[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 453 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 227
112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 453

                          [Report No. 112-93]

     To improve the safety of motorcoaches, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 2, 2011

   Mr. Brown of Ohio (for himself, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. 
 Gillibrand, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Rockefeller, and Mr. 
Webb) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred 
       to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

                            November 9, 2011

             Reported by Mr. Rockefeller, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To improve the safety of motorcoaches, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
``Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2011''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
<DELETED>Sec. 2. Definitions.
<DELETED>Sec. 3. Regulations for improved occupant protection and 
                            motorcoach crash avoidance.
<DELETED>Sec. 4. Standards for improved fire safety.
<DELETED>Sec. 5. Occupant protection and collision avoidance research.
<DELETED>Sec. 6. New entrants.
<DELETED>Sec. 7. Reincarnated motor carriers.
<DELETED>Sec. 8. Improved oversight of providers of motorcoach services 
                            and of other motorcoach carriers of 
                            passengers.
<DELETED>Sec. 9. Motorcoach driver training.
<DELETED>Sec. 10. Improved testing for the commercial driver's license 
                            passenger endorsement.
<DELETED>Sec. 11. Improved physical fitness oversight and commercial 
                            driver medical certificates.
<DELETED>Sec. 12. Safety and enforcement technology for motorcoaches.
<DELETED>Sec. 13. Safety inspection program for commercial motor 
                            vehicles of passengers.
<DELETED>Sec. 14. Distracted driving.
<DELETED>Sec. 15. Motorcoach rental or leasing companies.
<DELETED>Sec. 16. Regulations.

