1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Bus Uniform Standards and
Enhanced Safety Act of 2011
or the BUSES Act of 2011
.
(b)
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Title I—Motorcoach Safety
Sec. 101. Improved oversight of providers of motorcoach
services and other motor carriers of passengers.
Sec. 102. Motorcoach driver training.
Sec. 103. Review of requirements for commercial driver’s
license passenger endorsement.
Sec. 104. Improved physical fitness oversight and commercial
driver medical certificates.
Sec. 105. Commercial motor vehicle safety inspection
programs.
Sec. 106. Registration of motor carriers.
Sec. 107. Effective periods of registration.
Sec. 108. Duties of employers and employees.
Sec. 109. Required safety standards for
motorcoaches.
Title II—Credit for Cost of Motorcoaches Complying With Federal
Safety Requirements
Sec. 201. Credit for costs of motorcoaches complying with
Federal safety requirements.
Title III—Other Provisions
Sec. 301. Department of Transportation grants.
Sec. 302. Small business administration loans and loan
guarantees.
Sec. 303. Authorization of appropriations.
<enum>I</enum><header>Motorcoach
Safety</header>
<section id="H8C23F4BFA9954DACB17EE6AF5BFBEE8C"><enum>101.</enum><header>Improved
oversight of providers of motorcoach services and other motor carriers of
passengers</header>
<subsection id="H53B9DABFE5C34C73825825746E0DFCE5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 31144 of title 49, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H6A798C3ABEBD4CE7A7D4ACA76B7F8938" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H8FC079AC22A84E02A15C343BB9051FC4"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Sustained
monitoring of owners and operators of commercial motor vehicles designed or
used To transport passengers</header>
<paragraph id="H149F616F9BE942F5B11438C44890EEF5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Safety
monitoring</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Secretary shall require monitoring on a regular basis,
through a comprehensive safety analysis, of the safety performance of each
owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle designed or used to transport
passengers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H976F50EF2DA8425289E722B4A5ABE6D4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Elements of
monitoring and safety enforcement</header><text>Regulations issued under
paragraph (1) shall provide for the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="HD64542FEBE364A3197BE56EE6FEA15EB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Monitoring of the
safety performance of an owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle
designed or used to transport passengers in critical safety categories, as
defined in the regulation. Monitoring activities shall include activities that
can be conducted either on-site at the offices of the owner or operator or
off-site.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCD7F994209E84050A3ECF7B1C13675D1"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Progressive interventions designed to
correct unsafe practices of an owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle
designed or used to transport passengers. In the event such practices are not
corrected, the interventions shall result in an enforcement action and, if
necessary, a final determination that the owner or operator is not fit and
prohibited from operating as provided in subsection (c)(2).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA4BF7D43678A46B29811C071E9F97A58"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Enforcement
strike forces</header><text>In addition to the enhanced monitoring and
enforcement actions required by paragraph (2), the Secretary may organize
special enforcement strike forces targeting owners or operators of commercial
motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers, when and where the
Secretary considers
appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="HC0ADC82BBE494028B38ABD786094DF8A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Revision of
safety fitness determination methodology</header><text>Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall
revise the safety fitness determination methodology of the Department of
Transportation established pursuant to section 31144 of title 49, United States
Code, to ensure that such methodology meets the goals of Safety Recommendation
H–99–6 of the National Transportation Safety Board, issued February 26,
1999.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HFF4EF242EEC1482087EC49EAF3AEBD0C"><enum>102.</enum><header>Motorcoach
driver training</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary
of Transportation shall prescribe regulations establishing minimum training
requirements for drivers seeking a commercial driver’s license passenger
endorsement. The training shall include certification that a driver has met the
requirements established by the Secretary. The training may be provided by an
owner or operator of a commercial motor vehicle designed or used to transport
passengers if the owner or operator has in effect a training program that meets
or exceeds the minimum training requirements established by the
Secretary.</text>
</section><section id="H6F7E5C14B0BF4D148583EDCD68043C13"><enum>103.</enum><header>Review of
requirements for commercial driver’s license passenger endorsement</header>
<subsection id="HE063007F18FF404ABA8636F62F995797"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall review and assess the current
knowledge and skill testing requirements for a commercial driver’s license
passenger endorsement to determine if improvements are needed to ensure the
safe operation of commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport
passengers.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3834D3B0B91842399A1E68906002F198"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 120 days after completion of the review and assessment under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the review and
