EV Charging Accessibility Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8778
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-18T18:45:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) to finalize accessibility standards for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). It aims to ensure these stations are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Key Provisions
- Deadline for Final Rule: The Access Board must finalize the proposed rule issued on September 3, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 71215) within 18 months of the bill's enactment.
- Content Requirements: The final rule must establish minimum standards for EV charging stations, as defined in 23 CFR 680.104, along with related accessibility guidelines.
- Automatic Finalization: If the Access Board misses the 18-month deadline, the proposed rule automatically becomes final, with prompt publication of a notice in the Federal Register.
- Adoption by Agencies: Within 180 days of the final rule's publication, the Secretary of Transportation and the Attorney General must issue regulations to adopt the guidelines.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill mandates completion of an ongoing rulemaking process and introduces an automatic finalization mechanism to prevent delays. It also requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to adopt the guidelines through new regulations, adding enforceable timelines not present in the original proposed rule.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Access Board faces a strict deadline with potential automatic enforcement; DOT and DOJ must develop and issue implementing regulations.
- Citizens: Improves access to EV charging for people with disabilities, supporting broader use of electric vehicles.
- EV Infrastructure: Charging station operators and builders must comply with new accessibility requirements once adopted.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with disabilities and disability advocacy groups.
- Federal agencies including the Access Board, DOT, and DOJ.
- EV charging station manufacturers, operators, and related industry entities.
- State and local governments involved in transportation infrastructure.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill reinforces ADA and ABA requirements by accelerating accessibility rules for emerging technology, potentially strengthening enforcement against inaccessible public facilities. It raises no apparent constitutional concerns but highlights legislative intervention in agency rulemaking timelines to address implementation delays.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- EV Charging Accessibility Act — issued 2026-05-13 — PDF (3 pages)