Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 86.djvu/998

 956

PUBLIC LAW 92-513-OCT. 20, 1972

[86 STAT.

tion of this title, and include such recommendations for further legislative or other action as the Secretary determines may be appropriate. TITLE II — A U TO M O B I L E CONSUMER INFORMATION STUDY CONSUMER INFORMATION

Dissemination.

Insurance premium rate parisons.

SEC. 201. (a) During the first year after enactment of this Act the Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of the methods for determining the following characteristics of passenger motor vehicles: ^ 1) The damage susceptibility of such vehicles. (2^ The degree of crash worthiness of such vehicles. (3) The characteristics of such vehicles with respect to the ease of diagnosis and repair of mechanical and electrical systems which fail during use or which are damaged in motor vehicle accidents. (b) After reviewing the methods for determining the characteristics enumerated in subsection (a), the Secretary shall make specific recommendations for the further development of existing methods or for the development of new methods. (c) After the study has been completed the Secretary is authorized and directed to devise specific ways in which existing information and information to be developed relating to (1) the characteristics of passenger motor vehjcles enumerated in subsection (a), or (2) vehicle operating costs dependent upon those characteristics (including information obtained pursuant to section 205 of this title), can be communicated to consumers so as to be of benefit in their passenger motor vehicle purchasing decisions. (d) The Secretary shall compile the information described in subsection (c) and furnish it to the public in a simple and readily understandable form in order to facilitate comparison among the various makes and models of passenger motor vehides with respect to the characteristics enumerated in subsection (a). (e) The Secretary, not later than February 1, 1975, shall by rule establish procedures requiring automobile dealers to distribute to prospective purchasers information developed by the Secretary and provided to the dealer which compares differences in insurance costs for different makes and models of passenger motor vehicles based upon differences in damage susceptibility and crashworthiness. ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS

80 Stat. 378. 5 USC 101 et seq, 5 USC 5101, 5331. 80 Stat. 416.

SEC. 202. I n order to carry out his functions under this title the Secretary is authorized to— (1) appoint and fix the compensation of such employees as he deems necessary without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointment in the competitive service and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates; (2) obtain the services of experts and consultants in accordance with the provisions of section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed $100 per diem; (3) contract with any person for the conduct of research and surveys and the preparation of reports; and (4) appoint, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive services,

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