Source: https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/8/chapters/14/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 14:17:41+00:00

Document:
D.C. Law Library - Chapter 14. Hazardous Materials Transportation.
↪ Chapter 14. Hazardous Materials Transportation.
Subchapter II. Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation.
Subchapter III. Strict Liability for Release of Hazardous Materials During Transport.
§ 8–1401. Findings and purposes.
(10) Residents of and visitors to the District should be protected from the serious risks associated with improper transportation of hazardous materials, overworked operators, and unsuitable maintenance of commercial motor vehicles, including vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
This section is referenced in § 50-1901, § 50-2201.02, § 50-2206.01, and § 50-2206.16.
For the purposes of this chapter, the term “hazardous materials” means substances or materials in a quantity and form that may pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported in commerce and includes explosives, radioactive materials, etiological agents, flammable liquids or solids, combustible liquids or solids, poisons, oxidizing or corrosive materials, or compressed gases.
§ 8–1403. Hazardous Materials Transportation Program.
§ 8–1403.01. Stops and inspection.
(4) All cargo and cargo areas, including the removal of cargo seals when necessary to conduct a safety inspection.
This section is referenced in § 8-1403.02.
§ 8–1403.02. Consent to inspection.
(a) The operation of a vehicle subject to this chapter and its implementing regulations on any highway or roadway in the District shall constitute the consent of the driver and the owner of the vehicle to the inspection pursuant to § 8-1403.01.
(b) The driver of a vehicle shall obey every sign and every direction of a police officer to stop the vehicle and submit to an inspection.
(a) Violations of this chapter or any rule promulgated pursuant to § 8-1405 shall be adjudicated as provided by Chapter 23 of Title 50.
(b) The Mayor, by rule, may establish civil fines and penalties for violations of this chapter or any rule promulgated pursuant to § 8-1405.
(c)(1) As an alternative sanction, any person who knowingly or willfully violates this chapter, or any rule promulgated pursuant to § 8-1405 shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $10,000, imprisonment not to exceed 1 year for each violation, or both. Each day shall constitute a separate violation and the penalties prescribed shall be applicable to each violation.
(2) Prosecution for violations of this subsection shall be brought by the Corporation Counsel.
(a) The owner of any hazardous material motor carrier that releases a hazardous material shall reimburse the District for all expenditures made by the District to contain, remove, or respond to such a release.
(b) The Mayor shall notify by certified mail the owner of any hazardous material motor carrier that releases a hazardous material of the costs incurred by the District to contain, remove, or respond to the release.
(c) If the owner of the hazardous material motor carrier does not reimburse the District for all expenditures made to contain, remove, or respond to the release, within 10 days of the posting of notice by the Mayor, the Corporation Counsel may bring a civil action to seek reimbursement from the owner of the motor carrier.
Within 6 months of March 16, 1989, the Mayor shall, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules to implement the provisions of this chapter. The proposed rules shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the proposed rules, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 45-day review period, the proposed rules shall be deemed approved.
This section is referenced in § 8-1404.
Delegation of authority under D.C. Law 7-190, the “D.C. Hazardous Materials Transportation & Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1988”, see Mayor’s Order 89-169, July 25, 1989.
(1) A terrorist attack on a large-quantity hazardous material shipment near the United States Capitol (“Capitol”) would be expected to cause tens of thousands of deaths and a catastrophic economic impact of $5 billion or more.
(2) The threat of terrorism facing District of Columbia residents and workers in the vicinity of the Capitol requires an urgent response that recognizes and addresses the unique status of this area in American politics and history, and the risk of terrorism that results from this status.
(3) While the federal government has occupied the field of en route security and routing in the aviation context, it has not addressed the subject of rail car routing for security purposes. Moreover, the federal government has not acted to address the terrorist threat resulting from the transportation of ultra-hazardous materials within 2 miles of the Capitol, the White House, and the United States Supreme Court, unique terrorist targets.
(4) Shippers of ultra-hazardous materials do not need to route large quantities of ultra-hazardous chemicals near the Capitol in order to ship these chemicals to their destinations, and alternative routes would substantially decrease the aggregate risk posed by terrorist attacks.
