U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security
Administration
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Research and Special Programs Administration
May 2, 2003 TSA Media Contact: 571-227-2829
TSA 03-23 FMCSA Media Contact:
202-366-8810
DOT 37-03 RSPA
Media Contact: 202-366-4831
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
and the U.S. Department of Transportation today moved to secure the transport
of dangerous goods, including explosives, by issuing an interim final rule
requiring background checks on commercial drivers certified to transport
hazardous items.
“This is a
landmark rule in that it establishes vital safeguards to protect our national
transportation network from possible acts of terrorism,” said TSA Administrator
Adm. James M. Loy. “The rules will
further ensure the continued safe transport of a range of products – from
chlorine to gasoline – crucial to the economic viability of the United States.”
This rule was required under the Uniting and
Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and
Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), which was enacted by Congress
on October 25, 2001.
Under TSA’s
rule, the roughly 3.5 million commercial drivers with hazardous material
(Hazmat) endorsements now will be required to undergo a routine background
records check that includes a review of criminal, immigration, and FBI
records. Any applicant with a
conviction (military or civilian) for certain violent felonies over the past
seven years, or who has been found mentally incompetent, will not be permitted
to obtain or renew the Hazmat endorsement.
The checks also will verify that the driver is a U.S. citizen or a
lawful permanent resident as required by the USA PATRIOT Act.
The Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) companion rule amends the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations to prohibit States from issuing, renewing, transferring or
upgrading a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a Hazmat endorsement, unless
the TSA has first conducted a background records check of the applicant and
determined that the applicant does not pose a security risk warranting denial
of the Hazmat endorsement. The FMCSA is
also requiring states to establish a Hazmat endorsement renewal period of at
least five years to insure that each holder of a Hazmat endorsement routinely
and uniformly receives a security screening.
The five-year renewal cycle was established in close coordination with
TSA, based on its security risk determination requirements. The rule does not apply to applicants for
CDLs without a Hazmat endorsement.
The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) companion rule clarifies the regulatory authority for Hazmat, including explosives in transportation, to make clear that DOT regulations address security risks associated with such transportation. Shippers and transporters of Hazmat must comply with the security regulations of TSA, FMCSA and the U.S. Coast Guard, which are being incorporated into DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations. RSPA recently issued a final rule that requires shippers and transporters of Hazmat to implement plans and training to enhance security.
The list of disqualifying crimes was specifically
designed to identify those most likely to endanger the nation’s transportation
network and is comparable to background reviews applied to millions of airport
and airline employees. Disqualifying
crimes include acts of:
Terrorism Murder Assault
with intent to murder
Espionage Sedition Kidnapping
or hostage taking
Treason Rape or aggravated sexual
abuse Extortion
Robbery Arson Bribery
Smuggling Immigration Violations RICO Violations
Unlawful
possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive, explosive
device, firearm or other weapon;
Distribution
of, intent to distribute, possession, or importation of a controlled substance;
Dishonesty,
fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud;
Crimes
involving a severe transportation security incident;
Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of these crimes.
Only drivers
applying for Hazmat endorsements will be affected by this rule. If disqualified to hold Hazmat endorsements,
drivers may continue to transport all non-hazardous cargo. The rule provides an appeal process for
cases in which the database information is incorrect, to ensure that no driver
loses the Hazmat endorsement due to inaccurate records. Also, drivers who committed a disqualifying
offense, were found to be mentally incompetent or were committed to a mental
institution may apply for a waiver if they prove that they are rehabilitated
and capable of transporting Hazmat safely.
TSA’s interim
final rule is effective Monday, May 5, upon publication in the Federal
Register. Applicants will be
subject to a name-based FBI criminal history records check and a check of
Federal databases. Beginning in 180
days or less, current drivers applying to renew or transfer their Hazmat
endorsement and all new applicants must provide fingerprints. Under both the
FMCSA and TSA rules, after 180 days, no state may issue, renew, or transfer a
Hazmat license unless TSA has notified the State that the individual holding
the endorsement does not pose a security threat.
The USA
PATRIOT Act authorized the Secretary of Transportation to develop standards to
require commercial drivers with Hazmat endorsements to undergo a criminal
history background check. The Secretary
delegated this authority to TSA, FMCSA and RSPA, which have worked closely with
other federal agencies and industry associations to develop complementary rules
to address the transportation of Hazmat via truck.
The interim final rules are available at http://dms.dot.gov/ by searching for docket
numbers 11117 (FMCSA), 14982 (RSPA), and 14610 (TSA). Individuals and operators with questions about the
new rule should contact TSA patriotact@dhs.gov.
###