Source: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title49-section31102&num=0&edition=prelim
Timestamp: 2020-08-06 22:53:35
Document Index: 600499271

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 31102', '§1', '§104', '§4003', '§207', '§4106', '§32601', '§5101', '§402', '§402', '§4002', '§402', '§4002', '§32601', '§32601', '§4106', '§207', '§4003', '§4003', '§5101', '§5101', '§5106', '§5107', '§5101', '§103', '§5101', '§103', '§5101', '§4032']

[USC02] 49 USC 31102: Motor carrier safety assistance program
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49 USC 31102: Motor carrier safety assistance program Text contains those laws in effect on August 5, 2020
(a) In General.-The Secretary of Transportation shall administer a motor carrier safety assistance program funded under section 31104.
(b) Goal.-The goal of the program is to ensure that the Secretary, States, local governments, other political jurisdictions, federally recognized Indian tribes, and other persons work in partnership to establish programs to improve motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver safety to support a safe and efficient surface transportation system by-
(c) State Plans.-
(1) In general.-In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall prescribe procedures for a State to submit a multiple-year plan, and annual updates thereto, under which the State agrees to assume responsibility for improving motor carrier safety by adopting and enforcing State regulations, standards, and orders that are compatible with the regulations, standards, and orders of the Federal Government on commercial motor vehicle safety and hazardous materials transportation safety.
(2) Contents.-The Secretary shall approve a State plan if the Secretary determines that the plan is adequate to comply with the requirements of this section, and the plan-
(O) provides satisfactory assurances that the State will address national priorities and performance goals, including-
(P) provides that the State has established and dedicated sufficient resources to a program to ensure that-
(Y) except as provided in subsection (d), provides that the State-
(AA) in the case of a State that shares a land border with another country, provides that the State-
(3) Publication.-
(A) In general.-Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall publish each approved State multiple-year plan, and each annual update thereto, on a publically accessible Internet Web site of the Department of Transportation not later than 30 days after the date the Secretary approves the plan or update.
(B) Limitation.-Before publishing an approved State multiple-year plan or annual update under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall redact any information identified by the State that, if disclosed-
(d) Exclusion of U.S. Territories.-The requirement that a State conduct safety audits of new entrant motor carriers under subsection (c)(2)(Y) does not apply to a territory of the United States unless required by the Secretary.
(e) Intrastate Compatibility.-The Secretary shall prescribe regulations specifying tolerance guidelines and standards for ensuring compatibility of intrastate commercial motor vehicle safety laws, including regulations, with Federal motor carrier safety regulations to be enforced under subsections (b) and (c). To the extent practicable, the guidelines and standards shall allow for maximum flexibility while ensuring a degree of uniformity that will not diminish motor vehicle safety.
(f) Maintenance of Effort.-
(1) Baseline.-Except as provided under paragraphs (2) and (3) and in accordance with section 5107 of the FAST Act, a State plan under subsection (c) shall provide that the total expenditure of amounts of the lead State commercial motor vehicle safety agency responsible for administering the plan will be maintained at a level each fiscal year that is at least equal to-
(2) Adjusted baseline after fiscal year 2017.-At the request of a State, the Secretary may evaluate additional documentation related to the maintenance of effort and may make reasonable adjustments to the maintenance of effort baseline after the year in which the Secretary implements a new allocation formula under section 5106 of the FAST Act, and this adjusted baseline will replace the maintenance of effort requirement under paragraph (1).
(3) Waivers.-At the request of a State, the Secretary may waive or modify the requirements of this subsection for a total of 1 fiscal year if the Secretary determines that the waiver or modification is reasonable, based on circumstances described by the State, to ensure the continuation of commercial motor vehicle enforcement activities in the State.
(4) Level of state expenditures.-In estimating the average level of a State's expenditures under paragraph (1), the Secretary-
(g) Use of Unified Carrier Registration Fees Agreement.-Amounts generated under section 14504a and received by a State and used for motor carrier safety purposes may be included as part of the State's match required under section 31104 or maintenance of effort required by subsection (f).
