United States Government regulations

commercial motor vehicles are maintained, equipped, loaded, and operated safely; the responsibilities imposed on operators of commercial motor vehicles do not impair their ability to operate the vehicles safely; the physical condition of operators of commercial motor vehicles is adequate to enable them to operate the vehicles safely and the periodic physical examinations required of such operators are performed by medical examiners who have received training in physical and medical examination standards and, after the national registry maintained by the Department of Transportation under section 31149(d) is established, are listed on such registry; the operation of commercial motor vehicles does not have a deleterious effect on the physical condition of the operators; and an operator of a commercial motor vehicle is not coerced by a motor carrier, shipper, receiver, or transportation intermediary to operate a commercial motor vehicle in violation of a regulation promulgated under this section, or chapter 51 or chapter 313 of this title. The Secretary may not eliminate or amend an existing motor carrier safety regulation related only to the maintenance, equipment, loading, or operation (including routing) of vehicles carrying material found to be hazardous under section 5103 of this title until an equivalent or more stringent regulation has been prescribed under section 5103. A regulation under this section shall be prescribed under section 553 of title 5 (without regard to sections 556 and 557 of title 5). costs and benefits; and State laws and regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety, to minimize their unnecessary preemption. If the Secretary does not prescribe regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety under this section, regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety prescribed by the Secretary before October 30, 1984, and in effect on October 30, 1984, shall be deemed in this subchapter to be regulations prescribed by the Secretary under this section. The Secretary may grant in accordance with section 31315 waivers and exemptions from, or conduct pilot programs with respect to, any regulations prescribed under this section. consider the effects of the proposed or final rule on different segments of the motor carrier industry; and formulate estimates and findings based on the best available science. use data that is representative of commercial motor vehicle operators or motor carriers, or both, that will be impacted by the proposed or final rule; and consider the effects on commercial truck and bus carriers of various sizes and types. issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking; or proceed with a negotiated rulemaking. identify the need for a potential regulatory action; identify and request public comment on the best available science or technical information relevant to analyzing potential regulatory alternatives; request public comment on the available data and costs with respect to regulatory alternatives reasonably likely to be considered as part of the rulemaking; and request public comment on available alternatives to regulation. This subsection does not apply to a proposed rule if the Secretary, for good cause, finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons for such finding in the proposed or final rule) that an advance notice of proposed rulemaking is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Nothing in subsection (f) or (g) may be construed to limit the contents of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. alerts the driver of the obstacle; and if necessary to avoid or mitigate a collision with the obstacle, automatically applies the brakes of the commercial motor vehicle. The term ‘commercial motor vehicle’ has the meaning given the term in section 31101 of title 49, United States Code. prescribe a motor vehicle safety standard under section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, that requires any commercial motor vehicle subject to section 571.136 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 136) (or a successor regulation) that is manufactured after the effective date of the standard prescribed under this subparagraph to be equipped with an automatic emergency braking system; and as part of the standard under subparagraph (A), establish performance requirements for automatic emergency braking systems. conduct a review of automatic emergency braking systems in use in applicable commercial motor vehicles and address any identified deficiencies with respect to those automatic emergency braking systems in the rulemaking proceeding to prescribe the standard, if practicable; and consult with representatives of commercial motor vehicle drivers regarding the experiences of drivers with automatic emergency braking systems in use in applicable commercial motor vehicles, including any malfunctions or unwarranted activations of those automatic emergency braking systems. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe a regulation under section 31136 of title 49, United States Code, that requires that an automatic emergency braking system installed in a commercial motor vehicle manufactured after the effective date of the standard prescribed under subsection (b)(1)(A) that is in operation on or after that date and is subject to section 571.136 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 136) (or a successor regulation) be used at any time during which the commercial motor vehicle is in operation. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete a study on equipping a variety of commercial motor vehicles not subject to section 571.136 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 136) (or a successor regulation) as of that date of enactment with automatic emergency braking systems to avoid or mitigate a collision with an obstacle in the path of the commercial motor vehicle, including an assessment of the feasibility, benefits, and costs associated with installing automatic emergency braking systems on a variety of newly manufactured commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,001 pounds. a motor carrier that transports passengers or property for compensation; the motor carrier industry; or an entity producing or supplying automatic emergency braking systems. issue a notice in the Federal Register containing the findings of the study; and provide an opportunity for public comment. the results of the study under paragraph (1); a summary of any comments received under paragraph (3)(B); and a determination as to whether the Secretary intends to develop performance requirements for automatic emergency braking systems for applicable commercial motor vehicles, including any analysis that led to that determination. determine whether a motor vehicle safety standard relating to equipping the commercial motor vehicles described in that paragraph with automatic emergency braking systems would meet the requirements and considerations described in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code; and if the Secretary determines that a motor vehicle safety standard described in subparagraph (A) would meet the requirements and considerations described in that subparagraph, initiate a rulemaking to prescribe such a motor vehicle safety standard.” Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 4, 2015], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall revise the regulations in section 393.60(e) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to the prohibition on obstructions to the driver’s field of view) to exempt from that section the voluntary mounting on a windshield of vehicle safety technology likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be achieved absent the exemption. In this section, the term ‘vehicle safety technology’ includes a fleet-related incident management system, performance or behavior management system, speed management system, lane departure warning system, forward collision warning or mitigation system, and active cruise control system and any other technology that the Secretary considers applicable. For purposes of this section, any windshield mounted technology with a short term exemption under part 381 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, on the date of enactment of this Act, shall be considered likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be achieved absent an exemption under subsection (a).” does not exceed 2 hours per calendar day or a total of 30 hours per calendar month; and is fully and accurately accounted for in records to be maintained by the motor carrier and such records are made available upon request of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the Federal Railroad Administration. In this section, the term ‘hi-rail vehicle’ means an internal rail flaw detection vehicle equipped with flange hi-rails.” is traveling in the State in which the vehicle is registered or another State; is owned by a welder; is a pick-up style truck; is equipped with a welding rig that is used in the construction or maintenance of pipelines; and has a gross vehicle weight and combination weight rating and weight of 15,000 pounds or less. Any requirement relating to registration as a motor carrier, including the requirement to obtain and display a Department of Transportation number, established under chapters 139 and 311 of title 49, United States Code. Any requirement relating to driver qualifications established under chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code. Any requirement relating to driving of commercial motor vehicles established under chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code. Any requirement relating to parts and accessories and inspection, repair, and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles established under chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code. Any requirement relating to hours of service of drivers, including maximum driving and on duty time, established under chapter 315 of title 49, United States Code.” “This Act may be cited as the ‘Reliable Home Heating Act’. heating oil; natural gas; and propane. If the Governor of a State declares a state of emergency caused by a shortage of residential heating fuel and, at the conclusion of the initial 30-day emergency period (or a second 30-day emergency period authorized under this subsection), the Governor determines that the emergency shortage has not ended, any extension of such state of emergency by the Governor, up to 2 additional 30-day periods, shall be recognized by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as a period during which parts 390 through 399 of chapter III of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, shall not apply to any motor carrier or driver operating a commercial motor vehicle to provide residential heating fuel in the geographic area so designated as under a state of emergency. The Secretary of Transportation shall amend section 390.23(a)(1)(ii) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to conform to the provision set forth in subsection (b). Nothing in this section may be construed to modify the authority granted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Field Administrator under section 390.23(a) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to offer temporary exemptions from parts 390 through 399 of such title. “The Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, using data compiled from the Administration’s Weekly Petroleum Status Reports, shall notify the Governor of each State in a Petroleum Administration for Defense District if the inventory of residential heating fuel within such district has been below the most recent 5-year average for more than 3 consecutive weeks. the safety implications of extending exemptions; and a review of the exemption