FLARE Act

Key Points

• This bill helps local fire departments deal with the unique dangers of lithium-ion battery fires. These batteries are common in electric vehicles and smartphones but can be very difficult to put out if they catch fire.
• The plan allows fire departments to use federal grant money to buy special tools and run training programs. These programs focus on stopping a process called thermal runaway, where a battery temperature rises quickly and causes a dangerous fire.
• It also requires the Department of Transportation to make new safety rules for how these batteries are shipped and moved. This part of the bill aims to prevent accidents and fires while batteries are being transported on roads or rails.
• By updating federal law to include these specific battery risks, the bill ensures that first responders have the right resources to protect themselves and their communities as battery use continues to grow.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.