49 U.S.C. § 103 : US Code - Section 103: Federal Railroad Administration

Search 49 U.S.C. § 103 : US Code - Section 103: Federal Railroad Administration

(a) The Federal Railroad Administration is an administration in
the Department of Transportation. To carry out all railroad safety
laws of the United States, the Administration is divided on a
geographical basis into at least 8 safety offices. The Secretary of
Transportation is responsible for all acts taken under those laws
and for ensuring that the laws are uniformly administered and
enforced among the safety offices.
(b) The head of the Administration is the Administrator who is
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate. The Administrator reports directly to the Secretary.
(c) The Administrator shall carry out -
(1) duties and powers related to railroad safety vested in the
Secretary by section 20134(c) and chapters 203-211 of this title,
and chapter 213 of this title in carrying out chapters 203-211;
and
(2) additional duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary.
(d) A duty or power specified by subsection (c)(1) of this
section may be transferred to another part of the Department only
when specifically provided by law or a reorganization plan
submitted under chapter 9 of title 5. A decision of the
Administrator in carrying out those duties or powers and involving
notice and hearing required by law is administratively final.
(e) Subject to the provisions of subtitle I of title 40 and title
III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949
(41 U.S.C. 251 et seq.), the Secretary of Transportation may make,
enter into, and perform such contracts, grants, leases, cooperative
agreements, and other similar transactions with Federal or other
public agencies (including State and local governments) and private
organizations and persons, and make such payments, by way of
advance or reimbursement, as the Secretary may determine to be
necessary or appropriate to carry out functions of the Federal
Railroad Administration. The authority of the Secretary granted by
this subsection shall be carried out by the Administrator.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no authority
to enter into contracts or to make payments under this subsection
shall be effective, except as provided for in appropriations Acts.