Enforcement of Operating Authority Requirements, 50862-50867 [E6-14248]

Agencies

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 166 (Monday, August 28, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50862-50867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14248]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

49 CFR parts 350, 390, and 392

[Docket No. FMCSA-2002-13015]
RIN 2126-AA78


Enforcement of Operating Authority Requirements

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA or the 
Agency) adopts as final, with minor changes, its interim regulations as 
published in the Federal Register in August 2002. Since that time, 
enforcement officials have discovered many carriers operating without 
the required operating authority or beyond the scope of their 
authority. By making minor changes to the rule, FMCSA facilitates 
enforcement of these regulatory requirements by the agency's employees 
and its State counterparts. Clarifying that operating authority means 
registration as required by statute assists State enforcement officers 
in identifying the correct violation and not confusing operating 
authority with other registration requirements.

DATES: Effective Date: September 27, 2006. Petitions for 
Reconsideration must be received by the Agency not later than September 
27, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Mancl, phone (202) 493-0442, e-
mail david.mancl@dot.gov, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received on the interim final regulations, including all 
correspondence referenced in this document, go to https://dms.dot.gov at 
any time or to room PL-401 on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building, 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Privacy Act: Anyone may search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of DOT's dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or of the person signing the comment, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, or other 
entity). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register (65 FR 19477, April 11, 2000). This statement is also 
available at https://dms.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 50863]]

Legal Basis for the Rulemaking

    Section 205 of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 
(MCSIA) [Pub. L. 106-159, 113 Stat. 1748] amended 49 U.S.C. 13902 by 
authorizing the Secretary of Transportation to place out of service 
vehicles operated by motor carriers that fail to comply with 
registration requirements under 49 U.S.C. 13902. Paragraph (e)(1) of 
section 13902 reads as follows:

    (e) Penalties for failure to comply with registration 
requirements.--In addition to other penalties available under law, 
motor carriers that fail to register their operations as required by 
this section or that operate beyond the scope of their registrations 
may be subject to the following penalties:
    (1) Out-of-service orders.--If, upon inspection or 
investigation, the Secretary determines that a motor vehicle 
providing transportation requiring registration under this section 
is operating without a registration or beyond the scope of its 
registration, the Secretary may order the vehicle out-of-service. 
Subsequent to the issuance of the out-of-service order, the 
Secretary shall provide an opportunity for review in accordance with 
section 554 of title 5, United States Code; except that such review 
shall occur not later than 10 days after issuance of such order.

    Under 49 CFR 1.73(a)(5), the Secretary's authority to carry out the 
functions relating to section 13902 registration requirements is 
delegated to the FMCSA Administrator. On August 28, 2002 (67 FR 55162), 
FMCSA published an interim final rule (IFR) implementing section 205 by 
requiring that a vehicle providing transportation requiring 
registration under 49 U.S.C. 13902 be ordered out of service if 
determined to be operating without registration or beyond the scope of 
the carrier's registration. Accordingly, the IFR and this final rule 
are authorized by section 13902(e).

Background

    The IFR added a new section (392.9a) to 49 CFR part 392 to prohibit 
a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) providing transportation requiring 
registration under 49 U.S.C. 13902 from operating unless the carrier 
complies with the registration requirements. For example, a motor 
carrier fails to obtain registration pursuant to section 13902 but is 
later discovered hauling appliances in a CMV for a department store 
from one State to another. Under 49 CFR 392.9a(b), the vehicle would be 
placed out of service and the carrier may be subject to additional 
penalties under 49 U.S.C. 14901. Under 49 CFR 392.9a(c), the carrier 
would be entitled to a hearing to review the out-of-service order 
within 10 days of the issuance of the order. In addition, the IFR 
amended the reference to registration requirements enforced by the 
States in 49 CFR 350.201(t)(1) to add 49 CFR 392.9a.
    The IFR became effective September 27, 2002 and closed a loophole 
that could have been used to circumvent the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Before the issuance of the IFR, motor 
carriers who operated without registration would be cited for a 
violation during a roadside inspection and then be allowed to continue 
operating.
    The States are currently required to enforce these registration 
requirements as a condition for receiving Motor Carrier Safety 
Assistance Program (MCSAP) funds. States had until September 27, 2005 
to adopt the new regulations. To date, all States have adopted 49 CFR 
392.9a. The States, acting through the Commercial Vehicle Safety 
Alliance (CVSA), have amended or revised their enforcement tolerances 
(the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria) to include a new 
part for registration enforcement to ensure uniformity in implementing 
section 205 of MCSIA. From the September 2002 effective date through 
May 2004, FMCSA completed 840 enforcement reports citing violations of 
49 CFR 392.9a. Out of 4,405 violations discovered, 1,315 counts were 
asserted in Notices of Claim. FMCSA settled 1,045 of these counts with 
penalties totaling $1,109,648.00.

