise of authority. 

501.6 Secretary’s reservations of authority. 

501.7 Administrator’s reservations of 

authority. 

501.8 Delegations. 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 105 and 322, and 

delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.81 and 

1.95. 

§ 501.1 Purpose. 

This part describes the organization of 

the National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration (NHTSA), an operating 

administration within the U.S. 

Department of Transportation, and 

provides for the performance of duties 

imposed on, and the exercise of powers 

vested in, the Administrator of NHTSA. 

§ 501.2 General. 

The responsibilities and authorities 

delegated to NHTSA and the 

Administrator are set forth in §§ 1.81, 

1.94, and 1.95 of this title. 

§ 501.3 Organization and general 

responsibilities. 

NHTSA consists of a headquarters 

organization located in Washington, DC, 

a unified field organization consisting of 

ten geographic regions with a Regional 

Office located in each region, the 

Vehicle Research and Test Center 

located in East Liberty, Ohio, and the 

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Test 

Facility located in San Angelo, Texas. 

The organization of, and general spheres 

of responsibility within, NHTSA are as 

follows: 

(a) Office of the Administrator—(1) 

Administrator. (i) Represents the 

Department and is the principal advisor 

to the Secretary in all matters related to 

49 U.S.C. chapters 301, 303, 321, 323, 

325, 327, 329 and 331; 23 U.S.C. chapter 

4, except section 409; 23 U.S.C. 153, 

154, 158, 161, 163, 164 and 313 (with 

respect to matters within the primary 

responsibility of NHTSA); and such 

other responsibilities and authorities as 

are delegated by the Secretary of 

Transportation (49 CFR 1.94 and 1.95); 

(ii) Establishes NHTSA program 

policies, objectives, and priorities and 

directs the development of action plans 

to accomplish the NHTSA mission; 

(iii) Directs, controls, and evaluates 

the organization, program activities, 

performance of NHTSA staff, program 

and field offices; 

(iv) Approves broad legislative, 

budgetary, fiscal and program proposals 

and plans; and 

(v) Takes management actions of 

major significance, such as those 

relating to changes in basic 

organizational structure, appointment of 

key personnel, allocation of resources, 

and matters of special political or public 

interest or sensitivity. 

(2) Deputy Administrator. Assists the 

Administrator in discharging 

responsibilities. Directs and coordinates 

the Administration’s management and 

operational programs, and related 

policies and procedures at headquarters 

and in the field. 

(3) Executive Director. As the 

principal advisor to the Administrator 

and Deputy Administrator, provides 

direction on internal management and 

mission support programs. Provides 

executive direction over the Associate 

Administrators, Chief Financial Officer, 

and Chief Information Officer. 

(4) Director, Office of Civil Rights. As 

the principal advisor to the 

Administrator and Deputy 

Administrator on all matters pertaining 

to civil rights, serves as Director of 

Equal Employment Opportunity and of 

Title VI Compliance (Civil Rights Act of 

1964, as amended, and related 

regulations). Assures agency compliance 

with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation 

Act of 1973, the Americans with 

Disabilities Act (ADA), and other 

nondiscrimination statutes, regulations, 

Executive Orders, and policies. 

Periodically reviews and evaluates the 

civil rights programs of State 

Department of Motor Vehicles and 

Highway Safety Offices to ensure that 

recipients of NHTSA financial 

assistance meet applicable Federal civil 

rights requirements. Monitors the 

implementation of and compliance with 

civil rights requirements, investigates 

complaints of discrimination, conducts 

compliance reviews, provides technical 

assistance to recipients of NHTSA 

financial assistance and stakeholders, 

and provides assistance to the Office of 

the Secretary in investigating and 

adjudicating formal complaints of 

discrimination. 

(5) Director, Office of Governmental 

Affairs, Policy & Strategic Planning. As 

the principal advisor to the 

Administrator and Deputy 

Administrator on all intergovernmental 

matters, including communications 

with Congress, communicates agency 

policy and serves as coordinator on 

legislative affairs. Also, serves as 

coordinator of agency policy 

discussions and activities and 

communicates with other operating 

administrations and the Office of 

Secretary on strategic planning efforts. 

(6) Director of Communications. As 

the principal advisor to the 

Administrator and Deputy 

Administrator on external 

communications and information 

dissemination, serves as coordinator on 

public affairs. 

(b) Chief Counsel. As chief legal 

officer for the Administrator and the 

Administration, provides general legal 

services and legal services related to 

legislative activities; prepares litigation 

and issues subpoenas; and effects 

rulemaking actions. 

(c) Associate Administrators, Chief 

Financial Officer, and Chief Information 

Officer—(1) Associate Administrator for 

Administration. Administers and 

conducts NHTSA’s personnel 

management activities; initiates and 

oversees a comprehensive program of 

administrative support services to meet 

agency requirements, including 

development, maintenance, and 

operation of NHTSA’s manuals, notices, 

and orders, property management, and 

the purchase, delivery, and 


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administration of a range of supplies, 

equipment, and other support services; 

is responsible for administrative 

operational expenses and working 

capital fund operations; serves as the 

agency’s technical expert for all 

administrative activities; and 

administers an executive 

correspondence program and maintains 

policy files for the Administrator and 

Deputy Administrator. 

(2) Associate Administrator for 

Communications and Consumer 

Information. Represents NHTSA to the 

general public and others; provides 

reliable, timely, and accurate traffic 

safety information to the general public, 

consumers, partner organizations, and 

citizens groups through media and 

public education efforts; and provides 

scheduling and speechwriting support 

for the Administrator. 

(3) Associate Administrator for 

Enforcement. Directs matters related to 

the enforcement of motor vehicle safety, 

fuel economy, theft prevention, 

damageability, consumer information, 

and odometer laws and regulations; 

conducts testing, inspection, and 

investigation necessary for the 

identification and correction of safetyrelated defects in motor vehicles and 

motor vehicle equipment; and ensures 

recalls of noncomplying and defective 

vehicles and motor vehicle equipment 

are effective and are conducted in 

accordance with Federal law and 

regulations. 

(4) Associate Administrator for 

National Center for Statistics and 

Analysis. Provides the data, analysis, 

and evaluation to support determination 

of the nature, causes, and injury 

outcomes of motor vehicle traffic 

crashes, the strategies and interventions 

that will reduce crashes and their 

consequences, and the potential impact, 

costs, and benefits of highway safety 

programs and regulatory activities; 

targets the collection and analysis of 

data and the dissemination of 

information to identify potential 

highway safety problems, evaluate 

expected program and regulatory impact 

and actual goal achievement, and 

support data driven decisions; and 

identifies, advances, and promotes new 

methodologies, technologies, systems, 

and procedures that improve the 

completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and 

accessibility of data collection, analysis, 

and evaluation. 

(5) Associate Administrator for 

Regional Operations and Program 

Delivery. Directs the management of 

State and community highway safety 

programs; administers and coordinates 

all Regional activities, including 

activities having a headquarters-regional 

interface; develops, reviews, 

implements, and coordinates related 

programs, policies, and procedures; and 

coordinates with the Federal Highway 

Administration, the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Administration, and other 

Federal agencies on traffic safety 

programs, as appropriate. 

(6) Associate Administrator for 

Research and Program Development. 

Administers traffic safety programs and 

provides national leadership and 

technical assistance to States, local 

communities, national organizations, 

and other partners in the identification, 

research, planning, development, 

demonstration, implementation, 

evaluation, and dissemination of 

highway safety programs designed to 

prevent or reduce traffic-related crashes 

and the resulting deaths, injuries, 

property damage, and associated costs. 

Coordinates with the Federal Highway 

Administration, the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Administration, and other 

Federal agencies on traffic safety 

programs, as appropriate. 

(7) Associate Administrator for 

Rulemaking. Develops and promulgates 

Federal standards dealing with motor 

vehicle safety, theft prevention, 

consumer information, the National 

Driver Register, and fuel economy, and 

directs programs relating to bumper 

standards, safety performance 

standards, and other regulations for new 

and used motor vehicles and 

equipment, including tires. Develops 

and conducts the New Car Assessment 

Program. 

(8) Associate Administrator for 

Vehicle Safety Research. Develops and 

conducts research, development, test, 

and evaluation programs and projects 

necessary to support consumer 

information programs, guidelines, 

industry voluntary standards, and 

Federal motor vehicle regulations; 

manages the facilities and programs 

related to these activities; and conducts 

crash data analyses in defining safety 

problems. 

