Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1797) to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a consumer product safety standard with respect to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1797

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act''. SEC. 2. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY STANDARD FOR CERTAIN BATTERIES.

(a) Consumer Product Safety Standard Required.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Consumer Product Safety Commission shall promulgate, under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, a final consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices, including electric bicycles and electric scooters, to protect against the risk of fires caused by such batteries.

(2) Inclusion of related equipment.--The standard promulgated under paragraph (1) shall include requirements with respect to equipment related to or used with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices, including battery chargers, charging cables, external terminals on battery packs, external terminals on micromobility devices, and free-standing stations used for recharging.

(b) CPSC Determination of Scope.--In promulgating the standard under subsection (a), the Commission shall determine the types of products subject to the standard and shall ensure that such products are--

(1) within the jurisdiction of the Commission; and

(2) reasonably necessary to include to protect against the risk of fires.

(c) Modifications.--At any time after the promulgation of the standard under subsection (a), the Commission may, through a rulemaking under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, modify the requirements of the standard.

(d) Treatment of Standard.--A standard promulgated under this section, including a modification of such standard, shall be treated as a consumer product safety rule promulgated under section 9 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2058).

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1797, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act.

It is important that the House pass this legislation because when lithium-ion batteries are poorly made--usually ones that come from China, I might add--lack adequate safety standards, are charged improperly, or are damaged, they are prone to ignite a fire.

The associated fires may be accompanied by explosions and the release of toxic gas, causing significant injuries to consumers. We cannot let that happen.

As these micromobility devices have risen in popularity, the use of lithium-ion batteries has increased, as has the use of counterfeit or unsafe batteries coming from China, creating the need for a Federal safety standard.

H.R. 1797 would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue a consumer product safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices to protect against the risk of fires.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Garbarino and Torres, and others from New York such as Representative Clarke, and all other Members, for leading this important bipartisan effort to protect citizens and first responders.

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is correct, the sponsor of the bill. We are upholding this very important need. We are moving forward because we have a chairman and a ranking member that worked very hard to address these issues and move them forward. Let's get this done as soon as possible.

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this particular bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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