H.R. 7354

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7354 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7354

To reduce the incidence of death by underride by enhancing underride 
protection on trailers, semitrailers, and single unit trucks, which 
will result in more survivable truck crashes, to improve motor carrier, 
passenger motor vehicle, and Vulnerable Road User safety, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 4, 2026

Mr. Cohen (for himself, Mr. DeSaulnier, and Ms. Ross) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To reduce the incidence of death by underride by enhancing underride 
protection on trailers, semitrailers, and single unit trucks, which 
will result in more survivable truck crashes, to improve motor carrier, 
passenger motor vehicle, and Vulnerable Road User safety, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Underrides Act 2.0''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSES.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) underride crashes involving passenger motor vehicles or 
Vulnerable Road Users, including motorcyclists, striking and 
traveling underneath a truck or trailer are a significant 
public health and safety threat;
(2) the Advisory Committee on Underride Protection 
established under section 23011(d)(1) of the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act (49 U.S.C. 30111 note; Public Law 117-
58) has reported that, since the formation of the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration over 50 years ago, 
``25,100 underrides and 31,500 corresponding fatalities from 
side underride, rear underride, and front underride crashes'' 
have occurred and concluded that ``no substantial progress has 
been made by DOT to prevent these horrific crash fatalities and 
injuries'';
(3) the National Transportation Safety Board has 
recommended the installation of rear underride guards, side 
underride guards, and front underride guards on tractor-
trailers and rear underride guards and side underride guards on 
single unit trucks to improve Vulnerable Road User and 
passenger motor vehicle safety; and
(4) this Act is introduced in memory of the thousands of 
victims of underride crashes, including--
(A) Roya Christine Sadigh, AnnaLeah Karth, Mary 
Lydia Karth, Sylvia Bingham, Roderick Cota, Moonjohn 
Kim, Corey Moore, Gregg Williams, Guy Champ Crawford, 
Carl Hall, Michael Higginbotham, Sandra Maddamma, David 
Mathis, Mary Katherine Mathis, James Mooney, 
Christopher Weigl, Bill Zink, David Magnan, Jasen 
Swift, Samuel Sierra, Brittany McHargue, Christopher 
Samuel Padilla, Riley Hein, Erin Alexander, Jordan 
Hensley, Edward Hall, Leslie Rosenberg, Sophie 
Rosenberg, Ally Davis, Robin Hightman, Alex Wolf, Devyn 
Killion, Dustin Bosch, Ronald Alleman, Ashley Marie 
(Walker) Ramirez, Minh-Thi Nguyen, and Melissa 
``Missy'' De Leon;
(B) those whose catastrophic injuries dramatically 
changed their lives, including Julie Magnan, Nancy 
Meuleners, Joshua Rojas, Maiv Yang, Anita Plantage 
Bomgaars, and Michael B. Hawkins; and
(C) those whose precious lives were cut far too 
short as a result of preventable underride crashes.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to reduce the number of preventable deaths and injuries 
caused by underride crashes;
(2) to ensure the efficacy of comprehensive underride 
protection systems on roads in the United States; and
(3) to improve Vulnerable Road User, motor carrier, and 
passenger motor vehicle safety.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Commercial motor vehicle.--The term ``commercial motor 
vehicle'' has the meaning given the term in section 31132 of 
title 49, United States Code.
(2) Comprehensive underride protection system.--The term 
``comprehensive underride protection system'' means all of the 
front underride guards, rear underride guards, or side 
underride guards, as applicable, installed on a commercial 
motor vehicle.
(3) Front underride guard.--The term ``front underride 
guard'' means a device installed on or near the front of a 
commercial motor vehicle that prevents or limits the distance 
that a vehicle struck by the commercial motor vehicle with the 
device will slide under the front of the striking commercial 
motor vehicle.
(4) Rear underride guard.--The term ``rear underride 
guard'' has the meaning given the term ``rear impact guard'' in 
section 571.223 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation).
(5) Title 49 terms.--The terms ``passenger motor vehicle'', 
``semitrailer'', ``side underride guard'', ``single unit 
truck'', ``trailer'', and ``Vulnerable Road User'' have the 
meanings given those terms in section 30102(a) of title 49, 
United States Code.

SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 49 DEFINITIONS.

