PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 104-291.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Sep 18, 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: NTSB Amendments Title II: Intermodal Transportation Title I: NTSB Amendments - National Transportation Safety Board Amendments of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to prohibit the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and any agency receiving information from it from disclosing: (1) records or information relating to its participation in foreign aircraft accident investigations, except in certain circumstances; or (2) voluntarily provided safety-related information unrelated to the exercise of the NTSB's accident or incident investigation authority, if disclosure would inhibit the voluntary provision of that type of information. (Sec. 104) Authorizes the NTSB to conduct training of its employees in subjects necessary for the proper performance of accident investigations. (Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations to the Board through FY 1999. Title II: Intermodal Transportation - Intermodal Safe Container Transportation Amendments Act of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to revise the prior notification requirements for intermodal freight transportation. Requires a person who tenders to a first carrier that is a motor carrier (currently, any carrier) a container or trailer with a gross cargo weight of more than 29,000 pounds (currently, 10,000 pounds, including packing material and pallets) for intermodal transportation to give prior notification of the cargo weight and a reasonable description of its contents to the motor carrier. (Sec. 204) Allows such notification to be made by telephone, and allows the required certification of container or trailer contents to be electronic. Sets forth administrative and civil penalties for persons who inaccurately transfer certification information. (Sec. 205) Allows a motor carrier to presume that the gross cargo weight of a container or trailer is under 29,001 pounds if it receives no certification before or when a loaded intermodal container or trailer is tendered to it. Declares that a copy of a certification is not required to accompany the intermodal container or trailer. Requires a motor carrier that knows that the gross cargo weight of an intermodal container or trailer violates State vehicle weight laws to give notice to the operator of a leased vehicle that transports such items. Requires the motor carrier to reimburse the operator of the leased vehicle that is fined because of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws. (Sec. 206) Adds to the circumstances giving certain persons a lien against the contents of the container or trailer as a result of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws. Includes among such circumstances: (1) failure of the party required to provide certification of gross cargo weight to the first carrier to provide it; (2) failure of the party required to forward such certification to forward it; or (3) error in the transfer of information on the certification to another document.
People & committees
Rep. Shuster, Bud [R-PA-9] · R–PA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 104-291.
Became Public Law No: 104-291.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 221, enrollment corrections have been made.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H11330-11334)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H11330-11334)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Mr. Shuster moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1831 with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1831 with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Senate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 1831 amended.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10898)
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 508.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 400 - 0 (Roll No. 337).
House roll call 337 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 400 - 0 (Roll No. 337).
House roll call 337 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8074-8075)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8049-8052)
Mr. Duncan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 353.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 104-682.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 104-682.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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