Rep. Graves on liability protection legislation: 'We want to push just how important it is to do this and to do it on time'

U.S. Representative Sam Graves announced that legislation concerning vicarious liability protections is expected to be marked up this fall and could advance through the House by the end of the year. This statement was made on a website.

"We intend to have it finished," said Graves, Congressman. "We will have the bill marked up this fall and off the House floor by the end of the year. When you go into offices and talk about your priorities and the things that you need, Members of Congress listen. We want to push just how important it is to do this and to do it on time."

Vicarious liability protections in U.S. federal law determine when businesses can be held accountable for third-party actions, often limiting victims' recourse in court. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act provides online platforms with immunity from liability for user content, while statutes like the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act and Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) protect health providers and firearm manufacturers. According to the Congressional Research Service, these laws are central to ongoing legal and policy debates about reform.

Beyond funding measures and reauthorizations, Congress may issue updated guidance on modern transportation and mobility. Nearly two decades ago, lawmakers included the Graves Amendment in a surface transportation bill, which removed state-level owner liability for rental car companies. With ridesharing and carsharing now integral to everyday travel, many states have revised their statutes accordingly, prompting advocates to urge Congress to extend such reforms nationwide.

The National Conference of State Legislatures reported that states passed numerous measures on liability from 2020 to 2022, particularly in response to COVID-19. Federal actions during this period were narrower, relying on agency guidance or extensions of existing laws like the PREP Act rather than new statutes. According to NCSL, states have acted more swiftly than Congress.

Graves is a Republican Congressman representing Missouri’s 6th District since his election in 2000. He currently chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and is active in aviation and agriculture policy. His career reflects decades of legislative experience at both state and federal levels.