Tim Sheehy (R-MT)
Responder and Recovery Safety in EV Fires Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Responder and Recovery Safety in EV Fires Act" requires the Secretary of Transportation to create a working group to handle electric vehicle fires. This group will include at least 22 members from the towing industry, emergency response, the automotive industry, and research organizations. Their job is to review risks and create best practices for responding to these fires. The group will also help maintain a database of roadside incidents involving electric vehicle fires. They must provide an annual report to Congress and the public. The working group will end 10 years after it is created.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +4
Would union members be better off under this?
Directly benefits first responders and unionized fire fighters through improved safety guidance.
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Benefits automotive and towing business owners through standardized safety best practices.
- Scored +2
Would people in cities be better off under this?
Increases safety in areas with higher EV density and urban charging infrastructure.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Safety Guidance: The working group is required to periodically issue or update best practices and guidance for responding to electric vehicle fires, which could lead to safer responses (Section 2(f)).
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Better Data Collection: By reporting roadside incidents to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) database, the government can track locations, scene conditions, and the results of response procedures to improve future safety (Section 2(g)).
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Expert Collaboration: The bill brings together a wide range of experts, including fire chiefs, police, medical officials, and vehicle manufacturers, to address the specific risks of electric vehicle fires (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Unpaid Service: Members of the working group are required to serve without compensation, which may limit who can afford to participate (Section 2(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — Directly benefits first responders and unionized fire fighters through improved safety guidance. Would business owners be better off under this? — Benefits automotive and towing business owners through standardized safety best practices. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Improves safety and guidance for rural fire departments responding to EV incidents. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increases safety in areas with higher EV density and urban charging infrastructure.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires an annual report to be made publicly available. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases federal oversight of EV fire response guidelines.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Establishes best practices for EV fire response, enhancing safety for EV owners and the public.
- 3/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon