Bill Text: TX HB3475 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 3475 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to the operation of automated motor vehicles on highways in this state.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-04-03 - Referred to Transportation [HB3475 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB3475-Introduced.html

	85R12859 BEE-F

	By: Geren	H.B. No. 3475



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the operation of automated motor vehicles on highways
	in this state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Chapter 545, Transportation Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER J. OPERATION OF AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLES
	Sec. 545.451. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
	(1) "Automated driving system" means hardware and
	software that are collectively capable, when installed on a motor
	vehicle and engaged, of performing all aspects of the dynamic
	driving task for the vehicle on a part-time or full-time basis
	without supervision by a human operator.
	(2) "Automated motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle on
	which an automated driving system is installed.
	(3) "Department" means the Texas Department of Motor
	Vehicles.
	(4) "Dynamic driving task" means the operational and
	tactical aspects of operating a vehicle. The term:
	(A) includes:
	(i) operational aspects, including
	steering, braking, accelerating, and monitoring the vehicle and the
	roadway; and
	(ii) tactical aspects, including
	responding to events, determining when to change lanes, turning,
	using signals, and other related actions; and
	(B) does not include strategic aspects,
	including determining destinations or waypoints.
	Sec. 545.452. SUBCHAPTER AND DEPARTMENT GOVERN
	EXCLUSIVELY. (a) Unless otherwise provided by this subchapter,
	the following are governed exclusively by this subchapter:
	(1) automated motor vehicles, including any
	commercial use or operation of automated motor vehicles; and
	(2) automated driving systems.
	(b) The department is the only state agency that may
	implement the provisions of this subchapter. No other state agency
	or entity may impose requirements or adopt regulations governing
	the operation of automated motor vehicles or automated driving
	systems in this state that are in addition to or otherwise
	inconsistent with this subchapter.
	(c) A political subdivision of this state may not impose a
	local fee, registration requirement, franchise, or other
	regulation related to an automated motor vehicle or automated
	driving system.
	Sec. 545.453. OPERATOR OF AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) When
	engaged, an automated driving system installed on a motor vehicle
	is:
	(1) notwithstanding Section 541.001, considered the
	operator of the vehicle for the purpose of assessing compliance
	with applicable traffic or motor vehicle laws; and
	(2) considered to be licensed to operate the vehicle
	and satisfy all physical acts required of the operator of a vehicle.
	(b) Notwithstanding any other law:
	(1) an automated driving system installed on a motor
	vehicle may be considered the operator of the vehicle; and
	(2) a licensed human operator is not required to
	operate a motor vehicle if an automated driving system installed on
	the vehicle is engaged.
	Sec. 545.454. AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION. (a)
	Subject to this subchapter, the owner of an automated motor vehicle
	or an operator authorized by the owner may operate the vehicle on a
	highway in this state with the automated driving system engaged,
	regardless of whether a human operator is physically present in the
	vehicle:
	(1) to test the vehicle;
	(2) to provide a transportation service to individual
	passengers; or
	(3) for any other use.
	(b) An automated motor vehicle may not be operated on a
	highway in this state with the automated driving system engaged
	unless the owner or authorized operator of the vehicle:
	(1) obtains and provides evidence to the department,
	in a form prescribed by the department, of an instrument of
	insurance, surety bond, or proof of self-insurance in the amount of
	at least $10 million; and
	(2) ensures that the vehicle is:
	(A) capable of operating in compliance with
	applicable traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state, subject to
	this subchapter;
	(B) equipped with a data recording system with
	the capacity to record, before an accident involving the vehicle:
	(i) the status of the automated driving
	system; and
	(ii) other vehicle attributes, including
	speed, direction, and location;
	(C) in compliance with applicable federal law;
	and
	(D) registered and titled in accordance with the
	laws of this state.
	Sec. 545.455. PRIVACY POLICY; DATA COLLECTION. (a) An
	owner or operator of an automated motor vehicle that is used to
	offer a transportation service to individual passengers shall make
	publicly available a privacy statement disclosing the data handling
	practices of the owner or operator in connection with the vehicle.
	(b) An individual passenger of a transportation service
	that uses automated motor vehicles is considered to consent to the
	collection of data as described in an applicable privacy statement
	under Subsection (a) while a passenger in the vehicle.
	Sec. 545.456. LIABILITY. The manufacturer of an automated
	motor vehicle is not liable, including for equitable relief, for
	damage that arises from any modification made by a person other than
	the manufacturer or without the consent of the manufacturer to:
	(1) the automated motor vehicle; or
	(2) an automated driving system installed on the
	automated motor vehicle.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.