[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 126 (Monday, July 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44083-44085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16523]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 501

[Docket No. NHTSA 02-12526; Notice 1]


Reorganization and Delegations of Authority

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends NHTSA's organizational structure, 
delegations of authority, and succession to Administrator. The 
amendments effectuate organizational changes that will enable NHTSA to 
achieve its mission more effectively and efficiently.

EFFECTIVE DATES: The amendments are effective July 1, 2002, except for 
the amendments set forth in amendatory instructions 5, 6, and 7, which 
are effective October 3, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may contact John Womack at 202-
366-9511.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule amends the regulations on 
the organization, delegation of powers and duties within the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and amends the 
succession to the Administrator to conform to the new organizational 
structure. This final rule amends NHTSA's organizational structure to 
enable NHTSA to achieve its mission more effectively and efficiently.
    These amendments relate solely to changes in the organizational 
structure and the placement of the delegations of authority for various 
functions within the agency. They have no substantive effect. Notice 
and the opportunity for comment are therefore not required under the 
Administrative Procedure Act, and the amendments are effective 
immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. In addition, 
these amendments are not subject to Executive Order 12866, the 
Department of Transportation's regulatory policies and procedures, or 
the provisions for Congressional review of final rules in Chapter 8 of 
Title 5, United States Code.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 501

    Authority delegations (Government agencies), Organization and 
functions (Government agencies).


    In consideration of the foregoing, 49 CFR part 501 is amended as 
follows:

PART 501--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 501 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 105 and 322; delegation of authority at 49 
CFR 1.50.

Amendments Effective July 1, 2002

    2. Section 501.3 is amended as follows:
    a. Revise paragraph (a)(3);
    b. Remove paragraphs (a)(4) and (a)(6);
    c. Redesignate paragraphs (a)(5) and (a)(7) as new paragraphs 
(a)(4) and (a)(5), respectively;
    d. Add new paragraph (a)(6); and
    e. Revise paragraph (c).

[[Page 44084]]

    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec. 501.3.  Organization and general responsibilities.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (3) Executive Director. As the principal advisor to the 
Administrator and Deputy Administrator, provides direction on internal 
management and mission support programs. Provides executive direction 
over the Senior Associate Administrators.
* * * * *
    (6) Director, Intergovernmental Affairs. As the principal advisor 
to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator on all intergovernmental 
matters, including communications with Congress, communicates agency 
policy and coordinates with the Chief Counsel on legislative issues 
affecting the agency.
* * * * *
    (c) Senior Associate Administrators--(1) Senior Associate 
Administrator for Policy and Operations. As the principal advisor to 
the Administrator and Deputy Administrator with regard to core 
administrative and support services, provides direction and internal 
management and mission support for such activities. Provides executive 
direction over the Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and 
Analysis, the Associate Administrator for Administration, the Associate 
Administrator for Planning, Evaluation and Budget, the Chief 
Information Officer and the Office of Communications and Consumer 
Information.
    (2) Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety. As the 
principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator with 
regard to rulemaking, enforcement and applied research, provides 
direction and internal management and mission support for such 
activities. Provides executive direction over the Associate 
Administrator for Rulemaking, the Associate Administrator for 
Enforcement, and the Associate Administrator for Applied Research.
    (3) Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control. As 
the principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator 
with regard to programs to reduce traffic injury, provides direction 
and internal management and mission support for such activities. 
Provides executive direction over the Associate Administrator for 
Program Development and Delivery and the Associate Administrator for 
Injury Control Operations and Resources.

    3. Section 501.4, Succession to Administrator, is revised to read 
as follows:


Sec. 501.4  Succession to Administrator.

    The following officials, in the order indicated, shall act in 
accordance with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3346-3349 as Administrator 
of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the case of 
the absence or disability or in the case of a vacancy in the office of 
the Administrator, until a successor is appointed:
    (a) Deputy Administrator;
    (b) Executive Director;
    (c) Chief Counsel;
    (d) Senior Associate Administrator for Policy and Operations;
    (e) Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety; and
    (f) Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control.

    4. Section 501.8, Delegations, is amended by revising paragraphs 
(b), (e), (f), and (g), by removing paragraphs (h) through (k), and by 
redesignating paragraph (l) as new paragraph (h), to read as follows:


Sec. 501.8  Delegations.

