The Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit Act of 2026 (H.R. 6947), commonly known as the SAFE Exit Act, was considered on February 10, during a Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade markup of multiple motor vehicle safety bills. The markup represents the bill’s first formal legislative action beyond its referral following introduction in the House at the beginning of January.
This week, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade convened for a legislative markup session where it reviewed a group of transportation and vehicle safety bills, including H.R. 6947.
The markup agenda included a list of 12 bills slated for consideration, such as the SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 (H.R. 7390), the ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act (H.R. 6688), and the SAFE Exit Act (H.R. 6947). During the session, subcommittee members had the opportunity to debate, question, and offer amendments to these measures before advancing them for possible reporting to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The SAFE Exit Act would amend federal motor vehicle safety law to require all new vehicles equipped with electronic door latches to have power-independent, manual door releases that allow occupants to exit even if the vehicle’s electrical systems fail. The legislation also directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a final rule within two years of enactment, updating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 206 to include performance, accessibility, and labeling requirements for these manual systems, and to ensure emergency responder access when power is lost.
If approved by the subcommittee, H.R. 6947 can be reported to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee, and potentially scheduled for a committee vote and then a House floor vote.
