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HR 4612 99th Congress House

Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Amendments of 1986

Official title: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to centralize motor carrier safety responsibilities within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to centralize motor carrier safety responsibilities within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to improve hazardous materials transportation enforcement, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 26, 1986 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works AuthorizationCrime and Law EnforcementDepartment of TransportationDriver licenses
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Economics and Public FinanceEmployee trainingEnvironmental ProtectionExecutive reorganizationFederal aid to transportationFire fightersFires and Fire FightersGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkGovernment records, documents, and informationLaw enforcement officersLicensesLocal and Municipal GovernmentLocal financeMotor Vehicles and DrivingMotor vehicle registrationMotor vehicle safetyNuclear energyPolice trainingPublic safetyRadiation safetyRadioactive wastesRisk assessmentRoads and highwaysState financeState lawsStatesTraffic accidents and safetyTransportation and TravelTransportation of hazardous substancesTruckingTrucks
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 10 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 16, 1986
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jun 23, 1986
Executive Comment Received From NTSB.
May 1, 1986
Referred to Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.
May 1, 1986
Executive Comment Requested from DOT, NTSB, OMB.
Apr 24, 1986
Referred to Subcommittee on Commerce, Transportation and Tourism.
Apr 24, 1986
Referred to Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Power.
Apr 24, 1986
Referred to Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.
Apr 17, 1986
Referred to House Committee on Public Works and Transportation.
Apr 17, 1986
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 17, 1986
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 16, 1986

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Amendments of 1986 - Transfers to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): (1) the motor carrier safety functions of the Federal Highway Administration; and (2) the hazardous materials transportation functions of the Research and Special Programs Administration.

Establishes in the NHTSA the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety (the Bureau), headed by an Associate Deputy Administrator for Motor Carrier Safety who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary). Outlines the motor carrier safety functions of the Associate Deputy Administrator. Establishes in the NHTSA the Office of Hazardous Materials Transportation, headed by an Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Transportation. Outlines the functions of such Associate Administrator.

Requires the Associate Deputy Administrator for Motor Carrier Safety to: (1) notify each motor carrier of the safety rating for such carrier; and (2) publish such ratings annually.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1988: (1) for motor carrier safety functions; (2) to increase to 150 the number of motor carrier safety inspectors; and (3) for the hazardous materials transportation program.

Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to increase the authorizations used to reimburse the States' pro rata share of costs incurred to implement Federal motor vehicle safety rules.

Amends the Surface Transportation Act of 1982 to direct the Secretary to make grants to States and political subdivisions for the designation of: (1) hazardous materials transportation routes; and (2) hazardous materials parking sites. Authorizes appropriations.

Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to require registered carriers of hazardous materials to maintain records of the routes followed in the transportation of such materials. Requires persons engaged in the commercial transportation of certain hazardous materials to prepare an annual registration statement. Authorizes appropriations to make emergency response personnel (police and fire fighters) training grants available to States and local subdivisions for FY 1987 through 1991.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish guidelines for emergency response training programs; (2) publish emergency response procedures; and (3) establish minimum qualifications for the licensing by the States of drivers of motor vehicles transporting hazardous materials. Prescribes guidelines for: (1) such licensing qualifications; and (2) training and retraining programs for personnel engaged in hazardous materials transportation.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a hazardous materials flow study and to report the results of such study to the Congress; and (2) conduct a risks analysis regarding the transportation of high level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel to geologic repository sites and monitored retrievable storage sites, and report the results to the Congress and the Secretary of Energy.

Nullifies certain truck brake regulations permitting front brake disconnections. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing new regulations to the same effect. Requires the Secretary to conduct public information programs regarding truck brakes safety.

 Committees of jurisdiction 6
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4612: Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Amendments of 1986. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-4612/
MLA
"H.R. 4612: Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Amendments of 1986." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-4612/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4612, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-4612/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4612: Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Amendments of 1986](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-4612/)
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