* * * * *
    (b) Executive Director. The Executive Director is delegated line 
authority for executive direction over the Senior Associate 
Administrators.
* * * * *
    (e) Senior Associate Administrator for Policy and Operations. The 
Senior Associate Administrator for Policy and operations is delegated 
authority for executive direction of the Associate Administrator for 
Advanced Research and Analysis; the Associate Administrator for 
Administration; the Associate Administrator for Planning, Evaluation, 
and Budget; the Chief Information Officer; and the Director of 
Communications and Consumer Information. To carry out this direction, 
the Senior Associate Administrator for Policy and Operations is 
delegated authority, except for authority reserved to the 
Administrator, to direct the NHTSA planning and evaluation system in 
conjunction with Departmental requirement and planning goals; to 
coordinate the development of the Administrator's plans, policies, 
budget, and programs, and analyses of their expected impact, and their 
evaluation in terms of the degree of goal achievement; and to perform 
independent analyses of proposed Administration regulatory, grant, 
legislative, and program activities. Except for authority reserved to 
the Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety, the Senior 
Associate Administrator for Policy and Operations is delegated 
authority to develop and conduct research and development programs and 
projects necessary to support the purposes of Chapters 301, 323, 325, 
327, 329, and 331 of title 49, United States Code, and Chapter 4 of 
title 23, United States Code, as amended, in coordination with the 
Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety and the Chief 
Counsel. The Senior Associate Administrator for Policy and Operations 
is also delegated authority to exercise procurement authority with 
respect to NHTSA requirements; administer and conduct NHTSA's personnel 
management activities; administer NHTSA financial management programs, 
including systems of funds control and accounts of all financial 
transactions; and conduct administrative management services in support 
of NHTSA missions and programs.
    (f) Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety. The Senior 
Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety is delegated authority for 
executive direction of the Associate Administrator for Rulemaking, the 
Associate Administrator for Enforcement and the Associate Administrator 
for Applied Research. The Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle 
Safety exercises executive direction with respect to the setting of 
standards and regulations for motor vehicle safety, fuel economy, theft 
prevention, consumer information, and odometer fraud. To carry out this 
direction, the Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety is 
delegated authority, except for authority reserved to the Administrator 
or the Chief Counsel, to exercise the powers and perform the duties of 
the Administrator with respect to the setting of motor vehicle safety 
and theft prevention standards, average fuel economy standards, 
procedural regulations, and the development of consumer information and 
odometer fraud regulations authorized under Chapters 301, 323, 325, 
327, 329, and 331 of title 49, United States Code. Except for authority 
reserved to the Senior Associate Administrator for Policy and 
Operations, the Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety is 
delegated authority to develop and conduct research and development 
programs and projects necessary to support the purposes of Chapters 
301, 323, 325, 327, 329, and 331 of title 49, United States Code, and 
Chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code, as amended, in coordination 
with the appropriate Associate Administrators, and the Chief Counsel. 
The Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle

[[Page 44085]]

Safety is also delegated authority to respond to a manufacturer's 
petition for exemption from 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301's notification and 
remedy requirements in connection with a defect or noncompliance 
concerning labeling errors; extend comment periods (both self-initiated 
and in response to a petition for extension of time) for 
noncontroversial rulemakings; make technical amendments or corrections 
to a final rule; extend the effective date of a noncontroversial final 
rule; administer the NHTSA enforcement program for all laws, standards, 
and regulations pertinent to vehicle safety, fuel economy, theft 
prevention, damageability, consumer information and odometer fraud, 
authorized under Chapters 301, 323, 325, 327, 329, and 331 of title 49, 
United States Code; issue regulations relating to the importation of 
motor vehicles under sections 30141 through 30147 of title 49, United 
States Code; and grant and deny petitions for import eligibility 
determinations submitted to NHTSA by motor vehicle manufacturers and 
registered importers under 49 U.S.C. 30141.
    (g) Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control. The 
Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control is delegated 
authority for executive direction of the Associate Administrator for 
Program Development and Delivery and the Associate Administrator for 
Injury Control Operations and Resources. To carry out this direction, 
the Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control is 
delegated authority, except for authority reserved to the 
Administrator, over programs with respect to: Chapter 4 of title 23, 
United States Code, as amended; the authority vested by section 210(2) 
of the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7544(2)); the authority 
vested by 49 U.S.C. 20134(a), with respect to the laws administered by 
the Administrator pertaining to highway, traffic, and motor vehicle 
safety; the Act of July 14, 1960, as amended (23 U.S.C. 313 note) and 
49 U.S.C. Chapter 303; the authority vested by section 157(g) of title 
23, United States Code; the authority vested by sections 153, 154, 
157(except paragraph (g)), 161, 163, and 164 of title 23, United States 
Code, with the concurrence of the Federal Highway Administrator; and 
secton 209 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 (23 
U.S.C. 401 note) as delegated by the Secretary in Sec. 501.2(i). The 
Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control is also 
delegated authority to exercise the powers and perform the duties of 
the Administrator with respect to State and community highway safety 
programs under 23 U.S.C. 402, including approval and disapproval of 
State highway safety plans and final vouchers, in accordance with the 
procedural requirements of the Administration; to approve the awarding 
of alcohol incentive grants to the States under 23 U.S.C. 408 and drunk 
driving prevention grants under 23 U.S.C. 410, for years subsequent to 
the initial awarding of such grants by the Administrator; as 
appropriate for activities benefiting states and communities; and to 
implement 23 U.S.C. 403.
* * * * *

Amendments Effective October 3, 2002


Sec. 501.3  [Amended]

    5. Effective October 3, 2002, Sec. 501.3 is amended by removing and 
reserving paragraph (a)(3).

    6. Effective October 3, 2002, Sec. 501.4 is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 501.4  Succession to Administrator.

    The following officials, in the order indicated, shall act in 
accordance with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3346-3349 as Administrator 
of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the case of 
the absence or disability or in the case of a vacancy in the office of 
the Administrator, until a successor is appointed:
    (a) Deputy Administrator;
    (b) Chief Counsel;
    (c) Senior Associate Administrator for Policy and Operations;
    (d) Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety; and
    (e) Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control.


Sec. 501.8  [Amended]

    7. Effective October 3, 2002, Sec. 501.8 is amended by removing and 
reserving paragraph (b).

    Issued on June 26, 2002.
Jeffrey W. Runge,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-16523 Filed 6-28-02; 8:45 am]
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