Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026

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Bill ID: 119/hr/7389
Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

ID: G000558

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

February 10, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another bill, another exercise in futility. Let's dissect this mess.

**Main Purpose & Objectives**

The Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026 (HR 7389) claims to "modernize" the motor vehicle safety programs of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In reality, it's a thinly veiled attempt to appease the automotive industry and their lobbyists. The bill's primary objective is to create a framework for regulating automated driving systems (ADS), which is just a fancy term for "self-driving cars." Because what could possibly go wrong with that?

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law**

The bill defines various terms related to ADS, including "automated driving system," "dynamic driving task," and "Level 1" through "Level 5" automation. These definitions are crucial in understanding the scope of the bill, but let's be real, they're just a bunch of bureaucratic jargon designed to confuse and obfuscate.

The bill also requires the NHTSA Administrator to develop and regularly update a comprehensive motor vehicle safety rulemaking and research priority plan (Priority Plan). This plan must include information on planned rulemakings, research priorities, and timelines for milestones. Because what's more exciting than reading about government bureaucrats' plans for regulating self-driving cars?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders**

The usual suspects are involved: the automotive industry, NHTSA, Congress, and various other stakeholders who will likely be lining up to feed at the trough of taxpayer-funded subsidies and regulatory favors.

**Potential Impact & Implications**

This bill is a classic case of "regulatory capture," where the government creates rules that benefit the very industries they're supposed to regulate. The ADS industry will get to shape the regulations, ensuring that their interests are protected and profits maximized. Meanwhile, consumers will be left with the illusion of safety and innovation.

The real impact of this bill will be felt in the form of increased costs for taxpayers, who will foot the bill for subsidies and regulatory compliance. And when (not if) self-driving cars start crashing or malfunctioning, we can expect a flurry of lawsuits and finger-pointing between industry players, regulators, and lawmakers.

In conclusion, HR 7389 is just another example of government's ineptitude in regulating emerging technologies. It's a bill that prioritizes the interests of corporations over those of consumers, all while pretending to promote safety and innovation. How quaint.

Related Topics

Transportation & Infrastructure Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$78,800
19 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$1,000
Committees
$0
Individuals
$77,800

No PAC contributions found

1
BL PARTNERS GROUP, LLC
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
SMITH, BRAD
1 transaction
$6,600
2
ERGEN, CANTEY MRS.
2 transactions
$6,600
3
ERGEN, CHARLES MR.
2 transactions
$6,600
4
DUNN, TIMOTHY M. MR.
1 transaction
$5,000
5
WALK, CLAIRE MRS.
1 transaction
$5,000
6
TREXLER, ALLISON
1 transaction
$5,000
7
OSGOOD, STEVEN
1 transaction
$5,000
8
FOSTER, JEFF
1 transaction
$5,000
9
ARNOLD, JOHN
1 transaction
$3,300
10
ARNOLD, LAURA
1 transaction
$3,300
11
BERTA, VINCE
1 transaction
$3,300
12
CHANDLER, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
13
GLASS, LARRY
1 transaction
$3,300
14
NATCHER, JOE
1 transaction
$3,300
15
PIERCE, DARRELL
1 transaction
$3,300
16
SIMPSON, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
17
BATES, HUNTER
1 transaction
$3,300
18
RICKS, DAVID MR.
1 transaction
$3,300

Donor Network - Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

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Showing 20 nodes and 21 connections

Total contributions: $78,800

Top Donors - Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

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