assessment conducted under subsection (a), together with a description of plans
to implement improvements.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H6FE8A279C2BA494C8D2B4C4FB33C2E20"><enum>104.</enum><header>Improved
physical fitness oversight and commercial driver medical certificates</header>
<subsection id="H1404F070C36E4AB781770D80D68C6758"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Examination
requirement for national registry of medical examiners</header><text>Section
31149(c)(1)(D) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as
follows:</text>
<quoted-block id="HF3DD628479DE4078B256CDDC03DAD444" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="HBB467E155E634E569F67CEBA6D78CA1A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>develop
requirements applicable to a medical examiner seeking to be listed in the
national registry established under this section, including—</text>
<clause id="H3781B30AD6D6416190ECB14CD80CD32D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>as
appropriate, specific courses and materials that must be completed;</text>
</clause><clause id="H40A8AA3C6E1E46DDA7879FDDA4E0E68F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a
rigorous examination for which a passing grade must be achieved; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H20DB2B75BDAD4BEB87D246ABA1C32A91"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>at a minimum,
self-certification requirements to verify that the medical examiner has
completed specific training, including refresher
courses;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="H5A9D00B34BAC4238B32067C71E4CFA12"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional
oversight of licensing authorities</header>
<paragraph id="HE80717CC69F74D0184E291E3271F44C7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 31149(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9586E2575D564E33B226E0DE5D6BDEB2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(E) by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0CB3073936754CF9970FF0ECE9A24A6B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph
(F) by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; and</quote>;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H35C0DF30608E496EBB895F19AAE9FAD6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HFCDDC71D55F34937AF8A53B633389488" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="H5494AD9721B248A1B055AE2F156855EB"><enum>(G)</enum><text>each year, review
the implementation of commercial driver’s license requirements of a minimum of
10 States to assess the accuracy and validity of physical examination reports
and medical certificates submitted by certified medical
examiners.</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HAC1DA06AB9AE400EBC6785FE690D3D12"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Internal
oversight policy</header>
<subparagraph id="H8751599284634C158E78897E2D7DADA5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation
shall establish an oversight policy and process within the Department of
Transportation for the purposes of carrying out the requirement of section
31149(c)(1)(G) of title 49, United States Code, as added by paragraph
(1).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H389A1A84BFBE44EA99110B12CF8EE3EE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The requirement of section 31149(c)(1)(G) of such title, as
added by paragraph (1), shall take effect on the date that the oversight
policies and processes are established pursuant to subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HDAB40D8C0033426E833B53FA906FE18E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Deadline for
establishment of national registry of medical examiners</header><text>Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
establish the national registry of medical examiners required by section
31149(d)(1) of such title.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H874679DFE3AA4B08BD661D0B43AEB562"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Additional
function of medical review board</header><text>Section 31149(a)(1) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text>
<quoted-block id="H239DD6E3A6BC49028A24B39C11446F36" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" id="HFD04427F5CF745C6874ED0EFBE14A161"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment
and function</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a Medical Review Board
with the following functions:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H5EB4E93DBF70454B9EB0DB898FF60E43"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Providing the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration with medical advice and
recommendations on medical standards and guidelines for—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="H8D4EB45A39CD414CBCD0ADFD8960A054"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the physical
qualifications of operators of commercial motor vehicles;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="H1D4BB168069C4C7297D1049DB15151D0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>medical examiner
education; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="H2976B5B8E36F4A23986E13711B513844"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>medical
research.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HE7755E496B1C4254957369D222942409"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Providing the
Secretary with advice and recommendations concerning the criteria to be used
for evaluating medical examiners for admission to the national registry
established under this
section.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="H4AFEC1040BF34769A9C776EB784A8418"><enum>105.</enum><header>Commercial
motor vehicle safety inspection programs</header>
<subsection id="H406C5490232846FF88CFC465AA0E5563"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The
Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a study to review the regulations
prescribed pursuant to section 31142(b) of title 49, United States Code,