(a) In General.--Section 30102(a) of title 49, United States Code, 
is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (11), (12), and (13) as 
paragraphs (12), (17), and (19), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:
``(11) `passenger motor vehicle' has the meaning given the 
term in section 32101.'';
(3) by inserting after paragraph (12) (as so redesignated) 
the following:
``(13) `Secretary' means the Secretary of Transportation.
``(14) `semitrailer' has the meaning given the term in 
section 571.3(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation).
``(15) `side underride guard' means a device installed on 
or near the side of a trailer, semitrailer, or single unit 
truck that prevents or limits--
``(A) the distance that the front end of a vehicle 
striking the side of the trailer, semitrailer, or 
single unit truck with the device will slide under the 
side of the impacted trailer, semitrailer, or single 
unit truck; and
``(B) prevents Vulnerable Road Users from sliding 
under the trailer, semitrailer, or single unit truck 
with the device.
``(16) `single unit truck' means a large commercial truck 
(excluding any attached trailer).'';
(4) by inserting after paragraph (17) (as so redesignated) 
the following:
``(18) `trailer' has the meaning given the term in section 
571.3(b) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation).''; and
(5) by inserting after paragraph (19) (as so redesignated) 
the following:
``(20) `Vulnerable Road User' has the meaning given the 
term `vulnerable road user' in section 148(a) of title 23.''.
(b) Technical Amendments.--Section 30102(a) of title 49, United 
States Code (as amended by subsection (a)), is amended--
(1) in each of paragraphs (1) through (18), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(2) in paragraph (19), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ``; and''.

SEC. 5. UNDERRIDE GUARD RULEMAKING.

(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 301 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 30130. Side underride guards for trailers, semitrailers, and 
single unit trucks
``(a) Rulemaking.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall finalize 
regulations that prescribe new or updated motor vehicle safety 
standards that meet the performance standard described in 
paragraph (2), including by requiring the installation of side 
underride guards that meet that performance standard on new 
trailers, semitrailers, and single unit trucks.
``(2) Performance standard described.--The performance 
standard referred to in paragraphs (1) and (3)(B)(i) is that 
side underride guards shall--
``(A) prevent intrusion into the occupant survival 
space of a passenger motor vehicle when the passenger 
motor vehicle is struck, or strikes, perpendicular to a 
trailer, semitrailer, or single unit truck at any 
closing speed up to and including 40 miles per hour;
``(B) impede a Vulnerable Road User from passing 
underneath a trailer, semitrailer, or single unit truck 
in an interaction along the side of the trailer, 
semitrailer, or single unit truck; and
``(C) contribute to fuel efficiency through the 
integration of aerodynamic design or components 
furthering fuel efficiency.
``(3) Cost-benefit analyses.--In finalizing regulations 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider and calculate 
in any cost-benefit analysis--
``(A) the number of deaths and injuries among 
passenger motor vehicle occupants and Vulnerable Road 
Users prevented as a result of those regulations; and
``(B) net fuel savings, which shall be equal to the 
difference between--
``(i) the cost of fuel expected to be 
consumed by applicable motor vehicles as a 
result of the adoption of the performance 
standard described in paragraph (2); and
``(ii) the cost of fuel estimated to be 
consumed by applicable motor vehicles at the 
existing rate of voluntary adoption of 
aerodynamic side skirts without side underride 
guards as of the date on which those 
regulations are finalized.
``(b) Compliance.--The regulations finalized under subsection (a) 
shall require full compliance with the new or updated motor vehicle 
safety standards prescribed under that subsection not later than 2 
years after the date on which those regulations are finalized.
``(c) Review of Regulations.--Beginning not later than 5 years 
after the date on which regulations are finalized under subsection (a), 
and not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter, the 
Secretary shall determine whether any update to the motor vehicle 
safety standards prescribed under that subsection is necessary to 
better prevent fatalities caused by underride crashes and improve 
roadway safety.''.
(b) Clarification.--If the Secretary of Transportation withdraws 
the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking of the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration entitled ``Side Underride Guards'' (88 
Fed. Reg. 24535 (April 21, 2023)) before the Secretary of 
Transportation finalizes regulations in accordance with section 
30130(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code (as added by subsection 
(a)), that withdrawal shall not affect the requirement to finalize 
regulations in accordance with that section.
(c) Clerical Amendments.--The analysis for chapter 301 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the item relating to section 30128 and 
inserting the following:

``30128. Vehicle rollover prevention and crash mitigation.'';
and
(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 30129 
the following:

``30130. Side underride guards for trailers, semitrailers, and single 
unit trucks.''.

SEC. 6. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON UNDERRIDE PROTECTION.

(a) Reconvening of Advisory Committee.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Transportation shall reconvene the Advisory Committee on Underride 
Protection established under subsection (d)(1) of section 23011 of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (49 U.S.C. 30111 note; Public 
Law 117-58) in accordance with the requirements of that section.
(b) Amendments.--Section 23011(d) of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (49 U.S.C. 30111 note; Public Law 117-58) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding 
clause (i), by striking ``20'' and inserting ``22''; 
and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking clause (ix);
(ii) by redesignating clause (x) as clause 
(ix); and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(x) Families of underride crash victims 
who were occupants of a passenger motor 
vehicle.
``(xi) Families of underride crash victims 
who were Vulnerable Road Users (as defined in 
section 30102(a) of title 49, United States 
Code).'';
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``meet not less 
frequently than annually'' and inserting the following: 
``meet--
``(A) until final regulations have been promulgated 
under section 30130(a) of title 49, United States 
Code--
``(i) monthly, via conference call or a 
virtual meeting platform; and
``(ii) annually, in person, at the 
Department of Transportation headquarters; and
``(B) subsequent to the issuance of the final 
regulations described in subparagraph (A), not less 
frequently than annually, in person, at the Department 
of Transportation headquarters, to assess the status of 
underride crash protection.'';
(3) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``including deliberative 
materials,'' after ``information,'';
(4) in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ``a biennial'' and inserting ``an annual''; 
and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Termination date.--Notwithstanding chapter 10 of 
title 5, United States Code, the Committee shall terminate on 
September 30, 2031.''.

