SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Bluffton University Safety Act of 2007’’. 
(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) on March 2, 2007, a charter bus accident 
in Atlanta, Georgia, involving the baseball team 
from Ohio’s Bluffton University, resulted in 7 
deaths and numerous serious injuries; and 
(2) the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminis-
tration reports that there have been an average of 
22.7 occupant-related fatalities per year for the last 
10 years. 
SEC. 
2. 
REQUIRED 
SAFETY 
STANDARDS 
FOR 
NEW 
MOTORCOACHES. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Section 30127 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended, by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(i) 
SAFETY
STANDARDS
FOR
NEW 
MOTORCOACHES.— 
‘‘(1) STANDARDS FOR NEW MOTORCOACHES.— 
(A)(i) Not later than 30 months after the date of 
the submission of the study required by paragraph 
(5), the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe 
Federal motor vehicle safety standards for motor-
coach occupant protection systems that account for 
frontal impact collisions, side impact collisions, rear 
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impact collisions, and rollovers. Such standards shall 
not eliminate or lessen the occupant protection 
standards currently in effect and shall— 
‘‘(I) be based on sound scientific re-
search, extensive testing and analysis by 
the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad-
ministration, consistent with the rec-
ommendations of the National Transpor-
tation Safety Board regarding motorcoach 
occupant protection; and 
‘‘(II) take into consideration the var-
ious types of motorcoaches and the various 
uses and configurations of the occupant 
compartment as well as local, State, and 
Federal height and weight limits and re-
strictions. 
Such standards may include seatbelts or other occu-
pant protection systems, passive or otherwise, for 
passengers including those in child safety restraint 
systems. 
‘‘(ii) Prior to promulgating such standards, the 
Secretary shall consult with the entity responsible 
for the study to be conducted pursuant to paragraph 
(5). Any communications concerning such consulta-
tion shall be included in the public record of the pro-
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ceedings leading to the promulgation of the stand-
ards required by this subparagraph and shall be sub-
ject to public comment. 
‘‘(B) Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall prescribe Federal motor vehicle 
safety standards for roof strength that provide ade-
quate survival space for all seating positions and 
that takes into account all motorcoach window di-
mensions and highway height and weight restrictions 
and limitations. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary shall conduct research and 
testing on advanced window glazing and securement 
to determine the best method or methods for window 
glazing to prevent motorcoach occupant protection 
ejection, and not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, shall revise window 
glazing 
standards 
for 
newly 
manufactured 
motorcoaches based on the results of such research 
and testing and that takes into account all motor-
coach window dimensions, highway height and 
weight restrictions and limitations. 
‘‘(D) The Secretary of Transportation shall 
conduct research and testing to determine the most 
prevalent causes of motorcoach fires and the best 
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methods to prevent such fires and to mitigate the ef-
fect of such fires, both inside and outside the motor-
coach. Not later than 3 years after the date of en-
actment of this subsection, the Secretary of Trans-
portation shall promulgate fire prevention and miti-
gation 
standards 
for 
newly 
manufactured 
motorcoaches, based on the results of the Secretary’s 
research and testing, taking into account motorcoach 
highway size and weight restrictions. 
‘‘(E) The Secretary of Transportation shall 
conduct research and testing to determine any nec-
essary changes in motorcoach design standards, in-
cluding windows and doors, to improve motorcoach 
emergency evacuation. Not later than 3 years after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Sec-
retary of Transportation shall promulgate motor-
coach emergency evacuation design standards, in-
cluding window standards that enhance the use of 
windows for emergency evacuation to the maximum 
extent feasible, while not detracting from the window 
glazing standards to be promulgated under sub-
section (C), and door standards, including design of 
the wheelchair lift door for emergency evacuation 
use. Such standards shall take into account motor-
coach highway size and weight restrictions. 
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‘‘(F) Notwithstanding any other provision in 
this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a 
State may not adopt or enforce a law or regulation 
related to a motorcoach crash avoidance and occu-
pant protection prior to the effective date of the reg-
ulations promulgated pursuant to this subsection. 
The standards prescribed under subparagraphs (A) 
through (E) shall require motorcoaches manufac-
tured after the period that is 3 years after the date 
on which such standards are prescribed to be engi-
neered and equipped to meet such standards. Noth-
ing in this subsection or in the regulations pre-
scribed pursuant to this subsection shall be con-
strued as indicating an intention by Congress to af-
fect, change, or modify in any way the liability, if 
any, of a motorcoach manufacturer or motorcoach 
operator 
under 
applicable 
law 
to 
buses 
or 
motorcoaches, manufactured and operated with or 
without passenger seat belts or other passenger re-
straint systems, prior to the effective date of the 
regulations promulgated pursuant to this subsection. 
