Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5117(a)49 App.:1806(a) (1st, 2d sentences).Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, § 107, 88 Stat. 2158; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, § 9, 104 Stat. 3259. 5117(b)49 App.:1806(a) (3d–last sentences). 5117(c)(1)49 App.:1806(b). 5117(c)(2)49 App.:1806(c). 5117(d)49 App.:1806(d). In subsection (a)(1), before clause (A), the words “or renew” and “subject to the requirements of this chapter” are omitted as surplus. In clause (A), the words “at least equal to the safety level required under this chapter” are substituted for “which is equal to or exceeds that level of safety which would be required in the absence of such exemption” to eliminate unnecessary words. In subsection (a)(2), the words “issued or renewed” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), the words “upon application” and “grant of such” are omitted as surplus. The words “give the public an opportunity to inspect” are substituted for “afford access to . . . public” for clarity. The words “described by subsection (b) of
section 552 of title 5, or which is otherwise” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (c)(1), clauses (A) and (B) are substituted for “any vessel which is excepted from the application of
section 201 of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 by paragraph (2) of such section”.
section 201 of that Act amended
section 4417a of the Revised Statutes (classified at 46:391a prior to its repeal and reenactment as part of the codification of subtitle II of title 46 in 1983). Clauses (A) and (B) restate the exceptions provided by
section 201 of that Act and by
section 4417a of the Revised Statutes as subsequently amended. Clause (C) is substituted for “any other vessel regulated under such Act, to the extent of such regulation” because of the restatement. In subsection (c)(2), before clause (A), the word “prescribed” is substituted for “issued” for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code. In subsection (d), the words “by which”, “the requirements of”, and “or relieved of the obligation to meet any requirements imposed under” are omitted as surplus.
References in Text
The Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972, referred to in subsec. (d)(1)(C), is Pub. L. 92–340, July 10, 1972, 86 Stat. 424, which was renamed the Ports and Waterways Safety Act by Pub. L. 95–474, § 2, Oct. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 1471, and was classified generally to chapter 25 (§ 1221 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 115–282, title IV, § 402(e), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4264. See Transitional and
Savings Provision
s note preceding
section 101 of Title 46, Shipping, and chapter 700 (§ 70001 et seq.) of Title 46.
Amendments
2015—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–94, § 7204(1), substituted “an application for a new special permit or a modification to an existing special permit” for “an application for a special permit” and inserted “The Secretary shall make available to the public on the Department of Transportation’s Internet Web site any special permit other than a new special permit or a modification to an existing special permit and shall give the public an opportunity to inspect the safety analysis and comment on the application for a period of not more than 15 days.” before “This subsection”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–94, § 7204(2), substituted “a special permit or approval” for “the special permit” in two places, “120 days” for “180 days”, and “make available to the public” for “publish”, and struck out “in the Federal Register” after “a statement”. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 114–94, § 7204(3), added subsec. (g). 2012—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 112–141 added subsec. (f). 2005—Pub. L. 109–59, § 7115(a)(1), substituted “Special permits and exclusions” for “Exemptions and exclusions” in section catchline. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7115(b), substituted “Issue Special Permits” for “Exempt” in heading. Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7126, substituted “Secretary” for “Secretary of Transportation” in introductory provisions. Pub. L. 109–59, § 7115(c), in introductory provisions, substituted “issue, modify, or terminate a special permit authorizing a variance” for “issue an exemption” and “performing a function regulated by the Secretary under
section 5103(b)(1)” for “transporting, or causing to be transported, hazardous material”. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7115(d), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “An exemption under this subsection is effective for not more than 2 years and may be renewed on application to the Secretary.” Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7115(e), substituted “the special permit” for “the exemption” and substituted “a special permit” for “an exemption” wherever appearing. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7115(f), substituted “the special permit” for “the exemption” in two places. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–59, § 7115(g), substituted “a special permit” for “an exemption” and “be granted a variance” for “be exempt”. 1994—Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 103–311 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e), respectively.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2015 AmendmentAmendment 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.
Effective Date
of 2012 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see
section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under
section 101 of Title 23, Highways. Special Permits, Approvals, and Exclusions Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title III, § 33012(a), (b), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 838, provided that: “(a) Rulemaking.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [see
section 3(a), (b) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment notes under
section 101 of Title 23, Highways], the Secretary [of Transportation], after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment, shall issue
Regulations
that establish—“(1) standard operating procedures to support administration of the special permit and approval programs; and “(2) objective criteria to support the evaluation of special permit and approval applications. “(b) Review of Special Permits.—“(1) Review.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review and analysis of special permits that have been in continuous effect for a 10-year period to determine which special permits may be converted into the hazardous materials
Regulations
. “(2) Factors.—In conducting the review and analysis under paragraph (1), the Secretary may consider—“(A) the safety record for hazardous materials transported under the special permit; “(B) the application of a special permit; “(C) the suitability of provisions in the special permit for incorporation into the hazardous materials
Regulations
and “(D) rulemaking activity in related areas. “(3) Rulemaking.—After completing the review and analysis under paragraph (1), but not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and after providing notice and opportunity for public comment, the Secretary shall issue
Regulations
to incorporate into the hazardous materials
Regulations
any special permits identified in the review under paragraph (1) that the Secretary determines are appropriate for incorporation, based on the factors identified in paragraph (2).”