96-5133. Operation of Motor Vehicles by Intoxicated Minors  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 9121-9125]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-5133]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    Federal Highway Administration
    
    23 CFR Part 1210
    
    [NHTSA Docket No. 96-007; Notice 1]
    RIN 2127-AG20
    
    
    Operation of Motor Vehicles by Intoxicated Minors
    
    AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and 
    Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation 
    (DOT).
    
    ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
    
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    SUMMARY: This notice proposes to implement a new program enacted by the 
    National Highway System Designation (NHS) Act of 1995, which provides 
    for the withholding of Federal-aid highway funds from any State that 
    does not enact and enforce a ``zero tolerance'' law. This notice 
    solicits comments on a proposed regulation to clarify what States must 
    do to avoid the withholding of funds.
    DATES: Comments must be received by April 22, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Written comments should refer to the docket number and the 
    number of this notice and be submitted (preferably in ten copies) to: 
    Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room 
    5109, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 
    20590. (Docket hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: In NHTSA: Ms. Marlene Markison, Office 
    of State and Community Services, NSC-01, telephone (202) 366-2121; or 
    Ms. Heidi L. Coleman, Office of Chief Counsel, NCC-30, telephone (202) 
    366-1834.
        In FHWA: Ms. Mila Plosky, Office of Highway Safety, HHS-20, 
    telephone (202) 366-6902; or Mr. Raymond W. Cuprill, HCC-20, telephone 
    (202) 366-0834.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Highway System Designation 
    (NHS) Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-59, was signed into law on November 28, 
    1995. Section 320 of the Act established a new Section 161 of Title 23, 
    United States Code (Section 161), which requires the withholding of 
    certain Federal-aid highway funds from States that do not enact and 
    enforce ``zero tolerance'' laws. Section 161 provides that these ``zero 
    tolerance'' laws must consider an individual under the age of 21 who 
    has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or greater while 
    operating a motor vehicle in the State, to be driving while intoxicated 
    or driving under the influence of alcohol.
        In a letter to Senator Robert Byrd, who sponsored the zero 
    tolerance legislation, President Clinton stated:
    
        Drinking and driving by young people is one of the nation's most 
    serious threats to public health and public safety. I am deeply 
    concerned about this ongoing tragedy which kills thousands of young 
    people every year. It's against the law for young people to drink. 
    It should be against the law for young people to drink and drive. *  
    *  *
        A decade ago, we decided as a nation that the minimum drinking 
    age should be 21. In 1984, President Reagan signed bipartisan 
    legislation to achieve this goal, and today all 50 states have 
    enacted such laws. Our efforts are paying off--drunk driving among 
    people under 21 have been cut in half since 1984.
        But we must do more. * * * If all states had [''zero 
    tolerance''] laws hundreds more lives could be saved and thousands 
    of injuries could be prevented.
    
        Senator Byrd stated, when he introduced the legislation:
    
        My amendment builds upon one of the most important--and 
    successful--Federal initiatives related to alcohol and minors--a 
    1984 requirement that States adopt laws prohibiting the possession 
    or purchase of alcohol by anyone younger than twenty-one years of 
    age * * *
        NHTSA has estimated that the 21-year-old drinking age has saved 
    8400 lives since 1984. Further, in 1993, * * * the 21-year-old 
    drinking age requirement is estimated to have saved $1.8 billion in 
    economic costs to our society * * *
        The Congress should now take the next step, and explicitly 
    state, as a matter of law, that minors are not allowed to drink and 
    drive. My amendment is simple and straight forward--since it is 
    illegal for minors under the age of 21 to *  *  * publicly possess 
    or purchase alcohol--any level of consumption that is coupled with 
    driving should be treated, under the requirements of each State's 
    laws, as driving while intoxicated * * *
        Under my amendment, the message to that minor is clear: you 
    cannot drink and drive. Period. And, hopefully, this type of tough 
    and absolute requirement in the law will encourage our young people 
    not to drink at all.
    
