Legislation1w ago
42
To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
HR7372119th CongressWALLET
Safety is Not For Sale Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6]
In Committee
Summary
Requires automakers to sell lifesaving vehicle safety features either separately or include them as standard equipment, and to list their cost separately from non-safety options. It bars selling or leasing optional safety equipment to a first purchaser unless the feature is offered for sale or lease separately from any non-safety feature or included as standard trim, and it takes effect 180 days after enactment.
Show full summary
- Consumers and families will see clearer pricing and can buy safety tech without being forced to pay for unrelated upgrades. This makes features like driver alerts, improved illumination, or emergency crash alerts easier to obtain on their own.
- Vehicle manufacturers and dealers must change how they package and price models and trims by offering optional safety features separately or making them standard. Definitions in the law spell out which features count as optional safety equipment.
- Enforcement rests with the Federal Trade Commission under the FTC Act, while state attorneys general can sue on behalf of residents to seek injunctions, penalties, damages, or restitution, and the FTC may intervene in state cases.
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Clear definition of vehicle safety features
If enacted, the bill would set national definitions for which vehicle parts count as optional safety features. The definitions would borrow terms like “first purchaser” and “manufacturer” from federal motor-vehicle law. An "optional safety feature" would be non-standard equipment that meets listed safety functions, such as driver alerts, illumination, crash alerts, or driver-supervised control tasks. These definitions would take effect 180 days after enactment.
FTC and state enforcement powers
If enacted, the bill would let the Federal Trade Commission treat violations as unfair or deceptive acts and use its full enforcement tools, including injunctions and penalties. It would also let State attorneys general sue on behalf of residents for injunctions, damages, restitution, and fees, usually after giving the FTC 60 days' notice. The FTC could intervene in state suits and file appeals. If the FTC or the U.S. Attorney General sues first, a State generally could not bring the same case while that federal action is pending. These authorities would take effect 180 days after enactment.
No bundling of safety features
If enacted, the bill would bar sellers from offering certain optional safety features to a first purchaser only as part of a bundle with non-safety items. Sellers could comply by selling the safety feature separately or by making it standard trim equipment. The bill would also require sellers to disclose the cost of the optional safety feature clearly and separately from non-safety items. These rules would take effect 180 days after enactment.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6]
NJ • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in