[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4708 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4708

  To establish safety standards for certain limousines, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 16, 2019

 Mr. Tonko (for himself, Mr. Delgado, and Ms. Stefanik) introduced the 
   following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To establish safety standards for certain limousines, and for other 
                               purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Safety, Accountability, and Federal 
Enforcement of Limos Act of 2019'' or the ``SAFE Limos Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Certified vehicle.--The term ``certified vehicle'' 
        means a motor vehicle that has been certified in accordance 
        with section 567.4 or 567.5 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, to meet all applicable Federal motor vehicle 
        safety standards.
            (2) Incomplete vehicle.--The term ``incomplete vehicle'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 567.3 of title 49, 
        Code of Federal Regulations.
            (3) Stretch limousine.--The term ``stretch limousine'' 
        means a new or used passenger motor vehicle that has been 
        altered in a manner that increases the overall wheelbase of the 
        vehicle, exceeding the original equipment manufacturer's 
        wheelbase dimension for the base model and year of the vehicle, 
        in any amount sufficient to accommodate additional passengers 
        with a seating capacity of not fewer than 9 passengers 
        including the driver.
            (4) Stretch limousine alterer.--The term ``stretch 
        limousine alterer'' means a person who alters by addition, 
        substitution, or removal of components (other than readily 
        attachable components) a certified passenger motor vehicle 
        before or after the first purchase of the vehicle to produce a 
        stretch limousine.
            (5) Stretch limousine operator.--The term ``stretch 
        limousine operator'' means a person who owns or leases and 
        operates a stretch limousine in interstate commerce.
            (6) Passenger motor vehicle.--The term ``passenger motor 
        vehicle'' has the meaning given that term in section 32101 of 
        title 49, United States Code.
            (7) Safety belt.--The term ``safety belt'' means an 
        occupant restraint system consisting of integrated lap shoulder 
        belts.
            (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.

SEC. 3. STRETCH LIMOUSINE STANDARDS.

    (a) Safety Belt Standards for Stretch Limousines.--Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
prescribe a final rule amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 
Numbers 208 to require safety belts to be installed in stretch 
limousines with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 8,500 pounds 
at each designated seating position, including on side-facing seats.
    (b) Seating System Standards for Stretch Limousines.--Not later 
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall prescribe a final rule amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard Number 207 to require stretch limousines to meet standards for 
seats (including side-facing seats), attachment assemblies, and 
installation to minimize the possibility of their failure by forces 
acting on them as a result of vehicle impact.
    (c) Report on Retrofit Assessment for Stretch Limousines.--Not 
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report that assesses the feasibility, 
benefits, and costs with respect to the application of any requirement 
established under subsection (a) or (b) to a stretch limousine altered 
before the date on which the requirement applies to a new stretch 
limousine.
    (d) Safety Standards for Altering Used Vehicles Into Stretch 
Limousines.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall prescribe a final rule revising the 
regulations under section 567.7 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to require a stretch limousine alterer to comply with the 
requirements for persons who alter certified vehicles.

SEC. 4. STRETCH LIMOUSINE COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 301 of subtitle VI of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 30128 the following 
new section:
``Sec. 30129. Stretch Limousine compliance with Federal safety 
              standards
    ``(a) Guidelines, Best Practices, and Recommendations.--Not later 
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, and not less 
than every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall develop and issue 
guidelines, best practices, and recommendations to assist a stretch 
limousine alterer to develop and administer the vehicle modifier plan 
required under subsection (c).
    ``(b) Process and Analysis.--
            ``(1) Notice required.--Not later than 2 years after the 
        date of enactment of this section, and as necessary thereafter, 
        the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register 
        that describes the process and analysis used for approving or 
        denying a vehicle modifier plan submitted by a stretch 
        limousine alterer.
            ``(2) Elements.--The notice required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include--
                    ``(A) a description of the safety elements 
                described in subsection (c) in a vehicle modifier plan; 
                and
                    ``(B) a description of the process and criterion 
                that the Secretary will use for determining whether a 
                vehicle modifier plan ensures that a stretch limousine 
                meets applicable Federal motor vehicle safety 
                standards.
    ``(c) Requirement.--Not later than 2 years after the Secretary has 
released the notice required by subsection (b), a new stretch limousine 
may not be offered for sale, lease, or rent, introduced or delivered 
for introduction in interstate commerce, or imported into the United 
States unless the stretch limousine alterer has developed, and the 
Secretary has approved, a vehicle modifier plan. A vehicle modifier 
plan includes the following safety elements:
            ``(1) Design, quality control, manufacturing, and training 
        practices adopted by a stretch limousine alterer to ensure that 
        a stretch limousine complies with Federal motor vehicle safety 
        standards.
            ``(2) Customer support guidelines, including instructions 
        for stretch limousine occupants to wear seatbelts and stretch 
        limousine operators to notify occupants of the date and results 
        of the most recent inspection of the stretch limousine.
            ``(3) Any other safety elements that the Secretary 
        determines to be necessary.
    ``(d) Vehicle Modifier Plan.--
            ``(1) Application.--A stretch limousine alterer shall 
        submit to the Secretary an application for approval of a 
        vehicle modifier plan in such a form, at such a time, and 
        containing the information required to be included in the 
        notice published pursuant to subsection (b). A vehicle modifier 
        plan required under subsection (a) may be approved for not more 
        than 4 years after the date on which the plan is approved.
            ``(2) Review.--The Secretary may approve a vehicle modifier 
        plan submitted under paragraph (1) on a finding that the plan 
        ensures that a stretch limousine will meet Federal motor 
        vehicle safety standards.
            ``(3) Timely consideration of applications.--The Secretary 
        shall approve or reject a vehicle modifier plan not later than 
        1 year after receiving an application from a stretch limousine 
        alterer.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Incomplete vehicle.--The term `incomplete vehicle' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 567.3 of title 49, 
        Code of Federal Regulations.
            ``(2) Stretch limousine.--The term `stretch limousine' 
        means a new or used passenger motor vehicle that has been 
        altered in a manner that increases the overall wheelbase of the 
        vehicle, exceeding the original equipment manufacturer's 
        wheelbase dimension for the base model and year of the vehicle, 
        in any amount sufficient to accommodate additional passengers 
        with a seating capacity of not fewer than 9 passengers 
        including the driver.
            ``(3) Stretch limousine alterer.--The term `stretch 
        limousine alterer' means a person who alters by addition, 
        substitution, or removal of components (other than readily 
        attachable components) an incomplete vehicle or a certified 
        passenger motor vehicle before or after the first purchase of 
        the vehicle to produce a stretch limousine.
            ``(4) Passenger motor vehicle.--The term `passenger motor 
        vehicle' has the meaning given that term in section 32101.''.
    (b) Enforcement.--Section 30165(a)(1) of title 49, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting ``30129,'' after ``30127,''.

