Key Takeaways
- •The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee advanced H.R. 7390, the SELF DRIVE Act, to the full committee on a 12-11 roll call vote, despite Democratic concerns about bipartisanship and safety.
- •Rep. Dunn (Republican-FL-2) advocated for the REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566), asserting consumers own their vehicle data and benefit from independent repair shops' competitive pricing and safety.
- •Rep. Dingell (Democratic-MI-6) expressed concerns about H.R. 1566's broadness and cybersecurity risks, leading Rep. Dunn (Republican-FL-2) to commit to working on intellectual property protections before full committee.
- •Republicans and Democrats disagreed on the SELF DRIVE Act (H.R. 7390), with Republicans emphasizing innovation and national security, while Democrats sought stronger data collection, preemption clarity, and bipartisan process.
- •Chairman Guthrie committed to working with Ranking Member Pallone and other members on a bipartisan federal AV framework later this summer, acknowledging the complexity and importance of the issue.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
field name: Summary value: On February 10, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held a markup of 12 bills focused on modernizing the American automotive industry, enhancing roadway safety, and establishing federal frameworks for emerging technologies. Subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) opened the session by highlighting the urgency of the legislation, noting that nearly 40,000 people die annually on U.S. roadways. The hearing addressed a wide range of issues, from autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment and "right to repair" protections to the theft of catalytic converters and the misuse of connected vehicle data by domestic abusers.
A primary focus of the markup was H.R. 1566, the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act. Sponsored by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL-2), the bill seeks to ensure that vehicle owners and independent repair shops have access to the same diagnostic and maintenance data as franchised dealerships. Rep. Dunn argued passionately that as vehicles become "computers on wheels," manufacturers are creating "artificial monopolies" by restricting access to data. He emphasized that if a consumer owns a car, they should own the data it generates. While Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) and Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-ID-1) expressed support for the "right to repair" in principle, they raised concerns regarding the bill’s breadth, potential cybersecurity risks, and the protection of intellectual property (IP). Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN-9) offered and later withdrew amendments to exempt recreational vehicles (RVs) and clarify consumer choice in post-collision repairs. Despite these concerns, the bill was forwarded to the full committee with a commitment from Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) to work on a bipartisan path forward.
Policy Proposals
The subcommittee also debated H.R. 7390, the SELF DRIVE Act, which aims to establish a federal framework for the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Chairman Bilirakis and Rep. Craig Goldman (R-TX-12) argued that a national standard is essential to maintain American leadership against global competitors, particularly China, and to replace the current "patchwork" of state laws. However, the bill faced significant pushback from Democrats. Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA-3) criticized the move away from a previous bipartisan discussion draft, citing concerns over liability, data transparency, and the impact on labor. Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15) introduced amendments to require more robust data reporting on "unplanned stoppages" and to establish 24/7 hotlines for first responders dealing with AV emergencies. Although Mullin withdrew his amendments, the bill passed the subcommittee on a party-line roll call vote of 12-11. Following the vote, Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone agreed to continue negotiations through the summer to reach a bipartisan consensus before the bill reaches the House floor.
Another major legislative item was H.R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act. This bill proposes significant changes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including updating the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and streamlining the regulatory process. A controversial provision discussed by Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) would expand NHTSA’s authority to grant safety exemptions for up to 90,000 vehicles, a massive increase from the current limit of 2,500. Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC-7) successfully attached an amendment to modernize tire testing standards, arguing that current federal requirements rely on outdated 1960s-era tests for bias-ply tires that are irrelevant to modern radial tires. Rep. Fry also discussed, but ultimately withdrew, an amendment regarding pulsating high-mounted stop lamps, citing their proven ability to reduce rear-end collisions.
