Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026

This bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to modernize Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) for tires by revising FMVSS No. 139 and No. 119 within one year. It mandates the removal of outdated testing requirements for tire strength and tubeless tire bead unseating resistance for passenger car and light truck radial tires, and similar provisions for radial light truck and commercial tires.

The legislation also requires a revision to the definition of "chunking" in FMVSS No. 139 for snow tires and a review of this definition for non-snow tires, considering international standards and industry practices. Furthermore, it clarifies that visual evidence of chunking will constitute a failure in tire endurance and low-pressure performance tests.

Additionally, the bill requires the establishment of uniform high-speed performance testing protocols for passenger car and light truck tires, consistent with international standards, within 180 days. A subsequent Government Accountability Office (GAO) study will evaluate the implementation and impact of these changes on tire safety and availability, providing recommendations for future improvements.