<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Advanced glazing.--The term ``advanced 
        glazing'' means glazing installed in a portal on the side or 
        the roof of a motorcoach that is designed to be highly 
        resistant to partial or complete occupant ejection in all types 
        of motor vehicle crashes.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Bus.--The term ``bus'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 571.3(b) of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of 
        enactment of this Act).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Commercial motor vehicle.--Except as otherwise 
        specified, the term ``commercial motor vehicle'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 31132(1) of title 49, United 
        States Code.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Direct tire pressure monitoring system.--The 
        term ``direct tire pressure monitoring system'' means a tire 
        pressure monitoring system (as defined in section 571.138 of 
        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations), that is capable of 
        directly detecting when the air pressure level in any tire is 
        significantly under-inflated and immediately providing the 
        driver a low tire pressure warning as to which specific tire is 
        significantly under-inflated.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Electronic on-board recorder.--The term 
        ``electronic on-board recorder'' means an electronic device 
        that acquires and stores data showing the record of duty status 
        of the vehicle operator and performs the functions required of 
        an automatic on-board recording device in section 395.15(b) of 
        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Event data recorder.--The term ``event data 
        recorder'' has the meaning given that term in section 563.5 of 
        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) Motor carrier.--The term ``motor carrier'' 
        means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) a motor carrier (as defined in section 
                13102(14) of title 49, United States Code); 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) a motor private carrier (as defined in 
                section 13102(15) of such title).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) Motorcoach.--The term ``motorcoach'' has the 
        meaning given the term ``over-the-road bus'' in section 
        3038(a)(3) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
        Century (Public Law 105-178; 49 U.S.C. 5310 note), but does not 
        include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) buses used in public transportation 
                provided by a State or local government; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) school buses, including multifunction 
                school activity buses.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) Motorcoach services.--The term ``motorcoach 
        services'' means passenger transportation by motorcoach for 
        compensation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) Multifunction school activity buses.--The 
        term ``multifunction school activity buses'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 571.3(b) of title 49, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of 
        the enactment of this Act).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (11) Portal.--The term ``portal'' means any 
        opening on the front, sides, rear, or roof of a motorcoach that 
        could, in the event of a crash involving the motorcoach, permit 
        the partial or complete ejection of any occupant from the 
        motorcoach, including a young child.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (12) Provider of motorcoach services.--The term 
        ``provider of motorcoach services'' means a motor carrier that 
        provides passenger transportation services with a motorcoach, 
        including per-trip compensation and contracted or chartered 
        compensation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (13) Public transportation.--The term ``public 
        transportation'' has the meaning given such term in section 
        5302(a)(10) of title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (14) Safety belt.--The term ``safety belt'' has 
        the meaning given such term in section 153(i)(4)(B) of title 
        23, United States Code.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (15) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of Transportation.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. REGULATIONS FOR IMPROVED OCCUPANT PROTECTION AND 
              MOTORCOACH CRASH AVOIDANCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Regulations Required Within 1 Year.--Not later than 1 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
prescribe the following regulations:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Safety belts.--The Secretary shall require 
        safety belts to be installed in motorcoaches at each designated 
        seating position.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Roof strength and crush resistance.--The 
        Secretary shall establish improved roof standards for 
        motorcoaches that substantially improve the resistance of 
        motorcoach roofs to deformation and intrusion to prevent 
        serious occupant injury in rollover crashes involving 
        motorcoaches.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Anti-ejection safety countermeasures.--The 
        Secretary shall require advanced glazing to be installed in 
        each motorcoach portal to prevent partial or complete ejection 
        of passengers of motorcoaches, including such passengers that 
        are children.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Rollover crash avoidance.--The Secretary shall 
        require motorcoaches to be equipped with stability enhancing 
        technology, such as electronic stability control, or torque 
        vectoring, to reduce the number and frequency of rollover 
        crashes among motorcoaches.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Firefighting equipment.--The Secretary shall 
        require the installation in motorcoaches of improved fire 
        extinguishers or other readily available firefighting equipment 
        for the purpose of effectively extinguishing fires in 
        motorcoaches to prevent passenger deaths and 
        injuries.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Regulations Required Within 2 Years.--Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
prescribe the following commercial motor vehicle tire 
regulations:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Commercial motor vehicle tire pressure 
        monitoring systems.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                prescribe regulations that require motorcoaches to be 
                equipped with direct tire pressure monitoring systems 
                that warn the operator of a commercial motor vehicle 
                when any tire exhibits a level of air pressure that is 
                below a specified level of air pressure established by 
                the Secretary.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Performance requirements.--The 
                regulations prescribed by the Secretary under this 
                section shall include performance requirements to 
                ensure that direct tire pressure monitoring systems are 
                capable of performing--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) at all times when the ignition 
                        locking system is in the ``On'' 
                        position;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) at all vehicle 
                        speeds;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) on all road 
                        surfaces;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) during all weather 
                        conditions; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) after a repair or other 
                        service is performed on a tire.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Tire performance standard.--The Secretary 
        shall upgrade performance standards for tires used on 
        motorcoaches, including an enhanced endurance test and a new 
        high-speed performance test.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Application of Regulations.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) New motorcoaches.--Any regulation prescribed 
        pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) shall apply to all 
        motorcoaches that are manufactured more than 2 years after the 
        date on which the regulation is published as a final 
        rule.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Retrofit requirements for existing 
        motorcoaches.--The Secretary may, by regulation, provide for 
        the application of any requirement established under this 
        section to motorcoaches manufactured before the date on which 
        the requirement applies to new motorcoaches under paragraph (1) 
        based on an assessment of the feasibility, benefits, and costs 
        of retrofitting the older motorcoaches. The Secretary shall 
        complete an assessment with respect to safety belt retrofits 
        not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. STANDARDS FOR IMPROVED FIRE SAFETY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Evaluations.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an 
evaluation of the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Flammability standard for exterior 
        components.--The Secretary shall examine the feasibility of 
        establishing requirements for fire hardening or fire resistance 
        of motorcoach exterior components to prevent fire and smoke 
        inhalation injuries to occupants.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Smoke suppression.--The Secretary shall review 
        Federal motor vehicle safety standard number 302 (49 CFR 
        571.302; relating to flammability of interior materials) to 
        consider more realistic tests to improve the resistance of 
        motorcoach interiors and components to burning, prevent 
        inhalation by passengers of toxic smoke and vapors, and permit 
        sufficient time for the safe evacuation of passengers from 
        motorcoaches.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Prevention of, and resistance to, wheel well 
        fires.--The Secretary shall assess technologies to prevent and 
        mitigate the propagation of wheel well fires into the passenger 
        compartment and substantially reduce occupant deaths and 
        injuries from such fires.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Passenger evacuation.--The Secretary shall 
        evaluate requirements for motorcoaches to be equipped with the 
        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Improved emergency evacuation 
                designs.--Improved emergency exit window, door, roof 
                hatch, and wheelchair lift door designs to expedite 
                access and use by passengers of motorcoaches under all 
                emergency circumstances, including crashes and 
                fires.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Emergency interior lighting.--
                Emergency interior lighting systems, including 
                luminescent or retroreflectorized delineation of 
                evacuation paths and exits, that are triggered by a 
                crash or other emergency incidents to accomplish more 
                rapid and effective evacuation of passengers.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Automatic fire suppression.--The Secretary 
        shall evaluate requirements for motorcoaches to be equipped 
        with highly effective fire suppression systems that 
        automatically respond to and suppress all fires in such 
        motorcoaches.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Performance Requirements.--Not later than 3 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
performance requirements for improved fire safety and passenger 
evacuation based on the results of the evaluations conducted under 
subsection (a).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. OCCUPANT PROTECTION AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE 
              RESEARCH.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Safety Research Initiatives.--Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
complete research on the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Compartmentalization safety countermeasures.--
        Enhanced compartmentalization safety countermeasures for 
        motorcoaches, including enhanced seating designs, to reduce 
        substantially the risk of passengers being thrown from their 
        seats and colliding with other passengers, interior surfaces, 
        and components in the event of a crash involving a 
        motorcoach.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Interior impact protection.--Enhanced occupant 
        impact protection standards for motorcoach interiors to reduce 
        substantially serious injuries for all passengers of 
        motorcoaches.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Collision avoidance systems.--Forward and 
        lateral crash warning systems applications for 
        motorcoaches.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Standards and Regulations.--Not later than 2 years 
after the completion of each research initiative required under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall prescribe a standard or regulation 
based on the results of that research.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. NEW ENTRANTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Registration Requirements.--Section 13902(b) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (8) as 
        paragraphs (2) through (9), respectively; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as 
        redesignated, the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Additional registration requirements for 
        providers or motorcoach services.--In addition to meeting the 
        requirements under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary may 
        register a person to provide motorcoach services only after 
        that person--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) undergoes a pre-authorization safety 
                audit, including verification, in a manner sufficient 
                to demonstrate the ability to comply with Federal rules 
                and regulations, of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a drug and alcohol testing 
                        program consistent with part 40 of title 49, 
                        Code of Federal Regulations;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the carrier's system of 
                        compliance with hours-of-service rules, 
                        including hours-of-service records;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the ability to obtain 
                        required insurance;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) driver qualifications, 
                        including the validity of the commercial 
                        driver's license of each driver who will be 
                        operating under such authority;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) disclosure of common 
                        ownership, common control, common management, 
                        common familial relationship, or other 
                        corporate relationship with another motor 
                        carrier or applicant for motor carrier 
                        authority during the most recent 3 
                        years;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) records of the State 
                        inspections, or of a Level I or Level V 
                        Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Inspection, 
                        for all vehicles that will be operated by the 
                        carrier;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) safety management 
                        programs, including vehicle maintenance and 
                        repair programs; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) the ability to comply 
                        with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
                        1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and the Over-
                        the-Road Bus Transportation Accessibility Act 
                        of 2007 (49 U.S.C. 10101 note);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) has been interviewed to review 
                safety management controls and the carrier's written 
                safety oversight policies and practices; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) has demonstrated, through the 
                successful completion of a written examination 
                developed by the Secretary, proficiency to comply with 
                and carry out the requirements and regulations 
                described in subsection (a)(1).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Safety Reviews of New Operators.--Section 31144(g)(1) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as 
follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Safety review.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                require, by regulation, each owner and each operator 
                granted new registration under section 13902 to undergo 
                a safety review not later than 18 months after the date 
                on which the owner or operator, as the case may be, 
                begins operations under such registration.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Providers of motorcoach services.--
                Safety reviews of owners and operators registered as 
                providers of motorcoach services shall be conducted not 
                later than 9 months after the owner or operator, as the 
                case may be, begins operations under such 
                registration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Pre-authorization safety audit.--The pre-
        authorization safety audit required under paragraph (1)(A) 
        shall be completed on-site not later than 90 days after the 
        submission of an application for operating 
        authority.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. REINCARNATED MOTOR CARRIERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Denial, Suspension, Amendment, or Revocation of 
Registration.--Section 13905(d) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking ``On application'' and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Registrant application.--On 
                application'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``On complaint'' and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Complaint.--On 
                complaint'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by striking ``the Secretary may (A) 
                suspend,'' and inserting the following: ``the Secretary 
                may--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) suspend'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by striking ``registration; and (B) 
                suspend'' and inserting the following 
                ``registration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) suspend'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) by striking ``freight forwarder: (i) 
                for failure'' and inserting the following: ``freight 
                forwarder for--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) failure'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) by striking ``title; or (ii) for 
                failure'' and inserting the following: ``title; or--
                </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) failure''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) by striking ``penalty. Subparagraph 
                (B) shall not apply'' and inserting the following: 
                ``penalty; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) deny, suspend, amend, or 
                        revoke all or part of a registration of a motor 
                        carrier following a determination by the 
                        Secretary that the motor carrier failed to 
                        disclose in its application for registration a 
                        material fact relevant to its willingness and 
                        ability to comply with--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) this part;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) an applicable 
                                regulation or order of the Secretary or 
                                the Board; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) a condition of its 
                                registration.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Exception.--Subparagraph (B)(ii) 
                shall not apply''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``paragraph 
