Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate rules establishing a national motor vehicle tire fuel efficiency consumer information program to educate consumers about the effect of tires on automobile fuel efficiency. Requires information to be provided to consumers at the point of sale and other sites.
Requires the Secretary to conduct periodic assessments of the rules to determine the utility of such rules to consumers, the level of cooperation by industry, and the contribution to national goals with respect to energy consumption.
Prohibits the Secretary from requiring permanent labeling concerning tire fuel efficiency information on a tire.
Permits a state to enforce a law or regulation on tire fuel efficiency consumer information in effect on January 1, 2006. Allows a state to adopt or enforce a tire fuel efficiency consumer information law or regulation that is enacted after January 1, 2006, only if it is identical to the federal requirement. Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to preempt a state from regulating the fuel efficiency of tires not otherwise preempted under federal transportation law.
Sets forth a civil penalty for persons who fail to comply with the consumer information program requirements of this Act.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5632 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5632
To amend Chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, to establish a
national tire fuel efficiency consumer information program, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 16, 2006
Mr. Shimkus (for himself, Mr. Engel, and Mr. Allen) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend Chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, to establish a
national tire fuel efficiency consumer information program, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TIRE FUEL EFFICIENCY CONSUMER INFORMATION.
(a) In General.--Chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 30123 the following new section:
``Sec. 30123A. Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information
``(a) Rulemaking.--(1) Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall, after
notice and opportunity for comment, promulgate rules establishing a
national tire fuel efficiency consumer information program for tires
designed for use on motor vehicles to educate consumers about the
effect of tires on automobile fuel efficiency.
``(2) Items Included in Rule.--The rulemaking shall include each of
the following:
``(A) A national tire fuel efficiency rating system for
motor vehicle tires to assist consumers in making more educated
tire purchasing decisions.
``(B) Requirements for providing information to consumers,
including information at the point of sale and other potential
information dissemination methods, including the internet.
``(C) Specifications for test methods for manufacturers to
use in assessing and rating tires to avoid variation among test
equipment and manufacturers.
``(D) A national tire maintenance consumer education
program including, information on tire inflation pressure,
alignment, rotation, and tread wear to maximize fuel
efficiency.
``(3) Applicability.--This section shall not apply to tires
excluded from coverage under section 575.104(c)(2) of title 49, Code of
Federal Regulations, as in effect on date of enactment of this section.
``(b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary
of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
on the means of conveying tire fuel efficiency consumer information.
``(c) Report to Congress.--The Secretary shall conduct periodic
assessments of the rules promulgated under this section to determine
the utility of such rules to consumers, the level of cooperation by
industry, and the contribution to national goals pertaining to energy
consumption. The Secretary shall transmit periodic reports detailing
the findings of such assessments to the Energy and Commerce Committee
of the House of Representatives and the Commerce, Science, and
Transportation Committee of the Senate.
``(d) Tire Marking.--The Secretary shall not require permanent
labeling of any kind on a tire for the purpose of tire fuel efficiency
information.
``(e) Preemption.--When a requirement under this section is in
effect, a State or political subdivision of a State may adopt or
enforce a law or regulation on tire fuel efficiency consumer
information only if the law or regulation is identical to that
requirement. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt a
State or political subdivision of a State from regulating the fuel
efficiency of tires not otherwise preempted under this chapter.''.
(b) Enforcement.--Section 30165(a) of such chapter is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(3) Section 30123a.--Any person who fails to comply with
the national tire fuel efficiency consumer information program
under section 30123A is liable to the United States Government
for a civil penalty of not more than $50,000 for each
violation.''.
(c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for chapter 301 of
title 49 is amended by adding the following new item after the item
relating to section 30123:
``30123A. Tire fuel efficiency consumer information.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 109-537.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 109-537.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 301.
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