(9) Chief Financial Officer. 

Administers the agency planning and 

budget activities in coordination with 

the Department of Transportation, the 

Office of Management and Budget, and 

Congress; assures the appropriate 

development of budget requests and the 

subsequent execution of operating 

budgets within the agency to meet all 

programmatic requirements; conducts 

all necessary accounting transactions to 

assure full and accurate accountability 

for all financial resources of the agency; 

initiates and oversees a comprehensive 

program of acquisition support for 

agency buying and supplier 

requirements, including acquisition 

planning, purchasing, payments, and 

administration; facilitates, coordinates, 

tracks, and monitors all external audits, 

reviews, and other oversight activities of 

agency programs, finances, transactions, 

or activities—working closely with 

responsible program and operational 

officials; facilitates and oversees the 

agency travel program, including the 

administration and operation of the 

travel management system, the travel 

card program, and the provision of 

travel management advice and 

guidance; and serves as the agency’s 

technical expert for all financial 

management activities. 

(10) Chief Information Officer. 

Administers all NHTSA Information 

Technology functions and needs to 

ensure that IT resources are effectively 

acquired and managed to maximize 

mission performance and return on IT 

investments. 

§ 501.4 Succession to Administrator. 

(a) The Deputy Administrator is the 

‘‘first assistant’’ to the Administrator for 

purposes of the Federal Vacancies 

Reform Act of 1998 (5 U.S.C. 3345– 

3349d) and shall, in the event the 

Administrator dies, resigns, or is 

otherwise unable to perform the 

functions and duties of the office, serve 

as the Acting Administrator, subject to 

the limitations established by law. 

(b) In the event both the 

Administrator and the Deputy 

Administrator die, resign, and/or are 

otherwise unable to perform the 

functions and duties of their respective 

offices, or in the event that both 

positions are vacant, the following 

officials, subject to paragraph (c) and in 

the order indicated, shall serve as 

Acting Deputy Administrator and shall 

perform the functions and duties of the 

Administrator, except for any nondelegable statutory and/or regulatory 

functions and duties: 

(1) The Chief Counsel; 

(2) The Executive Director; 

(3) Further officials as may be 

designated in an internal order on 

succession. 

(c) In order to qualify for the line of 

succession, officials must be 

encumbered in their position on a 

permanent basis. 

§ 501.5 Exercise of authority. 

(a) All authorities lawfully vested in 

and reserved to the Administrator in 

this title, part, or other NHTSA 

regulation or directive may be exercised 

by the Deputy Administrator and, in the 

absence or disability of both officials, by 

the Chief Counsel, unless specifically 

prohibited by statute, regulation, or 

order. 


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(b) In exercising the powers and 

performing the duties delegated by this 

part, officers of NHTSA and their 

delegates are governed by applicable 

laws, executive orders, regulations, and 

other directives, and by policies, 

objectives, plans, standards, procedures, 

and limitations as may be issued from 

time to time by or on behalf of the 

Secretary of Transportation, the 

Administrator, the Deputy 

Administrator, the Chief Counsel, and 

the Executive Director or, with respect 

to matters under their jurisdiction, by or 

on behalf of the Associate 

Administrators, the Regional 

Administrators, and the Directors of 

Staff Offices. 

(c) Each officer to whom authority is 

delegated by this part may redelegate 

and authorize successive redelegations 

of that authority subject to any 

conditions the officer prescribes. 

(d) Each officer to whom authority is 

delegated will administer and perform 

the functions described in the officer’s 

respective functional statements. 

§ 501.6 Secretary’s reservations of 

authority. 

The authorities reserved to the 

Secretary of Transportation are set forth 

in § 1.21 of this title. 

§ 501.7 Administrator’s reservations of 

authority. 

The delegations of authority in this 

part do not extend to the following 

authority, which is reserved to the 

Administrator, except when exercised 

pursuant to §§ 501.4 and 501.5(a): 

(a) The authority under 23 U.S.C. 

chapter 4 (except section 403) and any 

uncodified provision of law to 

apportion authorization amounts and 

distribute obligation limitations or 

award grants to States for highway 

safety programs or other highway safety 

purposes; 

(b) The authority to issue, amend, or 

revoke uniform State highway safety 

guidelines and rules identifying highly 

effective highway safety programs under 

23 U.S.C. 402; 

(c) The authority to fix the rate of 

compensation for non-government 

members of agency sponsored 

committees which are entitled to 

compensation. 

