HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5357        FILED ON: 9/10/2024

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Steven S. Howitt

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to federal motor vehicle safety standards compliance.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5357        FILED ON: 9/10/2024

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act relative to federal motor vehicle safety standards compliance.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 64. Vehicles 25 Years or Older; Registration Requirements

(a) For the purposes of this section, a "Kei car" shall be defined as a vehicle primarily manufactured in Japan, with the following specifications: a length no longer than 11 feet, a width no greater than 4.9 feet, a height no taller than 6.6 feet, and an engine displacement no larger than 660cc.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards" shall refer to the federal regulations that allow motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, which are 25 years or older from the date of manufacture, to be imported into the United States and registered as outlined in 49 C.F.R. §§ 571 and 591, provided they were originally manufactured to meet the safety standards of their country of origin.

(c) The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles shall honor the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and shall register all vehicles 25 years or older as of the date of manufacture that were imported in compliance with 49 C.F.R. § 591, including vehicles classified as "Kei cars."

(d) The Registry of Motor Vehicles shall develop and implement an updated policy for the registration of Kei cars and shall honor inspection stickers for all automobiles imported in compliance with 49 C.F.R. § 591.