Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
- Committees
- Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 23, 2026
Bottom line
The bill updates federal tire safety regulations to align with modern tire technologies and international standards, aiming to enhance safety and market efficiency.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Secretary of Transportation to revise several Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) within one year. These revisions include eliminating outdated tire testing requirements for strength and bead unseating resistance, clarifying the definition of 'chunking' for snow tires and reviewing it for non-snow tires, and establishing new high-speed performance testing protocols consistent with UN Global Technical Regulation No. 16. It also requires a GAO study 3-5 years after the final rules are published to evaluate the impact of these changes.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that current tire safety standards are outdated, hindering innovation and potentially imposing unnecessary costs on manufacturers without commensurate safety benefits. Modernizing these standards, particularly by removing redundant tests and adopting international high-speed protocols, will improve tire safety, foster technological advancements, and ensure U.S. regulations are globally competitive, ultimately benefiting consumers through safer and more efficient tires.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that removing existing safety tests, even if deemed outdated, could inadvertently create safety gaps or reduce regulatory oversight, potentially compromising consumer safety. They might also raise concerns about the cost and burden of implementing new high-speed testing protocols for manufacturers, especially smaller ones, and question the necessity of aligning with international standards if domestic conditions warrant different approaches.
The bill is concise and its core provisions are straightforward, making it accessible for a quick review by an informed reader.
Sec. 2(a)
Elimination of Outdated Testing Requirements for Tire Performance in FMVSS No. 139
This provision requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to remove specific testing and performance requirements related to tire strength and tubeless tire bead unseating resistance for passenger car and light truck radial tires from FMVSS No. 139. These are described in sections S6.5 and S6.6 of the regulation. The goal is to eliminate tests considered obsolete due to advancements in tire technology.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue these tests are redundant or no longer relevant given modern tire construction and materials, and their removal will streamline manufacturing processes without compromising safety. They believe it allows manufacturers to focus on more relevant performance metrics.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against removing genuinely outdated tests, but some consumer safety advocates might express general caution about any reduction in testing requirements without robust replacement standards.
Tradeoffs
Balancing the desire to modernize regulations and reduce industry burden with ensuring no unforeseen safety compromises.
Sec. 2(b)
Definition of Chunking in FMVSS No. 139
This provision mandates two actions regarding the definition of 'chunking' (pieces breaking away from the tire) in FMVSS No. 139. First, it revises the definition for snow tires to specifically include exposure of reinforcing materials. Second, it requires the Secretary to review the definition for non-snow tires (including all-season tires), considering international standards, industry best practices, and safety data, to determine if further revisions are needed.
Sec. 2(c)
Performance Requirements for Tire Endurance and Low Pressure Under FMVSS No. 139
This provision requires the Secretary to revise FMVSS No. 139 to explicitly state that visual evidence of 'chunking' constitutes a failure under the performance requirements for tire endurance and low pressure tests. This clarifies an existing standard by making the consequence of chunking explicit.
Sec. 2(d)
Elimination of Outdated Testing Requirements for Tire Performance in FMVSS No. 119
This provision mandates the Secretary to remove testing and performance requirements for, and references to, tire strength as applied to radial light truck tires and radial commercial tires from FMVSS No. 119, specifically S6.2. Similar to Sec. 2(a), this aims to modernize regulations by removing obsolete tests for a different category of tires.
Sec. 2(e)
High-Speed Testing Protocols for Tire Performance
This provision requires the Secretary to establish uniform high-speed performance testing protocols for passenger car and light truck tires within 180 days. These protocols must be consistent with specific sections of Amendment 2 to the United Nations Global Technical Regulation on Tyres (GTR No. 16), including requirements for speed symbols and sustained operation at incrementally increasing speeds under specified conditions to verify structural integrity and safety.
Mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study 3-5 years after the final rules are published (or 8 years after enactment, whichever is sooner) to evaluate the implementation of the Act, its impact on the tire market (safety and availability), and to examine international standards for non-snow tire chunking. The GAO must provide recommendations to Congress and the Secretary.
Sec. 2(f)
Why it matters:Standard legislative practice for oversight and future evaluation of regulatory changes.
Case for: Ensures accountability and provides a mechanism for Congress to assess the effectiveness and any unintended consequences of the regulatory changes, allowing for future adjustments.
Case against: Some might argue that the timeline for the study is too long, potentially delaying necessary further adjustments to the regulations.
Estimated impact: Provides a future mechanism for policy adjustment and oversight, potentially influencing future legislation or regulatory action.