S.Amdt. 1687

1. Adds SEC. ___. DISCLOSURE OF SAFETY PERFORMANCE RATINGS OF MOTORCOACH SERVICES AND OPERATIONS wherever appropriate

   Adds a section

   Inserted: SEC. ___. DISCLOSURE OF SAFETY PERFORMANCE RATINGS OF MOTORCOACH SERVICES AND OPERATIONS.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 141 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "Sec. 14105. Safety performance ratings of motorcoach services and operations

   Inserted: "(a) Definitions.--In this section:

   Inserted: "(1) Motorcoach.--

   Inserted: "(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term 'motorcoach' has the meaning given to the term 'over-the-road bus' in section 3038(a)(3) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 5310 note).

   Inserted: "(B) Inclusions and exclusions.--The term 'motorcoach'--

   Inserted: "(i) includes a motor vehicle used to transport passengers that has a gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds; and

   Inserted: "(ii) does not include--

   Inserted: "(I) a bus used in public transportation that is provided by a State or local government; or

   Inserted: "(II) a school bus (as defined in section 30125(a)(1)), including a multifunction school activity bus.

   Inserted: "(2) Motorcoach services and operations.--The term 'motorcoach services and operations' means passenger transportation by a motorcoach for compensation.

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   Inserted: "(b) Rulemaking.--

   Inserted: "(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the safety fitness determination rule is implemented, the Secretary shall require, by regulation--

   Inserted: "(A) each motor carrier that owns or leases 1 or more motorcoaches that transport passengers subject to the Secretary's jurisdiction under section 13501 to display prominently in each terminal of departure, on the motorcoach if the motorcoach does not depart from a terminal, and at all points of sale for such motorcoach services and operations, a simple and understandable letter grade rating system that allows motorcoach passengers to compare the safety performance of motorcoach operators; and

   Inserted: "(B) any person who sells tickets for motorcoach services and operations to display the letter grade rating system described in subparagraph (A) at all points of sale for such motorcoach services and operations.

   Inserted: "(2) Items included in the rulemaking.--In promulgating safety performance ratings for motorcoaches pursuant to the rulemaking required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider--

   Inserted: "(A) the frequency with which safety performance ratings will be assigned and updated, which updates shall take place at least once per year;

   Inserted: "(B) the specific data elements and sources of information to be utilized in establishing and updating safety performance ratings for motorcoaches;

   Inserted: "(C) the need and extent to which safety performance ratings should be made available in languages other than English; and

   Inserted: "(D) penalties authorized under section 521.

   Inserted: "(3) Insufficient inspections.--Any motor carrier for which insufficient safety data is available shall display a label warning of such insufficiency.

   Inserted: "(c) Effect on State and Local Law.--Nothing in this section may be construed to preempt a State, or a political subdivision of a State, from enforcing any requirements concerning the manner and content of consumer information provided by motor carriers that are not subject to the Secretary's jurisdiction under section 13501.".

   Inserted: (b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis of chapter 141 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 14104 the following:

   Inserted: "Sec. 14105. Safety performance ratings of motorcoach services and operations.".

   The amendment doesn't say where this goes; the clerk decides.

   Original wording

   At the appropriate place, insert the following:

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As printed