PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 23, 1999
Salvaged and Damaged Motor Vehicle Information Disclosure Act - Amends Federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to require a person transferring ownership of a motor vehicle to disclose in an form attached to the motor vehicle title whether such vehicle was salvage, flood, nonrepairable, or damaged. Sets forth similar informational requirements for motor vehicles that are to be leased or auctioned.(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations that prohibit a person from transferring any salvage or flood motor vehicle to any person other than an insurance company, a dealer, a distributor, or an automotive recycler or dismantler, unless the transferee receives from the transferor a copy of a certificate of inspection prepared by the person who rebuilt such vehicle. Prohibits a person transferring ownership of a motor vehicle or making the certification from violating such requirements or making a false statement with respect to such certification.Prohibits a person from registering a vehicle that has been determined to be nonrepairable in any State if such person has knowledge that such vehicle is nonrepairable. Authorizes the transfer of such vehicle only to an insurance company, automotive recycler or dismantler, and for dismantling into parts or for crushing. Prohibits a motor vehicle that has been disclosed as being nonrepairable from being licensed in a State.Authorizes the Secretary to inspect and impound or investigate in order to enforce regulations promulgated under this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes a person to enforce a claim under this Act in any appropriate State (or District of Columbia) court or U.S. district court.Prohibits States that do not comply with the requirements of this Act from receiving grant funds for making titling information available through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System to purchasers of a motor vehicle.(Sec. 4) Requires an insurance carrier or self-insured leasing or rental business to file with the operator of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System a monthly report with an inventory of all motor vehicles: (1) with respect to which a claim has been settled; and (2) which have suffered major damage or flood damage, or have become salvage or nonrepairable.
People & committees
Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3123-3125)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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