Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 1.djvu/427

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PUBLIC LAW 105-178-JUNE 9, 1998 112 STAT. 401 "(1) AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTER. —The term 'automobile transporter' means any vehicle combination designed and used specifically for the transport of assembled highway vehicles, including truck camper units.". SEC. 4006. INSPECTIONS AND REPORTS. (a) GENERAL POWERS OF THE SECRETARY.— Section 31133(a)(1) is amended by inserting "and make contracts for" after "conduct". (b) REPORTS AND RECORDS.—Section 504(c) is amended by inserting "(and, in the case of a motor carrier, a contractor)" after " employee". SEC. 4007. WAIVERS, EXEMPTIONS, AND PILOT PROGRAMS. (a) IN GENERAL. —Section 31315 is amended to read as follows:

    • § 31315. Waivers, exemptions, and pilot programs

"(a) WAIVERS. —The Secretary may grant a waiver that relieves a person from compliance in whole or in part with a regulation issued under this chapter or section 31136 if the Secretary determines that it is in the public interest to grant the waiver and that the waiver is likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the waiver— "(1) for a period not in excess of 3 months; "(2) limited in scope and circumstances; "(3) for nonemergency and unique events; and "(4) subject to such conditions as the Secretary may impose. "(b) EXEMPTIONS.— "(1) IN GENERAL. —Upon receipt of a request pursuant to paragraph (3), the Secretary of Transportation may grant to a person or class of persons an exemption from a regulation prescribed under this chapter or section 31136 if the Secretary finds such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption. An exemption may be granted for no longer than 2 years from its approval date and may be renewed upon application to the Secretary. "(2) AUTHORITY TO REVOKE EXEMPTION. — The Secretary shall immediately revoke an exemption if— "(A) the person fails to comply with the terms and conditions of such exemption; "(B) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before the exemption was granted; or "(C) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of this chapter or section 31136, as the case may be. "(3) REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION.— Not later than 180 days Notice. after the date of enactment of this section and after notice Regulations, and an opportunity for public comment, the Secretary shall specify by regulation the procedures by which a person may request an exemption. Such regulations shall, at a minimum, require the person to provide the following information for each exemption request: "(A) The provisions from which the person requests exemption. "(B) The time period during which the requested exemption would apply.