        (1)(B)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)(B)(ii)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Procedure.--Section 13905(e)(1) of such title is 
amended by striking ``registrant'' and inserting ``registrant, 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)(B)(iii),''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Duties of Employers and Employees.--Section 31135 of 
such title is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
        (e); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Avoiding Compliance.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Prohibited actions.--Two or more employers 
        may not use common ownership, common management, common 
        control, or common familial relationship to enable any or all 
        such employers to avoid compliance, or mask or otherwise 
        conceal non-compliance, or a history of noncompliance, with 
        commercial motor vehicle safety regulations issued under this 
        subchapter, chapter 315, or an order of the Secretary issued 
        under this subchapter, chapter 315, or such 
        regulations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Civil penalties.--If the Secretary 
        determines that an employer has engaged in any of the 
        prohibited actions described in paragraph (1), the Secretary 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) deny, suspend, amend, or revoke all 
                or part of any such employer's registration under 
                section 13905; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) take into account such noncompliance 
                for purposes of determining the amount of the civil 
                penalty to be assessed under section 
                521(b)(2)(D).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. IMPROVED OVERSIGHT OF PROVIDERS OF MOTORCOACH SERVICES 
              AND OTHER MOTORCOACH CARRIERS OF PASSENGERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 31144 of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Periodic Safety Reviews of Providers of Motorcoach 
Services.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Safety review.--Not later than 3 years after 
        the date of the enactment of the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act 
        of 2011, the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) determine the safety fitness of each 
                provider of motorcoach services registered with the 
                Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) assign a safety fitness rating to 
                each such provider.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Periodic review.--The Secretary shall 
        establish a process, by regulation, for monitoring the safety 
        performance of each provider of motorcoach services on a 
        regular basis following the assignment of a safety fitness 
        rating, including progressive intervention to correct unsafe 
        practices.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Enforcement strike forces.--In addition to 
        the enhanced monitoring and enforcement actions required under 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary may organize special enforcement 
        strike forces targeting providers of motorcoach services, when 
        and where the Secretary considers appropriate.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Periodic update of safety fitness rating.--
        As part of the safety review required by this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall reassess such rating not less frequently than 
        every 3 years.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Provider of motorcoach services defined.--In 
        this subsection, the term `provider of motorcoach services' has 
        the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Motorcoach 
        Enhanced Safety Act of 2011.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Revision of Safety Fitness Rating Methodology.--Not 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall revise the safety fitness rating methodology of the 
Department of Transportation established pursuant to section 31144 of 
title 49, United States Code, to meet the goals of the safety 
recommendation H-99-6 of the National Transportation Safety Board, 
issued on February 26, 1999.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) High Risk Carrier Compliance Reviews.--The second 
sentence of section 4138 of Public Law 109-59 (49 U.S.C. 31144 note) is 
amended by striking ``is rated as category A or B for 2 consecutive 
months.'' and inserting ``meets the Safety Measurement System criteria 
for being a high risk motor carrier for 2 consecutive 
months.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. MOTORCOACH DRIVER TRAINING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment of Training Curriculum.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
        establish, by regulation, minimum curricular requirements for 
        entry-level drivers of motorcoaches and drivers upgrading from 
        1 class of commercial driver's license to another class, to be 
        adopted by public and private schools and motor carriers and 
        motorcoach operators that provide training for such 
        drivers.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Curricular requirements.--The curricular 
        requirements under paragraph (1) shall include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) classroom and behind-the-wheel 
                instruction that is adequate for training entry-level 
                drivers of motorcoaches and drivers upgrading from 1 
                class of commercial driver's license to another class 
                to safely operate motorcoaches and respond effectively 
                to emergency situations; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) instruction in advanced knowledge and 
                skills that are necessary to operate motorcoaches 
                safely, including knowledge and skills necessary--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) to suppress motorcoach fires; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) to evacuate passengers from 
                        motorcoaches safely.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Training Required.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall require each 
        motorcoach driver seeking a commercial driver's license 
        passenger endorsement to undergo a training program that 
        includes the minimum curricular requirements established under 
        subsection (a) before taking a test for a commercial driver's 
        license passenger endorsement.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Certificate required.--The Secretary shall 
        require that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) each trainer of a driver seeking a 
                commercial driver's license passenger endorsement to 
                issue a certificate to the trainee and the appropriate 
                State licensing authority certifying that the trainee 
                has completed a motorcoach driver training course that 
                includes the curricular requirements established under 
                subsection (a);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) each driver seeking to take the test 
                for the commercial driver's license passenger 
                endorsement to present the certificate to a State 
                licensing authority;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the State licensing authority to 
                compare the certificate presented by the applicant with 
                the certificate provided by the driver training school; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the State licensing authority to 
                refuse to administer the test if the certificates are 
                not the same.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Report on Feasibility, Benefits, and Costs of 
Establishing a System of Certification of Training Programs.--Not later 
than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
of the House of Representatives that describes the feasibility, 
benefits, and costs of establishing a system of certification of public 
and private schools and of motor carriers and motorcoach operators that 
provide motorcoach driver training, in accordance with the curricular 
requirements established by the Secretary under subsection 
(a).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. IMPROVED TESTING FOR THE COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE 
              PASSENGER ENDORSEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Increased Stringency of Examination for Commercial 
Driver's License Passenger-Carrying Endorsement.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Final rule.--Not later than 6 months after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, after 
        consultation with the American Association of Motor Vehicle 
        Administrators, shall issue a final rule in Docket No. FMCSA 
        2007-27659: Commercial Driver's License Testing and Commercial 
        Learner's Permit Standards that improves the quality and 
        stringency of the examination for the commercial driver's 
        license passenger-carrying endorsement.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Requirements.--The final rule issued under 
        paragraph (1) shall require--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) a more stringent knowledge test than 
                the test in effect on the day before the date of the 
                enactment of this Act; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) a more stringent examination of the 
                driving skills necessary to operate safely a for-hire 
                passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle than the 
                examination of such skills in effect on the day before 
                the date of the enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Modification of Requirements for Commercial Driver's 
License Passenger-Carrying Endorsement.--The Secretary shall require, 
by regulation, that any driver who transports not fewer than 9 and not 
more than 15 passengers (including the driver) in interstate commerce 
through the operation of a commercial motor vehicle (as defined in 
section 31301(4) of title 49, United States Code)--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) has a commercial driver's license passenger-
        carrying endorsement; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) has been tested in accordance with a drug and 
        alcohol testing program that is consistent with part 40 of 
        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 11. IMPROVED PHYSICAL FITNESS OVERSIGHT AND COMMERCIAL 
              DRIVER MEDICAL CERTIFICATES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Medical Review Board Functions.--Section 31149(a)(1) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``recommendations on medical 
        standards'' and inserting the following: ``recommendations 
        concerning--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) medical standards''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking ``medical research.'' and 
        inserting the following: ``medical research; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the criteria to be used for 
                evaluating medical examiners for admission to the 
                national registry established under subsection 
                (d).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Examination Requirements for Listing in the National 
Registry of Medical Examiners.--Section 31149(c)(1)(D) of such title is 
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) develop requirements applicable to a 
                medical examiner seeking to be listed in the national 
                registry, including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) specific courses and 
                        materials that must be completed to be listed 
                        in the national registry;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a rigorous written 
                        examination for which a passing grade must be 
                        achieved to be listed in the national 
                        registry;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) certification (including 
                        self-certification), as appropriate, to verify 
                        that the medical examiner has completed 
                        training, including refresher courses, that the 
                        Secretary determines are necessary to be listed 
                        in the national registry; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) demonstration of the 
                        willingness and ability of a medical examiner 
                        to comply with any reporting requirements 
                        established by the Secretary;''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Medical Examination Form Comparisons.--Not later than 
18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall prescribe a regulation that requires any medical examiner who 
performs a medical examination to certify an applicant for a commercial 
driver's license under section 391.43 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to submit the form for such examination required under 
subsection (f) of such section (as in effect on the day before the date 
of the enactment of this Act) to the appropriate State licensing 
agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) State Plan Requirement.--Section 31102(b) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subparagraph (W), by striking ``and'' at 
        the end;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (X), by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(Y) requires State licensing authorities 
                to compare the forms they receive pursuant to the 
                regulation prescribed under section 11(c) of the 
                Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2011 with the medical 
                examiner's certificate required under section 391.43(g) 
                of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect 
                on the day before the date of the enactment of that 
                Act), to determine the accuracy and validity of the 
                information contained in such forms and 
                certificates.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Additional Oversight of Licensing Authorities.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Section 31149(c)(1) of title 49, 
        United States Code, is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
                ``and'' at the end;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) annually review the licensing 
                authorities of 10 States to assess the accuracy, 
                validity, and timeliness of physical examination 
                reports and medical certificates submitted by certified 
                medical examiners to such State licensing agencies and 
                the processing of such submissions by the licensing 
                authorities.''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Internal oversight policy.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
                Secretary shall establish an oversight policy and 
                process within the Department of Transportation for 
                purposes of carrying out section 31149(c)(1)(G) of 
                title 49, United States Code, as added by paragraph 
                (1)(C).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Effective date.--Section 
                31149(c)(1)(G) of title 49, United States Code, as 
                added by paragraph (1)(C), shall take effect on the 
                date on which the oversight policies and processes are 
                established pursuant to subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Deadline for Establishment of National Registry of 
Medical Examiners.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a national 
registry of medical examiners as required under section 31149(d)(1) of 
title 49, United States Code.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 12. SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR 
              MOTORCOACHES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Electronic On-Board Recorders.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
        prescribe regulations requiring that all motorcoaches used by 
        any motor carrier in interstate commerce be equipped with 
        electronic on-board recorders.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Performance requirements.--The regulations 
        prescribed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall include 
        performance requirements to ensure that electronic on-board 
        recorders--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) accurately record commercial driver 
                hours of service;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) allow tracking of driver and vehicle 
                location; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) are tamper resistant.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Effective date.--The regulations prescribed 
        under this subsection shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) take effect on the date that is 2 
                years after the date on which the regulation is 
                published as a final rule; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) apply to all motorcoaches described in 
                paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Event Data Recorders.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Evaluation.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete 
        an evaluation of event data recorders, including requirements 
        regarding specific types of vehicle operations, events and 
        incidents, and systems information to be recorded, for event 
        data recorders to be used on motorcoaches used by motor 
        carriers in interstate commerce. For this purpose, the 
        Secretary shall consider the performance requirements for event 
        data recorders for passenger vehicles under part 563 of title 
        49, Code of Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Standards and regulations.--Not later than 1 
        year after completing the evaluation required under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall issue standards and regulations based 
        on the results of such evaluation.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 13. SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL MOTOR 
              VEHICLES OF PASSENGERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall complete a rulemaking proceeding to 
consider requiring States to conduct annual inspections of commercial 
motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers, including--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) an assessment of the risks associated with 
        improperly maintained or inspected commercial motor vehicles 
        designed or used to transport passengers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) an assessment of the effectiveness of current 
        Federal standards for the inspection of such vehicles in 
        mitigating the risks described in paragraph (1) and to ensure 
        the safe and proper operation condition of such vehicles; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) an assessment of the costs and benefits of a 
        mandatory State inspection program.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 14. DISTRACTED DRIVING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 311 of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``Sec. 31152. Regulation of the use of distracting devices in 
              motorcoaches</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2011, the 
Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations on the use of 
electronic or wireless devices, including cell phones and other 
distracting devices, by an individual employed as the operator of a 
motorcoach (as defined in section 2(8) of that Act).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Basis for Regulations.--The Secretary shall base the 
regulations required under subsection (a) on accident data analysis, 
the results of ongoing research, and other information, as 
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Prohibited Use.--Except as provided in subsection 
(d), the Secretary shall prohibit the use of the devices set forth in 
subsection (a) in circumstances in which the Secretary determines that 
their use interferes with the driver's safe operation of a 
motorcoach.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Permitted Use.--Under the regulations, the Secretary 
may permit the use of a device otherwise prohibited under subsection 
(c) if the Secretary determines that such use is necessary for the 
safety of the driver or the public in emergency 
circumstances.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for 
chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 31151 the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``31152. Regulation of the use of distracting devices in 
                            motorcoaches.''.