(h) Use of Grants To Enforce Other Laws.-When approved as part of a State's plan under subsection (c), the State may use motor carrier safety assistance program funds received under this section-
(1) if the activities are carried out in conjunction with an appropriate inspection of a commercial motor vehicle to enforce Federal or State commercial motor vehicle safety regulations, for-
(2) for documented enforcement of State traffic laws and regulations designed to promote the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles, including documented enforcement of such laws and regulations relating to noncommercial motor vehicles when necessary to promote the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles, if-
(i) Evaluation of Plans and Award of Grants.-
(1) Awards.-The Secretary shall establish criteria for the application, evaluation, and approval of State plans under this section. Subject to subsection (j), the Secretary may allocate the amounts made available under section 31104(a)(1) among the States.
(2) Opportunity to cure.-If the Secretary disapproves a plan under this section, the Secretary shall give the State a written explanation of the reasons for disapproval and allow the State to modify and resubmit the plan for approval.
(j) Allocation of Funds.-
(1) In general.-The Secretary, by regulation, shall prescribe allocation criteria for funds made available under section 31104(a)(1).
(2) Annual allocations.-On October 1 of each fiscal year, or as soon as practicable thereafter, and after making a deduction under section 31104(c), the Secretary shall allocate amounts made available under section 31104(a)(1) to carry out this section for the fiscal year among the States with plans approved under this section in accordance with the criteria prescribed under paragraph (1).
(3) Elective adjustments.-Subject to the availability of funding and notwithstanding fluctuations in the data elements used by the Secretary to calculate the annual allocation amounts, after the creation of a new allocation formula under section 5106 of the FAST Act, the Secretary may not make elective adjustments to the allocation formula that decrease a State's Federal funding levels by more than 3 percent in a fiscal year. The 3 percent limit shall not apply to the withholding provisions of subsection (k).
(k) Plan Monitoring.-
(1) In general.-On the basis of reports submitted by the lead State agency responsible for administering a State plan approved under this section and an investigation by the Secretary, the Secretary shall periodically evaluate State implementation of and compliance with the State plan.
(2) Withholding of funds.-
(A) Disapproval.-If, after notice and an opportunity to be heard, the Secretary finds that a State plan previously approved under this section is not being followed or has become inadequate to ensure enforcement of State regulations, standards, or orders described in subsection (c)(1), or the State is otherwise not in compliance with the requirements of this section, the Secretary may withdraw approval of the State plan and notify the State. Upon the receipt of such notice, the State plan shall no longer be in effect and the Secretary shall withhold all funding to the State under this section.
(B) Noncompliance withholding.-In lieu of withdrawing approval of a State plan under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may, after providing notice to the State and an opportunity to be heard, withhold funding from the State to which the State would otherwise be entitled under this section for the period of the State's noncompliance. In exercising this option, the Secretary may withhold-
(3) Judicial review.-A State adversely affected by a determination under paragraph (2) may seek judicial review under chapter 7 of title 5. Notwithstanding the disapproval of a State plan under paragraph (2)(A) or the withholding of funds under paragraph (2)(B), the State may retain jurisdiction in an administrative or a judicial proceeding that commenced before the notice of disapproval or withholding if the issues involved are not related directly to the reasons for the disapproval or withholding.
(l) High Priority Program.-
(1) In general.-The Secretary shall administer a high priority program funded under section 31104(a)(2) for the purposes described in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) Activities related to motor carrier safety.-The Secretary may make discretionary grants to and enter into cooperative agreements with States, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, other political jurisdictions as necessary, and any person to carry out high priority activities and projects that augment motor carrier safety activities and projects planned in accordance with subsections (b) and (c), including activities and projects that-
(F) support participation in performance and registration information systems management under section 31106(b)-
(ii) for entities responsible for submitting the plan under subsection (c)-
(G) conduct safety data improvement projects-
(3) Innovative technology deployment grant program.-
(A) In general.-The Secretary shall establish an innovative technology deployment grant program to make discretionary grants to eligible States for the innovative technology deployment of commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks.
