SB226INTRODUCED
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SB226
8XG7222-1
By Senator Allen
RFD: Transportation and Energy
First Read: 19-Mar-24
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5 8XG7222-1 03/19/2024 CMH (L)bm 2024-54
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First Read: 19-Mar-24
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would authorize motor vehicles to be
operated on the public roads of this state that are
equipped with an automated driving system, which is
defined as hardware and software that performs the
entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis, under
certain conditions.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to motor vehicles; to provide requirements for
the authorization and use of motor vehicles equipped with an
automated driving system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. For purposes of this act, the following
terms have the following meanings:
(1) ADS-EQUIPPED VEHICLE. A vehicle equipped with an
automated driving system.
(2) AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEM or ADS. The hardware and
software that are collectively capable of performing the
entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis regardless of
whether it is limited to a specific operational design domain.
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whether it is limited to a specific operational design domain.
(3) CONVENTIONAL HUMAN DRIVER. An individual, licensed
or otherwise permitted by law to operate a vehicle, who
manually exercises in-vehicle braking, accelerating, steering,
and transmission gear selection input devices in order to
operate a vehicle.
(4) DYNAMIC DRIVING TASK or DDT. All of the real-time
operational and tactical functions required to operate a
vehicle in on-road traffic, excluding the strategic functions
such as trip scheduling and selection of destinations and
waypoints.
(5) MINIMAL RISK CONDITION. A reasonably safe state to
which an ADS brings an ADS-equipped vehicle upon experiencing
a performance-relevant failure of the vehicle or the vehicle's
ADS that renders the ADS unable to perform the entire DDT.
(6) OPERATIONAL DESIGN DOMAIN or ODD. Operating
conditions under which a given ADS or feature thereof is
specifically designed to function, including, but not limited
to, environmental, geographical, and time-of-day restrictions,
and the requisite presence or absence of certain traffic or
roadway characteristics
Section 2. (a) An individual may operate an
ADS-equipped vehicle with the ADS engaged on the public roads
of this state only under the following conditions:
(1) The ADS-equipped vehicle is capable of complying
with both of the following:
a. All applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws
and rules of this state which govern the performance of the
dynamic driving task, unless an exemption has been granted
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dynamic driving task, unless an exemption has been granted
pursuant to subsection (b).
b. All applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards, except to the extent an exemption has been granted
under applicable federal law.
(2) The ADS-equipped vehicle shall be registered and
titled in accordance with the laws of this state.
(b) An ADS-equipped vehicle may be operated on the
public roads of this state without a conventional human driver
physically present in the vehicle if the vehicle is capable of
achieving a minimal risk condition.
Section 3. An ADS-equipped vehicle may operate on
public roads in this state only if a person submits proof to
the Department of Revenue of financial responsibility
satisfactory to the department that the ADS-equipped vehicle
meets all of the requirements of the Mandatory Liability
Insurance Act, Chapter 7A of Title 32, Code of Alabama 1975.
Section 4. If a traffic accident occurs that involves
an ADS-equipped vehicle that is being operated without a
conventional human driver, the requirements of Chapter 10 of
Title 32, Code of Alabama 1975, do not apply to the
ADS-equipped vehicle, provided all of the following occur:
(1) The owner of the ADS-equipped vehicle, or an
individual acting on behalf of the owner, promptly contacts
the applicable law enforcement agency to report the crash.
(2) If the ADS-equipped vehicle has the capability of
promptly alerting a law enforcement agency or emergency
services, the vehicle alerts a law enforcement agency or
emergency services to the traffic accident.
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emergency services to the traffic accident.
(3) The ADS-equipped vehicle remains at the scene or in
the immediate vicinity of the crash until law enforcement
arrives.
(4) The ADS-equipped vehicle's registration and
insurance information is provided to the parties affected by
the traffic accident.
Section 5. A conventional human driver of an
ADS-equipped vehicle is required to have a valid driver
license for the class of vehicle being operated.
Section 6. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this act
or in Chapter 9B of Title 32, Code of Alabama 1975, and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, ADS-equipped
vehicles and automated driving systems are governed
exclusively by this act.
(b) No state or local entity may impose requirements,
including performance standards, specific to the operation of
ADS-equipped vehicles, automated driving systems, or automated
commercial vehicles as defined in Section 32-9B-1, Code of
Alabama 1975, except as specifically authorized by this act.
(c) No municipality or other local or state entity may
impose a tax on, or impose requirements on ADS-equipped
vehicles or automated driving systems, where the tax or other
requirement relates specifically to the operation of
ADS-equipped vehicles.
Section 7. When engaged, the automated driving system
shall be deemed the driver or operator of the ADS-equipped
vehicle for the purpose of assessing compliance with
applicable traffic or motor vehicle laws and shall be deemed
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applicable traffic or motor vehicle laws and shall be deemed
to satisfy all physical acts required by a driver or operator
of a vehicle via electronic means.
Section 8. (a) Liability for a traffic accident
involving an ADS-equipped vehicle shall be determined in
accordance with applicable state law, federal law, or common
law.
(b) The original manufacturer of a vehicle converted by
a third party into an ADS-equipped vehicle may not be held
liable in, and shall have a defense to and be dismissed from,
any legal action brought against the original manufacturer by
any individual injured due to an alleged vehicle defect caused
by the conversion of the vehicle, or by equipment installed by
the converter, unless the alleged defect was present in the
vehicle as originally manufactured.
Section 9. (a) An ADS-equipped vehicle that is designed
to be operated exclusively by an automated driving system for
all trips shall not be subject to motor vehicle equipment laws
or rules of this state that relate to or support motor vehicle
operation by a conventional human driver but are not relevant
to an automated driving system.
(b) Any ADS-equipped vehicle or automated commercial
vehicle, as defined in Section 32-9B-1, Code of Alabama 1975,
may be equipped with ADS marker lamps in accordance with the
SAE Recommended Practice and Standard guidelines, including
SAE J3134. For purposes of this section, an ADS marker lamp
means a device that emits light to indicate when an ADS is
engaged in the operation of the vehicle.
Section 10. This act shall become effective October 1,
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Section 10. This act shall become effective October 1,
2024.141