49 U.S.C. § 32502 — Bumper standards

(a) General requirements and nonapplication. The Secretary of Transportation must write bumper standards for passenger motor vehicles, and may also write bumper standards for passenger vehicle equipment made in or imported into the U.S. A standard does not apply to a vehicle or piece of equipment that (1) is intended only for export, (2) is labeled "for export" on the vehicle or equipment itself and on the outside of its shipping container, and (3) actually gets exported. (b) Limitations. A bumper standard (1) cannot conflict with a motor vehicle safety standard set under chapter 301; (2) cannot state a dollar amount for what it costs to repair damage to a vehicle; and (3) must avoid, as much as practical, blocking a detachable tow hitch from being attached. (c) Exemptions. For good cause, the Secretary may exempt from all or part of a standard (1) a multipurpose passenger vehicle; (2) a make, model, or class of vehicle built for a special use, if the standard would unreasonably interfere with that special use; or (3) a vehicle for which someone has already filed an application for an exemption under section 30013(b). (d) Cost reduction and considerations. When writing a standard, the Secretary must design it to save the public as much money as possible, weighing (1) the costs and benefits of the standard, (2) its effect on insurance costs and legal fees, (3) how much consumer time and hassle it saves, and (4) health and safety, including emissions. (e) Procedures. The normal federal rulemaking process in section 553 of title 5 applies. But the Secretary must also let interested people make both oral and written presentations, and must keep a transcript of every oral presentation. The Secretary may hold a hearing to settle a disputed factual issue related to a standard. (f) Effective date. The Secretary must set an effective date for each standard — no earlier than the day it's issued, and no later than 18 months after that. The Secretary can pick a later date than 18 months, but only by explaining the reasons to Congress and publishing them. A standard only applies to vehicles or equipment made on or after its effective date. (g) Research. The Secretary must do whatever research is needed to carry out this chapter.