SUBTITLE II—OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1221(c), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1432, added item for chapter 13 which had been editorially supplied.

CHAPTER 11—NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL

        

SUBCHAPTER II—ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE

        

SUBCHAPTER III—AUTHORITY

        

SUBCHAPTER IV—ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §§1215(b), (f), 1216(b), 1221(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1428, 1431, 1432, added item 1117, substituted "Assistance to passengers involved in aircraft accidents and families of such passengers" for "Assistance to families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents" in item 1136, "Assistance to passengers involved in rail passenger accidents and families of such passengers" for "Assistance to families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents" in item 1139, and "Penalties" for "Aviation penalties" in item 1155, and struck out item 117 "Methodology" and former item 1117 "Annual report".

2018—Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §§1107(b)(2), 1109(e)(2), 1111(b), 1113(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3433, 3435, 3436, 3438, added items 117 and 1140 and substituted "Reports, studies, and retrospective reviews" for "Reports and studies" in item 1116 and "Board." for "Board" in item 1138.

2008—Pub. L. 110–432, div. A, title V, §501(b), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4897, added item 1139.

2006—Pub. L. 109–443, §5(b), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3300, added item 1138.

2000—Pub. L. 106–424, §§5(c)(2), 12(b), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1885, 1887, added item 1137 and substituted "and surface vehicle recordings and transcripts" for "voice and other material" in item 1154.

1996—Pub. L. 104–264, title IV, §407(a)(2), title VII, §702(a)(2), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3258, 3267, added items 1119 and 1136.

1994—Pub. L. 103–272, §1(c), (d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 745, added subtitle II (comprised of chapter 11, §§1101–1155) and struck out former subtitle II, except that chapter 31 (comprised of §§3101–3104) of subtitle II was redesignated and restated as chapter 315 (comprised of §§31501–31504) of subtitle VI, as enacted by Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e).

¹ Section catchline amended by Pub. L. 118–63 without corresponding amendment of chapter analysis.

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL

§1101. Definitions

(a) In General.—In this chapter:

(1) Accident.—The term "accident" includes damage to or destruction of vehicles in surface or air transportation or pipelines, regardless of whether the initiating event is accidental or otherwise.

(2) State.—The term "State" means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

(b) Applicability of Other Definitions.—Section 2101(23) of title 46 and section 40102(a) of this title shall apply to this chapter.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 106–424, §2, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1883; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, §3541(b)(17), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2324; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1203, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1422.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1101	(no source)

A number of the source provisions of the chapter are taken from 49 App.:ch. 20. The text of 49 App.:ch. 20 contains general definitions, some of which are used in those source provisions.

This section is included to ensure that the identical definitions that are relevant are used without repeating them. The source provisions for the definitions are found in the revision note for section 40102(a) of the revised title.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–63 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Section 2101(23) of title 46 and section 40102(a) of this title apply to this chapter. In this chapter, the term 'accident' includes damage to or destruction of vehicles in surface or air transportation or pipelines, regardless of whether the initiating event is accidental or otherwise."

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "Section 2101(23)" for "Section 2101(17a)".

2000—Pub. L. 106–424 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Section 40102(a) of this title applies to this chapter."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2024 Amendment

Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1201, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1422, provided that: "This title [amending this section and sections 1113 to 1116, 1118, 1131, 1134 to 1136, 1138 to 1140, 1151, 1155, and 24316 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 1111, 1114, and 1131 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 1113 of this title] may be cited as the 'National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 2024'."

Short Title of 2015 Amendment

Pub. L. 114–110, §1(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228, provided that: "This Act [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the 'Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015'."

Short Title of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–443, §1(a), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3297, provided that: "This Act [enacting section 1138 of this title, amending sections 1111, 1113, 1117, 1118, 1131, 1135, and 1137 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1111 and 1118 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 1113 of this title] may be cited as the 'National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2006'."

Short Title of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–168, §1, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2032, provided that: "This Act [enacting section 354 of this title, amending sections 354, 1118, 1119, 1131, 1135, and 1136 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1113, 1131, and 1135 of this title] may be cited as the 'National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003'."

Short Title of 2000 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–424, §1(a), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1883, provided that: "This Act [enacting section 1137 of this title, amending this section and sections 1111, 1113 to 1115, 1118, 1131, 1154, 44721, and 46301 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1111, 1113, 1131, 44703, and 44721 of this title] may be cited as the 'National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 2000'."

Short Title of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–291, title I, §101, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3452, provided that: "This title [amending sections 1114, 1115, and 1118 of this title] may be cited as the 'National Transportation Safety Board Amendments of 1996'."

Definitions of Terms in Div. C of Pub. L. 115–254

Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1102, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3429, provided that: "In this division [enacting section 1140 of this title, amending sections 1111, 1113, 1114, 1116 to 1118, 1131, 1134, 1136, 1138, 1139, 1154, 41113, and 41313 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1116, 1119, and 40101 of this title], the following definitions apply:

"(1) Board.—The term 'Board' means the National Transportation Safety Board.

"(2) Chairman.—The term 'Chairman' means the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

"(3) Most wanted list.—The term 'Most Wanted List' means the Board publication entitled 'Most Wanted List'."

SUBCHAPTER II—ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE

§1111. General organization

(a) Organization.—The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent establishment of the United States Government.

(b) Appointment of Members.—The Board is composed of 5 members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Not more than 3 members may be appointed from the same political party. At least 3 members shall be appointed on the basis of technical qualification, professional standing, and demonstrated knowledge in accident reconstruction, safety engineering, human factors, transportation safety, or transportation regulation.

(c) Terms of Office and Removal.—The term of office of each member is 5 years. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the predecessor of that individual was appointed, is appointed for the remainder of that term. When the term of office of a member ends, the member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. The President may remove a member for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.

(d) Chairman and Vice Chairman.—The President shall designate, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Chairman of the Board. The President also shall designate a Vice Chairman of the Board. The terms of office of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman are 3 years. When the Chairman is absent or unable to serve or when the position of Chairman is vacant, the Vice Chairman acts as Chairman.

(e) Duties and Powers of Chairman.—The Chairman is the chief executive and administrative officer of the Board. Subject to the general policies and decisions of the Board, the Chairman shall—

(1) appoint and supervise officers and employees, other than regular and full-time employees in the immediate offices of another member, necessary to carry out this chapter;

(2) fix the pay of officers and employees necessary to carry out this chapter;

(3) distribute business among the officers, employees, and administrative units of the Board; and

(4) supervise the expenditures of the Board.

(f) Quorum.—Three members of the Board are a quorum in carrying out duties and powers of the Board.

(g) Offices, Bureaus, and Divisions.—The Board shall establish offices necessary to carry out this chapter, including an office to investigate and report on the safe transportation of hazardous material. The Board shall establish distinct and appropriately staffed bureaus, divisions, or offices to investigate and report on accidents involving each of the following modes of transportation:

(1) aviation.

(2) highway and motor vehicle.

(3) rail and tracked vehicle.

(4) pipeline.

(5) marine.

(h) Chief Financial Officer.—The Chairman shall designate an officer or employee of the Board as the Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall—

(1) report directly to the Chairman on financial management and budget execution;

(2) direct, manage, and provide policy guidance and oversight on financial management and property and inventory control; and

(3) review the fees, rents, and other charges imposed by the Board for services and things of value it provides, and suggest appropriate revisions to those charges to reflect costs incurred by the Board in providing those services and things of value.

(i) Board Member Staff.—Each member of the Board shall select and supervise regular and full-time employees in his or her immediate office as long as any such employee has been approved for employment by the designated agency ethics official under the same guidelines that apply to all employees of the Board. Except for the Chairman, the appointment authority provided by this subsection is limited to the number of full-time equivalent positions, in addition to 1 senior professional staff at a level not to exceed the GS 15 level and 1 administrative staff, allocated to each member through the Board's annual budget and allocation process.

(j) Seal.—The Board shall have a seal that shall be judicially recognized.

(k) Open Meetings.—

(1) In general.—The Board shall be deemed to be an agency for purposes of section 552b of title 5.

(2) Nonpublic collaborative discussions.—

(A) In general.—Notwithstanding section 552b of title 5, a majority of the members may hold a meeting that is not open to public observation to discuss official agency business if—

(i) no formal or informal vote or other official agency action is taken at the meeting;

(ii) each individual present at the meeting is a member or an employee of the Board;

(iii) at least 1 member of the Board from each political party is present at the meeting, if applicable; and

(iv) the General Counsel of the Board is present at the meeting.

(B) Disclosure of nonpublic collaborative discussions.—Except as provided under subparagraphs (C) and (D), not later than 2 business days after the conclusion of a meeting under subparagraph (A), the Board shall make available to the public, in a place easily accessible to the public—

(i) a list of the individuals present at the meeting; and

(ii) a summary of the matters, including key issues, discussed at the meeting, except for any matter the Board properly determines may be withheld from the public under section 552b(c) of title 5.

(C) Summary.—If the Board properly determines a matter may be withheld from the public under section 552b(c) of title 5, the Board shall provide a summary with as much general information as possible on each matter withheld from the public.

(D) Active investigations.—If a discussion under subparagraph (A) directly relates to an active investigation, the Board shall make the disclosure under subparagraph (B) on the date the Board adopts the final report.

(E) Preservation of open meetings requirements for agency action.—Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to limit the applicability of section 552b of title 5 with respect to a meeting of the members other than that described in this paragraph.

(F) Statutory construction.—Nothing in this paragraph may be construed—

(i) to limit the applicability of section 552b of title 5 with respect to any information which is proposed to be withheld from the public under subparagraph (B)(ii); or

(ii) to authorize the Board to withhold from any individual any record that is accessible to that individual under section 552a of title 5.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 106–424, §10, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1886; Pub. L. 109–443, §9(a), (d), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3301; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1112(a), (b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3436.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1111(a)	49 App.:1902(a).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §303(a), (b)(2)– (c), 88 Stat. 2167, 2168.
1111(b)	49 App.:1902(b)(1) (1st sentence words before comma, 2d–last sentences).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §303(b)(1), 88 Stat. 2167; Oct. 14, 1982, Pub. L. 97–309, §1 (1st sentence), 96 Stat. 1453.
1111(c)	49 App.:1902(b)(2).
1111(d)	49 App.:1902(b)(1) (1st sentence words after comma), (3) (1st, 2d, 4th sentences).
1111(e)	49 App.:1902(b)(3) (3d, last sentences), (c)(3).
1111(f)	49 App.:1902(b)(4).
1111(g)	49 App.:1902(b)(5), (c)(1).
1111(h)	49 App.:1902(c)(2).

In subsection (a), the words "previously established within the Department of Transportation" are omitted as unnecessary. The words "in accordance with this section, on and after April 1, 1975" are omitted as executed.

In subsection (c), the words "except as otherwise provided in this paragraph" are omitted as surplus. The text of 49 App.:1902(b)(2) (4th sentence) is omitted as executed.

In subsection (d), the words "On or before January 1, 1976" are omitted as executed. The words "(and thereafter as required)" and "(hereafter in this chapter referred to as the 'Chairman')" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (e), before clause (1), the words "is the chief executive and administrative officer of the Board" are substituted for "shall be the chief executive officer of the Board and shall exercise the executive and administrative functions of the Board" for clarity. The words "Subject to the general policies and decisions of the Board, the Chairman shall" are substituted for 49 App.:1902(b)(3) (last sentence) to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (1), the words "Subject to the civil service and classification laws" are omitted as unnecessary because of title 5, United States Code, especially sections 3301, 5101, and 5331. The words "the Board is authorized" are omitted for consistency because the authority to appoint officers and employees is vested in the Chairman subject to the "general policies and decisions of the Board" as provided in the source provisions. The words "including investigators, attorneys, and administrative law judges" are omitted as covered by "officers and employees". The words "carry out this chapter" are substituted for "carry out its powers and duties under this chapter" to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (3), the words "expenditures of the Board" are substituted for "the use and expenditure of funds" for clarity.

In subsection (f), the words "duties and powers" are substituted for "function" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (g), the text of 49 App.:1902(c)(1) is omitted as unnecessary because of 40:ch. 10.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

GS–15, referred to in subsec. (i), is contained in the General Schedule, which is set out under section 5332 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–254, §1112(a), substituted "3 years" for "2 years".

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 115–254, §1112(b), added subsec. (k).

2006—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(d)(1), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: "appoint, supervise, and fix the pay of officers and employees necessary to carry out this chapter;".

Subsec. (e)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(d)(2), (3), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively.

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(a), added par. (5).

Subsecs. (i), (j). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(d)(4), (5), added subsec. (i) and redesignated former subsec. (i) as (j).

2000—Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 106–424 added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsec. (h) as (i).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Drug-Free Workplace

Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1218, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1431, provided that: "Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024], the National Transportation Safety Board shall implement a drug testing program applicable to Board employees, including employees in safety or security sensitive positions, in accordance with Executive Order No. 12564 (51 Fed. Reg. 32889)."

Utilization Plan

Pub. L. 109–443, §2(a)(2), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3297, provided that:

"(A) Plan.—Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2006], the National Transportation Safety Board shall—

"(i) develop a plan to achieve, to the maximum extent feasible, the self-sufficient operation of the National Transportation Safety Board Academy and utilize the Academy's facilities and resources;

"(ii) submit a draft of the plan to the Comptroller General for review and comment; and

"(iii) submit a draft of the plan to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

"(B) Plan development considerations.—The Board shall—

"(i) give consideration in developing the plan under subparagraph (A)(i) to other revenue-generating measures, including subleasing the facility to another entity; and

"(ii) include in the plan a detailed financial statement that covers current Academy expenses and revenues and an analysis of the projected impact of the plan on the Academy's expenses and revenues.

"(C) Report.—Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2006], the National Transportation Safety Board shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that includes—

"(i) an updated copy of the plan developed pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i);

"(ii) any comments and recommendations made by the Comptroller General pursuant to the Government Accountability Office's review of the draft plan; and

"(iii) a response to the Comptroller General's comments and recommendations, including a description of any modifications made to the plan in response to those comments and recommendations.

"(D) Implementation.—The plan developed pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) shall be implemented within 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2006]."

Audit Procedures

Pub. L. 109–443, §6, Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3300, provided that: "The National Transportation Safety Board, in consultation with the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, shall continue to develop and implement comprehensive internal audit controls for its operations. The audit controls shall address, at a minimum, Board asset management systems, including systems for accounting management, debt collection, travel, and property and inventory management and control."

Improved Audit Procedures

Pub. L. 106–424, §11, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1887, provided that: "The National Transportation Safety Board, in consultation with the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, shall develop and implement comprehensive internal audit controls for its financial programs based on the findings and recommendations of the private sector audit firm contract entered into by the Board in March, 2000. The improved internal audit controls shall, at a minimum, address Board asset management systems, including systems for accounting management, debt collection, travel, and property and inventory management and control."

§1112. Special boards of inquiry on air transportation safety

(a) Establishment.—If an accident involves a substantial question about public safety in air transportation, the National Transportation Safety Board may establish a special board of inquiry composed of—

(1) one member of the Board acting as chairman; and

(2) 2 members representing the public, appointed by the President on notification of the establishment of the special board of inquiry.

(b) Qualifications and Conflicts of Interest.—The public members of a special board of inquiry must be qualified by training and experience to participate in the inquiry and may not have a pecuniary interest in an aviation enterprise involved in the accident to be investigated.

(c) Authority.—A special board of inquiry has the same authority that the Board has under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 747.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1112	49 App.:1443.	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §703, 72 Stat. 782.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), 88 Stat. 2168.

In subsection (c), the words "when convened to investigate an accident certified to it by the National Transportation Safety Board" are omitted as surplus.

§1113. Administrative

(a) General Authority.—(1) The National Transportation Safety Board, and when authorized by it, a member of the Board, an administrative law judge employed by or assigned to the Board, or an officer or employee designated by the Chairman of the Board, may conduct hearings to carry out this chapter, administer oaths, and require, by subpoena or otherwise, necessary witnesses and evidence.

(2) A witness or evidence in a hearing under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be summoned or required to be produced from any place in the United States to the designated place of the hearing. A witness summoned under this subsection is entitled to the same fee and mileage the witness would have been paid in a court of the United States.

(3) A subpoena shall be issued under the signature of the Chairman or the Chairman's delegate but may be served by any person designated by the Chairman.

(4) If a person disobeys a subpoena, order, or inspection notice of the Board, the Board may bring a civil action in a district court of the United States to enforce the subpoena, order, or notice. An action under this paragraph may be brought in the judicial district in which the person against whom the action is brought resides, is found, or does business. The court may punish a failure to obey an order of the court to comply with the subpoena, order, or notice as a contempt of court.

(b) Additional Powers.—(1) The Board may—

(A) procure the temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants under section 3109 of title 5;

(B) make agreements and other transactions necessary to carry out this chapter without regard to section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41;

(C) use, when appropriate, available services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government on a reimbursable or other basis;

(D) confer with employees and use services, records, and facilities of State and local governmental authorities;

(E) appoint advisory committees composed of qualified private citizens and officials of the Government and State and local governments as appropriate;

(F) accept voluntary and uncompensated services notwithstanding another law;

(G) accept gifts of money and other property;

(H) make contracts with nonprofit entities to carry out studies related to duties and powers of the Board;

(I) negotiate and enter into agreements with individuals and private entities and departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, State and local governments, and governments of foreign countries for the provision of facilities, accident-related and technical services or training in accident investigation theory and techniques, and require that such entities provide appropriate consideration for the reasonable costs of any facilities, goods, services, or training provided by the Board;

(J) notwithstanding section 1343 of title 31, acquire 1 or more small unmanned aircraft (as defined in section 44801) for use in investigations under this chapter; and

(K) notwithstanding section 3301 of title 41, acquire training on emerging transportation technologies if such training—

(i) is required for an ongoing investigation; and

(ii) meets the criteria under section 3304(a)(7)(A) of title 41.

(2) The Board shall deposit in the Treasury amounts received under paragraph (1)(I) of this subsection to be credited as offsetting collections to the appropriation of the Board. The Board shall maintain an annual record of collections received under paragraph (1)(I) of this subsection.

(c) Submission of Certain Copies to Congress.—When the Board submits to the President or the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a budget estimate, budget request, supplemental budget estimate, other budget information, a legislative recommendation, prepared testimony for congressional hearings, or comments on legislation, the Board must submit a copy to Congress at the same time. An officer, department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government may not require the Board to submit the estimate, request, information, recommendation, testimony, or comments to another officer, department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government for approval, comment, or review before being submitted to Congress. The Board shall develop and approve a process for the Board's review and comment or approval of documents submitted to the President, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or Congress under this subsection.

(d) Liaison Committees.—The Chairman may determine the number of committees that are appropriate to maintain effective liaison with other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, State and local governmental authorities, and independent standard-setting authorities that carry out programs and activities related to transportation safety. The Board may designate representatives to serve on or assist those committees.

(e) Inquiries.—The Board, or an officer or employee of the Board designated by the Chairman, may conduct an inquiry to obtain information related to transportation safety after publishing notice of the inquiry in the Federal Register. The Board or designated officer or employee may require by order a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government, a State or local governmental authority, or a person transporting individuals or property in commerce to submit to the Board a written report and answers to requests and questions related to a duty or power of the Board. The Board may prescribe the time within which the report and answers must be given to the Board or to the designated officer or employee. Copies of the report and answers shall be made available for public inspection.

(f) Regulations.—The Board may prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter.

(g) Overtime Pay.—

(1) In general.—Subject to the requirements of this section and notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 5542(a) of title 5, for an employee of the Board whose basic pay is at a rate which equals or exceeds the minimum rate of basic pay for GS–10 of the General Schedule, the Board may establish an overtime hourly rate of pay for the employee with respect to work performed at the scene of an accident (including travel to or from the scene) and other work that is critical to an accident investigation in an amount equal to one and one-half times the hourly rate of basic pay of the employee. All of such amount shall be considered to be premium pay.

(2) Limitation on overtime pay to an employee.—An employee of the Board may not receive overtime pay under paragraph (1), for work performed in a calendar year, in an amount that exceeds 15 percent of the annual rate of basic pay of the employee for such calendar year.

(3) Limitation on total amount of overtime pay.—The Board may not make overtime payments under paragraph (1) for work performed in any fiscal year in a total amount that exceeds 1.5 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this chapter for that fiscal year.