<DELETED>SEC. 15. MOTORCOACH RENTAL OR LEASING COMPANIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 31132(3) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) `employer'--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) means a person engaged in a business 
                affecting interstate commerce that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) owns or leases a commercial 
                        motor vehicle in connection with that business, 
                        or assigns and employee to operate it; 
                        or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) offers for rent or lease 
                        motor vehicles designed or used to transport 
                        more than 15 passengers, including the driver, 
                        and from the same location or as part of the 
                        same business provides names or contact 
                        information of drivers, or holds itself out to 
                        the public as a charter bus company; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) does not include an individual who 
                is an employee of the United States Government, a 
                State, or a political subdivision of a State acting in 
                the course of that individual's employment as such an 
                employee.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 16. REGULATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Any standard or regulation prescribed or modified pursuant 
to this Act shall be prescribed or modified in accordance with section 
553 of title 5, United States Code.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Motorcoach 
Enhanced Safety Act of 2011''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Regulations for improved occupant protection and collision 
                            avoidance.
Sec. 4. Standards for improved fire safety.
Sec. 5. Occupant protection and collision avoidance research.
Sec. 6. New entrants.
Sec. 7. Reincarnated carriers.
Sec. 8. Improved oversight of motorcoach service providers.
Sec. 9. Motorcoach driver training.
Sec. 10. Improved testing for the commercial driver's license passenger 
                            endorsement.
Sec. 11. Improved physical fitness oversight and commercial driver 
                            medical certificates.
Sec. 12. Safety and enforcement technology for motorcoaches.
Sec. 13. Safety inspection program for commercial motor vehicles of 
                            passengers.
Sec. 14. Distracted driving.
Sec. 15. Motorcoach rental or leasing companies.
Sec. 16. Registration of brokers for motor carriers of passengers.
Sec. 17. Regulations.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Advanced glazing.--The term ``advanced glazing'' means 
        glazing installed in a portal on the side or the roof of a 
        motorcoach that is designed to be highly resistant to partial 
        or complete occupant ejection in all types of motor vehicle 
        crashes.
            (2) Bus.--The term ``bus'' has the meaning given such term 
        in section 571.3(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations 
        (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of 
        this Act).
            (3) Commercial motor vehicle.--Except as otherwise 
        specified, the term ``commercial motor vehicle'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 31132(1) of title 49, United 
        States Code.
            (4) Direct tire pressure monitoring system.--The term 
        ``direct tire pressure monitoring system'' means a tire 
        pressure monitoring system that is capable of directly 
        detecting when the air pressure level in any tire is 
        significantly under-inflated and providing the driver a low 
        tire pressure warning as to which specific tire is 
        significantly under-inflated.
            (5) Electronic on-board recorder.--The term ``electronic 
        on-board recorder'' means an electronic device that acquires 
        and stores data showing the record of duty status of the 
        vehicle operator and performs the functions required of an 
        automatic on-board recording device in section 395.15(b) of 
        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (6) Event data recorder.--The term ``event data recorder'' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 563.5 of title 49, 
        Code of Federal Regulations.
            (7) Motor carrier.--The term ``motor carrier'' means--
                    (A) a motor carrier (as defined in section 
                13102(14) of title 49, United States Code); or
                    (B) a motor private carrier (as defined in section 
                13102(15) of such title).
            (8) Motorcoach.--The term ``motorcoach'' means--
                    (A) a bus with--
                            (i) a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 
                        pounds or greater;
                            (ii) 16 or more designated seating 
                        positions (including the driver); and
                            (iii) at least 2 rows of passenger seats 
                        rearward of the driver's seating position that 
                        are forward-facing or can be converted to 
                        forward-facing without the use of tools; and
                    (B) does not include--
                            (i) a bus used in transit service provided 
                        by a State or local government; or
                            (ii) a school bus, including a 
                        multifunction school activity bus.
            (9) Motorcoach services.--The term ``motorcoach services'' 
        means passenger transportation by motorcoach for compensation.
            (10) Multifunction school activity buses.--The term 
        ``multifunction school activity buses'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 571.3(b) of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of the 
        enactment of this Act).
            (11) Portal.--The term ``portal'' means any opening on the 
        front, sides, rear, or roof of a motorcoach that could, in the 
        event of a crash involving the motorcoach, permit the partial 
        or complete ejection of any occupant from the motorcoach, 
        including a young child.
            (12) Provider of motorcoach services.--The term ``provider 
        of motorcoach services'' means a motor carrier that provides 
        passenger transportation services with a motorcoach, including 
        per-trip compensation and contracted or chartered compensation.
            (13) Safety belt.--The term ``safety belt'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 153(i)(4)(B) of title 23, United 
        States Code.
            (14) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
            (15) Transit service.--The term ``transit service'' means 
        motorcoach service characterized by operating speeds of less 
        than 45 miles per hour and frequent stops.

