Warnock, Wicker Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Tire Safety Standards

Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Roger Wicker introduced the Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 legislation to modernize federal tire safety standards

Georgia is a national leader in tire manufacturing and production

Senator Reverend Warnock: "Georgia's nation-leading tire manufacturing industry helps keep Georgians safe and connected to boundless opportunities"

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the bipartisan Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026, a bill that updates federal tire testing standards to protect passenger safety and reflect modern best practices in tire production.

"Georgia's nation-leading tire manufacturing industry helps keep Georgians safe and connected to boundless opportunities," said Senator Warnock. "By modernizing this critical manufacturing sector, we can help foster innovation and keep Americans connected."

"Tire manufacturing technology has evolved, but federal regulations have not kept pace," said Senator Wicker. "This legislation would update performance standards-protecting passenger safety and promoting innovation simultaneously."

The Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 preserves a strong focus on safety. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to replace outdated testing requirements with more relevant, modern-day performance standards, clarifying existing safety criteria and aligning high-speed testing with internationally recognized best practices to keep our roads safe.

Senator Warnock has successfully delivered millions of dollars' worth of federal grant funding to improve roadway safety across Georgia. Last year, he led an effort to improve access to economic opportunity by investing in transportation infrastructure that is essential to keeping communities connected.

The Tire Safety Modernization Act of 2026 is endorsed by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and several tire manufacturing companies with operational hubs located in Georgia, including Pirelli, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc., Kumho Tire USA, Inc., Continental Tire Americas, and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

"Modernizing federal tire safety standards is essential to ensuring American drivers have access to the safest, most advanced tire technology available," said Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO of U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA). "The 'Tire Safety Modernization Act' is an important step toward aligning U.S. regulations with today's innovations, strengthening road safety and supporting a more competitive tire manufacturing sector. USTMA and its member companies are grateful to Senators Warnock (D-GA) and Wicker (R-MS) for their leadership in championing this critical legislation."

"Toyo Tire commends Senators Raphael Warnock and Roger Wicker for introducing legislation that will help modernize federal tire safety testing requirements," said Tatsuo Mitsuhata, Chairman & CEO, Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. "Operating the largest tire factory in Georgia, Toyo understands the importance of maintaining a regulatory framework that supports both consumer safety and continued innovation in American manufacturing. This legislation represents a practical and forward-looking effort to ensure that federal tire standards keep pace with advances in vehicle and tire technology. We appreciate the leadership of Senators Warnock and Wicker in advancing this bipartisan effort and look forward to working with policymakers and industry stakeholders as the legislation moves forward."

"Kumho Tire USA, headquartered in Atlanta and serving customers through a nationwide distribution network, is grateful to Senators Warnock and Wicker for their leadership in introducing legislation to modernize federal tire safety testing standards," said Edmund Cho, CEO of Kumho Tire USA, Inc. "With manufacturing and distribution operations, including facilities in Georgia, we support updating FMVSS tire tests to remove outdated requirements and align with global best practices, strengthening public safety and ensuring a fair, level playing field for responsible manufacturers."

"The introduction of this legislation by Senators Warnock and Wicker represents meaningful progress toward modernizing tire safety regulations," said Tansu Işık, CEO Continental Tire Americas. "Aligning federal testing requirements with today's technological advancements will help ensure effective safety oversight while promoting innovation and manufacturing growth in the United States.

"For the Pirelli Group, which has manufacturing facilities in Georgia and is the exclusive tire supplier to the Formula One World Championship™, safety is paramount," said Pirelli. "Modernizing tire testing requirements will help ensure that federal testing standards continue to foster innovation, recognize the industry's most advanced tire technologies, and contribute to a lower environmental footprint."

"We appreciate Senators Warnock and Wicker for introducing legislation to modernize outdated tire testing requirements," said Brad Heim, Vice President, Product Development - Global Consumer, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. "Tire technology continues to advance rapidly, and federal standards should keep pace with innovation. This legislation will help ensure safety requirements reflect today's technology while supporting U.S. manufacturing competitiveness."

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