
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: 49USC32511]

 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
             SUBTITLE VI--MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
 
            PART C--INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS
 
                      CHAPTER 325--BUMPER STANDARDS
 
Sec. 32511. Relationship to other motor vehicle standards

    (a) Preemption.--Except as provided in this section, a State or a 
political subdivision of a State may prescribe or enforce a bumper 
standard for a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor vehicle 
equipment only if the standard is identical to a standard prescribed 
under section 32502 of this title.
    (b) Enforcement.--This chapter and chapter 301 of this title do not 
affect the authority of a State to enforce a bumper standard about an 
aspect of performance of a passenger motor vehicle or passenger motor 
vehicle equipment not covered by a standard prescribed under section 
32502 of this title if the State bumper standard--
        (1) does not conflict with a standard prescribed under chapter 
    301 of this title; and
        (2) was in effect or prescribed by the State on October 20, 
    1972.

    (c) Additional and Higher Standards of Performance.--The United 
States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may 
prescribe a bumper standard for a passenger motor vehicle or passenger 
motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes additional 
or higher standards of performance than a standard prescribed under 
section 32502 of this title.

(Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1047.)

                                          Historical and Revision Notes
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           Revised  Section                    Source (U.S. Code)              
 Source (Statutes at Large)
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---------------------------------
32511(a)..............................  15:1920(a).                      Oct. 2
0, 1972, Pub. L. 92-513, Sec.
                                                                          110, 
86 Stat. 955.
32511(b)..............................  15:1920(b)(1).
32511(c)..............................  15:1920(b)(2).
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---------------------------------

    In subsection (a), the words ``may prescribe or enforce . . . only 
if the standard is identical'' are substituted for ``no . . . shall have 
any authority to establish or enforce with respect to . . . which is not 
identical'' to eliminate unnecessary words. The words ``a standard 
prescribed under section 32502 of this title'' are substituted for 
``Federal bumper standard'' for clarity.
    In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words ``to continue'' are 
omitted as surplus. The words ``a bumper standard about an aspect of 
performance . . . not covered by a standard prescribed under section 
32502 of this title'' are substituted for ``Until a Federal bumper 
standard takes effect with respect to an aspect of performance'' and 
``any bumper standard which is applicable to the same aspect of 
performance of such vehicle or item of equipment'' to eliminate 
unnecessary words. The words ``if the State bumper standard'' are added 
for clarity.
    In subsection (c), the words ``that imposes additional or higher 
standards of performance than'' are substituted for ``which is not 
identical to . . . if such requirement imposes an additional or higher 
standard of performance'' for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary 
words.