        Similar sentiments were expressed by Congresswoman Lowey, who 
    sponsored zero tolerance legislation in the U.S. House of 
    Representatives.
    
    Adoption of Zero Tolerance Law
    
        Section 161 specifically provides that the Secretary must withhold 
    from apportionment a portion of Federal-aid highway funds from any 
    State that does not meet certain statutory requirements. To avoid such 
    withholding, a State must enact and enforce a law that considers an 
    individual under the age of 21 who has a blood alcohol concentration of 
    0.02 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in the State, 
    to be driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of 
    alcohol.
        Any State that does not enact and enforce a conforming zero 
    tolerance law will be subject to a withholding from apportionment a 
    portion of its Federal-aid highway funds. In accordance with Section 
    161, if a State does not meet the statutory requirements on October 1, 
    1998, five percent of its FY 1999 Federal-aid highway apportionment 
    under 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(1), 104(b)(3) and 104(b)(5)(B) shall be withheld 
    on that date. These sections relate to the National Highway System 
    (NHS), the
    
    [[Page 9122]]
    
    Surface Transportation Program (STP) and the Interstate System.
        If the State does not meet the statutory requirements on October 1, 
    1999, ten percent of its FY 2000 apportionment will be withheld on that 
    date. Ten percent will continue to be withheld on October 1 of each 
    subsequent fiscal year, if the State does not meet the requirements on 
    those dates.
    
    Compliance Criteria
    
        To avoid the withholding from apportionment of Federal-aid highway 
    funds, Section 161 provides that a State must enact and enforce:
    
        A law that considers an individual under the age of 21 who has a 
    blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or greater while 
    operating a motor vehicle in the State to be driving while 
    intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol.
    
        Section 161 does not define any of these terms, and it does not 
    contain many details about what conforming State laws must provide. For 
    example, it does not specify the penalties that must be imposed on 
    offenders who violate such zero tolerance laws. Since Section 161 does 
    not prescribe the penalties that must be imposed on offenders who 
    violate zero tolerance laws, the agencies are proposing not to specify 
    any minimum penalties in the implementing regulation.
        The agencies believe that, while Congress intended to encourage all 
    States to enact and enforce effective zero tolerance laws, it also 
    intended to provide States with sufficient flexibility so they could 
    develop laws that suit the particular conditions that exist in those 
    States. Accordingly, Section 161 prescribes only a limited number of 
    basic elements that State laws must meet to avoid the withholding of 
    Federal-aid highway funds.
        In this notice, the agencies propose to define these basic 
    elements. These elements are described below:
        1. Under the Age of 21.
        To avoid the withholding of funds, a State must enact and enforce a 
    zero tolerance law that applies to all persons under the age of 21.
        The agencies are aware of four States that currently have laws 
    under which individuals who have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 
    percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in the State are 
    considered to be driving while intoxicated or driving under the 
    influence of alcohol, only if those individuals are under the age of 
    18. Since these laws do not apply to individuals between the ages of 18 
    and 21, they would not conform to the Federal requirement.
        2. Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.02 Percent.
        To avoid the withholding of funds, a State must set 0.02 percent as 
    the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. States with laws that 
    set a lower percentage (such as 0.00 percent) as the legal limit would 
    also conform to the Federal requirement.
        The agencies are aware of four States that currently have laws 
    under which individuals under the age of 21 are considered to be 
    driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol, if 
    they have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or 0.07 percent. Since 
    these laws do not reach individuals under the age of 21 who have a 
    blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent, they would not conform to 
    the Federal requirement.
        3. Per Se Law.
        To avoid the withholding of funds, a State must consider 
    individuals under the age of 21 who have a blood alcohol concentration 
    of 0.02 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in the State 
    to be driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of 
    alcohol.
        In other words, States must establish a 0.02 ``per se'' law for 
    persons under the age of 21, that makes driving with a BAC of 0.02 
    percent or above itself an offense for such persons.
        The agencies are aware of one State that currently has a law that 
    makes it unlawful for persons under the age of 21 to drive while 
    intoxicated or drive under the influence of alcohol, but provides that 
    a BAC of 0.02 percent or above is only prima facie evidence of driving 
    while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol. Since the 
    law does not make the operation of a motor vehicle by an individual 
    under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 a ``per 
    se'' offense, this law would not conform to the Federal requirement.
        4. Primary Enforcement.
        To avoid the withholding of funds, a State must enact and enforce a 
    zero tolerance law that provides for primary enforcement.
        The agencies are aware of one State that currently has a law under 
    which individuals under the age of 21 who have a blood alcohol 
    concentration of 0.02 or greater while operating a motor vehicle in the 
    State are considered to be driving while intoxicated or driving under 
    the influence of alcohol. Enforcement of this law, however, may be 
    accomplished only as a secondary action when the driver of a motor 
    vehicle has been cited for a violation of some other offense. 
    Accordingly, this law would not conform to the Federal requirement.
    
