HR 7389
Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026
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Bill overview
The Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026 aims to update the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) motor vehicle safety programs. It establishes a priority plan for rulemaking and research, reforms the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) by creating a dedicated office and advisory committee, and includes provisions for improving recall notification procedures and addressing issues related to vehicle identification numbers. The bill also seeks to enhance consumer education regarding motor vehicle automation and explore strategies for improving post-crash vehicle access for first responders.
Key provisions
- Develops and regularly updates a motor vehicle safety rulemaking and research priority plan.
- Establishes an Office of the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP Office) with specific duties and responsibilities.
- Reforms the NCAP by creating an advisory committee and establishing a voluntary performance testing program.
- Requires the Administrator to conduct a review of motor vehicle safety standards every four years.
- Improves recall notification procedures to ensure timely and effective communication with vehicle owners.
- Addresses issues related to motor vehicle battery safety and thermal runaway incidents.
- Modernizes the vehicle identification number (VIN) system.
- Establishes a Motor Vehicle Fire Rescue Working Group to advise on post-crash vehicle access.
Who is affected
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Automobile Manufacturers
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 7389
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To modernize the motor vehicle safety programs of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026
.
The term Administration means the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The term ADS-equipped vehicle means a motor vehicle equipped with an automated driving system.
The term automated driving system—
means hardware and software that are collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis, regardless of whether such system is limited to a specific operational design domain; and
includes only a system that meets the definition of Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 automation.
The term dynamic driving task—
means each real-time operational and tactical function required to operate a motor vehicle in on-road traffic;
excludes any strategic function, such as trip scheduling and selection of a destination or waypoint; and
includes—
lateral vehicle motion control through steering;
longitudinal motion control through acceleration and deceleration;
monitoring of the driving environment through object and event detection, recognition, classification, and response preparation;
object and event response execution;
maneuver planning; and
enhancement of conspicuity through lighting, sounding the horn, signaling, gesturing, or another indicator.
Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles.
The term relevant congressional committees means the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.
priority plan).
The status of any research required to support such rulemaking and a link to a publicly accessible website that contains such research.
Whether any motor vehicle safety technology relevant to such rulemaking has been included in the NCAP.
The timing of expected milestones with respect to such rulemaking, including an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, a notice of proposed rulemaking, and a final rule.
Any information, data, or evidence gathered in the NCAP with respect to such research priorities.
The timing of expected milestones with respect to such research priorities.
NCAP Office).
Administer the NCAP.
Establish roadmaps for the implementation of the NCAP under section 32310 of title 49, United States Code (as amended by paragraph (4) of this subsection).
Establish a process for reporting results of the voluntary performance testing program under paragraph (5) of this subsection.
Conduct consumer education activities under paragraph (6) of this subsection.
evaluating the reported results pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection; and
evaluating recommendations made by the NCAP Advisory Committee pursuant to subsection (b)(6)(D) of this section.
Carry out any other related duties as determined appropriate by the Administrator.
in subsection (a)—
by striking 4
and inserting 3
; and
by striking the Secretary of Transportation (referred to in this section as the
and inserting Secretary
)the Associate Administrator, in consultation with the NCAP Advisory Committee,
;
Secretaryand inserting
Associate Administrator;
in subsection (d), by striking Secretary
each place it appears and inserting Associate Administrator
;
Secretaryeach place it appears and inserting
Associate Administrator; and
by adding at the end the following:
Creation, production, and dissemination of public awareness campaigns, including through print, broadcast, digital, and social media platforms.
Purchase of advertising time and space in any media, including television, radio, digital, and print.
Establishment and maintenance of websites, mobile applications, and other online content.
Engagement with community-based and national consumer motor vehicle safety organizations.
expenditures;
target audiences reached; and
any performance metrics used to evaluate the efficacy of such activities.
Committee) to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Secretary, the Administrator, and the Associate Administrator of the NCAP Office on matters related to the functions of the NCAP Office.
4 representatives of manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles.
1 representative of technology providers.
1 representative of the property and casualty insurance industry.
1 representative of State highway safety offices.
2 members with expertise in public health, data science, or human factors.
1 representative of a disability advocacy organization.
2 representatives of families or organizations that advocate on behalf of victims of accidents involving motor vehicles.
Each member appointed to the Committee—
shall serve an initial term of 4 years (or until the Committee terminates under paragraph (8), if earlier); and
may be reappointed for 1 subsequent term of 4 years (or until the Committee terminates under paragraph (8), if earlier).
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A)(i), with respect to the first 18 members appointed to the Committee, 9 shall be chosen by the Administrator to serve an initial term of 2 years.
The duties of the Committee shall be the following:
Review, assess, and evaluate passenger motor vehicle safety technologies with the potential to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities.
Structure.
Efficacy in educating consumers on and encouraging manufacturers to include new safety features in passenger motor vehicles.
Impact on motor vehicle safety.
Passenger motor vehicle safety ratings used internationally that are similar to the NCAP.
Expected cost of such a partnership or entity as compared to the cost of maintaining the NCAP under the Administration.
Processes for ensuring the NCAP (or any partnership or entity responsible for developing, updating, and operating the functions of the NCAP) informs the development of motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code.
Processes for ensuring the independence of the partnership or entity.
Federal Advisory Committee Act), shall not apply to the Committee.
evaluates the implementation of this section, including the amendments made by this section; and
The extent to which such standard satisfies the purpose described in section 30101 of title 49, United States Code.
