Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act
Bill: H.R.2957 | Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul (D-NY)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act
This bill directs the Department of Transportation to award grants to states that have enacted and are enforcing laws that require the impoundment or immobilization of stretch limousines if such limousines are found to have certain defects upon inspection.

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to award grants to States 
   that have enacted and are enforcing certain laws with respect to 
              stretch 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 ``Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road 
Act''.

SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM FOR SAFETY OF STRETCH LIMOUSINES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 31162. Grant program for safety of stretch limousines
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall make a 
grant, in accordance with this section, to any State that has enacted 
and is enforcing a law that requires the impoundment or immobilization 
of a stretch limousine if such limousine is found to have an eligible 
defect upon inspection.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--A State is eligible for a grant under this 
section for a fiscal year if such State has enacted and is enforcing a 
law described in subsection (a) on October 1 of such fiscal year.
    ``(c) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--Beginning on October 1 of the first 
        fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this 
        section, the Secretary shall apportion funds appropriated to 
        carry out this section to each State that has enacted and is 
        enforcing a law described in subsection (a) in an amount 
        determined by--
                    ``(A) subtracting all amounts provided to States 
                pursuant to paragraph (2) from $5,000,000; and
                    ``(B) dividing the amount described in subparagraph 
                (A) by the number of States eligible for a grant for 
                such fiscal year.
            ``(2) Increase of amounts.--Beginning on October 1 of the 
        first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this 
        section, a State is eligible for an additional $50,000 if the 
        State has enacted and is enforcing a law or regulation that 
        requires--
                    ``(A) any safety inspection of a stretch limousine 
                to be conducted at a designated site controlled by the 
                State; and
                    ``(B) the inspection described in subparagraph (A) 
                to be conducted by employees trained in the inspection 
                of stretch limousines.
    ``(d) Uses of Funds.--A State receiving a grant under this section 
may use such funds--
            ``(1) for the impoundment or immobilization of a stretch 
        limousine;
            ``(2) for the establishment and operating expenses of 
        designated stretch limousine safety inspection sites; or
            ``(3) to train employees in the inspection of stretch 
        limousines.
    ``(e) Definitions.--As used in this section:
            ``(1) Eligible defect.--The term `eligible defect' means 
        any defect that would cause a motor vehicle to fail a 
        commercial motor vehicle safety inspection.
            ``(2) Passenger motor vehicle.--The term `passenger motor 
        vehicle' has the meaning given the term in section 32101 of 
        title 49, United States Code.
            ``(3) Stretch limousine.--The term `stretch limousine' 
        means a new or used passenger motor vehicle that has been 
        modified, altered, or extended 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.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2022 through 2025.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 311 of title 49 
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``31162. Grant program for safety of stretch limousines.''.
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