    Demonstrating Compliance
    
        Section 161 provides that funds will be withheld from apportionment 
    from noncomplying States beginning in fiscal year 1999. To avoid the 
    withholding, each State would be required by this proposed regulation 
    to submit a certification. Under the agencies' proposal, States would 
    be required to submit their certifications on or before September 30, 
    1998, to avoid the withholding from apportionment of FY 1999 funds on 
    October 1, 1998. The agencies propose to permit (and strongly 
    encourage) States to submit certifications in advance.
        The submission of certifications in advance will enable the 
    agencies to inform States as quickly as possible whether or not their 
    laws satisfy the requirements of Section 161 and this regulation, and 
    will provide States with noncomplying laws an opportunity to take the 
    necessary steps to meet these requirements before the date for the 
    withholding of funds.
        In addition, it will prevent a State from receiving from the 
    agencies an initial determination of noncompliance which, as explained 
    later in this notice, the agencies propose to issue through FHWA's 
    advance notice of apportionments, normally not later than ninety days 
    prior to final apportionment (which normally occurs on October 1 of 
    each fiscal year).
        States that are found in noncompliance with these requirements in 
    any fiscal year would be required to submit a certification to avoid 
    the withholding of funds from apportionment in the following fiscal 
    year. To avoid the withholding in that fiscal year, these States would 
    be required to submit a certification demonstrating compliance before 
    the last day (September 30) of the previous fiscal year.
        Once a State is determined by the agencies to be in compliance with 
    these requirements, the agencies propose that the State would not be 
    required to submit certifications in subsequent fiscal years, unless 
    the State's law had changed. The proposal specifies that it would be 
    the responsibility of the States to inform the agencies of any such 
    change in a subsequent fiscal year, by submitting an amendment or 
    supplement to its certification.
        The certifications submitted under this Part would provide the 
    agencies with the basis for finding States in compliance with the 
    Operation of Motor Vehicles by Intoxicated Minors requirement. The 
    agencies are proposing that the certification must consist of a 
    certifying statement and a copy of the
    
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    State's conforming law. If the State's law were to change, the State 
    would be required to amend or supplement the State's original 
    submission.
    
    Notification of Compliance
    
        For each fiscal year, beginning with FY 1999, NHTSA and FHWA 
    propose to notify States of their compliance or noncompliance with 
    Section 161, based on a review of certifications received. The agencies 
    propose that this notification will take place through FHWA's normal 
    certification of apportionments process. If a State does not submit a 
    certification or if its certification does not conform to Section 161 
    and the implementing regulation, the agencies will make an initial 
    determination that the State does not comply. States that are 
    determined to be in noncompliance with Section 161 will be advised of 
    the amount of funds expected to be withheld through FHWA's advance 
    notice of apportionments, normally not later than ninety days prior to 
    final apportionment.
        Each State determined to be in noncompliance will have an 
    opportunity to rebut the initial determination. The State will be 
    notified of the agencies' final determination of compliance or 
    noncompliance as part of the certification of apportionments, which 
    normally occurs on October 1 of each fiscal year.
        As stated earlier, NHTSA and FHWA expect that States will want to 
    know as soon as possible whether their laws satisfy the requirements of 
    Section 161 or they may want assistance in drafting conforming 
    legislation. In addition, since the agencies propose to issue initial 
    determinations of noncompliance through FHWA's advance notice of 
    apportionments, normally not later than ninety days prior to final 
    apportionment (which normally occurs on October 1 of each fiscal year), 
    States will want to submit their certifications more than ninety days 
    before October 1.
        States are strongly encouraged to submit certifications in advance, 
    and to request preliminary reviews and assistance from the agencies. 
    Requests should be submitted through NHTSA's Regional Administrators, 
    who will refer these requests to appropriate NHTSA and FHWA offices for 
    review.
    
