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Bill

S 5095

Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Raphael Warnock and 1 co-sponsor

Modernizes tire safety rules by removing outdated tests, aligning definitions with international standards, and establishing unified high-speed testing to improve safety and availa

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5095

Overview

The Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 (S. 5095) proposes updates to federal tire regulations to modernize testing, definitions, and performance standards for passenger car and light truck tires. It aims to remove outdated testing requirements, harmonize definitions with international standards, establish new high-speed testing protocols, and commission a government study to assess impacts and gaps.

Main purpose and intent

  • Streamline and modernize tire safety requirements to reflect current technology and international practices.
  • Eliminate older, potentially obsolete testing provisions that no longer align with modern tire designs.
  • Ensure consistent, standardized high-speed performance testing for tires.
  • Assess the broader impact of these changes on safety, availability, and international alignment.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Advancing tire technologies

    • Elimination of outdated testing requirements in FMVSS No. 139 for passenger car and light truck radial tires:
      • Removes the sample provision, testing, and performance requirements related to tire strength and tubeless bead unseating resistance (S6.5 and S6.6 of 571.139).
    • Revision of the “chunking” definition in FMVSS No. 139 (S3):
      • Redefines chunking to include the concept of sidewall for most tires, while specifying a snow tire definition that focuses on tread or sidewall breakage exposing reinforcing materials.
      • Requires a review to consider clarifications for non-snow tires (including all-season tires) in light of international standards and current data.
    • Clarification that visual evidence of chunking constitutes a failure under tire endurance and low-pressure performance requirements (FMVSS No. 139).

  2. Elimination of outdated testing in FMVSS No. 119

    • Removes testing and performance requirements for tire strength as applied to radial light truck tires and radial commercial tires (S6.2).

  3. High-speed testing protocols

    • Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must establish uniform high-speed performance testing protocols for passenger car and light truck tires.
    • Protocols must align with specified sections of UN GTR No. 16 (Amendment 2), including speed symbols and sustained operation at increasing speeds under defined load, pressure, and temperature, to verify structural integrity and safety margins.

  4. GAO study and reporting

    • Between 3 and 5 years after final rules are published (or 8 years after enactment, whichever comes first), GAO must report to Congress.
    • The report should evaluate:
      • Implementation and market impact on safety and tire availability.
      • International definitions, standards, and testing for chunking in non-snow tires.
      • Recommendations for additional measures to improve tire safety and availability.

Affected parties and impacts

  • Manufacturers of passenger car and light truck tires: potential regulatory burden reduction from eliminated outdated tests and new alignment with international standards.
  • Consumers: possible changes in tire safety performance expectations and tire availability, with potential benefits from harmonized testing and clearer definitions.
  • Regulators and standards bodies: must update FMVSS sections, develop new high-speed testing protocols, and monitor international alignment.
  • Congress and GAO: receive an evaluative report on market and safety effects and further recommendations.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Partial rulemaking deadlines:
    • Within 1 year: revise FMVSS 571.139 to remove outdated testing and redefine chunking/visual failure implications.
    • Within 1 year: revise FMVSS 571.119 to remove outdated strength testing references.
    • Within 180 days: promulgate uniform high-speed testing protocols per UN GTR No. 16.
  • GAO study: due 3–5 years after final rules, or 8 years after enactment, whichever is sooner.

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

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