Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Improvement Act of 2011

Summary

Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Act of 2011 - Requires states or Indian tribes receiving grants to train emergency responders to hazardous material (hazmat) transportation accidents to make certain certifications to the Secretary of Transportation (DOT). Authorizes the Secretary to conduct pilot projects (including at least one in a rural area) to evaluate the feasibility of using paperless hazard communications systems. Authorizes the Secretary to assess and review the methods used by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for collecting, analyzing, and reporting accidents and incidents involving hazmat transportation. Requires the Secretary to develop an action plan and timeline for improving the collection, analysis, reporting, and use of data by PHMSA. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations establishing uniform procedures among facilities for the safe loading and unloading of hazmat on and off tank cars and cargo tank trucks. Authorizes the Secretary to develop and implement a hazmat technical assessment, research and development, and analysis program to: (1) reduce risks associated with hazmat transportation; and (2) identify and evaluate new technologies for safe, secure, and efficient hazmat transportation. Directs the Secretary to establish a multimodal hazmat enforcement training program for government hazmat inspectors and investigators. Increases the civil penalties for: (1) knowing violations of a hazmat transportation regulation, order, special permit, or approval; and (2) violations that result in death, serious illness, or injury or substantial destruction of property. Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on persons who obstruct or prevent an inspection or investigation regarding hazmat transportation. Prohibits a person who has failed to pay an assessed civil penalty for noncompliance with a hazmat transportation regulation or order from conducting hazmat transportation. Revises requirements for the issuance of special permits, approvals, and exclusions. Requires states to submit certain information to the Secretary biennially regarding their currently effective hazmat highway route designations.

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Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 25 April 2012

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• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 25 April 2012

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• Reported to Senate without amendment

  summary · EN · 25 April 2012

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• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 7 December 2011

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• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 7 December 2011

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 7 December 2011

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