(4) Basic pay defined.—In this subsection, the term "basic pay" includes any applicable locality-based comparability payment under section 5304 of title 5 (or similar provision of law) and any special rate of pay under section 5305 of title 5 (or similar provision of law).

(h) Strategic Workforce Plan.—

(1) In general.—The Board shall develop a strategic workforce plan that addresses the immediate and long-term workforce needs of the Board with respect to carrying out the authorities and duties of the Board under this chapter.

(2) Aligning the workforce to strategic goals.—In developing the strategic workforce plan under paragraph (1), the Board shall take into consideration—

(A) the current state and capabilities of the Board, including a high-level review of mission requirements, structure, workforce, and performance of the Board;

(B) the significant workforce trends, needs, issues, and challenges with respect to the Board and the transportation industry;

(C) with respect to employees involved in transportation safety work, the needs, issues, and challenges, including accident severity and risk, posed by each mode of transportation, and how the Board's staffing for each transportation mode reflects these aspects;

(D) the workforce policies, strategies, performance measures, and interventions to mitigate succession risks that guide the workforce investment decisions of the Board;

(E) a workforce planning strategy that identifies workforce needs, including the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to recruit and retain skilled employees at the Board;

(F) a workforce management strategy that is aligned with the mission of the Board, including plans for continuity of leadership and knowledge sharing;

(G) an implementation system that addresses workforce competency gaps, particularly in mission-critical occupations; and

(H) a system for analyzing and evaluating the performance of the Board's workforce management policies, programs, and activities.

(3) Planning period.—The strategic workforce plan developed under paragraph (1) shall address a 5-year forecast period, but may include planning for longer periods based on information about emerging technologies or safety trends in transportation.

(4) Plan updates.—The Board shall update the strategic workforce plan developed under paragraph (1) not less than once every 5 years.

(5) Relationship to strategic plan.—The strategic workforce plan developed under paragraph (1) may be developed separately from, or incorporated into, the strategic plan required under section 306 of title 5.

(6) Availability.—The strategic workforce plan under paragraph (1) and the strategic plan required under section 306 of title 5 shall be—

(A) submitted to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and

(B) made available to the public on a website of the Board.

(i) Non-accident-related Travel Budget.—

(1) In general.—The Board shall establish annual fiscal year budgets for non-accident-related travel expenditures for each Board member.

(2) Notification.—The Board shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of any non-accident-related travel budget overrun for any Board member not later than 30 days of such overrun becoming known to the Board.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 747; Pub. L. 106–424, §§3(a), (b)(1), 4, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1883, 1884; Pub. L. 109–443, §9(e)–(g), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3301; Pub. L. 111–350, §5(o)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3853; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1112(c)–(e), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3437, 3438; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §§1204(a), 1205–1207(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1422–1424.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1113(a)	49 App.:1903(b)(1), (3).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), (b)(1), (3), (4), (7)–(9), 88 Stat. 2168, 2169, 2170; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §4, 102 Stat. 876.
1113(b)(1)(A)	49 App.:1441(b) (words before semicolon).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §701(b), 72 Stat. 781.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A), (b)(6)(C).
1113(b)(1)(B)	49 App.:1903(b)(4).
1113(b)(1)(C)	49 App.:1441(b) (words after semicolon).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
	49 App.:1903(b)(6)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(b)(6), 88 Stat. 2170; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §5, 102 Stat. 877.
1113(b) (1)(D)–(I), (2)	49 App.:1903(b)(6)(B), (D)–(H).
1113(c)	49 App.:1903(b)(7).
1113(d)	49 App.:1903(b)(8).
1113(e)	49 App.:1903(b)(9).
1113(f)	49 App.:1903(b)(12).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(b)(12), 88 Stat. 2171; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §4, 102 Stat. 876; Nov. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–641, §6, 104 Stat. 4656.

In subsection (a)(1), the words "sit and act at such times and places" are omitted as unnecessary. The word "necessary" is substituted for "as the Board or such officer or employee deems advisable" because it is more accurate.

In subsection (a)(2), the words "the witness would have been" are added for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (a)(4), the words "If a person disobeys" are substituted for "In case of contumacy or refusal to obey" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words "of the Board" are substituted for "of the Board, or of any duly designated employee thereof" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "the Board may bring a civil action in a district court of the United States" are substituted for "such district court shall, upon the request of the Board, have jurisdiction" for consistency in the revised title and because of 28:1331. The word "forthwith" is omitted as surplus. The words "An action under this paragraph may be brought in the judicial district" are added for clarity.

In subsection (b)(1)(A), the text of 49 App.:1441(b) (words before semicolon) is omitted as superseded by 49 App.:1903(b)(6)(C).

In subsection (b)(1)(B), the words "make agreements and other transactions" are substituted for "enter into . . . such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "to carry out this chapter" are substituted for "in the conduct of the functions and the duties of the Board under this chapter" for consistency. The words "with any government entity or any person" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(1)(C), the words "Department of Transportation and of other" are omitted as surplus. The words "department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government" are substituted for "civilian or military agencies and instrumentalities of the Federal Government" in 49 App.:1903(b)(6)(A) for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The text of 49 App.:1441(b) (words after semicolon) is omitted as superseded by 49 App.:1903(b)(6)(A).

In subsection (b)(1)(D), the word "available" is omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(1)(E), the words "one or more" are omitted as surplus because the authority to appoint advisory committees is discretionary and unlimited on its face. The word "appropriate" is substituted for "necessary or appropriate" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act" are omitted as surplus because that Act applies unless specifically excluded. (See 5 App. U.S.C.)

In subsection (b)(1)(G), the words "gifts of money and other property" are substituted for "gifts or donations of money or property (real, personal, mixed, tangible, or intangible)" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(1)(H), the words "public or private" are omitted as surplus.

Subsection (b)(2) is substituted for "and to apply the funds received to the Board's appropriations" for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (c), the word "submits" is substituted for "submits or transmits" for consistency. The words "Director of the Office of Management and Budget" are substituted for "Office of Management and Budget" because of 31:502(a).

In subsection (d), the word "appropriate" is substituted for "necessary or appropriate" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (e), the words "officer or employee" are substituted for "employee" for consistency in the revised title. The words "by order" are substituted for "by special or general orders" to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "individuals" is substituted for "people" for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (f), the words "prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter" are substituted for "rules and regulations as may be necessary to the exercise of its functions" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code and because "rule" and "regulation" are synonymous.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

GS–10 of the General Schedule, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is set out under section 5332 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (b)(1)(K). Pub. L. 118–63, §1204(a), added subpar. (K).

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 118–63, §1205, struck out par. (5). Prior to amendment, text of par. (5) read as follows: "Not later than January 31, 2002, and annually thereafter, the Board shall transmit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee a report identifying the total amount of overtime payments made under this subsection in the preceding fiscal year, and the number of employees whose overtime pay under this subsection was limited in that fiscal year as a result of the 15 percent limit established by paragraph (2)."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 118–63, §1206, added subsec. (h).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 118–63, §1207(a), added subsec. (i).

2018—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, §1112(e), substituted "subpoena" for "subpena".

Subsec. (b)(1)(J). Pub. L. 115–254, §1112(c), added subpar. (J).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 115–254, §1112(d), struck out subsec. (h). Text read as follows: "The Board shall maintain at least 1 full-time employee in each State located more than 1,000 miles from the nearest Board regional office to provide initial investigative response to accidents the Board is empowered to investigate under this chapter that occur in that State."

2011—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111–350 substituted "section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41" for "section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5)".

2006—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(e), substituted "subpoena" for "subpena".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(e), which directed substitution of "subpoena" for "subpena", was executed by making the substitution wherever appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(f), inserted at end "The Board shall develop and approve a process for the Board's review and comment or approval of documents submitted to the President, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or Congress under this subsection."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(g), added subsec. (h).

2000—Subsec. (b)(1)(I). Pub. L. 106–424, §3(a), amended subpar. (I) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (I) read as follows: "require that the departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, State and local governments, and governments of foreign countries provide appropriate consideration for the reasonable costs of goods and services supplied by the Board."

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 106–424, §3(b)(1), inserted "as offsetting collections" after "to be credited" and "The Board shall maintain an annual record of collections received under paragraph (1)(I) of this subsection." at end.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106–424, §4, added subsec. (g).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Relief From Contracting Requirements for Investigations Services

Pub. L. 108–168, §4, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2033, as amended by Pub. L. 109–443, §3, Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3298, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The National Transportation Safety Board may enter into agreements or contracts under the authority of section 1113(b)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code, for investigations conducted under section 1131 of that title without regard to any other provision of law requiring competition if necessary to expedite the investigation.

"(b) Report on Usage.—On July 1 of each year, as part of the annual report required by section 1117 of title 49, United States Code, the National Transportation Safety Board shall transmit a report to the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability], the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs that—

"(1) describes each contract executed by the Board to which the authority provided by subsection (a) was applied; and

"(2) sets forth the rationale for dispensing with competition requirements with respect to such contract."

Travel Budgets

Pub. L. 106–424, §9, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1886, which required the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board to establish annual fiscal year budgets for non-accident-related travel expenditures for Board members to be approved by the Board and submitted to the appropriate congressioal committees with detailed travel reports, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1207(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1424.

§1114. Disclosure, availability, and use of information

(a) General.—(1) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), (d), and (f) of this section, a copy of a record, information, or investigation submitted or received by the National Transportation Safety Board, or a member or employee of the Board, shall be made available to the public on identifiable request and at reasonable cost. This subsection does not require the release of information described by section 552(b) of title 5 or protected from disclosure by another law of the United States.

(2) The Board shall deposit in the Treasury amounts received under paragraph (1) to be credited to the appropriation of the Board as offsetting collections.

(b) Certain Confidential Information.—(1) In general.—The Board may disclose confidential information described in section 1905 of title 18, including trade secrets, only—

(A) to another department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government when requested for official use;

(B) to a committee of Congress having jurisdiction over the subject matter to which the information is related, when requested by that committee;

(C) in a judicial proceeding under a court order that preserves the confidentiality of the information without impairing the proceeding; and

(D) to the public to protect health and safety after giving notice to any interested person to whom the information is related and an opportunity for that person to comment in writing, or orally in closed session, on the proposed disclosure, if the delay resulting from notice and opportunity for comment would not be detrimental to health and safety.

(2) Information disclosed under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be disclosed only in a way designed to preserve its confidentiality.

(3) Protection of Voluntary Submission of Information.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, neither the Board, nor any agency receiving information from the Board, shall disclose voluntarily provided safety-related information if that information is not related to the exercise of the Board's accident or incident investigation authority under this chapter and if the Board finds that the disclosure of the information would inhibit the voluntary provision of that type of information.

(c) Cockpit Recordings and Transcripts.—

(1) Confidentiality of recordings.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Board may not disclose publicly any part of a cockpit voice or video recorder recording or transcript of oral communications by and between flight crew members and ground stations related to an accident or incident investigated by the Board.

(2) Exception.—Subject to subsections (b) and (g), the Board shall make public any part of a transcript, any written depiction of visual information obtained from a video recorder, or any still image obtained from a video recorder the Board decides is relevant to the accident or incident—

(A) if the Board holds a public hearing on the accident or incident, at the time of the hearing; or

(B) if the Board does not hold a public hearing, at the time a majority of the other factual reports on the accident or incident are placed in the public docket.

(3) References to information in making safety recommendations.—This subsection does not prevent the Board from referring at any time to cockpit voice or video recorder information in making safety recommendations.

(d) Surface Vehicle Recordings and Transcripts.—

(1) Confidentiality of recordings.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Board may not disclose publicly any part of a surface vehicle voice or video recorder recording or transcript of oral communications by or among drivers, train employees, or other operating employees responsible for the movement and direction of the vehicle or vessel, or between such operating employees and company communication centers, related to an accident investigated by the Board.

(2) Exception.—Subject to subsections (b) and (g), the Board shall make public any part of a transcript, any written depiction of visual information obtained from a video recorder, or any still image obtained from a video recorder the Board decides is relevant to the accident—

(A) if the Board holds a public hearing on the accident, at the time of the hearing; or

(B) if the Board does not hold a public hearing, at the time a majority of the other factual reports on the accident are placed in the public docket.

(3) References to information in making safety recommendations.—This subsection does not prevent the Board from referring at any time to voice or video recorder information in making safety recommendations.

(e) Drug Tests.—(1) Notwithstanding section 503(e) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1987 (Public Law 100–71, 101 Stat. 471), the Secretary of Transportation shall provide the following information to the Board when requested in writing by the Board:

(A) any report of a confirmed positive toxicological test, verified as positive by a medical review officer, conducted on an officer or employee of the Department of Transportation under post-accident, unsafe practice, or reasonable suspicion toxicological testing requirements of the Department, when the officer or employee is reasonably associated with the circumstances of an accident or incident under the investigative jurisdiction of the Board.

(B) any laboratory record documenting that the test is confirmed positive.

(2) Except as provided by paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Board shall maintain the confidentiality of, and exempt from disclosure under section 552(b)(3) of title 5—

(A) a laboratory record provided the Board under paragraph (1) of this subsection that reveals medical use of a drug allowed under applicable regulations; and

(B) medical information provided by the tested officer or employee related to the test or a review of the test.

(3) The Board may use a laboratory record made available under paragraph (1) of this subsection to develop an evidentiary record in an investigation of an accident or incident if—

(A) the fitness of the tested officer or employee is at issue in the investigation; and

(B) the use of that record is necessary to develop the evidentiary record.

(f) Foreign Investigations.—

(1) In general.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, neither the Board, nor any agency receiving information from the Board, shall disclose records or information relating to its participation in foreign aircraft accident investigations; except that—

(A) the Board shall release records pertaining to such an investigation when the country conducting the investigation issues its final report or 2 years following the date of the accident, whichever occurs first; and

(B) the Board may disclose records and information when authorized to do so by the country conducting the investigation.

(2) Safety recommendations.—Nothing in this subsection shall restrict the Board at any time from referring to foreign accident investigation information in making safety recommendations.

(g) Privacy Protections.—Before making public any still image obtained from a video recorder under subsection (c)(2) or subsection (d)(2), the Board shall take such action as appropriate to protect from public disclosure any information that readily identifies an individual, including a decedent.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 749; Pub. L. 104–291, title I, §§102, 103, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3452; Pub. L. 106–424, §§3(b)(2), 5(a), (b), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1884, 1885; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1104(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3429; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1208(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1424.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1114(a)	49 App.:1905(a).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §306(a), (b), 88 Stat. 2172; Oct. 14, 1982, Pub. L. 97–309, §2, 96 Stat. 1453.
1114(b)	49 App.:1905(b).
1114(c)	49 App.:1905(c).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, §306(c); added Oct. 14, 1982, Pub. L. 97–309, §2, 96 Stat. 1453; restated Nov. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–641, §4, 104 Stat. 4654.
1114(d)(1)	49 App.:1903(b) (11)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, §304(b)(11); added Nov. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–641, §6, 104 Stat. 4656.
1114(d)(2)	49 App.:1903(b) (11)(B).
1114(d)(3)	49 App.:1903(b) (11)(C).

In subsection (a), the words "record, information, or investigation" are substituted for "communication, document, investigation, or other report, or information" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "of the United States" are added for clarity.

In subsection (c)(1), before clause (A), the words "Notwithstanding any other provision of law" are omitted as surplus. The word "relevant" is substituted for "relevant and pertinent" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (d), the words "officer or employee" are substituted for "employee" for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (d)(2), before clause (A), the words "maintain the confidentiality of" are substituted for "maintain in confidence" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. In clause (A), the words "of a confirmed and verified toxicological test" are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement of the source provisions in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

In subsection (d)(3), the words "laboratory record made available under paragraph (1) of this subsection" are substituted for "such a laboratory record" for clarity.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 503(e) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1987, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), is section 503(e) of Pub. L. 100–71, which is set out as a note under section 7301 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–63, §1208(a)(1), substituted "Certain Confidential Information" for "Trade Secrets" in heading.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–63, §1208(a)(2), inserted heading and substituted "confidential information described in section 1905 of title 18, including trade secrets," for "information related to a trade secret referred to in section 1905 of title 18" in introductory provisions.

2018—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(a)(1)(C)(i), inserted heading and substituted "Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Board" for "The Board".

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(a)(1)(C)(ii), designated second sentence of par. (1) as par. (2) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, second sentence of par. (1) read as follows: "However, the Board shall make public any part of a transcript or any written depiction of visual information the Board decides is relevant to the accident or incident—

"(A) if the Board holds a public hearing on the accident or incident, at the time of the hearing; or

"(B) if the Board does not hold a public hearing, at the time a majority of the other factual reports on the accident or incident are placed in the public docket."

Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(a)(1)(A), (B), redesignated par. (2) as (3) and inserted heading.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(a)(2)(B)(i), substituted "Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Board" for "The Board".

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(a)(2)(B)(ii), designated second sentence of par. (1) as par. (2) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, second sentence of par. (1) read as follows: "However, the Board shall make public any part of a transcript or any written depiction of visual information that the Board decides is relevant to the accident—

"(A) if the Board holds a public hearing on the accident, at the time of the hearing; or

"(B) if the Board does not hold a public hearing, at the time a majority of the other factual reports on the accident are placed in the public docket."

Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(a)(2)(A), redesignated par. (2) as (3).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(a)(3), added subsec. (g).

2000—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–424, §§3(b)(2), 5(b)(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "(d), and (f)" for "and (e)" in first sentence, and added par. (2).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 106–424, §5(a)(1), struck out "Voice" after "Cockpit" in heading.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 106–424, §5(a)(2), (3), substituted "cockpit voice or video recorder" for "cockpit voice recorder" in first sentence and inserted "or any written depiction of visual information" after "transcript" in second sentence.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 106–424, §5(a)(2), substituted "cockpit voice or video recorder" for "cockpit voice recorder".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–424, §5(b)(1)(B), which directed the addition of subsec. (d) after subsec. (e), was executed by adding subsec. (d) before subsec. (e) to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 106–424, §5(b)(1)(A), redesignated subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f), respectively.

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–291, §102(1), substituted "(b), (c), and (e)" for "(b) and (c)".

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 104–291, §103, added par. (3).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–291, §102(2), added subsec. (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Electronic Availability of Public Docket Records

Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1217, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1431, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024], the National Transportation Safety Board shall make all records included in the public docket of an accident or incident investigation conducted by the Board (or the public docket of a study, report, or other product issued by the Board) electronically available in a publicly accessible database on a website of the Board, regardless of the date on which such public docket or record was created.

"(b) Database.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Board may utilize the multimodal accident database management system established pursuant to section 1108 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 [Pub. L. 115–254] (49 U.S.C. 1119 note) or such other publicly available database as the Board determines appropriate.

"(c) Briefings.—The Board shall provide the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] an annual briefing on the implementation of this section until requirements of subsection (a) are fulfilled. Such briefings shall include—

"(1) the number of public dockets that have been made electronically available pursuant to this section; and

"(2) the number of public dockets that were unable to be made electronically available, including all reasons for such inability.

"(d) Definitions.—In this section, the terms 'public docket' and 'record' have the same meanings given such terms in section 801.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act."

§1115. Training

(a) Definition.—In this section, "Institute" means the Transportation Safety Institute of the Department of Transportation and any successor organization of the Institute.

(b) Use of Institute Services.—The National Transportation Safety Board may use, on a reimbursable basis, the services of the Institute. The Secretary of Transportation shall make the Institute available to—

(1) the Board for safety training of employees of the Board in carrying out their duties and powers; and

(2) other safety personnel of the United States Government, State and local governments, governments of foreign countries, interstate authorities, and private organizations the Board designates in consultation with the Secretary.

(c) Fees.—(1) Training at the Institute for safety personnel (except employees of the Government) shall be provided at a reasonable fee established periodically by the Board in consultation with the Secretary. The fee shall be paid directly to the Secretary, and the Secretary shall deposit the fee in the Treasury. The amount of the fee—

(A) shall be credited to the appropriate appropriation (subject to the requirements of any annual appropriation); and

(B) is an offset against any annual reimbursement agreement between the Board and the Secretary to cover all reasonable costs of providing training under this subsection that the Secretary incurs in operating the Institute.

(2) The Board shall maintain an annual record of offsets under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection.

