Safety Act Sweeps Senate Commerce Committee

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The MVSA has passed its final committee-level hurdle, passing the Senate Commerce Committee by unanimous vote [full Senate version in PDF here, summary here]. The Act now faces votes by the full House and Senate, with only one major issue differentiating the two: the House version includes a “vehicle safety user fee” on new car sales, while the Senate version does without, thanks. Either way, NHTSA gets its budget doubled to $280m by 2013, so the difference is pretty academic. Other minor quibbles include whether or not to cap NHTSA’s fining power at $200m or $300m per defect. Somehow I think they’ll work it out. Look for the bill to move towards President Obama’s desk at distinctly un-legislative speed. After all, a little pork always helps… and the Senate Commerce Committee also just approved a bill ( S.1938) ordering the DOT to grant $94m per year to states with hands-free laws for enforcement of those laws, distracted driver awareness education road signs. Who likes the smell of legislation?

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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 6 comments
  • Golden2husky Golden2husky on Jun 09, 2010

    Event data recorders...bad slope to start sliding down...

    • See 1 previous
    • Roadracer Roadracer on Jun 10, 2010

      Doubling the budget of any federal agency is another bad slope to continue sliding down...

  • DearS DearS on Jun 10, 2010

    This is the continuation of the indifference practiced by the masses. Not sure if society will get out of this continuing mess. I think I'm ok, I hope I make it to educate those willing to listen.

  • DearS DearS on Jun 10, 2010

    Society is so insensible to malicious behavior. Abusive behavior is so pervasive, insidious, clandestine, and manipulative that deep emotional trauma cannot, will not be avoidable to anyone.

  • Pauldun170 Pauldun170 on Jun 10, 2010

    "I would love a car that drives itself" I bet that is what goes through the minds of legislators who spend a decent amount of time having others do the driving for them. "Saves lives and my car will drive me to massage parlor...just like all the sci fi shows" Fortunately, I still have my motorcycles. Screw yer safety nannies.

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