This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for car manufacturers, parts suppliers, car dealers, rental companies, and importers/exporters in the automotive industry. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections to hold hearing on emerging safety issues: The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will hold a hearing titled "Building a Safer Future: Private-Sector Strategies for Emerging Safety Issues" on May 13, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. ET in Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2175.

Federal Government News

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance with Tire Pressure Monitoring System Standard

Volkswagen Group of America has petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a determination of inconsequential noncompliance regarding Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138 (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) for certain model year 2024-2025 Jetta and 2024 Taos vehicles. Approximately 81,456 vehicles are said to have TPMS telltales that illuminate but do not flash for the required duration, as outlined in FMVSS No. 138. Volkswagen argues the driver receives adequate warning via cluster and infotainment messages, citing a similar Mercedes-Benz petition previously granted by NHTSA. The agency is seeking comments by June 3, 2026, and has clarified that, pending decision, only vehicles no longer controlled by Volkswagen at the time of noncompliance may be affected by any relief granted.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance for Motorcycle Brake Master Cylinder Cap Markings

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has petitioned NHTSA for relief from notification and remedy requirements regarding noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 122 for motorcycle brake system cap markings. The issue pertains to rear master cylinder fluid caps on various models (including Police 1000, KZ750, Ninja ZX-6R, Z125 Pro, KLR 650) manufactured from 1979 to 2025 that omit part of the mandatory warning statement. Kawasaki asserts front caps are fully compliant, rear caps show most required text, and DOT brake fluid types are properly engraved. The petition is open for comments until June 8, 2026, and references previous NHTSA decisions on similar labelling issues, noting correction will be made for future model years.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From China: Final Results of Expedited Second Sunset Review of Countervailing Duty Order

The Department of Commerce announced final results for the second five-year (sunset) review of the countervailing duty order on certain passenger vehicle and light truck tires from the People's Republic of China. The review concluded that revocation would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of countervailable subsidies at rates ranging from 21.68% to 116.73% for named manufacturers, with an all-others rate of 31.56%. This maintains duty enforcement for relevant tire imports, following the statutory and regulatory sunset review procedures.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From China: Final Results of Expedited Second Sunset Review of Antidumping Duty Order

Final results of the expedited second sunset review for the antidumping duty order on passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China confirm that revocation would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping, with weighted-average margins up to 87.99%. Commerce cites its review process and lack of substantive response from respondent interested parties as the basis for maintaining duties under the order.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon-Quality Steel Plate Products From Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review

Commerce has finalized the 2024-2025 administrative antidumping review for cut-to-length carbon-quality steel plate products from Korea. Dongkuk Steel Mill Co., Ltd. received a dumping margin of 1.18%, Hyundai Steel Company received 0.94%; all other producers will continue to be assessed at 0.98%. Assessment rates and cash deposit instructions for imports are outlined for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and notifications remain active for importers regarding their responsibilities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 8698: To protect consumers from gasoline and fuel price gouging, and for other purposes.

Introduced in the House, H.R. 8698 is referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the Committee on Education and Workforce. The bill proposes measures to prevent price gouging on gasoline and fuel.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8692: To amend title 49, United States Code, for deployment of autonomous shared mobility vehicles.

H.R. 8692 was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It would allow certain grant funds from the Secretary of Transportation to be used for deploying and purchasing technology for autonomous shared mobility vehicles.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8672: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for deduction of vehicle loan interest.

H.R. 8672 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, seeking to provide a deduction for loan interest payments related to certain vehicles.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8699: Safe Transit for All Act of 2026

H.R. 8699, titled the Safe Transit for All Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8713: Specifications for transportation safety placards

H.R. 8713 directs the Secretary of Transportation to require certain specifications for safety placards. It was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8717: Permitting construction of noise barriers with Highway Trust Fund

H.R. 8717 seeks to amend the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 to allow highway funds to be used for constructing certain noise barriers. It is now under review by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8673: Stinger-steered combinations exemption from warning flag requirements

H.R. 8673 proposes an exemption for stinger-steered combinations from state requirements to include warning flags on projecting loads. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8681: Sanctions on foreign persons employing forced or child labor in cobalt mining

H.R. 8681 would impose sanctions on foreign entities using forced or child labor in cobalt mining. It was sent to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Committee on the Judiciary for evaluation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Indiana Senate Bill banning Chinese-produced vaping products signed into law

Senate Enrolled Act 185 was ceremonially signed by the Indiana governor, prohibiting the sale of vaping products manufactured in China and other foreign adversarial nations.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana law expands ban on land ownership by foreign adversaries

Senate Enrolled Act 256 mandates registration for foreign agents and bans land ownership by entities from adversarial nations including China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana authorizes increased annual allowance for volunteer firefighter clothing and vehicle maintenance

House Enrolled Act 1048 raises the annual allowance for volunteer firefighters to $250 for clothing and vehicle maintenance, a change passed unanimously by the Indiana General Assembly.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana enacts protections for shooting ranges against local ordinances

Senate Enrolled Act 176, now law in Indiana, prohibits local governments from enacting stricter regulations on shooting ranges than those set by the state.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana legislature strengthens restrictions on businesses from foreign adversaries

Senate Enrolled Act 256 and House Enrolled Act 1406 implement state-level bans on businesses from foreign adversary nations, including restrictions on tax credits and land purchases.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Column | With gas prices so high, how much will you actually save with an EV?: Washington Post examines cost savings for electric vehicle owners amid high gas prices.
• After Stumbles, Technology Meant for Self-Driving Cars Finds a Second Act: New York Times explores alternate uses for autonomous vehicle technology following setbacks in self-driving applications.
• Breakingviews - Smart cars offer Nvidia route back to China: Reuters discusses Nvidia's renewed engagement with the Chinese market via smart car technologies.
• How Do You Feel About Driverless Cars?: NYT features public perspectives and classroom conversations on the prospect of fully autonomous vehicles.

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