PRIA Logo™
119-hr-10673119th CongressWALLET

Battery Safety Placarding Act

Sponsored By: Representative Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would require an external placard for shipments that contain a specified quantity of lithium-ion batteries to make such loads clearly visible to responders and officials. The Secretary of Transportation would set the quantity threshold based on battery weight, dimensions, and energy capacity, and must do an economic impact assessment and consult a broad set of stakeholders before revising rules.

Show full summary
  • First responders and law enforcement would get placards visible from all sides so hazardous battery shipments are easier to identify during emergencies.
  • Motor carriers, rail, maritime, and logistics providers would need to add placards when loads meet the threshold, with compliance costs and potential supply chain effects evaluated.
  • Small and rural businesses would be specifically analyzed in the economic impact assessment to account for disproportionate burdens or disruptions.
  • Battery manufacturers and retailers would face thresholds based on physical battery characteristics rather than a simple count of units.
  • The Secretary must brief Congress within 30 days after revisions and review thresholds and effectiveness at least every 2 years.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New placards for lithium battery shipments

This bill would require the Transportation Secretary to add an external placard on freight containers, unit load devices, transport vehicles, and rail cars carrying lithium‑ion batteries above a threshold. The Secretary would set the threshold within 2 years, based on battery weight, size, and energy capacity, and would make placards visible from all sides and identifiable by law enforcement and first responders. The Secretary would assess economic impacts, consult many stakeholders, brief Congress within 30 days after the rule, and review thresholds at least every two years before changing the rules. If enacted, responders would likely find shipments easier to identify, while shippers and carriers (including small and rural businesses) would face placard and compliance costs.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

WY • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation