---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 385.21"
title: "49"
number: "385.21"
heading: "Separation of functions."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/385.21"
---

# §385.21. Separation of functions.

- (a) An Agency employee engaged in the performance of investigative, advocacy, or prosecutorial functions in a proceeding under [§ 385.15](/cfr/49/385.15.md), [§ 385.113](/cfr/49/385.113.md), [§ 385.327](/cfr/49/385.327.md), [§ 385.423](/cfr/49/385.423.md), [§ 385.711](/cfr/49/385.711.md), [§ 385.911(e)](/cfr/49/385.911.md?p=e), [§ 385.913(e)](/cfr/49/385.913.md?p=e), [§ 385.1009(d)](/cfr/49/385.1009.md?p=d), or [§ 385.1011(d)](/cfr/49/385.1011.md?p=d) may not, in that case or a factually-related case, discuss or communicate the facts or issues involved with, or otherwise advise or assist, the Agency decisionmaker or personnel advising the Agency decisionmaker, except as counsel or a witness in a public proceeding, or if the same facts and information are provided to all the parties involved in the matter. The prohibition in this [paragraph (a)](#a) also includes the staff of those covered by this section.
- (b) As used in this section, decisionmaker means the FMCSA official authorized to issue a final decision in the applicable proceeding listed in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section.
- (c) Nothing in this part shall preclude Agency decisionmakers or anyone advising an Agency decision-maker from taking part in a determination to launch an investigation or issue a complaint, or similar preliminary decision.

## Notes

### Amendments

[86 FR 35642, July 7, 2021]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 113, 504, 521(b), 5105(d), 5109, 5113, 13901-13905, 13908, 31135, 31136, 31144, 31148, 31151, 31502; sec. 113(a), Pub. L. 103-311, 108 Stat. 1673, 1676; sec. 408, Pub. L. 104-88, 109 Stat. 803, 958; sec. 350, Pub. L. 107-87, 115 Stat. 833, 864; sec. 5205, Pub. L. 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1537; and 49 CFR 1.87.

### Source

Source: 53 FR 50968, Dec. 19, 1988, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[86 FR 35642, July 7, 2021]