‘‘(2) 
STANDARDS
FOR
EXISTING 
MOTORCOACHES.—(A) Not later than 3 years after 
the date of the submission of the study required by 
paragraph (5) the Secretary of Transportation shall 
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prescribe Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 
for motorcoaches that are manufactured before the 
date that is 3 years after the date on which the 
standards required under paragraph (1) are pre-
scribed, taking into account the limitations posed by 
the need to retrofit existing motorcoaches. Such 
standards shall have the same objectives as the 
standards 
required 
under 
subparagraphs 
(A) 
through (E) of paragraph (1), but may differ from 
such standards based on what is technically feasible 
for existing motorcoaches. 
‘‘(B) In lieu of promulgating comprehensive 
standards for motorcoaches under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary may develop standards for various 
component parts and equipment of motorcoaches 
that would increase occupant protection. 
‘‘(C) The effective date for the standards pre-
scribed pursuant to this paragraph shall be the same 
as the effective date for the standards prescribed 
pursuant to paragraph (1). 
‘‘(D) The Secretary shall, by regulation, estab-
lish a system whereby the motorcoaches to which the 
standards prescribed under subparagraph (A) apply 
shall be certified as in compliance with such stand-
ards. Such certification shall be carried out by the 
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motorcoaches unless such manufacturer or operator 
is shown not to be in compliance with the timetables 
set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B). Notwith-
standing any other provision in this chapter, a State 
or a political subdivision of a State may not adopt 
or enforce a law or regulation related to any of the 
standards required by paragraphs (1) and (2) during 
the time periods set forth in subparagraphs (A) and 
(B). 
‘‘(4) DEFINITION OF A MOTORCOACH.—As used 
in this subsection, the term ‘motorcoach’ means an 
over-the-road bus, characterized by an elevated pas-
senger deck located over a baggage compartment. 
‘‘(5) INDEPENDENT
STUDY.—(A) Not later 
than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
subsection, the Secretary shall enter into an agree-
ment with an appropriate non-governmental sci-
entific organization to carry out a study on the pas-
senger safety benefits of three-point passenger safety 
restraints and compartmentalization in motorcoaches 
and whether the use of one methodology in a motor-
coach reduces or enhances the potential passenger 
safety benefits of the other methodology. The study 
shall specifically examine safety measure involving— 
‘‘(i) frontal impact collisions; 
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‘‘(ii) side impact collisions;; 
‘‘(iii) rear impact collisions; 
‘‘(iv) rollovers or layovers; 
‘‘(v) the relative frequency and severity of 
the incidents in (i) through (iv) above; and 
‘‘(vi) various uses and configurations of 
the occupant compartment. 
‘‘(B) Not later than 6 months after entering 
into an agreement under subparagraph (A), the enti-
ty conducting the study shall submit to the Sec-
retary and to Congress a report on the results of the 
study and such preliminary recommendations as the 
entity conducting the study considers appropriate as 
a result of the study. 
‘‘(C) Not later than 6 months after the promul-
gation by the Secretary of the final standards re-
quired by paragraph (1)(A) above, the entity that 
conducted the study required by subparagraph (A) 
shall submit a report to Congress assessing the ex-
tent to which such final standards are likely to en-
hance the safety of the occupants of motorcoaches.’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING STATE SEAT- 
BELT USE LAWS.—Section 30127(d) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘that include a re-
quirement for use of seatbelts,’’ after ‘‘seatbelt use laws’’. 
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SEC. 3. CREDIT FOR COSTS OF MOTORCOACHES COM-
PLYING WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subpart D of part IV of sub-
chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amend-
ed by inserting after section 45N the following new sec-
tion: 
‘‘SEC. 450. CREDIT FOR COSTS OF MOTORCOACHES COM-
PLYING WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of section 38, the 
qualified motorcoach safety credit determined under this 
subsection for any taxable year is an amount equal to 10 
percent of the aggregate amount paid or incurred by the 
taxpayer during the taxable year for— 
‘‘(1) qualified new motorcoaches, and 
‘‘(2) such improvements to any existing motor-
coach which is used by the taxpayer as are necessary 
for such motorcoach to satisfy the requirements pre-
scribed under section 30217(i)(2) of title 49, United 
States Code. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—The credit determined under 
paragraph (1) with respect to any motorcoach shall not 
exceed $45,000. 
‘‘(c) 
QUALIFIED
NEW
AND
EXISTING 
MOTORCOACHES.—For purposes of this section— 
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‘‘(1) 
QUALIFIED
MOTORCOACH.—The 
term 
‘qualified new motorcoach’ means any motorcoach— 
‘‘(A) the original use of which commences 
with the taxpayer, 
‘‘(B) which is acquired for use or lease by 
the taxpayer and not for resale, 
‘‘(C) which is property of a character sub-
ject to an allowance for depreciation, 
‘‘(D) which is made by a manufacturer, 
‘‘(E) which is manufactured after the spec-
ified effective date, and 
‘‘(F) which meets the requirements pre-
scribed under section 30127(i)(1) of title 
49,United States Code. 
‘‘(2) EXISTING MOTORCOACH.—The term ‘exist-
ing motorcoach’ means any motorcoach— 
‘‘(A) which is property of a character sub-
ject to an allowance for depreciation, and 
‘‘(B) which is manufactured on or before 
the specified effective date. 
