90 STAT. 986 Impoundment.
Compensation.
49 USC 301.
Record maintenance.
Hearings.
Documentary evidence, access.
Reports and answers, filing.
PUBLIC LAW 94-364—JULY 14, 1976 " (B) to impound, for a period not to exceed 72 hours, for purposes of inspection, any motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that the Secretary reasonably believes to have been the object of a violation of this title; and " (C) to inspect any factory, warehouse, establishment, premises, vehicle, or equipment referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph. E a c h inspection or impoundment under this paragraph shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness. " (3) Whenever, under the authority of paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection, the Secretary impounds for the purpose of inspection any motor vehicle (other than a vehicle subject to part II of the Interstate Commerce Act) or any item of motor vehicle equipment, he shall pay reasonable compensation to the owner of such vehicle or equipment to the extent that such inspection or impounding results in the denial of the use of the vehicle or equipment to its owner or in the reduction in value of the vehicle or equipment. " (b) For the purpose of enabling the Secretary to determine whether any dealer or distributor has acted or is acting in compliance with this title or any rules, regulations, or orders issued thereunder, each dealer and distributor shall— " (1) maintain such records as the Secretary may reasonably require to make such determination; " (2) permit an oificer or employee duly designated by the Secretary, upon request of such officer or employee, to inspect appropriate books, papers, records, and documents relevant to making such determination; and " (3) provide such officer or employee information from records required to be maintained under this subsection as the Secretary finds necessary for such determination if the Secretary (A) provides the reason or purpose for requiring such information, and (B) identifies to the fullest extent practicable such information. Nothing in this subsection authorizes the Secretary to require a dealer or distributor to provide information on a regular periodic basis. " (c)(1) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title, the Secretary or, with the authorization of the Secretary, any officer or employee of the Department of Transportation may hold such hearings, take such testimony, sit and act at such times and places, administer such oaths, and require, by subpena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, correspondence, memorandums, contracts, agreements, or other records as the Secretary, or such officer or employee, deems advisable. " (2) I n order to carry out the provisions of this title, the Secretary or his duly authorized agent shall at all reasonable times have access to, and for the purposes of examination the right to copy, any documentary evidence of any person having materials or information relevant to any function of the Secretary under this title. " (3) Except to the extent inconsistent with the last sentence of subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary is authorized to require, by general or special orders, any person to file, in such form as the Secretary may prescribe, reports or answers in writing to specific questions relating to any function of the Secretary under this title. Such reports and answers shall be under oath or otherwise, and shall be filed with the Secretary within such reasonable period as the Secretary may prescribe.
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