Revisions to the IFR

    Since implementation of the IFR, operational experience with 49 CFR 
392.9a has been positive, although a few problems have been identified. 
Most issues that have arisen in implementing the IFR could be resolved 
through policy directives rather than regulatory change but a few 
issues are best resolved by minor revisions in the rule text.
    1. The use of the word ``registration'' has been inconsistently 
interpreted by Federal and State enforcement personnel because the term 
is used in several different contexts at the Federal and State levels. 
Enforcement personnel have mistakenly cited other registration 
violations, such as vehicle registration and failure to submit the MCS-
150, under 49 CFR 392.9a. FMCSA has revised the rule to make it easier 
to understand and has replaced the term ``registration'' with the term 
``operating authority'' in 49 CFR 350.201(t) and 49 CFR 392.9a. The 
final rule amends the definitions in 49 CFR 390.5 to include the term 
``operating authority.'' This definition clarifies that operating 
authority means registration required under 49 U.S.C. 13902.
    2. Currently, the definition of ``out-of-service order'' in 49 CFR 
390.5 includes references to other parts of the FMCSRs that 
specifically call for a driver or vehicle to be placed out of service. 
Adding 49 CFR 392.9a to the definition of out-of-service order in 49 
CFR 390.5 updates this definition to reflect FMCSA's current out-of-
service rules.
    3. Since the effective date of the IFR, numerous violations of 49 
CFR 392.9a have been discovered. To strengthen the quality of data 
FMCSA collects in the Motor Carrier Management Information System 
(MCMIS), it is more effective to list the two violations separately 
rather than listing both violations in the same paragraph. The final 
rule lists operating without authority as 49 CFR 392.9a(a)(1) and 
operating beyond the scope of authority as 49 CFR 392.9a(a)(2). This 
clarifies which violation is being cited in enforcement actions.

Discussion of Public Comments

    FMCSA received 18 public comments on the IFR from 17 commenters. 
Commenting were seven State Police and State DOTs--Iowa DOT (Iowa), 
Oregon DOT (Oregon), Idaho State Police (Idaho), Georgia Department of 
Motor Vehicle Safety (Georgia), New York State DOT and New York 
Division of State Police (New York), California Highway Patrol 
(California), and Missouri State Highway Patrol (Missouri); four trade 
associations--National School Transportation Association (NSTA), Health 
and Personal Care Logistics Conference (H&PCLC), Pennsylvania Farm 
Bureau (PA Farm Bureau), and American Bus Association (ABA); one North 
American enforcement association--Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; 
three motor carriers--Wertz Motor Carriers (Wertz), United Parcel 
Service (UPS), and Adirondack Transit Lines, Inc. (Adirondack); one 
individual--Ken Carr; and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety 
(Advocates).
    Of the 18 comments, four (from Iowa, Wertz, Advocates, and 
Adirondack) supported the IFR and the resulting enforcement actions. 
One comment (from CVSA) suggested that the term ``out-of-service'' be 
changed to ``cease operations'' in several locations. This comment was 
addressed separately in FMCSA's disposition of a September 4, 2003 
petition submitted by CVSA. In its petition, CVSA requested amending 
the FMCSRs by changing the term ``out-of-service'' to ``cease 
operations.'' CVSA also proposed adding a definition for the term 
``cease operations order'' to 49 CFR 390.5. FMCSA was not able to

[[Page 50864]]

substantiate CVSA's concern regarding lack of uniform enforcement and 
concluded CVSA's petition did not set forth sufficient safety or 
enforcement concerns to warrant initiation of a rulemaking proceeding. 
Accordingly, the petition was denied.
    The other comments are discussed below together with FMCSA's 
responses on the issues raised.

