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119-s-3775119th CongressWALLET

Stop Underrides Act 2.0

Sponsored By: Senator Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Introduced

Summary

Mandatory side underride guards would be required on trailers, semitrailers, and single‑unit trucks through a federal performance standard to reduce underride deaths and injuries and improve crash survivability. The bill would also expand research, reporting, and oversight to guide implementation and enforcement.

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  • Families and vulnerable road users: Would aim to cut underride fatalities and injuries by requiring guards that prevent intrusion into occupant survival space at closing speeds up to 40 mph and that block people from passing underneath.
  • Trucking operators and manufacturers: Would trigger performance‑based rulemaking with a cost‑benefit framework that counts net fuel savings, an 18‑month window to finalize rules, and a 2‑year full compliance deadline after a final rule.
  • Data, oversight, and enforcement: Would expand the Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, require National Academies and Government Accountability Office studies, strengthen Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data, and mandate web‑based law enforcement training and 5‑year reviews of standards.

*The bill does not itself appropriate new funds and would rely on existing or reallocated agency resources and future appropriations.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New side guards on large trucks

If enacted, the Secretary of Transportation would have to finish rules within 18 months to require side underride guards on new trailers, semitrailers, and single-unit trucks. The guards would have to stop intrusion into occupant survival space for perpendicular strikes up to 40 miles per hour, block vulnerable road users from sliding under, and be aerodynamically integrated to help fuel efficiency. Agencies would have to include counts of deaths and injuries prevented and calculate net fuel savings. Truck makers and carriers would need to comply within 2 years after the rules are final. The bill would also add legal definitions for terms such as "side underride guard" and "single unit truck."

Better underride crash data and training

If enacted, NHTSA would review the Fatality Analysis Reporting System within 1 year to count fatalities reported as underride crashes and find deaths that should have been labeled underrides using crash data, NHTSA sampling, and photo evidence. NHTSA would also give recommendations to improve how state and local law enforcement report underride incidents. Separately, NHTSA would create free, on-demand web training for state and local law enforcement on identifying and documenting underride crashes within 18 months.

Independent studies on underride risks

If enacted, the Comptroller General would begin a GAO study within 1 year on how the rear impact guard rule is being implemented and report to DOT and Congress within 180 days after the study with recommendations. The Secretary would also seek to contract with the National Academies within 1 year to study front-of-large-truck crashes and deliver a report within 180 days after completion, including crash statistics since 2010 and device efficacy recommendations.

Strengthened advisory committee and website

If enacted, the Secretary would reconvene the Advisory Committee on Underride Protection within 180 days and expand membership by two seats to include family members of underride victims. The committee would meet monthly online and at least once a year in person until rules are final, and would end on September 30, 2031. The Secretary would also publish and update a public website at least quarterly with DOT underride research, links to rulemakings, the committee database, victims' stories, and crash data.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 2/26/2026

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/10/2026

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 3/11/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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