Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026
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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.
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Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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