Chief Chris Eddy’s Law
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9266
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T19:11:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Chief Chris Eddy's Law," directs the Secretary of Transportation to update regulations on hazardous materials transportation. Its main goal is to require placards on refrigerated shipping containers to alert emergency responders about risks of pressurization, applying this rule to all such containers regardless of their contents. It also calls for a study on classifying refrigerants as a separate hazard type.
Key Provisions
- Placarding Requirement: The Secretary must issue or revise regulations to mandate placards on all refrigerated containers that communicate potential pressurization hazards.
- Universal Application: Placards are required on every refrigerated container, irrespective of the cargo inside.
- Definition: A "refrigerated container" is defined as any container capable of refrigeration and used in intrastate, interstate, or foreign commerce.
- Study Requirement: The Secretary must conduct a study assessing whether refrigerants should form a distinct hazard category, including how it would interact with existing classifications and the overall regulatory effects.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandatory placarding rules specifically for refrigerated containers within the framework of hazardous materials transportation regulations. It expands beyond current practices, which often tie labeling to specific cargo types, by applying the requirement universally to all such containers.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Transportation would need to develop and enforce new rules, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- Citizens and Industry: Shipping and logistics companies may face added compliance costs for labeling equipment. Emergency responders could benefit from clearer hazard information during incidents.
- International Relations: The rules apply to foreign commerce, which might require coordination with international shipping standards.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Department of Transportation and its regulatory bodies.
- Shipping companies and operators of refrigerated containers.
- Emergency response teams and first responders.
- Manufacturers and users of refrigeration equipment in transportation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill operates within Congress's authority over interstate commerce and does not appear to raise constitutional concerns. It focuses on safety enhancements without altering broader legal structures, though the study on new hazard categories could lead to future regulatory expansions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-11: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Chief Chris Eddy’s Law — issued 2026-06-11 — PDF (3 pages)