Under the federal hazardous material transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.), offerors and transporters of certain types and quantities of hazardous materials, including hazardous wastes, are required to file a registration statement with the U.S. Department of Transportation and to pay an annual fee. This program began in 1992 and is administered by the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The registration regulations are found at 49 CFR 107.601-107.620.

The fee provides funds for grants distributed to states and Indian tribes for hazardous materials emergency response planning and training and to certain professional organizations for training purposes through the Hazardous Materials Grants Program. This fee is helping communities prepare for hazardous materials incidents or other emergencies that may occur.