SEC. 3. REGULATIONS FOR IMPROVED OCCUPANT PROTECTION AND COLLISION 
              AVOIDANCE.

    (a) Regulations Required Within 1 Year.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
prescribe the following regulations:
            (1) Safety belts.--The Secretary shall issue a final rule 
        in Docket No. NHTSA 2010-0112: Federal Motor Vehicle Standards; 
        Motorcoach Definition; Occupant Crash Protection, to require 
        safety belts to be installed in motorcoaches at each designated 
        seating position.
            (2) Firefighting equipment.--The Secretary shall require 
        the installation in motorcoaches of improved fire extinguishers 
        or other readily available firefighting equipment for the 
        purpose of effectively extinguishing fires in motorcoaches to 
        prevent passenger deaths and injuries.
    (b) Regulations Required Within 18 Months.--Not later than 18 
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
prescribe regulations--
            (1) establishing improved roof standards for motorcoaches 
        that substantially improve the resistance of motorcoach roofs 
        to deformation and intrusion to prevent serious occupant injury 
        in rollover crashes involving motorcoaches; and
            (2) requiring advanced glazing to be installed in each 
        motorcoach portal to prevent partial or complete ejection of 
        passengers of motorcoaches, including such passengers that are 
        children.
    (c) Regulations Required Within 2 Years.--Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
prescribe the following commercial motor vehicle regulations:
            (1) Rollover crash avoidance.--The Secretary shall require 
        motorcoaches to be equipped with stability enhancing 
        technology, such as electronic stability control, or torque 
        vectoring, to reduce the number and frequency of rollover 
        crashes among motorcoaches.
            (2) Commercial motor vehicle tire pressure monitoring 
        systems.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall prescribe 
                regulations that require motorcoaches to be equipped 
                with direct tire pressure monitoring systems that warn 
                the operator of a commercial motor vehicle when any 
                tire exhibits a level of air pressure that is below a 
                specified level of air pressure established by the 
                Secretary.
                    (B) Performance requirements.--The regulations 
                prescribed by the Secretary under this paragraph shall 
                include performance requirements to ensure that direct 
                tire pressure monitoring systems are capable of--
                            (i) providing a warning to the driver when 
                        1 or more tires are underinflated;
                            (ii) activating in a specified time period 
                        after the underinflation is detected; and
                            (iii) operating at different vehicle 
                        speeds.
            (3) Tire performance standard.--The Secretary shall upgrade 
        performance standards for tires used on motorcoaches by 
        conducting an enhanced endurance test and a new high-speed 
        performance test.
    (d) Application of Regulations.--
            (1) New motorcoaches.--A regulation prescribed in 
        accordance with subsection (a), (b), or (c) shall apply to all 
        motorcoaches manufactured more than 2 years after the date on 
        which the regulation is published as a final rule.
            (2) Retrofit requirements for existing motorcoaches.--The 
        Secretary may, by regulation, provide for the application of 
        any requirement established under this section to motorcoaches 
        manufactured before the date on which the requirement applies 
        to new motorcoaches under paragraph (1) based on an assessment 
        of the feasibility, benefits, and costs of retrofitting such 
        motorcoaches. The Secretary shall complete such assessment with 
        respect to safety belt retrofits no later than 2 years after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. STANDARDS FOR IMPROVED FIRE SAFETY.

    (a) Evaluations.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the 
following:
            (1) Flammability standard for exterior components.--The 
        Secretary shall examine the feasibility of establishing 
        requirements for fire hardening or fire resistance of 
        motorcoach exterior components to prevent fire and smoke 
        inhalation injuries to occupants.
            (2) Smoke suppression.--The Secretary shall review Federal 
        motor vehicle safety standard number 302 (49 C.F.R. 571.302; 
        relating to flammability of interior materials) to consider 
        more realistic tests to improve the resistance of motorcoach 
        interiors and components to burning and permit sufficient time 
        for the safe evacuation of passengers from motorcoaches.
            (3) Prevention of, and resistance to, wheel well fires.--
        The Secretary shall assess technologies to prevent and mitigate 
        the propagation of wheel well fires into the passenger 
        compartment and substantially reduce occupant deaths and 
        injuries from such fires.
            (4) Passenger evacuation.--The Secretary shall evaluate 
        requirements for motorcoaches to be equipped with the 
        following:
                    (A) Improved emergency evacuation designs.--
                Improved emergency exit window, door, roof hatch, and 
                wheelchair lift door designs to expedite access and use 
                by passengers of motorcoaches under all emergency 
                circumstances, including crashes and fires.
                    (B) Emergency interior lighting.--Emergency 
                interior lighting systems, including luminescent or 
                retroreflectorized delineation of evacuation paths and 
                exits, which are triggered by a crash or other 
                emergency incidents to accomplish more rapid and 
                effective evacuation of passengers.
            (5) Automatic fire suppression.--The Secretary shall 
        evaluate requirements for motorcoaches to be equipped with 
        highly effective fire suppression systems that automatically 
        respond to and suppress all fires in such motorcoaches.
    (b) Performance Requirements.--Not later than 3 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
performance requirements for improved fire safety and passenger 
evacuation based on the results of the evaluations conducted under 
subsection (a).