(d) The authority under 49 U.S.C. 

chapter 301 to: 

(1) Issue, amend, or revoke final 

Federal motor vehicle safety standards 

and regulations; 

(2) Make final decisions concerning 

alleged safety-related defects and 

noncompliances with Federal motor 

vehicle safety standards; 

(3) Grant or renew temporary 

exemptions from Federal motor vehicle 

safety standards; and 

(4) Grant or deny appeals from 

determinations upon a manufacturer’s 

petition for decision of inconsequential 

defect or noncompliance and exemption 

from the notification and remedy 

requirements of 49 U.S.C. chapter 301 in 

connection with a defect or 

noncompliance. 

(e) The authority under 49 U.S.C. 

chapters 303, 321, 323, 325, and 329 

(except section 32916(b)) to: 

(1) Issue, amend, or revoke final rules 

and regulations; and 

(2) Assess civil penalties and approve 

manufacturer fuel economy credit plans 

under chapter 329. 

(f) The authority to carry out, in 

coordination with the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Administrator, the 

authority vested in the Secretary by 49 

U.S.C. chapter 311 subchapter III, to 

promulgate safety standards for 

commercial motor vehicles and 

equipment subsequent to initial 

manufacture when the standards are 

based upon and similar to a Federal 

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 

promulgated, either simultaneously or 

previously, under 49 U.S.C. chapter 301. 

§ 501.8 Delegations. 

(a) Deputy Administrator. The Deputy 

Administrator is delegated authority to 

act for the Administrator, except where 

specifically limited by law, order, 

regulation, or instructions of the 

Administrator. The Deputy 

Administrator is delegated authority to 

assist the Administrator in providing 

executive direction to all organizational 

elements of NHTSA. 

(b) Executive Director. The Executive 

Director is delegated line authority for 

executive direction over the Associate 

Administrators, the Chief Financial 

Officer, and the Chief Information 

Officer. 

(c) Director, Office of Civil Rights. The 

Director, Office of Civil Rights is 

delegated authority to: 

(1) Serve as the Director of Equal 

Employment Opportunity. 

(2) Serve as the compliance 

coordinator for: 

(i) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 

1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), as 

amended, and related regulations; 

(ii) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation 

Act of 1973; 

(iii) The Americans with Disabilities 

Act (ADA); and 

(iv) Other nondiscrimination statutes, 

regulations, Executive Orders, and 

policies. 

(3) Investigate complaints of civil 

rights discrimination, conduct 

compliance reviews, and provide 

technical assistance to recipients of 

NHTSA financial assistance and 

stakeholders. 

(4) Review and evaluate the civil 

rights programs of State Department of 

Motor Vehicles and Highway Safety 

Offices to ensure that recipients of 

NHTSA financial assistance meet 

applicable Federal civil rights 

requirements. 

(d) Chief Counsel. The Chief Counsel 

is delegated authority to: 

(1) Exercise the powers and perform 

the duties of the Administrator with 

respect to: 

(i) Issuing odometer regulations 

authorized under 49 U.S.C. chapter 327. 

(ii) Providing technical assistance and 

granting extensions of time to the states 

under 49 U.S.C. 32705. 

(iii) Granting or denying petitions for 

approval of alternate motor vehicle 

mileage disclosure requirements under 

49 U.S.C. 32705. 

(2) Establish the legal sufficiency of 

all investigations and enforcement 

actions conducted under the authority 

of 49 U.S.C. chapters 301, 303, 321, 323, 

325, 327, 329 and 331; to make an initial 

penalty demand based on a violations of 

any of these chapters; and to 

compromise: 

(i) Any civil penalty imposed under 

49 U.S.C. 30165 in an amount of 

$1,000,000 or less. 

(ii) Any civil penalty or monetary 

settlement other than those imposed 

under 49 U.S.C. 30165 in an amount of 

$100,000 or less. 

(3) Exercise the powers of the 

Administrator under 49 U.S.C. 30166(c), 

(g), (h), (i), and (k). 