    Period of Availability for Funds
    
        Section 161 provides an incremental approach to the withholding of 
    funds from apportionment for noncompliance. If a State is found to be 
    in noncompliance on October 1, 1998, the State would be subject to a 
    five percent withholding of its FY 1999 apportionment on that date. If 
    a State is found to be in noncompliance on October 1 of any subsequent 
    fiscal year, beginning with FY 2000, the State would be subject to a 
    ten percent withholding.
        In addition, if a State is found to be in noncompliance in fiscal 
    years 1999 or 2000, the funds withheld from apportionment to the State 
    would remain available for apportionment to that State for a period of 
    time, prescribed in the statute. If a State is found to be in 
    noncompliance in any subsequent fiscal year, the funds withheld from 
    apportionment would no longer be available for apportionment.
        Paragraph (b)(1)(B) of Section 161 provides that, ``No funds 
    withheld under this section from apportionment to any State after 
    September 30, 2000, shall be available for apportionment to the 
    State.'' These funds would lapse, in accordance with paragraph (b)(4) 
    of the section.
        Paragraphs (b)(1)(A) and (b)(2) of Section 161 identify the period 
    of time during which funds withheld on or before September 30, 2000, 
    remain available for apportionment, and when they are to be restored if 
    the State complies with the Federal requirements before the funds 
    lapse. Paragraph (b)(3) establishes the period of time during which 
    these subsequently apportioned funds would remain available to a State 
    for expenditure. If the State does not meet the requirements during the 
    period of time that the funds remain available for expenditure, the 
    funds would lapse, in accordance with paragraph (b)(4) of the section.
        These sections are virtually identical to those found in the 
    National Minimum Drinking Age Act, as amended, 23 U.S.C. 158, and the 
    Drug Offender's Drivers License Suspension Act, as amended, 23 U.S.C. 
    159. For a full discussion of how these provisions have been applied in 
    practice, interested parties are encouraged to read the preambles to 
    the agencies' joint final rules published in the Federal Register on 
    August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31318) and August 12, 1992 (57 FR 35989).
    
    Comments
    
        Interested persons are invited to comment on this proposal. All 
    comments must be limited to 15 pages in length. Necessary attachments 
    may be appended to those submissions without regard to the 15 page 
    limit. This limitation is intended to encourage commenters to detail 
    their primary arguments in a concise fashion.
        Written comments to the public docket must be received by April 22, 
    1996. To expedite the submission of comments, simultaneous with the 
    issuance of this notice, NHTSA and FHWA will mail copies to all 
    Governors, Governors' Representatives for Highway Safety and State 
    highway agencies.
        All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
    closing date will be considered and will be available for examination 
    in the docket at the above address before and after that date. To the 
    extent possible, comments filed after the closing date will also be 
    considered. However, the rulemaking action may proceed at any time 
    after that date. The agencies will continue to file relevant material 
    in the docket as it becomes available after the closing date, and it is 
    recommended that interested persons continue to examine the docket for 
    new material.
        Those persons who wish to be notified upon receipt of their 
    comments in the docket should enclose, in the envelope with their 
    comments, a self-addressed stamped postcard. Upon receiving the 
    comments, the docket supervisor will return the postcard by mail.
        Copies of all comments will be placed in Docket 96-007; Notice 1 of 
    the NHTSA Docket Section in Room 5109, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh 
    Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590.
    