relating to commercial motor vehicle safety inspections.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H8A5C1E5B71AE47358703C15538C374A9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The
study shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H6B68414E852945F78F5C39F704D1FED5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an assessment of
the risks associated with improperly maintained or inspected commercial motor
vehicles designed or used to transport passengers;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7340D53C46274F0086F1C9959C774476"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an assessment of
the effectiveness of the Government standards for inspection of commercial
motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers to mitigate the risks
identified in paragraph (1) and to ensure the safe and proper operating
condition of commercial motor vehicles subject to section 31142 of title 49,
United States Code;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB7658C906B4E4C3FAC1F68897DBF49BA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>an assessment of
the effectiveness of at least 2 alternatives to the current standards
prescribed pursuant to section 31142 of title 49, United States Code;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFE05F147DC6448CFB7AC5A2CE3E98B87"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a
comparison of the costs and benefits of the alternatives and the current
standards prescribed pursuant to section 31142 of title 49, United States
Code.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF48BA1A0F45744E48B3C95F6500854EF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report</header>
<paragraph id="H3C1FE5DBEF9A4261ACD2201235980118"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the
study.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H914FF39F0FE94844AD85BA394E1649FA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The
report shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9EB399522B1D4A7598DECDDB575BFE8A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the findings and
conclusions of the Secretary with respect to the study;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD0364EFF776A4F60BB45FAC1CC7357AF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any recommendation
of the Secretary for improving the commercial motor vehicle safety inspection
standards; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H37441E0C07C548B5A3C011BD017AED2E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>any
recommendations of the Secretary for additional authority to improve commercial
motor vehicle safety inspections.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H900E3462832743E196DF6DAF47D2FF4C"><enum>106.</enum><header>Registration of
motor carriers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section
13902(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HD335027278EC473AB15180E5310965C8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
paragraphs (2) through (8) as paragraphs (3) through (9), respectively;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC6640C8014AB400BB84608D6D05444F5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
paragraph (1) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H2E744114BDCD4FB1AAD18CAB4FD4277A" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H0AE7DCA82DC44924A042A0245CDA3A10"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Review of
passenger carrier applications</header><text>The Secretary shall not register a
motor carrier of passengers under subsection (a)(1) until the application for
registration filed under that subsection is reviewed to ensure that the
applicant is willing and able to comply with the requirements of that
subsection. This review process shall include a determination of whether the
applicant is or has been related, through common ownership, common management,
or common familial relationship to any other motor carrier of passengers within
3 years of the filing of the application for registration. If following this
review it is determined that the applicant has failed to disclose such
relationships with other such carriers, the Secretary may withhold the
registration.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="H2FB0E4796D43402BAFF2FD140E65823F"><enum>107.</enum><header>Effective
periods of registration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 13905 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H065B35D24C194CD28E7BE4404B18F3D6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
subsection (d)(1) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H3839CA765EB84B7F81085ED160C22DC0" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H117C2026E88A41A28BD58A5CC755EFBC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>On application of the registrant, the Secretary may amend
or revoke a registration. On complaint or on the Secretary’s own initiative and
after notice and an opportunity for a proceeding, the Secretary may—</text>
<subparagraph id="H99E2E54EEF8447AEB0B6FF0350E08192"><enum>(A)</enum><text>suspend, amend, or
revoke any part of the registration of a motor carrier, broker, or freight
forwarder for willful failure to comply with this part, an applicable
regulation or order of the Secretary or of the Board (including the
accessibility requirements established by the Secretary under subpart H of part
37 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, or such successor regulations to
those accessibility requirements as the Secretary may issue, for transportation
provided by an over-the-road bus), or a condition of its registration;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7C399410F93D4CE6A7F6BBB8BF613285"><enum>(B)</enum><text>suspend, amend, or
revoke any part of the registration of a motor carrier, broker, or freight
forwarder—</text>
<clause id="H91116A070BD945F080F41879A9B6F4B7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for failure to pay
a civil penalty imposed under chapter 5, 51, 149, or 311 of this title;
or</text>
