Limiting Liability for Critical Infrastructure Manufacturers Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4194
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-05T09:06:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 4194: Limiting Liability for Critical Infrastructure Manufacturers Act
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to protect manufacturers of critical infrastructure equipment from legal claims related to wildfire incidents. It seeks to support the ongoing production and maintenance of essential systems by limiting liability risks, based on a 2013 presidential policy directive emphasizing the need for secure and resilient infrastructure.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Liability Immunity: Manufacturers of critical infrastructure equipment receive protection from lawsuits and financial responsibility under both federal and state laws for any losses tied to wildfire incidents.
- Exception for Misconduct: Immunity does not apply if the manufacturer is proven to have acted with intentional wrongdoing in the design or production of the equipment.
- Definitions:
- Critical infrastructure refers to systems and assets vital to national security, economic stability, or public health, as defined in existing federal law.
- Manufacturer includes entities in the critical manufacturing sector, per definitions in a 2022 cybersecurity reporting law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- The bill creates a new federal shield against liability specifically for wildfire-related claims involving critical infrastructure equipment, which did not previously exist in this targeted form.
- It overrides or limits potential state-level lawsuits in this area, unless willful misconduct is shown, marking a shift toward greater protection for these manufacturers compared to general product liability rules.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government Agencies: Federal and state agencies involved in disaster response, infrastructure regulation, or legal enforcement may face reduced ability to pursue claims or recover costs from manufacturers in wildfire cases.
- Citizens: Individuals or communities harmed by wildfires could encounter barriers to seeking compensation through the courts if the damage involves critical infrastructure equipment.
- International Relations: No direct effects are outlined, though the focus on U.S. critical infrastructure resilience could indirectly support domestic supply chains without altering foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Manufacturers in the critical infrastructure sector, who gain legal protections.
- Wildfire victims, local governments, and insurance providers, who may have limited options for litigation.
- Federal agencies responsible for homeland security and critical infrastructure oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The legislation raises questions about balancing manufacturer protections with accountability for public safety, as it limits access to the courts for certain claims.
- It operates within existing federal authority over interstate commerce and national security but could face challenges regarding states' rights to handle liability issues.
- Politically, it prioritizes infrastructure resilience over traditional legal remedies in disaster scenarios.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
Cosponsors (21)
Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1], Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-06-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Limiting Liability for Critical Infrastructure Manufacturers Act — issued 2025-06-26 — PDF (2 pages)