Motor Vehicle Safety Amendments

Summary

Motor Vehicle Safety Amendments - Authorizes, for the purpose of carrying out the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, the appropriation of not more than $70,000,000 per fiscal year for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and for each of the two succeeding fiscal years. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to require the manufacturer to notify persons of the manufacturer's obligation to remedy the defect or failure. Authorizes the Secretary to order the manufacturers to remedy the defect without charge to the owner of the motor vehicle. States that, unless the Secretary extends the period for repairs for good cause and publishes his reasons in the Federal Register, the repair shall not exceed the reasonable period of 60 days. Authorizes the Secretary, if the repairs cannot be adequately made in a reasonable period, to require the replacement with a new or equivalent vehicle or item of equipment without charge or the refunding of the purchase price in full, less depreciation. Permits the manufacturer, in the case of a tire, to charge for replacement if the tire is presented for remedy more than 60 days after the owner receives notice or replacement tires become available, whichever is later. Authorizes the Secretary to exempt manufacturers from the requirements of the Act for inconsequential defects. Requires making public any information that indicates the existence of a defect and allows the Secretary to determine what other information is disclosed. Prohibits the removal by the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or motor vehicle repair business of devices installed in compliance with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard. Raises the maximum civil penalty to $800,000 and establishes a criminal penalty of a $1,000 fine for each violation or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct inspections or investigations, including impoundment with compensation to the owner, to enforce the Act and directs the Secretary to furnish the Attorney General and, when appropriate, the Secretary of the Treasury any information indicating noncompliance with the Act. Requires any manufacturers opposing an action of the Secretary on the ground of increased cost to submit cost information to properly evaluate the manufacturer's statement. Allows any interested person to file with the Secretary a petition requesting the commencement or completion of a proceeding and futher allows the commencement of a civil action in a United States district court.

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Documents

2 official files

• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 11 July 1974

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 13 March 1973

  Open at official source

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