Motor Vehicle Flammability Standards Study Act of 2026

This bill mandates the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to undertake a comprehensive study concerning motor vehicle flammability hazards. The study's primary objectives include identifying safety risks to vehicle occupants and first responders from flammable materials within occupant compartments, as well as the specific chemicals, materials, and technologies manufacturers employ to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 302.

Furthermore, NHTSA must identify potential human health and environmental hazards linked to exposure to these chemicals and materials, paying particular attention to susceptible subpopulations such as infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly. The study will also analyze effective methods for mitigating both the identified safety risks and health hazards, including evaluating the current standard's effectiveness and exploring alternative compliance approaches.

In conducting this research, the Administrator is required to coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and to provide a period for public comment on the study's findings. Ultimately, NHTSA must submit a detailed report on the study's results to specific congressional committees and publish it on its website within 30 months of the bill's enactment.