US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

49 U.S.C. § 20111

Enforcement by the Secretary of Transportation

(a)

Exclusive Authority .—

The Secretary of Transportation has exclusive authority—
(1)
to impose and compromise a civil penalty for a violation of a railroad safety regulation prescribed or order issued by the Secretary;
(2)
section 20113 of this title except as provided in , to request an injunction for a violation of a railroad safety regulation prescribed or order issued by the Secretary; and
(3)
section 20112(a) of this title to recommend appropriate action be taken under .
(b)

Compliance Orders .—

The Secretary may issue an order directing compliance with this part or with a railroad safety regulation prescribed or order issued under this part.
(c)

Orders Prohibiting Individuals From Performing Safety-Sensitive Functions.—

(1)
If an individual’s violation of this part, chapter 51 of this title, or a regulation prescribed, or an order issued, by the Secretary under this part or chapter 51 of this title is shown to make that individual unfit for the performance of safety-sensitive functions, the Secretary, after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may issue an order prohibiting the individual from performing safety-sensitive functions in the railroad industry for a specified period of time or until specified conditions are met.
(2)
section 20104 of this title This subsection does not affect the Secretary’s authority under to act on an emergency basis.
(d)

Regulations Requiring Reporting of Remedial Actions .—

(1)
The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to require that a railroad carrier notified by the Secretary that imposition of a civil penalty will be recommended for a failure to comply with this part, chapter 51 or 57 of this title, or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those provisions, shall report to the Secretary, not later than the 30th day after the end of the month in which the notification is received—
(A)
actions taken to remedy the failure; or
(B)
if appropriate remedial actions cannot be taken by that 30th day, an explanation of the reasons for the delay.
(2)
The Secretary—
(A)
not later than , shall issue a notice of a regulatory proceeding for proposed regulations to carry out this subsection; and
(B)
not later than , shall prescribe final regulations to carry out this subsection.

Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e)108 Stat. 868Pub. L. 103–440, title II, § 205108 Stat. 4620Pub. L. 110–432, div. A, title III, § 305122 Stat. 4879(, , ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

20111(a)

45:435(a) (last sentence).

Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, § 206(a) (last sentence), 84 Stat. 973; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, § 28(a)(4), 104 Stat. 3276.

20111(b)

45:437(a) (2d sentence).

Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 208(a) (2d sentence); added Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, § 206, 88 Stat. 2166; June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, § 8, 102 Stat. 628.

 

45:437(d)(1) (last sentence).

Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 208(d)(1) (last sentence); added Oct. 10, 1980, Pub. L. 96–423, § 6(b), 94 Stat. 1814.

20111(c)

45:438(f).

Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, § 209(f); added June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, § 3(a)(4), 102 Stat. 625.

20111(d)

45:437 (note).

Sept. 3, 1992, Pub. L. 102–365, § 3, 106 Stat. 972.

In this section, the word “impose” is substituted for “assess” for consistency.

In subsection (b), the word “further” is omitted as surplus.

section 441(e) of this titleIn subsection (d), the words “this part, chapter 51 or 57 of this title” are substituted for “the Federal railroad safety laws, as such term is defined in ” because 45:441(e) is not restated as a definition.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–432section 20104 of this title2008—Subsec. (c). amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “If an individual’s violation of this chapter or any of the laws transferred to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Transportation by subsection (e)(1), (2), and (6)(A) of section 6 of the Department of Transportation Act, as in effect on , or a regulation prescribed or order issued by the Secretary under this chapter is shown to make that individual unfit for the performance of safety-sensitive functions, the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, may issue an order prohibiting the individual from performing safety-sensitive functions in the railroad industry for a specified period of time or until specified conditions are met. This subsection does not affect the Secretary’s authority under to act on an emergency basis.”

Pub. L. 103–4401994—Subsec. (c). inserted “this chapter or any of the laws transferred to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Transportation by subsection (e)(1), (2), and (6)(A) of section 6 of the Department of Transportation Act, as in effect on , or” after “individual’s violation of”.