111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2751 
AN ACT 
To accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and provide in-
centives to registered owners of high polluting auto-
mobiles to replace such automobiles with new fuel effi-
cient and less polluting automobiles. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Consumer Assistance 
to Recycle and Save Act’’. 
SEC. 2. TEMPORARY VEHICLE TRADE-IN PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a vol-
untary program to be known as the ‘‘Consumer Assistance 
to Recycle and Save Program’’ through which the Sec-
retary of Transportation (hereinafter in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’), in accordance with this Act 
and the regulations promulgated under subsection (d), 
shall— 
(1) authorize the issuance of an electronic 
voucher, subject to the specifications set forth in 
subsection (c), to offset the purchase price or lease 
price for a qualifying lease of a new fuel efficient 
automobile upon the surrender of an eligible trade- 
in vehicle to a dealer participating in the Program; 
(2) register dealers for participation in the Pro-
gram and require all registered dealers— 
(A) to accept vouchers as provided in this 
section as partial payment or down payment for 
the purchase or qualifying lease of any new fuel 
efficient automobile offered for sale or lease by 
that dealer; and
(B) in accordance with subsection (c)(2), 
to transfer each eligible trade-in vehicle surren-
dered to the dealer under the Program to an 
entity for disposal; 
(3) in consultation with the Secretary of the 
Treasury, make electronic payments to dealers for 
eligible transactions accepted by such dealers, in ac-
cordance with the regulations issued under sub-
section (d); and 
(4) in consultation with the Secretary of Treas-
ury and the Inspector General of the Department of 
Transportation, establish and provide for the en-
forcement of measures to prevent and penalize fraud 
under the Program. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS FOR AND VALUE OF VOUCH-
ERS.—A voucher issued under the Program shall have a 
value that may be applied to offset the purchase price or 
lease price for a qualifying lease of a new fuel efficient 
automobile as follows: 
(1) $3,500 VALUE.—The voucher may be used 
to offset the purchase price or lease price of the new 
fuel efficient automobile by $3,500 if— 
(A) the new fuel efficient automobile is a 
passenger automobile and the combined fuel 
economy value of such automobile is at least 4
miles per gallon higher than the combined fuel 
economy value of the eligible trade-in vehicle; 
(B) the new fuel efficient automobile is a 
category 1 truck and the combined fuel econ-
omy value of such truck is at least 2 miles per 
gallon higher than the combined fuel economy 
value of the eligible trade-in vehicle; 
(C) the new fuel efficient automobile is a 
category 2 truck that has a combined fuel econ-
omy value of at least 15 miles per gallon and— 
(i) the eligible trade-in vehicle is a 
category 2 truck and the combined fuel 
economy value of the new fuel efficient 
automobile is at least 1 mile per gallon 
higher than the combined fuel economy 
value of the eligible trade-in vehicle; or 
(ii) the eligible trade-in vehicle is a 
category 3 truck of model year 2001 or 
earlier; or 
(D) the new fuel efficient automobile is a 
category 3 truck and the eligible trade-in vehi-
cle is a category 3 truck of model year of 2001 
or earlier and is of similar size or larger than 
the new fuel efficient automobile as determined 
in a manner prescribed by the Secretary.
(2) $4,500 VALUE.—The voucher may be used 
to offset the purchase price or lease price of the new 
fuel efficient automobile by $4,500 if— 
(A) the new fuel efficient automobile is a 
passenger automobile and the combined fuel 
economy value of such automobile is at least 10 
miles per gallon higher than the combined fuel 
economy value of the eligible trade-in vehicle; 
(B) the new fuel efficient automobile is a 
category 1 truck and the combined fuel econ-
omy value of such truck is at least 5 miles per 
gallon higher than the combined fuel economy 
value of the eligible trade-in vehicle; or 
(C) the new fuel efficient automobile is a 
category 2 truck that has a combined fuel econ-
omy value of at least 15 miles per gallon and 
the combined fuel economy value of such truck 
is at least 2 miles per gallon higher than the 
combined fuel economy value of the eligible 
trade-in vehicle and the eligible trade-in vehicle 
is a category 2 truck. 
(c) PROGRAM SPECIFICATIONS.— 
(1) LIMITATIONS.— 
(A) GENERAL PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY.—A 
voucher issued under the Program shall be used
only in connection with the purchase or quali-
fying lease of new fuel efficient automobiles 
that occur between— 
(i) the date of enactment of this Act; 
and 
(ii) the date that is 1 year after the 
date on which the regulations promulgated 
under subsection (d) are implemented. 
(B) NUMBER OF VOUCHERS PER PERSON 
AND PER TRADE-IN VEHICLE.—Not more than 
1 voucher may be issued for a single person and 
not more than 1 voucher may be issued for the 
joint registered owners of a single eligible trade- 
in vehicle. 
