Effective Date: Jan 27, 2020.

§106.40 This final rule set forth a comprehensive revision and update of the Department's regulations on rulemaking procedures and consolidated all of the Department's existing administrative procedures in one location. This final rule also incorporates and reflects the Department's current policies and procedures relating to the issuance of rulemaking documents. In addition, this update codified the Department's internal procedural requirements governing the review and clearance of guidance documents and the initiation and conduct of enforcement actions, including administrative enforcement proceedings and judicial enforcement actions brought in Federal court.

Effective Date: July 31, 2019.

§§107.329, Appendix A to Subpart D of Parts 107 and 171.1 In accordance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, this final rule provides the 2019 inflation adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations.

Effective date: March 6, 2019.

§§172.101 (HazMat Table), 172.102, and 173.185 PHMSA issued this interim final rule (IFR) to revise the Hazardous Materials Regulations for lithium cells and batteries transported by aircraft. This IFR prohibits the transport of lithium ion cells and batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft; requires lithium ion cells and batteries to be shipped at not more than a 30 percent state of charge aboard cargo-only aircraft when not packed with or contained in equipment; and limits the use of alternative provisions for small lithium cell or battery shipments to one package per consignment. This IFR does not restrict passengers or crew members from bringing personal items or electronic devices containing lithium cells or batteries aboard aircraft, or restrict cargo-only aircraft from transporting lithium ion cells or batteries at a state of charge exceeding 30 percent when packed with or contained in equipment or devices.

Effective Date: April 1, 2019.

Delayed compliance date: Unless otherwise specified, compliance with the amendments adopted in this final rule is required beginning August 27, 2019.

§§107.301, 107.305, 107.309, 107.311, 107.329, 130 Subparts: A, B & C, 171.7, 173.121, 174.310, and 174.312 PHMSA in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration and pursuant to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) of 2015, issued this final rule to revise and clarify requirements for comprehensive oil spill response plans (COSRPs) and to expand their applicability based on petroleum oil thresholds that apply to an entire train consist. Specifically, this final rule: Expands the applicability for COSRPs; modernizes the requirements for COSRPs; requires railroads to share information about high-hazard flammable train (HHFT) operations with State and tribal emergency response commissions to improve community preparedness; and incorporates by reference a voluntary standard. The amendments in this final rule will provide regulatory flexibility and improve response readiness to mitigate effects of rail accidents and incidents involving petroleum oil and HHFTs.

Effective date: March 18, 2019.

Voluntary compliance date: Voluntary compliance with all amendments is authorized as of February 14, 2019.

§§107.616, 110.1, 110.5, 110.10, 110.20, 110.30, 110.40, 110.50, 110.60, 110.100, 110.110, 110.120, 110.130, 110.70, 110.80, and 110.90 PHMSA revised the Hazardous Materials Regulations pertaining to the Hazardous Materials Grants Program and the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant. This final rule aligns with the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards ("Uniform Guidance") and implements new requirements set forth by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015.