49 U.S.C. § 102 (TRANSPORTATION)
§ 102. Department of Transportation
(a) The Department of Transportation is an executive department of the United States Government at the seat of Government.
(b) The head of the Department is the Secretary of Transportation. The Secretary is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c) The Department has a Deputy Secretary of Transportation appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Secretary—
(1) shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary; and
(2) acts for the Secretary when the Secretary is absent or unable to serve or when the office of Secretary is vacant.
(d) The Department has an Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Under Secretary shall provide leadership in the development of policy for the Department, supervise the policy activities of Assistant Secretaries with primary responsibility for aviation, international, and other transportation policy development and carry out other powers and duties prescribed by the Secretary. The Under Secretary acts for the Secretary when the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary are absent or unable to serve, or when the offices of Secretary and Deputy Secretary are vacant.
(e) Assistant Secretaries; General Counsel.—
(1) Appointment.—
The Department has 6 Assistant Secretaries and a General Counsel, including—
(A) an Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, an Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs, an Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, and an Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, who shall each be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate;
(B) an Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs who shall be appointed by the President;
(C) an Assistant Secretary for Administration, who shall be appointed by the Secretary, with the approval of the President; and
(D) a General Counsel, who shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) Duties and powers.—
The officers set forth in paragraph (1) shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary. An Assistant Secretary or the General Counsel, in the order prescribed by the Secretary, acts for the Secretary when the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy are absent or unable to serve, or when the offices of the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy are vacant.
(f) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs.—
(1) Establishment.—
In accordance with Federal policies promoting Indian self determination, the Department of Transportation shall have, within the office of the Secretary, a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs appointed by the President to plan, coordinate, and implement the Department of Transportation policy and programs serving Indian tribes and tribal organizations and to coordinate tribal transportation programs and activities in all offices and administrations of the Department and to be a participant in any negotiated rulemaking relating to, or having an impact on, projects, programs, or funding associated with the tribal transportation program.
(2) Reservation of trust obligations.—
(A) Responsibility of secretary.—
In carrying out this title, the Secretary shall be responsible to exercise the trust obligations of the United States to Indians and Indian tribes to ensure that the rights of a tribe or individual Indian are protected.
(B) Preservation of united states responsibility.—
Nothing in this title shall absolve the United States from any responsibility to Indians and Indian tribes, including responsibilities derived from the trust relationship and any treaty, executive order, or agreement between the United States and an Indian tribe.
(g) Office of Climate Change and Environment.—
(1) Establishment.—
There is established in the Department an Office of Climate Change and Environment to plan, coordinate, and implement—
(A) department-wide research, strategies, and actions under the Department’s statutory authority to reduce transportation-related energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change; and
(B) department-wide research strategies and actions to address the impacts of climate change on transportation systems and infrastructure.
(2) Clearinghouse.—
The Office shall establish a clearinghouse of solutions, including cost-effective congestion reduction approaches, to reduce air pollution and transportation-related energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change.
(h) The Department shall have a seal that shall be judicially recognized.
(Pub. L. 97–449, § 1(b), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2414; Pub. L. 98–557, § 26(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2873; Pub. L. 103–272, § 4(j)(1), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1365; Pub. L. 107–295, title II, § 215(a), (c), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2101, 2102; Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1119(l), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1189; Pub. L. 110–140, title XI, § 1101(a), Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1756; Pub. L. 112–166, § 2(k)(1), Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1286; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VI, § 6011(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1568.)
text: Historical and Revision Notes
Revised
Section
Source (U.S. Code)
Source (Statutes at Large)
102(a)
49:1652(a) (1st sentence).
Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 3(a), (c), (d), 80 Stat. 931.
102(b)
49:1652(a) (less 1st sentence).
102(c)
49:1652(b) (less words between parentheses).
Oct 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 3(b), 80 Stat. 931; Oct. 28, 1974, Pub. L. 93–496, § 16(a), 88 Stat. 1533.
102(d)
49:1652(b) (words between parentheses), (c), (d).
102(e)
49:1657(k).
Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, § 9(k), 80 Stat. 946.
