Source: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title49-section31100&num=0&edition=prelim
Timestamp: 2019-11-13 19:20:06
Document Index: 186433515

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 31100', '§4002', 'art 385', 'art 385', '§32603', '§703', '§4127', '§422', '§2202', '§202', '§122', '§202', '§202', '§32603', '§112002', '§1102', '§1102', '§1102', '§1102', '§1102', '§5103', '§4128', '§5101', '§4139', '§4144', '§422', '§2202', '§202', '§122', '§202', '§202', '§32912', '§104', '§105', '§224', '§225']

[USC02] 49 USC 31100: Purpose
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49 USC 31100: Purpose Text contains those laws in effect on November 12, 2019
The purpose of this subchapter is to ensure that the Secretary, States, and other political jurisdictions work in partnership to establish programs to improve motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle, and driver safety to support a safe and efficient transportation system by-
(Added Pub. L. 105–178, title IV, §4002(a), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 395 .)
Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, subtitle B, part II, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1538 , provided that:
"(a) In General.-The Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (referred to in this part as the 'Administrator') shall commission the National Research Council of the National Academies to conduct a study of-
"(b) Scope of Study.-In carrying out the study commissioned pursuant to subsection (a), the National Research Council-
"(1) shall analyze-
"(A) the accuracy with which the Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (referred to in this part as 'BASIC')-
"(c) Report.-Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall-
"(1) submit a report containing the results of the study commissioned pursuant to subsection (a) to-
"(d) Corrective Action Plan.-
"(1) In general.-Not later than 120 days after the Administrator submits the report under subsection (c), if that report identifies a deficiency or opportunity for improvement in the CSA program or in any element of the SMS, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a corrective action plan that-
"(2) Program reforms.-The corrective action plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall include an implementation plan that-
"(e) Inspector General Review.-Not later than 120 days after the Administrator submits a corrective action plan under subsection (d), the Inspector General of the Department shall-
"(1) review the extent to which such plan addresses-
"(a) In General.-Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], the Administrator shall allow recognition, including credit or an improved SMS percentile, for a motor carrier that-
"(b) Implementation.-The Administrator shall carry out subsection (a) by-
"(c) Process.-
"(1) In general.-The Administrator, after providing notice and an opportunity for comment, shall develop a process for identifying and reviewing advanced safety equipment, enhanced driver fitness measures, fleet safety management tools, technologies, and programs, and other standards for use by motor carriers to receive recognition, including credit or an improved SMS percentile, for purposes of subsection (a).
"(2) Contents.-A process developed under paragraph (1) shall-
"(d) Qualification.-The Administrator, after providing notice and an opportunity for comment, shall develop technical or other performance standards with respect to advanced safety equipment, enhanced driver fitness measures, fleet safety management tools, technologies, and programs, and other standards for purposes of subsection (a).
"(e) Monitoring.-The Administrator may authorize qualified entities to monitor motor carriers that receive recognition, including credit or an improved SMS percentile, under this section through a no-cost contract structure.
"(f) Dissemination of Information.-The Administrator shall maintain on a publicly accessible Internet Web site of the Department information on-
"(g) Report.-Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the-
"(a) In General.-On and after the date that is 1 day after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], no information regarding analysis of violations, crashes in which a determination is made that the motor carrier or the commercial motor vehicle driver is not at fault, alerts, or the relative percentile for each BASIC developed under the CSA program may be made available to the general public until the Inspector General of the Department certifies that-
"(b) Limitation on the Use of CSA Analysis.-Information regarding alerts and the relative percentile for each BASIC developed under the CSA program may not be used for safety fitness determinations until the Inspector General of the Department makes the certification under subsection (a).
"(c) Continued Public Availability of Data.-Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, inspection and violation information submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration by commercial motor vehicle inspectors and qualified law enforcement officials, out-of-service rates, and absolute measures shall remain available to the public.