(d) Training of board employees and others.—The Board may conduct training of its employees in those subjects necessary for the proper performance of accident investigation and in those subjects furthering the personnel and workforce development needs set forth in the strategic workforce plan of the Board as required under section 1113(h). The Board may also authorize attendance at courses given under this subsection by other government personnel, personnel of foreign governments, and personnel from industry or otherwise who have a requirement for accident investigation training. The Board may require non-Board personnel to reimburse some or all of the training costs, and amounts so reimbursed shall be credited to the appropriation of the Board as offsetting collections.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 750; Pub. L. 104–291, title I, §104, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3453; Pub. L. 106–424, §3(b)(3), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1884; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1204(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1423.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1115(a)	(no source).
1115(b)	49 App.:1903(b)(10) (1st, 2d sentences).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(b)(10), 88 Stat. 2156; added July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §4, 102 Stat. 876.
1115(c)	49 App.:1903(b)(10) (3d–last sentences).

In subsections (b) and (c), the words "or successor organization" are omitted as unnecessary because of subsection (a) of this section.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words "(established for the purpose of developing courses and conducting training in safety and security for all modes of transportation)" are omitted as surplus. In clause (1), the words "carrying out their duties and powers" are substituted for "in the performance of all of their authorized functions" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In clause (2), the words "of the United States Government, State and local governments, governments of foreign countries, interstate authorities, and private organizations" are substituted for "of Federal, interstate, State, local, and foreign governments and non-governmental organizations" for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (c)(1), before clause (A), the words "the Secretary shall deposit the fee in the Treasury" are added for clarity. In clause (B), the words "direct and indirect" are omitted as surplus. The word "administration" is omitted as being included in "operating". The text of 49 App.:1903(b)(10) (last sentence) is omitted because 5:ch. 41 applies to the National Transportation Safety Board by its own terms.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–63 inserted "and in those subjects furthering the personnel and workforce development needs set forth in the strategic workforce plan of the Board as required under section 1113(h)" after "of accident investigation" in first sentence.

2000—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–424 substituted "of the Board" for "of the 'National Transportation Safety Board, Salaries and Expenses' ".

1996—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–291 added subsec. (d).

§1116. Reports, studies, and retrospective reviews

(a) Periodic Reports.—The National Transportation Safety Board shall report periodically to Congress, departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States Government and State and local governmental authorities concerned with transportation safety, and other interested persons. The report shall—

(1) advocate meaningful responses to reduce the likelihood of transportation accidents similar to those investigated by the Board; and

(2) propose corrective action to make the transportation of individuals as safe and free from risk of injury as possible, including action to minimize personal injuries that occur in transportation accidents.

(b) Studies, Investigations, and Other Reports.—The Board also shall—

(1) carry out special studies and investigations about transportation safety, including avoiding personal injury;

(2) examine techniques and methods of accident investigation and periodically publish recommended procedures for accident investigations;

(3) prescribe requirements for persons reporting accidents and aviation incidents that—

(A) may be investigated by the Board under this chapter; or

(B) involve public aircraft (except aircraft of the armed forces and the intelligence agencies);

(4) evaluate, examine the effectiveness of, and publish the findings of the Board about the transportation safety consciousness of other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government and their effectiveness in preventing accidents; and

(5) evaluate the adequacy of safeguards and procedures for the transportation of hazardous material and the performance of other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government responsible for the safe transportation of that material.

(c) Annual Report.—The National Transportation Safety Board shall submit a report to Congress on July 1 of each year. The report shall include—

(1) a statistical and analytical summary of the transportation accident investigations conducted and reviewed by the Board during the prior calendar year;

(2) a survey and summary of the recommendations made by the Board to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of those accidents together with the observed response to each recommendation;

(3) a list of each recommendation made by the Board to the Secretary of Transportation or the Commandant of the Coast Guard that was closed in an unacceptable status in the preceding 12 months, including—

(A) any explanation the Board received from the Secretary or Commandant; and

(B) any explanation from the Board as to why the recommendation was closed in an unacceptable status, including a discussion of why alternate means, if any, taken by the Secretary or Commandant to address the Board's recommendation were inadequate;

(4) a detailed appraisal of the accident investigation and accident prevention activities of other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States Government and State and local governmental authorities having responsibility for those activities under a law of the United States or a State;

(5) a description of the activities and operations of the National Transportation Safety Board Training Center during the prior calendar year;

(6) a list of accidents, during the prior calendar year, that the Board was required to investigate under section 1131 but did not investigate and an explanation of why they were not investigated; and

(7) a list of ongoing investigations that have exceeded the expected time allotted for completion by Board order and an explanation for the additional time required to complete each such investigation.

(d) Retrospective Reviews.—

(1) In general.—Subject to paragraph (2), not later than June 1, 2019, and at least every 5 years thereafter, the Chairman shall complete a retrospective review of recommendations issued by the Board that are classified as open by the Board.

(2) Contents.—A review under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a determination of whether the recommendation should be updated, closed, or reissued in light of—

(i) changed circumstances;

(ii) more recently issued recommendations;

(iii) the availability of new technologies; or

(iv) new information making the recommendation ineffective or insufficient for achieving its objective; and

(B) a justification for each determination under subparagraph (A).

(3) Report.—Not later than 180 days after the date a review under paragraph (1) is complete, the Chairman 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 report that includes—

(A) the findings of the review under paragraph (1);

(B) each determination under paragraph (2)(A) and justification under paragraph (2)(B); and

(C) if applicable, a schedule for updating, closing, or reissuing a recommendation.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 751; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §§1107(a), 1111(a), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3432, 3436; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1209, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1425.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1116(a)	49 App.:1441(a)(3), (5) (related to reducing accidents).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §701(a)(3), (5), 72 Stat. 781.
	49 App.:1655(c)(1).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, §7(b), 96 Stat. 2444.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A), (3).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), (3)–(5), (7), (8), 88 Stat. 2168, 2169.
1116(b)(1)	49 App.:1441(a)(5) (related to studies).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A), (4).
1116(b) (2)–(5)	49 App.:1903(a)(5).
	49 App.:1903(a)(6).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(6), 88 Stat. 2169; Nov. 3, 1981, Pub. L. 97–74, §4, 95 Stat. 1065; Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, §311(a), 101 Stat. 1528.
	49 App.:1903(a)(7), (8).

In subsection (a)(1), the word "recommending" is omitted as being included in "advocate" in 49 App.:1903(a)(3). The word "recurrence" is omitted as surplus. The text of 49 App.:1441(a)(3) and (5) (related to reducing accidents) is omitted as superseded by 49 App.:1903(a)(3).

In subsection (b)(1), the words "carry out" are substituted for "initiate and conduct" in 49 App.:1903(a)(4) for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The text of 49 App.:1441(a)(5) (related to studies) is omitted as superseded by 49 App.:1903(a)(4).

In subsection (b)(2), the word "examine" is substituted for "assess and reassess" for clarity. The words "prepare and" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(3), the words "by regulation" are omitted as unnecessary because of section 1113(f) of the revised title.

In subsection (b)(4), the word "effectiveness" is substituted for "efficacy" for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (c)(3) to (7). Pub. L. 118–63 added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) to (6) as (4) to (7), respectively.

2018—Pub. L. 115–254, §1111(a)(1), substituted ", studies, and retrospective reviews" for "and studies" in section catchline.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–254, §1107(a), added subsec. (c).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 115–254, §1111(a)(2), added subsec. (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Savings Clause

Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1111(c), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3436, provided that: "Nothing in this section [amending this section] or the amendments made by this section may be construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority of the [National Transportation Safety] Board to update, close, or reissue a recommendation."

§1117. Methodology

(a) In General.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act, the Chairman shall include with each investigative report in which a recommendation is issued by the Board a methodology section detailing the process and information underlying the selection of each recommendation.

(b) Elements.—Except as provided in subsection (c), the methodology section under subsection (a) shall include, for each recommendation—

(1) a brief summary of the Board's collection and analysis of the specific accident investigation information most relevant to the recommendation;

(2) a description of the Board's use of external information, including studies, reports, and experts, other than the findings of a specific accident investigation, if any were used to inform or support the recommendation, including a brief summary of the specific safety benefits and other effects identified by each study, report, or expert; and

(3) a brief summary of any examples of actions taken by regulated entities before the publication of the safety recommendation, to the extent such actions are known to the Board, that were consistent with the recommendation.

(c) Acceptable Limitation.—If the Board knows of more than 3 examples taken by regulated entities before the publication of the safety recommendation that were consistent with the recommendation, the brief summary under subsection (b)(3) may be limited to only 3 of those examples.

(d) Exception.—Subsection (a) shall not apply if the recommendation is only for a person to disseminate information on—

(1) an existing agency best practices document; or

(2) an existing regulatory requirement.

(e) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section may be construed to require any change to a recommendation made by the Board before the date of enactment of the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act, unless the recommendation is a repeat recommendation issued on or after the date of enactment of such Act.

(f) Savings Clause.—Nothing in this section may be construed—

(1) to delay publication of the findings, cause, or probable cause of a Board investigation;

(2) to delay the issuance of an urgent recommendation that the Board has determined must be issued to avoid immediate loss, death, or injury; or

(3) to limit the number of examples the Board may consider before issuing a recommendation.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 751; Pub. L. 104–66, title II, §2151, Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 731; Pub. L. 109–443, §2(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3297; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1107(b)(1), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3432.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1117	49 App.:1904.	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §305, 88 Stat. 2171.

In this section, before clause (1), the words "but need not be limited to" are omitted as surplus. In clause (2), the words "in such detail as the Board deems advisable" are omitted as surplus. In clause (3), the words "departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States Government and State and local governmental authorities" are substituted for "other government agencies" for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The words "for those activities" are substituted for "in this field" for clarity. In clause (4), the word "evaluation" is substituted for "appraisal and evaluation and review" because it is inclusive.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act and the date of enactment of such Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (e), are the date of enactment of div. C of Pub. L. 115–254, which was approved Oct. 5, 2018.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–254 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to annual report.

2006—Pars. (4) to (6). Pub. L. 109–443 added pars. (4) to (6).

1995—Par. (4). Pub. L. 104–66 struck out par. (4) which read as follows: "an evaluation conducted every 2 years of transportation safety and recommendations for legislative and administrative action and change."

§1118. Authorization of appropriations

(a) In General.—

(1) Authorizations.—There is authorized to be appropriated for purposes of this chapter—

(A) $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;

(B) $145,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;

(C) $148,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;

(D) $151,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and

(E) $154,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.

(2) Availability.—Amounts authorized under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.

(b) Emergency Fund.—The Board has an emergency fund of $2,000,000 available for necessary expenses of the Board, not otherwise provided for, for accident investigations. In addition, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to increase the fund to, and maintain the fund at, a level not to exceed $4,000,000.

(c) Fees, Refunds, and Reimbursements.—

(1) In general.—The Board may impose and collect such fees, refunds, and reimbursements as it determines to be appropriate for services provided by or through the Board.

(2) Receipts credited as offsetting collections.—Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, any fee, refund, or reimbursement collected under this subsection—

(A) shall be credited as offsetting collections to the account that finances the activities and services for which the fee is imposed or with which the refund or reimbursement is associated;

(B) shall be available for expenditure only to pay the costs of activities and services for which the fee is imposed or with which the refund or reimbursement is associated; and

(C) shall remain available until expended.

(3) Refunds.—The Board may refund any fee paid by mistake or any amount paid in excess of that required.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 752; Pub. L. 103–411, §2, Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4236; Pub. L. 104–291, title I, §105, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3453; Pub. L. 106–424, §13, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1888; Pub. L. 108–168, §2, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2032; Pub. L. 109–443, §8(a), (b)(1), (c), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3300; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1103, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3429; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1202, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1422.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1118(a)	49 App.:1907(a) (1st–6th, last sentences).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §309(a), 88 Stat. 2173; Oct. 11, 1976, Pub. L. 94–481, 90 Stat. 2080; Sept. 11, 1978, Pub. L. 95–363, §2, 92 Stat. 597; Nov. 3, 1981, Pub. L. 97–74, §2, 95 Stat. 1065; June 6, 1983, Pub. L. 98–37, 97 Stat. 204; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §2, 102 Stat. 876; Nov. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–641, §2, 104 Stat. 4654.
1118(b)	49 App.:1907(b) (1st, 2d sentences).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, §309(b); added July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §2(b), 102 Stat. 876.
1118(c)	49 App.:1907(a) (7th sentence), (b) (last sentence).

In subsection (a), the words "to the National Transportation Safety Board" are added for clarity and consistency in the revised title. References to the fiscal years ending June 30, 1975, through September 30, 1992, are omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (b)(2), the words "amounts equal to amounts expended annually out of the fund" are substituted for "to replenish the fund annually" for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–63 amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) authorized appropriations for fiscal years 2019 through 2022.

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–254 amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of this chapter $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $72,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $73,325,000 for fiscal year 2003, $78,757,000 for fiscal year 2004, $83,011,000 for fiscal year 2005, $87,539,000 for fiscal year 2006, $81,594,000 for fiscal year 2007, and $92,625,000 for fiscal year 2008. Such sums shall remain available until expended."

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–443, §8(a), struck out "and" after "2005," and substituted "2006, $81,594,000 for fiscal year 2007, and $92,625,000 for fiscal year 2008." for "2006."

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–443, §8(b)(1), amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) related to appropriations and fees for the National Transportation Safety Board Academy.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–443, §8(c), struck out heading and text of subsec. (d). Text read as follows: "The National Transportation Safety Board shall transmit an annual report to the Congress on the activities and operations of the National Transportation Safety Board Academy."

2003—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 108–168, §2(a), struck out "and" after "fiscal year 2001," and substituted "$73,325,000 for fiscal year 2003, $78,757,000 for fiscal year 2004, $83,011,000 for fiscal year 2005, and $87,539,000 for fiscal year 2006. Such sums shall" for "such sums to".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–168, §2(b), added second sentence and struck out former second sentence which read as follows: "Amounts equal to the amounts expended annually out of the fund are authorized to be appropriated to the emergency fund."

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 108–168, §2(c), added subsecs. (c) and (d).

2000—Pub. L. 106–424 amended section catchline and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:

"(a) In General.—There is authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of this chapter $37,580,000 for fiscal year 1994, $44,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $45,100,000 for fiscal year 1996, $42,400,00 for fiscal year 1997, $44,400,000 for fiscal year 1998, and $46,600,000 for fiscal year 1999. Such sums shall remain available until expended.

"(b) Emergency Fund.—The Board has an emergency fund of $1,000,000 available for necessary expenses of the Board, not otherwise provided for, for accident investigations. The following amounts may be appropriated to the fund:

"(1) $1,000,000 to establish the fund.

"(2) amounts equal to amounts expended annually out of the fund.

"(c) Availability of Amounts.—Amounts appropriated under this section remain available until expended."

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–291 struck out "and" after "1995," and inserted ", $42,400,00 for fiscal year 1997, $44,400,000 for fiscal year 1998, and $46,600,000 for fiscal year 1999." before period at end of first sentence.

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–411 reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Not more than $38,800,000 may be appropriated to the National Transportation Safety Board for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1993, to carry out this chapter."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–443, §8(b)(2), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3300, provided that: "The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 2005."

§1119. Accident and safety data classification and publication

(a) In General.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the National Transportation Safety Board shall, in consultation and coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, develop a system for classifying air carrier accident data maintained by the Board.

(b) Requirements for Classification System.—

(1) In general.—The system developed under this section shall provide for the classification of accident and safety data in a manner that, in comparison to the system in effect on the date of the enactment of this section, provides for safety-related categories that provide clearer descriptions of accidents associated with air transportation, including a more refined classification of accidents which involve fatalities, injuries, or substantial damage and which are only related to the operation of an aircraft.

(2) Public comment.—In developing a system of classification under paragraph (1), the Board shall provide adequate opportunity for public review and comment.

(3) Final classification.—After providing for public review and comment, and after consulting with the Administrator, the Board shall issue final classifications. The Board shall ensure that air travel accident covered under this section is classified in accordance with the final classifications issued under this section for data for calendar year 1997, and for each subsequent calendar year.

(4) Publication.—The Board shall publish on a periodic basis accident and safety data in accordance with the final classifications issued under paragraph (3).

(5) Recommendations of the administrator.—The Administrator may, from time to time, request the Board to consider revisions (including additions to the classification system developed under this section). The Board shall respond to any request made by the Administrator under this section not later than 90 days after receiving that request.

(c) Appeals.—

(1) Notification of rights.—In any case in which an employee of the Board determines that an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft constitutes an accident, the employee shall notify the owner or operator of that aircraft of the right to appeal that determination to the Board.

(2) Procedure.—The Board shall establish and publish the procedures for appeals under this subsection.

(3) Limitation on applicability.—This subsection shall not apply in the case of an accident that results in a loss of life.

(Added Pub. L. 104–264, title IV, §407(a)(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3257; amended Pub. L. 108–168, §5, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2034.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–264, which was approved Oct. 9, 1996.

Amendments

2003—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–168 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Except as otherwise specifically provided, section applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1996, and not to be construed as affecting funds made available for a fiscal year ending before Oct. 1, 1996, see section 3 of Pub. L. 104–264, set out as an Effective Date of 1996 Amendment note under section 106 of this title.

Multimodal Accident Database Management System

Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1108, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3433, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 2018], the [National Transportation Safety] Board shall establish and maintain a multimodal accident database management system for Board investigators.

"(b) Purposes.—The purposes of the system shall be to support the Board in improving—

"(1) the quality of accident data the Board makes available to the public; and

"(2) the selection of accidents for investigation and allocation of limited resources.

"(c) Requirements.—The system shall—

"(1) maintain a historical record of accidents that are investigated by the Board; and

"(2) be capable of the secure storage, retrieval, and management of information associated with the investigations of such accidents."

SUBCHAPTER III—AUTHORITY

§1131. General authority

(a) General.—(1) The National Transportation Safety Board shall investigate or have investigated (in detail the Board prescribes) and establish the facts, circumstances, and cause or probable cause of—

(A) an aircraft accident the Board has authority to investigate under section 1132 of this title or an aircraft accident involving a public aircraft as defined by section 40102(a) of this title other than an aircraft operated by the Armed Forces or by an intelligence agency of the United States;

(B) a highway accident, including a railroad grade crossing accident, the Board selects, concurrent with any State investigation, in which case the Board and the relevant State agencies shall coordinate to ensure both the Board and State agencies have timely access to the information needed to conduct each such investigation, including any criminal and enforcement activities conducted by the relevant State agency;

(C) a railroad—

(i) accident in which there is a fatality or substantial property damage, except—

(I) a grade crossing accident or incident, unless selected by the Board; or

(II) an accident or incident involving a trespasser, unless selected by the Board; or

(ii) accident or incident that involves a passenger train, except in any case in which such accident or incident resulted in no fatalities or serious injuries to the passengers or crewmembers of such train, and—

(I) was a grade crossing accident or incident, unless selected by the Board; or

(II) such accident or incident involved a trespasser, unless selected by the Board;

(D) a pipeline accident in which there is a fatality, substantial property damage, or significant injury to the environment;

(E) a major marine casualty (except a casualty involving only public vessels) occurring on or under the navigable waters, internal waters, or the territorial sea of the United States as described in Presidential Proclamation No. 5928 of December 27, 1988, or involving a vessel of the United States (as defined in section 116 of title 46), under regulations prescribed jointly by the Board and the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating; and

(F) any other accident related to the transportation of individuals or property when the Board decides—

(i) the accident is catastrophic;

(ii) the accident involves problems of a recurring character; or

(iii) the investigation of the accident would carry out this chapter.

(2)(A) Subject to the requirements of this paragraph, an investigation by the Board under paragraph (1)(A)–(D) or (F) of this subsection has priority over any investigation by another department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government. The Board shall provide for appropriate participation by other departments, agencies, or instrumentalities in the investigation. However, those departments, agencies, or instrumentalities may not participate in the decision of the Board about the probable cause of the accident.

(B) If the Attorney General, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, determines and notifies the Board that circumstances reasonably indicate that the accident may have been caused by an intentional criminal act, the Board shall relinquish investigative priority to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The relinquishment of investigative priority by the Board shall not otherwise affect the authority of the Board to continue its investigation under this section.

