[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 7057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1247]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Drivers Licensed in Canada or Mexico Transporting Hazardous 
Materials Within the United States

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice announces an extension of the deadline for 
implementation of Section 7105 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. This provision 
requires operators of commercial motor vehicles registered to operate 
in Canada or Mexico who transport placarded loads of hazardous 
materials or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or 
toxin in 42 CFR part 73 within the United States to undergo a 
background check similar to that required for U.S. operators with a 
hazardous materials endorsement. The Transportation Security 
Administration is extending the implementation deadline for the 
requirements under Section 7105 from February 10, 2006 to August 10, 
2006, unless the Transportation Security Administration issues a Notice 
or other regulatory action before that date with an earlier date for 
implementing the requirements under the statute.

DATES: Effective upon publication in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen Sadler, Director, Maritime 
and Surface Credentialing, Office of Transportation Threat Assessment 
and Credentialing, TSA-19, Transportation Security Administration, 601 
South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220; telephone (571) 227-2492; 
facsimile (703) 603-0409; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 10, 2005, the Safe, Accountable, 
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users 
(SAFETEA-LU) \1\ was enacted. Section 7105 of the SAFETEA-LU provides 
that a commercial motor vehicle operator registered to operate in 
Canada or Mexico shall not operate a commercial motor vehicle 
transporting hazardous materials in commerce in the United States until 
the operator has undergone a background records check similar to that 
required of commercial motor vehicle operators licensed in the United 
States to transport hazardous materials in commerce. This requirement 
becomes effective 6 months after enactment of the SAFETEA-LU, which 
would be February 10, 2006. However, the statute also gives TSA the 
discretion to extend the implementation date an additional six months 
if necessary. This Notice announces TSA's decision to extend the 
implementation date until such time as TSA issues a separate notice or 
regulatory action to implement the SAFETEA-LU requirements, but no 
later than August 10, 2006.
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    \1\ Pub. L. 109-59, August 10, 2005, sec. 7105, codified at 49 
U.S.C. 5103a(h).
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    Accordingly, the effective date of section 7105 of the Safe, 
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy 
for Users (SAFETEA-LU) is extended to August 10, 2006, unless TSA 
issues a Notice or other regulatory action before that date with an 
earlier date for implementing the requirements under the statute.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on February 6, 2006.
Kip Hawley,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-1247 Filed 2-7-06; 1:47 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-M