(4) Issue subpoenas, after notice to the 

Administrator, for the attendance of 

witnesses and production of documents 

pursuant to 49 U.S.C. chapters 301, 321, 

323, 325, 327, 329 and 331. 

(5) Issue authoritative interpretations 

of the statutes administered by NHTSA 

and the regulations issued by the 

agency. 

(6) Administer 5 U.S.C. 552 (FOIA) 

and 49 CFR part 7 (Public Availability 

of Information) in connection with the 

records of NHTSA. 

(7) Administer the Privacy Act of 

1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and 49 CFR part 10 

(Maintenance of and Access to Records 

Pertaining to Individuals) in connection 

with the records of NHTSA. 

(8) Carry out the functions and 

exercise the authority vested in the 

Secretary for 23 U.S.C. 313 (Buy 

America), with respect to matters within 

the primary responsibility of NHTSA. 

(e) Associate Administrator for 

Administration. The Associate 

Administrator for Administration is 


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delegated authority to administer and 

conduct NHTSA’s personnel 

management activities; conduct 

administrative and management 

services in support of NHTSA missions 

and programs; and administer an 

executive correspondence program. 

(f) Associate Administrator for 

Communications and Consumer 

Information. The Associate 

Administrator for Communications and 

Consumer Information is delegated 

authority to manage and coordinate 

market research, planning coordination, 

development, and promotion of public 

education campaigns for both paid 

media and unpaid public services to 

support program efforts; develop overall 

agency messaging and communications 

strategies in support of program 

initiatives; and develop agency policies 

on messaging and communications 

procedures and processes. 

(g) Associate Administrator for 

Enforcement. The Associate 

Administrator for Enforcement is 

delegated authority to administer the 

NHTSA enforcement program for all 

laws, standards, and regulations 

pertinent to vehicle safety, fuel 

economy, theft prevention, 

damageability, consumer information, 

and odometers, authorized under 49 

U.S.C. chapters 301, 323, 325, 327, 329, 

and 331; conduct testing, inspection, 

and investigation necessary for the 

identification and correction of safetyrelated defects in motor vehicles and 

motor vehicle equipment and 

noncompliances with Federal motor 

vehicle safety standards; make initial 

decisions concerning alleged safetyrelated defects and noncompliances 

with Federal motor vehicle safety 

standards; grant or deny a 

manufacturer’s petition for decision of 

inconsequential defect or 

noncompliance and exemption from the 

notification and remedy requirements of 

49 U.S.C. chapter 301 in connection 

with a defect or noncompliance; issue 

regulations relating to the importation of 

motor vehicles under 49 U.S.C. 30141– 

30147; and grant and deny petitions for 

import eligibility determinations 

submitted to NHTSA by motor vehicle 

manufacturers and registered importers 

under 49 U.S.C. 30141. 

(h) Associate Administrator for 

National Center for Statistics and 

Analysis. The Associate Administrator 

for National Center for Statistics and 

Analysis is delegated authority to 

provide the data, analysis, and 

evaluation and create and maintain 

information systems necessary to 

support the purposes of 49 U.S.C. 

chapters 301, 303, 323, 325, 327, 329, 

and 331, 23 U.S.C. chapter 4, any 

uncodified provisions of law related to 

such issues, and any cross-cutting safety 

initiatives; to develop, maintain, and 

operate the National Driver Register and 

a nationwide clearinghouse of problem 

drivers; and to support State integrated 

highway and traffic records safety 

information systems. 

(i) Associate Administrator for 

Regional Operations and Program 

Delivery. The Associate Administrator 

for Regional Operations and Program 

Delivery is delegated authority, except 

for authority reserved to the 

Administrator, to exercise the powers 

and perform the duties of the 

Administrator with respect to grants to 

States for highway safety programs or 

other State programs under 23 U.S.C. 

chapter 4 (except section 403) and 

uncodified provisions of law, including 

approval and disapproval of State 

highway safety plans and vouchers, in 

accordance with the procedural 

requirements of the Administration. The 

Associate Administrator for Regional 

Operations and Program Delivery is also 

delegated authority over programs with 

respect to the authority vested by 

section 210(2) of the Clean Air Act, as 

amended (42 U.S.C. 7544(2)); the 

authority vested by 49 U.S.C. 20134(a) 

with respect to laws administered by 

NHTSA pertaining to highway, traffic, 

and motor vehicle safety, in 

coordination with the Associate 

Administrator for Research and Program 

Development; the authority vested by 23 

U.S.C. 153, 154, 158, 161, 163, and 164, 

in coordination with the Federal 

Highway Administrator as appropriate; 

and the authority vested by 23 U.S.C. 