(C) If a Federal law enforcement agency suspects and notifies the Board that an accident being investigated by the Board under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1) may have been caused by an intentional criminal act, the Board, in consultation with the law enforcement agency, shall take necessary actions to ensure that evidence of the criminal act is preserved.

(3) This section and sections 1113, 1116(b), 1133, and 1134(a) and (c)–(e) of this title do not affect the authority of another department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government to investigate an accident under applicable law or to obtain information directly from the parties involved in, and witnesses to, the accident. The Board and other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities shall ensure that appropriate information developed about the accident is exchanged in a timely manner.

(b) Accidents Involving Public Vessels.—(1) The Board or the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall investigate and establish the facts, circumstances, and cause or probable cause of a marine accident involving a public vessel and any other vessel. The results of the investigation shall be made available to the public.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection and subsection (a)(1)(E) of this section do not affect the responsibility, under another law of the United States, of the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating.

(c) Accidents Not Involving Government Misfeasance or Nonfeasance.—(1) When asked by the Board, the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may—

(A) investigate an accident described under subsection (a) or (b) of this section in which misfeasance or nonfeasance by the Government has not been alleged; and

(B) report the facts and circumstances of the accident to the Board.

(2) The Board shall use the report in establishing cause or probable cause of an accident described under subsection (a) or (b) of this section.

(d) Accidents Involving Public Aircraft.—The Board, in furtherance of its investigative duties with respect to public aircraft accidents under subsection (a)(1)(A) of this section, shall have the same duties and powers as are specified for civil aircraft accidents under sections 1132(a), 1132(b), and 1134(a), (b), (d), and (f) of this title.

(e) Accident Reports.—The Board shall report on the facts and circumstances of each accident investigated by it under subsection (a) or (b) of this section. The Board shall make each report available to the public—

(1) in electronic form at no cost in a publicly accessible database on a website of the Board; and

(2) if the electronic form required in paragraph (1) is not printable, in printed form upon a reasonable request at a reasonable cost.

(f) Timeliness of Reports.—If any accident report under subsection (e) is not completed within 2 years from the date of the accident, the Board 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 identifying such accident report and the reasons for which such report has not been completed. The Board shall report progress toward completion of the accident report to each such Committees every 90 days thereafter, until such time as the accident report is completed.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 752; Pub. L. 103–411, §3(c), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4237; Pub. L. 106–424, §§6(a), 7, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1885, 1886; Pub. L. 108–168, §7, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2034; Pub. L. 109–443, §9(b), (c), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3301; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1113(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3438; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVI, §11601(c)(3), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4146; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §§1210–1212, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1425, 1426.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1131(a)(1)	49 App.:1903(a) (1)(A)–(E) (less last sentence of (E)), (F).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A)–(F), 88 Stat. 2168; Oct. 24, 1992, Pub. L. 102–508, §303, 106 Stat. 3307.
1131(a)(2)	49 App.:1903(a)(1) (2d, 3d sentences).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1) (less (A)–(F)), 88 Stat. 2168; Nov. 3, 1981, Pub. L. 97–74, §3, 95 Stat. 1065.
1131(a)(3)	49 App.:1903(a)(1) (4th, 5th sentences).
1131(b)	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(E) (last sentence).
1131(c)	49 App.:1441(f).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §701(a)(4), (f), 72 Stat. 781.
	49 App.:1655(c)(1).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, §7(b), 96 Stat. 2444.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A) (6th, last sentences).
1131(d)	49 App.:1441(a)(4).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
	49 App.:1903(a)(2).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(2), 88 Stat. 2168; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §3(a), 102 Stat. 876.

In this section, the word "conditions" is omitted as being included in "circumstances". The words "head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating" are substituted for "Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (a)(1)(A), the words "the Board has authority to investigate under section 1132 of this title" are substituted for "which is within the scope of the functions, powers, and duties transferred from the Civil Aeronautics Board under section 1655(d) of this Appendix pursuant to title VII of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended [49 App. U.S.C. 1441 et seq.]" because of the restatement.

In subsection (a)(1)(F), before subclause (i), the word "decides" is substituted for "in the judgment of" for clarity. The word "individuals" is substituted for "people" for consistency in the revised title. In subclause (iii), the words "the investigation of" are added as being more precise.

In subsection (a)(3), the word "developed" is substituted for "obtained or developed" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(2), the word "affect" is substituted for "eliminate or diminish" for clarity.

In subsection (c), the text of 49 App.:1441(f) is omitted as superseded by 49 App.:1903(a)(1) (6th, last sentences).

In subsection (d), the words "in writing" in 49 App.:1903(a)(2) are omitted as surplus. The words "by it" are added for clarity. The text of 49 App.:1441(a)(4) is omitted as superseded by 49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A) and (2).

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Presidential Proclamation No. 5928, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(E), is set out as a note under section 1331 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 118–63, §1210(a), substituted "selects, concurrent with any State investigation, in which case the Board and the relevant State agencies shall coordinate to ensure both the Board and State agencies have timely access to the information needed to conduct each such investigation, including any criminal and enforcement activities conducted by the relevant State agency" for "selects in cooperation with a State".

Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 118–63, §1210(b), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: "a railroad accident in which there is a fatality or substantial property damage, or that involves a passenger train;".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 118–63, §1211, substituted "public—" and pars. (1) and (2) for "public at reasonable cost."

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 118–63, §1212, added subsec. (f).

2022—Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "section 116" for "section 2101(46)".

2018—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–254 substituted "a public aircraft as defined by section 40102(a) of this title" for "a public aircraft as defined by section 40102(a)(37) of this title".

2006—Subsec. (a)(1)(E). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(b), substituted "on or under the navigable waters, internal waters, or the territorial sea of the United States as described in Presidential Proclamation No. 5928 of December 27, 1988," for "on the navigable waters or territorial sea of the United States," and inserted "(as defined in section 2101(46) of title 46)" after "vessel of the United States".

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(c), inserted "or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating" after "Transportation" in introductory provisions.

2003—Subsec. (a)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 108–168 realigned margins.

2000—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 106–424, §6(a), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), substituted "Subject to the requirements of this paragraph, an investigation" for "An investigation", and added subpars. (B) and (C).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–424, §7, substituted "1134(a), (b), (d), and (f)" for "1134(b)(2)".

1994—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 103–411, §3(c)(1), inserted before semicolon at end "or an aircraft accident involving a public aircraft as defined by section 40102(a)(37) of this title other than an aircraft operated by the Armed Forces or by an intelligence agency of the United States".

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 103–411, §3(c)(2), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–411, §3(d), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4237, provided that: "The amendments made by subsections (a) and (c) [amending this section and section 40102 of this title] shall take effect on the 180th day following the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 25, 1994]."

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Air Safety Investigators

Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1222, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1432, provided that:

"(a) Removal of FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] Medical Certificate Requirement.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [May 16, 2024], the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Administrator [of the Federal Aviation Administration] and the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, shall take such actions as may be necessary to revise the eligibility requirements for the Air Safety Investigating Series 1815 occupational series (and any similar occupational series relating to transportation accident investigating) to remove any requirement that an individual hold a current medical certificate issued by the Administrator.

"(b) Updates to Other Requirements.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director, in coordination with the Administrator and Chairman, shall take such actions as may be necessary to update and revise experiential, educational, and other eligibility requirements for the Air Safety Investigating Series 1815 occupational series (and any similar occupational series relating to transportation accident investigating).

"(2) Considerations.—In updating the requirements under paragraph (1), the Director shall consider—

"(A) the direct relationship between any requirement and the duties expected to be performed by the position;

"(B) changes in the skills and tools necessary to perform transportation accident investigations; and

"(C) such other considerations as the Director, Administrator, or Chairman determines appropriate."

Revision of 1977 Agreement

Pub. L. 108–168, §3(b), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2033, provided that: "Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 6, 2003], the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall revise their 1977 agreement on the investigation of accidents to take into account the amendments made by this section [amending section 1136 of this title] and shall submit a copy of the revised agreement to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate."

Pub. L. 106–424, §6(b), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1886, provided that: "Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000], the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall revise their 1977 agreement on the investigation of accidents to take into account the amendments made by this Act [see Short Title of 2000 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title]."

Memorandum of Understanding

Pub. L. 106–424, §8, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1886, provided that: "Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 1, 2000], the National Transportation Safety Board and the United States Coast Guard shall revise their Memorandum of Understanding governing major marine accidents—

"(1) to redefine or clarify the standards used to determine when the National Transportation Safety Board will lead an investigation; and

"(2) to develop new standards to determine when a major marine accident involves significant safety issues relating to Coast Guard safety functions."

§1132. Civil aircraft accident investigations

(a) General Authority.—(1) The National Transportation Safety Board shall investigate—

(A) each accident involving civil aircraft; and

(B) with the participation of appropriate military authorities, each accident involving both military and civil aircraft.

(2) A person employed under section 1113(b)(1) of this title that is conducting an investigation or hearing about an aircraft accident has the same authority to conduct the investigation or hearing as the Board.

(b) Notification and Reporting.—The Board shall prescribe regulations governing the notification and reporting of accidents involving civil aircraft.

(c) Participation of Secretary.—The Board shall provide for the participation of the Secretary of Transportation in the investigation of an aircraft accident under this chapter when participation is necessary to carry out the duties and powers of the Secretary. However, the Secretary may not participate in establishing probable cause.

(d) Accidents Involving Only Military Aircraft.—If an accident involves only military aircraft and a duty of the Secretary is or may be involved, the military authorities shall provide for the participation of the Secretary. In any other accident involving only military aircraft, the military authorities shall give the Board or Secretary information the military authorities decide would contribute to the promotion of air safety.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 753.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1132(a)(1)	49 App.:1441(a)(2).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §§701(a)(1), (2), (c) (1st sentence), (g), 702, 72 Stat. 781, 782.
	49 App.:1442(a).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), 88 Stat. 2168.
1132(a)(2)	49 App.:1441(c) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
1132(b)	49 App.:1441(a)(1).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
1132(c)	49 App.:1441(g).
	49 App.:1655(c)(1).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, §7(b), 96 Stat. 2444.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
1132(d)	49 App.:1442(b), (c).
	49 App.:1655(c)(1), (d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).

In subsection (a)(1)(A), the words "and report the facts, conditions, and circumstances related to each accident and the probable cause thereof" in 49 App.:1441(a)(2) are omitted as unnecessary because of section 1131(d) of the revised title.

In subsection (a)(1)(B), the words "provide for" in 49 App.:1442(a) are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (a)(2), the words "any member of the National Transportation Safety Board or any officer or employee of the National Transportation Safety Board" in 49 App.:1441(c) are omitted as unnecessary because of sections 1113 and 1134 of the revised title.

In subsections (c) and (d), the words "Secretary of Transportation" and "Secretary" are substituted for "Administrator" in sections 701(g) and 702(b) and (c) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–726, 72 Stat. 782) for consistency. Section 6(c)(1) of the Department of Transportation Act (Public Law 89–670, 80 Stat. 938) transferred all duties and powers of the Federal Aviation Agency and the Administrator to the Secretary of Transportation. However, the Secretary was to carry out certain provisions through the Administrator. In addition, various laws enacted since then have vested duties and powers in the Administrator. All provisions of law the Secretary is required to carry out through the Administrator are included in 49:106(g).

In subsection (c), the words "and his representatives" in 49 App.:1441(g) are omitted because of 49:322(b). The words "when participation is necessary to carry out the duties and powers" are substituted for "In order to assure the proper discharge . . . of his duties and responsibilities" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "or his representatives" are omitted because of 49:322(b).

§1133. Review of other agency action

The National Transportation Safety Board shall review on appeal—

(1) the denial, amendment, modification, suspension, or revocation of a certificate issued by the Secretary of Transportation under section 44703, 44709, or 44710 of this title;

(2) the revocation of a certificate of registration under section 44106 of this title;

(3) a decision of the head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating on an appeal from the decision of an administrative law judge denying, revoking, or suspending a license, certificate, document, or register in a proceeding under section 6101, 6301, or 7503, chapter 77, or section 9303 of title 46; and

(4) under section 46301(d)(5) of this title, an order imposing a penalty under section 46301.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 754.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1133(1)–(3)	49 App.:1903(a)(9).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(9), 88 Stat. 2169; Oct. 19, 1984, Pub. L. 98–499, §4(b), 98 Stat. 2315.
1133(4)	(no source).

In clause (1), the word "certificate" is substituted for "operating certificate" for consistency in the revised title. The words "or license" are omitted as unnecessary because only certificates are issued under the sections cited in this section.

In clause (3), the words "head of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating" are substituted for "Commandant of the Coast Guard" for consistency with 14:5 and 46:2101(34).

Clause (4) is added to reflect all the appellate responsibilities of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§1134. Inspections and autopsies

(a) Entry and Inspection.—An officer or employee of the National Transportation Safety Board—

(1) on display of appropriate credentials and written notice of inspection authority, may enter property where a transportation accident has occurred or wreckage from the accident is located and do anything necessary to conduct an investigation; and

(2) during reasonable hours, may inspect any record, including an electronic record, process, control, or facility related to an accident investigation under this chapter.

(b) Inspection, Testing, Preservation, and Moving of Aircraft and Parts.—(1) In investigating an aircraft accident under this chapter, the Board may inspect and test, to the extent necessary, any civil aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or property on an aircraft involved in an accident in air commerce.

(2) Any civil aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or property on an aircraft involved in an accident in air commerce shall be preserved, and may be moved, only as provided by regulations of the Board.

(c) Avoiding Unnecessary Interference and Preserving Evidence.—In carrying out subsection (a)(1) of this section, an officer or employee may examine or test any vehicle, vessel, rolling stock, track, or pipeline component. The examination or test shall be conducted in a way that—

(1) does not interfere unnecessarily with transportation services provided by the owner or operator of the vehicle, vessel, rolling stock, track, or pipeline component; and

(2) to the maximum extent feasible, preserves evidence related to the accident, consistent with the needs of the investigation and with the cooperation of that owner or operator.

(d) Exclusive Authority of Board.—Only the Board has the authority to decide on the way in which testing under this section will be conducted, including decisions on the person that will conduct the test, the type of test that will be conducted, and any individual who will witness the test. Those decisions are committed to the discretion of the Board. The Board shall make any of those decisions based on the needs of the investigation being conducted and, when applicable, subsections (a), (c), and (e) of this section.

(e) Promptness of Tests and Availability of Results.—An inspection, examination, or test under subsection (a) or (c) of this section shall be started and completed promptly, and the results shall be made available.

(f) Autopsies.—(1) The Board may order an autopsy to be performed and have other tests made when necessary to investigate an accident under this chapter. However, local law protecting religious beliefs related to autopsies shall be observed to the extent consistent with the needs of the accident investigation.

(2) With or without reimbursement, the Board may obtain a copy of an autopsy report performed by a State or local official on an individual who died because of a transportation accident investigated by the Board under this chapter.

(g) Recorders and Data.—In investigating an accident under this chapter, the Board may require from a transportation operator or equipment manufacturer or the vendors, suppliers, subsidiaries, or parent companies of such manufacturer, or operator of a product or service which is subject to an investigation by the Board—

(1) any recorder or recorded information pertinent to the accident;

(2) without undue delay, information the Board determines necessary to enable the Board to read and interpret any recording device or recorded information pertinent to the accident; and

(3) design specifications or data related to the operation and performance of the equipment the Board determines necessary to enable the Board to perform independent physics-based simulations and analyses of the accident situation.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 754; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1105, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3431; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1213, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1426.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1134(a)	49 App.:1903(b)(2) (1st sentence words before 3d comma, 3d sentence).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(b)(2), 88 Stat. 2170; Nov. 3, 1981, Pub. L. 97–74, §5, 95 Stat. 1065; Nov. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–641, §3, 104 Stat. 4654.
1134(b)	49 App.:1441(c) (2d sentence), (d).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §701(c) (2d, last sentences), (d), 72 Stat. 781; Oct. 15, 1962, Pub. L. 87–810, §§1, 2, 76 Stat. 921.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), (b)(5), 88 Stat. 2168, 2170.
1134(c)	49 App.:1903(b)(2) (1st sentence words after 3d comma, 2d sentence).
1134(d)	49 App.:1903(b)(2) (5th, last sentences).
1134(e)	49 App.:1903(b)(2) (4th sentence).
1134(f)	49 App.:1441(c) (last sentence).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A), (b)(5).

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the word "officer" is added for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (b)(1), the words "investigating an aircraft accident" are substituted for "carrying out its duties" in 49 App.:1441(c) for clarity. The words "inspect and test" are substituted for "examine and test" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (c), before clause (1), the words "In carrying out subsection (a)(1) of this section, an officer or employee" are added because of the restatement. The words "or any part of any such item" are omitted as surplus. The words "when such examination or testing is determined to be required for purposes of such investigation" are omitted as unnecessary because of the words "do anything necessary to conduct an investigation" in subsection (a)(1) of this section. In clause (1), the word "obstruct" is omitted as being included in "interfere".

In subsection (d), the word "individuals" is substituted for "persons" the 2d time that word is used for clarity. The words "The Board shall make any of those decisions" are substituted for "and shall be made" because of the restatement.

In subsection (e), the word "promptly" is substituted for "with reasonable promptness" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (f)(1), the words "In the case of any fatal accident" in 49 App.:1441(c) are omitted as surplus. The words "to examine the remains of any deceased person aboard the aircraft at the time of the accident, who dies as a result of the accident" are omitted as unnecessary because of the authority of the Board to conduct autopsies.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 118–63 added subsec. (g).

2018—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 115–254 inserted "including an electronic record," after "record,".

§1135. Secretary of Transportation's responses to safety recommendations

(a) General.—When the National Transportation Safety Board submits a recommendation about transportation safety to the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary shall give to the Board a formal written response to each recommendation not later than 90 days after receiving the recommendation. The response shall indicate whether the Secretary intends—

(1) to carry out procedures to adopt the complete recommendation;

(2) to carry out procedures to adopt a part of the recommendation; or

(3) to refuse to carry out procedures to adopt the recommendation.

(b) Timetable for Completing Procedures and Reasons for Refusals.—A response under subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section shall include a copy of a proposed timetable for completing the procedures. A response under subsection (a)(2) of this section shall detail the reasons for the refusal to carry out procedures on the remainder of the recommendation. A response under subsection (a)(3) of this section shall detail the reasons for the refusal to carry out procedures.

(c) Public Availability.—The Board shall make a copy of each recommendation and response available to the public—

(1) in electronic form at no cost in a publicly accessible database on a website of the Board; and

(2) if the electronic form required in paragraph (1) is not printable, in printed form upon a reasonable request at a reasonable cost.

(d) Annual Report on Air Carrier Safety Recommendations.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary shall submit to Congress and the Board, on an annual basis, a report on the recommendations made by the Board to the Secretary regarding air carrier operations conducted under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

(2) Recommendations to be covered.—The report shall cover—

(A) any recommendation for which the Secretary has developed, or intends to develop, procedures to adopt the recommendation or part of the recommendation, but has yet to complete the procedures; and

(B) any recommendation for which the Secretary, in the preceding year, has issued a response under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3) refusing to carry out all or part of the procedures to adopt the recommendation.

(3) Contents.—

(A) Plans to adopt recommendations.—For each recommendation of the Board described in paragraph (2)(A), the report shall contain—

(i) a description of the recommendation;

(ii) a description of the procedures planned for adopting the recommendation or part of the recommendation;

(iii) the proposed date for completing the procedures; and

(iv) if the Secretary has not met a deadline contained in a proposed timeline developed in connection with the recommendation under subsection (b), an explanation for not meeting the deadline.

(B) Refusals to adopt recommendations.—For each recommendation of the Board described in paragraph (2)(B), the report shall contain—

(i) a description of the recommendation; and

(ii) a description of the reasons for the refusal to carry out all or part of the procedures to adopt the recommendation.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 755; Pub. L. 108–168, §6, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2034; Pub. L. 109–443, §2(b), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3298; Pub. L. 111–216, title II, §202, Aug. 1, 2010, 124 Stat. 2351; Pub. L. 111–249, §6(1), (2), Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §§1214, 1220(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1426, 1432.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1135(a), (b)	49 App.:1906(a) (less last sentence).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §307(a), 88 Stat. 2172; Nov. 3, 1981, Pub. L. 97–74, §6, 95 Stat. 1066; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §3(b), 102 Stat. 876.
1135(c)	49 App.:1906(a) (last sentence).
1135(d)	49 App.:1906(b).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, §307(b); added Nov. 3, 1981, Pub. L. 97–74, §6, 95 Stat. 1066.

