US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB7354

Introduced
 
Introduced
2/4/26  

Caption

Stop Underrides Act 2.0

Impact

The bill mandates the Secretary of Transportation to formulate regulations requiring the installation of side underride guards within 18 months post-enactment. These guards must meet specific performance standards that aim to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding underneath trucks during collisions. Additionally, the act requires an analysis of potential impacts, including the reduction of injuries and fatalities as well as fuel savings associated with these safety measures. If enacted, it would significantly influence existing motor vehicle safety standards and enhance protections for road users.

Summary

House Bill 7354, known as the Stop Underrides Act 2.0, aims to mitigate the dangers posed by underride crashes, which often result in severe injuries or fatalities for passengers traveling beneath trucks or trailers. The legislation recognizes the significant threat posed by these crashes, citing over 25,000 underrides resulting in approximately 31,500 fatalities since records began. It emphasizes the urgent need to enhance safety measures for both motor vehicle occupants and Vulnerable Road Users like cyclists and pedestrians. It proposes the installation of improved underride guards on trailers and single-unit trucks to prevent such accidents.

Contention

While proponents of HB 7354 argue that it is a necessary step toward enhancing road safety and protecting vulnerable populations, some may view this legislation as imposing additional requirements on trucking companies. The concerns may revolve around the financial implications of retrofitting existing vehicles and the potential impacts on the logistics and transportation sectors. Ongoing discussions likely reflect a balance between preserving economic interests within the industry and ensuring crucial safety enhancements for public welfare.

Companion Bills

US SB3775

Related Stop Underrides Act 2.0

Previously Filed As

US SB3775

Stop Underrides Act 2.0

US SB1519

off-highway vehicles; weight

US SB1517

Off-highway vehicles; weight

US SB110

Trucks; additions to those exempt from weight limits; procedures for portable scales enforcement revised and provided; enforcement authority revised

US SB1320

Implements of husbandry; autonomous; automated

US SB2265

Recreational off-highway vehicles; authorize operation on county roads subject to certain requirements and cap tag fees for.

US SB2259

Recreational off highway vehicles; authorize operation on county roads subject to certain requirements and cap tag fees for.

US HB204

Trucks; additions to those exempt from weight limits; procedures for portables scales enforcement revised and provided; enforcement authority revised

US HB2957

driver license; enhanced; mobile; prohibition

US HB493

AN ACT relating to the towing and storage of motor vehicles.

Similar Bills

US SB3775

Stop Underrides Act 2.0

AL SB110

Trucks; additions to those exempt from weight limits; procedures for portable scales enforcement revised and provided; enforcement authority revised

AL HB204

Trucks; additions to those exempt from weight limits; procedures for portables scales enforcement revised and provided; enforcement authority revised

AL SB222

Motor vehicles; operation of oversized vehicles operated by automated driving systems, prohibited

