(a) Scope. In the event the FRA and the State agency do not agree on terms for the participation of the State under § 212.105 of this part and the State wishes to engage in investigative and surveillance activities with respect to any rule, regulation, order, or standard issued under the authority of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, the State shall file an annual certification with respect to such activities.

(b) Content. The annual certification shall be filed not less than 60 days before the beginning of the Federal fiscal year to which it applies, shall contain the information required by § 212.105(e) of this part and, in addition, shall certify that:

(1) The State agency has the authority and capability to conduct investigative and surveillance activities under the requirements of this part with respect to each rule, regulation, order or standard for which certification is submitted; and

(2) The State agency will, at a minimum, conduct planned compliance inspections meeting the level of effort prescribed in the applicable appendix to this part.

(c) Action on certification. The Associate Administrator responds to the filing of an annual certification within 60 days of its receipt by accepting it or by rejecting it for cause stated.

(d) Delegation of authority. Acceptance of an annual certification constitutes a delegation of authority to conduct investigative and surveillance activities only to the extent that the delegation is carried out through personnel recognized by the State and the FRA (pursuant to subpart C of this part) to be qualified to perform the particular investigative and surveillance activities to which the personnel are assigned.