process to ensure clarity and efficiency during emergencies.” “This subtitle may be cited as the ‘Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2012’. The term ‘advanced glazing’ means glazing installed in a portal on the side or the roof of a motorcoach that is designed to be highly resistant to partial or complete occupant ejection in all types of motor vehicle crashes. The term ‘bus’ has the meaning given the term in section 571.3(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before 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]). Except as otherwise specified, the term ‘commercial motor vehicle’ has the meaning given the term in section 31132(1) of title 49, United States Code. The term ‘direct tire pressure monitoring system’ means a tire pressure monitoring system that is capable of directly detecting when the air pressure level in any tire is significantly under-inflated and providing the driver a low tire pressure warning as to which specific tire is significantly under-inflated. a motor carrier (as defined in section 13102(14) of title 49, United States Code); or a motor private carrier (as defined in section 13102(15) of that title). a bus used in public transportation provided by, or on behalf of, a public transportation agency; or a school bus, including a multifunction school activity bus. The term ‘motorcoach services’ means passenger transportation by motorcoach for compensation. The term ‘multifunction school activity bus’ has the meaning given the term in section 571.3(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act). The term ‘portal’ means any opening on the front, side, rear, or roof of a motorcoach that could, in the event of a crash involving the motorcoach, permit the partial or complete ejection of any occupant from the motorcoach, including a young child. The term ‘provider of motorcoach services’ means a motor carrier that provides passenger transportation services with a motorcoach, including per-trip compensation and contracted or chartered compensation. The term ‘public transportation’ has the meaning given the term in section 5302 of title 49, United States Code. The term ‘safety belt’ has the meaning given the term in section 153(i)(4)(B) of title 23, United States Code. The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Transportation. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations requiring safety belts to be installed in motorcoaches at each designated seating position. The Secretary shall establish improved roof and roof support standards for motorcoaches that substantially improve the resistance of motorcoach roofs to deformation and intrusion to prevent serious occupant injury in rollover crashes involving motorcoaches. The Secretary shall consider requiring advanced glazing standards for each motorcoach portal and shall consider other portal improvements to prevent partial and complete ejection of motorcoach passengers, including children. In prescribing such standards, the Secretary shall consider the impact of such standards on the use of motorcoach portals as a means of emergency egress. The Secretary shall consider requiring motorcoaches to be equipped with stability enhancing technology, such as electronic stability control and torque vectoring, to reduce the number and frequency of rollover crashes among motorcoaches. The Secretary shall consider requiring motorcoaches to be equipped with direct tire pressure monitoring systems that warn the operator of a commercial motor vehicle when any tire exhibits a level of air pressure that is below a specified level of air pressure established by the Secretary, if the Secretary determines that such standards meet the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code. In any standard adopted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include performance requirements to meet the objectives identified in paragraph (1) of this subsection. issuing a rule to upgrade performance standards for tires used on motorcoaches, including an enhanced endurance test and a new high-speed performance test; or the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. apply to all motorcoaches manufactured more than 3 years after the date on which the regulation is published as a final rule; take into account the impact to seating capacity of changes to size and weight of motorcoaches and the ability to comply with State and Federal size and weight requirements; and be based on the best available science. The Secretary may assess the feasibility, benefits, and costs with respect to the application of any requirement established under subsection (a) or (b)(2) to motorcoaches manufactured before the date on which the requirement applies to new motorcoaches under paragraph (1). The Secretary shall submit a report on the assessment to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. The Secretary shall conduct research and testing to determine the most prevalent causes of motorcoach fires and the best methods to prevent such fires and to mitigate the effect of such fires, both inside and outside the motorcoach. Such research and testing shall consider flammability of exterior components, smoke suppression, prevention of and resistance to wheel well fires, automatic fire suppression, passenger evacuation, causation and prevention of motorcoach fires, and improved fire extinguishers. Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may issue fire prevention and mitigation standards for motorcoaches, based on the results of the Secretary’s research and testing, taking into account highway size and weight restrictions applicable to motorcoaches, if the Secretary determines that such standards meet the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code. The Secretary shall research and test enhanced occupant impact protection technologies for motorcoach interiors to reduce serious injuries for all passengers of motorcoaches. The Secretary shall research and test enhanced compartmentalization safety countermeasures for motorcoaches, including enhanced seating designs. The Secretary shall research and test forward and lateral crash warning systems applications for motorcoaches. Not later than 2 years after the completion of each research and testing initiative required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall issue final motor vehicle safety standards if the Secretary determines that such standards meet the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code. To the extent feasible, the Secretary shall ensure that research programs are carried out concurrently, and in a manner that concurrently assesses results, potential countermeasures, costs, and benefits. When considering each of the rulemaking provisions, the Secretary may initiate a single rulemaking proceeding encompassing all aspects or may combine the rulemakings as the Secretary deems appropriate. consider whether each added aspect of rulemaking may contribute to addressing the safety need determined to require rulemaking; consider the benefits obtained through the safety belts rulemaking in section 32703(a); and avoid duplicative benefits, costs, and countermeasures. Except as provided in clause (ii), the term ‘motorcoach’ has the meaning given the term ‘over-the-road bus’ in section 3038(a)(3) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century [Pub. L. 105–178] (49 U.S.C. 5310 note). a bus used in public transportation that is provided by a State or local government; or a school bus (as defined in section 30125(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code), including a multifunction school activity bus. The term ‘motorcoach services and operations’ means passenger transportation by a motorcoach for compensation. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish, through notice and opportunity for public to comment, requirements to improve the accessibility to the public of safety rating information of motorcoach services and operations. in each terminal of departure; in the motorcoach and visible from a position exterior to the vehicle at the point of departure, if the motorcoach does not depart from a terminal; and at all points of sale for such motorcoach services and operations. “Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives that describes the feasibility, benefits, and costs of establishing a system of certification of public and private schools and of motor carriers and motorcoach operators that provide motorcoach driver training. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall review and assess the current knowledge and skill testing requirements for a commercial driver’s license passenger endorsement to determine what improvements to the knowledge test, the examination of driving skills, and the application of such requirements are necessary to ensure the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers. a report on the review and assessment conducted under subsection (a); a plan to implement any changes to the knowledge and skills tests; and a timeframe by which the Secretary will implement the changes. the risks associated with improperly maintained or inspected commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers; mitigating the risks described in paragraph (1); and ensuring the safe and proper operation condition of such vehicles; and the costs and benefits of a mandatory inspection program. “Any standard or regulation prescribed or modified pursuant to the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2012 shall be prescribed or modified in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code.” Any requirement relating to commercial driver’s licenses established under chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code. Any requirement relating to drug-testing established under chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code. subchapter III of chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code; or chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code. subchapter III of chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code; or chapter 315 of title 49, United States Code. subchapter III of chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code; or chapter 315 of title 49, United States Code. a requirement described in subsection (a) or a compatible State requirement; or any other minimum standard provided by a State relating to the operation of that vehicle. Paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to a covered farm vehicle transporting hazardous materials that require a placard. is traveling in the State in which the vehicle is registered or another State; a farm owner or operator; a ranch owner or operator; or an employee or family member of an individual specified in subclause (I) or (II); agricultural commodities; livestock; or machinery or supplies; except as provided in paragraph (2), is not used in the operations of a for-hire motor carrier; and is equipped with a special license plate or other designation by the State in which the vehicle is registered to allow for identification of the vehicle as a farm vehicle by law enforcement personnel; and 26,001 pounds or less; or greater than 26,001 pounds and traveling within the State or within 150 air miles of the farm or ranch with respect to which the vehicle is being operated. is operated pursuant to a crop share farm lease agreement; is owned by a tenant with respect to that agreement; and is transporting the landlord’s portion of the crops under that agreement. the number of vehicles that are operated subject to each of the regulatory exemptions permitted under subsection (a); the number of drivers that operate covered farm vehicles subject to each of the regulatory exemptions permitted under subsection (a); the number of crashes involving covered farm vehicles; the number of occupants and non-occupants injured in crashes involving covered farm vehicles; the number of fatalities of occupants and non-occupants killed in crashes involving farm vehicles; crash investigations and accident reconstruction investigations of all fatalities in crashes involving covered farm vehicles; overall operating mileage of covered farm vehicles; numbers of covered farm vehicles that operate in neighboring States; and any other data the Secretary deems necessary to analyze and include. A listing of State regulations issued and maintained in each State that are identical to the Federal regulations that are subject to exemption in subsection (a). The Secretary shall report the findings of the study to the appropriate committees of Congress not later than 18 months 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]. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authority for the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations.” drivers transporting agricultural commodities from the source of the agricultural commodities to a location within a 150 air-mile radius from the source; drivers transporting farm supplies for agricultural purposes from a wholesale or retail distribution point of the farm supplies to a farm or other location where the farm supplies are intended to be used within a 150 air-mile radius from the distribution point; drivers transporting farm supplies for agricultural purposes from a wholesale distribution point of the farm supplies to a retail distribution point of the farm supplies within a 150 air-mile radius from the wholesale distribution point; or drivers transporting livestock (as defined in section 602 of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471) including insects) within a 150 air-mile radius from the final destination of the livestock. Such regulations shall, in the case of a driver of a commercial motor vehicle who is used primarily in the transportation and operation of a ground water well drilling rig, permit any period of 7 or 8 consecutive days to end with the beginning of an off-duty period of 24 or more consecutive hours for the purposes of determining maximum driving and on-duty time. Except as required in section 395.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this sentence [Aug. 10, 2005], no additional off-duty time shall be required in order to operate such vehicle. Such regulations shall, in the case of a driver of a commercial motor vehicle who is used primarily in the transportation of construction materials and equipment, permit any period of 7 or 8 consecutive days to end with the beginning of an off-duty period of 24 or more consecutive hours for the purposes of determining maximum driving and on-duty time. Such regulations shall not apply to a driver of a utility service vehicle. A State, a political subdivision of a State, an interstate agency, or other entity consisting of two or more States, shall not enact or enforce any law, rule, regulation, or standard that imposes requirements on a driver of a utility service vehicle that are similar to the requirements contained in such regulations. A State may waive the requirements of chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code, with respect to a vehicle that is being operated within the boundaries of an eligible unit of local government by an employee of such unit for the purpose of removing snow or ice from a roadway by plowing, sanding, or salting. Such waiver authority shall only apply in a case where the employee is needed to operate the vehicle because the employee of the eligible unit of local government who ordinarily operates the vehicle and who has a commercial drivers license is unable to operate the vehicle or is in need of additional assistance due to a snow emergency. Except as provided in subsection (a)(4), nothing contained in this section shall require the preemption of State laws and regulations concerning the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles as the result of exemptions from Federal requirements provided under this section. The Secretary [of Transportation] may conduct a rulemaking proceeding to determine whether granting any exemption provided by subsection (a) (other than paragraph (1), (2), or (4)) is not in the public interest and would have a significant adverse impact on the safety of commercial motor vehicles. If, at any time as a result of such a proceeding, the Secretary determines that granting such exemption would not be in the public interest and would have a significant adverse impact on the safety of commercial motor vehicles, the Secretary may prevent the exemption from going into effect, modify the exemption, or revoke the exemption. The Secretary may develop a program to monitor the exemption, including agreements with carriers to permit the Secretary to examine insurance information maintained by an insurer on a carrier. The Secretary shall monitor the commercial motor vehicle safety performance of drivers of vehicles that are subject to an exemption under this section. If the Secretary determines that public safety has been adversely affected by an exemption granted under this section, the Secretary shall report to Congress on the determination. The term ‘7 or 8 consecutive days’ means the period of 7 or 8 consecutive days beginning on any day at the time designated by the motor carrier for a 24-hour period. The term ‘24-hour period’ means any 24 consecutive hour period beginning at the time designated by the motor carrier for the terminal from which the driver is normally dispatched. The term ‘ground water well drilling rig’ means any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, semi-trailer, or specialized mobile equipment propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used on highways to transport water well field operating equipment, including water well drilling and pump service rigs equipped to access ground water. The term ‘transportation of construction materials and equipment’ means the transportation of construction and pavement materials, construction equipment, and construction maintenance vehicles, by a driver to or from an active construction site (a construction site between initial mobilization of equipment and materials to the site to the final completion of the construction project) within a 75 air mile radius of the normal work reporting location of the driver, except that a State, upon notice to the Secretary, may establish a different air mile radius limitation for purposes of this paragraph if such limitation is between 50 and 75 air miles and applies only to movements that take place entirely within the State. This paragraph does not apply to the transportation of material found by the Secretary to be hazardous under section 5103 of title 49, United States Code, in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations issued to carry out such section. The term ‘eligible unit of local government’ means a city, town, borough, county, parish, district, or other public body created by or pursuant to State law which has a total population of 3,000 individuals or less. used in the furtherance of repairing, maintaining, or operating any structures or any other physical facilities necessary for the delivery of public utility services, including the furnishing of electric, gas, water, sanitary sewer, telephone, and television cable or community antenna service; while engaged in any activity necessarily related to the ultimate delivery of such public utility services to consumers, including travel or movement to, from, upon, or between activity sites (including occasional travel or movement outside the service area necessitated by any utility emergency as determined by the utility provider); and except for any occasional emergency use, operated primarily within the service area of a utility’s subscribers or consumers, without regard to whether the vehicle is owned, leased, or rented by the utility. The term ‘agricultural commodity’ means any agricultural commodity, non-processed food, feed, fiber, or livestock (including livestock as defined in section 602 of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471) and insects). The term ‘farm supplies for agricultural purposes’ means products directly related to the growing or harvesting of agricultural commodities during the planting and harvesting seasons within each State, as determined by the State, and livestock feed at any time of the year. A regulation prescribed under section 31136 or 31502 of title 49, United States Code, shall not apply to a driver of a commercial motor vehicle which is used primarily in the transportation of propane winter heating fuel or a driver of a motor vehicle used to respond to a pipeline emergency if such regulations would prevent the driver from responding to an emergency condition requiring immediate response. An emergency condition requiring immediate response is any condition that, if left unattended, is reasonably likely to result in immediate serious bodily harm, death, or substantial damage to property. In the case of propane such conditions shall include (but are not limited to) the detection of gas odor, the activation of carbon monoxide alarms, the detection of carbon monoxide poisoning, and any real or suspected damage to a propane gas system following a severe storm or flooding. An ‘emergency condition requiring an immediate response’ does not include requests to re-fill empty gas tanks. In the case of pipelines such conditions include (but are not limited to) indication of an abnormal pressure event, leak, release or rupture.” The Federal Highway Administration shall issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking dealing with a variety of fatigue-related issues pertaining to commercial motor vehicle motor vehicle safety (including 8 hours of continuous sleep after 10 hours of driving, loading and unloading operations, automated and tamper-proof recording devices, rest and recovery cycles, fatigue and stress in longer combination vehicles, fitness for duty, and other appropriate regulatory and enforcement countermeasures for reducing fatigue-related incidents and increasing driver alertness) not later than March 1, 1996. The Federal Highway Administration shall issue a notice of proposed rulemaking dealing with such issues within 1 year after issuance of the advance notice under subsection (a) is published and shall issue a final rule dealing with those issues within 2 years after the last day of such 1-year period.” Subject to section 30103(a) of this title, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety. The regulations shall prescribe minimum safety standards for commercial motor vehicles. At a minimum, the regulations shall ensure that— Before prescribing regulations under this section, the Secretary shall consider, to the extent practicable and consistent with the purposes of this chapter— Within each regulatory impact analysis of a proposed or final major rule issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Secretary shall, whenever practicable— To the extent feasible and appropriate, and consistent with law, an analysis described in paragraph (1) shall— If a proposed rule under this part is likely to lead to the promulgation of a major rule, the Secretary, before publishing such proposed rule, shall— Each advance notice of proposed rulemaking issued under paragraph (1) shall— In this section: The term ‘automatic emergency braking system’ means a system on a commercial motor vehicle that, based on a predefined distance and closing rate with respect to an obstacle in the path of the commercial motor vehicle— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall— Prior to prescribing the motor vehicle safety standard under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall— If the Secretary enters into a contract with a third party to perform research relating to the study