(C) NO
COMBINATION
OF
VOUCHERS.— 
Only 1 voucher issued under the Program may 
be applied toward the purchase or qualifying 
lease of a single new fuel efficient automobile. 
(D) CAP
ON
FUNDS
FOR
CATEGORY
TRUCKS.—Not more than 7.5 percent of the 
total funds made available for the Program 
shall be used for vouchers for the purchase or 
qualifying lease of category 3 trucks. 
(E) COMBINATION
WITH
OTHER
INCEN-
TIVES PERMITTED.—The availability or use of a
Federal, State, or local incentive or a State- 
issued voucher for the purchase or lease of a 
new fuel efficient automobile shall not limit the 
value or issuance of a voucher under the Pro-
gram to any person otherwise eligible to receive 
such a voucher. 
(F) NO ADDITIONAL FEES.—A dealer par-
ticipating in the program may not charge a per-
son purchasing or leasing a new fuel efficient 
automobile any additional fees associated with 
the use of a voucher under the Program. 
(G) NUMBER
AND
AMOUNT.—The total 
number and value of vouchers issued under the 
Program may not exceed the amounts appro-
priated for such purpose. 
(2) DISPOSITION OF ELIGIBLE TRADE-IN VEHI-
CLES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—For each eligible trade- 
in vehicle surrendered to a dealer under the 
Program, the dealer shall certify to the Sec-
retary, in such manner as the Secretary shall 
prescribe by rule, that the dealer— 
(i) will arrange for the vehicle’s title 
to be transferred to the United States and
will accept possession of the vehicle on be-
half of the United States; 
(ii) has not and will not sell, lease, ex-
change, or otherwise dispose of the vehicle 
for use as an automobile in the United 
States or in any other country; and 
(iii) will transfer, on behalf of the 
United States, the vehicle (including the 
engine block) and the vehicle’s title, in 
such manner as the Secretary prescribes, 
to an entity that will ensure that the vehi-
cle— 
(I) will be crushed or shredded 
within such period and in such man-
ner as the Secretary prescribes; and 
(II) has not been, and will not 
be, sold, leased, exchanged, or other-
wise disposed of for use as an auto-
mobile in the United States or in any 
other country. 
(B) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in sub-
paragraph (A) may be construed to preclude a 
person who is responsible for ensuring that the 
vehicle is crushed or shredded from—
(i) selling any parts of the disposed 
vehicle other than the engine block and 
drive train (unless the transmission, drive 
shaft, or rear end are sold as separate 
parts); or 
(ii) retaining the proceeds from such 
sale. 
(C) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall 
coordinate with the Attorney General to ensure 
that the National Motor Vehicle Title Informa-
tion System and other publicly accessible sys-
tems are appropriately updated on a timely 
basis to reflect the crushing or shredding of ve-
hicles under this Act and appropriate re-classi-
fication of the vehicles’ titles. The commercial 
market shall also have electronic and commer-
cial access to the vehicle identification numbers 
of vehicles that have been disposed of on a 
timely basis. 
(d) REGULATIONS.—Notwithstanding the require-
ments of section 553 of title 5, United States Code, the 
Secretary shall promulgate final regulations to implement 
the Program not later than 30 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. Such regulations shall—
(1) provide for a means of registering dealers 
for participation in the program; 
(2) establish procedures for the reimbursement 
of dealers participating in the Program to be made 
through electronic transfer of funds for the amount 
of the vouchers as soon as practicable but no longer 
than 10 days after the submission of information 
supporting the eligible transaction, as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary; 
(3) require the dealer to use the voucher in ad-
dition to any other rebate or discount advertised by 
the dealer or offered by the manufacturer for the 
new fuel efficient automobile and prohibit the dealer 
from using the voucher to offset any such other re-
bate or discount; 
(4) require dealers to disclose to the person 
trading in an eligible trade in vehicle the best esti-
mate of the scrappage value of such vehicle; 
(5) require dealers to accept on behalf of the 
United States, and Transfer to the Secretary of the 
Treasury, the amount paid for scrappage of the ve-
hicle up to $60; 
(6) permit the dealer to retain any amounts 
paid to the dealer for scrappage of the automobile 
in excess of the $60 amount referred to in para-
graph (5) and designate $50 of such excess as pay-
ment for any administrative costs to the dealer asso-
ciated with participation in the Program; 
(7) clarify that dealers will not be reimbursed 
for any storage fees or other costs associated with 
their custodial handling of the eligible trade-in vehi-
cle; 
(8) consistent with subsection (c)(2), establish 
requirements and procedures for the disposal of eli-
gible trade-in vehicles and provide such information 
as may be necessary to entities engaged in such dis-
posal to ensure that such vehicles are disposed of in 
accordance with such requirements and procedures, 
including— 
(A) requirements for the removal and ap-
propriate disposition of refrigerants, antifreeze, 
lead products, mercury switches, and such other 
toxic or hazardous vehicle components prior to 
the crushing or shredding of an eligible trade- 
in vehicle, in accordance with rules established 
by the Secretary in consultation with the Ad-
ministrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, and in accordance with other applicable 
Federal or State requirements;
(B) a mechanism for dealers to certify to 
the Secretary that each eligible trade-in vehicle 
will be transferred by the dealer on behalf of 
the United States to an entity that will ensure 
that the vehicle is disposed of, in accordance 
with such requirements and procedures, and to 
submit the vehicle identification numbers of the 
vehicles disposed of and the new fuel efficient 
automobile purchased with each voucher; 
(C) a mechanism for obtaining such other 
certifications as determined necessary by the 
Secretary from entities engaged in vehicle dis-
posal; and 
(D) a list of entities to which dealers may 
transfer eligible trade-in vehicles for disposal; 
and 
(9) provide for the enforcement of the penalties 
described in subsection (e). 
