SB309INTRODUCED
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SB309
SLJKA88-1
By Senator Allen
RFD: Transportation and Energy
First Read: 08-Apr-25
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5 SLJKA88-1 02/17/2025 CMH (L)CMH 2025-731
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First Read: 08-Apr-25
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, the Department of
Transportation may issue a permit to authorize an
applicant to operate a vehicle whose weight, width,
length, or height, or combination thereof, exceeds the
statutory maximum limits.
This bill would provide that if an oversized
vehicle is otherwise required to be permitted due to
its weight, width, length, or height, the vehicle may
not be operated by an automated driving system.
This bill would also provide that the statutory
authorization for the operation of ADS-equipped
vehicles does not impose any legal duty to upgrade any
part of the state or local transportation network to
accommodate such ADS-equipped vehicles.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to motor vehicles; to add Section 32-9C-12 to
the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide restrictions on the use
of oversized or overweight vehicles operated by automated
driving systems; and to amend Act 2024-453, 2024 Regular
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driving systems; and to amend Act 2024-453, 2024 Regular
Session, now appearing as Section 32-9C-6, Code of Alabama
1975, to further provide for the relation of ADS-equipped
vehicles to other laws and requirements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 32-9C-12 is added to Chapter 9C of
Title 32, Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
§32-9C-12
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the
contrary, the use of ADS-equipped vehicles and automated
driving systems is prohibited if the operation of the vehicle
otherwise requires a permit pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter
9, relating to the movement of oversized vehicles or loads.
Section 2. Act 2024-453, 2024 Regular Session, now
appearing as Section 32-9C-6, Code of Alabama 1975 , is amended
to read as follows:
"§32-9C-6
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or in
Chapter 9B and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
operation of ADS-equipped vehicles and automated driving
systems is governed exclusively by this chapter.
(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 motor vehicles as defined in Section 32-9B-1,
except as specifically authorized by this chapter. Nothing in
this section shall be construed to repeal or in any way modify
Section 32-9-29.
(c) No municipality or other local or state entity may
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(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 .
(d) Nothing in this chapter creates a legal duty or
otherwise requires the state or any county or municipality to
upgrade any part of its transportation network to accommodate
the operation of ADS-equipped vehicles or automated driving
systems."
Section 3. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2025.
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