In subsections (a) and (b), the words "carry out" are substituted for "initiate and conduct" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (a)(1), the word "complete" is substituted for "in full" for consistency in the revised title.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–63, §1214, substituted "public—" and pars. (1) and (2) for "public at reasonable cost."

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 118–63, §1220(a), struck out subsec. (e), which required the Secretary to annually submit regulatory status reports to Congress.

2010—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–216, §202(a), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, §6(1), inserted "to the Board" after "shall give" in introductory provisions.

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 111–216, §202(b), as amended by Pub. L. 111–249, §6(2), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).

2006—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 109–443 amended heading and text of par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "This subsection shall cease to be in effect after the report required to be filed on February 1, 2008, is filed."

2003—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–168 amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall submit to Congress on January 1 of each year a report containing each recommendation on transportation safety made by the Board to the Secretary during the prior year and a copy of the Secretary's response to each recommendation."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–249, §6, Sept. 30, 2010, 124 Stat. 2628, provided that the amendments made by section 6 of Pub. L. 111–249 are effective as of Aug. 1, 2010, and as if included in Pub. L. 111–216 as enacted.

Reports on Certain Open Safety Recommendations

Pub. L. 108–168, §9, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2035, provided that:

"(a) Initial Report.—Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 6, 2003], the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to Congress and the National Transportation Safety Board containing the regulatory status of each open safety recommendation made by the Board to the Secretary concerning—

"(1) 15-passenger van safety;

"(2) railroad grade crossing safety; and

"(3) medical certifications for a commercial driver's license.

"(b) Biennial Updates.—The Secretary shall continue to report on the regulatory status of each such recommendation (and any subsequent recommendation made by the Board to the Secretary concerning a matter described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a)) at 2-year intervals until—

"(1) final regulatory action has been taken on the recommendation;

"(2) the Secretary determines, and states in the report, that no action should be taken on that recommendation; or

"(3) the report, if any, required to be submitted in 2008 is submitted.

"(c) Failure To Report.—If the Board has not received a report required to be submitted under subsection (a) or (b) within 30 days after the date on which that report is required to be submitted, the Board shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate."

NTSB Safety Recommendations

Pub. L. 107–355, §19, Dec. 17, 2002, 116 Stat. 3009, as amended by Pub. L. 108–426, §2(c)(3), Nov. 30, 2004, 118 Stat. 2424, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Director of the Office of Pipeline Safety shall fully comply with section 1135 of title 49, United States Code, to ensure timely responsiveness to National Transportation Safety Board recommendations about pipeline safety.

"(b) Public Availability.—The Secretary, Administrator, or Director, respectively, shall make a copy of each recommendation on pipeline safety and response, as described in subsections (a) and (b) of section 1135, title 49, United States Code.

"(c) Reports to Congress.—The Secretary, Administrator, or Director, respectively, shall submit to Congress by January 1 of each year a report containing each recommendation on pipeline safety made by the Board during the prior year and a copy of the response to each such recommendation."

§1136. Assistance to passengers involved in aircraft accidents and families of such passengers

(a) In General.—As soon as practicable after being notified of an aircraft accident within United States airspace or airspace delegated to the United States involving an air carrier or foreign air carrier, resulting in any loss of life, and for which the National Transportation Safety Board will serve as the lead investigative agency, the Chairman of the Board shall—

(1) designate and publicize the name and phone number of a director of family support services who shall be an employee of the Board and shall be responsible for acting as a point of contact within the Federal Government for the families of passengers involved in the accident and a liaison between the air carrier or foreign air carrier and the families; and

(2) designate an independent nonprofit organization, with experience in disasters and posttrauma communication with families, which shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the emotional care, psychological care, and family support services of passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers.

(b) Responsibilities of the Board.—The Board shall have primary Federal responsibility for facilitating the recovery and identification of fatally-injured passengers involved in an accident described in subsection (a).

(c) Responsibilities of Designated Organization.—The organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2) shall have the following responsibilities with respect to passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers:

(1) To provide emotional care, psychological care, and family support services, in coordination with the disaster response team of the air carrier or foreign air carrier involved.

(2) To take such actions as may be necessary to provide an environment in which the families may grieve in private.

(3) To meet with passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers who have traveled to the location of the accident, to contact the families unable to travel to such location, and to contact all passengers and affected families regularly thereafter until such time as the organization, in consultation with the director of family support services designated for the accident under subsection (a)(1), determines that further assistance is no longer needed.

(4) To communicate with the passengers and families as to the roles of the organization, government agencies, and the air carrier or foreign air carrier involved with respect to the accident and the post-accident activities.

(5) To arrange a suitable memorial service, in consultation with the families.

(d) Passenger Lists.—

(1) Requests for passenger lists by the director of family services.—

(A) Requests by director of family support services.—It shall be the responsibility of the director of family support services designated for an accident under subsection (a)(1) to request, as soon as practicable, from the air carrier or foreign air carrier involved in the accident a passenger list, which is based on the best available information at the time of the request.

(B) Use of information.—The director of family support services may not release to any person information on a list obtained under subparagraph (A), except that the director may, to the extent the director considers appropriate, provide information on the list about a passenger to—

(i) the family of the passenger; or

(ii) a local, Tribal, State, or Federal agency responsible for determining the whereabouts or welfare of a passenger.

(C) Limitation.—A local, Tribal, State, or Federal agency may not release to any person any information obtained under subparagraph (B)(ii), except if given express authority from the director of family support services.

(D) Rule of construction.—Nothing in subparagraph (C) shall be construed to preclude a local, Tribal, State, or Federal agency from releasing information that is lawfully obtained through other means independent of releases made by the director of family support services under subparagraph (B).

(2) Requests for passenger lists by designated organization.—

(A) Requests by designated organization.—The organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2) may request from the air carrier or foreign air carrier involved in the accident a passenger list.

(B) Use of information.—The designated organization may not release to any person information on a passenger list but may provide information on the list about a passenger to the family of the passenger to the extent the organization considers appropriate.

(e) Continuing Responsibilities of the Board.—In the course of its investigation of an accident described in subsection (a), the Board shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the families of passengers involved in the accident—

(1) are briefed, prior to any public briefing, about the accident, its causes, and any other findings from the investigation; and

(2) are individually informed of and allowed to attend any public hearings and meetings of the Board about the accident.

(f) Use of Air Carrier Resources.—To the extent practicable, the organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2) shall coordinate its activities with the air carrier or foreign air carrier involved in the accident so that the resources of the carrier can be used to the greatest extent possible to carry out the organization's responsibilities under this section.

(g) Prohibited Actions.—

(1) Actions to impede the board.—No person (including a State or political subdivision) may impede the ability of the Board (including the director of family support services designated for an accident under subsection (a)(1)), or an organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2), to carry out its responsibilities under this section or the ability of passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers to have contact with one another.

(2) Unsolicited communications.—In the event of an accident involving an air carrier providing interstate or foreign air transportation and in the event of an accident involving a foreign air carrier that occurs within the United States, no unsolicited communication concerning a potential action for personal injury or wrongful death may be made by an attorney (including any associate, agent, employee, or other representative of an attorney) or any potential party to the litigation to an individual injured in the accident, or to a relative of an individual involved in the accident, before the 45th day following the date of the accident.

(3) Prohibition on actions to prevent certain care and support services.—No State or political subdivision thereof may prevent the employees, agents, or volunteers of an organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2) from providing emotional care, psychological care, and family support services under subsection (c)(1) in the 30-day period beginning on the date of the accident. The director of family support services designated for the accident under subsection (a)(1) may extend such period for not to exceed an additional 30 days if the director determines that the extension is necessary to meet the needs of the passengers and families and if State and local authorities are notified of the determination.

(h) Definitions.—In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) Aircraft accident.—The term "aircraft accident" means any aviation disaster, regardless of its cause or suspected cause, for which the Board is the lead investigative agency.

(2) Passenger.—The term "passenger" includes—

(A) an employee of an air carrier or foreign air carrier aboard an aircraft;

(B) any other person aboard the aircraft without regard to whether the person paid for the transportation, occupied a seat, or held a reservation for the flight; and

(C) any other person injured or killed in the aircraft accident, as determined appropriate by the Board.

(3) Passenger list.—The term "passenger list" means a list based on the best available information at the time of a request, of the name of each passenger aboard the aircraft involved in the accident.

(i) Statutory Construction.—Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the actions that an air carrier may take, or the obligations that an air carrier may have, in providing assistance to passengers involved in the aircraft accident and the families of such passengers.

(j) Relinquishment of Investigative Priority.—

(1) General rule.—This section (other than subsection (g)) shall not apply to an aircraft accident if the Board has relinquished investigative priority under section 1131(a)(2)(B) and the Federal agency to which the Board relinquished investigative priority is willing and able to provide assistance to the victims and families of the passengers involved in the accident.

(2) Board assistance.—If this section does not apply to an aircraft accident because the Board has relinquished investigative priority with respect to the accident, the Board shall assist, to the maximum extent possible, the agency to which the Board has relinquished investigative priority in assisting families with respect to the accident.

(Added Pub. L. 104–264, title VII, §702(a)(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3265; amended Pub. L. 106–181, title IV, §401(a)(1), (b)–(d), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 129; Pub. L. 108–168, §3(a), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2033; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1109(c), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3434; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1215(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1427.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(1), substituted "to passengers involved in aircraft accidents and families of such passengers" for "to families of passengers involved in aircraft accidents" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(2)(A), (B), in introductory provisions, inserted "within United States airspace or airspace delegated to the United States" after "aircraft accident" and substituted "Board shall" for "National Transportation Safety Board shall".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(2)(C), substituted "emotional care, psychological care, and family support services" for "emotional care and support" and "passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers" for "the families of passengers involved in the accident".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(3)(A), substituted "passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers" for "the families of passengers involved in the accident" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(3)(B), substituted "emotional care, psychological care, and family support services" for "mental health and counseling services".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(3)(C), substituted "passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers who have traveled to the location of the accident" for "the families who have traveled to the location of the accident" and "regularly" for "periodically", and inserted "passengers and" after "contact all".

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(3)(D), inserted "passengers and" before "families".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(4), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) related to requests for passenger lists and use of such information.

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(5), substituted "passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers" for "the families of passengers involved in the accident".

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(6), in heading, substituted "prevent certain care and support" for "prevent mental health and counseling", and, in text, substituted "providing emotional care, psychological care, and family support services" for "providing mental health and counseling services" and inserted "passengers and" before "families".

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(7)(A), struck out "National Transportation Safety" before "Board".

Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(7)(B), added par. (3).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(a)(8), substituted "passengers involved in the aircraft accident and the families of such passengers" for "the families of passengers involved in an aircraft accident".

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–254, §1109(c)(1), in introductory provisions, substituted "aircraft accident involving an air carrier or foreign air carrier, resulting in any loss of life, and for which the National Transportation Safety Board will serve as the lead investigative agency" for "aircraft accident within the United States involving an air carrier or foreign air carrier and resulting in a major loss of life".

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, §1109(c)(2)(A), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The term 'aircraft accident' means any aviation disaster regardless of its cause or suspected cause."

Subsec. (h)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–254, §1109(c)(2)(B), added subpar. (C).

2003—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 108–168 added subsec. (j).

2000—Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 106–181, §401(a)(1), substituted "transportation and in the event of an accident involving a foreign air carrier that occurs within the United States," for "transportation,", inserted "(including any associate, agent, employee, or other representative of an attorney)" after "attorney", and substituted "45th day" for "30th day".

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 106–181, §401(b), added par. (3).

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 106–181, §401(c), amended heading and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The term 'passenger' includes an employee of an air carrier aboard an aircraft."

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 106–181, §401(d), added subsec. (i).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–181 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.

Effective Date

Except as otherwise specifically provided, section applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1996, and not to be construed as affecting funds made available for a fiscal year ending before Oct. 1, 1996, see section 3 of Pub. L. 104–264, set out as an Effective Date of 1996 Amendment note under section 106 of this title.

§1137. Authority of the Inspector General

(a) In General.—The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, in accordance with the mission of the Inspector General to prevent and detect fraud and abuse, shall have authority to review only the financial management, property management, and business operations of the National Transportation Safety Board, including internal accounting and administrative control systems, to determine compliance with applicable Federal laws, rules, and regulations.

(b) Duties.—In carrying out this section, the Inspector General shall—

(1) keep the Chairman of the Board and Congress fully and currently informed about problems relating to administration of the internal accounting and administrative control systems of the Board;

(2) issue findings and recommendations for actions to address such problems; and

(3) report periodically to Congress on any progress made in implementing actions to address such problems.

(c) Access to Information.—In carrying out this section, the Inspector General may exercise authorities granted to the Inspector General under subsections (a) and (c) of section 406 of title 5.

(d) Authorizations of Appropriations.—

(1) Funding.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for use by the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation such sums as may be necessary to cover expenses associated with activities pursuant to the authority exercised under this section.

(2) Reimbursable agreement.—In the absence of an appropriation under this subsection for an expense referred to in paragraph (1), the Inspector General and the Board shall have a reimbursable agreement to cover such expense.

(Added Pub. L. 106–424, §12(a), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1887; amended Pub. L. 109–443, §4, Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3299; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(96), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4353.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "subsections (a) and (c) of section 406 of title 5." for "subsections (a) and (b) of section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)."

2006—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–443 amended heading and text of subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Inspector General shall be reimbursed by the Board for the costs associated with carrying out activities under this section."

§1138. Evaluation and audit of National Transportation Safety Board

(a) In General.—To promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of the programs, operations, and activities of the National Transportation Safety Board, the Comptroller General of the United States shall evaluate and audit the programs and expenditures of the Board. Such evaluation and audit shall be conducted as determined necessary by the Comptroller General or the appropriate congressional committees.

(b) Responsibility of Comptroller General.—The Comptroller General shall evaluate and audit Board programs, operations, and activities, including—

(1) information management and security, including privacy protection of personally identifiable information;

(2) resource management;

(3) workforce development;

(4) procurement and contracting planning, practices and policies;

(5) the process and procedures to select an accident to investigate;

(6) the extent to which the Board follows leading practices in selected management areas; and

(7) the extent to which the Board addresses management challenges in completing accident investigations.

(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees.—For purposes of this section the term "appropriate congressional committees" means the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

(Added Pub. L. 109–443, §5(a), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3299; amended Pub. L. 113–188, title XV, §1502, Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2025; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1110, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3435; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1221(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1432.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–63 substituted "expenditures of the" for "expenditures of the National Transportation Safety".

2018—Subsec. (b)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 115–254, §1110(1), added par. (5) and redesignated former pars. (5) and (6) as (6) and (7), respectively.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–254, §1110(2), inserted comma after "Science".

2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–188 struck out "at least annually, but may be conducted" after "Such evaluation and audit shall be conducted".

§1139. Assistance to passengers involved in rail passenger accidents and families of such passengers

(a) In General.—As soon as practicable after being notified of a rail passenger accident within the United States involving a rail passenger carrier and resulting in any loss of life, and for which the National Transportation Safety Board will serve as the lead investigative agency, the Chairman of the Board shall—

(1) designate and publicize the name and telephone number of a director of family support services who shall be an employee of the Board and shall be responsible for acting as a point of contact within the Federal Government for the families of passengers involved in the accident and a liaison between the rail passenger carrier and the families; and

(2) designate an independent nonprofit organization, with experience in disasters and post-trauma communication with families, which shall have primary responsibility for coordinating the emotional care, psychological care, and family support services of passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers.

(b) Responsibilities of the Board.—The Board shall have primary Federal responsibility for—

(1) facilitating the recovery and identification of fatally injured passengers involved in an accident described in subsection (a); and

(2) communicating with the families of passengers involved in the accident as to the roles, with respect to the accident and the post-accident activities, of—

(A) the organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2);

(B) Government agencies; and

(C) the rail passenger carrier involved.

(c) Responsibilities of Designated Organization.—The organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2) shall have the following responsibilities with respect to passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers:

(1) To provide emotional care, psychological care, and family support services, in coordination with the disaster response team of the rail passenger carrier involved.

(2) To take such actions as may be necessary to provide an environment in which the families may grieve in private.

(3) To meet with passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers who have traveled to the location of the accident, to contact the families unable to travel to such location, and to contact all passengers and affected families periodically thereafter until such time as the organization, in consultation with the director of family support services designated for the accident under subsection (a)(1), determines that further assistance is no longer needed.

(4) To arrange a suitable memorial service, in consultation with the passengers and families.

(d) Passenger Lists.—

(1) Requests for passenger lists by the director of family services.—

(A) Requests by director of family support services.—It shall be the responsibility of the director of family support services designated for an accident under subsection (a)(1) to request, as soon as practicable, from the rail passenger carrier involved in the accident a passenger list, which is based on the best available information at the time of the request.

(B) Use of information.—The director of family support services may not release to any person information on a list obtained under subparagraph (A), except that the director may, to the extent the director considers appropriate, provide information on the list about a passenger to—

(i) the family of the passenger; or

(ii) a local, Tribal, State, or Federal agency responsible for determining the whereabouts or welfare of a passenger.

(C) Limitation.—A local, Tribal, State, or Federal agency may not release to any person any information obtained under subparagraph (B)(ii), except if given express authority from the director of family support services.

(D) Rule of construction.—Nothing in subparagraph (C) shall be construed to preclude a local, Tribal, State, or Federal agency from releasing information that is lawfully obtained through other means independent of releases made by the director of family support services under subparagraph (B).

(2) Requests for passenger lists by designated organization.—

(A) Requests by designated organization.—The organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2) may request from the rail passenger carrier involved in the accident a passenger list.

(B) Use of information.—The designated organization may not release to any person information on a passenger list but may provide information on the list about a passenger to the family of the passenger to the extent the organization considers appropriate.

(e) Continuing Responsibilities of the Board.—In the course of its investigation of an accident described in subsection (a), the Board shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the families of passengers involved in the accident—

(1) are briefed, prior to any public briefing, about the accident and any other findings from the investigation; and

(2) are individually informed of and allowed to attend any public hearings and meetings of the Board about the accident.

(f) Use of Rail Passenger Carrier Resources.—To the extent practicable, the organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2) shall coordinate its activities with the rail passenger carrier involved in the accident to facilitate the reasonable use of the resources of the carrier.

(g) Prohibited Actions.—

(1) Actions to impede the board.—No person (including a State or political subdivision thereof) may impede the ability of the Board (including the director of family support services designated for an accident under subsection (a)(1)), or an organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2), to carry out its responsibilities under this section or the ability of passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers to have contact with one another.

(2) Unsolicited communications.—No unsolicited communication concerning a potential action or settlement offer for personal injury or wrongful death may be made by an attorney (including any associate, agent, employee, or other representative of an attorney) or any potential party to the litigation, including the railroad carrier or rail passenger carrier, to an individual (other than an employee of the rail passenger carrier) injured in the accident, or to a relative of an individual involved in the accident, before the 45th day following the date of the accident.

(3) Prohibition on actions to prevent certain care and support services.—No State or political subdivision thereof may prevent the employees, agents, or volunteers of an organization designated for an accident under subsection (a)(2) from providing emotional care, psychological care, and family support services under subsection (c)(1) in the 30-day period beginning on the date of the accident. The director of family support services designated for the accident under subsection (a)(1) may extend such period for not to exceed an additional 30 days if the director determines that the extension is necessary to meet the needs of the passengers and families and if State and local authorities are notified of the determination.

(h) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Rail passenger accident.—The term "rail passenger accident" means any rail passenger disaster that—

(A) results in any loss of life;

(B) the Board will serve as the lead investigative agency for; and

(C) occurs in the provision of—

(i) interstate intercity rail passenger transportation (as such term is defined in section 24102); or

(ii) high-speed rail (as such term is defined in section 26105) transportation, regardless of its cause or suspected cause.

(2) Rail passenger carrier.—The term "rail passenger carrier" means a rail carrier providing—

(A) interstate intercity rail passenger transportation (as such term is defined in section 24102); or

(B) interstate or intrastate high-speed rail (as such term is defined in section 26105) transportation,

except that such term does not include a tourist, historic, scenic, or excursion rail carrier.

