# 49 U.S.C. § 20104: Emergency authority

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20104

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 U.S.C. § 20104
- **Heading:** Emergency authority
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** May 4, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 49—TRANSPORTATION > SUBTITLE V—RAIL PROGRAMS > PART A—SAFETY > CHAPTER 201—GENERAL > SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL

## Text

If, through testing, inspection, investigation, or research carried out under this chapter, the Secretary of Transportation decides that an unsafe condition or practice, or a combination of unsafe conditions and practices, causes an emergency situation involving a hazard of death, personal injury, or significant harm to the environment, the Secretary immediately may order restrictions and prohibitions, without regard to section 20103(e) of this title , that may be necessary to abate the situation.

( Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e) , July 5, 1994 , 108 Stat. 864 ; Pub. L. 110–432, div. A, title III, § 304 , Oct. 16, 2008 , 122 Stat. 4879 .)

## Nearby sections

- [49 U.S.C. § 20101 Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20101.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20102 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20102.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20103 General authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20103.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20104 Emergency authority](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20104.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20105 State participation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20105.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20106 Preemption](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20106.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20107 Inspection and investigation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20107.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20108 Research, development, testing, and training](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20108.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20109 Employee protections](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20109.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20110 Effect on employee qualifications and collective bargaining](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20110.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20111 Enforcement by the Secretary of Transportation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20111.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20112 Enforcement by the Attorney General](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20112.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20113 Enforcement by the States](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20113.md)
- [49 U.S.C. § 20114 Judicial procedures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20114.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t49_s20104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.