(B) Purposes.-The purposes of the program shall be-
(ii) to support and maintain commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks-
(C) Eligibility.-To be eligible for a grant under this paragraph, a State shall-
(ii) certify to the Secretary that its commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks deployment activities, including hardware procurement, software and system development, and infrastructure modifications-
(D) Use of funds.-Grant funds received under this paragraph may be used-
(E) Secretary authorization.-The Secretary is authorized to award a State funding for the operation and maintenance costs associated with innovative technology deployment with funds made available under sections 31104(a)(1) and 31104(a)(2).
( Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 984 ; Pub. L. 104–88, title I, §104(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 918 ; Pub. L. 105–178, title IV, §4003(b), (c), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 395 , 396; Pub. L. 106–159, title II, §207, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1764 ; Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, §§4106, 4307(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1717 , 1774; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, §32601(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 805 ; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5101(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1514 .)
31102(a) 49 App.:2302(a). Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, §402(a), (c), 96 Stat. 2155 , 2156.
31102(b) 49 App.:2302(b), (d). Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, §402(b), (d), 96 Stat. 2155 , 2156; Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, §4002(a), (b), 105 Stat. 2140 .
31102(c) 49 App.:2302(e). Jan. 6, 1983, Pub. L. 97–424, 96 Stat. 2097 , §402(e); added Dec. 18, 1991, Pub. L. 102–240, §4002(c), 105 Stat. 2142 .
2015-Pub. L. 114–94 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to grants to States for programs to improve motor carrier safety.
2012-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–141, §32601(a)(1), amended heading generally, substituting "Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program" for "State Plan Procedures and Contents".
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 112–141, §32601(a)(5), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: "In estimating the average level of State expenditure under paragraph (1)(E) of this subsection, the Secretary-
2005-Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 109–59, §4106(a)(1), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "implements performance-based activities by fiscal year 2000;".
1999-Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 106–159, §207(1), realigned subpar. (A) margins.
1998-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–178, §4003(b)(1), inserted "improving motor carrier safety and" after "implementation of programs for" and ", hazardous materials transportation safety," after "commercial motor vehicle safety".
Pub. L. 105–178, §4003(c)(4), added subpar. (P) and struck out former subpar. (P) which read as follows: "provides satisfactory assurances that the State will promote effective-
1995-Subsec. (b)(1)(Q). Pub. L. 104–88 added subpar. (Q).
Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5101(f), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1526 , provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 31103, 31104, 31106, and 31144 of this title, repealing sections 31107 and 31109 of this title, amending provisions set out as a note under section 31133 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 31100, 31106, 31136, and 31301 of this title] shall take effect on October 1, 2016."
Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5101(g), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1526 , provided that: "Notwithstanding the amendments made by this section [see Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note above], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall carry out sections 31102, 31103, and 31104 of title 49, United States Code, and any sections repealed under subsection (e) [repealing sections 31107 and 31109 of this title and provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 31100, 31106, 31136, and 31301 of this title], as necessary, as those sections were in effect on the day before October 1, 2016, with respect to applications for grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts under those sections submitted before October 1, 2016."
Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5106, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1530 , provided that:
"(a) Working Group.-
"(1) Establishment.-Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish a motor carrier safety assistance program formula working group (in this section referred to as the 'working group').
"(A) In general.-Subject to subparagraph (B), the working group shall consist of representatives of the following:
"(B) Composition.-Representatives of State commercial motor vehicle safety agencies shall comprise at least 51 percent of the membership.
"(3) New allocation formula.-The working group shall analyze requirements and factors for the establishment of a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program under section 31102 of title 49, United States Code.
"(4) Recommendation.-Not later than 1 year after the date the working group is established under paragraph (1), the working group shall make a recommendation to the Secretary regarding a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program.
"(5) Exemption.-The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group established under this subsection.
"(6) Publication.-The Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall publish on a publicly accessible Internet Web site of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-
"(b) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.-After receiving the recommendation of the working group under subsection (a)(4), the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice seeking public comment on the establishment of a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program.