Implementation & Training

    Several comments concerned training materials and training sessions 
for employees and the databases that will be used for roadside 
inquiries. Another concern with implementation is the requirement that 
the States adopt this rule and implement it as part of their standard 
roadside inspection. As the Missouri State Highway Patrol stated, 
``This places the entire enforcement effort on the shoulders of the 
state MCSAP agencies, agencies that do not process registration forms 
nor grant operating authority.'' CVSA stated that most jurisdictions do 
not have the legislative authority to enforce the requirements. 
Commenters pointed out that to avoid issuing erroneous out-of-service 
orders for administrative violations, enforcement personnel must base 
such orders on accurate and real-time registration information. Those 
commenters suggested that currently this information must be obtained 
from several databases, which are not all sufficiently accurate and 
consistent even if they could be made available to enforcement 
personnel at any time. Several States, including Idaho, Georgia, and 
New York, have questioned the reliability of FMCSA's database to 
provide quality information in a timely manner. Comments have also 
arisen concerning the need for training of inspectors to help them 
identify when a carrier is required to have operating authority. Idaho 
suggested that States will need time to phase in the requirements 
because of training issues. New York argued that FMCSA will need to 
provide training to States.
    FMCSA Response: In November 2002, FMCSA provided all of its field 
offices with procedures for enforcing the operating authority 
requirements during roadside inspections. FMCSA recognizes the 
necessity of timely and accurate data. FMCSA's Licensing and Insurance 
(L&I) Web site contains ``real time'' data that identifies the most 
current information available for each motor carrier. This site, which 
is the only Web site that must be checked to verify compliance, is 
accessible 24 hours a day. If officers and inspectors do not have 
Internet access during roadside inspections, a toll-free number (1-800-
832-5660) is available from 7:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday 
through Friday to access the same current information that is on the 
Web site.
    FMCSA is currently developing training materials and incorporating 
the requirements for operating authority into existing courses to help 
the roadside officer or inspector identify when operating authority is 
required. This training will also address which operating authority 
violations discovered result in placing the vehicle out of service. To 
ensure proper enforcement, FMCSA will continually review policies and 
procedures to identify the training needs necessary to fully implement 
and enforce this rule.
    FMCSA and the States currently identify out-of-service violations 
through the FMCSRs and the CVSA's North American Standard Out-of-
Service Criteria (CVSA Criteria). The FMCSRs require compliance with 
all applicable requirements at all times. The FMCSRs are the real out-
of-service criteria. The CVSA Criteria represent enforcement tolerances 
and ensure that the decision by Federal and State personnel to place a 
vehicle out of service is not an arbitrary action based solely on the 
discretion of the inspector. The use of the CVSA Criteria by State 
officials is covered through either a documented policy or State laws 
and regulations. This process will continue. To date, all States have 
adopted and are enforcing the provisions of the rule.

Out-of-Service Orders

    Some commenters argued that FMCSA has inappropriately determined 
that out-of-service orders be mandatory for any registration violation, 
even administrative violations that are not based on safety concerns. 
Ken Carr stated, ``I question the proposition that failure to register 
or operating beyond the scope of registration rises to that level.'' 
Given their limited resources, States are concerned that the time 
enforcement personnel spend on placing these vehicles out of service 
could be better spent on getting hazardous vehicles off the road. As 
Georgia pointed out, ``* * * the time spent by enforcement personnel to 
run down the information takes officers away from time that could be 
spent doing more safety inspections.''
    Commenters, including Oregon, H&PCLC, ABA, Missouri, and New York, 
also stated that operating authority violations are not an imminent 
hazard and CMVs should not be placed out of service during a roadside 
inspection. They recommend that these violations be noted on the 
inspection report and forwarded to the local FMCSA office. The local 
FMCSA office would make contact with the company and place the entire 
fleet out of service if the investigation confirmed the violation. Once 
the carrier's operation has been placed out of service, any of the 
carrier's vehicles discovered to be operating could be placed out of 
service by the roadside officer or inspector.
    FMCSA Response: Section 205 of MCSIA amended 49 U.S.C. 13902 by 
creating section (e), which requires the Agency to assess penalties for 
failure to comply with the motor carrier registration requirements 
under that statute. Specifically, if a motor carrier operates without 
the required authority or operates beyond the scope of its authority, 
the carrier would be subject to certain enforcement penalties. On 
August 28, 2002, FMCSA amended its regulations to require that a motor 
carrier subject to the registration requirements in 49 U.S.C. 13902 may 
not operate a CMV in interstate commerce unless it has registered with 
the Agency and been granted the required authority.
    In order to restrict commercial highway transportation to those 
entities having the appropriate operating authority and possessing 
adequate insurance, FMCSA specifically mandated placing out of service 
any driver and vehicle discovered to be operating without the required 
authority or beyond the scope of the carrier's authority. Prior to this 
requirement, unauthorized or improperly authorized drivers and vehicles 
could travel our Nation's highways unchecked. FMCSA believes this 
action--the placing of a vehicle out of service during a roadside 
inspection when the carrier operating that vehicle is operating without 
authority or beyond the scope of its authority--is necessary in light 
of the current heightened security environment. FMCSA further believes 
that this action ensures that all carriers are apprised of and 
compliant with the applicable FMCSRs, operate only within the scope of 
their authority, and operate safe vehicles within the United States. 
Given FMCSA's mission of ensuring safe transportation, it is incumbent 
upon the Agency to close this potential loophole. As further discussed 
under Rulemaking Analyses and Notices later in this rule, experience 
has taught FMCSA that carrier noncompliance with the operating 
authority requirements correlates with carrier noncompliance with the 
safety regulations.
    In response to the suggestion that FMCSA put the carrier's entire 
fleet out of service, 49 U.S.C. 13902(e)(1) states that if, upon 
inspection or investigation,