"(d) Exceptions.-
"(1) In general.-Notwithstanding any other provision of this section-
"(2) Notation.-The notation described in paragraph (1)(C) shall include the following: 'Readers should not draw conclusions about a carrier's overall safety condition simply based on the data displayed in this system. Unless a motor carrier has received an UNSATISFACTORY safety rating under part 385 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, or has otherwise been ordered to discontinue operations by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, it is authorized to operate on the Nation's roadways.'.
"(3) Rule of construction.-Nothing in this section may be construed to restrict the official use by State enforcement agencies of the data collected by State enforcement personnel.
"(a) Functional Specifications.-The Administrator shall develop functional specifications to ensure the consistent and accurate input of data into systems and databases relating to the CSA program.
"(b) Functionality.-The functional specifications developed pursuant to subsection (a)-
"(c) Effective Data Management.-The Administrator shall ensure that internal systems and databases accept and effectively manage data using uniform standards.
"(d) Consultation With the States.-Before implementing the functional specifications developed pursuant to subsection (a) or the standards described in subsection (c), the Administrator shall seek input from the State agencies responsible for enforcing section 31102 of title 49, United States Code.
"(a) In General.-Not later than 1 year after a certification under section 5223, the Secretary shall task the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee with reviewing the treatment of preventable crashes under the SMS.
"(b) Duties.-Not later than 6 months after being tasked under subsection (a), the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee shall make recommendations to the Secretary on a process to allow motor carriers and drivers to request that the Administrator make a determination with respect to the preventability of a crash, if such a process has not yet been established by the Secretary.
"(c) Report.-The Secretary shall-
"(d) Preventable Defined.-In this section, the term 'preventable' has the meaning given that term in Appendix B of part 385 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015]."
Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, §32603(i), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 808 , provided that: "The Secretary [of Transportation] is authorized to identify and implement processes to reduce the administrative burden on the States and the Department of Transportation concerning the application and management of the grant programs authorized under chapter 311 and chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code."
Pub. L. 109–347, title VII, §703, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1944 , provided that:
"(a) Legal Status Verification for Licensed United States Commercial Drivers.-Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 2006], the Secretary of Transportation, in cooperation with the Secretary [of Homeland Security], shall issue regulations to implement the recommendations contained in the memorandum of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation issued on June 4, 2004 (Control No. 2004–054).
"(b) Commercial Driver's License Antifraud Programs.-Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 2006], the Secretary of Transportation, in cooperation with the Secretary [of Homeland Security], shall issue a regulation to implement the recommendations contained in the Report on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Oversight of the Commercial Driver's License Program (MH–2006–037).
"(c) Verification of Commercial Motor Vehicle Traffic.-
"(1) Guidelines.-Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 2006], the Secretary [of Homeland Security], in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall draft guidelines for Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials, including motor carrier safety enforcement personnel, on how to identify noncompliance with Federal laws uniquely applicable to commercial motor vehicles and commercial motor vehicle operators engaged in cross-border traffic and communicate such noncompliance to the appropriate Federal authorities. Such guidelines shall be coordinated with the training and outreach activities of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under section 4139 of SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109–59) [set out below].
"(2) Verification.-Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 2006], the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall modify the final rule regarding the enforcement of operating authority (Docket No. FMCSA–2002–13015) to establish a system or process by which a carrier's operating authority can be verified during a roadside inspection."
Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, §4127, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1741 , as amended by Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §422(g), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 87 ; Pub. L. 111–322, title II, §2202(g), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3525 ; Pub. L. 112–5, title II, §202(g), Mar. 4, 2011, 125 Stat. 17 ; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §122(f), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 349 ; Pub. L. 112–102, title II, §202(f), Mar. 30, 2012, 126 Stat. 274 ; Pub. L. 112–140, title II, §202(f), June 29, 2012, 126 Stat. 395 ; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, §32603(f), div. G, title II, §112002(e), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 808 , 983; Pub. L. 113–159, title I, §1102(f), Aug. 8, 2014, 128 Stat. 1844 ; Pub. L. 114–21, title I, §1102(f), May 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 222 ; Pub. L. 114–41, title I, §1102(f), July 31, 2015, 129 Stat. 449 ; Pub. L. 114–73, title I, §1102(f), Oct. 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 572 ; Pub. L. 114–87, title I, §1102(f), Nov. 20, 2015, 129 Stat. 681 , which provided for an outreach and education program, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5103(c)(4), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1527 . See section 31110(c) of this title.
Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, §4128, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1742 , which provided for grants to States for projects and activities to improve the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of commercial motor vehicle safety data reported to the Secretary of Transportation, was repealed by Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, §5101(e)(6), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1525 , effective Oct. 1, 2016.
Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, §4139(a), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1745 , provided that:
"(1) Training and outreach.-Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 2005], the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall conduct outreach and provide training as necessary to State personnel engaged in the enforcement of Federal motor carrier safety regulations to ensure their awareness of the process to be used for verification of the operating authority of motor carriers, including motor carriers of passengers, and to ensure proper enforcement when motor carriers are found to be in violation of operating authority requirements.
"(2) Assessment.-The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation may periodically assess the implementation and effectiveness of the training and outreach program."
Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, §4144, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1748 , as amended by Pub. L. 111–147, title IV, §422(i), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 87 ; Pub. L. 111–322, title II, §2202(i), Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3525 ; Pub. L. 112–5, title II, §202(i), Mar. 4, 2011, 125 Stat. 17 ; Pub. L. 112–30, title I, §122(h), Sept. 16, 2011, 125 Stat. 349 ; Pub. L. 112–102, title II, §202(h), Mar. 30, 2012, 126 Stat. 274 ; Pub. L. 112–140, title II, §202(h), June 29, 2012, 126 Stat. 395 ; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, §32912, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 818 , provided that:
"(a) Establishment and Duties.-The Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration a motor carrier safety advisory committee. The committee shall-
"(b) Members, Chairman, Pay, and Expenses.-
"(1) In general.-The committee shall be composed of not more than 20 members appointed by the Administrator from among individuals who are not employees of the Administration and who are specially qualified to serve on the committee because of their education, training, or experience. The members shall include representatives of the motor carrier industry, safety advocates, and safety enforcement officials. Representatives of a single enumerated interest group may not constitute a majority of the members of the advisory committee.
"(2) Chairman.-The Administrator shall designate the chairman of the committee.
"(3) Pay.-A member of the committee shall serve without pay; except that the Administrator may allow a member, when attending meetings of the committee or a subcommittee of the committee, expenses authorized under section 5703 of title 5, relating to per diem, travel, and transportation expenses.
"(c) Support Staff, Information, and Services.-The Administrator shall provide support staff for the committee. On request of the committee, the Administrator shall provide information, administrative services, and supplies that the Administrator considers necessary for the committee to carry out its duties and powers.
"(d) Termination Date.-Notwithstanding the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the advisory committee shall terminate on September 30, 2013."
Pub. L. 106–159, title I, §104, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1754 , provided that:
"(a) Safety Goals.-In conjunction with existing federally required strategic planning efforts, the Secretary shall develop a long-term strategy for improving commercial motor vehicle, operator, and carrier safety. The strategy shall include an annual plan and schedule for achieving, at a minimum, the following goals:
"(b) Contents of Strategy.-
"(1) Measurable goals.-The strategy and annual plans under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, specific numeric or measurable goals designed to achieve the strategic goals of subsection (a). The purposes of the numeric or measurable goals are as follows:
"(2) Resource needs.-In addition, the strategy and annual plans shall include estimates of the funds and staff resources needed to accomplish each activity. Such estimates shall also include the staff skills and training needed for timely and effective accomplishment of each goal.
"(3) Savings clause.-In developing and assessing progress toward meeting the measurable goals set forth in this subsection, the Secretary and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator shall not take any action that would impinge on the due process rights of motor carriers and drivers.
"(c) Submission With the President's Budget.-Beginning with fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the strategy and annual plan at the same time as the President's budget submission.
"(d) Annual Performance.-
"(1) Annual performance agreement.-For each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003, the following officials shall enter into annual performance agreements:
"(2) Goals.-Each annual performance agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall include the appropriate numeric or measurable goals of subsection (b).