‘‘(d) OTHER DEFINITIONS AND SPECIAL RULES.— 
For purposes of this section— 
‘‘(1) MOTORCOACH.—The term ‘motorcoach’ 
means any vehicle to which the requirements pre-
scribed under section 30127(i)(1) of title 49, United 
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States Code, apply, or would apply if such vehicle 
were manufactured after the specified effective date. 
‘‘(2) SPECIFIED EFFECTIVE DATE.—The term 
‘specified effective date’ means the effective date de-
scribed in section 30127(i)((3)(A) of title 49, United 
States Code. 
‘‘(3) BASIS
REDUCTION.—The basis of any 
property for which a credit is determined under sub-
section (a) shall be reduced by the amount of the 
credit so determined. 
‘‘(4) RECAPTURE.—The Secretary shall, by reg-
ulations, provide for recapturing the benefit of any 
credit determined under subsection (a) with respect 
to any property which ceases to be property eligible 
for such credit. 
‘‘(5) 
PROPERTY
USED
OUTSIDE
UNITED 
STATES, ETC., NOT QUALIFIED.—No credit shall be 
determined under subsection (a) with respect to— 
‘‘(A) the portion of the cost of any prop-
erty taken into account under section 179, or 
‘‘(B) any property referred to in section 
50(b). 
‘‘(6) ELECTION
NOT
TO
TAKE
CREDIT.—No 
credit shall be determined under subsection (a) for 
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any vehicle if the taxpayer elects to not have this 
section apply to such vehicle. 
‘‘(e) TERMINATION.—No credit shall be determined 
under this subsection for any taxable year ending after 
December 31, 2026.’’. 
(b) DENIAL OF DOUBLE BENEFIT.—Section 280C of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) CREDIT FOR COSTS OF MOTORCOACHES COM-
PLYING WITH FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.—No 
deduction shall be allowed for that portion of the expenses 
otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year 
which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for 
the taxable year under section 45O(a).’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 38(b) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 is amended by striking ‘‘plus’’ at the end of 
paragraph (30), by striking the period at the end of 
paragraph (31) and inserting ‘‘, plus’’, and by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(32) the qualified motorcoach safety credit de-
termined under section 45O(a).’’. 
(2) Section 1016(a) of such Code is amended 
by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (37), by 
striking the period at the end of paragraph (38) and 
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inserting ‘‘, and’’, and by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(38) to the extent provided in section 
30D(d)(3).’’. 
(3) Section 6501(m) of such Code is amended 
by inserting ‘‘30D(d)(6),’’ after ‘‘30C(e)(5),’’. 
(4) The table of sections for subpart D of part 
IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to sec-
tion 45N the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 45O. Credit for costs of motorcoaches complying with Federal safety re-
quirements.’’. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to taxable years ending after De-
cember 31, 2007. 
SEC. 4. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transportation 
shall develop and administer supplemental grants, not to 
exceed $20,000, for operators of motorcoaches in order to 
assist with the cost of retrofitting motorcoaches in order 
to comply with the Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
prescribed under section 30127(i) of title 49, United 
States Code, as added by section 2. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for a grant estab-
lished under subsection (a), a motorcoach operator shall— 
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(1) have a fleet of not more than 25 
motorcoaches; 
(2) have total annual revenue of less than 
$5,000,000; and 
(3) demonstrate to the Secretary that— 
(A) the operator has been in business as 
an over-the-road charter bus operator for not 
less than 3 consecutive years; and 
(B) that the operator was unable to re-
cover, through allowed tax credits established 
under section 3 in a consecutive 2 year period, 
the full cost of retrofitting motorcoaches in 
order to comply with the applicable Federal 
motor vehicle safety standards. 
(c) GRANT REQUIREMENTS.—A grant under this sec-
tion shall be subject to all of the terms and condition ap-
plicable to subrecipients who provide intercity bus trans-
portation under section 5311(f) of title 49, United States 
Code, and such other terms and conditions as the Sec-
retary may prescribe. 
SEC. 5. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOANS AND 
LOAN GUARANTEES. 
Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
636(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(32) BUSES
AND
MOTORCOACHES.—In car-
rying out this subsection with respect to the over- 
the-road charter bus industry, the following shall 
apply: 
‘‘(A) The Administrator shall adopt under-
writing criteria specific to that industry. 
‘‘(B) The Administrator shall make avail-
able the assistance under this subsection to 
members of that industry to facilitate retro-
fitting of buses and motorcoaches for occupant 
protection. 
‘‘(C) Multiple buses or motorcoaches shall 
be treated as a single source of collateral. 
‘‘(D) A member of that industry who owns 
a single bus or motorcoach shall be treated as 
eligible for such assistance, without regard to 
whether the member otherwise meets the appli-
cable size standard for eligibility. 
‘‘(E) The Administrator shall provide any 
applicant who is a member of that industry 
with counseling and advice regarding the other 
assistance programs of the Administration that 
may be available to members of that industry.’’. 
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SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Transportation such sums as may be necessary 
to carry out this Act. 
Æ 
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