</clause><clause id="H72B086C0269D41B18BEED3D854F42F1A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for failure to
arrange and abide by an acceptable payment plan for such civil penalty, within
90 days of the time specified by order of the Secretary for the payment of such
penalty; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE735709C726B4ED599B8B8CDED0E9563"><enum>(C)</enum><text>deny, suspend,
amend, or revoke any part of a registration of a motor carrier of passengers
for failure to disclose in its application for registration a material fact
relevant to its willingness and ability to comply with this part, an applicable
regulation or order of the Secretary or of the Board, or a condition of its
registration.</text>
</subparagraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">Subparagraph (B) shall not apply to
any person who is unable to pay a civil penalty because such person is a debtor
in a case under chapter 11 of title 11.</continuation-text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HEBF4A88CF3EA40E4B1A3D25CD746A7F0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (e)
by inserting <quote>or if the Secretary determines that the registrant has
failed to disclose a material fact in its application for registration in
accordance with subsection (d)(1)(C),</quote> after
<quote>registrant,</quote>.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="H155FE6D7D37C48C8A6DF8F57F5672446"><enum>108.</enum><header>Duties of
employers and employees</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 31135 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H2AB48AF8B5EA4670912C187E2292FD72"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
subsection (d) as subsection (e); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD234D0D31A564A2591A0D70A2B16F9B9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (c) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="HFDEF0F29EDF54639B230B677D25BCABD" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H4C76451CC1E047E6A7C76D622043C864"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Motor carriers
of passengers</header><text>If the Secretary finds that common ownership,
common management, or common familial relationship between 2 or more motor
carriers of passengers is being used to enable any or all such motor carriers
of passengers to avoid compliance, or mask or otherwise conceal noncompliance,
with regulations on commercial motor vehicle safety prescribed under this
subchapter, or an order of the Secretary issued under authority of such
regulations, the Secretary may deny, suspend, amend, or revoke all or part of
any such motor carrier’s registration under section
13905.</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section id="H5F738D8572C34D1185410581266DFAFA"><enum>109.</enum><header>Required safety
standards for motorcoaches</header>
<subsection id="H5907E89B02A348A39C91FFCA5FBD288E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Safety standards
for new motorcoaches</header>
<paragraph id="H4498B55A4BAA4B80B574E46746F5B713"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Occupant
protection systems</header>
<subparagraph id="HF3DCFB8A92514513900C720135A9F1DB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe standards for
motorcoach occupant protection systems that account for frontal impact
collisions, side impact collisions, rear impact collisions, and rollovers. Such
standards shall not eliminate or lessen the occupant protection standards
currently in effect and shall—</text>
<clause id="HA63C61F7C0EB46CCB26A8B1647B3E0CF"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be
based on sound scientific research, extensive testing, and analysis by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, consistent with the
recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board regarding
motorcoach occupant protection; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H2781ED50D1924639AF8430C04E90A509"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>take into
consideration the various types of motorcoaches and the various uses and
configurations of the occupant compartment as well as local, State, and Federal
size and weight limits and restrictions.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H12E9E0395B8C49BDBE061B331EC2C464"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Such
standards may include seatbelts or other occupant protection systems, passive
or otherwise, for passengers, including those in child safety restraint
systems.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H676104781EF64CFFA6D5DC99462817AE"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>Prior
to promulgating such standards, the Secretary shall consult with affected
parties, as appropriate, on the proceedings leading to the promulgation of the
standards required by this subparagraph. Any communications concerning such
consultation shall be included in the public record of the proceedings leading
to the promulgation of such standards and shall be subject to public
comment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9E90B9CB6377403A82CF7A709AFC162A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Roof
strength</header>
<subparagraph id="HB6D38AB1E8434B7DA010B6134D3AE60D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Research and
testing</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall
conduct research and testing on roof strength to determine the method or
methods that provide adequate survival space for all seating positions.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H537B8ECB896A4610A84BF1F67C9A3729"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Standards</header><text>Not
later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
prescribe roof strength standards for motorcoaches based on the results of such
research and testing and taking into account all motorcoach window dimensions
and highway size and weight restrictions.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEAFCA96BA8B849F899B20CE0068231EF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Window
