U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta Wednesday sent to Congress proposed legislation that would strengthen security and safety in the transportation of the nation's hazardous materials.

Concerns about the security of hazmat transport have arisen in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"We are proposing tough actions to address the serious problem of undeclared or hidden shipments of hazardous materials," said Mineta. "We are also asking for more authority to stop and inspect shipments, important to both security and safety."
The Department of Transportation's proposed legislation would:

• strengthen DOT inspectors’ authority to inspect packages in transportation;

• give those inspectors the authority to stop seriously unsafe transportation;

• increase the maximum civil penalty for hazardous materials violations from $27,500 to $100,000;

• expand requirements for training those involved in the transportation of hazardous materials;

• strengthen the enforcement authority of DOT’s State enforcement partners;

• address the current overlap of hazardous materials transportation regulations between DOT and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and

• specifically allow participation by states in a coordinated program of hazardous material carrier registrations and permits.