According to Sawyer Merritt, the U.S. House Committee held a hearing today discussing the Self Drive Act, which aims to establish a unified federal framework for AI-powered automated vehicle companies before they deploy vehicles on public roads (source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter, Jan 13, 2026). This proposed legislation is designed to streamline compliance, accelerate innovation, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness against China's rapidly advancing autonomous vehicle sector. For AI industry stakeholders, the bill represents a significant business opportunity by reducing regulatory fragmentation and clarifying the legal environment for large-scale autonomous vehicle deployment.