New Bill Could Impose New-Car Fee to Raise Money for Oversight

The recent Toyota recalls have spurred Congress to draft new legislation to address federal oversight of auto safety, which could include a fee on new-car sales to pay for additional resources at oversight agencies.

The main aims of the bill — although separate versions are being drafted in the Senate and House — are to require automakers to install brake override systems, stop-start technology and black boxes. Lawmakers are also considering to impose a “small fee” on new-car sales that would provide additional funding to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Proponents of the bill point out that in 1980, NHTSA had 119 people working on enforcement, but due to budget cuts in the ensuing years, the agency now has roughly half that number. California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman, the author of the House version of the bill, said the recent recalls show that NHTSA needs the proper “resources, expertise and authority” to oversee consumer safety.

The legislation also aims to raise the maximum fine for automaker misdeeds from the current $16.4 million, which is what Toyota will pay for its delay in ordering the recall of 2.3 million vehicles for sticking accelerator pedals. NHTSA chief David Strickland said he’d like to raise the maximum fine to more than $100 million.

Recalls Spur Congress to Act on Auto Safety (Detroit News)

Comments

People pay enough fees on new cars. No more taxes on new car sales.

I'm confused as to what stop-start technology has to do with safety.

I hear that Zack it never ceases to amaze me the way the govt. finds a way to come up with yet another tax/fee.

What did you expect from this administration? Wait till you see your utilities bill increase an average of 40%. This administration really believes Americans don't pay enough taxes and fees as we're all living high on the hog. I'm ashamed that I voted for the clown and his cronies.

this is crazy, but then again im almost 40 and never been able to buy a new car, ive never even made 40k a year, and the average desirable car is around 25 to 30k, so i guess it wont affect me too much. it amazes me as to how good of a country this is for people who were not born here, they dont have to pay additional fees or taxes, i wish that there were another country out there like this one that i could go to and work and not pay taxes.

why they increased new car fee.i did not expect from this administration.
http://www.encoreconsulting.net/

I didn't see anywhere in either the DN or KT articles where the Obama administration had anything to do with this or where it has said it supports or opposes this. Did I miss something?

Yes Derrick, you missed that the Obama administration is responsible for everything that is bad in this country. Even things that happened prior to his election.

From the WSJ, "White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs confirmed California Democratic Representative Henry Waxman is authoring a House version bill which will provide additional funding to the NHTSA to used for automobile safety enforcement. The new legislation if passed will be funded by a new vehicle consumer sales fee..."

Obama is only responsible for what his administration has done to date which among many things is to create ZERO jobs. I voted for Obama, I hated Bush, but I'm mature enough to call it like it is. Under Bush we had war and 8.5 MILLION more jobs than we do now. Under Obama we still have war and ZERO job growth. Obama is clearly learning on the job and not a fast learner. I would rather have *gulp* Bush as President as too many people I know are still out of work with no end in site.

We are one of the lowest taxed countries in the western world...if you want things they have to be paid for.

BTW - presidents don't create jobs.

Ziggy - exactly. I love how Obama gets all kinds of criticism for not creating jobs, but nothing is mentioned how they were lost in the first place. Bush and his administration must not have had anything to do with that then, it was all Obama's fault.

The problems that are credited to one administration are actually created by the previous one. It takes about 4 years for everything to play out. What we see now is from the last 4 years of Bush. Judge Obama by what happens in 2012 to 2016.

We are well on our way to catching up with the other countries in the tax arena. Obama and the majority of the democratic party want the gov't to keep growing. They can't keep it growing without higher taxes.

The previous administration was about growing the gov't as well. It just wanted to look good by not raising taxes and leaving a bigger hole for whoever got elected next.

People expect so much from the government, but don't ever want to pay for it.

It's always funny to read the low-wage earning libs crow about how we don't pay enough taxes when they themselves pay so little. If libs are so into paying taxes then why don't they send in extra tax payments? Alas their cowardice prevents them from doing so. Americans know the libs are unAmerican and the poles reflect it.

Conservatives always try and tout poll numbers when they can't win elections.

You mean elections like the one MA where Brown won? Or do you mean the one in NJ that Christie won? Or perhaps you're referring to the one in VA where McDonnell won? Run along junior as I'm done dope-slapping you.

I'm a high wage earning lib and I don't mind the taxes I pay. What I don't like are the higher wage earning conservs preaching religion and moral values when they don't have any.

Tyrone, you make me laugh. How the last presidential election go? Obama is pretty liberal isn't he?

(Slap)(Slap)-ouch Tyrone.

The way I read these posts it looks like Tyrone is the one 'dope-slapping' Belly. Belly said conservatives cant win elections and Tyrone named three who did. It's a good thing Tyrone showed mercy.

Nothing like labeling all of America as MA, NJ, and VA though right Gary S.? Uh-oh is that a slap coming... (slap). Yup Gary S., you just got one too.

No one labeled all of America as MA, NJ, and VA. Tyrone owned you.

Oooh, Gary S. really getting down to it now. He "owned you." You must like that idea.

Myself, I understand that conservatives want to claim the country wants all the same things they want. Sorry buckeroo, this country elected a liberal president.

You both are idiots with your trivial arguing but you did get owned by Tyrone.

Yes bush didnt help this country, but u can make one thing for sure, Obama isnt going to help but more job losses more taxes and taxes, his fix for a problem is taxes,how can people think he is going to help this country. every thing he does isnt helping you and I its taxing which hurts us (wake up people) Oboma and bush could care less about U and I. Obama want ur tax money taxes taxes

Thank you for that clear statement Mike. And DB - who is the idiot for responding?

Look at little junior not knowing when to give up. Owned.

Like you said - "idiots with your trivial arguing." Try and at least make a point. But really sorry that the cons lost the election.

Punk