SC H3126

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 2 TO TITLE 23 SO AS TO CREATE THE "SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-3-240, RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF CERTAIN STATE OFFICERS BY THE GOVERNOR, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-7-920, RELATING TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON PROSECUTION COORDINATION, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-30-10, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 1-30-90, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, SO AS TO SUBSTITUTE THE TERM "DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY" FOR THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY"; BY AMENDING SECTION 2-13-240, RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS TO VARIOUS ENTITIES, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY"; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 5-3-90, 5-7-110, 9-11-180, 10-11-80, 11-35-710, 12-28-1910, 12-28-2325, 13-7-70, 13-7-160, 14-1-206, 14-1-207, 14-1-208, 14-1-212, 17-22-350, 23-1-230, AND 23-1-240, RELATING TO THE SCOPE OF THE PROVISIONS THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STRUCTURE, ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY'S CONTRIBUTIONS INTO THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM ON BEHALF OF ACTIVE HIGHWAY PATROL MEMBER EMPLOYEES, PARKING ON CERTAIN STATE PARKING LOTS, STATE PROCUREMENT CODE EXEMPTIONS, THE INSPECTION OF FUEL AND SHIPPING PAPERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, PAYING TAXES AND THE DELEGATION OF COLLECTION OF TAXES, RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING THE TRANSPORTATION OF MATERIALS, REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSPORTATION OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS, COURT ASSESSMENTS AND SURCHARGES, TRAFFIC EDUCATION PROGRAM FEES, THE USE OF BODY-WORN CAMERAS, AND THE FIRST RESPONDERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ALL SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY," OR "DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY"; BY AMENDING CHAPTER 6, TITLE 23, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, SO AS TO REESTABLISH IT AS A DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 23-23-30, 23-25-20, 36-9-410, 38-55-530, 38-55-570, 38-77-1120, 39-9-230, 43-5-1250, 44-4-130, 54-17-60, 56-1-190, 56-1-286, 56-1-460, 56-1-1320, 56-1-1760, 56-1-2220, 56-1-2230, 56-3-662, 56-3-663, 56-3-840, 56-3-8710, 56-5-330, 56-5-380, 56-5-765, 56-5-1270, 56-5-1300, 56-5-1320, 56-5-1330, 56-5-1340, 56-5-1350, 56-5-1520, 56-5-1535, 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, 56-5-2945, 56-5-2951, 56-5-2953, 56-5-3660, 56-5-3670, 56-5-3680, 56-5-3690, 56-5-3890, 56-5-3900, 56-5-4010, 56-5-4030, 56-5-4035, 56-5-4070, 56-5-4075, 56-5-4140, 56-5-4160, 56-5-4170, 56-5-4240, 56-5-4630, 56-5-4840, 56-5-4880, 56-5-4970, 56-5-5015, 56-5-5080, 56-5-5120, 56-5-5140, 56-5-5810, 56-5-5870, 56-5-5880, 56-5-6170, 56-5-6525, 56-5-6560, 56-5-6565, 56-7-10, 56-7-12, 56-7-30, 56-9-350, 56-10-45, 56-10-552, 56-11-20, 56-11-40, 56-19-420, 56-35-50, 57-3-180, 58-23-50, 58-23-1120, 59-67-20, 59-67-260, 59-67-570, 61-6-2900, 61-6-4250, AND 61-6-4290, RELATING TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING COUNCIL, THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE, RESERVE DETENTION OFFICERS, THE UNLAWFUL SALE OR DISPOSAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO A SECURITY INTEREST, INSURANCE FRAUD AND REPORTING IMMUNITY, MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT AND THE MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE FRAUD-REPORTING IMMUNITY ACT, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METRIC SYSTEM, THE STATEWIDE NETWORK OF MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS, THE EMERGENCY HEALTH POWERS ACT, ACTIVITIES OF THE MARITIME SECURITY COMMISSION AND THE NAVAL MILITIA, MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS' LICENSES, CARRYING AND DISPLAY OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE, THE COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE DRUG TESTING ACT, THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES, NASCAR SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES, THE DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS, THE INVESTIGATION OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, CORONER REPORTS, ACCIDENT REPORTS, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS, THE OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLES ALONG THE STATE'S HIGHWAYS, UNLAWFUL USE OF WIRELESS DEVICES WHILE OPERATING MOTOR VEHICLES, COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES AND THEIR DRIVERS, MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS, SAFETY BELT EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THE REGULATION OF TRAFFIC TRAVELING ALONG THE STATE'S HIGHWAYS, THE PRINTING, ORDERING AND ISSUANCE OF TRAFFIC TICKETS, VERIFICATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE, THE CONFISCATION OF REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES AND LICENSE PLATES, THE UNINSURED ENFORCEMENT FUND, THE ROAD TAX ON MOTOR CARRIERS, MOTOR VEHICLE CERTIFICATES OF TITLE, DIESEL IDLING RESTRICTIONS, CERTAIN PERMITS ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, MOTOR VEHICLE CARRIERS, THE TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, AND THE TRANSPORTATION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, ALL SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY," OR "DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY"; AND BY AMENDING SECTIONS 23-3-10, 23-3-680, AND 23-3-690, ALL RELATING TO THE CREATION OF THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

US HB8870

BUILD America 250 Act Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act