DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Leger HB No. 938
Abstract: Authorizes the research and testing of autonomous motor vehicles in the state.
Proposed law allows testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads if the testing entity has met
various requirements, including but not limited to submitting a certificate of mandatory liability
insurance or proof of self-insurance acceptable to the Dept. of Transportation and Development,
a person with a valid driver's license is in the vehicle and is able to intervene if there is a failure
in the technology, and the manufacturer applies for and receives an autonomous motor vehicle
permit from the Dept. of Transportation and Development.
Proposed law requires that the application for an autonomous motor vehicle permit contain
certifications, including, but not limited to a certification that the autonomous vehicle has a
mechanism to disengage the autonomous technology accessible to the operator, certification that
the autonomous vehicle has a system to alert the operator if an autonomous technology failure is
detected, and a certification that the autonomous vehicle and its technology meet the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, 49 CFR 571, for the vehicle's model year.
Proposed law requires the secretary of the Dept. of Transportation and Development to submit a
report recommending any additional legislation or regulatory action that may be required for the
safe testing and use of autonomous vehicles by the final adjournment of the 2016 Regular
Session.
Proposed law limits the liability of non-autonomous motor vehicle manufacturers who
manufacture vehicles that are later converted to autonomous motor vehicles.
(Adds R.S. 32:691 - 693)