H.R. 3262House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

GUARD Act

Sponsored by Fred UptonRep. Fred Upton (R-MI)
Introduced May 14, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:05 AM UTC

The GUARD Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of cybersecurity risks affecting motor vehicle safety and to submit a detailed report to Congress. The study must be completed within one year of the law’s enactment, and the report is due six months after the study finishes. The bill targets federal agencies, the automotive industry, and ultimately drivers and vehicle occupants by identifying vulnerabilities and recommending safeguards.

Key Provisions

  • Mandates a study within one year covering federal agency roles, inter‑agency activities, and public‑private partnerships related to vehicle cybersecurity.
  • Requires the study to catalog all existing regulations, standards, and industry practices, and to assess current vehicle security technologies, including AI‑driven solutions.
  • Calls for identification of resources that inform drivers about cyber risks and mechanisms to alert them to vulnerabilities while driving.
  • Seeks ways to protect occupants from cyber‑related safety incidents and to document widely deployed vehicle software security solutions.
  • Orders the Secretary to submit a report with study results, recommendations for information sharing across agencies and industry, and other practical cybersecurity measures.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

May 17, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 14, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

May 14, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

May 17, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 14, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3262

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 14, 2021

Mr. Upton introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report on cybersecurity risks to motor vehicle safety, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Guarding against Unauthorized Attacks Related to Driving Act or the GUARD Act.

2.

Cybersecurity risks to motor vehicle safety study and report required

(a)

Study required

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with any other appropriate Federal agency, shall conduct a study on the state of cybersecurity regarding motor vehicles. In conducting such study, the Secretary shall—

(1)

develop a comprehensive list of Federal agencies with jurisdiction over cybersecurity and a brief description of such jurisdiction or expertise of such agencies;

(2)

identify all interagency activities taking place among Federal agencies related to cybersecurity regarding motor vehicles, including working groups or any other relevant coordinated effort;

(3)

develop a comprehensive list of public-private partnerships focused on cybersecurity regarding motor vehicles, as well as any industry-based bodies, including international bodies, which have developed, or are developing, mandatory or voluntary standards for cybersecurity and the status of such standards;

(4)

identify each regulation, guideline, mandatory standard, voluntary standard, and other policy implemented by each Federal agency identified under this subsection and each guideline, mandatory standard, voluntary standard, and other policy implemented by industry-based and recognized international bodies;

(5)

review the technology, measures, guidelines, or practices used across the motor vehicle industry as of the date of the enactment of this Act to identify, protect, detect, respond to, or recover from cyber security incidents affecting the safety of a motor vehicle, focusing on the most advanced vehicle security solutions such as AI-driven vehicle security software;

(6)

identify existing cybersecurity resources to assist individuals in maintaining awareness of cybersecurity risks associated with motor vehicle safety and mechanisms for alerting a human driver or operator regarding cybersecurity vulnerabilities;

(7)

identify means to protect vehicle occupants from cybersecurity incidents affecting safety that may arise while the motor vehicle is operating; and

(8)

identify pervasive industry vehicle software security solutions, such as, embedded in at least 150 million vehicles and 50 percent of the electric vehicle marketplace at the time of enactment.

(b)

Report required

Not later than 6 months after completion of the study required pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that contains—

(1)

the results of the study;

(2)

recommendations to enable the exchange of information and lessons learned across the industry, and across relevant Federal agencies, regarding cybersecurity incidents, threats, and potential vulnerabilities in a timely manner; and

(3)

recommendations for other measures deemed reasonable, appropriate, and practicable with respect to cybersecurity related to motor vehicle safety.

(c)

Motor vehicle defined

The term motor vehicle has the meaning given that term in section 30102 of title 49, United States Code.