[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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