(5) Requiring permits for ultra-hazardous shipments from a Capitol Exclusion Zone that encompasses all points within 2.2 miles of the Capitol would impose no significant burden on interstate commerce.
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-43, February 15, 2005, 52 DCR 3048).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-90, June 1, 2005, 52 DCR 5428).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2 of Second Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-236, December 22, 2005, 53 DCR 245).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 2 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-325, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2576).
For temporary (225 day) addition, see § 2 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Temporary Act of 2005 (D.C. Law 16-2, May 14, 2005, law notification 52 DCR 5425).
Delegation of Authority Pursuant to the Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 to the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, see Mayor’s Order 2005-34, February 22, 2005 ( 52 DCR 2856).
Amendment of Delegation of Authority Pursuant to the Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 to the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, see Mayor’s Order 2005-74, May 5, 2005 ( 52 DCR 5503).
(1) “Capitol Exclusion Zone” means all points within 2.2 miles of the United States Capitol Building; provided, that the Capitol Exclusion Zone shall not extend beyond the geographic boundaries of the District of Columbia.
(2) “Emergency” means an unanticipated, temporary situation that threatens the immediate safety of individuals or property, as determined by the District Department of Transportation.
(3) “Person” means an individual or a commercial entity.
(B) Whose use would not make shipment of the materials in question cost-prohibitive.
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 3 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-43, February 15, 2005, 52 DCR 3048).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 3 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-90, June 1, 2005, 52 DCR 5428).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 3 of Second Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-236, December 22, 2005, 53 DCR 245).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 3 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-325, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2576).
For temporary (225 day) addition, see § 3 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Temporary Act of 2005 (D.C. Law 16-2, May 14, 2005, law notification 52 DCR 5425).
§ 8–1423. Prohibition on shipments of hazardous materials.
(D) Is capable of containing poisonous materials, other than gasses, of Class 6, Division 6.1, in a quantity greater than 1,000 kilograms, and belonging to Hazard Zones A or B, as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 173.133, and has exterior placarding or other markings indicating that it contains such materials.
This section is referenced in § 8-1424 and § 8-1425.
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 4 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-43, February 15, 2005, 52 DCR 3048).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 4 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-90, June 1, 2005, 52 DCR 5428).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 4 of Second Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-236, December 22, 2005, 53 DCR 245).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 4 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-325, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2576).
For temporary (225 day) addition, see § 4 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Temporary Act of 2005 (D.C. Law 16-2, May 14, 2005, law notification 52 DCR 5425).
(a) The District Department of Transportation may issue permits authorizing the transportation of materials listed in § 8-1423 upon a demonstration that there is no practical alternative route. A permit may require adoption of safety measures, including time-of-day restrictions.
(b) The District Department of Transportation may collect fees for the permits in accordance with the rules issued under § 8-1426.
(c) Permit fees collected pursuant to this section shall not exceed the cost of implementing and enforcing this subchapter.
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 5 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-43, February 15, 2005, 52 DCR 3048).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 5 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-90, June 1, 2005, 52 DCR 5428).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 5 of Second Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-236, December 22, 2005, 53 DCR 245).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 5 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-325, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2576).
For temporary (225 day) addition, see § 5 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Temporary Act of 2005 (D.C. Law 16-2, May 14, 2005, law notification 52 DCR 5425).
(2) $25,000 for any subsequent offense.
(b) The fines assessed and collected under subsection (a) of this section shall be deposited into the General Fund of the District of Columbia.
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 6 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-43, February 15, 2005, 52 DCR 3048).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 6 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-90, June 1, 2005, 52 DCR 5428).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 6 of Second Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-236, December 22, 2005, 53 DCR 245).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 6 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-325, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2576).
For temporary (225 day) addition, see § 6 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Temporary Act of 2005 (D.C. Law 16-2, May 14, 2005, law notification 52 DCR 5425).
The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, and in consultation with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation, the Emergency Management Agency, the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department, shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter, including a schedule of permit fees to support analysis, communications to shippers and carriers, and the enforcement program.
