Us Code § 20111 - Enforcement by the Secretary of Transportation

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 20111 — Enforcement by the Secretary of Transportation, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 20111. Enforcement by the Secretary of Transportation

(a) Exclusive Authority.—The Secretary of Transportation has exclusive authority—

(1) to impose and compromise a civil penalty for a violation of a railroad safety regulation prescribed or order issued by the Secretary;

(2) except as provided in section 20113 of this title, to request an injunction for a violation of a railroad safety regulation prescribed or order issued by the Secretary; and

(3) to recommend appropriate action be taken under section 20112(a) of this title.


(b) Compliance Orders.—The Secretary may issue an order directing compliance with this part or with a railroad safety regulation prescribed or order issued under this part.

(c) Orders Prohibiting Individuals From Performing Safety-Sensitive Functions.—

(1) If an individual's violation of this part, chapter 51 of this title, or a regulation prescribed, or an order issued, by the Secretary under this part or chapter 51 of this title is shown to make that individual unfit for the performance of safety-sensitive functions, the Secretary, after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may issue an order prohibiting the individual from performing safety-sensitive functions in the railroad industry for a specified period of time or until specified conditions are met.

(2) This subsection does not affect the Secretary's authority under section 20104 of this title to act on an emergency basis.


(d) Regulations Requiring Reporting of Remedial Actions.—(1) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to require that a railroad carrier notified by the Secretary that imposition of a civil penalty will be recommended for a failure to comply with this part, chapter 51 or 57 of this title, or a regulation prescribed or order issued under any of those provisions, shall report to the Secretary, not later than the 30th day after the end of the month in which the notification is received—

(A) actions taken to remedy the failure; or

(B) if appropriate remedial actions cannot be taken by that 30th day, an explanation of the reasons for the delay.


(2) The Secretary—

(A) not later than June 3, 1993, shall issue a notice of a regulatory proceeding for proposed regulations to carry out this subsection; and

(B) not later than September 3, 1994, shall prescribe final regulations to carry out this subsection.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 868; Pub. L. 103–440, title II, §205, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4620; Pub. L. 110–432, div. A, title III, §305, Oct. 16, 2008, 122 Stat. 4879.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
20111(a) 45:435(a) (last sentence). Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, §206(a) (last sentence), 84 Stat. 973; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, §28(a)(4), 104 Stat. 3276.
20111(b) 45:437(a) (2d sentence). Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, §208(a) (2d sentence); added Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §206, 88 Stat. 2166; June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, §8, 102 Stat. 628.
  45:437(d)(1) (last sentence). Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, §208(d)(1) (last sentence); added Oct. 10, 1980, Pub. L. 96–423, §6(b), 94 Stat. 1814.
20111(c) 45:438(f). Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, §209(f); added June 22, 1988, Pub. L. 100–342, §3(a)(4), 102 Stat. 625.
20111(d) 45:437 (note). Sept. 3, 1992, Pub. L. 102–365, §3, 106 Stat. 972.

In this section, the word "impose" is substituted for "assess" for consistency.

In subsection (b), the word "further" is omitted as surplus.

In subsection (d), the words "this part, chapter 51 or 57 of this title" are substituted for "the Federal railroad safety laws, as such term is defined in section 441(e) of this title" because 45:441(e) is not restated as a definition.


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–432 amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "If an individual's violation of this chapter or any of the laws transferred to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Transportation by subsection (e)(1), (2), and (6)(A) of section 6 of the Department of Transportation Act, as in effect on June 1, 1994, or a regulation prescribed or order issued by the Secretary under this chapter is shown to make that individual unfit for the performance of safety-sensitive functions, the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, may issue an order prohibiting the individual from performing safety-sensitive functions in the railroad industry for a specified period of time or until specified conditions are met. This subsection does not affect the Secretary's authority under section 20104 of this title to act on an emergency basis."

1994—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–440 inserted "this chapter or any of the laws transferred to the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Transportation by subsection (e)(1), (2), and (6)(A) of section 6 of the Department of Transportation Act, as in effect on June 1, 1994, or" after "individual's violation of".

About This Section

49 U.S.C. § 20111 is part of Title 49 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 49 U.S.C. § 20111. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 20111

What does United States Code § 20111 cover?

Section 20111 ("Enforcement by the Secretary of Transportation") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 20111?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 20111" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 20111 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.