SEC. 5. OCCUPANT PROTECTION AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE RESEARCH.

    (a) Safety Research Initiatives.--Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete 
research on the following:
            (1) Compartmentalization safety countermeasures.--Enhanced 
        compartmentalization safety countermeasures for motorcoaches, 
        including enhanced seating designs, to reduce substantially the 
        risk of passengers being thrown from their seats and colliding 
        with other passengers, interior surfaces, and components in the 
        event of a crash involving a motorcoach.
            (2) Interior impact protection.--Enhanced occupant impact 
        protection standards for motorcoach interiors to reduce 
        substantially serious injuries for all passengers of 
        motorcoaches.
            (3) Collision avoidance systems.--Forward and lateral crash 
        warning systems applications for motorcoaches.
    (b) Standards and Regulations.--Not later than 2 years after the 
completion of each research initiative required under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall issue a standard or regulation based on the results 
of such research.

SEC. 6. NEW ENTRANTS.

    (a) Registration Requirements.--Section 13902(b) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (8) as 
        paragraphs (5) through (12), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting before paragraph (5), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(1) Additional registration requirements for providers or 
        motorcoach services.--In addition to meeting the requirements 
        under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary may not register a 
        person to provide motorcoach services until after such person--
                    ``(A) undergoes a preauthorization safety audit, 
                including verification, in a manner sufficient to 
                demonstrate the ability to comply with Federal rules 
                and regulations, of--
                            ``(i) a drug and alcohol testing program 
                        under part 40 of title 49, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations;
                            ``(ii) the carrier's system of compliance 
                        with hours-of-service rules, including hours-
                        of-service records;
                            ``(iii) the ability to obtain required 
                        insurance;
                            ``(iv) driver qualifications, including the 
                        validity of the commercial driver's license of 
                        each driver who will be operating under such 
                        authority;
                            ``(v) disclosure of common ownership, 
                        common control, common management, common 
                        familial relationship, or other corporate 
                        relationship with another motor carrier or 
                        applicant for motor carrier authority during 
                        the past 3 years;
                            ``(vi) records of the State inspections, or 
                        of a Level I or V Commercial Vehicle Safety 
                        Alliance Inspection, for all vehicles that will 
                        be operated by the carrier;
                            ``(vii) safety management programs, 
                        including vehicle maintenance and repair 
                        programs; and
                            ``(viii) the ability to comply with the 
                        Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
                        U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and the Over-the-Road Bus 
                        Transportation Accessibility Act of 2007 (49 
                        U.S.C. 10101 note);
                    ``(B) has been interviewed to review safety 
                management controls and the carrier's written safety 
                oversight policies and practices; and
                    ``(C) through the successful completion of a 
                written examination developed by the Secretary, has 
                demonstrated proficiency to comply with and carry out 
                the requirements and regulations described in 
                subsection (a)(1).
            ``(2) Pre-authorization safety audit.--The pre-
        authorization safety audit required under paragraph (1)(A) 
        shall be completed on-site not later than 90 days following the 
        submission of an application for operating authority.
            ``(3) Fee.--The Secretary may establish, under section 9701 
        of title 31, a fee of not more than $1,200 for new registrants 
        that as nearly as possible covers the costs of performing a 
        preauthorization safety audit. Amounts collected under this 
        subsection shall be deposited in the Highway Trust Fund (other 
        than the Mass Transit Account).''.
    (b) Safety Reviews of New Operators.--Section 31144(g)(1) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``transporting 
property'' after ``each operator''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take 
effect 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7. REINCARNATED CARRIERS.

    (a) Registration Requirements.--Section 13902(b) of title 49, 
United States Code, as amended by section 6(a), by inserting after 
paragraph (3), as added by section 6(a), the following:
            ``(4) Disclosure of prior relationships.--In addition to 
        meeting the requirements under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary 
        shall require applicants for authority to transport passengers 
        to disclose any relationship involving common ownership, common 
        management, or common familial relationship between that person 
        and any other motor carrier if the relationship occurred during 
        the 3-year period preceding the date of the filing of the 
        application for registration.''.
    (b) Denial, Suspension, Amendment, or Revocation of Registration.--
Section 13905(d) of such title is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``may (A) suspend'' and inserting 
                the following: "may--
                    ``(A) suspend'';
                    (B) by striking ``registration; and (B) suspend'' 
                and inserting the following: "registration;
                    ``(B) suspend'';
                    (C) by striking ``forwarder: (i) for failure to 
                pay'' and inserting the following: "forwarder for 
                failure--
                            ``(i) to pay'';
                    (D) by striking ``title; or (ii) for failure to 
                arrange'' and inserting the following: "title; or
                            ``(ii) to arrange'';
                    (E) by striking ``penalty.'' and inserting the 
                following: "penalty; and
                    ``(C) deny, suspend, amend, or revoke all or part 
                of a registration of a motor carrier following a 
                determination by the Secretary that the motor carrier 
                failed to disclose in its application for registration 
                a material fact relevant to its willingness and ability 
                to comply with--
                            ``(i) this part;
                            ``(ii) an applicable regulation or order of 
                        the Secretary or the Board; or
                            ``(iii) a condition of its registration.''; 
                        and
                    (F) by striking the last sentence; and
            (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) Not later than 12 months after the date of the 
        enactment of the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2011, the 
        Secretary, after notice and opportunity for comment, shall 
        issue regulations that--
                    ``(A) provide for the denial, suspension, 
                amendment, or revocation of a registration pursuant to 
                paragraph (1)(C); and
                    ``(B) exempt the application of paragraph (1)(B) 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.''.
    (c) Procedure.--Section 13905(e) of such title is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as subparagraph (B);
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1) the Secretary'' and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2)(A) the Secretary''; and
            (3) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the 
        following:
            ``(1) 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); or''.
    (d) Duties of Employers and Employees.--Section 31135 of such title 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Avoiding Compliance.--
            ``(1) Prohibited actions.--Two or more employers shall not 
        use common ownership, common management, common control, or 
        common familial relationship to enable any or all such 
        employers to avoid compliance, or mask or otherwise conceal 
        noncompliance, or a history of noncompliance, with commercial 
        motor vehicle safety regulations issued under this subchapter, 
        chapter 315, or an order of the Secretary issued under this 
        subchapter, chapter 315, or such regulations.
            ``(2) Effect of violation.--If the Secretary determines 
        that an employer has engaged in any action prohibited under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) deny, suspend, amend, or revoke all or part 
                of such employer's registration under section 13905; 
                and
                    ``(B) take into account such noncompliance for 
                purposes of determining the amount of the civil to 
                which the employer is liable under section 
                521(b)(2)(D).''.