In subsection (a), the words “There is hereby established” and “to be known as” are omitted as executed. The words “(hereafter referred to in this chapter as the ‘Department’)” are omitted as unnecessary because of the style used in codifying the revised title. The words “of the United States Government” are added for clarity.
In subsection (b), the words “(hereafter referred to in this chapter as the ‘Secretary’)” are omitted as unnecessary because of the style used in codifying the revised title.
In subsection (c), the words “carry out duties and powers” and “acts for” are substituted for “act for and exercise the powers of” and “perform such functions, powers, and duties”, respectively, for consistency and to eliminate surplus words. The words “unable to serve” are substituted for “disability” for consistency and clarity.
In subsection (d), the words “in the competitive service” are substituted for “under the classified civil service” to conform to 5:2102. The words “from time to time” are omitted as surplus. The words “acts for” are substituted for “act for, and exercise the powers of” for consistency and to eliminate surplus words. The words “when the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary are absent or unable to serve, or when the offices of Secretary and Deputy Secretary are vacant” are substituted for “during the absence or disability of the Deputy Secretary, or in the event of a vacancy in the office of a Deputy Secretary” as being more precise and for consistency.
In subsection (e), the words “The Secretary shall cause a . . . of office” and “of such device” are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words “as he shall approve” are omitted as unnecessary because subsection (b) of the section establishes the Secretary of Transportation as the head of the Department of Transportation.
heading: Amendments
text: 2015—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 114–94, § 6011(a)(1), substituted “6” for “5” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 114–94, § 6011(a)(2), inserted “an Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology,” after “Governmental Affairs,”.
2012—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–166 inserted subsec. (e) heading, struck out “The Department has 4 Assistant Secretaries and a General Counsel appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Department also has an Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Administration appointed in the competitive service by the Secretary, with the approval of the President. They shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary. An Assistant Secretary” before “or the General Counsel,”, added par. (1), inserted par. (2) designation and heading, and, in par. (2), inserted “The officers set forth in paragraph (1) shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary. An Assistant Secretary”.
2007—Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 110–140 added subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).
2005—Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 109–59, which directed amendment of this section by adding subsec. (f) and redesignating former subsecs. (f) and (g) as (g) and (h), respectively, was executed by adding subsec. (f) and redesignating former subsec. (f) as (g), to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2002 Amendment note below.
2002—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–295, § 215(a)(2), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (g).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–295, § 215(a)(3), which directed the substitution of “Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy” for “Secretary and the Deputy Secretary” each place it appears in last sentence, was executed by making substitution for “Secretary and the Deputy Secretary” before “are absent” and for “Secretary and Deputy Secretary” before “are vacant”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–295, § 215(c), struck out subsec. (g) which read as follows: “The Department has an Associate Deputy Secretary appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Associate Deputy Secretary shall carry out powers and duties prescribed by the Secretary.”
Pub. L. 107–295, § 215(a)(1), redesignated subsec. (d) as (g).
1994—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 103–272 redesignated subsec. (e), relating to judicial recognition of Department seal, as (f).
1984—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 98–557 added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d), relating to Assistant Secretaries and General Counsel, as (e).
heading: Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 114–94 effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of Pub. L. 114–94, set out as a note under section 5313 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
heading: Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 112–166 effective 60 days after Aug. 10, 2012, and applicable to appointments made on and after that effective date, including any nomination pending in the Senate on that date, see section 6(a) of Pub. L. 112–166, set out as a note under section 113 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
heading: Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 110–140 effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.
heading: Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 107–295, title II, § 215(c), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2102, provided that the amendment to this section made by section 215(c) is effective on the date that an individual is appointed to the position of Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy under subsection (d) of this section. On Mar. 19, 2003, the United States Senate confirmed the appointment of the first Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy.
heading: Deemed References to Chapters 509 and 511 of Title 51
text: General references to “this title” deemed to refer also to chapters 509 and 511 of Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs, see section 4(d)(8) of Pub. L. 111–314, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.
heading: Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence
text: Pub. L. 116–94, div. H, title I, § 105, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2938, provided that:
“(a) The Secretary shall establish a Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence within the Department of Transportation, in order to have a Department of Transportation workforce capable of reviewing, assessing, and validating the safety of automated technologies.