    Separate Interim Final Rule in Today's Federal Register
    
        In today's Federal Register, NHTSA has published a separate interim 
    final rule and request for comments, relating to Part 1313, the 
    agency's regulation that implements its Section 410 program.
        The interim final rule amends Part 1313, to reflect changes that 
    were made to 23 U.S.C. 410 by the NHS Act, and requests comments on 
    these changes. It also recognizes that one of the grant criteria under 
    the section 410 program, which requires that States ``deem persons 
    under age 21 who operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.02 or greater 
    to be driving while intoxicated,'' is similar to the new ``zero 
    tolerance'' sanction requirement contained in Section 320 of the NHS 
    Act (23 U.S.C. Section 161). The interim final rule requests comments 
    regarding whether additional changes should be made to the section 410 
    ``0.02'' grant criterion, as a result of the new ``zero tolerance'' 
    sanction program. Comments regarding this issue should be submitted to 
    the attention of Docket 89-02; Notice 8.
    
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    Regulatory Analyses and Notices
    
    Executive Order 12778 (Civil Justice Reform)
    
        This proposed rule would not have any preemptive or retroactive 
    effect. The enabling legislation does not establish a procedure for 
    judicial review of final rules promulgated under its provisions. There 
    is no requirement that individuals submit a petition for 
    reconsideration or other administrative proceedings before they may 
    file suit in court.
    
    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
    Regulatory Policies and Procedures
    
        The agencies have determined that this proposed action is not a 
    significant regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order 
    12866 or significant within the meaning of Department of Transportation 
    Regulatory Policies and Procedures. States can choose to enact and 
    enforce a zero tolerance law, in conformance with Pub. L. 104-59, and 
    thereby avoid the withholding of Federal-aid highway funds. While 
    specific criteria that State laws must meet have been proposed in this 
    NPRM, they are mandated by Pub. L. 104-59. Accordingly, a full 
    regulatory evaluation is not required.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354, 
    5 U.S.C. 601-612), the agencies have evaluated the effects of this 
    proposed action on small entities. Based on the evaluation, we certify 
    that this proposed action would not have a significant impact on a 
    substantial number of small entities. Accordingly, the preparation of a 
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is unnecessary.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        The requirements in this proposal that States certify that they 
    conform to the statutory requirements to avoid the withholding of 
    Federal-aid highway funds are considered to be information collection 
    requirements as that term is defined by the Office of Management and 
    Budget (OMB) in 5 C.F.R Part 1320. The reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirement associated with this rule is subject to approval by the 
    Office of Management and Budget in accordance with 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
    35. NHTSA and FHWA, NEED FOR INFORMATION: To encourage States to enact 
    and enforce zero tolerance laws; NHTSA and FHWA, PROPOSED USE OF 
    INFORMATION: To provide procedures to State recipients of Federal-aid 
    highway funds on how to certify compliance with the provision of Public 
    Law 104-59. The law requires a zero tolerance law for drivers under the 
    age of 21; FREQUENCY: One time only; BURDEN ESTIMATE: 52 hours; 
    RESPONDENTS: States; FORM(S): None; AVERAGE BURDEN HOURS PER 
    RESPONDENT: 1 hour. For further information contact: Mr. Edward Kosek, 
    Office of Information Resources Management, NAD-51, NHTSA, 400 Seventh 
    Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-2590.
        Comments on the proposed information collection requirements should 
    be submitted to: Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information 
    and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Officer 
    for NHTSA. It is requested that comments sent to OMB also be sent to 
    the NHTSA rulemaking docket for this proposed action.
    
    National Environmental Policy Act
    
        The agencies have analyzed this proposed action for the purpose of 
    the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
    and have determined that it would not have any significant impact on 
    the quality of the human environment.
    