(e) ANTI-FRAUD PROVISIONS.— 
(1) VIOLATION.—It shall be unlawful for any 
person to violate any provision under this Act or any 
regulations issued pursuant to subsection (d) (other 
than by making a clerical error). 
(2) PENALTIES.—Any person who commits a 
violation described in paragraph (1) shall be liable to
the United States Government for a civil penalty of 
not more than $15,000 for each violation. The Sec-
retary shall have the authority to assess and com-
promise such penalties, and shall have the authority 
to require from any entity the records and inspec-
tions necessary to enforce this program. In deter-
mining the amount of the civil penalty, the severity 
of the violation and the intent of the person commit-
ting the violation shall be taken into account. 
(f) INFORMATION TO CONSUMERS AND DEALERS.— 
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, and promptly upon the update of any relevant infor-
mation, the Secretary, in consultation with the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall 
make available on an Internet website and through other 
means determined by the Secretary information about the 
Program, including— 
(1) how to determine if a vehicle is an eligible 
trade-in vehicle; 
(2) how to participate in the Program, includ-
ing how to determine participating dealers; and 
(3) a comprehensive list, by make and model, of 
new fuel efficient automobiles meeting the require-
ments of the Program.
Once such information is available, the Secretary shall 
conduct a public awareness campaign to inform consumers 
about the Program and where to obtain additional infor-
mation. 
(g) RECORD KEEPING AND REPORT.— 
(1) DATABASE.—The Secretary shall maintain 
a database of the vehicle identification numbers of 
all new fuel efficient vehicles purchased or leased 
and all eligible trade-in vehicles disposed of under 
the Program. 
(2) REPORT ON THE EFFICACY OF THE PRO-
GRAM.—Not later than 60 days after the termi-
nation date described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii), the 
Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate describing the efficacy 
of the Program, including— 
(A) a description of program results, in-
cluding— 
(i) the total number and amount of 
vouchers issued for purchase or lease of 
new fuel efficient automobiles by manufac-
turer (including aggregate information
concerning the make, model, model year) 
and category of automobile; 
(ii) aggregate information regarding 
the make, model, model year, and manu-
facturing location of vehicles traded in 
under the Program; and 
(iii) the location of sale or lease; 
(B) an estimate of the overall increase in 
fuel efficiency in terms of miles per gallon, total 
annual oil savings, and total annual greenhouse 
gas reductions, as a result of the Program; and 
(C) an estimate of the overall economic 
and employment effects of the Program. 
(h) TREATMENT OF PAYMENT.— 
(1) FOR FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS.—A 
voucher under this Act or any payment made for 
such a voucher pursuant to subsection (a)(3) shall 
not be considered income and shall not be considered 
as a resource for the month of receipt and the fol-
lowing 12 months, for purposes of determining the 
eligibility of the recipient (or the recipient’s spouse 
or other family or household members) for benefits 
or assistance, or the amount or extent of benefits or 
assistance, under any Federal or State program.
(2) FOR PURPOSES OF TAXATION.—A voucher 
under this Act, or any payment made for such a 
voucher pursuant to subsection (a)(3), shall not be 
considered as gross income of the purchaser of a ve-
hicle under this Act for purposes of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986. 