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 7 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-43, February 15, 2005, 52 DCR 3048).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 7 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-90, June 1, 2005, 52 DCR 5428).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 7 of Second Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-236, December 22, 2005, 53 DCR 245).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 7 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-325, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2576).
For temporary (225 day) addition, see § 7 of Terrorism Prevention in Hazardous Materials Transportation Temporary Act of 2005 (D.C. Law 16-2, May 14, 2005, law notification 52 DCR 5425).
(1) “Carrier” means the person who owns the locomotive or motor vehicle, excluding the trailer or rail car, used in transporting any of the hazardous materials identified in § 8-1442.
(2) “Fund” means the Hazardous Materials Reimbursement Fund established by § 8-1447.
(3) “Motor vehicle” means any vehicle propelled by internal-combustion engine, electricity, or steam, other than a vehicle designed to run only on rails or tracks, that is intended or used for moving freight, merchandise, or other commercial loads or property. The term “motor vehicle” shall include any trailer attached to the motor vehicle.
(4) “Person” shall have the same meaning as in § 8-1302(5).
(5) “Rail car” means any vehicle without motor power that is intended or used for moving freight, merchandise, or other commercial loads or property on rails or tracks and is drawn by a locomotive.
(6) “Trailer” means a vehicle without motor power intended or used for carrying freight, merchandise, or other commercial loads or property and drawn or intended to be drawn by a motor vehicle, whether such vehicle without motor power carries the weight of the property wholly on its own structure or whether a part of such weight rests upon or is carried by a motor vehicle.
(7) “Transport” means movement by a rail car or motor vehicle.
§ 8–1442. Strict liability for release of hazardous materials during transport.
(6) Radioactive materials in a concentration greater than that specified by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 10 C.F.R. § 30.70 (exempt concentrations), or in a quantity required to be labeled under 10 C.F.R. Part 30, Appendix B, or requiring the consideration of the need for an emergency plan for responding to a release under 10 C.F.R. § 30.72.
This section is referenced in § 8-1441, § 8-1443, § 8-1444, § 8-1445, § 8-1446, and § 8-1447.
§ 8–1443. Costs recoverable by the District of Columbia.
(8) Applicable interest on all costs and expenses incurred.
This section is referenced in § 8-1444.
(a) The Attorney General of [for] the District of Columbia may institute an action in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against any person liable pursuant to § 8-1442 to recover all costs incurred by the District of Columbia.
(b) Notwithstanding the rights of the District of Columbia to institute an action as provided in subsection (a) of this section, any person who has expended funds to remedy environmental damage resulting from the release of any of the gasses, explosive, or materials identified in § 8-1442 may also bring an action in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against any person who may be liable for such damage pursuant to § 8-1442. Such person’s right to recover costs shall be limited to expenditures that are incurred for the purposes described in § 8-1443 and that are consistent with the laws and rules of the District of Columbia. A person’s right to recovery under this subsection shall not be barred by the fact that the party bringing the action is itself liable to the District of Columbia under this section.
This section is referenced in § 8-1442.
§ 8–1445. Defenses to liability.
In addition to the damages authorized elsewhere in this subchapter, punitive damages may be awarded, if it is proved that the plaintiff’s injuries were caused by the defendant’s wanton or reckless disregard for public safety in the transportation of the gasses, explosives, and materials identified in § 8-1442.
§ 8–1447. Establishment of Hazardous Materials Reimbursement Fund.
(a) There is established within the General Fund of the District of Columbia a segregated, nonlapsing fund to be known as the Hazardous Materials Reimbursement Fund. All funds as set forth in subsection (b) of this section shall be deposited into the Fund without regard to fiscal year limitation and shall not revert to the General Fund of the District of Columbia at the end of any fiscal year or at any other time, but shall be continually available for the uses and purposes set forth in subsection (c) of this section. The Fund shall be administered by the Mayor.
(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit into the Fund all costs recovered by the District of Columbia pursuant to this subchapter.
(c) All funds deposited shall be available for use by the Mayor to reimburse District of Columbia agencies for costs incurred by the release or threatened release of the hazardous materials identified in § 8-1442.
This section is referenced in § 8-1441.

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