SEC. 5. STRETCH LIMOUSINE CRASHWORTHINESS.

    (a) Research.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment, 
the Secretary shall complete research into side impact protection, roof 
crush resistance, and air bag systems for the protection of occupants 
in stretch limousines given alternative seating positions or interior 
configurations, including perimeter seating arrangements.
    (b) Research Requirements.--In conducting the research required 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
            (1) develop one or more tests to evaluate side impact 
        protection, roof crush resistance, and air bag systems of 
        stretch limousines;
            (2) determine metrics that would be most effective at 
        evaluating the side impact protection, roof crush resistance, 
        and air bag systems of stretch limousines; and
            (3) determine criteria to assure the stretch limousines are 
        protecting occupants in any alternative seating positions or 
        interior configurations.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report describing the findings 
of the research required under this section to the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    (d) Vehicle Modifier Plans.--The Secretary shall incorporate the 
findings of the research conducted under this section into the 
guidelines required under section 30129(a) of title 49 and the process 
and analysis required under section 30129(b) of title 49, United States 
Code, as added by section 4(a).
    (e) Crashworthiness Standards.--The Secretary shall issue final 
motor vehicle safety standards for side impact protection, roof crush 
resistance, and air bag systems for stretch limousines if the Secretary 
determines that such standards meet the requirements and considerations 
set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of section 30111 of title 49, 
United States Code.

SEC. 6. STRETCH LIMOUSINE EVACUATION.

    (a) Research.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall complete research 
into safety features and standards that aid egress and regress in the 
event that one exit in the passenger compartment of a stretch limousine 
is blocked.
    (b) Standards.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall issue stretch limousine evacuation 
standards based on the results of the Secretary's research.

SEC. 7. STRETCH LIMOUSINE INSPECTION DISCLOSURE.

    (a) Stretch Limousine Inspection Disclosure.--A stretch limousine 
operator introducing a stretch limousine into interstate commerce may 
not deploy for commercial use a stretch limousine unless the stretch 
limousine operator has prominently disclosed in a clear and conspicuous 
notice, including on its website to the extent the stretch limousine 
operator uses a website, that includes--
            (1) the date of the most recent inspection of the stretch 
        limousine required under State or Federal law;
            (2) the results of the inspection; and
            (3) any corrective action taken by the stretch limousine 
        operator to ensure the stretch limousine passed inspection.
    (b) Federal Trade Commission Enforcement.--A violation of 
subsection (a) shall be treated as a an unfair or deceptive act or 
practice within the meaning of section 5(a)(1) of the Federal Trade 
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1)). The Federal Trade Commission shall 
enforce this section in the same manner, by the same means, and with 
the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable 
terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act were 
incorporated into and made a part of this Act.
    (c) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to limit the authority of the Federal Trade commission under any other 
provision of law.
    (d) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 8. EVENT DATA RECORDERS FOR STRETCH LIMOUSINES.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, shall issue a final 
rule requiring the use of event data recorders for stretch limousines.
    (b) Privacy Protections.--Any standard promulgated under subsection 
(a) pertaining to event data recorder information shall comply with the 
collection and sharing requirements under the FAST Act (Public Law 114-
94).
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