"(c) Basis for Formula.-The Secretary shall ensure that the new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program is based on factors that reflect, at a minimum-
"(d) Funding Amounts Prior to Development of New Allocation Formula.-
"(1) Interim formula.-Prior to the development of the new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program, the Secretary may calculate the interim funding amounts for that program in fiscal year 2017 (and later fiscal years, as necessary) under section 31104(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this subtitle, by using the following methodology:
"(B) The Secretary shall average the funding awarded or other equitable amounts to a State in fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015 for-
"(2) Adjustments.-Subject to the availability of funding and notwithstanding fluctuations in the data elements used by the Secretary, the initial amounts resulting from the calculation described in paragraph (1) shall be adjusted to ensure that, for each State, the amount shall not be less than 97 percent of the average amount of funding received or other equitable amounts in fiscal years 2013, 2014, and 2015 for-
"(3) Immediate relief.-On the date of enactment of this Act, and for the 3 fiscal years following the implementation of the new allocation formula, the Secretary shall terminate the withholding of motor carrier safety assistance program funds from a State if the State was subject to the withholding of such funds for matters of noncompliance immediately prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
"(4) Future withholdings.-Beginning on the date that the new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program is implemented, the Secretary shall impose all future withholdings in accordance with section 31102(k) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this subtitle.
"(e) Termination of Working Group.-The working group established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date of the implementation of the new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program."
Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5107, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1532 , provided that:
"(a) Before New Allocation Formula.-
"(1) Fiscal year 2017.-If a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program has not been established under this subtitle [subtitle A (§§5101–5107) of title V of div. A of Pub. L. 114–94, see Tables for classification] for fiscal year 2017, the Secretary [of Transportation] shall calculate for fiscal year 2017 the maintenance of effort baseline required under section 31102(f) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this subtitle, by averaging the expenditures for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 required by section 31102(b)(4) of title 49, United States Code, as that section was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015].
"(2) Subsequent fiscal years.-The Secretary may use the methodology for calculating the maintenance of effort baseline specified in paragraph (1) for fiscal year 2018 and subsequent fiscal years if a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program has not been established for that fiscal year.
"(b) Beginning With New Allocation Formation.-
"(1) In general.-Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3)(B), beginning on the date that a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program is established under this subtitle, upon the request of a State, the Secretary may waive or modify the baseline maintenance of effort required of the State by section 31102(f) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this subtitle, for the purpose of establishing a new baseline maintenance of effort if the Secretary determines that a waiver or modification-
"(2) Adjustment methodology.-If requested by a State, the Secretary may modify the maintenance of effort baseline referred to in paragraph (1) for the State according to the following methodology:
"(D) The Secretary shall subtract the amount in subparagraph (B) from the amount in subparagraph (C) and-
"(3) Maintenance of effort amount.-
"(A) In general.-The Secretary shall use the amount calculated under paragraph (2) as the baseline maintenance of effort required under section 31102(f) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this subtitle.
"(B) Deadline.-If a State does not request a waiver or modification under this subsection before September 30 during the first fiscal year that the Secretary implements a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program under this subtitle, the Secretary shall calculate the maintenance of effort using the methodology described in paragraph (2)(A).
"(4) Maintenance of effort described.-The maintenance of effort calculated under this section is the amount required under section 31102(f) of title 49, United States Code, as amended by this subtitle.
"(c) Termination of Effectiveness.-The authority of the Secretary under this section shall terminate effective on the date that a new maintenance of effort baseline is calculated based on a new allocation formula for the motor carrier safety assistance program implemented under section 31102 of title 49, United States Code."
Pub. L. 106–159, title I, §103(c), Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1753 , which related to maintenance of effort as condition on grants to States, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5101(e)(8), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1525 , effective Oct. 1, 2016.
Pub. L. 106–159, title I, §103(e), Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1754 , which related to State compliance with CDL requirements and withholding of funds for noncompliance, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5101(e)(9), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1525 , effective Oct. 1, 2016.
Pub. L. 105–178, title IV, §4032, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 419 , required the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study and submit a report not later than two years after June 9, 1998, on the effects of reductions of grants under this section and authorized the Secretary to adjust State allocations under section 31103 of this title based on the study.