Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "National Electrical Safety Month".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 443
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T19:54:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 443) aims to express congressional support for designating May 2025 as "National Electrical Safety Month." It seeks to raise public awareness about electrical hazards in homes, schools, and workplaces, while promoting education and preventive actions to reduce fires, injuries, and deaths caused by electrical issues.
Key Provisions
- Background on Hazards: Highlights statistics, such as thousands of annual home fires from electrical failures, resulting in nearly 500 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. It also notes that over 2,000 children are treated yearly for electrical shocks or burns from tampering with outlets.
- Recommendations for Safety: Encourages citizens to inspect homes and workplaces for electrical risks, use modern safety devices (e.g., ground-fault circuit interrupters, which cut power during faults to prevent shocks; arc-fault circuit interrupters, which detect dangerous arcing to avoid fires; surge protective devices, which shield against power spikes; and tamper-resistant receptacles, which prevent accidental insertion of objects), and maintain smoke alarms.
- Support for Organization: Recognizes the Electrical Safety Foundation, a nonprofit focused on electrical safety education, awareness, and advocacy.
- Resolved Actions:
- Supports the designation of National Electrical Safety Month to educate on hazards and protective measures.
- Urges citizens to adopt electrical safety habits to lower fire, injury, and death rates.
- Backs the Electrical Safety Foundation's work on understanding hazards from new technologies.
- Requests the President to issue a proclamation encouraging observance through programs and activities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force or amendments to current laws. It does not create new regulations, penalties, or enforceable requirements, serving instead as a symbolic expression of support.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could increase public awareness and encourage proactive safety measures, potentially reducing electrical-related incidents, injuries, and fatalities, especially among families and children.
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, though it may prompt federal agencies (e.g., those involved in public health or fire safety) to participate in awareness campaigns during the designated month.
- On International Relations: No notable effects, as the resolution is focused on domestic safety.
- Broader Effects: May foster safer environments in homes, schools, and workplaces by promoting education and technology adoption, indirectly lowering economic costs from property damage.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Citizens and Families: Primary beneficiaries, encouraged to learn about and mitigate electrical risks.
- Children and Vulnerable Groups: Highlighted due to risks like outlet tampering.
- Schools and Workplaces: Targeted for hazard inspections and safety practices.
- Electrical Safety Foundation: Receives explicit congressional endorsement for its advocacy and educational efforts.
- Nonprofits and Safety Advocates: Indirectly supported through the push for awareness initiatives.
- Federal Government (President and Agencies): Involved via the requested proclamation and potential program participation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no binding authority and cannot enforce actions or allocate funds; it operates within Congress's power to express policy preferences without overriding executive or judicial branches.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the First Amendment's protection of free speech by allowing Congress to advocate for public safety without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support (introduced by representatives from different parties) for a non-controversial public health issue, potentially building goodwill around preventive safety measures. It underscores Congress's role in promoting awareness on emerging technology risks without partisan debate.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-23: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-23: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "National Electrical Safety Month". — issued 2025-05-23 — PDF (3 pages)