SAFE Grilling Act

Bill Number

H.R. 614

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Commerce

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-22: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T08:05:47Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The SAFE Grilling Act (H.R. 614) aims to enhance public safety by directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to create and launch a nationwide education campaign on safe grilling practices. This is intended to reduce injuries and fires associated with grills, based on data showing significant risks from 2017 to 2021.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Outlines statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and CPSC, including:
• An average of 22,155 emergency room visits annually due to grill-related injuries.
• An average of 9,079 home fires per year involving gas grills, with breakdowns for structure fires (4,454) and outdoor fires (4,625).
• Common causes like leaks or breaks in gas grills (6-15% of fires), unclean grills (20% of fires), and peak fire months (July at 16%).
• Fire origins, such as balconies, porches, or exterior walls (over 25% of structure fires).
• Public Awareness Campaign: Requires the CPSC to develop and implement a campaign within one year of enactment, focusing on:
• Dangers of grilling (e.g., fire and injury risks).
• Best practices for safe use to prevent harm.
• Funding: Authorizes $5 million in appropriations specifically for the campaign.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new mandate for the CPSC to conduct a targeted public awareness initiative on grill safety, which does not appear to amend prior laws but adds a specific consumer education requirement under the CPSC's existing authority to promote product safety. No repeals or modifications to current regulations are specified.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The CPSC will gain a defined responsibility and funding to execute the campaign, potentially increasing its outreach efforts without expanding regulatory enforcement.
• On Citizens: Grill users may benefit from increased awareness, leading to fewer injuries (e.g., reducing the 22,000+ annual emergency visits) and fires, especially during peak summer months.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic consumer safety.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Primary implementer, responsible for campaign development and execution.
• General Public (Grill Users): Direct beneficiaries through education on safety practices; includes homeowners, families, and outdoor cooks at risk of injury or fire.
• Fire Safety Organizations (e.g., NFPA): Indirectly supported, as their data informs the bill and could align with broader prevention efforts.
• Grill Manufacturers and Retailers: May see reduced liability from safer consumer practices, though not directly regulated here.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces the CPSC's role in consumer protection under the Consumer Product Safety Act (a 1972 law that empowers the agency to address product hazards), without introducing new penalties or standards. The one-year deadline ensures timely action.
• Constitutional: No significant issues; it involves standard congressional authority to appropriate funds and direct federal agencies for public welfare.
• Political: Represents a low-controversy, preventive measure focused on public health, likely appealing across party lines due to its emphasis on education rather than regulation. The bill's referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce suggests a focus on consumer and energy-related safety policy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-22: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-01-22: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-22: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Strengthening Awareness and Funding Education for Grilling Act — issued 2025-01-22 — PDF (3 pages)