[[Page 50865]]

the Secretary determines that a motor vehicle is found to be providing 
transportation without the required registration or beyond the scope of 
the carrier's registration, the Secretary may order the vehicle out of 
service. The statutory requirement at the roadside is vehicle-specific 
and it does not authorize FMCSA to place the carrier's entire fleet out 
of service.

Exemptions From 49 U.S.C. 13902

    Certain categories of CMV operations are exempted by 49 U.S.C. 
13506 from the operating authority (registration) requirement of 49 
U.S.C. 13902. NSTA requested clarification concerning the exemption at 
49 U.S.C. 13506(a)(1) for ``a motor vehicle transporting only school 
children and teachers to or from school.'' NSTA noted that during the 
period from 1976 through 1984, the former Interstate Commerce 
Commission (ICC) issued ``rulings that established an interpretation of 
the exemption to include interstate transportation of students in 
school buses on trips that are directly connected with school-related 
activities and are sponsored and supervised by school authorities.'' It 
requested FMCSA to support this interpretation and clarify that the 
exemption includes for-hire motor carriers transporting students to 
school-related activities across State lines.
    The PA Farm Bureau, while not requesting that agricultural-related 
commercial vehicle operations be exempted from section 13902, commented 
on the disproportionate burden an out-of-service order could place on 
certain agricultural operations, such as livestock hauling, 
transportation of perishable commodities, and agricultural-operation 
owners driving their own farm vehicles. The PA Farm Bureau requested 
that trucks licensed as farm vehicles under State law not be 
automatically placed out of service when found in violation of the 
registration requirement.
    FMCSA Response: In response to NSTA's request for clarification, 
FMCSA has not issued any interpretations contradicting those of the 
former ICC. FMCSA recodified, at 49 CFR 372.103, the former ICC rule 
implementing the exemption for motor vehicles employed solely in 
transporting school children and teachers to or from school. FMCSA does 
not require contractors providing interstate transportation of school 
children and teachers to or from school to obtain operating authority 
from the Agency.
    With regard to the PA Farm Bureau's comment, 49 CFR part 372, 
subpart A--Exemptions contains several provisions implementing 49 
U.S.C. 13506. 49 CFR 372.115 includes a list of commodities that are 
not exempt under 49 U.S.C. 13506(a)(6). Under this statute, motor 
vehicles used in carrying ordinary livestock, fish, and manufactured 
agricultural commodities are exempt from the section 13902 operating 
authority requirements.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    FMCSA has determined that this action is a non-significant 
regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order 12866 and DOT 
regulatory policies and procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). 
FMCSA's full Final Rule Regulatory Evaluation, explaining in detail the 
estimated cost impacts of the rulemaking, is in the docket. This Final 
Rule results in no changes to the Regulatory Evaluation of the IFR.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 
104-121, 110 Stat. 857), requires Federal agencies to take small 
businesses' particular concerns into account when developing, writing, 
publicizing, promulgating, and enforcing regulations. FMCSA has 
prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) of this rule 
and has determined that this rule will not impose a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    Using the Small Business Administration's criteria, FMCSA estimates 
that 75 to 80 percent of motor carriers are small. Thus, this rule 
could theoretically affect a large number of motor carriers. However, 
the rule does not impose any new requirement on these motor carriers. 
It merely increases the penalty for carriers operating without the 
required operating authority or beyond the scope of their authority.
    More details on our evaluation can be found in the FRFA in the 
docket.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism Assessment)