(3) Passenger.—The term "passenger" includes—

(A) an employee of a rail passenger carrier aboard a train;

(B) any other person aboard the train without regard to whether the person paid for the transportation, occupied a seat, or held a reservation for the rail transportation; and

(C) any other person injured or killed in a rail passenger accident, as determined appropriate by the Board.

(4) Passenger list.—The term "passenger list" means a list based on the best available information at the time of the request, of the name of each passenger aboard the rail passenger carrier's train involved in the accident. A rail passenger carrier shall use reasonable efforts, with respect to its unreserved trains, and passengers not holding reservations on its other trains, to ascertain the names of passengers aboard a train involved in an accident.

(i) Limitation on Statutory Construction.—Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the actions that a rail passenger carrier may take, or the obligations that a rail passenger carrier may have, in providing assistance to the families of passengers involved in a rail passenger accident.

(j) Relinquishment of Investigative Priority.—

(1) General rule.—This section (other than subsection (g)) shall not apply to a rail passenger accident if the Board has relinquished investigative priority under section 1131(a)(2)(B) and the Federal agency to which the Board relinquished investigative priority is willing and able to provide assistance to the victims and families of the passengers involved in the accident.

(2) Board assistance.—If this section does not apply to a rail passenger accident because the Board has relinquished investigative priority with respect to the accident, the Board shall assist, to the maximum extent possible, the agency to which the Board has relinquished investigative priority in assisting families with respect to the accident.

(k) Savings Clause.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to abridge the authority of the Board or the Secretary of Transportation to investigate the causes or circumstances of any rail accident, including development of information regarding the nature of injuries sustained and the manner in which they were sustained for the purposes of determining compliance with existing laws and regulations or for identifying means of preventing similar injuries in the future, or both.

(Added Pub. L. 110–432, div. A, title V, §501(a), Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4894; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title XI, §11316(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1676; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1109(d), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3435; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1215(c), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1428.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(1), substituted "to passengers involved in rail passenger accidents and families of such passengers" for "to families of passengers involved in rail passenger accidents" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(2), substituted "Board shall" for "National Transportation Safety Board shall" in introcuctory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(3), substituted "emotional care, psychological care, and family support services" for "emotional care and support" and "passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers" for "the families of passengers involved in the accident".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(4)(A), substituted "passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers" for "the families of passengers involved in the accident" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(4)(B), substituted "emotional care, psychological care, and family support services" for "mental health and counseling services".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(4)(C), substituted "passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers who have traveled to the location of the accident" for "the families who have traveled to the location of the accident" and inserted "passengers and" before "affected families".

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(4)(D), inserted "passengers and" before "families".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(5), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) related to requests for passenger lists and use of such information.

Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(6)(A), substituted "passengers involved in the accident and the families of such passengers" for "the families of passengers involved in the accident".

Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(6)(B), in heading, substituted "prevent certain care and support" for "prevent mental health and counseling", and, in text, substituted "providing emotional care, psychological care, and family support services" for "providing mental health and counseling services" and inserted "passengers and" before "families".

Subsec. (h)(1)(B). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(7)(A), struck out "National Transportation Safety" before "Board ".

Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 118–63, §1215(c)(7)(B), added par. (4).

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–254, §1109(d)(1), substituted "resulting in any loss of life, and for which the National Transportation Safety Board will serve as the lead investigative agency" for "resulting in a major loss of life" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, §1109(d)(2), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The term 'rail passenger accident' means any rail passenger disaster resulting in a major loss of life occurring in the provision of—

"(A) interstate intercity rail passenger transportation (as such term is defined in section 24102); or

"(B) interstate or intrastate high-speed rail (as such term is defined in section 26105) transportation,

regardless of its cause or suspected cause."

2015—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–94, §11316(a)(1), substituted "telephone number" for "phone number".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 114–94, §11316(a)(2), substituted "post-trauma communication with families" for "post trauma communication with families".

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 114–94, §11316(a)(3), substituted "rail passenger accident" for "railroad passenger accident" in pars. (1) and (2).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2015 Amendment

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.

Establishment of Task Force

Pub. L. 110–432, div. A, title V, §503, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4899, provided that:

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary [of Transportation], in cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board, organizations potentially designated under section 1139(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, rail passenger carriers (as defined in section 1139(h)(2) of title 49, United States Code), and families which have been involved in rail accidents, shall establish a task force consisting of representatives of such entities and families, representatives of rail passenger carrier employees, and representatives of such other entities as the Secretary considers appropriate.

"(b) Model Plan and Recommendations.—The task force established pursuant to subsection (a) shall develop—

"(1) a model plan to assist rail passenger carriers in responding to passenger rail accidents;

"(2) recommendations on methods to improve the timeliness of the notification provided by passenger rail carriers to the families of passengers involved in a passenger rail accident;

"(3) recommendations on methods to ensure that the families of passengers involved in a passenger rail accident who are not citizens of the United States receive appropriate assistance; and

"(4) recommendations on methods to ensure that emergency services personnel have as immediate and accurate a count of the number of passengers onboard the train as possible.

"(c) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2008], the Secretary shall transmit a report to the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation containing the model plan and recommendations developed by the task force under subsection (b)."

§1140. Information ¹ individuals involved in accidents and families of such individuals

In the course of an investigation of an accident described in section 1131(a)(1), except an aircraft accident described in section 1136 or a rail passenger accident described in section 1139, the Board may, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that individuals involved in accidents and the families of such individuals, and other individuals the Board deems appropriate—

(1) are informed as to the roles, with respect to the accident and the post-accident activities, of the Board;

(2) are briefed, before any public briefing, about the accident, its causes, and any other findings from the investigation; and

(3) are individually informed of and allowed to attend any public hearings and meetings of the Board about the accident.

(Added Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1109(e)(1), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3435; amended Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1215(e), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1430.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–63 substituted "individuals involved in accidents and families of such individuals" for "for families of individuals involved in accidents" in section catchline and "individuals involved in accidents and the families of such individuals" for "the families of individuals involved in the accident" in introductory provisions in text.

¹ So in original. Probably should be followed by "for".

SUBCHAPTER IV—ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

§1151. Aviation enforcement

(a) Civil Actions by Board.—The National Transportation Safety Board may bring a civil action in a district court of the United States against a person to enforce section 1132, 1134(b) or (f)(1) (related to an aircraft accident), 1136(g)(2), or 1155(a) of this title or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those sections. An action under this subsection may be brought in the judicial district in which the person does business or the violation occurred.

(b) Civil Actions by Attorney General.—On request of the Board, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in an appropriate court—

(1) to enforce section 1132, 1134(b) or (f)(1) (related to an aircraft accident), 1136(g)(2), or 1155(a) of this title or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those sections; and

(2) to prosecute a person violating those sections or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those sections.

(c) Participation of Board.—On request of the Attorney General, the Board may participate in a civil action to enforce section 1132, 1134(b) or (f)(1) (related to an aircraft accident), 1136(g)(2), or 1155(a) of this title.

(d) Notification to Congress.—If the Board or Attorney General carry out such civil actions described in subsection (a) or (b) of this section against an airman employed at the time of the accident or incident by an air carrier operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the Board shall immediately notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of such civil actions, including—

(1) the labor union representing the airman involved, if applicable;

(2) the air carrier at which the airman is employed;

(3) the docket information of the incident or accident in which the airman was involved;

(4) the date of such civil actions taken by the Board or Attorney General; and

(5) a description of why such civil actions were taken by the Board or Attorney General.

(e) Subsequent Notification to Congress.—Not later than 15 days after the notification described in subsection (d), the Board shall submit a report to or brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the status of compliance with the civil actions taken.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 756; Pub. L. 106–181, title IV, §401(a)(2), Apr. 5, 2000, 114 Stat. 129; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1208(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1424.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1151(a)	49 App.:1487(a) (related to CAB).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §§1007 (related to CAB), 1008 (related to CAB), 72 Stat. 796.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), 88 Stat. 2168.
1151(b)	49 App.:1487(b) (related to CAB).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
1151(c)	49 App.:1488 (related to CAB).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).

In this section, the words "section 1132, 1134(b) or (f)(1) (related to an aircraft accident), or 1155(a) of this title" are substituted for "issued under this chapter" and "provisions of this chapter" because those sections restate the relevant provisions of 49 App.:ch. 20 carried out by the National Transportation Safety Board.

In subsections (a) and (b), the word "rule" is omitted as being synonymous with "regulation". The word "requirement" is omitted as being included in "order". The words "or any term, condition, or limitation of any certificate or permit" are omitted because the National Transportation Safety Board does not have authority to issue certificates or permits.

In subsection (a), the words "their duly authorized agents" are omitted as surplus. The words "may bring a civil action" are substituted for "may apply" in 49 App.:1487(a) for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The words "An action under this subsection may be brought in the judicial district in which" are substituted for "for any district wherein" for clarity. The text of 49 App.:1487(a) (words after semicolon) is omitted as unnecessary because of rule 81(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.).

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words "Attorney General" are substituted for "any district attorney of the United States" in 49 App.:1487(b) because of 28:509. The words "to whom the Board or Secretary of Transportation may apply" are omitted as surplus. The words "may bring a civil action" are substituted for "is authorized to institute . . . all necessary proceedings" for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The words "under the direction of the Attorney General" are omitted as unnecessary because of 28:516. The text of 49 App.:1487(b) (words after last comma) is omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (c), the words "civil action" are substituted for "proceeding in court" for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2024—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 118–63 added subsecs. (d) and (e).

2000—Pub. L. 106–181 inserted "1136(g)(2)," before "or 1155(a)" in subsecs. (a), (b)(1), and (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2000 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 106–181 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1999, see section 3 of Pub. L. 106–181, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.

§1152. Joinder and intervention in aviation proceedings

A person interested in or affected by a matter under consideration in a proceeding or a civil action to enforce section 1132, 1134(b) or (f)(1) (related to an aircraft accident), or 1155(a) of this title, or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those sections, may be joined as a party or permitted to intervene in the proceeding or civil action.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 756.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1152	49 App.:1489.	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §1009, 72 Stat. 796.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), 88 Stat. 2168.

The words "civil action" are substituted for "proceedings . . . begun originally in any court of the United States" for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.). The words "section 1132, 1134(b) or (f)(1) (related to an aircraft accident), or 1155(a) of this title" are substituted for "the provisions of this chapter" in 49 App.:1489 because 49 App.:1489 is taken from 49 App.:ch. 20 and the sections in quotations restate the relevant provisions of 49 App.:ch. 20 carried out by the National Transportation Safety Board. The remaining relevant provisions of 49 App.:ch. 20 are restated in part A of subtitle VII of the revised title, and provisions comparable to this section are included as section 46109 of the revised title. The word "rule" is omitted as being synonymous with "regulation". The word "requirement" is omitted as included in "order". The words "or any term, condition, or limitation of any certificate or permit" are omitted because the Board does not have authority to issue certificates or permits. The words "may be joined as a party or permitted to intervene" are substituted for "it shall be lawful to include as parties, or to permit the intervention of" for clarity. The text of 49 App.:1489 (words after semicolon) is omitted as surplus.

§1153. Judicial review

(a) General.—The appropriate court of appeals of the United States or the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit may review a final order of the National Transportation Safety Board under this chapter. A person disclosing a substantial interest in the order may apply for review by filing a petition not later than 60 days after the order of the Board is issued.

(b) Persons Seeking Judicial Review of Aviation Matters.—(1) A person disclosing a substantial interest in an order related to an aviation matter issued by the Board under this chapter may apply for review of the order by filing a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or in the court of appeals of the United States for the circuit in which the person resides or has its principal place of business. The petition must be filed not later than 60 days after the order is issued. The court may allow the petition to be filed after the 60 days only if there was a reasonable ground for not filing within that 60-day period.

(2) When a petition is filed under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the clerk of the court immediately shall send a copy of the petition to the Board. The Board shall file with the court a record of the proceeding in which the order was issued.

(3) When the petition is sent to the Board, the court has exclusive jurisdiction to affirm, amend, modify, or set aside any part of the order and may order the Board to conduct further proceedings. After reasonable notice to the Board, the court may grant interim relief by staying the order or taking other appropriate action when cause for its action exists. Findings of fact by the Board, if supported by substantial evidence, are conclusive.

(4) In reviewing an order under this subsection, the court may consider an objection to an order of the Board only if the objection was made in the proceeding conducted by the Board or if there was a reasonable ground for not making the objection in the proceeding.

(5) A decision by a court under this subsection may be reviewed only by the Supreme Court under section 1254 of title 28.

(c) Administrator Seeking Judicial Review of Aviation Matters.—When the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration decides that an order of the Board under section 44703(d), 44709, or 46301(d)(5) of this title will have a significant adverse impact on carrying out this chapter related to an aviation matter, the Administrator may obtain judicial review of the order under section 46110 of this title. The Administrator shall be made a party to the judicial review proceedings. Findings of fact of the Board are conclusive if supported by substantial evidence.

(d) Commandant Seeking Judicial Review of Maritime Matters.—If the Commandant of the Coast Guard decides that an order of the Board issued pursuant to a review of a Coast Guard action under section 1133 of this title will have an adverse impact on maritime safety or security, the Commandant may obtain judicial review of the order under subsection (a). The Commandant, in the official capacity of the Commandant, shall be a party to the judicial review proceedings.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 756; Pub. L. 108–293, title VI, §622, Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat. 1063; Pub. L. 112–95, title III, §301(b), Feb. 14, 2012, 126 Stat. 56.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1153(a)	49 App.:1655(d) (last sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(d).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(d), 88 Stat. 2171.
1153(b)(1)	49 App.:1486(a), (b) (as 1486(a), (b) relates to CAB).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §1006(a), (b), (e), (f) (as §1006(a), (b), (e), (f) relates to CAB), 72 Stat. 795.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
1153(b)(2)	49 App.:1486(c) (related to CAB).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §1006(c) (related to CAB), 72 Stat. 795; restated June 29, 1960, Pub. L. 86–546, §1, 74 Stat. 255.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
1153(b)(3)	49 App.:1486(d), (e) (1st sentence) (as 1486(d), (e) (1st sentence) relates to CAB).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §1006(d) (related to CAB), 72 Stat. 795; restated Sept. 13, 1961, Pub. L. 87–225, §2, 75 Stat. 497.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
1153(b)(4)	49 App.:1486(e) (last sentence related to CAB).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
1153(b)(5)	49 App.:1486(f) (related to CAB).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
1153(c)	49 App.:1429(a) (8th–last sentences related to Administrator under subch. VII).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §609(a) (8th–last sentences related to Administrator under title VII), 72 Stat. 779; Nov. 18, 1971, Pub. L. 92–159, §2(a), 85 Stat. 481; Aug. 26, 1992, Pub. L. 102–345, §3(a)(2), 106 Stat. 925.
	49 App.:1471(a) (3)(D)(v) (related to Administrator under subch. VII).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, §901(a) (3)(D)(v) (related to Administrator under title VII); added Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100–690, §7208(b), 102 Stat. 4429; restated Aug. 26, 1992, Pub. L. 102–345, §2(a), 106 Stat. 923.
	49 App.:1655(c)(1).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(c)(1), 80 Stat. 938; Jan. 12, 1983, Pub. L. 97–449, §7(b), 96 Stat. 2444.

In subsection (a), the text of 49 App.:1903(d) (last sentence) is omitted as unnecessary because 5:ch. 7 applies by its own terms. The words "final order" are substituted for "order, affirmative or negative" in 49 App.:1903(d) and "Decisions of the National Transportation Safety Board made pursuant to the exercise of the functions, powers, and duties enumerated in this subsection shall be administratively final" in 49 App.:1655(d) to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "is issued" are substituted for "after the entry" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. The text of 49 App.:1655(d) (last sentence words after last comma) is omitted as unnecessary because of 49 App.:1903(d).

In subsection (b)(1), the words "affirmative or negative" are omitted as surplus. The words "related to an aviation matter" are added because the source provisions being restated only apply to aviation matters. The words "is issued" are substituted for "the entry of" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (b)(2), the words "if any" are omitted as surplus. The words "of the proceeding" are added for clarity. The words "complained of" and "as provided in section 2112 of title 28" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(3), the word "amend" is added for consistency in the revised title. The word "interim" is substituted for "interlocutory" for clarity. The words "taking other appropriate action" are substituted for "by such mandatory or other relief as may be appropriate" for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(4), the words "made in the proceeding conducted by" are substituted for "urged before" for clarity.

In subsection (c), the source provisions are combined to eliminate unnecessary words and are restated in this chapter to alert the reader to the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to seek judicial review of an order of the National Transportation Safety Board under section 44709 or 46301(d) of the revised title that the Administrator decides will have a significant adverse impact on carrying out source provisions restated in this chapter that are derived from title VII of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (Public Law 85–726, 72 Stat. 781).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2012—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 112–95 substituted "section 44703(d), 44709, or" for "section 44709 or".

2004—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 108–293 added subsec. (d).

§1154. Discovery and use of cockpit and surface vehicle recordings and transcripts

(a) In General.—(1) Except as provided by this subsection, a party in a judicial proceeding may not use discovery to obtain—

(A) any still image that the National Transportation Safety Board has not made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title;

(B) any part of a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder transcript that the National Transportation Safety Board has not made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title; and

(C) a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder recording.

(2)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (4)(A) of this subsection, a court may allow discovery by a party of a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder transcript if, after an in camera review of the transcript, the court decides that—

(i) the part of the transcript made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title does not provide the party with sufficient information for the party to receive a fair trial; and

(ii) discovery of additional parts of the transcript is necessary to provide the party with sufficient information for the party to receive a fair trial.

(B) A court may allow discovery, or require production for an in camera review, of a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder transcript that the Board has not made available under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title only if the cockpit or surface vehicle recorder recording is not available.

(3) Except as provided in paragraph (4)(A) of this subsection, a court may allow discovery by a party of a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder recording, including with regard to a video recording any still image that the National Transportation Safety Board has not made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title, if, after an in camera review of the recording, the court decides that—

(A) the parts of the transcript made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title and to the party through discovery under paragraph (2) of this subsection do not provide the party with sufficient information for the party to receive a fair trial; and

(B) discovery of the cockpit or surface vehicle recorder recording, including with regard to a video recording any still image that the National Transportation Safety Board has not made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title, is necessary to provide the party with sufficient information for the party to receive a fair trial.

(4)(A) When a court allows discovery in a judicial proceeding of a still image or a part of a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder transcript not made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title or a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder recording, the court shall issue a protective order—

(i) to limit the use of the still image, the part of the transcript, or the recording to the judicial proceeding; and

(ii) to prohibit dissemination of the still image, the part of the transcript, or the recording to any person that does not need access to the still image, the part of the transcript, or the recording for the proceeding.

(B) A court may allow a still image or a part of a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder transcript not made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title or a cockpit or surface vehicle recorder recording to be admitted into evidence in a judicial proceeding, only if the court places the still image, the part of the transcript, or the recording under seal to prevent the use of the still image, the part of the transcript, or the recording for purposes other than for the proceeding.

(5) This subsection does not prevent the Board from referring at any time to cockpit or surface vehicle recorder information in making safety recommendations.

(6) In this subsection:

(A) Recorder.—The term "recorder" means a voice or video recorder.

(B) Still image.—The term "still image" means any still image obtained from a video recorder.

(C) Transcript.—The term "transcript" includes any written depiction of visual information obtained from a video recorder.

(b) Reports.—No part of a report of the Board, related to an accident or an investigation of an accident, may be admitted into evidence or used in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 757; Pub. L. 106–424, §5(c)(1), Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1885; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1104(b), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3430.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1154(a)	49 App.:1905(c)(3), (d).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, §306(c)(3), (d); added Oct. 14, 1982, Pub. L. 97–309, §2, 96 Stat. 1453; restated Nov. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–641, §4, 104 Stat. 4655.
1154(b)	49 App.:1441(e).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §701(e), 72 Stat. 781.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A), (c).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), (c), 88 Stat. 2168, 2171.

In subsection (a), the word "transcript" is substituted for "transcriptions" for clarity.

In subsection (a)(1)(A), the words "that the National Transportation Safety Board has not made available to the public" are substituted for "other than such portions made available to the public by the Board" for clarity.

In subsection (a)(2)(B), the words "prepared by or under the direction of the Board" are omitted as unnecessary and for consistency with the source provisions restated in this subsection.