    Executive Order 12612 (Federalism Assessment)
    
        This proposed action has been analyzed in accordance with the 
    principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has 
    been determined that this proposed action does not have sufficient 
    federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism 
    assessment. Accordingly, the preparation of a Federalism Assessment is 
    not warranted.
    
    List of Subjects in 23 CFR Part 1210
    
        Alcohol abuse, Grant programs--transportation, Highway safety, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Youth.
        In accordance with the foregoing, the agencies propose to add a new 
    Part 1210 to Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations to read as 
    follows:
    
    PART 1210--OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES BY INTOXICATED MINORS
    
    Sec.
    1210.1  Scope.
    1210.2  Purpose.
    1210.3  Definitions.
    1210.4  Adoption of zero tolerance law.
    1210.5  Certification requirements.
    1210.6  Period of availability of withheld funds.
    1210.7  Apportionment of withheld funds after compliance.
    1210.8  Period of availability of subsequently apportioned funds.
    1210.9  Effect of noncompliance.
    1210.10  Procedures affecting States in noncompliance.
    
        Authority: 23 U.S.C. 161; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.48 
    and 1.50.
    
    
    Sec. 1210.1  Scope.
    
        This part prescribes the requirements necessary to implement 
    Section 161 of Title 23, United States Code, which encourages States to 
    enact and enforce zero tolerance laws.
    
    
    Sec. 1210.2  Purpose.
    
        The purpose of this part is to specify the steps that States must 
    take to avoid the withholding of Federal-aid highway funds for 
    noncompliance with 23 U.S.C. 161.
    
    
    Sec. 1210.3  Definitions.
    
        As used in this part:
        (a) BAC means either blood or breath alcohol concentration.
        (b) Alcohol concentration means either grams of alcohol per 100 
    milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
        (c) Operating a motor vehicle means driving or being in actual 
    physical control of a motor vehicle.
    
    
    Sec. 1210.4  Adoption of zero tolerance law.
    
        (a) The Secretary shall withhold five percent of the amount 
    required to be apportioned to any State under each of sections 
    104(b)(1), 104(b)(3) and 104(b)(5) of title 23, United States Code, on 
    the first day of fiscal year 1999 if the State does not meet the 
    requirements of this part on that date.
        (b) The Secretary shall withhold ten percent of the amount required 
    to be apportioned to any State under each of sections 104(b)(1), 
    104(b)(3) and 104(b)(5) of title 23, United States Code, on the first 
    day of fiscal year 2000 and any subsequent fiscal year if the State 
    does not meet the requirements of this part on that date.
        (c) A State meets the requirements of this section if the State has 
    enacted and is enforcing a law that considers an individual under the 
    age of 21 who has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or 
    greater while operating a motor vehicle in the State to be driving 
    while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol. The law 
    must:
        (1) Apply to all individuals under the age of 21;
        (2) Set a blood alcohol concentration of not higher than 0.02 
    percent as the legal limit;
        (3) Make operating a motor vehicle by an individual under age 21 at 
    or above the legal limit a per se offense; and
        (4) Provide for primary enforcement.
    
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    Sec. 1210.5  Certification requirements.
    
        (a) Until a State has been determined to be in compliance with the 
    requirements of 23 U.S.C. 161, to avoid the withholding of funds in any 
    fiscal year, beginning with FY 1999, the State shall certify to the 
    Secretary of Transportation, before the last day of the previous fiscal 
    year, that it meets the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 161, and this part.
        (b) The certification shall contain:
        (1) A copy of the State zero tolerance law, regulation, or binding 
    policy directive implementing or interpreting such law or regulation, 
    that conforms to 23 U.S.C. 161 and Sec. 1210.4(c) of this part; and
        (2) A statement by an appropriate State official, that the State 
    has enacted and is enforcing a conforming zero tolerance law. The 
    certifying statement shall be worded as follows:
    
        (Name of certifying official), (position title), of the (State 
    or Commonwealth) of ________, do hereby certify that the (State or 
    Commonwealth) of ________, has enacted and is enforcing a zero 
    tolerance law that conforms to the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 161 and 
    23 CFR 1210.4(c).
    
