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Bill > SB831

WI SB831

WI SB831
Operation of autonomous vehicles on highways and providing a penalty.

summary

Introduced
01/15/2026
In Committee
01/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill creates an Autonomous Driving Safety Board, attached to the Department of Transportation, that may authorize the operation of autonomous vehicles on specific highways in this state. Under the bill, a person proposing to operate an autonomous vehicle in this state must submit an application for a permit to the board. If the board approves the permit, the permit holder may not operate an autonomous vehicle under the permit unless they 1) title and register with DOT each autonomous vehicle to be operated, 2) provide DOT with proof of financial responsibility for any damages, injury, or death caused by the operation of an autonomous vehicle, and 3) provide the board with information detailing how emergency services personnel should interact with autonomous vehicles for which the permit is issued. A permit holder may operate autonomous vehicles only on highways approved by the board. The bill provides that the board may temporarily suspend a permit if the board determines that the operation of an autonomous vehicle is an unreasonable risk to public safety. The board must then conduct a hearing to determine if the permit should be suspended or revoked, based on a determination that a permit LRB-4144/1 ZDW:emw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 831 condition has been violated or that continued operation of autonomous vehicles under the permit would be an unreasonable risk to public safety. The bill requires a permit holder to annually submit to the board a report summarizing results and observations related to safety, traffic operations, interaction with roadway infrastructure, comments from the public, and other information the permit holder deems relevant.

AI Summary

This bill establishes an Autonomous Driving Safety Board within the Department of Transportation to oversee the operation of autonomous vehicles, which are defined as vehicles with Level 4 or Level 5 automated driving systems, on state highways. To operate such vehicles, a person must first obtain a permit from this board, which involves submitting an application detailing the intended operational design domain (the specific conditions under which the system is designed to function) and certifying the vehicle's ability to achieve a "minimal risk condition" (safely stopping if operation cannot continue). The board will hold public hearings before approving or denying permit applications, requiring a two-thirds vote for approval, and will notify local authorities of any approved permits. Permit holders must then title and register each autonomous vehicle with the Department of Transportation, provide proof of financial responsibility for any damages, and supply information on how emergency services should interact with these vehicles. Operation is restricted to highways approved by the board, and importantly, highways that are part of the national interstate system are excluded. The board has the authority to temporarily suspend a permit if an autonomous vehicle's operation poses an unreasonable risk to public safety, followed by a hearing to determine if the permit should be permanently suspended or revoked due to a violation of permit conditions or continued safety risks. Permit holders are also required to submit annual reports on their operations, and operating an autonomous vehicle without a valid permit can result in a fine of up to $1,000.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Senate Transportation and Local Government Executive Session (12:00:00 3/2/2026 310 South) (on 03/02/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

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