Passenger Van Safety Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1641
Sponsor: Rep. Udall, Mark [D-CO-2]
Introduced: 2003-04-03 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Bus drivers
Department of Transportation
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Leases
Motor vehicle safety
School buses
Science, Technology, Communications
Technology assessment
Traffic accidents and safety

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: 
Passenger Van Safety Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) develop a dynamic test on rollovers by 15-passenger vans for the purposes of a consumer information program, and carry out a program of conducting such tests; and (2) require the testing of 15-passenger vans at various load condition levels as part of the rollover resistance program of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program.
 
Directs the Secretary to test and evaluate various technological systems (including electronic stability control systems, rear-view mirror-based rollover warning systems, traction systems, lane departure systems, and antilock brakes) to determine their effectiveness in assisting drivers of 15-passenger vans to control them under conditions that cause vehicle rollover.
 
Requires the Secretary to issue a final rule initiated pursuant to a specified proposed rulemaking on the application of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to the commercial operation of 15-passenger vans.
 
Amends the Federal transportation code to prohibit any person from purchasing, renting, or leasing any motor vehicle designed or used to transport nine to 15 passengers that the person knows or reasonably should know will be used significantly to transport preprimary, primary, and secondary school students to or from school or an event related to school, unless the motor vehicle complies with the certain motor vehicle standards prescribed for schoolbuses. Establishes a civil penalty for violation of this prohibition, or for manufacture, sale, offer for sale, introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce, or importation, of a schoolbus or related equipment that fails to meet such standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2003-04-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines.
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E675)
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Introduced in House