        (c) An original and four copies of the certification shall be 
    submitted to the appropriate NHTSA Regional Administrator. Each 
    Regional Administrator will forward the certifications it receives to 
    appropriate NHTSA and FHWA offices.
        (d) Once a State has been determined to be in compliance with the 
    requirements of 23 U.S.C. 161, it is not required to submit additional 
    certifications, except that the State shall promptly submit an 
    amendment or supplement to its certification provided under paragraphs 
    (a) and (b) of this section if the State's zero tolerance legislation 
    changes.
    
    
    Sec. 1210.6  Period of availability of withheld funds.
    
        (a) Funds withheld under Sec. 1210.4 from apportionment to any 
    State on or before September 30, 2000, will remain available for 
    apportionment until the end of the third fiscal year following the 
    fiscal year for which the funds are authorized to be appropriated.
        (b) Funds withheld under Sec. 1210.4 from apportionment to any 
    State after September 30, 2000 will not be available for apportionment 
    to the State.
    
    
    Sec. 1210.7  Apportionment of withheld funds after compliance.
    
        Funds withheld to a State from apportionment under Sec. 1210.4, 
    which remain available for apportionment under Sec. 1210.5(a), will be 
    made available to the State if it conforms to the requirements of 
    Secs. 1210.4 and 1210.5 before the last day of the period of 
    availability as defined in Sec. 1210.6(a).
    
    
    Sec. 1210.8  Period of availability of subsequently apportioned funds.
    
        Funds apportioned pursuant to Sec. 1210.7 will remain available for 
    expenditure until the end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal 
    year in which the funds are apportioned.
    
    
    Sec. 1210.9  Effect of noncompliance.
    
        If a State has not met the requirements of 23 U.S.C. 161 and this 
    part at the end of the period for which funds withheld under 
    Sec. 1210.4 are available for apportionment to a State under 
    Sec. 1210.6, then such funds shall lapse.
    
    
    Sec. 1210.10  Procedures affecting States in noncompliance.
    
        (a) Each fiscal year, each State determined to be in noncompliance 
    with 23 U.S.C. 161 and this part, based on NHTSA's and FHWA's 
    preliminary review of its law, will be advised of the funds expected to 
    be withheld under Sec. 1210.4 from apportionment, as part of the 
    advance notice of apportionments required under 23 U.S.C. 104(e), 
    normally not later than ninety days prior to final apportionment.
        (b) If NHTSA and FHWA determine that the State is not in compliance 
    with 23 U.S.C. 161 and this part, based on the agencies' preliminary 
    review, the State may, within 30 days of its receipt of the advance 
    notice of apportionments, submit documentation showing why it is in 
    compliance.
        Documentation shall be submitted to the National Highway Traffic 
    Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 
    20590.
        (c) Each fiscal year, each State determined not to be in compliance 
    with 23 U.S.C. 161 and this part, based on NHTSA's and FHWA's final 
    determination, will receive notice of the funds being withheld under 
    Sec. 1210.4 from apportionment, as part of the certification of 
    apportionments required under 23 U.S.C. 104(e), which normally occurs 
    on October 1 of each fiscal year.
    
        Issued on: February 29, 1996.
    Rodney E. Slater,
    Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
    Ricardo Martinez,
    Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
    [FR Doc. 96-5133 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
    
    

Document Information

Published:
03/07/1996
Department:
Federal Highway Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
96-5133
Dates:
Comments must be received by April 22, 1996.
Pages:
9121-9125 (5 pages)
Docket Numbers:
NHTSA Docket No. 96-007, Notice 1
RINs:
2127-AG20: Operation of Motor Vehicles by Intoxicated Minors
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2127-AG20/operation-of-motor-vehicles-by-intoxicated-minors
PDF File:
96-5133.pdf
CFR: (10)
23 CFR 1210.1
23 CFR 1210.2
23 CFR 1210.3
23 CFR 1210.4
23 CFR 1210.5
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