Introduction of ADAS Bill Is First Major Step To Protect the Right to Modify

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is celebrating the U.S. House of Representatives introduction of the ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act (H.B. 6688) by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) and cosponsored by Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), and Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.), organization officials stated in a press release.

SEMA worked closely with lawmakers from both parties to secure bipartisan support for the legislation, which ensures that aftermarket businesses have the information needed to properly calibrate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) after vehicles are modified, noted the release. This legislation is critical to being able to safely make common modifications, including installing bike racks, wrapping a vehicle, installing larger wheels and tires, or installing a winch or aftermarket bumpers, without compromising the functionality of ADAS.

SEMA says the bill is timely because of a forthcoming federal mandate that requires new, Model Year (MY) 2029 vehicles to feature automatic emergency braking, bringing important safety systems to all new vehicles sold in the U.S.

The ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act

The ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish ADAS guidelines to create modification ranges and tolerances for new vehicles starting in model year 2028. The bill also requires NHTSA to create guidelines that establish ADAS test procedures so that aftermarket businesses can properly test and validate that the vehicle systems have been properly calibrated.

“SEMA thanks Rep. Harshbarger for her leadership and Reps. Vasquez, Obernolte and Torres for their strong support for ensuring vehicles with ADAS can be modified without compromising the integrity of these important safety systems,” said Jim Moore, SEMA vice president of OEM and product development. “The introduction of the ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act is a landmark moment for anyone who owns, repairs or modifies a vehicle.

“Americans deserve confidence that those critical systems will work as intended for the entire life of their vehicle, even after repairs or customization. Currently, the industry lacks clear standards governing ADAS calibration, and aftermarket businesses and vehicle owners need access to the necessary calibration information and procedures needed to keep modern safety features functioning. This bill marks a critical step forward in the name of vehicle safety and is a major step forward in protecting the American people’s right to modify the vehicles they own.”

Background Information on ADAS & Vehicle Modifications as Provided by SEMA

• SEMA’s research indicates that more than 50 million cars and trucks in the U.S. are modified or accessorized each year, a number that both underscores the urgent need for ADAS standards that account for real-world vehicle modifications and the significant number of consumers who modify their vehicles.
• Beginning in MY 2029, all new passenger cars and light trucks must be equipped with certain ADAS technology, specifically automatic emergency braking under NHTSA’s FMVSS 127 rulemaking. The ADAS Functionality & Integrity Act is critical to ensure that these advanced safety systems continue to work properly even after vehicles are repaired or modified, and pathways to compliance are clear as ADAS becomes standard on every vehicle.
• SEMA has invested over $25 million in the SEMA Garage to help the aftermarket stay ahead of rapidly evolving vehicle technology. With facilities in Diamond Bar, California, and Plymouth, Michigan, the Garages provide advanced tools, OEM data, and dedicated ADAS labs that support product development and groundbreaking research on how modifications affect modern safety systems.
• The SEMA Garage hosted over 70 professionals from the customization, collision and repair industries for a symposium to address the most growing and pressing challenges associated with ADAS calibrations, creating a clear, industry-wide roadmap to ensure ADAS functions safely and reliably in every vehicle.
• SEMA has released a series of white papers examining how aftermarket modifications affect ADAS performance across popular vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, Ford Bronco, Toyota Tacoma and the Ram 1500. The research provides clear, data-driven insight into how changes such as lift kits, wheels and suspension components influence sensor reliability. The findings help manufacturers, installers and enthusiasts understand when recalibration is needed to preserve full ADAS functionality.