glazing</header>
<subparagraph id="HBAD409C3016440068ECCCB6714EDA947"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Research and
testing</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct research and testing on
advanced window glazing and securement to determine the best method or methods
for window glazing to prevent motorcoach occupant protection ejection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4798E06489924BABA38F8C1F4F57EC5E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Standards</header><text>Not
later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
revise window glazing standards for motorcoaches based on the results of such
research and testing and taking into account all motorcoach window dimensions
and highway height and weight restrictions.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC859BFCE742D4F8C91E6FEC0B75CA312"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Fire prevention
and mitigation</header>
<subparagraph id="HECAD152D5ADF4F0A9A26EEF964A871C0"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Research and
testing</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct research and testing to
determine the most prevalent causes of motorcoach fires and the best methods to
prevent such fires and to mitigate the effect of such fires, both inside and
outside the motorcoach.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8EDA15C2ECFE43C08BD117BA9DE7498D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Standards</header><text>Not
later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
promulgate fire prevention and mitigation standards for motorcoaches, based on
the results of the Secretary’s research and testing, taking into account
motorcoach highway size and weight restrictions.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H1F8DA17BAA7042F18CC02F5CDDE33E72"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Emergency
evacuation design</header>
<subparagraph id="H029F6B623DE04E3897A35A072972146F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Research and
testing</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct research and testing to
determine any necessary changes in motorcoach design standards, including
windows and doors, to improve motorcoach emergency evacuation.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H472CA1B463E34CF5AF7F5E77FC2AEA2A"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Standards</header><text>Not
later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
promulgate motorcoach emergency evacuation design standards, including—</text>
<clause id="HBBCB2D328C8B4493A63712B483B8954A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>window standards
that enhance the use of windows for emergency evacuation to the maximum extent
feasible, while not detracting from the window glazing standards to be
promulgated under this subsection; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H827FF1DC0A28443FA4ADD18CBE1A7203"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>door standards,
including design of the wheelchair lift door for emergency evacuation use. Such
standards shall take into account motorcoach highway size and weight
restrictions.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9E005F7F552248B2915890ADD6C4D95C"><enum>(6)</enum><header>General
provisions</header>
<subparagraph id="HE5E80D5D81BB4DC2ABA58DA521B9157D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Effect on State
and local laws</header><text>Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 301 of
title 49, United States Code, a State or a political subdivision of a State may
not adopt or enforce a law or regulation related to a motorcoach crash
avoidance and occupant protection system prior to the effective date of the
regulations promulgated pursuant to this subsection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB81028E58F0A4C88B5368662D21431B0"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Applicability of
standards</header><text>The standards prescribed under paragraphs (1) through
(5) shall require motorcoaches manufactured after the last day of 3-year period
beginning on the date on which such standards are prescribed to be engineered
and equipped to meet such standards.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE617E00E8ACD4610BCE88E13267C3483"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Limitation on
statutory construction</header><text>Nothing in this subsection or in the
regulations prescribed pursuant to this subsection shall be construed as
indicating an intention by Congress to affect, change, or modify in any way the
liability, if any, of a motorcoach manufacturer or motorcoach owner or operator
under applicable law to buses or motorcoaches, manufactured and operated with
or without passenger seat belts or other passenger restraint systems, prior to
the effective date of the regulations promulgated pursuant to this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HABDBD206F00F4BE39961C55DA050D8A9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Safety standards
for existing motorcoaches</header>
<paragraph id="H1EADD7C09478416F832D546B6EAED807"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Secretary shall prescribe standards for motorcoaches that
are manufactured before the date that is 3 years after the date on which the
standards required under subsection (a) are prescribed, taking into account the
limitations posed by the need to retrofit existing motorcoaches. Such standards
shall have the same objectives as the standards required under paragraphs (1)
through (5) of subsection (a), but may differ from such standards based on what
is technically feasible for existing motorcoaches.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFF11D8AAC20A40189BAD089B0245CBBC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Standards for
component parts and equipment</header><text>In lieu of promulgating
comprehensive standards for motorcoaches under paragraph (1), the Secretary may
develop standards for various component parts and equipment of motorcoaches
