Hazardous Material Transportation Safety Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-4016
Sponsor: Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8]
Introduced: 2009-11-04 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Aviation and airports
Civil actions and liability
Department of Transportation
Emergency communications systems
Employment and training programs
Fires
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Licensing and registrations
Motor carriers
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: 
Hazardous Material Transportation Safety Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe minimum standards for providers of hazardous material (hazmat) transportation emergency response information services.
 
Requires states or Indian tribes receiving grants to train emergency responders to hazmat transportation accidents to make certain certifications to the Secretary.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) assess existing training capabilities of, and available delivery methods for the preparedness and training of, volunteer fire services personnel to safely respond to hazmat transportation accidents; and (2) carry out a volunteer firefighter hazmat training pilot program based on the assessment results.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a national hazmat fusion center to serve as a data and information network for emergency response providers, federal, state, and local government agencies, and organizations engaged in hazmat response.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to conduct three pilot projects (including at least one in a rural area) to evaluate the feasibility of using paperless hazard communications systems.
 
Directs the Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to issue regulations for the safe transportation of lithium cells and batteries on board aircraft.
 
Directs the Secretary to prohibit the transportation of Class 3 flammable liquids in the external product piping on cargo tank motor vehicles manufactured on or after a specified period.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a working group to improve the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to hazmat transportation accidents; and (2) carry out a hazmat enforcement training program.
 
Revises requirements regarding safe hazmat transportation. Grants authority to officers, employees, or agents designated by the Secretary to investigate accidents involving hazmat transportation.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on persons who obstruct or prevent an inspection or investigation regarding hazmat transportation. Prohibits a person who has failed to pay an assessed civil penalty for noncompliance with a hazmat transportation regulation or order from conducting hazmat transportation.
 
Directs the Secretary to increase the number of PHMSA personnel by 84 full-time employees to carry out the hazmat safety program.
 
Revises requirements for the issuance of special permits, approvals, and exclusions.
 
Directs the Secretary, in lieu of a specified current working group, to establish a program to develop uniform forms and procedures for state registrations and permits with respect to hazmat transportation.
 
Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on implementation of the hazmat safety permit program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-11-19
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2009-11-19
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2714-2715)
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Introduced in House