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 13132, dated August 4, 1999 (64 
FR 43255, August 10, 1999). FMCSA has determined that this action does 
not have Federalism implications because it does not have substantial 
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    As we stated in the IFR (67 FR 55163), FMCSA administers a grant-
in-aid program, MCSAP, as an incentive for State enforcement of motor 
carrier safety regulations. As a condition of participating in this 
program, States are required to adopt and enforce safety regulations 
compatible with the FMCSRs and the hazardous materials regulations. 
Section 207 of MCSIA required States, as a condition of receiving MCSAP 
funds, to cooperate in the enforcement of FMCSA's authority and 
financial responsibility requirements. In revising the agency's MCSAP 
regulations in March 2000 (65 FR 15102), FMCSA required the States to 
enforce the authority and financial responsibility requirements [49 CFR 
350.201(t)]. The IFR clarified how the States are to implement their 
enforcement responsibilities by specifying that vehicles shall be 
placed out of service if discovered to be operated in violation of the 
authority requirements. The final rule makes no substantive changes to 
this requirement.
    The basic nature of MCSAP and the level of total funding for the 
program are not affected by these changes. Nothing in this document 
preempts any State law or regulation. Therefore, this rulemaking does 
not have sufficient Federalism implications to warrant consultation 
with State and local elected officials or their representative national 
organizations early in the process of developing this proposed 
regulation, or in the preparation of a federalism summary impact 
statement.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4; 2 U.S.C. 
1532) requires each agency to assess the effects of its regulatory 
actions on State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector. 
The act requires that any agency promulgating a final rule likely to 
result in a Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector of $100 million or more in any one year must prepare a 
written statement incorporating various assessments, estimates, and 
descriptions that are delineated in the act. FMCSA uses a threshold 
value of $120.7 million, which is the value of 100 million 1995 dollars 
inflated to 2003 dollars. FMCSA has determined that this rulemaking 
will not have an impact of $120.7 million or more in 2003 dollars in 
any one year.

[[Page 50866]]

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), Federal agencies must determine whether requirements contained 
in rulemakings are subject to information collection provisions of the 
PRA and if they are, obtain approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget for each collection of information they conduct, sponsor, or 
require through regulations. FMCSA has determined that this regulation 
does not constitute an information collection within the scope or 
meaning of the PRA.

National Environmental Policy Act

    The Agency analyzed this final rule for the purpose of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] and 
determined under our environmental procedures Order 5610.1, published 
March 1, 2004 in the Federal Register (69 FR 9680), that this action is 
categorically excluded (CE) under paragraphs 6.e, 6.f, and 6.g of the 
Order from further environmental documentation. These CEs relate to 
establishing regulations and actions taken pursuant to these 
regulations concerning the application for operating authority and 
certificates of registration, enforcement activities, and procedures 
that promote adoption and enforcement of State laws that are compatible 
with the FMCSRs. In addition, the Agency believes that the action 
includes no extraordinary circumstances that would have any effect on 
the quality of the environment. Thus, the action does not require an 
environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement.
    We have also analyzed this proposed rule under the Clean Air Act 
(CAA), as amended section 176(c) [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.], and 
implementing regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection 
Agency. As stipulated in 40 CFR 93.153(c)(2), approval of this action 
is exempt from the CAA's General conformity requirement since it 
involves rulemaking activities. This action would not result in any 
emissions increase nor would it have any potential to result in 
emissions that are above the general conformity rule's de minimis 
emission threshold levels. Moreover, it is reasonably foreseeable that 
the rule would not increase total CMV mileage, change the routing of 
CMVs, change how CMVs operate, or change the CMV fleet-mix of motor 
carriers. This action merely clarifies terms and actions involved with 
the enforcement of operating authority.

Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children)

    This rule is not economically significant and does not concern an 
environmental risk to health or safety that would disproportionately 
affect children. The Agency has determined that this rule is not a 
``covered regulatory action'' as defined under Executive Order 13045. 
First, this rule is not economically significant under Executive Order 
12866 because FMCSA has determined that the changes in this rulemaking 
would not have an impact of $100 million or more in any one year. 
Second, the Agency has no reason to believe that the rule would result 
in an environmental health risk or safety risk that would 
disproportionately affect children.

Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property)

    This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)

    The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding 
intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do 
not apply to this program.

Executive Order 13211 (Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use)

    We have analyzed this action under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. This action is not a significant energy action 
within the meaning of section 4(b) of the Executive Order because it is 
not economically significant and will not have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.

Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This action meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

List of Subjects

49 CFR Part 350

    Grant programs--transportation, highway safety, motor carriers.

49 CFR Part 390

    Highway safety, motor carriers.

49 CFR Part 392

    Highway safety, motor carriers.

0
Accordingly, FMCSA amends 49 CFR parts 350, 390, and 392 as follows:

PART 350--COMMERCIAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

0
1. The authority citation for 49 CFR part 350 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 13902, 31100-31104, 31108, 31136, 31140-
31141, 31161, 31310-31311, 31502, and 49 CFR 1.73.

0
2. Amend 49 CFR 350.105 by adding a definition for operating authority 
in alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  350.105  What definitions are used in this part?

* * * * *
    Operating authority means the registration required by 49 U.S.C. 
13902, 49 CFR part 365, 49 CFR part 368, and 49 CFR 392.9a.
* * * * *

0
3. Amend 49 CFR 350.201 to revise paragraph (t) to read as follows:


Sec.  350.201  What conditions must a State meet to qualify for Basic 
Program Funds?

* * * * *
    (t)(1) Enforce operating authority requirements under 49 U.S.C. 
13902, 49 CFR part 365, 49 CFR part 368, and 49 CFR 392.9a by placing 
out of service a vehicle operated by a motor carrier without operating 
authority or beyond the scope of its operating authority.
    (2) Enforce financial responsibility requirements under 49 U.S.C. 
13906, 31138, 31139, and 49 CFR part 387.
* * * * *

PART 390--FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS; GENERAL

0
4. The authority citation for 49 CFR part 390 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 508, 13301, 13902, 31133, 31136, 31502, 
31504, and sec. 204, Pub. L. 104-88, 109 Stat. 803, 941 (49 U.S.C. 
701 note); sec. 114, Pub. L. 103-311, 108 Stat. 1673, 1677; sec. 
217, Pub. L. 106-159, 113 Stat. 1748, 1767; and 49 CFR 1.73.


0
5. Add the definition of operating authority in alphabetical order and 
revise the definition of out-of-service order in 49 CFR 390.5 to read 
as follows:


Sec.  390.5  Definitions.

    Unless specifically defined elsewhere in this subchapter:
* * * * *
    Operating authority means the registration required by 49 U.S.C. 
13902,

[[Page 50867]]

49 CFR part 365, 49 CFR part 368, and 49 CFR 392.9a.
* * * * *
    Out-of-service order means a declaration by an authorized 
enforcement officer of a Federal, State, Canadian, Mexican, or local 
jurisdiction that a driver, a commercial motor vehicle, or a motor 
carrier operation is out of service pursuant to 49 CFR 386.72, 392.5, 
392.9a, 395.13, or 396.9, or compatible laws, or the North American 
Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.
* * * * *

PART 392--DRIVING OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES

0
6. The authority citation for 49 CFR part 392 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 13902, 31136, 31502, and 49 CFR 1.73.

0
7. Revise 49 CFR 392.9a to read as follows:


Sec.  392.9a  Operating authority.

    (a) Operating authority required. A motor vehicle providing 
transportation requiring operating authority must not be operated--
    (1) Without the required operating authority or
    (2) Beyond the scope of the operating authority granted.
    (b) Penalties. Every motor vehicle providing transportation 
requiring operating authority shall be ordered out of service if it is 
determined that the motor carrier responsible for the operation of such 
a vehicle is operating in violation of paragraph (a) of this section. 
In addition, the motor carrier may be subject to penalties in 
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 14901.
    (c) Administrative Review. Upon issuance of the out-of-service 
order under paragraph (b) of this section, the driver shall comply 
immediately with such order. Opportunity for review shall be provided 
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554 not later than 10 days after issuance 
of such order.

    Issued on: August 21, 2006.
David H. Hugel,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. E6-14248 Filed 8-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P