Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§33116 Confidentiality of information

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VI— - MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › Part PART C— - INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS › Chapter CHAPTER 331— - THEFT PREVENTION › § 33116

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary may only share information that is confidential under 18 U.S.C. 1905 with federal officials for chapter work or in chapter proceedings, except under section 33104(a)(3). An authorized congressional committee may get it.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §33116

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Information obtained by the Secretary of Transportation under this chapter related to a confidential matter referred to in section 1905 of title 18 may be disclosed only—
(1)to another officer or employee of the United States Government for use in carrying out this chapter; or
(2)in a proceeding under this chapter (except a proceeding under section 33104(a)(3)).
(b)This section does not authorize information to be withheld from a committee of Congress authorized to have the information.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 3311615:2029.Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947, § 612; added Oct. 25, 1984, Pub. L. 98–547, § 101(a), 98 Stat. 2763; Oct. 25, 1992, Pub. L. 102–519, § 306(a), 106 Stat. 3397. In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words “reported to, or otherwise” and “or the Secretary’s representative” are omitted as surplus. The words “related to a confidential matter referred to” are substituted for “contains or relates to a trade secret or other matter referred to” to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency in the revised title. The words “or in section 552(b)(4) of title 5” are omitted as surplus because the language in 18:1905 is broader than the language in 5:552(b)(4) and for consistency with similar provisions in other chapters in this part. The words “shall be considered confidential for the purpose of the applicable section of this subchapter” are omitted as surplus. In clause (1), the words “for use in carrying out” are substituted for “concerned with carrying out” for consistency with similar provisions in other chapters in this part. In clause (2), the words “when relevant” are omitted as surplus. The cross-reference to 15:2023(a)(3) is omitted. The text of 15:2023(a)(3), originally enacted as section 603(a)(3) of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (Public Law 92–513, 86 Stat. 947), was repealed by section 303(2) of the Anti Car Theft Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–519, 106 Stat. 3396). section 303(2) also redesignated subsection (a)(4) as subsection (a)(3). However, a corresponding amendment to correct the cross-reference in the source provisions restated in this section was not made. In subsection (b), the words “authorized to have the information” are added for clarity and consistency with similar provisions in other chapters in this part.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 33116

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73