ROV In-Depth Examination Act

Summary: ROV In-Depth Examination Act The Consumer Product Safety Commission shall have no authority to: (1) establish recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV) performance or configuration standards until the study required by this Act is completed, or (2) require ROV manufacturers to provide performance and technical data to prospective purchasers and to the first purchaser of an ROV for purposes other than resale.  The Commission shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to determine:   the technical validity of the lateral stability and vehicle handling requirements proposed by the Commission for purposes of reducing the risk of ROV off-road rollovers, the number of ROV rollovers that would be prevented if the proposed requirements were adopted,  whether there is a technical basis for the proposal to provide information on a point-of-sale hangtag about a vehicle's rollover resistance on a progressive scale, and  the effect on the utility of ROVs used by the Armed Forces if the proposed requirements were adopted.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``ROV In-Depth Examination Act''.

SEC. 2. RECREATIONAL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE STANDARDS STUDY.

    (a) No Mandatory Standards Regarding Performance or Configuration 
of ROVs.--
            (1) In general.--The Consumer Product Safety Commission 
        shall have no authority to establish any standards concerning 
        the performance or configuration of recreational off-highway 
        vehicles until after the completion of the study required by 
        subsection (b). This prohibition includes a prohibition on the 
        exercise of any authority pursuant to section 27(e) of the 
        Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2076(e)) to require ROV 
        manufacturers to provide performance and technical data to 
        prospective purchasers and to the first purchaser of an ROV for 
        purposes other than resale.
            (2) Voluntary standards.--Nothing in this section shall be 
        construed as suggesting that ROVs shall not be manufactured in 
        compliance with applicable voluntary standards.
    (b) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall contract with the 
        National Academy of Sciences to determine--
                    (A) the technical validity of the lateral stability 
                and vehicle handling requirements proposed by the 
                Commission in a notice of proposed rulemaking published 
                in the Federal Register November 19, 2014 (79 Fed. Reg. 
                68964), for purposes of reducing the risk of ROV 
                rollovers in the off-road environment, including the 
                repeatability and reproducibility of testing for 
                compliance with such requirements;
                    (B) the number of ROV rollovers that would be 
                prevented if the proposed requirements were adopted;
                    (C) whether there is a technical basis for the 
                proposal to provide information on a point-of-sale 
                hangtag about a vehicle's rollover resistance on a 
                progressive scale; and
                    (D) the effect on the utility of ROVs used by the 
                Armed Forces if the proposed requirements were adopted.
            (2) Consultation and deadline for report.--The National 
        Academy of Sciences shall consult with the National Highway 
        Traffic Safety Administration and the Department of Defense in 
        carrying out the study required by this subsection. The 
        National Academy of Sciences shall complete and transmit to the 
        Commission a report containing the findings of the study not 
        later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (3) Report to congress.--Within five days of receiving the 
        report described in paragraph (2) from the National Academy of 
        Sciences, the Commission shall transmit the report, along with 
        any comments of the Commission, to the Committee on Energy and 
        Commerce of the House of Representatives and to the Committee 
        on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the Senate.
            (4) Consideration.--The Commission shall consider the 
        results of the study in any subsequent rulemaking regarding the 
        performance or configuration of ROVs, or the provision of 
        point-of-sale information regarding ROV performance.
    (c) Definitions.--As used in this section:
            (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Consumer 
        Product Safety Commission.
            (2) Recreational off-highway vehicle.--The term 
        ``recreational off-highway vehicle'' or ``ROV'' means a 
        motorized off-highway vehicle designed to travel on four or 
        more tires, intended by the manufacturer for recreational use 
        by one or more persons and having the following 
        characteristics:
                    (A) A steering wheel for steering control.
                    (B) Foot controls for throttle and service brake.
                    (C) Non-straddle seating.
                    (D) Maximum speed capability greater than 30 miles 
                per hour.
                    (E) Gross vehicle weight rating no greater than 
                3,750 pounds.
                    (F) Less than 80 inches in overall width, exclusive 
                of accessories.
                    (G) Engine displacement equal to or less than 61 
                cubic inches for gasoline fueled engines.
                    (H) Identification by means of a 17-character 
                personal or vehicle information number.
            (3) Exclusion.--Such term does not include a prototype of a 
        motorized, off-highway, all-terrain vehicle or other motorized, 
        off-highway, all-terrain vehicle that is intended exclusively 
        for research and development purposes unless the vehicle is 
        offered for sale.