August 6, 2026
Mr. Flood (for himself, Mr. Obernolte, Mr. Ellzey, and Mr. Rouzer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To amend title 49, United States Code, to prohibit liability at common law for failure to manufacture or equip a motor vehicle to an extent that exceeds applicable motor vehicle safety standards.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Purposes
The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1)
To ensure the uniform application of motor vehicle safety standards promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pursuant to Chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code.
(2)
To relieve the unreasonable burden on interstate commerce of allowing suits at common law to supplant such motor vehicle safety standards.
Sec. 3. Prohibition on liability based on failure to exceed applicable motor vehicle safety standards
Section 30103 of title 49, United States Code, is amended in subsection (e)—
(1)
by striking does not exempt
and inserting shall exempt
; and
(2)
by inserting for failure to exceed such standard
after common law
.