Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

26 May 1983

Last action

25 June 1984 · Committee

Status

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1013.

Summary

Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1983 - Title I: Improved Identification for Motor Vehicle Parts and Components - Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a Federal motor vehicle security standard applicable to parts used in the manufacture of motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, after the effective date of such standard, or manufactured as new replacement parts after such date. Directs the Secretary to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before promulgating such standard, which includes the effect on domestic motor vehicle production and sales. Stipulates that the standard shall not: (1) impose additional costs upon manufacturers in excess of $10 per motor vehicle; or (2) require the identification of more than 14 parts for any motor vehicle, nine parts for any truck, or four parts for any trailer. Declares that a Federal motor vehicle standard supercedes any State or local standard. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies on the development of security devices and systems. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on such devices and systems within one year of enactment. Provides for repeal of this title on a specified date. Title II: Antifencing Measures - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for removing or altering any identification number of any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part required by regulation. Requires the forfeiture of any vehicle or part which has had such number removed, with specified exceptions. Applies to the seizure and forfeiture of motor vehicles and parts those provisions of law relating to the seizure and forfeiture of vessels and merchandise under the customs laws. Establishes penalties for anyone who buys, receives, possesses, or obtains control of, with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that such identification number has been removed or altered. Designates as nonmailable matter any manipulative type device which is designed or adapted to operate, circumvent, remove, or render inoperative the ignition switch or lock, or door or trunk lock of two or more motor vehicles, or any advertisement for the sale of such device. Title III: Importation and Exportation Measures - Establishes criminal and civil penalties for anyone who imports, exports, or attempts to import or export any motor vehicle, off-highway vehicle or vehicle part knowing that it has been stolen or that its identification number has been altered. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require persons who export or attempt to export a used motor vehicle or off- highway mobile equipment to present to the appropriate customs officers the vehicle and a document describing that vehicle. Title IV: Reporting Requirements - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a task force to study problems relating to motor vehicle titling and controls over motor vehicle salvage which may affect the motor vehicle theft problem. Directs the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Transportation and the Postmaster General, to report to Congress on the implementation of this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

26 May 1983
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Source: IntroReferral
26 May 1983
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
19 July 1983
Committee
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-301.
Source: Committee
20 March 1984
Referred
Ordered; that when reported, the bill be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary for the purpose of its consideration of Titles II and III only, for a period of not to exceed 30 calendar days, Provided that if the bill is not reported by the Committee on the Judiciary within that time, that Committee be discharged from further consideration thereof.
Source: Floor
27 March 1984
Committee
Committee on Commerce. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.
Source: Committee
10 April 1984
Reported
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
23 May 1984
Reported
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 98-478.
Source: Committee
23 May 1984
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on Judiciary pursuant to the order of March 20, 1984.
Source: IntroReferral
23 May 1984
Reported
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 98-478.
Source: Committee
25 June 1984
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1013.
Source: Calendars
25 June 1984
Discharge
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged. Pursuant to the order of March 20, 1984.
Source: Discharge
25 June 1984
Committee
Senate Committee on Judiciary discharged. Pursuant to the order of March 20, 1984.
Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 23 May 1984
Open at official source
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 26 May 1983
Open at official source

Related records

related to → Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1983

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/98th-congress/senate-bill/1400
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/98/s/1400
us · 98-s-1400 · source updated 10 August 2026