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H.R. 2957House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act

Sponsored by Paul TonkoRep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Introduced May 4, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 2:35 AM UTC

The Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act creates a federal grant program that rewards states which adopt and enforce laws requiring unsafe stretch‑limousines to be impounded or immobilized. The Department of Transportation will distribute up to $5 million each fiscal year to eligible states, with an extra $50,000 for states that also require inspections at state‑run sites staffed by trained inspectors. The funds can be used for impounding vehicles, operating inspection sites, and training personnel. The bill targets stretch‑limousine operators and state governments that regulate vehicle safety.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes a grant program for states that have laws mandating the impoundment of stretch limousines found to have an "eligible defect" during inspection.
  • Defines eligibility: a state must have such a law in effect by October 1 of the fiscal year to qualify for a grant.
  • Allocates up to $5 million annually, divided equally among all eligible states after subtracting any additional $50,000 awards.
  • Provides an additional $50,000 grant to states that require safety inspections at designated state‑controlled sites performed by trained employees.
  • Specifies allowable uses of grant money: impounding or immobilizing unsafe limousines, establishing and operating inspection sites, and training inspection staff.
  • Defines “eligible defect” as any defect that would cause a commercial motor vehicle to fail a safety inspection, and defines “stretch limousine” as a passenger vehicle modified to seat at least nine passengers including the driver.
  • Authorizes appropriations of $5 million for each fiscal year from 2022 through 2025.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee

May 5, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 4, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

May 4, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee

May 5, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 4, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2957

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 4, 2021

Mr. Tonko (for himself, Mr. Delgado, and Ms. Stefanik) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to award grants to States that have enacted and are enforcing certain laws with respect to stretch limousines, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act.

2.

Grant program for safety of stretch limousines

(a)

In general

Chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

31162.

Grant program for safety of stretch limousines

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Transportation shall make a grant, in accordance with this section, to any State that has enacted and is enforcing a law that requires the impoundment or immobilization of a stretch limousine if such limousine is found to have an eligible defect upon inspection.

(b)

Eligibility

A State is eligible for a grant under this section for a fiscal year if such State has enacted and is enforcing a law described in subsection (a) on October 1 of such fiscal year.

(c)

Grants

(1)

In general

Beginning on October 1 of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall apportion funds appropriated to carry out this section to each State that has enacted and is enforcing a law described in subsection (a) in an amount determined by—

(A)

subtracting all amounts provided to States pursuant to paragraph (2) from $5,000,000; and

(B)

dividing the amount described in subparagraph (A) by the number of States eligible for a grant for such fiscal year.

(2)

Increase of amounts

Beginning on October 1 of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this section, a State is eligible for an additional $50,000 if the State has enacted and is enforcing a law or regulation that requires—

(A)

any safety inspection of a stretch limousine to be conducted at a designated site controlled by the State; and

(B)

the inspection described in subparagraph (A) to be conducted by employees trained in the inspection of stretch limousines.

(d)

Uses of funds

A State receiving a grant under this section may use such funds—

(1)

for the impoundment or immobilization of a stretch limousine;

(2)

for the establishment and operating expenses of designated stretch limousine safety inspection sites; or

(3)

to train employees in the inspection of stretch limousines.

(e)

Definitions

As used in this section:

(1)

Eligible defect

The term eligible defect means any defect that would cause a motor vehicle to fail a commercial motor vehicle safety inspection.

(2)

Passenger motor vehicle

The term passenger motor vehicle has the meaning given the term in section 32101 of title 49, United States Code.

(3)

Stretch limousine

The term stretch limousine means a new or used passenger motor vehicle that has been modified, altered, or extended in a manner that increases the overall wheelbase of the vehicle, exceeding the original equipment manufacturer’s wheelbase dimension for the base model and year of the vehicle, in any amount sufficient to accommodate additional passengers with a seating capacity of not fewer than 9 passengers including the driver.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025.

.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The analysis for chapter 311 of title 49 is amended by adding at the end the following:

31162. Grant program for safety of stretch limousines.

.