PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.3713 / 103rd Congress

Salvage Vehicle Title Reform and Highway Safety Act

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 22, 1993

Salvage Vehicle Title Reform and Highway Safety Act - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to prescribe rules requiring the transferor (or lessor) of a motor vehicle to disclose to the transferee (or lessee): (1) whether the motor vehicle is a salvage vehicle; (2) whether such vehicle has suffered any major damage; and (3) the nature and amount of any damage to it, the year such damage occurred, and the identity of the person who owned it at the time of the damage. (Sec. 5) Requires dealers and distributors who sell motor vehicles to: (1) show the original or a copy of the motor vehicle title, and the required disclosures to the purchaser before the sale; and (2) provide the title and such disclosures, including copies, to the purchaser at the time of the sale. Requires auction companies to maintain for at least four years after the sale of a motor vehicle any records showing whether such disclosures indicate whether it was salvage or had been damaged. Requires the Secretary to prescribe rules prohibiting a State from licensing a motor vehicle upon the transfer of its ownership unless: (1) the transferee, in submitting an application to a State for the title, includes with such application both the existing title or manufacturer's statement of origin and any required disclosures made by the transferor; and (2) the title issued by the State to the transferee shows on its face in conspicuous and plain wording whether any "salvage," "rebuilt," "reconstructed," "flood damaged," "junk," or similar label was shown on the title surrender by the transferee, or on any title previously issued for the motor vehicle showing such label, and whether any required disclosures or other documentation received by such State has shown that the motor vehicle is "salvage" or has suffered damage. Sets forth certain other title requirements. Requires insurance companies that make settlements on motor vehicles that have been damaged to give notice of the disclosure requirements to the motor vehicle's owner at the time of such settlement. Requires the Secretary to prescribe rules prohibiting a State from licensing a salvage vehicle unless after being repaired it has been inspected to check for safety defects and for stolen parts. Prohibits persons from conspiring to violate this Act. (Sec. 6) Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act. Declares that nothing in this Act shall preempt State laws with respect to the disclosure of salvage or damage history of a motor vehicle or its inspection.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. Wheat, Alan [D-MO-5] · D–MO

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness.

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3713 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3713 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3713 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3713 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources