No Kill Switches in Cars Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1137
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-07: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T08:08:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "No Kill Switches in Cars Act" (H.R. 1137) aims to eliminate a federal requirement for installing advanced technology in new vehicles designed to detect and prevent impaired driving, such as systems that could disable a car if the driver is under the influence (often referred to as "kill switches").
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is officially named the "No Kill Switches in Cars Act."
- Repeal of Mandate: It fully repeals Section 24220 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), which had directed the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations requiring all new passenger vehicles to include advanced impaired driving prevention technology by September 2026, with a rulemaking process starting no later than September 2024.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This repeal removes the obligation for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop and enforce rules mandating the installation of impaired driving detection systems in vehicles.
- It reverses a provision from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that aimed to enhance road safety by addressing drunk or drug-impaired driving through passive technology (e.g., sensors detecting alcohol or drugs without requiring active driver input).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DOT will no longer need to allocate resources for rulemaking, testing, or oversight of this technology, potentially reducing administrative burdens and costs.
- On Citizens: Drivers and vehicle owners will not face mandatory installation of monitoring or disabling tech in new cars, preserving vehicle control but possibly forgoing safety benefits; this could affect an estimated 242 million licensed drivers in the U.S. by not addressing impaired driving, which causes thousands of fatalities annually.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may influence U.S. auto export standards if foreign markets adopt similar safety tech requirements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Automobile Manufacturers and Suppliers: Relieved from the need to redesign vehicles and integrate costly technology, potentially lowering production expenses.
- Road Safety Advocates and Victims' Families: Opposed, as it halts progress on reducing impaired driving crashes, which account for about 30% of U.S. traffic fatalities.
- Drivers and Consumers: Benefit from avoiding perceived privacy intrusions or vehicle restrictions but may face unchanged risks from impaired driving.
- State Governments: Could prompt states to pursue their own regulations if federal mandates are removed.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The repeal simplifies compliance for the auto industry under federal motor vehicle safety standards but may lead to litigation from safety groups challenging the removal of protective measures.
- Constitutional: Raises debates on federal authority over vehicle safety (under the Commerce Clause) versus states' rights and individual privacy rights (e.g., avoiding government-mandated surveillance in personal property like cars).
- Political: Sponsored by Republican lawmakers, it reflects concerns over federal overreach and government intrusion into personal freedoms; passage could signal a shift toward deregulation in transportation policy, potentially influencing future infrastructure and safety bills.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (34)
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-07: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-02-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- No Kill Switches in Cars Act — issued 2025-02-07 — PDF (2 pages)