(i) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this Act— 
(1) the term ‘‘passenger automobile’’ means a 
passenger 
automobile, 
as 
defined 
in 
section 
32901(a)(18) of title 49, United States Code, that 
has a combined fuel economy value of at least 22 
miles per gallon; 
(2) the term ‘‘category 1 truck’’ means a non- 
passenger 
automobile, 
as 
defined 
in 
section 
32901(a)(17) of title 49, United States Code, that 
has a combined fuel economy value of at least 18 
miles per gallon, except that such term does not in-
clude a category 2 truck; 
(3) the term ‘‘category 2 truck’’ means a large 
van or a large pickup, as categorized by the Sec-
retary using the method used by the Environmental 
Protection Agency and described in the report enti-
tled ‘‘Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel 
Economy Trends: 1975 through 2008’’;
(4) the term ‘‘category 3 truck’’ means a work 
truck, as defined in section 32901(a)(19) of title 49, 
United States Code; 
(5) the term ‘‘combined fuel economy value’’ 
means— 
(A) with respect to a new fuel efficient 
automobile, the number, expressed in miles per 
gallon, centered below the words ‘‘Combined 
Fuel Economy’’ on the label required to be af-
fixed or caused to be affixed on a new auto-
mobile pursuant to subpart D of part 600 of 
title 40 Code of Federal Regulations; 
(B) with respect to an eligible trade-in ve-
hicle, the equivalent of the number described in 
subparagraph (A), and posted under the words 
‘‘Estimated New EPA MPG’’ and above the 
word ‘‘Combined’’ for vehicles of model year 
1985 through 2007, or posted under the words 
‘‘New EPA MPG’’ and above the word ‘‘Com-
bined’’ for vehicles of model year 2008 or later 
on the fueleconomy.gov website of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency for the make, model, 
and year of such vehicle; or 
(C) with respect to an eligible trade-in ve-
hicle manufactured between model years 1978
through 1984, the equivalent of the number de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) as determined by 
the Secretary (and posted on the website of the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
tion) using data maintained by the Environ-
mental Protection Agency for the make, model, 
and year of such vehicle; 
(6) the term ‘‘dealer’’ means a person licensed 
by a State who engages in the sale of new auto-
mobiles to ultimate purchasers; 
(7) the term ‘‘eligible trade-in vehicle’’ means 
an automobile or a work truck (as such terms are 
defined in section 32901(a) of title 49, United 
States Code) that, at the time it is presented for 
trade-in under this Act— 
(A) is in drivable condition; 
(B) has been continuously insured con-
sistent with the applicable State law and reg-
istered to the same owner for a period of not 
less than 1 year immediately prior to such 
trade-in; 
(C) was manufactured in model year 1984 
or later; and
(D) in the case of an automobile, has a 
combined fuel economy value of 18 miles per 
gallon or less; 
(8) the term ‘‘new fuel efficient automobile’’ 
means an automobile described in paragraph (1), 
(2), (3), or (4)— 
(A) the equitable or legal title of which has 
not been transferred to any person other than 
the ultimate purchaser; 
(B) that carries a manufacturer’s sug-
gested retail price of $45,000 or less; 
(C) that— 
(i) in the case of passenger auto-
mobiles, category 1 trucks, or category 2 
trucks, is certified to applicable standards 
under section 86.1811–04 of title 40, Code 
of Federal Regulations; or 
(ii) in the case of category 3 trucks, 
is certified to the applicable vehicle or en-
gine standards under section 86.1816–08, 
86–007–11, or 86.008–10 of title 40, Code 
of Federal Regulations; and 
(D) that has the combined fuel economy 
value of at least—
(i) 22 miles per gallon for a passenger 
automobile; 
(ii) 18 miles per gallon for a category 
1 truck; or 
(iii) 15 miles per gallon for a category 
2 truck; 
(9) the term ‘‘Program’’ means the Consumer 
Assistance to Recycle and Save Program established 
by this Act; 
(10) the term ‘‘qualifying lease’’ means a lease 
of an automobile for a period of not less than 5 
years; 
(11) the term ‘‘scrappage value’’ means the 
amount received by the dealer for a vehicle upon 
transferring title of such vehicle to the person re-
sponsible for ensuring the dismantling and destroy-
ing the vehicle; 
(12) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Transportation acting through the National High-
way Traffic Safety Administration; 
(13) the term ‘‘ultimate purchaser’’ means, 
with respect to any new automobile, the first person 
who in good faith purchases such automobile for 
purposes other than resale;
(14) the term ‘‘voucher’’ means an electronic 
transfer of funds to a dealer based on an eligible 
transaction under this program; and 
(15) the term ‘‘vehicle identification number’’ 
means the 17-character number used by the auto-
mobile industry to identify individual automobiles. 
(j) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Trans-
portation $4,000,000,000 to carry out this Act. 
Passed the House of Representatives June 9, 2009. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 2751 
AN ACT 
To accelerate motor fuel savings nationwide and 
provide incentives to registered owners of high 
polluting automobiles to replace such automobiles 
with new fuel efficient and less polluting auto-
mobiles.