Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases production of highly automated vehicles.

Highlights:

• Specifies definitions as the following (Page 2-3):

• “Automated driving system or ADS” as hardware and software capable of driving tasks;

• “Bodily injury” as impairment of physical condition or pain;

• “Certificate holder” as those holding a certificate related to automated driving;

• “Highly automated work zone vehicle” as work vehicle equipped with ADS; and 

• “Platoon” as a group of buses or military vehicles with electronically coordinated speeds. 

• Amends Section 3 of former law about eligible licensing (Page 4).

• Amends to restrict platoons to having 3 vehicles that travel only by limited access highways (Page 6).

• Specifies theft of a catalytic converter and its criminal categories as the following (Page 7):

• If the converter is under $50, it is a misdemeanor in the third;

• If the converter is over $50-$200, it is a misdemeanor in the second;

• If the converter is $200-$1,000, it is a misdemeanor in the first; and

• If the converter is over $1,000, it is a felony in the third.

• Authorizes automatic vehicles with an ADS system to stay at the scene of an accident (Page 9).

• Prohibits automatic vehicles from being subject to equipment laws or regulations (Page 12).

• Establishes that the advisory committee must submit a report that includes (Page 18):

• Benefits and implications to the workforce;

• Economic benefits and implications;

• Improvements to accessibility and mobility for disabled person;

• Improvement to mobility of general public; and

• Suggested changes to laws.

• Establishes that the department must work with police to determine outside identifiers on a vehicle (Page 26).

• Establishes that certificate holder must respond to damages or liability in accident (Page 27).

• Prohibits the need for a license or approval if the vehicle is not for commercial use (Page 29).

Full Bill Text