that would increase occupant protection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HCCB17565E71D48C887BF173C53EB47BD"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The effective date for the standards prescribed pursuant to
this subsection shall be the same as the effective date for the standards
prescribed pursuant to subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6512BEBF603641ABADB8C48CF7C94CBF"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Certification</header><text>The
Secretary shall establish, by regulation, a system whereby the motorcoaches to
which the standards prescribed under paragraph (1) apply shall be certified as
in compliance with such standards. Such certification shall be carried out by
the Secretary or by private parties at the discretion and authorization of the
Secretary.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF2CC1CF0C4294E4EB5D6877DA6E4EF94"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Compliance
timetables</header>
<paragraph id="HAD14813CE1AE4B0892BBB06038DBFE17"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The effective date of the standards prescribed under
subsections (a) and (b) shall be 3 years after the date on which such final
standards are promulgated. All motorcoaches manufactured after such date shall
comply with such standards.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB0F3C5C94D7C4069B218041FD04D7DA0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Phased in
requirements</header>
<subparagraph id="H93E1FE719F5147FCAC57C3D431D8B5A9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>First
phase</header><text>Not later than 6 years after the effective date of the
standards prescribed under subsections (a) and (b), a motorcoach owner or
operator shall ensure that at least 50 percent of the motorcoaches used by the
owner or operator comply with either the standards prescribed under subsection
(a) or the standards prescribed under subsection (b), as appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H44A6C7A5C2294C80BAD53178E8320243"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Second
phase</header><text>Not later than 12 years after the effective date of the
standards prescribed under subsections (a) and (b), a motorcoach owner or
operator shall ensure that 100 percent of the motorcoaches used by the owner or
operator comply with either of such standards.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE16087D018D344A8A1F385509BEE5F66"><enum>(3)</enum><header>State and local
laws</header>
<subparagraph id="H95AF332E25434B4D9D4C2A764554D8B0"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Liability of
motorcoach manufacturers and owners and operators</header><text>Nothing in this
section shall be construed to affect, change, or modify in any way the
liability, if any, of a motorcoach manufacturer or motorcoach owner or operator
under applicable law to buses or motorcoaches unless such manufacturer or owner
or operator is shown not to be in compliance with the timetables set forth in
paragraphs (1) and (2).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA397897839E447B9B37EB978758E36A3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Preemption</header><text>Notwithstanding
any provision of chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, a State or a
political subdivision of a State may not adopt or enforce a law or regulation
related to any of the standards required by subsections (a) and (b) during the
time periods set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7461D2931DD744F7A6628C3B9492528F"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Definition of
motorcoach</header><text>In this section, the term <term>motorcoach</term>
means an over-the-road bus, characterized by an elevated passenger deck located
over a baggage compartment.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Credit for Cost
of Motorcoaches Complying With Federal Safety Requirements</header>
<section id="H550B6773EB54466981CD7D49EC5C40AF"><enum>201.</enum><header>Credit for
costs of motorcoaches complying with Federal safety requirements</header>
<subsection id="H93D50F86D3C545298341D83CB3EB0534"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 45R the
following new section:</text>
<quoted-block id="H8B9DBC9DAD2B4D92A84B5DAA5403EBB8" style="OLC">
<section id="H472D3E0C48E34A618128E26D7BB19A14"><enum>45S.</enum><header>Credit for
costs of motorcoaches complying with Federal safety requirements</header>
<subsection id="H688FE8AACE9B44EFACC6FDB3510067E3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>For purposes of section 38, the qualified motorcoach
safety credit determined under this subsection for any taxable year is an
amount equal to 10 percent of the aggregate amount paid or incurred by the
taxpayer during the taxable year for—</text>
<paragraph id="H648320F46887445EABF47F291E466352"><enum>(1)</enum><text>qualified new
motorcoaches, and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H680E8C39F28442C59E2F1C588AD381D1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>such improvements
to any existing motorcoach which is used by the taxpayer as are necessary for
such motorcoach to satisfy the requirements prescribed under section 109(b) of
the Bus Uniform Standards and Enhanced Safety Act of 2009.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H51E236CC9F89473D958FFF8C2840B9B3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
credit determined under subsection (a) with respect to any motorcoach shall not
exceed $45,000.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3F4000F29E9347EB817C5CDBCA919C1D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Qualified new
and existing motorcoaches</header><text>For purposes of this section—</text>
<paragraph id="HB7754099C3834F67A3F33CD88D6E66EE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Qualified
motorcoach</header><text>The term <term>qualified new motorcoach</term> means
any motorcoach—</text>
<subparagraph id="HDF02A5DA17434EA1AFB61D51CDCBABBF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the original use
