Detailed Summary

<b>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)</b>

Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act - (Sec. 2) Establishes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a voluntary Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program through which the Secretary of Transportation shall: (1) authorize the issuance of an electronic voucher to offset the purchase or lease price for a new fuel efficient automobile upon the surrender of an eligible trade-in vehicle to a participating dealer; (2) register dealers for Program participation; (3) make electronic payments to them for eligible transactions they accept between specified dates; and (4) establish and provide for the enforcement of measures to prevent and penalize fraud under the Program.

Prescribes requirements, including combined fuel economy, for $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers to offset the purchase or lease price for a qualifying passenger automobile or truck.

Limits the number of vouchers to one per customer, including joint registered owners of a single eligible trade-in vehicle.

Requires a dealer to certify about each eligible trade-in vehicle that the dealer: (1) will arrange for transfer to the United States of the vehicle's title; (2) will accept possession of the vehicle on behalf of the United States; (3) has not and will not sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of the vehicle for use as an automobile anywhere in the world; and (4) will transfer, on behalf of the United States, the vehicle and its title to an entity that will ensure that the vehicle will be crushed or shredded within the Program period, and has not been, and will not be, sold, leased, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of for use as an automobile anywhere in the world.

Requires the Secretary to coordinate with the Attorney General to ensure that the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and other publicly accessible systems are timely updated to reflect the crushing or shredding of vehicles and appropriate reclassification of vehicle titles under this Act.

Prescribes standards which any regulations issued by the Secretary for the Program must meet.

Makes it unlawful for any person to violate this Act or any regulations issued under it, particularly by fraud. Prescribes civil penalties for any such violation.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) make Program information available on an Internet website and through other means; (2) maintain a database of vehicle identification numbers (VINs) of all new fuel efficient vehicles purchased or leased and eligible trade-in vehicles disposed of under the Program; and (3) report to Congress on Program results.

Provides that a voucher issued or payment made for a voucher under this Act shall not be considered as gross income to the recipient or be used to determine the recipient's (or family members') eligibility for benefits or assistance under any federal or state program.

Authorizes appropriations.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/11/2009: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 74.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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