In subsection (b), the words "civil action" are substituted for "suit or action" in 49 App.:1441(e) and 1903(c) for consistency with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(b)(1), substituted "In General" for "Transcripts and Recordings" in heading.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(b)(2), added subpar. (A) and redesignated former subpars. (A) and (B) as (B) and (C), respectively.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(b)(3), substituted "recorder recording, including with regard to a video recording any still image that the National Transportation Safety Board has not made available to the public under section 1114(c) or 1114(d) of this title," for "recorder recording" in introductory provisions and in subpar. (B).

Subsec. (a)(4)(A). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(b)(4), inserted "a still image or" before "a part of a cockpit" in introductory provisions and substituted "the still image, the part of the transcript, or the recording" for "the part of the transcript or the recording" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(b)(4)(B), inserted "a still image or" before "a part of a cockpit" and substituted "the still image, the part of the transcript, or the recording" for "the part of the transcript or the recording" in two places.

Subsec. (a)(6)(B), (C). Pub. L. 115–254, §1104(b)(5), added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).

2000—Pub. L. 106–424, §5(c)(1)(A), substituted "and surface vehicle recordings and transcripts" for "voice and other material" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–424, §5(c)(1)(B), substituted "cockpit or surface vehicle recorder" for "cockpit voice recorder" wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 106–424, §5(c)(1)(C), substituted "section 1114(c) or 1114(d)" for "section 1114(c)" wherever appearing.

Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 106–424, §5(c)(1)(D), which directed the amendment of this section by adding par. (6) at the end, was executed by adding par. (6) at the end of subsec. (a) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

§1155. Penalties

(a) Civil Penalty.—(1) A person violating section 1132, section 1134(b), section 1134(f)(1), section 1136(g), or section 1139(g) of this title or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those sections is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. A separate violation occurs for each day a violation continues.

(2) This subsection does not apply to a member of the armed forces of the United States or an employee of the Department of Defense subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice when the member or employee is performing official duties. The appropriate military authorities are responsible for taking necessary disciplinary action and submitting to the National Transportation Safety Board a timely report on action taken.

(3) The Board may compromise the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this subsection.

(4) The Government may deduct the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under this subsection from amounts it owes the person liable for the penalty.

(5) A civil penalty under this subsection may be collected by bringing a civil action against the person liable for the penalty. The action shall conform as nearly as practicable to a civil action in admiralty.

(b) Criminal Penalty.—A person that knowingly and without authority removes, conceals, or withholds a part of a civil aircraft involved in an accident, or property on the aircraft at the time of the accident, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 758; Pub. L. 104–264, title VII, §702(b), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 Stat. 3267; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1216(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1431.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1155(a)(1), (2)	49 App.:1471(a)(1) (related to subchapter VII).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §901(a)(1) (related to title VII), 72 Stat. 783; restated July 10, 1962, Pub. L. 87–528, §12, 76 Stat. 149; Aug. 5, 1974, Pub. L. 93–366, §107, 88 Stat. 414; Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §113(b), 88 Stat. 2162.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938.
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), 88 Stat. 2168.
1155(a)(3), (4)	49 App.:1471(a)(2) (related to subchapter VII).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §901(a)(2) (related to title VII), 72 Stat. 784; July 10, 1962, Pub. L. 87–528, §12, 76 Stat. 150; restated Oct. 24, 1978, Pub. L. 95–504, §35(b), 92 Stat. 1740.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
1155(a)(5)	49 App.:1473(b)(1).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §903(b)(1), 72 Stat. 786; Oct. 24, 1978, Pub. L. 95–504, §36, 92 Stat. 1741.
	49 App.:1473(b)(4).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §903(b)(4), 72 Stat. 787.
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
1155(b)	49 App.:1472(p).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, 72 Stat. 731, §902(p); added Oct. 15, 1962, Pub. L. 87–810, §4, 76 Stat. 921; Aug. 5, 1974, Pub. L. 93–366, §103(b), 88 Stat. 410; Dec. 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–223, §204(e), 101 Stat. 1520.

In subsection (a)(1), the words "section 1132 or 1134(b) or (f)(1) (related to an aircraft accident) of this title" are substituted for "any provision of subchapter . . . VII . . . of this chapter" in 49 App.:1471(a)(1) because those sections restate the relevant source provisions of 49 App.:ch. 20 carried out by the Board. The words "regulation prescribed or order issued under either of those sections" are substituted for "rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder" for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code and because "rule" and "regulation" are synonymous. The words "liable to the United States Government" are substituted for "subject to" for clarity. The words "for each such violation" are omitted as unnecessary because of 18:1.

In subsection (a)(2), the word "civilian" is omitted as unnecessary. The words "with respect thereto" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (a)(4), the words "imposed or compromised" are substituted for "finally determined or fixed by order of the Board, or the amount agreed upon in compromise" in 49 App.:1471(a)(2) for consistency and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (a)(5), the words "imposed or assessed" are omitted as surplus. The words "civil action against the person" are substituted for "proceedings in personam against the person" in 49 App.:1473(b)(1) for consistency with rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (28 App. U.S.C.) and to eliminate unnecessary words. The text of 49 App.:1473(b)(1) (1st sentence words after 1st comma and last sentence) is omitted as unnecessary because penalties imposed by the National Transportation Safety Board do not involve liens on aircraft. The text of 49 App.:1473(b)(4) is omitted as unnecessary because of 28:ch. 131.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Uniform Code of Military Justice, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is classified generally to chapter 47 (§801 et seq.) of Title 10, Armed Forces.

Prior Provisions

Prior chapter 31 (§§3101–3104) of subtitle II redesignated and restated as chapter 315 (§§31501–31504) of subtitle VI of this title by Pub. L. 103–272, §1(c), (e).

Amendments

2024—Pub. L. 118–63, §1216(a)(1), substituted "Penalties" for "Aviation penalties" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–63, §1216(a)(2), substituted "section 1136(g), or section 1139(g)" for "or section 1136(g) (related to an aircraft accident)".

1996—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104–264 substituted ", section 1134(b), section 1134(f)(1), or section 1136(g)" for "or 1134(b) or (f)(1)" and "any of" for "either of".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Except as otherwise specifically provided, amendment by Pub. L. 104–264 applicable only to fiscal years beginning after Sept. 30, 1996, and not to be construed as affecting funds made available for a fiscal year ending before Oct. 1, 1996, see section 3 of Pub. L. 104–264, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.

CHAPTER 13—SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

I—ESTABLISHMENT ¹

        

II—ADMINISTRATIVE ¹

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110, §§3(a)(1), (2), 10, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228, 2233, renumbered chapter 7 of this title as this chapter and amended analysis generally, substituting items 1301 to 1306 and 1321 to 1326 for former items 701 to 706 and 721 to 727, respectively.

¹ So in original. Does not conform to subchapter heading since word "SUBCHAPTER" does not appear.

SUBCHAPTER I—ESTABLISHMENT

§1301. Establishment of Board

(a) Establishment.—The Surface Transportation Board is an independent establishment of the United States Government.

(b) Membership.—(1) The Board shall consist of 5 members, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Not more than 3 members may be appointed from the same political party.

(2) At all times—

(A) at least 3 members of the Board shall be individuals with professional standing and demonstrated knowledge in the fields of transportation, transportation regulation, or economic regulation; and

(B) at least 2 members shall be individuals with professional or business experience (including agriculture) in the private sector.

(3) The term of each member of the Board shall be 5 years and shall begin when the term of the predecessor of that member ends. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the predecessor of that individual was appointed, shall be appointed for the remainder of that term. When the term of office of a member ends, the member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified, but for a period not to exceed one year. The President may remove a member for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.

(4) No individual may serve as a member of the Board for more than 2 terms. In the case of an individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the predecessor of that individual was appointed, such individual may not be appointed for more than one additional term.

(5) A member of the Board may not have a pecuniary interest in, hold an official relation to, or own stock in or bonds of, a carrier providing transportation by any mode and may not engage in another business, vocation, or employment.

(6) A vacancy in the membership of the Board does not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all of the powers of the Board. The Board may designate a member to act as Chairman during any period in which there is no Chairman designated by the President.

(c) Chairman.—(1) There shall be at the head of the Board a Chairman, who shall be designated by the President from among the members of the Board. The Chairman shall receive compensation at the rate prescribed for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5.

(2) Subject to the general policies, decisions, findings, and determinations of the Board, the Chairman shall be responsible for administering the Board. The Chairman may delegate the powers granted under this paragraph to an officer, employee, or office of the Board. The Chairman shall—

(A) appoint and supervise, other than regular and full-time employees in the immediate offices of another member, the officers and employees of the Board, including attorneys to provide legal aid and service to the Board and its members, and to represent the Board in any case in court;

(B) appoint the heads of offices with the approval of the Board;

(C) distribute Board business among officers and employees and offices of the Board;

(D) prepare requests for appropriations for the Board and submit those requests to the President and Congress with the prior approval of the Board; and

(E) supervise the expenditure of funds allocated by the Board for major programs and purposes.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 932, §701; amended Pub. L. 104–287, §5(5), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3389; renumbered §1301 and amended Pub. L. 114–110, §§3(a)(3), (b), 4, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228, 2229.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(3), renumbered section 701 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–110, §3(b), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "There is hereby established within the Department of Transportation the Surface Transportation Board."

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–110, §4(a)(1), substituted "5 members" for "3 members" and "3 members" for "2 members".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 114–110, §4(a)(2), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "At any given time, at least 2 members of the Board shall be individuals with professional standing and demonstrated knowledge in the fields of transportation or transportation regulation, and at least one member shall be an individual with professional or business experience (including agriculture) in the private sector."

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 114–110, §4(b)(3), struck out "who becomes a member of the Board pursuant to paragraph (4), or an individual" after "In the case of an individual".

Pub. L. 114–110, §4(b)(1), (2), redesignated par. (5) as (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: "On January 1, 1996, the members of the Interstate Commerce Commission serving unexpired terms on December 29, 1995, shall become members of the Board, to serve for a period of time equal to the remainder of the term for which they were originally appointed to the Interstate Commerce Commission. Any member of the Interstate Commerce Commission whose term expires on December 31, 1995, shall become a member of the Board, subject to paragraph (3)."

Subsec. (b)(5), (6). Pub. L. 114–110, §4(b)(2), redesignated pars. (6) and (7) as (5) and (6), respectively. Former par. (5) redesignated (4).

1996—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 104–287 substituted "January 1, 1996" for "the effective date of this section" and "December 29, 1995," for "the date of the enactment of the ICC Termination Act of 1995".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 104–88, §2, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 804, provided that: "Except as otherwise provided in this Act [see Tables for classification], this Act shall take effect on January 1, 1996."

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §204, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 941, provided that:

"(a) Legal Documents.—All orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges—

"(1) that have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to become effective by the Interstate Commerce Commission, any officer or employee of the Interstate Commerce Commission, or any other Government official, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, in the performance of any function that is transferred by this Act [see Tables for classification] or the amendments made by this Act; and

"(2) that are in effect on the effective date of such transfer (or become effective after such date pursuant to their terms as in effect on such effective date),

shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in accordance with law by the Board [Surface Transportation Board], any other authorized official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or operation of law. The Board shall promptly rescind all regulations established by the Interstate Commerce Commission that are based on provisions of law repealed and not substantively reenacted by this Act.

"(b) Proceedings.—(1) The provisions of this Act shall not affect any proceedings or any application for any license pending before the Interstate Commerce Commission at the time this Act takes effect [see Effective Date note above], insofar as those functions are retained and transferred by this Act; but such proceedings and applications, to the extent that they relate to functions so transferred, shall be continued. Orders shall be issued in such proceedings, appeals shall be taken therefrom, and payments shall be made pursuant to such orders, as if this Act had not been enacted; and orders issued in any such proceedings shall continue in effect until modified, terminated, superseded, or revoked by a duly authorized official, by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to prohibit the discontinuance or modification of any such proceeding under the same terms and conditions and to the same extent that such proceeding could have been discontinued or modified if this Act had not been enacted.

"(2) The Board and the Secretary are authorized to provide for the orderly transfer of pending proceedings from the Interstate Commerce Commission.

"(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), in the case of a proceeding under a provision of law repeal [repealed], and not reenacted, by this Act such proceeding shall be terminated.

"(B) Any proceeding involving a pipeline carrier under subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, shall be continued to be heard by the Board under such subtitle, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this section [see Effective Date note above], until completion of such proceeding.

"(C) Any proceeding involving the merger of a motor carrier property under subtitle IV of title 49, United States Code, shall continue to be heard by the Board under such subtitle, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this section, until completion of such proceeding.

"(4) Any proceeding with respect to any tariff, rate charge, classification, rule, regulation, or service that was pending under the Intercoastal Shipping Act, 1933 [former 46 U.S.C. App. 843 et seq.] or the Shipping Act, 1916 [former 46 U.S.C. App. 801 et seq., see Disposition Table preceding section 101 of Title 46, Shipping] before the Federal Maritime Commission on November 1, 1995, shall continue to be heard until completion or issuance of a final order thereon under all applicable laws in effect as of November 1, 1995.

"(c) Suits.—(1) This Act shall not affect suits commenced before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 29, 1995], except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3). In all such suits, proceeding shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner and with the same effect as if this Act had not been enacted.

"(2) Any suit by or against the Interstate Commerce Commission begun before the effective date of this Act shall be continued, insofar as it involves a function retained and transferred under this Act, with the Board (to the extent the suit involves functions transferred to the Board under this Act) or the Secretary (to the extent the suit involves functions transferred to the Secretary under this Act) substituted for the Commission.

"(3) If the court in a suit described in paragraph (1) remands a case to the Board or the Secretary, subsequent proceedings related to such case shall proceed in accordance with applicable law and regulations as in effect at the time of such subsequent proceedings.

"(d) Continuance of Actions Against Officers.—No suit, action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any officer in his official capacity as an officer of the Interstate Commerce Commission shall abate by reason of the enactment of this Act. No cause of action by or against the Interstate Commerce Commission, or by or against any officer thereof in his official capacity, shall abate by reason of enactment of this Act.

"(e) Exercise of Authorities.—Except as otherwise provided by law, an officer or employee of the Board may, for purposes of performing a function transferred by this Act or the amendments made by this Act, exercise all authorities under any other provision of law that were available with respect to the performance of that function to the official responsible for the performance of the function immediately before the effective date of the transfer of the function under this Act or the amendments made by this Act."

Construction

Pub. L. 114–110, §17, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2238, provided that: "Nothing in this Act [see Tables for classification] may be construed to affect any suit commenced by or against the Surface Transportation Board, or any proceeding or challenge pending before the Surface Transportation Board, before the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2015]."

Abolition of Interstate Commerce Commission

Pub. L. 104–88, title I, §101, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 804, provided that: "The Interstate Commerce Commission is abolished."

Organization of Functions of Surface Transportation Board

Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §202, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 940, provided that: "The Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (in this Act [see Tables for classification] referred to as the 'Board') may allocate or reallocate any function of the Board, consistent with this title [see Tables for classification] and [former] subchapter I of chapter 7 [now 49 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.], as amended by section 201 of this title, among the members or employees of the Board, and may establish, consolidate, alter, or discontinue in the Board any organizational entities that were entities of the Interstate Commerce Commission, as the Chairman considers necessary or appropriate."

Transfer of Assets and Personnel

Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §203, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 941, provided that:

"(a) To Board.—Except as otherwise provided in this Act [see Tables for classification] and the amendments made by this Act, those personnel, property, and records employed, used, held, available, or to be made available in connection with a function transferred to the Board [Surface Transportation Board] by this Act shall be transferred to the Board for use in connection with the functions transferred, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other funds of the Interstate Commerce Commission shall also be transferred to the Board. Such unexpended balances, allocations, and other funds, together with any unobligated balances from user fees collected by the Commission during fiscal year 1996, may be used to pay for the closedown of the Commission and severance costs for Commission personnel, regardless of whether those costs are incurred at the Commission or at the Board.

"(b) To Secretary.—Except as otherwise provided in this Act and the amendments made by this Act, those personnel, property, and records employed, used, held, available, or to be made available in connection with a function transferred to the Secretary by this Act shall be transferred to the Secretary for use in connection with the functions transferred.

"(c) Separated Employees.—Notwithstanding all other laws and regulations, the Department of Transportation shall place all Interstate Commerce Commission employees separated from the Commission as a result of this Act on the DOT reemployment priority list (competitive service) or the priority employment list (excepted service)."

References to Interstate Commerce Commission Deemed To Be References to Surface Transportation Board

Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §205, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 943, provided that: "Any reference to the Interstate Commerce Commission in any other Federal law, Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document of or pertaining to the Interstate Commerce Commission or an officer or employee of the Interstate Commerce Commission, is deemed to refer to the Board [Surface Transportation Board], a member or employee of the Board, or the Secretary, as appropriate."

Surface Transportation Board Passenger Rail Program

Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title II, §22309, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 734, provided that: "The Surface Transportation Board shall—

"(1) establish a passenger rail program with primary responsibility for carrying out the Board's passenger rail responsibilities; and

"(2) hire up to 10 additional full-time employees to assist in carrying out the responsibilities referred to in paragraph (1)."

Information Security Improvement

Pub. L. 115–269, Oct. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 3763, provided that:

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'STB Information Security Improvement Act'.

"SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS.

"(a) In General.—The Surface Transportation Board (in this section referred to as the 'STB') shall develop a timeline and plan to implement the recommendations of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation in Report No. FI2018002, including improvements—

"(1) to identify controls, including risk management, weakness remediation, and security authorization;

"(2) to protect controls, including configuration management, user identity and access management, and security training;

"(3) to detect controls, including continuous monitoring;

"(4) to respond [to] controls, including incident handling and reporting;

"(5) to recover controls for contingency planning; and

"(6) [sic] any additional tools that will improve the implementation of the recommendations.

"(b) Implementation.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 2018], the STB shall submit the plan and timeline developed under subsection (a) to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce of the Senate.

"(2) Report.—The STB shall report annually to such Committees on the progress on implementation of the recommendations until the implementation is complete.

"(3) Plan implementation.—The STB shall designate an individual to implement the plan developed under subsection (a).

"SEC. 3. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

"No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized."

§1302. Functions

Except as otherwise provided in the ICC Termination Act of 1995, or the amendments made thereby, the Board shall perform all functions that, immediately before January 1, 1996, were functions of the Interstate Commerce Commission or were performed by any officer or employee of the Interstate Commerce Commission in the capacity as such officer or employee.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 933, §702; amended Pub. L. 104–287, §5(6), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3389; renumbered §1302, Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(3), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The ICC Termination Act of 1995, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 104–88, Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 803. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1995 Amendment note set out under section 101 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110 renumbered section 702 of this title as this section.

1996—Pub. L. 104–287 substituted "January 1, 1996" for "the effective date of such Act".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Abolition of Interstate Commerce Commission

Interstate Commerce Commission abolished by section 101 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.

§1303. Administrative provisions

(a) Open Meetings.—

(1) In general.—The Board shall be deemed to be an agency for purposes of section 552b of title 5.

(2) Nonpublic collaborative discussions.—

(A) In general.—Notwithstanding section 552b of title 5, a majority of the members may hold a meeting that is not open to public observation to discuss official agency business if—

(i) no formal or informal vote or other official agency action is taken at the meeting;

(ii) each individual present at the meeting is a member or an employee of the Board; and

(iii) the General Counsel of the Board is present at the meeting.

(B) Disclosure of nonpublic collaborative discussions.—Except as provided under subparagraph (C), not later than 2 business days after the conclusion of a meeting under subparagraph (A), the Board shall make available to the public, in a place easily accessible to the public—

(i) a list of the individuals present at the meeting; and

(ii) a summary of the matters discussed at the meeting, except for any matters the Board properly determines may be withheld from the public under section 552b(c) of title 5.

(C) Summary.—If the Board properly determines matters may be withheld from the public under section 555b(c) of title 5, the Board shall provide a summary with as much general information as possible on those matters withheld from the public.

(D) Ongoing proceedings.—If a discussion under subparagraph (A) directly relates to an ongoing proceeding before the Board, the Board shall make the disclosure under subparagraph (B) on the date of the final Board decision.

(E) Preservation of open meetings requirements for agency action.—Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to limit the applicability of section 552b of title 5 with respect to a meeting of the members other than that described in this paragraph.

(F) Statutory construction.—Nothing in this paragraph may be construed—

(i) to limit the applicability of section 552b of title 5 with respect to any information which is proposed to be withheld from the public under subparagraph (B)(ii); or

(ii) to authorize the Board to withhold from any individual any record that is accessible to that individual under section 552a of title 5, United States Code.

(b) Representation by Attorneys.—Attorneys designated by the Chairman of the Board may appear for, and represent the Board in, any civil action brought in connection with any function carried out by the Board pursuant to this chapter or subtitle IV or as otherwise authorized by law.

(c) Admission To Practice.—Subject to section 500 of title 5, the Board may regulate the admission of individuals to practice before it and may impose a reasonable admission fee.

(d) Submission of Certain Documents to Congress.—

(1) In general.—If the Board submits any budget estimate, budget request, supplemental budget estimate, or other budget information, legislative recommendation, prepared testimony for a congressional hearing, or comment on legislation to the President or to the Office of Management and Budget, the Board shall concurrently submit a copy of such document to—

(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and

(B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

(2) No approval required.—No officer or agency of the United States has any authority to require the Board to submit budget estimates or requests, legislative recommendations, prepared testimony for congressional hearings, or comments on legislation to any officer or agency of the United States for approval, comments, or review before submitting such recommendations, testimony, or comments to Congress.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 934, §703; renumbered §1303 and amended Pub. L. 114–110, §§3(a)(3), (c)(1), 5, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228–2230.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(3), renumbered section 703 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–110, §5, amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "For purposes of section 552b of title 5, United States Code, the Board shall be deemed to be an agency."

Pub. L. 114–110, §3(c)(1)(A), (B), redesignated subsec. (b) as (a) and struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Chapter 9 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to the Board in the same manner as it does to an independent regulatory agency, and the Board shall be an establishment of the United States Government."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–110, §3(c)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (d) as (b). Former subsec. (b) redesignated (a).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–110, §3(c)(1)(A), (B), redesignated subsec. (e) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "In the performance of their functions, the members, employees, and other personnel of the Board shall not be responsible to or subject to the supervision or direction of any officer, employee, or agent of any other part of the Department of Transportation."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–110, §3(c)(1)(C), added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (b).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–110, §3(c)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (e) as (c).

Subsecs. (f), (g). Pub. L. 114–110, §3(c)(1)(A), struck out subsecs. (f) and (g) which read as follows:

"(f) Budget Requests.—In each annual request for appropriations by the President, the Secretary of Transportation shall identify the portion thereof intended for the support of the Board and include a statement by the Board—

"(1) showing the amount requested by the Board in its budgetary presentation to the Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget; and

"(2) an assessment of the budgetary needs of the Board.

"(g) Direct Transmittal to Congress.—The Board shall transmit to Congress copies of budget estimates, requests, and information (including personnel needs), legislative recommendations, prepared testimony for congressional hearings, and comments on legislation at the same time they are sent to the Secretary of Transportation. An officer of an agency may not impose conditions on or impair communications by the Board with Congress, or a committee or Member of Congress, about the information."

§1304. Reports

(a) Annual Report.—The Board shall annually transmit to the Congress a report on its activities, including each instance in which the Board has initiated an investigation on its own initiative under this chapter or subtitle IV.

(b) Rate Case Review Metrics.—

(1) Quarterly reports.—The Board shall post a quarterly report of rail rate review cases pending or completed by the Board during the previous quarter that includes—

(A) summary information of the case, including the docket number, case name, commodity or commodities involved, and rate review guideline or guidelines used;

(B) the date on which the rate review proceeding began;

(C) the date for the completion of discovery;

(D) the date for the completion of the evidentiary record;

(E) the date for the submission of closing briefs;

(F) the date on which the Board issued the final decision; and

(G) a brief summary of the final decision;

(2) Website posting.—Each quarterly report shall be posted on the Board's public website.

(c) Complaints.—

(1) In general.—The Board shall establish and maintain a database of complaints received by the Board.

(2) Quarterly reports.—The Board shall post a quarterly report of formal and informal service complaints received by the Board during the previous quarter that includes—

(A) the date on which the complaint was received by the Board;

(B) a list of the type of each complaint;

(C) the geographic region of each complaint; and

(D) the resolution of each complaint, if appropriate.

(3) Written consent.—The quarterly report may identify a complainant that submitted an informal complaint only upon the written consent of the complainant.

(4) Website posting.—Each quarterly report shall be posted on the Board's public website.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 934, §704; renumbered §1304 and amended Pub. L. 114–110, §§3(a)(3), 6, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228, 2231.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110, §6, substituted "Reports" for "Annual report" in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and inserted heading, substituted "on its activities, including each instance in which the Board has initiated an investigation on its own initiative under this chapter or subtitle IV." for "on its activities.", and added subsecs. (b) and (c).

Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(3), renumbered section 704 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Quarterly Reports

Pub. L. 114–110, §15(b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2238, provided that: "Beginning not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2015], the Surface Transportation Board shall submit quarterly reports to the congressional committees referred to in section 14(b) [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives] that describes the Surface Transportation Board's progress toward addressing the issues raised in each unfinished regulatory proceeding, regardless of whether the proceeding is subject to a statutory or regulatory deadline."

§1305. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated for the activities of the Board—

(1) $33,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;

(2) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;

(3) $35,500,000 for fiscal year 2018;

(4) $35,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; and

(5) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 934, §705; renumbered §1305 and amended Pub. L. 114–110, §§3(a)(3), 7, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228, 2232.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(3), renumbered section 705 of this title as this section.

Pars. (1) to (5). Pub. L. 114–110, §7, added pars. (1) to (5) and struck out former pars. (1) to (3) which related to appropriations for fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively.

§1306. Reporting official action

(a) Reports on Proceedings.—The Board shall make a written report of each proceeding conducted on complaint or on its own initiative and furnish a copy to each party to that proceeding. The report shall include the findings, conclusions, and the order of the Board and, if damages are awarded, the findings of fact supporting the award. The Board may have its reports published for public use. A published report of the Board is competent evidence of its contents.

(b) Special Rules for Matters Related to Rail Carriers.—(1) When action of the Board in a matter related to a rail carrier is taken by the Board, an individual member of the Board, or another individual or group of individuals designated to take official action for the Board, the written statement of that action (including a report, order, decision and order, vote, notice, letter, policy statement, or regulation) shall indicate—

(A) the official designation of the individual or group taking the action;

(B) the name of each individual taking, or participating in taking, the action; and

(C) the vote or position of each participating individual.

(2) If an individual member of a group taking an official action referred to in paragraph (1) does not participate in it, the written statement of the action shall indicate that the member did not participate. An individual participating in taking an official action is entitled to express the views of that individual as part of the written statement of the action. In addition to any publication of the written statement, it shall be made available to the public under section 552(a) of title 5.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 934, §706; renumbered §1306, Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(3), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110 renumbered section 706 of this title as this section.

SUBCHAPTER II—ADMINISTRATIVE

§1321. Powers

(a) In General.—The Board shall carry out this chapter and subtitle IV. Enumeration of a power of the Board in this chapter or subtitle IV does not exclude another power the Board may have in carrying out this chapter or subtitle IV. The Board may prescribe regulations in carrying out this chapter and subtitle IV.

(b) Inquiries, Reports, and Orders.—The Board may—

(1) inquire into and report on the management of the business of carriers providing transportation and services subject to subtitle IV;

(2) inquire into and report on the management of the business of a person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with those carriers to the extent that the business of that person is related to the management of the business of that carrier;

(3) obtain from those carriers and persons information the Board decides is necessary to carry out subtitle IV; and

(4) when necessary to prevent irreparable harm, issue an appropriate order without regard to subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5.

(c) Subpoena Witnesses.—(1) The Board may subpoena witnesses and records related to a proceeding of the Board from any place in the United States, to the designated place of the proceeding. If a witness disobeys a subpoena, the Board, or a party to a proceeding before the Board, may petition a court of the United States to enforce that subpoena.

(2) The district courts of the United States have jurisdiction to enforce a subpoena issued under this section. Trial is in the district in which the proceeding is conducted. The court may punish a refusal to obey a subpoena as a contempt of court.

(d) Depositions.—(1) In a proceeding, the Board may take the testimony of a witness by deposition and may order the witness to produce records. A party to a proceeding pending before the Board may take the testimony of a witness by deposition and may require the witness to produce records at any time after a proceeding is at issue on petition and answer.

(2) If a witness fails to be deposed or to produce records under paragraph (1), the Board may subpoena the witness to take a deposition, produce the records, or both.

(3) A deposition may be taken before a judge of a court of the United States, a United States magistrate judge, a clerk of a district court, or a chancellor, justice, or judge of a supreme or superior court, mayor or chief magistrate of a city, judge of a county court, or court of common pleas of any State, or a notary public who is not counsel or attorney of a party or interested in the proceeding.

(4) Before taking a deposition, reasonable notice must be given in writing by the party or the attorney of that party proposing to take a deposition to the opposing party or the attorney of record of that party, whoever is nearest. The notice shall state the name of the witness and the time and place of taking the deposition.

(5) The testimony of a person deposed under this subsection shall be taken under oath. The person taking the deposition shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, a transcript of the testimony taken. The transcript shall be subscribed by the deponent.

(6) The testimony of a witness who is in a foreign country may be taken by deposition before an officer or person designated by the Board or agreed on by the parties by written stipulation filed with the Board. A deposition shall be filed with the Board promptly.

(e) Witness Fees.—Each witness summoned before the Board or whose deposition is taken under this section and the individual taking the deposition are entitled to the same fees and mileage paid for those services in the courts of the United States.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 935, §721; renumbered §1321, Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(5), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110 renumbered section 721 of this title as this section.

§1322. Board action

(a) Effective Date of Actions.—Unless otherwise provided in subtitle IV, the Board may determine, within a reasonable time, when its actions, other than an action ordering the payment of money, take effect.

(b) Terminating and Changing Actions.—An action of the Board remains in effect under its own terms or until superseded. The Board may change, suspend, or set aside any such action on notice. Notice may be given in a manner determined by the Board. A court of competent jurisdiction may suspend or set aside any such action.

(c) Reconsidering Actions.—The Board may, at any time on its own initiative because of material error, new evidence, or substantially changed circumstances—

(1) reopen a proceeding;

(2) grant rehearing, reargument, or reconsideration of an action of the Board; or

(3) change an action of the Board.

An interested party may petition to reopen and reconsider an action of the Board under this subsection under regulations of the Board.

(d) Finality of Actions.—Notwithstanding subtitle IV, an action of the Board under this section is final on the date on which it is served, and a civil action to enforce, enjoin, suspend, or set aside the action may be filed after that date.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 936, §722; renumbered §1322, Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(5), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110 renumbered section 722 of this title as this section.

§1323. Service of notice in Board proceedings

(a) Designation of Agent.—A carrier providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under subtitle IV shall designate an agent on whom service of notices in a proceeding before, and of actions of, the Board may be made.

(b) Filing and Changing Designations.—A designation under subsection (a) shall be in writing and filed with the Board. The designation may be changed at any time in the same manner as originally made.

(c) Service of Notice.—Except as otherwise provided, notices of the Board shall be served on its designated agent at the office or usual place of residence of that agent. A notice of action of the Board shall be served immediately on the agent or in another manner provided by law. If that carrier does not have a designated agent, service may be made by posting the notice in the office of the Board.

(d) Special Rule for Rail Carriers.—In a proceeding involving the lawfulness of classifications, rates, or practices of a rail carrier that has not designated an agent under this section, service of notice of the Board on an attorney in fact for the carrier constitutes service of notice on the carrier.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 937, §723; renumbered §1323 and amended Pub. L. 114–110, §§3(a)(5), 8(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228, 2232.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(3), renumbered section 723 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–110, §8(a)(1), struck out "in the District of Columbia," after "designate an agent".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–110, §8(a)(2), struck out "in the District of Columbia" after " usual place of residence".

§1324. Service of process in court proceedings

(a) Designation of Agent.—A carrier providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under subtitle IV shall designate an agent on whom service of process in an action before a district court may be made. Except as otherwise provided, process in an action before a district court shall be served on the designated agent of that carrier at the office or usual place of residence of that agent. If the carrier does not have a designated agent, service may be made by posting the notice in the office of the Board.

(b) Changing Designation.—A designation under this section may be changed at any time in the same manner as originally made.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 937, §724; renumbered §1324 and amended Pub. L. 114–110, §§3(a)(5), 8(b), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2228, 2232.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(3), renumbered section 724 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–110, §8(b), struck out "in the District of Columbia" after "designate an agent" and "usual place of residence".

§1325. Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council

(a) Establishment; Membership.—There is established the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (in this section referred to as the "Council") to be composed of 19 members, of which 15 members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Board, after recommendation from rail carriers and shippers, within 60 days after December 29, 1995. The members of the Council shall be appointed as follows:

(1) The members of the Council shall be appointed from among citizens of the United States who are not regular full-time employees of the United States and shall be selected for appointment so as to provide as nearly as practicable a broad representation of the various segments of the railroad and rail shipper industries.

(2) Nine of the members shall be appointed from senior executive officers of organizations engaged in the railroad and rail shipping industries, which 9 members shall be the voting members of the Council. Council action and Council positions shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. A majority of such voting members shall constitute a quorum. Of such 9 voting members—

(A) at least 4 shall be representative of small shippers (as determined by the Chairman); and

(B) at least 4 shall be representative of Class II or III railroads.

(3) The remaining 6 members of the Council shall serve in a nonvoting advisory capacity only, but shall be entitled to participate in Council deliberations. Of the remaining members—

(A) 3 shall be representative of Class I railroads; and

(B) 3 shall be representative of large shipper organizations (as determined by the Chairman).

(4) The Secretary of Transportation and the members of the Board shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the Council. The Council shall not be subject to chapter 10 of title 5. A list of the members appointed to the Council shall be forwarded to the Chairmen and ranking members of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

(5) Each ex officio member of the Council may designate an alternate, who shall serve as a member of the Council whenever the ex officio member is unable to attend a meeting of the Council. Any such designated alternate shall be selected from individuals who exercise significant decision-making authority in the Federal agency involved.

(b) Term of Office.—The members of the Council shall be appointed for a term of office of 3 years, except that of the members first appointed—

(1) 5 members shall be appointed for terms of 1 year; and

(2) 5 members shall be appointed for terms of 2 years,

as designated by the Chairman at the time of appointment. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. A member may serve after the expiration of his term until his successor has taken office. Vacancies on the Council shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointments were made. No member of the Council shall be eligible to serve in excess of two consecutive terms.

(c) Election and Duties of Officers.—The Council Chairman and Vice Chairman and other appropriate officers of the Council shall be elected by and from the voting members of the Council. The Council Chairman shall serve as the Council's executive officer and shall direct the administration of the Council, assign officer and committee duties, and shall be responsible for issuing and communicating the reports, policy positions and statements of the Council. In the event that the Council Chairman is unable to serve, the Vice Chairman shall act as Council Chairman.

(d) Expenses.—(1) The members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services as such, but upon request by the Council Chairman, based on a showing of significant economic burden, the Secretary of Transportation or the Chairman of the Board, to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts, may provide reasonable and necessary travel expenses for such individual Council members from Department or Board funding sources in order to foster balanced representation on the Council.

(2) Upon request by the Council Chairman, the Secretary or Chairman of the Board, to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, may pay the reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Council in connection with the coordination of Council activities, announcement and reporting of meetings, and preparation of such Council documents as are required or permitted by this section.

(3) The Council may solicit and use private funding for its activities, subject to this subsection.

(4) Prior to making any Federal funding requests, the Council Chairman shall undertake best efforts to fund such activities privately unless the Council Chairman determines that such private funding would create a conflict of interest, or the appearance thereof, or is otherwise impractical. The Council Chairman shall not request funding from any Federal agency without providing written justification as to why private funding would create any such conflict or appearance, or is otherwise impractical.

(5) To enable the Council to carry out its functions—

(A) the Council Chairman may request directly from any Federal agency such personnel, information, services, or facilities, on a compensated or uncompensated basis, as the Council Chairman determines necessary to carry out the functions of the Council;

(B) each Federal agency may, in its discretion, furnish the Council with such information, services, and facilities as the Council Chairman may request to the extent permitted by law and within the limits of available funds; and

(C) each Federal agency may, in its discretion, detail to temporary duty with the Council, such personnel as the Council Chairman may request for carrying out the functions of the Council, each such detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status.

(e) Meetings.—The Council shall meet at least semi-annually and shall hold other meetings at the call of the Council Chairman. Appropriate Federal facilities, where available, may be used for such meetings. Whenever the Council, or a committee of the Council, considers matters that affect the jurisdictional interests of Federal agencies that are not represented on the Council, the Council Chairman may invite the heads of such agencies, or their designees, to participate in the deliberations of the Council.

(f) Functions and Duties; Annual Report.—(1) The Council shall advise the Secretary, the Chairman, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with respect to rail transportation policy issues it considers significant, with particular attention to issues of importance to small shippers and small railroads, including car supply, rates, competition, and effective procedures for addressing legitimate shipper and other claims.

(2) To the extent the Council addresses specific grain car issues, it shall coordinate such activities with the National Grain Car Council. The Secretary and Chairman shall cooperate with the Council to provide research, technical and other reasonable support in developing any reports and policy statements required or authorized by this subsection.

(3) The Council shall endeavor to develop within the private sector mechanisms to prevent, or identify and effectively address, obstacles to the most effective and efficient transportation system practicable.

(4) The Council shall prepare an annual report concerning its activities and the results of Council efforts to resolve industry issues, and propose whatever regulatory or legislative relief it considers appropriate. The Council shall include in the annual report such recommendations as it considers appropriate with respect to the performance of the Secretary and Chairman under this chapter, and with respect to the operation and effectiveness of meetings and industry developments relating to the Council's efforts, and such other information as it considers appropriate. Such annual reports shall be reviewed by the Secretary and Chairman, and shall include the Secretary's and Chairman's views or comments relating to—

(A) the accuracy of information therein;

(B) Council efforts and reasonableness of Council positions and actions; and

(C) any other aspects of the Council's work as they may consider appropriate.

The Council may prepare other reports or develop policy statements as the Council considers appropriate. An annual report shall be submitted for each fiscal year and shall be submitted to the Secretary and Chairman within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year. Other such reports and statements may be submitted as the Council considers appropriate.

(Added Pub. L. 104–88, title II, §201(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 937, §726; amended Pub. L. 104–287, §5(7), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3389; renumbered §1325, Pub. L. 114–110, §3(a)(6), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2229; amended Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(303), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4339.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "chapter 10 of title 5." for "the Federal Advisory Committee Act."

2015—Pub. L. 114–110 renumbered section 726 of this title as this section.

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–287 substituted "December 29, 1995" for "the date of enactment of the ICC Termination Act of 1995" in introductory provisions.

§1326. Authority of the Inspector General

(a) In General.—The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, in accordance with the mission of the Inspector General to prevent and detect fraud and abuse, shall have authority to review only the financial management, property management, and business operations of the Surface Transportation Board, including internal accounting and administrative control systems, to determine the Board's compliance with applicable Federal laws, rules, and regulations.

(b) Duties.—In carrying out this section, the Inspector General shall—

(1) keep the Chairman of the Board, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives fully and currently informed about problems relating to administration of the internal accounting and administrative control systems of the Board;

(2) issue findings and recommendations for actions to address the problems referred to in paragraph (1); and

(3) submit periodic reports to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that describe any progress made in implementing actions to address the problems referred to in paragraph (1).

(c) Access to Information.—In carrying out this section, the Inspector General may exercise authorities granted to the Inspector General under subsections (a) and (c) of section 406 of title 5.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—

(1) Funding.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for use by the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation such sums as may be necessary to cover expenses associated with activities pursuant to the authority exercised under this section.

(2) Reimbursable agreement.—In the absence of an appropriation under this subsection for an expense referred to in paragraph (1), the Inspector General and the Board shall have a reimbursement agreement to cover such expense.

(Added Pub. L. 114–110, §9, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2232; amended Pub. L. 117–286, §4(b)(97), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4353.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "subsections (a) and (c) of section 406 of title 5." for "subsections (a) and (b) of section 6 of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.)."