
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document affected by Public Law 107-71 Section 101(b)]
[Document affected by Public Law 107-71 Section 102(d)]
[CITE: 49USC101]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                SUBTITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
                         CHAPTER 1--ORGANIZATION
 
Sec. 101. Purpose

    (a) The national objectives of general welfare, economic growth and 
stability, and security of the United States require the development of 
transportation policies and programs that contribute to providing fast, 
safe, efficient, and convenient transportation at the lowest cost 
consistent with those and other national objectives, including the 
efficient use and conservation of the resources of the United States.
    (b) A Department of Transportation is necessary in the public 
interest and to--
        (1) ensure the coordinated and effective administration of the 
    transportation programs of the United States Government;
        (2) make easier the development and improvement of coordinated 
    transportation service to be provided by private enterprise to the 
    greatest extent feasible;
        (3) encourage cooperation of Federal, State, and local 
    governments, carriers, labor, and other interested persons to 
    achieve transportation objectives;
        (4) stimulate technological advances in transportation, through 
    research and development or otherwise;
        (5) provide general leadership in identifying and solving 
    transportation problems; and
        (6) develop and recommend to the President and Congress 
    transportation policies and programs to achieve transportation 
    objectives considering the needs of the public, users, carriers, 
    industry, labor, and national defense.

(Pub. L. 97-449, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2414; Pub. L. 102-240, title 
VI, Sec. 6018, Dec. 18, 1991, 105 Stat. 2183.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
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---------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
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---------------------------------
101(a)................................  49:1651(a).                      Oct. 1
5, 1966, Pub. L. 89-670, Sec.
                                                                          2(a),
 (b)(1), 80 Stat. 931.
101(b)................................  49:1651(b)(1).                   ......
.................................
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    In subsections (a) and (b), the introductory declaratory words are 
omitted as surplus.
    In subsection (a), the words ``national objectives of'' are inserted 
for clarity. The words ``United States'' are substituted for ``Nation'' 
and ``Nation's'', respectively, for consistency. The word ``contribute'' 
is substituted for ``conducive'' because the substituted word is more 
commonly used. The word ``those'' is substituted for ``utilization''.
    In subsection (b)(2), the word ``greatest'' is substituted for 
``maximum'' for consistency.
    In subsection (b)(3) and (6), the word ``national'' is omitted 
before ``transportation'' as unnecessary and for consistency.
    In subsection (b)(3), the word ``persons'' is substituted for 
``parties'' as being more precise.
    In subsection (b)(6), the words ``transportation objectives'' are 
substituted for ``these objectives'' for clarity and consistency. The 
words ``full and appropriate'' and ``for approval'' are omitted as 
surplus.


                               Amendments

    1991--Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 102-240 inserted ``, through research 
and development or otherwise'' after ``advances in transportation''.


                      Short Title of 1999 Amendment

    Pub. L. 106-159, Sec. 1(a), Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1748, provided 
that: ``This Act [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the 
`Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999'.''


                      Short Title of 1995 Amendment

    Pub. L. 104-88, Sec. 1(a), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 803, provided 
that: ``This Act [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the 
`ICC Termination Act of 1995'.''


                      Short Title of 1994 Amendment

    Pub. L. 103-411, Sec. 1, Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4236, provided 
that: ``This Act [amending sections 1118, 1131, and 40102 of this title 
and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1131 and 40109 
of this title] may be cited as the `Independent Safety Board Act 
Amendments of 1994'.''


                      Short Title of 1991 Amendment

    Section 1 of Pub. L. 102-240 provided that: ``This Act [see Tables 
for classification] may be cited as the `Intermodal Surface 
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991'.''


   Congressional Declaration of Policy Regarding National Intermodal 
                          Transportation System

    Section 2 of Pub. L. 102-240, which provided that it was the policy 
of the United States to develop a National Intermodal Transportation 
System consisting of all forms of transportation in a unified, 
interconnected manner, a National Highway System, improvements in public 
transportation achieving goals for improved air quality, energy 
conservation, international competitiveness, and mobility for elderly 
persons, persons with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged 
persons, was repealed and reenacted as section 5501 of this title by 
Pub. L. 103-272, Secs. 1(d), 7(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 848, 1379.


                          ``Secretary'' Defined

    Pub. L. 106-159, Sec. 2, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1749, provided 
that: ``In this Act [see Tables for classification], the term 
`Secretary' means the Secretary of Transportation.''
    Section 3 of Pub. L. 102-240 provided that: ``As used in this Act 
[see Short Title of 1991 Amendment note set out above], the term 
`Secretary' means the Secretary of Transportation.''