of which commences with the taxpayer,</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA3EE50FDCEBD4AD2A4EE37B9C0F19C34"><enum>(B)</enum><text>which is acquired
for use or lease by the taxpayer and not for resale,</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0ED32FDEC07749549813911DAEE14749"><enum>(C)</enum><text>which is property
of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation,</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFD9EC1D08F8B4D1899701255543EA84A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>which is made by a
manufacturer,</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H114AE1686CED41B7B234C14CCAEFF746"><enum>(E)</enum><text>which is
manufactured after the specified effective date, and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H884E0697CCE141D6B50C73AA3212F486"><enum>(F)</enum><text>which meets the
requirements prescribed under section 109(a) of the Bus Uniform Standards and
Enhanced Safety Act of 2009.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC1B94C310D824BB885D793F7B3676083"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Existing
motorcoach</header><text>The term <term>existing motorcoach</term> means any
motorcoach—</text>
<subparagraph id="H599C5D18EC284172B7C37273F1E82D41"><enum>(A)</enum><text>which is property
of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation, and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3C520E72969F4B77B5CB0601229E26E5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>which is
manufactured on or before the specified effective date.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H29A383B1F9314E7296DEA24643A2E3AD"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Other
definitions and special rules</header><text>For purposes of this
section—</text>
<paragraph id="HB85501BCFECD493D9954B408A5EE836E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Motorcoach</header><text>The
term <term>motorcoach</term> means any vehicle to which the requirements
prescribed under section 109(a) of the Bus Uniform Standards and Enhanced
Safety Act of 2009, apply, or would apply if such vehicle were manufactured
after the specified effective date.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H894838DB91174C56A06D0C2ABAFD3E9C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Specified
effective date</header><text>The term <term>specified effective date</term>
means the effective date described in section 109(c)(1) of the Bus Uniform
Standards and Enhanced Safety Act of 2009.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H75BDABFE5DE647E18428D3567D6F0BB3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Basis
reduction</header><text>The basis of any property for which a credit is
determined under subsection (a) shall be reduced by the amount of the credit so
determined.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD7D4B178CF514BD88B9175D2072B3F53"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Recapture</header><text>The
Secretary shall, by regulations, provide for recapturing the benefit of any
credit determined under subsection (a) with respect to any property which
ceases to be property eligible for such credit.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC97DDF2EEC3143E199F124591D240FC0"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Property used
outside united states, etc., not qualified</header><text>No credit shall be
determined under subsection (a) with respect to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H628911A9A6A149F082F665BFD23D35E3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the portion of the
cost of any property taken into account under section 179, or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1FCF782E2FC94065BB22A79852695A6A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any property
referred to in section 50(b).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE2FF6EEDC66444159645640A06A7FD1C"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Election not to
take credit</header><text>No credit shall be determined under subsection (a)
for any vehicle if the taxpayer elects to not have this section apply to such
vehicle.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCDCDBD9F956B4188B55484BFBA33ADF7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Termination</header><text>No
credit shall be determined under this subsection for any taxable year ending
after December 31,
2026.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="H477107A34B794ABBBD778636C09FADD8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Denial of double
benefit</header><text>Section 280C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block id="HFA0D6533768C4787B5DC14587A44871D" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HF07718B98B7D494DA1BA5772A6A9973B"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Credit for costs
of motorcoaches complying with federal safety requirements</header><text>No
deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the expenses otherwise allowable
as a deduction for the taxable year which is equal to the amount of the credit
determined for the taxable year under section
45S(a).</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="HA0CECB5D33FE41469DFDBB390C068013"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Conforming
amendments</header>
<paragraph id="H26E64A29B833406D879487195ACC5435"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Section 38(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking <quote>plus</quote> at
the end of paragraph (35), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (36)
and inserting <quote>, plus</quote>, and by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H601E3FC7445D4025B8B15DDA23F68CA0" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H64FA1031AC8646E691C071C80F90D734"><enum>(37)</enum><text>the qualified
motorcoach safety credit determined under section
45S(a).</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H14629395A385400EB4DB6522A2D7F699"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Section 1016(a) of
