This bill would change how the Department of Transportation (the Secretary) approves and oversees foreign manufacturers of compressed gas cylinders that are used to transport hazardous materials. It defines which cylinders and which foreign makers are covered. Approvals would generally be for no more than 1 year, but the Secretary may give a 5-year approval if a foreign manufacturer meets conditions, including proving compliance and attesting that its cylinders are not barred entry under section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The bill requires public notice and 30 days for comment on applications, yearly or more frequent inspections when the Secretary finds good cause, and allows the Secretary to suspend or end approvals for obstructing inspections or for misrepresentation. It requires the Secretary to add extra application questions about past penalties, delinquent payments, certain defense or trade listings, and antidumping or countervailing duty orders, and lets the Secretary deny approvals based on those answers. The Department must publish and update a list of approved foreign manufacturers and their approval durations. The bill also directs the Secretary to set up a process for outside parties to petition to reevaluate an approval.
The bill allows the Secretary to recover costs for foreign inspections, including travel and time. No publicly available information about total government costs, budget effects, or estimated expense amounts is provided in the bill text.
Supporters of the bill (based on the bill text and title) would say it increases oversight, inspection, and transparency for foreign makers of cylinders used to transport hazardous materials. The bill creates clearer approval terms, requires more information from applicants, and gives the Secretary tools to suspend or revoke approvals for obstructing inspections or misrepresentation.
No publicly available information.