SEC. 8. IMPROVED OVERSIGHT OF MOTORCOACH SERVICE PROVIDERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 31144 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Periodic Safety Reviews of Providers of Motorcoach 
Services.--
            ``(1) Safety review.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) determine the safety fitness of all 
                        providers of motorcoach services registered 
                        with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
                        Administration; and
                            ``(ii) assign a safety fitness rating to 
                        each such provider.
                    ``(B) Applicability.--Subparagraph (A) shall 
                apply--
                            ``(i) to any provider of motorcoach 
                        services registered with the Administration 
                        after the date of the enactment of the 
                        Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2011 
                        beginning not later than 2 years after the date 
                        of such registration; and
                            ``(ii) to any provider of motorcoach 
                        services registered with the Administration on 
                        or before the date of enactment of that Act 
                        beginning not later than 3 years after the date 
                        of the enactment of such Act.
            ``(2) Periodic review.--The Secretary shall establish, by 
        regulation, a process for monitoring the safety performance of 
        each provider of motorcoach services on a regular basis 
        following the assignment of a safety fitness rating, including 
        progressive intervention to correct unsafe practices.
            ``(3) Enforcement strike forces.--In addition to the 
        enhanced monitoring and enforcement actions required under 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary may organize special enforcement 
        strike forces targeting providers of motorcoach services.
            ``(4) Periodic update of safety fitness rating.--In 
        conducting the safety reviews required under this subsection, 
        the Secretary shall reassess the safety fitness rating of each 
        provider not less frequently than once every 3 years.
            ``(5) Motorcoach services defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term `provider of motorcoach services' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 2 of the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 
        2011.''
    (b) Revision of Safety Fitness Rating Methodology.--Not later than 
1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
revise the safety fitness rating methodology of the Department of 
Transportation established pursuant to section 31144 of title 49, 
United States Code, to meet the goals of the safety recommendation H-
99-6 of the National Transportation Safety Board, which was issued on 
February 26, 1999.
    (c) High Risk Carrier Compliance Reviews.--Section 4138 of SAFETEA-
LU (49 U.S.C. 31144 note) is amended by striking ``is rated as category 
A or B for 2 consecutive months.'' and inserting ``meets the Safety 
Measurement System criteria for being a high risk motor carrier for 2 
consecutive months.''.

SEC. 9. MOTORCOACH DRIVER TRAINING.

    (a) Establishment of Training Curriculum.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish, by 
        regulation, minimum curricular requirements for entry-level 
        drivers of motorcoaches and drivers upgrading from 1 class of 
        commercial driver's license to another class, which shall be 
        adopted by public and private schools and motor carriers and 
        motorcoach operators that provide training for such drivers.
            (2) Curricular requirements.--The curricular requirements 
        under paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction that 
                is adequate for training entry-level drivers of 
                motorcoaches and drivers upgrading from 1 class of 
                commercial driver's license to another class to safely 
                operate motorcoaches and respond effectively to 
                emergency situations; and
                    (B) instruction in advanced knowledge and skills 
                that are necessary to operate motorcoaches safely, 
                including knowledge and skills necessary--
                            (i) to suppress motorcoach fires; and
                            (ii) to evacuate passengers from 
                        motorcoaches safely.
    (b) Training Required.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall require each 
        motorcoach driver seeking a commercial driver's license 
        passenger endorsement to undergo a training program that 
        includes the minimum curricular requirements established under 
        subsection (a) before taking a test for a commercial driver's 
        license passenger endorsement.
            (2) Verification required.--The Secretary shall require 
        that--
                    (A) each trainer of a driver seeking a commercial 
                driver's license passenger endorsement shall submit to 
                the appropriate State licensing authority information 
                on any driver that has successfully completed a 
                motorcoach driver training course that includes the 
                curricular requirements established under subsection 
                (a); and
                    (B) the State licensing authority may not 
                administer the skills test for the passenger 
                endorsement nor issue a passenger endorsement to a 
                driver unless the State licensing authority verifies 
                that the driver has successfully completed a motorcoach 
                driver training course required under subparagraph (A).
    (c) Report on Feasibility, Benefits, and Costs of Establishing a 
System of Certification of Training Programs.--Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representativesthat describes the feasibility, benefits, 
and costs of establishing a system of certification of public and 
private schools and of motor carriers and motorcoach operators that 
provide motorcoach driver training in accordance with the curricular 
requirements established by the Secretary under subsection (a).
    (d) Nonpreemption of State Programs.--The minimum curricular 
requirements required under this section shall not preempt any State or 
local law or regulation imposing additional or more stringent 
requirements unless the Secretary determines that--
            (1) the law or regulation is incompatible with the 
        regulation prescribed by the Secretary; or
            (2) enforcement of the State law or the local law or 
        regulation would impose an unreasonable burden on interstate 
        commerce.

SEC. 10. IMPROVED TESTING FOR THE COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE PASSENGER 
              ENDORSEMENT.

    (a) Increased Stringency of Examination for Commercial Driver's 
License Passenger-carrying Endorsement.--Not later than 6 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation 
with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, shall 
issue a final rule in Docket No. FMCSA 2007-27659: Commercial Driver's 
License Testing and Commercial Learner's Permit Standards that--
            (1) improves the quality and stringency of the examination 
        for the commercial driver's license passenger-carrying 
        endorsement;
            (2) requires a more stringent knowledge test than the test 
        in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act; 
        and
            (3) requires a more stringent examination of the driving 
        skills necessary to operate safely a for-hire passenger-
        carrying commercial motor vehicle than the examination of such 
        skills in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of 
        this Act.
    (b) Report on Driver's License Requirements for 9-to-15 Passenger 
Vans.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall submit a plan to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives for 
requiring that all or certain classes of drivers--
            (1) have a commercial driver's license passenger-carrying 
        endorsement in order to operate a commercial motor vehicle (as 
        defined in section 31301(4) of title 49, United States Code) 
        and transport not less than 9 and not more than 15 passengers 
        (including a driver) in interstate commerce; and
            (2) be tested in accordance with a drug and alcohol testing 
        program under part 40 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

SEC. 11. IMPROVED PHYSICAL FITNESS OVERSIGHT AND COMMERCIAL DRIVER 
              MEDICAL CERTIFICATES.

