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The acronym comes from the title, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.
Signed into law on October 26, 2001, the USA PATRIOT Act contained provisions that required changes in the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses for the transportation of hazardous materials.Other provisions related to intercepting electronic communications, money laundering and seizure of assets, the establishment of victim compensation funds, and increasing border security.
This Act was the primary force behind the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA), and Research and Special Programs Administration’s (RSPA) (now under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) companion rules for the background investigations of those drivers applying for, upgrading, or renewing a CDL license with a hazmat endorsement.