49 USC 20902 - Investigations

(a) General Authority.—The Secretary of Transportation, or an impartial investigator authorized by the Secretary, may investigate—

(1) an accident or incident resulting in serious injury to an individual or to railroad property, occurring on the railroad line of a railroad carrier; and

(2) an accident or incident reported under section 20505 of this title.

(b) Other Duties and Powers.—In carrying out an investigation, the Secretary or authorized investigator may subpena witnesses, require the production of records, exhibits, and other evidence, administer oaths, and take testimony. If the accident or incident is investigated by a commission of the State in which it occurred, the Secretary, if convenient, shall carry out the investigation at the same time as, and in coordination with, the commission's investigation. The railroad carrier on whose railroad line the accident or incident occurred shall provide reasonable facilities to the Secretary for the investigation.

(c) Reports.—When in the public interest, the Secretary shall make a report of the investigation, stating the cause of the accident or incident and making recommendations the Secretary considers appropriate. The Secretary shall publish the report in a way the Secretary considers appropriate.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 887.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
20902(a) 45:40 (1st sentence, 2d sentence words between 1st and 2d commas). May 6, 1910, ch. 208, §3, 36 Stat. 351; June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, §15(3), 102 Stat. 634.
  49 App.:26(f) (words after last semicolon). Feb. 4, 1887, ch. 104, 24 Stat. 379, §25(f) (words after last semicolon); added Feb. 28, 1920, ch. 91, §441, 41 Stat. 498; restated Aug. 26, 1937, ch. 818, 50 Stat. 836; Sept. 18, 1940, ch. 722, §14(b), 54 Stat. 919.
  49 App.:1655(e)(1)(K). Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(e)(1)(K), 80 Stat. 939.
20902(b) 45:40 (2d sentence less words between 1st and 2d commas).
20902(c) 45:40 (3d, last sentences).

Sections:  Previous  20503  20504  20505  20701  20702  20703  20901  20902  20903  21101  21102  21103  21104  21105  21106  Next

Last modified: October 26, 2015