such Code is amended by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end of paragraph
(36), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (37) and inserting
<quote>, and</quote>, and by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block id="H994ADB5B81AB4E25919D27E7CC86579E" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H72CFCFE3E7F8458CA5C7D1A9ED31AB5E"><enum>(38)</enum><text>to the extent
provided in section
45S(d)(3).</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HEAF01C4E80604169AE9CE4C1B8322D7D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Section 6501(m) of
such Code is amended by inserting <quote>45S(d)(6),</quote> after
<quote>45H(g),</quote>.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD4D87C7B7E124409A475AA35A9B05DB9"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The table of
sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 45R the following new
item:</text>
<toc regeneration="no-regeneration">
<toc-entry level="section"><quote>Sec. 45S. Credit for costs of
motorcoaches complying with Federal safety requirements.</quote>.</toc-entry>
</toc>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H0EAA40BBA56D483F91CDBAC67D190617"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable
years ending after December 31, 2011.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Other
Provisions</header>
<section id="H425B22F443CC486494E36FD2E12E1FAF"><enum>301.</enum><header>Department of
Transportation grants</header>
<subsection id="HC1C45F1FF9FB4C2AB3EC08680BEBF3AE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of Transportation shall develop and
administer grants, not to exceed $20,000 per vehicle, for owners and operators
of motorcoaches in order to assist with the cost of retrofitting motorcoaches
for purposes of complying with the standards prescribed under section
109.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HAAF60C73F7084B36BCFE86A58B0D606A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>To
be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), a motorcoach owner or operator
shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H281DE2F89C094AECAC7B2C8BD97F4A29"><enum>(1)</enum><text>have a fleet of
not more than 25 motorcoaches;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4EEF023095E043F1AC2102408E7E75B2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>have total annual
revenue of less than $5,000,000; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7CC11C88B1384E5D96C593ADEB167B25"><enum>(3)</enum><text>demonstrate to the
Secretary that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6E7A1A0DABAD4F6FB5F90ED8CB561427"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the owner or
operator has been in business as an over-the-road charter bus owner or operator
for not less than 3 consecutive years; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5A50BEA97C2045C39FA250C78B7A8190"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the owner or
operator was unable to recover, through allowed tax credits established by
section 45R of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by section 201 of
this Act, in a consecutive 2-year period, the full cost of retrofitting
motorcoaches in order to comply with the applicable standards.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF158C1AF273F4C27947851E5C736CC2A"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grant
requirements</header><text>A grant under this section shall be subject to all
of the terms and conditions applicable to subrecipients who provide intercity
bus transportation under section 5311(f) of title 49, United States Code, and
such other terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" id="H3CD6953F696142C9B47FD92BB30E8E93"><enum>302.</enum><header>Small business
administration loans and loan guarantees</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(a)) is amended by adding after paragraph (35) the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H6394F2AF5B5C4A6F8EA2BE3875D31377" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" id="H1FA4F457C286474CA36025F5E4DF1B17"><enum>(36)</enum><header>Buses and
motorcoaches</header><text>In carrying out this subsection with respect to the
over-the-road charter bus industry, the following shall apply:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="H553EAC6ED0384592A6AA1548262ACAA8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Administrator
shall adopt underwriting criteria specific to that industry.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="HD8FF55C26D044BBE8B8D27692FF06FA1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Administrator
shall make available the assistance under this subsection to members of that
industry to facilitate retrofitting of buses and motorcoaches for occupant
protection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H5650B1EB63FB4CC6B1F6F0FD88796CBF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Multiple buses or
motorcoaches shall be treated as a single source of collateral.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H71088BE9A12F440EA8F20C777346C5E1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>A member of that
industry who owns a single bus or motorcoach shall be treated as eligible for
such assistance, without regard to whether the member otherwise meets the
applicable size standard for eligibility.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="H6DCB48DD7B90435E8D5BF7C6A8CDE19B"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The Administrator
shall provide any applicant who is a member of that industry with counseling
and advice regarding the other assistance programs of the Administration that
may be available to members of that
industry.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section commented="no" id="H46456CBF02EA4247BB1383EFF93F0BDC"><enum>303.</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation such sums as
may be necessary to carry out the authorities of the Secretary under this Act,
including the amendments made by this Act.</text>
</section>