Us Code § 20133 - Passenger cars
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 20133 — Passenger cars, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 20133. Passenger cars
(a)
(1) the crashworthiness of the cars;
(2) interior features (including luggage restraints, seat belts, and exposed surfaces) that may affect passenger safety;
(3) maintenance and inspection of the cars;
(4) emergency response procedures and equipment; and
(5) any operating rules and conditions that directly affect safety not otherwise governed by regulations.
The Secretary may make applicable some or all of the standards established under this subsection to cars existing at the time the regulations are prescribed, as well as to new cars, and the Secretary shall explain in the rulemaking document the basis for making such standards applicable to existing cars.
(b)
(2) The Secretary shall prescribe final regulations under subsection (a) within 5 years after November 2, 1994.
(c)
(d)
(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 873; Pub. L. 103–440, title II, §215(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4623; Pub. L. 104–287, §5(47), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3393; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(306), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4339.)
| Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 20133(a) | 45:431(h)(1)(A) (1st, last sentences), (B), (4). | Oct. 16, 1970, Pub. L. 91–458, 84 Stat. 971, §202(h); added Oct. 10, 1980, Pub. L. 96–423, §14, 94 Stat. 1817; Jan. 14, 1983, Pub. L. 97–468, §702(a), 96 Stat. 2579. |
| 20133(b) | 45:431(h)(1)(A) (2d, 3d sentences), (2). | |
| 20133(c) | 45:431(h)(3). |
In subsection (a), the words "within one year after January 14, 1983" and "initial" are omitted as obsolete. The text of 45:431(h)(1)(B) is omitted as executed. The words "after a hearing in accordance with subsection (b) of this section" are omitted as surplus because of section 20103(e) of the revised title.
In subsections (b) and (c), the word "subsequent" is omitted as surplus.
In subsection (c), the word "Amtrak" is substituted for "National Railroad Passenger Corporation" for consistency in this subtitle. The word "regulatory" is substituted for "rulemaking" for consistency in the revised title.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "chapter 10 of title 5," for "the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.),".
1996—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–287, §5(47)(A), substituted "November 2, 1994" for "the date of enactment of the Federal Railroad Safety Authorization Act of 1994".
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 104–287, §5(47)(B), substituted "November 2, 1994" for "such date of enactment".
1994—Pub. L. 103–440 amended section generally, substituting present provisions for provisions requiring the Secretary to take administrative action to ensure that the construction, operation, and maintenance of passenger rail equipment maximize the safety of passengers, and providing for areas of consideration and concentration, as well as consultation with Amtrak.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Emergency Lighting
Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title II, §22406, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 738, provided that: "Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall initiate a rulemaking to require that all rail carriers providing intercity passenger rail transportation or commuter rail passenger transportation (as such terms are defined in section 24102 of title 49, United States Code), develop and implement periodic inspection plans to ensure that passenger equipment offered for revenue service complies with the requirements under part 238 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, including ensuring that, in the event of a loss of power, there is adequate emergency lighting available to allow passengers, crew members, and first responders—
"(1) to see and orient themselves;
"(2) to identify obstacles;
"(3) to safely move throughout the rail car; and
"(4) to evacuate safely."
Passenger Rail Vehicle Occupant Protection Systems
Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title II, §22420, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 749, provided that:
"(a)
"(b)
"(1) occupant restraint systems;
"(2) air bags;
"(3) emergency window retention systems; and
"(4) interior designs, including seats, baggage restraints, and table configurations and attachments.
"(c)
"(1) submit a report summarizing the findings of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
"(2) publish such report on the website of the Federal Railroad Administration.
"(d)
About This Section
49 U.S.C. § 20133 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. § 20133. 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.
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