[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR355.21]

[Page 761-762]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
        CHAPTER III--FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION,
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 355--COMPATIBILITY OF STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING INTERSTATE MOTOR CARRIER OPERATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart B--Requirements
 
Sec. 355.21  Regulatory review.


    (a) General. Each State shall annually analyze its laws and 
regulations, including those of its political subdivisions, which 
pertain to commercial motor vehicle safety to determine whether its laws 
and regulations are

[[Page 762]]

compatible with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Guidelines 
for the regulatory review are provided in the appendix to this part.
    (b) Responsibility. The State agency designated as lead agency for 
the administration of grants made pursuant to part 350 of this 
subchapter is responsible for reviewing and analyzing State laws and 
regulations for compliance with this part. In the absence of an 
officially designated Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) 
lead agency or in its discretion, the State shall designate another 
agency responsible to review and determine compliance with these 
regulations.
    (c)  State review. (1) The State shall determine which of its laws 
and regulations pertaining to commercial motor vehicle safety are the 
same as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety or Federal Hazardous Materials 
Regulations. With respect to any State law or regulation which is not 
the same as the FMCSRs (FHMRs must be identical), the State shall 
identify such law or regulation and determine whether:
    (i) It has the same effect as a corresponding section of the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations;
    (ii) It applies to interstate commerce;
    (iii) It is more stringent than the FMCSRs in that it is more 
restrictive or places a greater burden on any entity subject to its 
provisions.
    (2) If the inconsistent State law or regulation applies to 
interstate commerce and is more stringent than the FMCSRs, the State 
shall determine:
    (i) The safety benefits associated with such State law or 
regulation; and
    (ii) The effect of the enforcement of such State law or regulation 
on interstate commerce.
    (3) If the inconsistent State law or regulation does not apply to 
interstate commerce or is less stringent than the FMCSRs, the guidelines 
for participation in the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program in 
Secs. 350.341, 350.343, and 350.345 of this subchapter shall apply.

[57 FR 40962, Sept. 8, 1992, as amended at 65 FR 15109, Mar. 21, 2000]