    (a) Medical Review Board Functions.--Section 31149(a)(1) of title 
49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``recommendations on medical standards'' 
        and inserting the following: "recommendations on--
                    ``(A) medical standards''; and
            (2) by striking ``research.'' and inserting the following: 
        "research; and
                    ``(B) advice and recommendations concerning the 
                criteria to be used for evaluating medical examiners 
                for admission to the national registry established 
                under this section.''.
    (b) Examination Requirements for Listing in the National Registry 
of Medical Examiners.--Section 31149(c)(1)(D) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(D) develop requirements applicable to a medical 
                examiner seeking to be listed in the national registry, 
                including--
                            ``(i) specific courses and materials that 
                        must be completed to be listed in the national 
                        registry;
                            ``(ii) a rigorous written examination for 
                        which a passing grade must be achieved to be 
                        listed in the national registry;
                            ``(iii) certification (including self-
                        certification), as appropriate, to verify that 
                        the medical examiner has completed training, 
                        including refresher courses, that the Secretary 
                        determines are necessary to be listed in the 
                        national registry; and
                            ``(iv) demonstration of the willingness and 
                        ability of a medical examiner to comply with 
                        any reporting requirements established by the 
                        Secretary;''.
    (c) Medical Examination Form Comparisons.--Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
require, by regulation, that each time a medical examiner performs a 
medical examination to certify an applicant for a commercial driver's 
license under section 391.43 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, 
such medical examiner shall submit to the appropriate State licensing 
agency the form for such examination required by section 391.43(f) of 
such title (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of 
this Act).
    (d) State Plan Requirement.--Section 31102(b)(1) of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (W), by striking ``and'' at the end; 
        and
            (2) in subparagraph (X), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting the following: "; and
            ``(Y) requires State licensing authorities to compare the 
        forms they receive pursuant to section 11(c) of the Motorcoach 
        Enhanced Safety Act of 2011 with the medical examiner's 
        certificate required under section 391.43(g) of title 49, Code 
        of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date 
        of enactment of that Act), to determine the accuracy and 
        validity of the information contained in such forms and 
        certificates.''.
    (e) Additional Oversight of Licensing Authorities.--
            (1) In general.--Section 31149(c)(1) of title 49, United 
        States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting the following: "; and
                    ``(G) annually review the licensing authorities of 
                10 States to assess the accuracy, validity, and 
                timeliness of physical examination reports and medical 
                certificates submitted by certified medical examiners 
                to such State licensing agencies and the processing of 
                such submissions by the licensing authorities.''.
            (2) Internal oversight policy.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
                establish an oversight policy and process within the 
                Department of Transportation for purposes of carrying 
                out the requirement under section 31149(c)(1)(G) of 
                title 49, United States Code, as added by paragraph 
                (1).
                    (B) Effective date.--The requirement under section 
                31149(c)(1)(G) of title 49, United States Code, shall 
                take effect on the date on which the oversight policies 
                and processes are established pursuant to subparagraph 
                (A).
    (f) Deadline for Establishment of National Registry of Medical 
Examiners.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall establish a national registry of medical 
examiners in accordance with section 31149(d)(1) of title 49, United 
States Code.

SEC. 12. SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR MOTORCOACHES.

    (a) Electronic On-board Recorders.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
                prescribe regulations requiring that all motorcoaches 
                used by a motor carrier in interstate commerce be 
                equipped with electronic on-board recorders.
                    (B) Performance requirements.--The regulations 
                prescribed by the Secretary under this section shall 
                include performance requirements to ensure that 
                electronic on-board recorders--
                            (i) accurately record commercial driver 
                        hours of service;
                            (ii) allow tracking of driver and vehicle 
                        location; and
                            (iii) are tamper resistant.
            (2) Applicability.--The regulations prescribed under 
        paragraph (1) shall apply to all motorcoaches described in such 
        paragraph beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date 
        on which the regulation is published as a final rule.
    (b) Event Data Recorders.--
            (1) Evaluation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, after considering the 
        performance requirements for event data recorders for passenger 
        vehicles under part 563 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, shall complete an evaluation of event data 
        recorders, including requirements regarding specific types of 
        vehicle operations, events and incidents, and systems 
        information to be recorded, for event data recorders to be used 
        on motorcoaches used by motor carriers in interstate commerce.
            (2) Standards and regulations.--Not later than 2 years 
        after completing the evaluation required under paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall issue standards and regulations based on 
        the results of that evaluation.

SEC. 13. SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES OF 
              PASSENGERS.

    Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall complete a rulemaking proceeding to consider 
requiring States to conduct annual inspections of commercial motor 
vehicles designed or used to transport passengers, including an 
assessment of--
            (1) the risks associated with improperly maintained or 
        inspected commercial motor vehicles designed or used to 
        transport passengers;
            (2) the effectiveness of existing Federal standards for the 
        inspection of such vehicles in--
                    (A) mitigating the risks described in paragraph 
                (1); and
                    (B) ensuring the safe and proper operation 
                condition of such vehicles; and
            (3) the costs and benefits of a mandatory State inspection 
        program.

SEC. 14. DISTRACTED DRIVING.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 311 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 31152. Regulation of the use of distracting devices in 
              motorcoaches
    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2011, the Secretary 
of Transportation shall prescribe regulations on the use of electronic 
or wireless devices, including cell phones and other distracting 
devices, by an individual employed as the operator of a motorcoach (as 
defined in section 2(8) of such Act).
    ``(b) Basis for Regulations.--The Secretary shall base the 
regulations prescribed under subsection (a) on accident data analysis, 
the results of ongoing research, and other information, as appropriate.
    ``(c) Prohibited Use.--Except as provided under subsection (d), the 
Secretary shall prohibit the use of the devices described in subsection 
(a) in circumstances in which the Secretary determines that their use 
interferes with the driver's safe operation of a motorcoach.
    ``(d) Permitted Use.--The Secretary may permit the use of a device 
that is otherwise prohibited under subsection (c) if the Secretary 
determines that such use is necessary for the safety of the driver or 
the public in emergency circumstances.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for chapter 311 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 31151 the following:

``31152. Regulation of the use of distracting devices in 
                            motorcoaches''.

SEC. 15. MOTORCOACH RENTAL OR LEASING COMPANIES.

    Section 31132(3) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
            ``(3) `employer'--
                    ``(A) means a person engaged in a business 
                affecting interstate commerce that--
                            ``(i) owns or leases a commercial motor 
                        vehicle in connection with that business, or 
                        assigns and employee to operate it; or
                            ``(ii) offers for rent or lease motor 
                        vehicles designed or used to transport more 
                        than 15 passengers, including the driver, and 
                        from the same location or as part of the same 
                        business provides names or contact information 
                        of drivers, arranges for a driver of the rented 
                        or leased passenger-carrying motor vehicle, or 
                        holds itself out to the public as a provider of 
                        transportation services; and
                    ``(B) does not include an individual who is an 
                employee of the United States Government, a State, or a 
                political subdivision of a State acting in the course 
                of that individual's employment as such an employee.''.

SEC. 16. REGISTRATION OF BROKERS FOR MOTOR CARRIERS OF PASSENGERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 13904(a) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting ``or passengers'' after ``transportation of 
property''.
    (b) Repeal of Exemption.--Section 13506(a) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (13), by inserting ``or'' at the end;
            (2) by striking paragraph (14); and
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (15) as paragraph (14).

SEC. 17. REGULATIONS.

    Any standard or regulation prescribed or modified pursuant to this 
Act shall be prescribed or modified in accordance with section 553 of 
title 5, United States Code.
                                                       Calendar No. 227

112th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                 S. 453

                          [Report No. 112-93]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

     To improve the safety of motorcoaches, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                            November 9, 2011

                       Reported with an amendment