SEC. 7. PUBLICATION OF UNDERRIDE RESEARCH, REPORTS, AND 
RECOMMENDATIONS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation (referred to in 
this section as the ``Secretary'') shall publish a publicly accessible 
website to provide the industry, researchers, advocates, and the public 
with a repository of underride resources, including--
(1) research conducted or contracted by the Department of 
Transportation (referred to in this section as the 
``Department'') on rear underride guards or other rear impact 
guards;
(2) research conducted or contracted by the Department on 
side underride guards or other side impact guards;
(3) research conducted or contracted by the Department on 
front underride guards or other front impact guards;
(4) a link to the database for the Advisory Committee on 
Underride Protection established under section 23011(d)(1) of 
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (49 U.S.C. 30111 
note; Public Law 117-58), which shall be updated in a timely 
manner;
(5) information and links relating to all underride 
rulemakings of the Department;
(6) stories of victims of underride crashes; and
(7) documentation of past and ongoing data collection 
relating to underride crashes.
(b) Updates.--The Secretary shall update the resources described in 
subsection (a) not less frequently than quarterly.

SEC. 8. NASEM AND GAO STUDIES.

(a) NASEM Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (referred to in this 
subsection as the ``National Academies'') under which the 
National Academies shall conduct a study on the prevalence of 
crashes involving the front of large trucks, including the 
threat of those crashes on Vulnerable Road Users.
(2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
which the National Academies completes the study required under 
paragraph (1), the National Academies shall submit to Congress 
a report on the results of the study, which shall include--
(A) recommendations on--
(i) how to better prevent crashes where the 
front of large trucks contacts a passenger 
motor vehicle in a manner that causes the 
passenger motor vehicle to slide under the 
large truck; and
(ii) how to prevent deaths resulting from 
those crashes;
(B) a description of the efficacy of preventative 
or protective devices on commercial motor vehicles, 
such as front override guards, in preventing deaths 
resulting from those crashes; and
(C) statistics, since 2010, describing the 
prevalence of fatal and non-fatal crashes described in 
subparagraph (A)(i), including rear underride and side 
underride crashes, which shall include--
(i) the type, make, and model of vehicles 
involved in those crashes;
(ii) the types of roads on which those 
crashes have occurred; and
(iii) the number of fatalities that 
occurred as a result of those crashes.
(b) GAO Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States (referred to in this subsection as the ``Comptroller 
General'') shall conduct a study on the implementation of the 
final rule of the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration entitled ``Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standards; Rear Impact Guards, Rear Impact Protection'' (87 
Fed. Reg. 42339 (July 15, 2022)).
(2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
which the Comptroller General completes the study required 
under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to 
the Secretary of Transportation and Congress a report on the 
results of the study, which shall include--
(A) an analysis of the implementation of the final 
rule described in that paragraph;
(B) if applicable, recommendations to the 
Department of Transportation describing improvements to 
that final rule or its implementation; and
(C) recommendations to Congress and the Department 
of Transportation on how to better prevent underrides 
in crashes occurring at the rear of trailers, 
semitrailers, and single unit trucks.

SEC. 9. FARS REVIEW; WEB-BASED TRAINING FOR STATE AND LOCAL LAW 
ENFORCEMENT.

(a) FARS Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (referred to in this section as the ``Administrator'') 
shall conduct a review of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to determine--
(1) the number of fatalities in crashes reported as an 
underride crash by State or local law enforcement;
(2) the number of fatalities in crashes that were not 
reported as an underride crash by State or local law 
enforcement but should have been reported as an underride 
crash, as determined by the Administrator after reviewing, with 
respect to each such crash--
(A) the initial point of impact of the crash, if 
the crash is a fatal crash involving a large truck;
(B) the Crash Investigation Sampling System of the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration;
(C) open-source media reports with documented photo 
evidence of an underride occurrence; and
(D) any other data and documentation, as determined 
appropriate by the Administrator; and
(3) recommendations that would improve incident reporting 
by State and local law enforcement.
(b) Web-Based Training.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop free on-demand, 
web-based training for State and local law enforcement on how to 
properly identify and document underride crashes.
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