“(b) The Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence shall—
“(1) serve as a central location within the Department of Transportation for expertise in automation and human factors, computer science, data analytics, machine learning, sensors, and other technologies involving automated systems;
“(2) collaborate with and provide support on highly automated systems to all Operating Administrations of the Department of Transportation; and
“(3) have a workforce composed of Department of Transportation employees, including direct hires or detailees from Operating Administrations of the Department of Transportation and other Federal agencies.
“(c) Employees of the Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence, in conjunction with the relevant Operating Administrations of the Department of Transportation, shall review, assess, and validate highly automated systems to ensure their safety.
“(d) The Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence shall not supersede laws or regulations granting certification authorities to Operating Administrations of the Department of Transportation.
“(e) No later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2019], the Secretary shall report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate on staffing needs and the staffing plan for the Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence.”
heading: Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinator
text: Pub. L. 115–99, § 2, Jan. 3, 2018, 131 Stat. 2242, provided that:
“The Secretary of Transportation shall designate an official within the Department of Transportation who shall—
“(1) coordinate human trafficking prevention efforts across modal administrations in the Department of Transportation and with other departments and agencies of the Federal Government; and
“(2) in coordinating such efforts, take into account the unique challenges of combating human trafficking within different transportation modes.”
heading: Coordination
text: Pub. L. 110–140, title XI, § 1101(b), Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1756, provided that: “The Office of Climate Change and Environment of the Department of Transportation shall coordinate its activities with the United States Global Change Research Program.”
heading: Notice
text: Pub. L. 109–59, title V, § 5510, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1828, provided that:
“(a) Notice of Reprogramming.—
If any funds authorized for carrying out this title [see Tables for classification] or the amendments made by this title are subject to a reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to the Committees on Appropriations, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science [now Science, Space, and Technology] of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations and Environment and Public Works of the Senate, notice of that action shall be concurrently provided to the Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science [now Committee on Science, Space, and Technology] of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
“(b) Notice of Reorganization.—
On or before the 15th day preceding the date of any major reorganization of a program, project, or activity of the Department [of Transportation] for which funds are authorized by this title or the amendments made by this title, the Secretary [of Transportation] shall provide notice of the reorganization to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Science [now Science, Space, and Technology] of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.”
Pub. L. 105–178, title V, § 5003, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 422, provided that:
“(a) Notice of Reprogramming.—
If any funds authorized for carrying out this title [see Tables for classification] or the amendments made by this title are subject to a reprogramming action that requires notice to be provided to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, notice of such action shall concurrently be provided to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science [now Committee on Science, Space, and Technology] of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
“(b) Notice of Reorganization.—
On or before the 15th day preceding the date of any major reorganization of a program, project, or activity of the Department of Transportation for which funds are authorized by this title or the amendments made by this title, the Secretary shall provide notice of such reorganization to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Science [now Committee on Science, Space, and Technology] of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.”
heading: Surface Transportation Administration
text: Pub. L. 102–240, title V, § 5004, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2160, provided that:
“(a) Study.—
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 1991], the Secretary shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Public Administration to continue a study of options for organizing the Department of Transportation to increase the effectiveness of program delivery, reduce costs, and improve intermodal coordination among surface transportation-related agencies.
“(b) Report.—
The Secretary shall report to Congress on the findings of the study continued under subsection (a) and recommend appropriate organizational changes no later than January 1, 1993. No organizational changes shall be implemented until such changes are approved by law.”
heading: Person Holding Position of Associate Deputy Secretary Until April 15, 1985
text: Pub. L. 98–557, § 26(c), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2873, provided that: “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, until April 15, 1985, the position created by subsection (a) of this section [adding subsec. (d) of this section] may be held by a person named by the President alone from among qualified individuals.”
heading: Ex. Ord. No. 11340. Effective Date
text: Ex. Ord. No. 11340, Mar. 30, 1967, 32 F.R. 5453, provided:
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States by Section 15 [renumbered section 16] of the Department of Transportation Act (Public Law 89–670, approved October 15, 1966; 80 Stat. 950) April 1, 1967, is hereby prescribed as the date on which the Department of Transportation Act shall take effect.
Lyndon B. Johnson.