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S 5092

RAAM Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Crapo and 4 co-sponsors

The RAAM Act would repeal federal CAFE standards starting 2029, move to a unified federal framework, preempt state fuel-economy laws, and tighten judicial review.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5092

RAAM Act (S.5092) — Summary

Main purpose

The Restoring Affordability in Automobile Manufacturing Act (RAAM Act) seeks to repeal the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards and related provisions, effectively eliminating federal CAFE standards for motor vehicles and replacing them with a national framework that emphasizes federal primacy over fuel economy regulation. The bill also expands judicial review pathways and clarifies federal versus state authority on fuel economy.

Key provisions and changes

  • Repeal of CAFE standards

    • Section 2(a)(1) repeals Chapter 329 of subtitle VI of title 49, United States Code (which contains CAFE-related provisions).
    • Section 2(a)(2) requires clerical amendments to remove references to Chapter 329 from the statutory analysis.

  • Effective date

    • The repeal applies to model year 2029 and thereafter for all manufacturers.

  • Conforming amendments across statutes

    • The bill makes extensive amendments to several energy and transportation statutes to remove or redefine references tied to CAFE, including:
    • Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.)
    • Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13211)
    • Other related sections in title 49 and related federal code sections
    • New or redrafted definitions for mobile classifications, notably:
    • Replacing the old CAFE-based definitions with definitions for “automobile” (4-wheeled vehicle under 10,000 pounds GVW, propelled by fuel or alternative fuel, and excluding certain categories like rail-only vehicles, multi-stage vehicles under specific thresholds, or work trucks).
    • Introduction of new or revised terms to align with the absence of CAFE, such as:
    • “Dedicated automobile” (an automobile operating only on an alternative fuel)
    • “Dual fueled automobile” (capable of operating on an alternative fuel or a biodiesel/gasoline/diesel mix, with energy efficiency comparable to testing on conventional fuel)
    • Revisions to various program definitions and review mechanisms to reflect the removal of CAFE standards.

  • Judicial review framework

    • Section 2(a)(9) revises 33101(8) and Section 33117 to establish a formal process for judicial review of regulations under the (previous) CAFE regime, including:
    • Filing petitions within 59 days of regulation promulgation
    • Venue provisions (DC Circuit or appropriate court of appeals)
    • Requirements for the Secretary of Transportation to provide a record
    • Potential for additional submissions or amendments during review
    • Sets out procedures for Supreme Court review and notes that remedies are in addition to other legal remedies.

  • National fuel economy policy and preemption

    • Section 3 articulates a sense of Congress that fuel economy regulation of vehicles in interstate commerce is exclusively a federal matter.
    • It would preempt state or local laws and regulations mandating fuel economy standards or averages, ensuring uniform national treatment.
    • States and subdivisions would be prohibited from enforcing or adopting fuel economy standards inconsistent with the federal framework.

Who or what is affected

  • Manufacturers and industry participants

    • Auto manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers would operate under federal authority without CAFE standards, starting with model year 2029.
    • The definitional changes impact vehicle classifications used in compliance and labeling regimes.

  • Consumers and buyers

    • The elimination of CAFE standards would shift the regulatory emphasis away from corporate-average fuel economy toward a broader federal framework, potentially affecting vehicle efficiency labeling and consumer information, depending on subsequent implementing rules.

  • States and local governments

    • States may not impose separate fuel economy requirements for interstate motor vehicles; preemption is intended to preserve a uniform national standard.

  • Regulatory and judicial processes

    • The bill stiffens or reorganizes the regulatory review pathway for fuel economy-related regulations, with new/altered definitions and a clarified judicial review route.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Introduction date: July 22, 2026
  • Current status in bill text: Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
  • Effective model year for repeal: 2029 and subsequent model years
  • The bill includes comprehensive conforming amendments across multiple statutes to align with the repeal of CAFE standards and to redefine relevant terms and review processes.

Plain-language take

  • The RAAM Act would end the federal CAFE program, starting with 2029 model years.
  • It would restructure how fuel economy-related terms are defined and regulate, moving toward a general federal framework with explicit preemption of state fuel economy laws.
  • The bill also tightens the judicial review process for fuel economy regulations and aligns related energy and transportation statutes to reflect the absence of CAFE standards.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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