
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 49USC32502]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
             SUBTITLE VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
 
            PART C--INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS
 
                      CHAPTER 325--BUMPER STANDARDS
 
Sec. 32502. Bumper standards

    (a) General Requirements and Nonapplication.--The Secretary of 
Transportation shall prescribe by regulation bumper standards for 
passenger motor vehicles and may prescribe by regulation bumper 
standards for passenger motor vehicle equipment manufactured in, or 
imported into, the United States. A standard does not apply to a 
passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle equipment--
        (1) intended only for export;
        (2) labeled for export on the vehicle or equipment and the 
    outside of any container of the vehicle or equipment; and
        (3) exported.

    (b) Limitations.--A standard under this section--
        (1) may not conflict with a motor vehicle safety standard 
    prescribed under chapter 301 of this title;
        (2) may not specify a dollar amount for the cost of repairing 
    damage to a passenger motor vehicle; and
        (3) to the greatest practicable extent, may not preclude the 
    attachment of a detachable hitch.

    (c) Exemptions.--For good cause, the Secretary may exempt from all 
or any part of a standard--
        (1) a multipurpose passenger vehicle;
        (2) a make, model, or class of a passenger motor vehicle 
    manufactured for a special use, if the standard would interfere 
    unreasonably with the special use of the vehicle; or
        (3) a passenger motor vehicle for which an application for an 
    exemption under section 30013(b) \1\ of this title has been filed in 
    accordance with the requirements of that section.
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    \1\ So in original. Probably should be section ``30113(b)''.

    (d) Cost Reduction and Considerations.--When prescribing a standard 
under this section, the Secretary shall design the standard to obtain 
the maximum feasible reduction of costs to the public, considering--
        (1) the costs and benefits of carrying out the standard;
        (2) the effect of the standard on insurance costs and legal fees 
    and costs;
        (3) savings in consumer time and inconvenience; and
        (4) health and safety, including emission standards.

    (e) Procedures.--Section 553 of title 5 applies to a standard 
prescribed under this section. However, the Secretary shall give an 
interested person an opportunity to make oral and written presentations 
of information, views, and arguments. A transcript of each oral 
presentation shall be kept. Under conditions prescribed by the 
Secretary, the Secretary may conduct a hearing to resolve an issue of 
fact material to a standard.
    (f) Effective Date.--The Secretary shall prescribe an effective date 
for a standard under this section. That date may not be earlier than the 
date the standard is prescribed nor later than 18 months after the date 
the standard is prescribed. However, the Secretary may prescribe a later 
date when the Secretary submits to Congress and publishes the reasons 
for the later date. A standard only applies to a passenger motor vehicle 
or passenger motor vehicle equipment manufactured on or after the 
effective date.
    (g) Research.--The Secretary shall conduct research necessary to 
carry out this chapter.

(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1042; Pub. L. 105-
277, div. A, Sec. 101(g) [title III, Sec. 351(b)(1)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 
Stat. 2681-439, 2681-476.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
32502(a)..............................  15:1912(a).                      Oct. 2
0, 1972, Pub. L. 92-513, Secs.
                                                                          102, 
104(d), 86 Stat. 949.
32502(b)(1)...........................  15:1912(b)(2).
32502(b)(2)...........................  15:1901(6) (words after          Oct. 2
0, 1972, Pub. L. 92-513, Sec.
                                         semicolon).                      2(6) 
(words after semicolon), 86 Stat.
                                                                          948; 
Dec. 22, 1975, Pub. L. 94-163,
                                                                          Sec. 
 301, 89 Stat. 901; Oct. 10,
                                                                          1980,
 Pub. L. 96-425, Sec.  8(a)(2),
                                                                          94 St
at. 1828; Oct. 25, 1984, Pub. L.
                                                                          98-54
7, Sec.  101(b), 98 Stat. 2767.
32502(b)(3)...........................  15:1912(c)(2).
32502(c)..............................  15:1912(c)(1).
32502(d)..............................  15:1912(b)(1).
32502(e)..............................  15:1912(e).
32502(f)..............................  15:1912(d).
32502(g)..............................  15:1914(d).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------

    In subsection (a), before clause (1), the words ``Subject to 
subsections (b) through (e) of this section'' are omitted as surplus. 
The words ``shall prescribe by regulation'' are substituted for ``by 
rule . . . shall promulgate'' for clarity. The words ``may prescribe by 
regulation'' are substituted for ``by rule . . . may promulgate'' for 
consistency.
    In subsection (c), before clause (1), the words ``In promulgating 
any bumper standard under this subchapter'' are omitted as surplus. The 
words ``from any part of a standard'' are substituted for ``partially or 
completely'' for clarity and consistency.
    In subsection (d), before clause (1), the words ``to the public'' 
are substituted for ``to the public and to the consumer'' because they 
are inclusive. In clause (2), the word ``prospective'' is omitted as 
surplus.
    In subsection (e), the words ``Section 553 of title 5 applies to a 
standard prescribed under this section'' are substituted for ``All rules 
establishing, amending, or revoking a bumper standard under this 
subchapter shall be issued pursuant to section 553 of title 5'', the 
words ``opportunity to make oral and written presentations of 
information, views, and arguments'' are substituted for ``opportunity 
for oral presentation of data, views, or arguments, and the opportunity 
to make written submissions'', the words ``Under conditions prescribed 
by the Secretary'' are substituted for ``in accordance with such 
conditions or limitations as he may make applicable thereto'', and the 
words ``material to a standard'' are substituted for ``material to the 
establishing, amending, or revoking of a bumper standard'', to eliminate 
unnecessary words.
    In subsection (f), the words ``However, the Secretary may prescribe 
a later date when the Secretary submits'' are substituted for ``unless 
the Secretary presents'' for clarity. The word ``reasons'' is 
substituted for ``a detailed explanation of the reasons'' to eliminate 
unnecessary words.


                               Amendments

    1998--Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105-277, Sec. 101(g) [title III, 
Sec. 351(b)(1)(A)], substituted ``all or any part of a standard'' for 
``any part of a standard'' in introductory provisions.
    Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 105-277, Sec. 101(g) [title III, 
Sec. 351(b)(1)(B)-(D)], added par. (3).

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 32503, 32504, 32506, 32507, 
32508, 32511 of this title.