"(3) Progress assessment.-Consistent with the current performance appraisal system of the Department of Transportation, the Secretary shall assess the progress of each official (other than the Secretary) referred to in paragraph (1) toward achieving the goals in his or her performance agreement. The Secretary shall convey the assessment to such official, including identification of any deficiencies that should be remediated before the next progress assessment.
"(4) Administration.-In deciding whether or not to award a bonus or other achievement award to an official of the Administration who is a party to a performance agreement required by this subsection, the Secretary shall give substantial weight to whether the official has made satisfactory progress toward meeting the goals of his or her performance agreement.
"(e) Achievement of Goals.-
"(1) Progress assessment.-No less frequently than semiannually, the Secretary and the Administrator shall assess the progress of the Administration toward achieving the strategic goals of subsection (a). The Secretary and the Administrator shall convey their assessment to the employees of the Administration and shall identify any deficiencies that should be remediated before the next progress assessment.
"(2) Report to congress.-The Secretary shall report annually to Congress the contents of each performance agreement entered into under subsection (d) and the official's performance relative to the goals of the performance agreement. In addition, the Secretary shall report to Congress on the performance of the Administration relative to the goals of the motor carrier safety strategy and annual plan under subsection (a).
"(f) Expediting Regulatory Proceedings.-The Administrator shall designate a regulatory ombudsman to expedite rulemaking proceedings. The Secretary and the Administrator shall each delegate to the ombudsman such authority as may be necessary for the ombudsman to expedite rulemaking proceedings of the Administration to comply with statutory and internal departmental deadlines, including authority to-
Pub. L. 106–159, title I, §105, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1756 , provided that:
"(a) Establishment.-The Secretary may establish a commercial motor vehicle safety advisory committee to provide advice and recommendations on a range of motor carrier safety issues.
"(b) Composition.-The members of the advisory committee shall be appointed by the Secretary and shall include representatives of the motor carrier industry, drivers, safety advocates, manufacturers, safety enforcement officials, law enforcement agencies of border States, and other individuals affected by rulemakings under consideration by the Department of Transportation. Representatives of a single interest group may not constitute a majority of the members of the advisory committee.
"(c) Function.-The advisory committee shall provide advice to the Secretary on commercial motor vehicle safety regulations and other matters relating to activities and functions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
"(d) Termination Date.-The advisory committee shall remain in effect until September 30, 2003."
Pub. L. 106–159, title II, §224, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1770 , provided that:
"(a) Objectives.-The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive study to determine the causes of, and contributing factors to, crashes that involve commercial motor vehicles. The study shall also identify data requirements and collection procedures, reports, and other measures that will improve the Department of Transportation's and States' ability to-
"(b) Design.-The study shall be designed to yield information that will help the Department and the States identify activities and other measures likely to lead to significant reductions in the frequency, severity, and rate per mile traveled of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles, including vehicles described in section 31132(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code. As practicable, the study shall rank such activities and measures by the reductions each would likely achieve, if implemented.
"(c) Consultation.-In designing and conducting the study, the Secretary shall consult with persons with expertise on-
"(d) Public Comment.-The Secretary shall make available for public comment information about the objectives, methodology, implementation, findings, and other aspects of the study.
"(1) In general.-The Secretary shall promptly transmit to Congress the results of the study, together with any legislative recommendations.
"(2) Review and update.-The Secretary shall review the study at least once every 5 years and update the study and report as necessary.
"(f) Funding.-Of the amounts made available for each of fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003 under section 4003(i) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century [ Pub. L. 105–178, 49 U.S.C. 31104 note] (112 Stat. 395–398 ), as added by section 103(b)(1) of this Act, $5,000,000 per fiscal year shall be available only to carry out this section."
Pub. L. 106–159, title II, §225, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1771 , directed the Secretary, in cooperation with the States, to carry out a program to improve the collection and analysis of data on crashes, including crash causation, involving commercial motor vehicles and to transmit a report on the program and authorized appropriations for fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003.