Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act

Bill: 116-hr-4709
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced: 2019-10-16
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Motor vehicles

Product safety and quality

Transportation programs funding

Transportation safety and security
Latest action: action_date: 2019-10-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H8682)

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-10-16
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act</b></p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4709 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 16, 2019 Mr. Tonko (for himself, Mr. Delgado , and Ms. Stefanik ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act . 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: 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 2021 through 2024. . (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. .