S. 5336, Manufacturer Liability Shield. Quorum's AI analysis reads it as a net cost — and names who bears it.
S. 5336 · Net cost
What it does
This bill amends federal motor vehicle safety law to prohibit lawsuits against manufacturers for failing to exceed federal safety standards. Currently, manufacturers can be sued under state common law even if they meet federal minimums; this bill shields them from such suits, capping liability at the federal floor. Manufacturers benefit by eliminating a category of lawsuits; consumers lose the ability to sue for injuries caused by vehicles that met federal standards but could have been safer.
The analysis names automotive manufacturers — and 1 more group — among the beneficiaries.
The cost
Preempts state common-law tort remedies entirely for motor vehicle safety, eliminating a traditional check on manufacturer behavior and shifting all safety governance to federal rulemaking alone.
The analysis put a high warning level on this bill. Transparency scores 75%, and the analysis found no provisions unrelated to the bill's subject.
Who is behind it
Filed by Deb Fischer. Cosponsored by Cynthia Lummis.