Bill Text: NH HB314 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relative to licensing requirements for autonomous vehicle testing and establishing an automated and connected vehicle testing and deployment commission.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-09-13 - Notwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall HB 314 Become Law: Regular Calendar 5Y-19N, Veto Sustained, lacking the necessary two-thirds vote; 09/13/2018; Senate Journal 19 [HB314 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2018-HB314-Amended.html
HB 314 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
3Jan2018... 2447h
2017 SESSION
17-0411
03/01
HOUSE BILL 314
AN ACT relative to autonomous vehicles.
SPONSORS: Rep. Steven Smith, Sull. 11; Rep. D. Thomas, Rock. 5
COMMITTEE: Transportation
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This bill establishes licensing requirements for autonomous vehicle operation and testing.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
3Jan2018... 2447h 17-0411
03/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen
AN ACT relative to autonomous vehicles.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Autonomous Vehicle Testing License. Amend RSA 261 by inserting after section 140-d the following new subdivision:
Autonomous Vehicle Testing License
261:140-e Autonomous Vehicle Testing License.
I. A person may make application to the department, upon blanks furnished by it for that purpose, for an autonomous vehicle testing license. The application shall be accompanied by:
(a) Notice to the department that includes the date that research or testing will begin and the general geographic location where research and testing will occur. Testing may move to other areas with prior notice.
(b) Evidence that the owner of the vehicle has obtained an instrument of insurance, surety bond, or proof of self-insurance in the amount of at least $10,000,000.
(c) A signed affidavit that the vehicle will be operated only for the purpose of research or testing.
(d) Certification that, prior to testing on public roads, the autonomous vehicle has been tested under controlled conditions that simulate, as closely as practicable, the real world conditions that the autonomous vehicle will be subject to during testing.
(e) Certification that the testing complies with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidance, if any, on the safe testing, deployment, and operation of autonomous vehicles.
(f) Certification that the autonomous vehicle used for testing complies with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards or written evidence that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has granted the autonomous vehicle an exemption from compliance with the relevant standards.
(g) Proof that a law enforcement interaction plan has been created to instruct the law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over a testing area on how to interact with an autonomous vehicle in emergency and traffic enforcement situations.
(h) The vehicle's registration and information, including license plate information. If no registration exists, the division shall issue a temporary plate good for one year upon approval of the application. This plate shall be displayed on the rear of the test vehicle.
II. The annual fee for an autonomous vehicle testing license shall be $500. All licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall expire annually in the month designated by the director.
III. The director may suspend, revoke, deny, or refuse to renew an autonomous vehicle testing license for any of the following reasons:
(a) Failure to comply with the rules of the road of this state.
(b) Any material misstatement on the application for the issuance or renewal of a license.
(c) A finding that the operation of an autonomous vehicle by the person would create a danger to the public.
(d) Failure to comply with the other requirements of this section.
IV. The licensee shall maintain records related to the safety and efficacy of each vehicle operated under the authority of a licensed granted under this section and shall provide periodic summaries of the records to the department, to the New Hampshire department of transportation, and to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
2 New Subdivision; Special Rules for Autonomous Vehicles. Amend RSA 265 by inserting after section 161 the following new subdivision:
Special Rules for Autonomous Vehicles
265:162 Autonomous Vehicles. No person shall operate or cause the operation of a vehicle using SAE level 5 full automation technology unless the person is licensed for autonomous vehicle testing under RSA 261:140-e, the person is testing the vehicle in conformity with the license, and the tested vehicle is accompanied by an escort vehicle.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.
