[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR501.3]

[Page 23-24]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 501--ORGANIZATION AND DELEGATION OF POWERS AND DUTIES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 501.3  Organization and general responsibilities.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration consists of a 
headquarters organization located in Washington, DC, and a unified field 
organization consisting of ten geographic regions. The organization of, 
and general spheres of responsibility within, the NHTSA are as follows:
    (a) Office of the Administrator--(1) Administrator. (i) Represents 
the Department and is the principal advisor to the Secretary in all 
matters related to chapters 301, 303, 305, 321, 323, 325, 327, 329, and 
331 of Title 49 U.S.C.; 23 U.S.C. chapter 4, except section 409; as each 
relates to highway safety, sections 141, 153, 154(a), (b), (d) and (e), 
and 158 of Title 23 U.S.C.; and such other authorities as are delegated 
by the Secretary of Transportation (49 CFR 1.50);
    (ii) Establishes NHTSA program policies, objectives, and priorities 
and directs development of action plans to accomplish the NHTSA mission;
    (iii) Directs, controls, and evaluates the organization, program 
activities,

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performance of NHTSA staff, program and field offices;
    (iv) Approves broad legislative, budgetary, fiscal and program 
proposals and plans; and
    (v) Takes management actions of major significance, such as those 
relating to changes in basic organization pattern, appointment of key 
personnel, allocation of resources, and matters of special political or 
public interest or sensitivity.
    (2) Deputy Administrator. Assists the Administrator in discharging 
responsibilities. Directs and coordinates the Administration's 
management and operational programs, and related policies and procedures 
at headquarters and in the field. Provides policy direction and 
executive direction to the Associate Administrator for State and 
Community Services.
    (3) Executive Director. As the principal advisor to the 
Administrator and Deputy Administrator, provides direction on internal 
management and mission support programs. Provides executive direction 
over the Senior Associate Administrators.
    (4) Director, Executive Secretariat. Provides a central facilitative 
staff that administers an executive correspondence program and maintains 
policy files for the Administrator and Deputy Administrator, and 
services and support to committees as designated by the Administrator.
    (5) Director, Office of Civil Rights. As principal staff advisor to 
the Administrator and Deputy Administrator on all matters pertaining to 
civil rights, acts as Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, 
Contracts Compliance Officer and Title VI (Civil Rights Act of 1964) 
Coordinator; assures Administration-wide compliance with related laws, 
Executive Orders, regulations and policies; and provides assistance to 
the Office of the Secretary in investigating and adjudicating formal 
complaints of discrimination.
    (6) Director, Intergovernmental Affairs. As the principal advisor to 
the Administrator and Deputy Administrator on all intergovernmental 
matters, including communications with Congress, communicates agency 
policy and coordinates with the Chief Counsel on legislative issues 
affecting the agency.
    (b) Chief Counsel. As chief legal officer, provides legal services 
for the Administrator and the Administration; prepares litigation for 
the Administration; effects rulemaking actions; issues subpoenas; and 
serves as coordinator on legislative affairs.
    (c) Senior Associate Administrators--(1) Senior Associate 
Administrator for Policy and Operations. As the principal advisor to the 
Administrator and Deputy Administrator with regard to core 
administrative and support services, provides direction and internal 
management and mission support for such activities. Provides executive 
direction over the Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and 
Analysis, the Associate Administrator for Administration, the Associate 
Administrator for Planning, Evaluation and Budget, the Chief Information 
Officer and the Office of Communications and Consumer Information.
    (2) Senior Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety. As the 
principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator with 
regard to rulemaking, enforcement and applied research, provides 
direction and internal management and mission support for such 
activities. Provides executive direction over the Associate 
Administrator for Rulemaking, the Associate Administrator for 
Enforcement, and the Associate Administrator for Applied Research.
    (3) Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control. As 
the principal advisor to the Administrator and Deputy Administrator with 
regard to programs to reduce traffic injury, provides direction and 
internal management and mission support for such activities. Provides 
executive direction over the Associate Administrator for Program 
Development and Delivery and the Associate Administrator for Injury 
Control Operations and Resources.

[53 FR 26258, July 12, 1988, as amended at 58 FR 12545, Mar. 5, 1993; 60 
FR 15504, Mar. 24, 1995; 60 FR 43029, Aug. 18, 1995; 67 FR 44083, July 
1, 2002]

    Effective Date Note: At 67 FR 44085, July 1, 2002, Sec. 501.3 was 
amended by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(3), effective Oct. 3, 
2002.

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