The subcommittee showed strong bipartisan unity on several other measures. H.R. 5221, the Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act, was advanced to address the surge in catalytic converter thefts. Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO-8) and Rep. Dingell noted that these thefts cost consumers thousands of dollars and are increasingly linked to violent crime. The bill would require VIN stamping on converters and establish federal criminal penalties for trafficking stolen parts. Similarly, H.R. 2110, the Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act, received unanimous praise. The bill, co-led by Rep. Dingell and Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), requires automakers to provide a mechanism for domestic violence survivors to disable an abuser’s remote access to vehicle tracking and data.
Overview
The automotive and manufacturing sectors stand to be the most significantly impacted by these proposals. Organizations mentioned during the hearing included the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, the American Trucking Associations, and various independent repair and insurance groups. Companies like Waymo and Stellantis were also referenced in the context of AV deployment and data monetization.
The hearing concluded with the forwarding of several other bills, including H.R. 6688, the ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act, and H.R. 3360, the Driver Technology and Pedestrian Safety Act, which directs NHTSA to study the safety impacts of in-vehicle touchscreens. While the markup revealed deep partisan divisions over the scale of AV exemptions and the specifics of data access, there was a clear consensus on the need to modernize NHTSA and address immediate safety threats like catalytic converter theft and domestic abuse. The next steps involve full committee markups, where members expect to refine the "right to repair" and AV frameworks through continued bipartisan negotiation.
Transcript
[Gavel sounds.] The subcommittee will come to order. The chairman recognizes himself for an opening statement. Good morning, everyone, and welcome. Today, we will be advancing legislation aimed at modernizing and ensuring motor vehicle safety, promoting innovation, and ensuring affordability. The members of this subcommittee understand better than anyone else that this is a no-partisan way to save lives. There is no partisan way to save lives, folks. In 2024, nearly 40,000 people died on our roadways. That number is staggering, but what matters most is what it represents: families forever changed, milestones never reached, and seats left empty around the kitchen tables. That reality should drive our work here today. Meeting this moment requires practical solutions to strengthen motor vehicle safety and empower NHTSA to succeed in its mission. I'd like to highlight three solutions to bolster motor vehicle safety. First, we must address the growing risks that electric vehicle battery fires present to vehicle occupants, firefighters, and the public at large. These fires have led to serious fatalities and created dangerous conditions for firefighters, made worse by inconsistent vehicle designs and a lack of standardized response protocols. This is an area where Congress can and must bring together first responders, safety experts, NHTSA, and industry to develop real solutions. This issue has had tragic consequences, and I want to thank, again, I want to thank the Florida representative, Representative Meg Weinberger, a good friend of mine who I've worked with. I want to thank her for her leadership in bringing attention to this particular problem and working with me on potential solutions. I'm grateful to the chairman for partnering with me to include a new provision in the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act that strengthens fire rescue capabilities and improves safety for first responders on the front lines. So, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it so very much. Second, we are considering the SELF DRIVE Act, which establishes a federal framework for the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles. I want to commend, of course, Representative Latta, Chairman Latta, for his years of dedication to this particular issue. Autonomous vehicles hold enormous potential, not just as a technological advancement, but as a tool to save lives by reducing human error, which is responsible for most crashes. AVs can prevent accidents before they happen. They also offer new mobility and independence for seniors and people with disabilities. Finally, accessibility must remain central to our approach to mobility. Today, millions of wheelchair users rely on outdated and non-standardized securement systems that are often unreliable. This has led to preventable injuries, restricted travel, and unnecessary dependence on caregivers. The Motor Vehicle Modernization Act takes an important step forward by directing NHTSA to prioritize research into automated wheelchair securement systems. I thank the chairman again, Chairman Guthrie, for recognizing the importance of this particular issue and including this impactful provision. I'm confident that working together, we can advance legislation that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and American automotive leadership. I look forward to our discussion today on how we can achieve these goals by moving these bills to the next stage of the legislative process. So, with that, I will yield five minutes to the ranking member of the subcommittee, Ms. Schakowsky. You're recognized.
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