Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026
Latest action (23 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 would direct the Secretary of Transportation to update federal motor vehicle safety standards governing tires. Within one year, the Secretary would have to remove certain outdated testing and performance requirements related to tire strength and bead unseating resistance for passenger car, light truck, and commercial radial tires, revise the definition of "chunking" to address snow tires specifically, review whether that definition needs further clarification for non-snow tires, and clarify that visible chunking counts as a failure under existing endurance and low-pressure tests. Within 180 days, the Secretary would also have to issue new high-speed testing protocols for passenger car and light truck tires, aligned with international (UN) technical standards.
The bill primarily affects federal tire safety regulations administered by the Department of Transportation, and would have practical effects on tire manufacturers, who must meet the revised testing standards, and indirectly on consumers who purchase passenger car, light truck, and commercial tires. It could also affect how regulators evaluate tire safety and market availability going forward.
Several years after the new rules take effect (or within a set outer deadline), the Government Accountability Office would be required to report to Congress on how the changes affected tire safety and market availability, along with recommendations for further action.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 23, 2026, by Senator Wicker with Senator Warnock as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not yet been considered or voted on, and would need committee action, passage by both chambers, and the President's signature to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 23, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5095 do?
- The Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 would direct the Secretary of Transportation to update federal motor vehicle safety standards governing tires. Within one year, the Secretary would have to remove certain outdated testing and performance requirements related to tire strength and bead unseating resistance for passenger car, light truck, and commercial radial tires, revise the definition of "chunking" to address snow tires specifically, review whether that definition needs further clarification for non-snow tires, and clarify that visible chunking counts as a failure under existing endurance and low-pressure tests. Within 180 days, the Secretary would also have to issue new high-speed testing protocols for passenger car and light truck tires, aligned with international (UN) technical standards. The bill primarily affects federal tire safety regulations administered by the Department of Transportation, and would have practical effects on tire manufacturers, who must meet the revised testing standards, and indirectly on consumers who purchase passenger car, light truck, and commercial tires. It could also affect how regulators evaluate tire safety and market availability going forward. Several years after the new rules take effect (or within a set outer deadline), the Government Accountability Office would be required to report to Congress on how the changes affected tire safety and market availability, along with recommendations for further action. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 23, 2026, by Senator Wicker with Senator Warnock as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not yet been considered or voted on, and would need committee action, passage by both chambers, and the President's signature to become law.
- Has S. 5095 become law?
- Not yet. As of 23 Jul 2026, S. 5095 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5095?
- S. 5095 was sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker [R-MS] (Republican-MS), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 5095?
- Introduced (23 Jul 2026).
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