Bills of Congress May 8, 2025 by U.S. Congress

S.1682 - Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025 (119th Congress)

Summary

The Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025 directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish a consumer product safety standard for certain gates. This includes automatic and manual vehicular gates, as well as any gate wider than 48 inches or taller than 84 inches. The Act mandates that the CPSC promulgate a final safety standard within one year of enactment, incorporating existing safety standards like ASTM F900-25 and ANSI/CAN/UL 325.

Expected Effects

The Act aims to reduce injuries and deaths associated with covered gates by ensuring they meet specific safety standards. It also requires the CPSC to conduct a national awareness campaign to educate the public about gate safety. This will likely lead to safer gate designs, installations, and maintenance practices.

Potential Benefits 4/5

* **Reduced Injuries:** By mandating safety standards, the Act aims to decrease the number of injuries and fatalities caused by faulty or poorly maintained gates.
* **Increased Public Awareness:** The national awareness campaign will educate consumers, manufacturers, and building officials about gate safety.
* **Improved Gate Design and Installation:** The Act encourages manufacturers and installers to adhere to best practices and safety standards.
* **Updated Building Codes:** Educational materials for building officials will support the updating and enforcement of building codes related to gate safety.
* **Clear Regulatory Framework:** Establishes a clear regulatory framework for gate safety, providing manufacturers with specific standards to follow.

Most Benefited Areas:

Public Safety & Crime Reduction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Public Health & Healthcare Access ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Education & Skill Development ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Potential Disadvantages

* **Increased Costs for Manufacturers:** Compliance with the new safety standards may increase production costs for gate manufacturers.
* **Potential Price Increases for Consumers:** Manufacturers may pass on increased costs to consumers, leading to higher prices for gates.
* **Administrative Burden on CPSC:** The CPSC will need to dedicate resources to developing and enforcing the new safety standard and conducting the awareness campaign.
* **Potential for Litigation:** The new standards could lead to litigation if manufacturers dispute the requirements or if injuries occur despite compliance.
* **Limited Scope:** The Act focuses specifically on gates and may not address other potential safety hazards in similar contexts.

Most Disadvantaged Areas:

National Security & Defense ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Agricultural Viability & Food Security ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Energy Security & Affordability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Constitutional Alignment 4/5

The Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025 appears to align with the US Constitution, particularly the provision to "promote the general Welfare." Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate commerce, which can be interpreted to include setting safety standards for consumer products like gates. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to citizens. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).