Safety information, data, and evidence related to such standard.
solicit public feedback through a request for information; and
provide a period for public comment on the responses to such request for information.
submit to the relevant congressional committees a report on the results of such review; and
Section 24210 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (49 U.S.C. 308 note) is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
is carried out pursuant to—
this Act; or
the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026; or
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (1)(A), by striking an explanation
and inserting if such deadline has passed, an explanation
;
in paragraph (1)(B), by striking and
at the end;
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
the use of recognized project schedule management practices; and
adherence to applicable Federal standards with respect to such practices.
the use of recognized project schedule management practices; and
adherence to applicable Federal standards with respect to such practices.
2,500 vehiclesand inserting
90,000 vehicles.
Section 30113(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
Section 30113 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
The Secretary shall issue a decision with respect to a complete application for an exemption submitted under this section not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary receives such application.
If the Secretary does not issue a decision with respect to a complete application within the period required under paragraph (1), the application shall be deemed approved unless the Secretary provides to the applicant during such period written justification that identifies the manner in which the application is incomplete.
Section 30112(b)(10) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or motor vehicle equipment
after motor vehicle
each place the term appears; and
or motor vehicle equipmentafter
motor vehicles.
address factors identified under subsection (a); and
improve the efforts of the Administration, manufacturers, and third parties with respect to increasing the rate at which motor vehicles involved in a recall receive the service necessary to remedy the issue that is the subject of such recall.
Section 30119(d) of title 49, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting (or other form of contact information)
after address
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Section 30118 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
The requirement to notify under subsection (c) does not apply to a manufacturer until such time as the manufacturer makes the relevant decision under paragraph (1) or (2) of such subsection.
A notification of defect with respect to original equipment made by the original equipment supplier is not determinative of whether a defect exists in a motor vehicle in which the original equipment was installed at the time of delivery to the first purchaser.
Nothing in this subsection relieves a manufacturer of any obligation under subsection (c) to make a decision in good faith.
The value of consistent nomenclature and taxonomy for technology features and systems.
representatives of—
manufacturers;
dealers;
motor vehicle owners and operators, including fleet managers, rental companies, and transportation network companies;
consumers or consumer advocacy groups;
marketing professionals;
entities with national experience in consumer education, including drivers’ education;
safety organizations; and
national disability organizations and national organizations representing older adults; and
any other individuals the Administrator considers appropriate and qualified.
consult with the Federal Trade Commission, as appropriate; and
ensure public participation, including by soliciting input through requests for information.
Federal Advisory Committee Act), shall not apply to the working group established under subsection (a).
Trends with respect to the average age of passenger motor vehicles.
Trends with respect to passenger motor vehicle ownership costs, including trends with respect to—
total lifecycle costs; and
related factors, including—
initial purchase price;
motor vehicle manufacturing and supply chain matters;
financing;
insurance;
subscriptions;
power requirements, such as with respect to electricity, gasoline, and other fuels;
repair and maintenance;
depreciation;
optional safety features; and
optional convenience features.
Legal, policy, economic, and regulatory factors that affect the average age of passenger motor vehicles, passenger motor vehicle ownership costs, and consumer understanding of such costs.
In this section, the term automated wheelchair securement system means an automated system that, using a universal docking interface geometry standard, secures a wheelchair within a motor vehicle utilizing a deployable anchor.
The study required by subsection (a) shall analyze the following:
How the VIN system is used by the following:
State and local governments.
Manufacturers.
Law enforcement.
Any limitations of the VIN system, including with respect to motor vehicle safety and regulatory compliance.
Recommendations for Congress and the Administration to improve the VIN system, including with respect to motor vehicle attributes.
State motor vehicle agencies that are responsible for the registration and titling of motor vehicles.
State and local law enforcement agencies.
Emergency responders.
Roadway safety organizations.
Consumer motor vehicle safety organizations.
International standards organizations.
Manufacturers.
Dealers.
The property and casualty insurance industry.
In this section:
The term motor vehicle attributes means the following:
Means of propulsion.
Driver assistance technology.
Electrification specification, including with respect to battery capacity and charging capability.
Connectivity requirements.
Over-the-air update capability.
The term VIN has the meaning given such term in section 565.12(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish the Motor Vehicle Fire Rescue Working Group (in this section referred to as the Working Group
) to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator on matters related to ensuring the safe and efficient extraction of occupants of motor vehicles post-crash.
The Working Group shall be composed of 15 members, appointed by the Administrator, as follows:
4 representatives of manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles.
2 representatives of national consumer motor vehicle safety organizations.
4 representatives of organizations that represent first responders, including firefighters.
2 representatives of manufacturers of motor vehicle batteries.
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), with respect to the first 15 members appointed to the Working Group, 7 shall be chosen by the Administrator to serve an initial term of 2 years.
Each member of the Working Group shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
The duties of the Working Group shall be the following:
Review, assess, and evaluate factors to facilitate the safe and efficient post-crash access of first responders to motor vehicles, including the following:
Post-crash fire rescue tools.
Modifications to the design, construction, and performance of motor vehicles to improve access points for first responders.
Fire suppression methods appropriate for motor vehicle batteries.
Any other relevant factor reviewed, assessed, and evaluated by the Working Group.
Provide recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator about the factors reviewed, assessed, and evaluated under subsection (a).
Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall submit to the relevant congressional committees a report about the work the Working Group has done pursuant to subsection (f), including any recommendations provided pursuant to subsection (f)(2).
The Working Group shall terminate on the date that is 60 days after the date on which the report is submitted pursuant to subsection (g).
Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Federal Advisory Committee Act
), shall not apply to the Working Group.
Solicitation of information, data, research, and evidence by the Committee pursuant to sections 30181, 30182, 30183, and 32502(g) of title 49, United States Code, is exempt from subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act).