Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety - Federal Program and Legislative Issues

Publication Date: December 2000

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment

Type:

Abstract:

The 106th Congress considered several bills that would have reauthorized the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), as amended, (including P.L. 93-633 and P.L. 101-500). That body of law specifies the broad purposes and operating authorities for the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) hazardous materials (hazmat) safety program. Although hearings were held during the 106th Congress, none of the committees of jurisdiction reported out a reauthorization bill. Among the key issues under consideration were: the level of funding to support DOT's hazmat emergency preparedness grant program, the use of registration fees to pay for portions of DOT's hazmat program, development of cost-effective strategies to improve hazmat safety, proposed exemptions for various industries from the safety regulations, and the appropriate role of DOT in the regulation of hazmat transportation. This report will be updated as necessary.