Bill Text: HI HB632 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Autonomous Motor Vehicles; Testing ($)
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [HB632 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB632-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
632 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AUTONOMOUS MOTOR VEHICLES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in 2011, Honolulu earned the dubious distinction of having the worst vehicular traffic of any city in America. Traffic continues to be a serious problem in our state's capital city, with Honolulu holding the number two spot for worst traffic nationwide in both 2012 and 2013. The severity of the State's traffic congestion, combined with the human error inherent in operating conventional motor vehicles, has been nothing but deadly: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were one hundred nine traffic fatalities in the State in 2009.
Since that time, there has been a general increase in the number of traffic fatalities, with one hundred thirteen in 2010, one hundred in 2011, and one hundred twenty-six in 2012. While Hawaii's overall population has continued to grow since 2009, the fatality rate (measured against the number of licensed drivers) is also on the rise.
The legislature also finds that human error accounts for up to ninety-five per cent of vehicular collisions, and that according to a 2010 data analysis by the Centers for Disease Control, crash-related death costs in Hawaii are approximately $124,000,000 each year (medical costs and work loss costs).
The legislature further finds that in light of these grim statistics, a modern and obvious alternative should be explored in Hawaii - autonomous or "driverless" motor vehicles, which can potentially save lives and reduce commuting times. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has predicted that seventy-five per cent of vehicles will be "driverless" by 2040. It would therefore benefit our state to prepare for inevitable technological advances and authorize, for testing purposes, the operation of autonomous vehicles. Thus far, California, Florida, and Nevada have all approved driverless vehicle testing on their roads, and Georgia is considering it as well. Outside of the United States, Japan conducted its first test of driverless vehicles on a public road in 2013, with the United Kingdom scheduled to do the same in 2015.
The purpose of this Act is to authorize, for testing purposes, the operation of autonomous vehicles in this state.
SECTION 2. Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Part . AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
§286-A Authorization. The director shall authorize, no later than January 1, 2016, the development of an autonomous vehicle testing program, to be administered by the department of transportation.
§286-B Application and approval process. The department shall establish, no later than January 1, 2017, an application and approval process by which autonomous vehicle manufacturers and other interested parties may seek to test autonomous
vehicles in the State. Prior to granting any approval for testing, the department shall require, at a minimum, satisfactory evidence of the following:
(a) The applicant's safety record;
(b) The applicant's insured or bonded status;
(c) The autonomous vehicle's safety features, including the presence of a manual override feature; and
(d) The ease with which the autonomous vehicle's operator can activate and deactivate the autonomous technology.
§286-C Fees. The department may assess any fees necessary to cover the costs of application processing and program administration.
§286-D Rules. The department shall adopt rules under chapter 91 to implement this part.
§286-E Penalties. The department shall establish administrative penalties for noncompliance with the requirements of this part or with rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91.
§286-F Reports to the legislature. (a) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, and beginning with the regular session of 2018, the director shall submit a report to the legislature that addresses the following:
(1) The feasibility and safety implications of authorizing
the operation of autonomous vehicles beyond the
testing phase;
(2) The adoption or amendment of relevant administrative rules issued pursuant to this part;
(3) Any additional legislative action that may be required for the safe testing and operation of autonomous vehicles; and
(4) Detailed information on the autonomous vehicle manufacturers and other interested parties who submitted applications pursuant to section 286-B during the preceding twelve-month period."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the establishment of the autonomous vehicle testing program and any associated costs.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Autonomous Motor Vehicles; Testing
Description:
Authorizes for testing purposes the operation of autonomous vehicles in the State of Hawaii. Requires Department of Transportation to establish an application and approval process and report annually to the legislature. Makes an appropriation.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
