49 USC 31143(b): IDs of motor carrier safety complainants
About This Project
This project uses data compiled by the Sunshine in Government initiative, a coalition of journalism and transparency groups. SGI compiled data from federal agency annual FOIA reports to track how often b(3) exemptions were used. SGI also standardized the exemptions since some agencies used slightly different citations of the same laws. In some cases, agencies listed general laws without specifying a section under which information was withheld. This project does not include information from agencies that use no b(3) exemptions in 2008 or 2009. ProPublica compiled information about FOIA denials.
| Department | Claims |
|---|---|
| Dept. of Transportation | 207.0 |
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
SUBTITLE VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
PART B--COMMERCIAL
CHAPTER 311--COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
SUBCHAPTER III--SAFETY REGULATION
Sec. 31143. Investigating complaints and protecting complainants
(a) Investigating Complaints.--The Secretary of Transportation shall
conduct a timely investigation of a nonfrivolous written complaint
alleging that a substantial violation of a regulation prescribed under
this subchapter is occurring or has occurred within the prior 60 days.
The Secretary shall give the complainant timely notice of the findings
of the investigation. The Secretary is not required to conduct separate
investigations of duplicative complaints.
(b) Protecting Complainants.--Notwithstanding section 552 of title
5, the Secretary may disclose the identity of a complainant only if
disclosure is necessary to prosecute a violation. If disclosure becomes
necessary, the Secretary shall take every practical means within the
Secretary's authority to ensure that the complainant is not subject to
harassment, intimidation, disciplinary action, discrimination, or
financial loss because of the disclosure.
(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1012.)
Historical and Revision Notes
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Revised Section Source (U.S. Code) Source (Statutes at Large)
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31143(a).............................. 49 App.:2511(a). Oct. 30, 1984, Pub. L. 98-554, Sec.
212, 98 Stat. 2841.
31143(b).............................. 49 App.:2511(b).
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Telephone Hotline for Reporting Safety Violations
Pub. L. 105-178, title IV, Sec. 4017, June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 413,
as amended by Pub. L. 106-159, title II, Sec. 213, Dec. 9, 1999, 113
Stat. 1766, provided that:
``(a) In General.--For a period of not less than 2 years beginning
on or before the 90th day following the date of enactment of this Act
[June 9, 1998], the Secretary [of Transportation] shall establish,
maintain, and promote the use of a nationwide toll-free telephone system
to be used by drivers of commercial motor vehicles and others to report
potential violations of Federal motor carrier safety regulations.
``(b) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall monitor reports received by
the telephone system and may consider nonfrivolous information provided
by such reports in setting priorities for motor carrier safety audits
and other enforcement activities.
``(c) Staffing.--The toll-free telephone system shall be staffed 24
hours a day 7 days a week by individuals knowledgeable about Federal
motor carrier safety regulations and procedures.
``(d) Protection of Persons Reporting Violations.--
``(1) Prohibition.--A person reporting a potential violation to
the telephone system while acting in good faith may not be
discharged, disciplined, or discriminated against regarding pay,
terms, or privileges of employment because of the reporting of such
violation.
``(2) Applicability of section 31105 of title 49.--For purposes
of section 31105 of title 49, United States Code, a violation or
alleged violation of paragraph (1) shall be treated as a violation
of section 31105(a) of such title.
``(e) Funding.--From amounts set aside under section 104(a)(1)(B) of
title 23, United States Code, the Secretary may use not more than
$250,000 for fiscal year 1999 and $375,000 for each of fiscal years 2000
through 2003 to carry out this section.''