§1113. Administrative

(a) General Authority.-(1) The National Transportation Safety Board, and when authorized by it, a member of the Board, an administrative law judge employed by or assigned to the Board, or an officer or employee designated by the Chairman of the Board, may conduct hearings to carry out this chapter, administer oaths, and require, by subpoena or otherwise, necessary witnesses and evidence.

(2) A witness or evidence in a hearing under paragraph (1) of this subsection may be summoned or required to be produced from any place in the United States to the designated place of the hearing. A witness summoned under this subsection is entitled to the same fee and mileage the witness would have been paid in a court of the United States.

(3) A subpoena shall be issued under the signature of the Chairman or the Chairman's delegate but may be served by any person designated by the Chairman.

(4) If a person disobeys a subpoena, order, or inspection notice of the Board, the Board may bring a civil action in a district court of the United States to enforce the subpoena, order, or notice. An action under this paragraph may be brought in the judicial district in which the person against whom the action is brought resides, is found, or does business. The court may punish a failure to obey an order of the court to comply with the subpoena, order, or notice as a contempt of court.

(b) Additional Powers.-(1) The Board may-

(A) procure the temporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants under section 3109 of title 5;

(B) make agreements and other transactions necessary to carry out this chapter without regard to section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41;

(C) use, when appropriate, available services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government on a reimbursable or other basis;

(D) confer with employees and use services, records, and facilities of State and local governmental authorities;

(E) appoint advisory committees composed of qualified private citizens and officials of the Government and State and local governments as appropriate;

(F) accept voluntary and uncompensated services notwithstanding another law;

(G) accept gifts of money and other property;

(H) make contracts with nonprofit entities to carry out studies related to duties and powers of the Board;

(I) negotiate and enter into agreements with individuals and private entities and departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, State and local governments, and governments of foreign countries for the provision of facilities, accident-related and technical services or training in accident investigation theory and techniques, and require that such entities provide appropriate consideration for the reasonable costs of any facilities, goods, services, or training provided by the Board;

(J) notwithstanding section 1343 of title 31, acquire 1 or more small unmanned aircraft (as defined in section 44801) for use in investigations under this chapter; and

(K) notwithstanding section 3301 of title 41, acquire training on emerging transportation technologies if such training-

(i) is required for an ongoing investigation; and

(ii) meets the criteria under section 3304(a)(7)(A) of title 41.

(2) The Board shall deposit in the Treasury amounts received under paragraph (1)(I) of this subsection to be credited as offsetting collections to the appropriation of the Board. The Board shall maintain an annual record of collections received under paragraph (1)(I) of this subsection.

(c) Submission of Certain Copies to Congress.-When the Board submits to the President or the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a budget estimate, budget request, supplemental budget estimate, other budget information, a legislative recommendation, prepared testimony for congressional hearings, or comments on legislation, the Board must submit a copy to Congress at the same time. An officer, department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government may not require the Board to submit the estimate, request, information, recommendation, testimony, or comments to another officer, department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government for approval, comment, or review before being submitted to Congress. The Board shall develop and approve a process for the Board's review and comment or approval of documents submitted to the President, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or Congress under this subsection.

(d) Liaison Committees.-The Chairman may determine the number of committees that are appropriate to maintain effective liaison with other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, State and local governmental authorities, and independent standard-setting authorities that carry out programs and activities related to transportation safety. The Board may designate representatives to serve on or assist those committees.

(e) Inquiries.-The Board, or an officer or employee of the Board designated by the Chairman, may conduct an inquiry to obtain information related to transportation safety after publishing notice of the inquiry in the Federal Register. The Board or designated officer or employee may require by order a department, agency, or instrumentality of the Government, a State or local governmental authority, or a person transporting individuals or property in commerce to submit to the Board a written report and answers to requests and questions related to a duty or power of the Board. The Board may prescribe the time within which the report and answers must be given to the Board or to the designated officer or employee. Copies of the report and answers shall be made available for public inspection.

(f) Regulations.-The Board may prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter.

(g) Overtime Pay.-

(1) In general.-Subject to the requirements of this section and notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 5542(a) of title 5, for an employee of the Board whose basic pay is at a rate which equals or exceeds the minimum rate of basic pay for GS–10 of the General Schedule, the Board may establish an overtime hourly rate of pay for the employee with respect to work performed at the scene of an accident (including travel to or from the scene) and other work that is critical to an accident investigation in an amount equal to one and one-half times the hourly rate of basic pay of the employee. All of such amount shall be considered to be premium pay.

(2) Limitation on overtime pay to an employee.-An employee of the Board may not receive overtime pay under paragraph (1), for work performed in a calendar year, in an amount that exceeds 15 percent of the annual rate of basic pay of the employee for such calendar year.

(3) Limitation on total amount of overtime pay.-The Board may not make overtime payments under paragraph (1) for work performed in any fiscal year in a total amount that exceeds 1.5 percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this chapter for that fiscal year.

(4) Basic pay defined.-In this subsection, the term "basic pay" includes any applicable locality-based comparability payment under section 5304 of title 5 (or similar provision of law) and any special rate of pay under section 5305 of title 5 (or similar provision of law).

