Senate BillS 246Motor vehiclesState and local government operations
Interstate Transport Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 24· LAST ACTION NOV 18
READING
4MIN
COSPONSORS
8BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it addresses a common problem for knife owners who travel: the inconsistent and often confusing "patchwork" of knife laws across different states, counties, and cities. Currently, a knife that is legal in one's home state might be illegal to possess or carry in a neighboring jurisdiction, leading to potential arrests, fines, or legal complications for people simply passing through.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a federal protection for interstate knife transport, similar to existing protections for firearms. This means someone wouldn't have to worry about accidentally breaking a local law they weren't aware of just by driving through a town. If it doesn't become law, the current situation of varying local laws would persist, continuing to create potential legal traps for travelers and making it difficult to understand what is permissible from one jurisdiction to the next.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Allows law-abiding citizens to transport knives across state lines, overriding conflicting local and state laws, provided the knives are stored securely (e.g., locked container or out of reach in a vehicle).
This creates a uniform federal standard for interstate knife transport, reducing legal risks for travelers.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that knives must be inaccessible in motor vehicles (not in the passenger compartment or in a locked container other than glove compartment/console if no separate compartment) or in a locked container for other modes of transport.
These storage requirements ensure knives are not readily available for misuse during transport.
PROVISION 03
Protects individuals from arrest or prosecution under state/local laws if they are complying with the federal transport rules.
This provides clear legal protection for individuals following the bill's guidelines.
PROVISION 04
Allows for the carrying of specific emergency escape knives (e.g., for cutting seatbelts) in a vehicle's passenger compartment without being locked away.
This ensures vital safety tools remain accessible in emergencies.
PROVISION 05
If a person successfully uses this law as a defense in court, they can recover legal costs and have their arrest/charge records expunged.
This provision provides financial and reputational protection for those wrongly accused under local laws.
This bill matters because it addresses a common problem for knife owners who travel: the inconsistent and often confusing "patchwork" of knife laws across different states, counties, and cities. Currently, a knife that is legal in one's home state might be illegal to possess or carry in a neighboring jurisdiction, leading to potential arrests, fines, or legal complications for people simply passing through.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a federal protection for interstate knife transport, similar to existing protections for firearms. This means someone wouldn't have to worry about accidentally breaking a local law they weren't aware of just by driving through a town. If it doesn't become law, the current situation of varying local laws would persist, continuing to create potential legal traps for travelers and making it difficult to understand what is permissible from one jurisdiction to the next.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Allows law-abiding citizens to transport knives across state lines, overriding conflicting local and state laws, provided the knives are stored securely (e.g., locked container or out of reach in a vehicle).
This creates a uniform federal standard for interstate knife transport, reducing legal risks for travelers.
high
Specifies that knives must be inaccessible in motor vehicles (not in the passenger compartment or in a locked container other than glove compartment/console if no separate compartment) or in a locked container for other modes of transport.
These storage requirements ensure knives are not readily available for misuse during transport.
med
Protects individuals from arrest or prosecution under state/local laws if they are complying with the federal transport rules.
This provides clear legal protection for individuals following the bill's guidelines.
med
Allows for the carrying of specific emergency escape knives (e.g., for cutting seatbelts) in a vehicle's passenger compartment without being locked away.
This ensures vital safety tools remain accessible in emergencies.
med
If a person successfully uses this law as a defense in court, they can recover legal costs and have their arrest/charge records expunged.
This provision provides financial and reputational protection for those wrongly accused under local laws.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Interstate
Involving or existing between two or more states.
Patchwork of local and State prohibitions
A varied and inconsistent collection of different laws and rules across different geographic areas (cities, counties, states).
Common carrier
A person or company that transports goods or people for a fee and offers its services to the general public. Examples include airlines, trains, buses, or shipping companies.
Political subdivision
A smaller unit of government within a state, such as a county, city, or town.
Expungement
The process of sealing or destroying a criminal record, meaning it is no longer available to the public.
Probable cause
Reasonable grounds for believing that a crime has been committed or that a particular person has committed a crime.
Prevailing party
The party in a lawsuit who wins the case or a significant claim within the case.
ACTION TIMELINE
5 EVENTS
NOV 18, 25
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-96.
COMMITTEE
NOV 18, 25
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 268.
CALENDARS
FEB 5, 25
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.