ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6688

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-06-09T08:05:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act (H.R. 6688) aims to improve the safety and reliability of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in passenger vehicles after modifications or customizations. ADAS refers to technologies that assist drivers with tasks like steering, braking, or lane-keeping, but without full automation (covering automation Levels 0–2, where Level 0 is no automation, Level 1 is basic assistance, and Level 2 provides combined steering and acceleration help). The law requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to create guidelines ensuring these systems continue working properly in vehicles from model year 2028 onward, addressing risks from common changes like lifting a vehicle or swapping tires.

Key Provisions

• Guidelines Development (Section 2): Within 24 months of enactment, NHTSA must publish guidelines, developed with input from vehicle manufacturers, equipment makers, standards groups, independent repair shops, and dealers. These cover:
• Allowable ranges for modifications (e.g., changes to ride height, wheel/tire size, vehicle geometry, sensor positions) that won't impair ADAS or related stability systems.
• A requirement for manufacturers to share vehicle-specific tolerance and sensitivity data with owners and NHTSA within 30 days of a model's release.
• Specific thresholds for vehicle shifts (up/down or side-to-side) to keep ADAS functional.
• Step-by-step calibration processes after repairs, mods, or part replacements.
• Testing methods for owners, repair shops, and independent facilities to confirm ADAS performance post-calibration.
• NHTSA can hire external labs for testing, must use real-world data from tests and research, and base calibration standards on the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), which rates vehicle safety with clear scoring (e.g., "good," "fair," "poor").
• Enforcement: Non-compliant manufacturers face civil penalties under existing federal law (up to $25,000 per violation, potentially higher for patterns of issues).
• Study Requirement (Section 3): Within 12 months, NHTSA must complete and report to Congress a study on the safety benefits, practicality, NHTSA's capacity, and costs of these guidelines, including stakeholder consultations on the same topics as the guidelines.
• Definitions (Section 4): Clarifies terms like "ADAS," "vehicle dynamic system" (any tech affecting vehicle control or stability), "independent automotive aftermarket" (non-manufacturer repair entities), and others drawn from federal vehicle safety laws.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new federal mandates not previously in place under Title 49 of the U.S. Code (which governs vehicle safety). It expands NHTSA's role beyond crash testing and recalls to include proactive guidelines for post-sale modifications, requires timely data sharing from manufacturers, and ties ADAS calibration to NCAP standards. It also applies civil penalties specifically to ADAS non-compliance, building on but not altering core safety defect rules.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: NHTSA gains new responsibilities for guideline creation, studies, and enforcement, potentially increasing workload and budget needs for testing and consultations; this could strain resources but enhance oversight of emerging vehicle tech.
• Citizens: Vehicle owners benefit from clearer rules on safe customizations (e.g., off-road mods), reducing accident risks from faulty ADAS; independent shops get standardized tools for repairs, lowering costs and improving access to non-dealer services.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though guidelines may influence global auto standards (e.g., via SAE International's automation levels), potentially affecting U.S. exports or imports of vehicles with ADAS.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Vehicle Manufacturers and Dealers: Must provide data quickly and comply with guidelines or face fines; this standardizes their support for modified vehicles.
• Independent Automotive Aftermarket (Repair Shops): Gains access to calibration protocols and tests, enabling safer, more reliable services without manufacturer authorization.
• Vehicle Owners: Receive better information on modification limits, promoting safer personalization of cars.
• NHTSA and Standards Organizations: Lead development and validation, with input shaping industry practices.
• Equipment Suppliers: Affected by tolerances for parts like tires or sensors that interact with ADAS.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens enforcement of vehicle safety under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act by addressing a gap in modification-related risks; penalties align with existing frameworks, avoiding new litigation burdens, but could lead to disputes over "allowable" ranges if guidelines are vague.
• Constitutional: No apparent issues; the bill regulates interstate commerce (vehicles) within Congress's authority and does not infringe on free speech, privacy, or due process—focus is on safety standards.
• Political: Promotes innovation in safe vehicle tech amid rising ADAS adoption, potentially bridging divides between auto industry interests (e.g., manufacturers vs. aftermarket) through required consultations; may spark debates on regulatory costs vs. safety gains, especially for smaller repair businesses.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2026-02-10: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-12-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
• 2025-12-12: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-12-12: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act — issued 2025-12-12 — PDF (8 pages)