Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for…
The SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 amends Title 49 to create federal safety requirements for automated driving systems (ADS) and ADS-equipped vehicles, require manufacturers to produce a documented "safety case," and establish a National Automated Vehicle Safety Data Repository with crash and mileage reporting.
It sets deadlines for agency rulemaking, permits limited commercial testing operations under Secretary oversight, creates an exception to prohibitions on making manual controls inoperative while ADS is engaged, preempts certain state requirements, and directs a Commerce Department review of connected-vehicle supply chain rules.
Technically detailed, industry-relevant bill with moderate controversy; could pass with compromise but faces notable federalism and safety scrutiny.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a detailed substantive regulatory statute that establishes new legal requirements for automated driving systems, creates a national crash data repository, and modifies preemption and testing authorities. It provides precise definitions, specified content requirements for manufacturer safety cases, and concrete statutory deadlines for rulemaking and reporting.
Preemption: conservatives favor uniform federal rules; liberals fear blocking stronger state protections.
Preemption: conservatives favor uniform federal rules; liberals fear blocking stronger state protections.
Generally supportive of federal safety oversight and a national crash data repository, but wary about state preemption and confidentiality protections.
Concerned the bill relies heavily on manufacturer-produced "safety cases" and allows business-protected reporting rules that may limit public transparency and accountability.
Favors a federal, evidence-based approach balancing innovation and safety; sees benefits in a uniform safety case and centralized data.
Wants clarity on rule implementation, enforcement, and resource needs to ensure regulations are effective and not merely procedural.
Generally favorable because the bill encourages U.S. leadership, permits controlled commercial testing, and preempts a patchwork of state rules.
Views the safety case approach as industry-driven regulation that can scale innovation while maintaining a federal floor.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Technically detailed, industry-relevant bill with moderate controversy; could pass with compromise but faces notable federalism and safety scrutiny.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Preemption: conservatives favor uniform federal rules; liberals fear blocking stronger state protections.
Technically detailed, industry-relevant bill with moderate controversy; could pass with compromise but faces notable federalism and safety…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a detailed substantive regulatory statute that establishes new legal requirements for automated driving systems, creates a national crash data repository, and modi…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.