(h) Strategic Workforce Plan.-

(1) In general.-The Board shall develop a strategic workforce plan that addresses the immediate and long-term workforce needs of the Board with respect to carrying out the authorities and duties of the Board under this chapter.

(2) Aligning the workforce to strategic goals.-In developing the strategic workforce plan under paragraph (1), the Board shall take into consideration-

(A) the current state and capabilities of the Board, including a high-level review of mission requirements, structure, workforce, and performance of the Board;

(B) the significant workforce trends, needs, issues, and challenges with respect to the Board and the transportation industry;

(C) with respect to employees involved in transportation safety work, the needs, issues, and challenges, including accident severity and risk, posed by each mode of transportation, and how the Board's staffing for each transportation mode reflects these aspects;

(D) the workforce policies, strategies, performance measures, and interventions to mitigate succession risks that guide the workforce investment decisions of the Board;

(E) a workforce planning strategy that identifies workforce needs, including the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to recruit and retain skilled employees at the Board;

(F) a workforce management strategy that is aligned with the mission of the Board, including plans for continuity of leadership and knowledge sharing;

(G) an implementation system that addresses workforce competency gaps, particularly in mission-critical occupations; and

(H) a system for analyzing and evaluating the performance of the Board's workforce management policies, programs, and activities.

(3) Planning period.-The strategic workforce plan developed under paragraph (1) shall address a 5-year forecast period, but may include planning for longer periods based on information about emerging technologies or safety trends in transportation.

(4) Plan updates.-The Board shall update the strategic workforce plan developed under paragraph (1) not less than once every 5 years.

(5) Relationship to strategic plan.-The strategic workforce plan developed under paragraph (1) may be developed separately from, or incorporated into, the strategic plan required under section 306 of title 5.

(6) Availability.-The strategic workforce plan under paragraph (1) and the strategic plan required under section 306 of title 5 shall be-

(A) submitted to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and

(B) made available to the public on a website of the Board.

(i) Non-accident-related Travel Budget.-

(1) In general.-The Board shall establish annual fiscal year budgets for non-accident-related travel expenditures for each Board member.

(2) Notification.-The Board shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of any non-accident-related travel budget overrun for any Board member not later than 30 days of such overrun becoming known to the Board.

( Pub. L. 103–272, §1(d), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 747 ; Pub. L. 106–424, §§3(a), (b)(1), 4, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1883 , 1884; Pub. L. 109–443, §9(e)–(g), Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3301 ; Pub. L. 111–350, §5(o)(2), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3853 ; Pub. L. 115–254, div. C, §1112(c)–(e), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3437 , 3438; Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §§1204(a), 1205–1207(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1422–1424 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
1113(a)	49 App.:1903(b)(1), (3).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(a)(1)(A), (b)(1), (3), (4), (7)–(9), 88 Stat. 2168 , 2169, 2170; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §4, 102 Stat. 876 .
1113(b)(1)(A)	49 App.:1441(b) (words before semicolon).	Aug. 23, 1958, Pub. L. 85–726, §701(b), 72 Stat. 781 .
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).	Oct. 15, 1966, Pub. L. 89–670, §6(d) (1st sentence), 80 Stat. 938 .
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A), (b)(6)(C).
1113(b)(1)(B)	49 App.:1903(b)(4).
1113(b)(1)(C)	49 App.:1441(b) (words after semicolon).
	49 App.:1655(d) (1st sentence).
	49 App.:1903(a)(1)(A).
	49 App.:1903(b)(6)(A).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(b)(6), 88 Stat. 2170 ; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §5, 102 Stat. 877 .
1113(b) (1)(D)–(I), (2)	49 App.:1903(b)(6)(B), (D)–(H).
1113(c)	49 App.:1903(b)(7).
1113(d)	49 App.:1903(b)(8).
1113(e)	49 App.:1903(b)(9).
1113(f)	49 App.:1903(b)(12).	Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §304(b)(12), 88 Stat. 2171 ; July 19, 1988, Pub. L. 100–372, §4, 102 Stat. 876 ; Nov. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–641, §6, 104 Stat. 4656 .

In subsection (a)(1), the words "sit and act at such times and places" are omitted as unnecessary. The word "necessary" is substituted for "as the Board or such officer or employee deems advisable" because it is more accurate.

In subsection (a)(2), the words "the witness would have been" are added for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the United States Code.

In subsection (a)(4), the words "If a person disobeys" are substituted for "In case of contumacy or refusal to obey" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The words "of the Board" are substituted for "of the Board, or of any duly designated employee thereof" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "the Board may bring a civil action in a district court of the United States" are substituted for "such district court shall, upon the request of the Board, have jurisdiction" for consistency in the revised title and because of 28:1331. The word "forthwith" is omitted as surplus. The words "An action under this paragraph may be brought in the judicial district" are added for clarity.

In subsection (b)(1)(A), the text of 49 App.:1441(b) (words before semicolon) is omitted as superseded by 49 App.:1903(b)(6)(C).

In subsection (b)(1)(B), the words "make agreements and other transactions" are substituted for "enter into . . . such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "to carry out this chapter" are substituted for "in the conduct of the functions and the duties of the Board under this chapter" for consistency. The words "with any government entity or any person" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(1)(C), the words "Department of Transportation and of other" are omitted as surplus. The words "department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government" are substituted for "civilian or military agencies and instrumentalities of the Federal Government" in 49 App.:1903(b)(6)(A) for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code. The text of 49 App.:1441(b) (words after semicolon) is omitted as superseded by 49 App.:1903(b)(6)(A).

In subsection (b)(1)(D), the word "available" is omitted as surplus.

In subsection (b)(1)(E), the words "one or more" are omitted as surplus because the authority to appoint advisory committees is discretionary and unlimited on its face. The word "appropriate" is substituted for "necessary or appropriate" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act" are omitted as surplus because that Act applies unless specifically excluded. (See 5 App. U.S.C.)

In subsection (b)(1)(G), the words "gifts of money and other property" are substituted for "gifts or donations of money or property (real, personal, mixed, tangible, or intangible)" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(1)(H), the words "public or private" are omitted as surplus.

Subsection (b)(2) is substituted for "and to apply the funds received to the Board's appropriations" for clarity and consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code.

In subsection (c), the word "submits" is substituted for "submits or transmits" for consistency. The words "Director of the Office of Management and Budget" are substituted for "Office of Management and Budget" because of 31:502(a).

In subsection (d), the word "appropriate" is substituted for "necessary or appropriate" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (e), the words "officer or employee" are substituted for "employee" for consistency in the revised title. The words "by order" are substituted for "by special or general orders" to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "individuals" is substituted for "people" for consistency in the revised title.

In subsection (f), the words "prescribe regulations to carry out this chapter" are substituted for "rules and regulations as may be necessary to the exercise of its functions" for consistency in the revised title and with other titles of the Code and because "rule" and "regulation" are synonymous.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

GS–10 of the General Schedule, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), is set out under section 5332 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Amendments

2024-Subsec. (b)(1)(K). Pub. L. 118–63, §1204(a), added subpar. (K).

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 118–63, §1205, struck out par. (5). Prior to amendment, text of par. (5) read as follows: "Not later than January 31, 2002, and annually thereafter, the Board shall transmit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee a report identifying the total amount of overtime payments made under this subsection in the preceding fiscal year, and the number of employees whose overtime pay under this subsection was limited in that fiscal year as a result of the 15 percent limit established by paragraph (2)."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 118–63, §1206, added subsec. (h).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 118–63, §1207(a), added subsec. (i).

2018-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 115–254, §1112(e), substituted "subpoena" for "subpena".

Subsec. (b)(1)(J). Pub. L. 115–254, §1112(c), added subpar. (J).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 115–254, §1112(d), struck out subsec. (h). Text read as follows: "The Board shall maintain at least 1 full-time employee in each State located more than 1,000 miles from the nearest Board regional office to provide initial investigative response to accidents the Board is empowered to investigate under this chapter that occur in that State."

2011-Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111–350 substituted "section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41" for "section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5)".

2006-Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(e), substituted "subpoena" for "subpena".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(e), which directed substitution of "subpoena" for "subpena", was executed by making the substitution wherever appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(f), inserted at end "The Board shall develop and approve a process for the Board's review and comment or approval of documents submitted to the President, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or Congress under this subsection."

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 109–443, §9(g), added subsec. (h).

2000-Subsec. (b)(1)(I). Pub. L. 106–424, §3(a), amended subpar. (I) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (I) read as follows: "require that the departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, State and local governments, and governments of foreign countries provide appropriate consideration for the reasonable costs of goods and services supplied by the Board."

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 106–424, §3(b)(1), inserted "as offsetting collections" after "to be credited" and "The Board shall maintain an annual record of collections received under paragraph (1)(I) of this subsection." at end.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 106–424, §4, added subsec. (g).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Relief From Contracting Requirements for Investigations Services

Pub. L. 108–168, §4, Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2033 , as amended by Pub. L. 109–443, §3, Dec. 21, 2006, 120 Stat. 3298 , provided that:

"(a) In General.-The National Transportation Safety Board may enter into agreements or contracts under the authority of section 1113(b)(1)(B) of title 49, United States Code, for investigations conducted under section 1131 of that title without regard to any other provision of law requiring competition if necessary to expedite the investigation.

"(b) Report on Usage.-On July 1 of each year, as part of the annual report required by section 1117 of title 49, United States Code, the National Transportation Safety Board shall transmit a report to the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability], the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs that-

"(1) describes each contract executed by the Board to which the authority provided by subsection (a) was applied; and

"(2) sets forth the rationale for dispensing with competition requirements with respect to such contract."

Travel Budgets

Pub. L. 106–424, §9, Nov. 1, 2000, 114 Stat. 1886 , which required the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board to establish annual fiscal year budgets for non-accident-related travel expenditures for Board members to be approved by the Board and submitted to the appropriate congressioal committees with detailed travel reports, was repealed by Pub. L. 118–63, title XII, §1207(b), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1424 .