required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that the third party does not have any financial or contractual ties to, or relationships with— Not later than 90 days after the date on which the study under paragraph (1) is completed, the Secretary shall— Not later than 90 days after the conclusion of the public comment period under paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that includes— Not later than 2 years after the date on which the study under paragraph (1) is completed, the Secretary shall— In the case of a commercial motor vehicle driver subject to the hours of service requirements in part 395 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, who is driving a hi-rail vehicle, the maximum on duty time under section 395.3 of such title for such driver shall not include time in transportation to or from a duty assignment if such time in transportation— In this section, the term ‘covered motor vehicle’ means a motor vehicle that— A covered motor vehicle, including the individual operating such vehicle and the employer of such individual, shall be exempt from the following: In this Act, the term ‘residential heating fuel’ includes— “Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act [June 30, 2014], the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study of, and transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, a report on the impacts of safety from the extensions issued by Governors according to this Act. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall review, at a minimum— “In this subtitle: The term ‘motor carrier’ means— The term ‘motorcoach’ has the meaning given the term ‘over-the-road bus’ in section 3038(a)(3) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century [Pub. L. 105–178] (49 U.S.C. 5310 note), but does not include— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations that address the following commercial motor vehicle standards, if the Secretary determines that such standards meet the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code: Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe the following commercial vehicle regulation: Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall consider— if the Secretary determines that a standard does not meet the requirements and considerations set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, United States Code, submit a report that describes the reasons for not prescribing such a standard to— Any regulation prescribed in accordance with subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall— Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete the following research and testing: If the Secretary undertakes separate rulemaking proceedings, the Secretary shall— In this subsection: The term ‘motorcoach’ does not include— In establishing the requirements under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider requirements for each motor carrier that owns or leases 1 or more motorcoaches that transport passengers subject to the Secretary’s jurisdiction under section 13501 of title 49, United States Code, to prominently display safety fitness information pursuant to section 31144 of title 49, United States Code— Not later than 120 days after completion of the review and assessment under subsection (a), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate— “Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall complete a rulemaking proceeding to consider requiring States to establish a program for annual inspections of commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers, including an assessment of— the effectiveness of existing Federal standards for the inspection of such vehicles in— A covered farm vehicle, including the individual operating that vehicle, shall be exempt from the following: Any requirement relating to medical certificates established under— Any requirement relating to hours of service established under— Any requirement relating to vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance established under— Federal transportation funding to a State may not be terminated, limited, or otherwise interfered with as a result of the State exempting a covered farm vehicle, including the individual operating that vehicle, from— In this section, the term ‘covered farm vehicle’ means a motor vehicle (including an articulated motor vehicle)— that— is operated by— is transporting to or from a farm or ranch— that has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, whichever is greater, that is— In this section, the term ‘covered farm vehicle’ includes a motor vehicle that meets the requirements of paragraph (1) (other than paragraph (1)(A)(iv)) and— The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study of the exemption required by subsection (a) as follows: Data and analysis of covered farm vehicles shall include— Regulations prescribed by the Secretary [of Transportation] under sections 31136 and 31502 of title 49, United States Code, regarding maximum driving and on-duty time for drivers used by motor carriers shall not apply during planting and harvest periods, as determined by each State, to— In this section, the following definitions apply: The term ‘utility service vehicle’ means any commercial motor vehicle— (Source: (Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1003; Pub. L. 104–59, title III, § 344, Nov. 28, 1995, 109 Stat. 610; Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(60), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3394; Pub. L. 105–178, title IV, § 4007(c), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 403; Pub. L. 109–59, title IV, § 4116(b), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1728; Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title II, § 32911, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 818; Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title V, § 5202, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1534.))