Battery Safety Placarding Act
Requires visible placards on certain shipments of lithium-ion batteries and periodic reviews of the rules.
In the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Lithium-ion batteries are transported in shipments that responders may need to identify. The bill would require visible, recognizable placards on certain battery shipments, with the Transportation Secretary setting the quantity threshold and considering transportation risks and economic effects. It would also require consultation and reviews of the rules.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Require visible battery transport placards
The bill would direct the Transportation Secretary to revise federal rules to require an external placard on freight containers, unit load devices, transport vehicles, and rail cars carrying a quantity of lithium-ion batteries set by the Secretary. The placard would have to be visible from all sides and identifiable by law enforcement and first responders.
- Set thresholds after assessing costs
The Secretary would set the battery quantity threshold based on physical characteristics, including weight and dimensions, and energy capacity, while accounting for different risk profiles during transportation. The Secretary would assess placard costs, possible supply-chain disruptions, and effects on small and rural businesses and transportation providers, and account for the findings when revising the rules.
- Consult stakeholders and review rules
The Secretary would consult with first responders, law enforcement, transportation and logistics representatives, supply chain and hazardous-materials experts, battery-related businesses, and other appropriate agencies and stakeholders. After revising the rules, the Secretary would review the quantity thresholds at least every two years and periodically review the rules’ effectiveness.
The bill seeks to make lithium-ion battery shipments easier for law enforcement and first responders to identify. It also recognizes that a placarding rule could bring manufacturing costs or supply-chain disruptions, and calls for those effects to be assessed along with impacts on small and rural businesses and transportation providers.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. HagemanReferred to Transportation and Infrastructure
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
What readers think
Discussion
Get an alert when it changes stage, gets a floor vote in the House, or is signed into law.