[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 17578-17579] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-9704] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 49 CFR Part 79 [Docket No. OST-96-1258; Notice 96-8] RIN 2105-AC41 Medals of Honor AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: DOT is clarifying its regulations regarding award of Medals of Honor for bravery in land transportation accidents/incidents. This action is taken on the Department's initiative in response to the President's Regulatory Reinvention Initiative. EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert I. Ross, Office of the General Counsel, C-10, Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 366-9156, FAX (202) 366-9170. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Acting through DOT, the President of the United States may award a bronze medal for bravery to any person who, by extreme daring, risks his/her life in trying to prevent, or to save the life of a person in, a grave accident in the United States that involves an interstate rail carrier or a motor vehicle being operated on public highways. See 49 U.S.C. 80504. The regulations implementing this authority were last amended in 1968. DOT is revising them in order to simplify language and otherwise make them easier to understand. Because these changes are editorial in nature and do not change the substantive requirements, the Department finds that notice and comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Analysis of Regulatory Impacts This amendment is not a ``significant regulatory action'' within the meaning of Executive Order 12866. It is also not significant within the definition in DOT's Regulatory Policies and Procedures, 49 FR 11034 (1979), in part because it does not involve any change in important Departmental policies. There will be no economic impact as a result of this change. Moreover, I certify that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule does not significantly affect the environment, and therefore an environmental impact statement is not required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It has also been reviewed under Executive Order 12612, Federalism, and it has been determined that it does not have sufficient implications for federalism to warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment. Finally, the rule does not contain any collection of information requirements, requiring review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 79 Decorations, Medals, Awards. In accordance with the above, DOT revises 49 CFR Part 79, to read as follows: PART 79--MEDALS OF HONOR Sec. 79.1 Scope. 79.3 Application. 79.5 Investigation. 79.7 Award. 79.9 Design. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 80504. Sec. 79.1 Scope. (a) This Part implements 49 U.S.C. 80504, which authorizes the President of the United States to award a bronze medal for bravery to any person who, by extreme daring, risks his/her life in trying to prevent, or to save the life of a person in, a grave accident/incident in the United States that involves an interstate rail carrier or a motor vehicle being operated on public highways. (b) The actions for which the medal may be awarded must reflect such unusual daring and bravery that a person would not normally be expected to perform them as a regular part of his/her regular work or vocation. Sec. 79.3 Application. (a) Any person may apply for the award of the medal described in Sec. 79.1, but only on behalf of another person, by writing to the Secretary of Transportation, Attention: Medals of Honor, within two (2) years of the action that is the subject of the application. (b) Although no application form is required, the following information must be provided: (1) Name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the application. (2) Name, address, and telephone number of the person on whose behalf the application is submitted. (3) Date, time, place, and weather conditions of the action that is the subject of the application. [[Page 17579]] (4) Identification of rail or motor carrier involved, or of operator of motor vehicles involved. (5) Identification of any public or private authority that investigated the accident/incident involved. (6) Name, address, and telephone number of any witness to the action that is the subject of the application. (7) Detailed description of the action that is the subject of the application, including why the person submitting the application thinks that the action merits the extraordinary recognition embodied in the Medal of Honor. (c) An application and any documentary or other evidence supporting it must be supported by oath or affirmation, or by the signer's acknowledgment that a knowingly false statement is punishable as perjury. Sec. 79.5 Investigation. The Department of Transportation may make any investigation of an application that it deems appropriate, including the taking of testimony under oath or affirmation. Sec. 79.7 Award. If the Secretary of Transportation decides that it is warranted, the Secretary shall award the Medal on behalf of and in the name of the President of the United States. Sec. 79.9 Design. The Department is authorized to adopt and revise the existing designs for the award, rosette, and ribbon provided for by statute. Issued in Washington, DC, on this 1st day of April, 1996. Federico Pena, Secretary of Transportation. [FR Doc. 96-9704 Filed 4-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-62-P