
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC31503]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
             SUBTITLE VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
 
                           PART B--COMMERCIAL
 
                    CHAPTER 315--MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY
 
Sec. 31503. Research, investigation, and testing

    (a) General Authority.--The Secretary of Transportation may 
investigate and report on the need for regulation by the United States 
Government of sizes, weight, and combinations of motor vehicles and 
qualifications and maximum hours of service of employees of a motor 
carrier subject to subchapter I of chapter 135 of this title and a motor 
private carrier. The Secretary shall use the services of each 
department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government and each 
organization of motor carriers having special knowledge of a matter 
being investigated.
    (b) Use of Services.--In carrying out this chapter, the Secretary 
may use the services of a department, agency, or instrumentality of the 
Government having special knowledge about safety, to conduct scientific 
and technical research, investigation, and testing when necessary to 
promote safety of operation and equipment of motor vehicles. The 
Secretary may reimburse the department, agency, or instrumentality for 
the services provided.

(Pub. L. 97-449, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2439, Sec. 3103; renumbered 
Sec. 31503 and amended Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(c), (e), July 5, 1994, 
108 Stat. 745, 1030; Pub. L. 104-88, title III, Sec. 308(k)(4), Dec. 29, 
1995, 109 Stat. 948.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
3103(a)...............................  49:325.                          Feb. 4
, 1887, ch. 104, 24 Stat. 379,
                                                                          Sec. 
 226; added Aug. 9, 1935, ch.
                                                                          498, 
49 Stat. 566; Sept. 18, 1940, ch.
                                                                          722, 
Sec.  26(b), 54 Stat. 929.
                                        49:1655(e)(6)(B).                Oct. 1
5, 1966, Pub. L. 89-670, Sec.
                                                                          6(e)(
6)(B), (C), 80 Stat. 939.
3103(b)...............................  49:304(a)(5).                    Feb. 4
, 1887, ch. 104, 24 Stat. 379,
                                                                          Sec. 
 204(a)(5); added Aug. 9, 1935,
                                                                          ch. 4
98, 49 Stat. 546.
                                        49:1655(e)(6)(C).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    In subsection (a), the words ``subject to subchapter II of chapter 
105 of this title'' are added for clarity. The word ``services'' is 
substituted for ``assistance'' for consistency. The words ``department, 
agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government'' are 
substituted for ``departments or bureaus of the Government'' for 
consistency.
    In subsection (b), the words ``In carrying out this chapter'' are 
substituted for ``For the purpose of carrying out the provisions 
pertaining to safety'' to eliminate unnecessary words. The words 
``department . . . or instrumentality'' are added for consistency. The 
word ``reimburse'' is substituted for ``transfer . . . such funds'' for 
consistency. The words ``as may be necessary and available to make this 
provision effective'' are omitted as unnecessary because of the 
restatement.


                               Amendments

    1995--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104-88 substituted ``subchapter I of 
chapter 135'' for ``subchapter II of chapter 105''.
    1994--Pub. L. 103-272 renumbered section 3103 of this title as this 
section and amended it generally, restating it without substantive 
change.


                    Effective Date of 1995 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 104-88 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 2 of 
Pub. L. 104-88, set out as an Effective Date note under section 701 of 
this title.
