Bill > A04901

This bill allows for the operation of fully autonomous vehicles, defined as motor vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less equipped with an automated driving system capable of controlling steering, acceleration, and deceleration without a human driver, on public roads, provided the automated driving system is engaged and the vehicle meets specific safety conditions, including the ability to achieve a minimal risk condition in case of system failure and compliance with traffic laws unless exempted. Before operating such a vehicle, an owner must submit a law enforcement interaction plan to the state department and provide proof of financial responsibility, meaning the vehicle must be insured or self-insured. The bill clarifies that the automated driving system is considered the driver for legal purposes and is deemed licensed to operate the vehicle, and the owner is liable for any traffic violations committed by the vehicle when the automated driving system is engaged. It also establishes requirements for reporting crashes involving these vehicles and outlines specific regulations for on-demand autonomous vehicle networks, including potential surcharges in cities with a population of five million or more, with revenues dedicated to workforce development. Furthermore, fully autonomous vehicles must be registered and titled as such, and the bill designates the state department as the sole agency to implement these regulations, preventing other local entities from imposing additional taxes, fees, or performance standards, with an exception for cities of five million or more to establish their own local rules. The bill also addresses the operation of vehicles with automated driving systems that still require human intervention, ensuring the system issues a "request to intervene" when it cannot handle the driving task.