Three States Approve Autonomous Vehicle Legislation

Burney Simpson

Three states this year enacted legislation to advance autonomous or connected vehicles, while legislators in nine states are still considering such proposals.

North Dakota approved a plan that would allow the testing of autonomous vehicles. Tennessee banned its counties and cities from banning autonomous vehicles as long as they are as safe as standard vehicles. Utah will conduct tests on connected vehicles.

One solid source for state legislation related to driverless transportation is a website maintained by the Stanford Center for Internet and Society. The pages on Legislative and Regulatory Action follow these developments and provide links to pertinent proposals. However, updates to the site can be slow. (The graphic here is the Center’s latest map tracking developments).

It is difficult to predict whether any of the nine states still considering proposals will pass anything. In state legislatures, proposals shunted off to a committee typically expire. However, it is not unknown that a proposal sitting in a committee for months will suddenly be revived, passed, and signed by the governor.

When monitoring state legislation — never count on anything, nor count anything out.

According to the Center’s updates, the following states took the lead on autonomous-vehicle legislation during their recent sessions:

Connecticut – Rep. Christie M. Carpino, a Republican from Cromwell, Portland, is the sponsor of HB 6344, a proposal that would allow the testing of autonomous vehicles. It has been stuck in committee for months.

Georgia – SB 113 is sponsored by Sen. Joshua McKoon, a Republican from Columbus. This proposal would create a new class of autonomous vehicles and allow for their testing on public roads. The bill passed through committee but has been hanging around the Senate since February.

Idaho – The Senate in March approved by a one-vote margin S1108 that would allow for the testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads. It was sent to the House and hasn’t been heard from since. Sen. Bert Brackett, a Republican from Rogerson, sponsored the bill.

Illinois – The House in April passed unanimously HB 3136, a proposal allowing the testing of autonomous cars on public roads. The legislation must be passed by the full Senate where it is sponsored by Sen. Martin A. Sandoval, a Democrat from Cicero. This one may still have a chance.

Massachusetts – House Bill 2977 creates some definitions for autonomous vehicles, and allows for their testing on public roads. Sponsor is Rep. Peter J. Durant, a Republican from Spencer. Nothing has happened on this one since January when it was sent to the Joint Committee on Transportation.

Missouri – Rep. Delus Johnson is sponsoring HB 924 that would allow testing of driverless vehicles for three years beginning this August. Nothing shaking here since a March committee hearing.

New Jersey – The Senate passed S734 that would direct the state Motor Vehicle Commission to set rules for the operation of autonomous vehicles. The House may consider twin bill A1326 before it adjourns.

New York – Proposal A31 is sitting in the Transportation Committee of the New York Assembly. Sponsor Rep. David F. Gantt, a Democrat from Rochester, wants to allow the testing of autonomous vehicles.

North Dakota – Legislators approved a measure to study automated vehicles, and Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed it on March 20.

Oregon – A proposal in the Senate would create a process to certify manufacturers to test, sell, and operate autonomous vehicles in Oregon. Sen. Sara Gelser, a Democrat from Corvallis is the chief sponsor of SB 620, which is sitting in the Business and Transportation Committee.

Tennessee – Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law in April a bill that prohibits any political body in the state from prohibiting autonomous vehicles if the vehicles meet all the state’s safety regulations.

Utah – Gov. Gary Herbert signed in March a bill authorizing the state Department of Transportation to conduct a test of connected vehicle technology.

A Maryland proposal that once looked promising was shot down before crossing the finish line. The House wanted to spend $200,000 to study autonomous vehicles but a Senate committee said no as the state looks to cut spending.

At this time only California, Florida, Michigan, Nevada and the District of Columbia have passed legislation allowing for the operation of autonomous vehicles. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has issued regulation guidelines on the topic for states.