--- kind: "section" citation: "6 U.S.C. § 1151" title: "6" title_heading: "Domestic Security" number: "1151" heading: "Definitions" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/1151" units: - "Chapter 4 — Transportation Security" - "Subchapter IV — Surface Transportation Security" - "Part A — General Provisions" --- # §1151. Definitions In this subchapter, the following definitions apply: - (1) **Appropriate congressional committees—** The term “appropriate congressional committees” means the Committee on Commerce, Science, and [Transportation](#11) and the Committee on [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security and the Committee on [Transportation](#11) and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. - (2) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2)” means the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) of [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security. - (3) **Department—** The term “[Department](/usc/6/1101.md?p=1)” means the [Department](/usc/6/1101.md?p=1) of [Homeland](/usc/6/101.md?p=1) Security. - (4) **Over-the-road bus—** The term “over-the-road bus” means a bus characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment. - (5) **Over-the-road bus frontline employees—** In this section,[^1] the term “over-the-road bus frontline employees” means [over-the-road bus](#4) drivers, security [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15), dispatchers, maintenance and maintenance support [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15), ticket agents, other terminal employees, and other employees of an [over-the-road bus](#4) operator or terminal owner or operator that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) determines should receive security training under this subchapter. - (6) **Railroad frontline employees—** In this section,[^1] the term “railroad frontline employees” means security [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15), dispatchers, locomotive engineers, conductors, trainmen, other onboard employees, maintenance and maintenance support [personnel](/usc/6/101.md?p=15), bridge tenders, and any other employees of [railroad carriers](#8) that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) determines should receive security training under this subchapter. - (7) **Railroad—** The term “railroad” has the meaning that term has in [section 20102 of title 49](/usc/49/20102.md). - (8) **Railroad carrier—** The term “railroad carrier” has the meaning that term has in [section 20102 of title 49](/usc/49/20102.md). - (9) **State—** The term “State” means any one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and any other territory or possession of the [United States](#12). - (10) **Terrorism—** The term “terrorism” has the meaning that term has in [section 101 of this title](/usc/6/101.md). - (11) **Transportation—** The term “transportation”, as used with respect to an [over-the-road bus](#4), means the movement of passengers or property by an [over-the-road bus](#4)— - (A) in the jurisdiction of the [United States](#12) between a place in a [State](#9) and a place outside the [State](#9) (including a place outside the [United States](#12)); or - (B) in a [State](#9) that affects trade, traffic, and [transportation](#11) described in [subparagraph (A)](#11-A). - (12) **United States—** The term “United States” means the 50 [States](#9), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and any other territory or possession of the United States. - (13) **Security-sensitive material—** The term “security-sensitive material” means a material, or a group or class of material, in a particular amount and form that the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) of [Transportation](#11), determines, through a rulemaking with opportunity for public comment, poses a significant risk to national security while being transported in commerce due to the potential use of the material in an [act of terrorism](/usc/6/444.md?p=2-A). In making such a designation, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall, at a minimum, consider the following: - (A) Class 7 radioactive materials. - (B) Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives. - (C) Materials poisonous or toxic by inhalation, including Division 2.3 gases and Division 6.1 materials. - (D) A select agent or toxin regulated by the [Centers](/usc/6/681.md?p=1) for Disease Control and Prevention under part 73 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations. - (14) **Disadvantaged business concerns—** The term “disadvantaged business concerns” means small businesses that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals as defined in section 124,[^2] of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations. - (15) **Amtrak—** The term “Amtrak” means the National [Railroad](#7) Passenger Corporation. ## Footnotes [^1]: So in original. “In this section,” probably should not appear. [^2]: So in original. Probably should be “part 124,”. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 110–53, title XV, § 1501, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 422.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### References in Text This subchapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title XV of Pub. L. 110–53, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 422, which enacted this subchapter, amended section 1992 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and sections 114, 5103a, 14504, 20106, 20109, 24301, 28101, and 31105 of Title 49, Transportation, enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 13908 and 14504 of Title 49, and amended provisions set out as a note under section 14504 of Title 49. For complete classification of title XV to the Code, see Tables.