404, in coordination with the Associate 

Administrator for Communications and 

Consumer Information. 

(j) Associate Administrator for 

Research and Program Development. 

The Associate Administrator for 

Research and Program Development is 

delegated authority to develop and 

conduct research and development 

programs and projects necessary to 

support the purposes of 23 U.S.C. 

chapter 4, any uncodified provisions of 

law related to that chapter, and crosscutting safety initiatives; conduct 

research and development activities 

described or specifically enumerated in 

23 U.S.C. 403; carry out the functions 

and exercise the authority vested in the 

Secretary and Administrator under 

section 10202 of the Safe, Accountable, 

Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity 

Act: A Legacy for Users, Public Law 

109–59 [42 U.S.C. 300d–4], as amended 

by section 31108 of the Moving Ahead 

for Progress in the 21st Century Act, 

Public Law 112–141, relating to 

emergency medical services, except for 

authority reserved to the Secretary 

under § 1.21 or the Administrator under 

§ 501.7; and exercise the authority 

vested by 49 U.S.C. 20134(a) with 

respect to laws administered by NHTSA 

pertaining to highway, traffic, and motor 

vehicle safety, in coordination with the 

Associate Administrator for Regional 

Operations and Program Delivery. 

(k) Associate Administrator for 

Rulemaking. The Associate 

Administrator for Rulemaking is 

delegated authority, except for authority 

reserved to the Administrator or 

delegated to the Chief Counsel, to 

exercise the powers and perform the 

duties of the Administrator with respect 

to the setting of motor vehicle safety and 

theft prevention standards, fuel 

economy standards, procedural 

regulations, the National Driver 

Register, and the development of 

consumer information and odometer 

regulations authorized under 49 U.S.C. 

chapters 301, 303, 321, 323, 325, 327, 

329, and 331, and any uncodified 

provisions of law related to such issues. 

The Associate Administrator for 

rulemaking is also delegated authority 

to perform activities that support the 

development of these regulations and 

standards; extend comment periods 

(both self-initiated and in response to a 

petition or request for extension of time) 

for noncontroversial rulemakings; make 

technical amendments or corrections to 

a final rule; extend the effective date of 

a noncontroversial final rule; and 

develop and conduct the New Car 

Assessment Program. 

(l) Associate Administrator for 

Vehicle Safety Research. The Associate 

Administrator for Vehicle Safety 

Research is delegated authority to 

develop and conduct research, 

development, test, and evaluation 

programs and projects necessary to 

support the purposes of 49 U.S.C. 

chapters 301, 323, 325, 327, 329, and 

331, any uncodified provisions of law 

related to such issues, and any crosscutting safety initiatives. 

(m) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief 

Financial Officer is delegated authority 

to direct the NHTSA planning and 

evaluation system in conjunction with 

Departmental requirements and 

planning goals; coordinate the 

development of the Administrator’s 

plans, budgets, and programs, and 

analyses of their expected impact; 

exercise procurement authority with 

respect to NHTSA requirements; 

administer NHTSA financial 

management programs, including 

systems of funds control and accounts 

of all financial transactions; and enter 

into inter- and intra-departmental 

reimbursable agreements other than 


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5942 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 

with the head of another Department or 

agency, provided that this authority to 

enter into such agreements may be 

redelegated only to Office Directors and 

Contracting Officers. 

(n) Chief Information Officer. The 

Chief Information Officer is delegated 

authority to formulate IT policy, 

guidance, procedures, security, and best 

practices; implement an IT capital 

planning program, an integrated 

Enterprise Architecture program, and a 

mission information protection program 

that ensures privacy, security, and 

critical infrastructure protection for 

NHTSA systems and data; and provide 

for other NHTSA IT functions to 

support the agency’s mission, 

performance goals, and objectives. 

Issued in Washington, DC, under authority 

delegated in 49 CFR 1.81 and 1.95. 

Mark R. Rosekind, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2016–02101 Filed 2–3–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 


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