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)]
HB 233 Original 2016 Regular Session Stokes
Abstract: Provides for definitions relative to autonomous vehicles and requirements for the testing,
operation, and registration of autonomous vehicles in the state.
LOUISIANA HIGHWAY REGULATORY ACT
Proposed law defines "autonomous technology" and "autonomous vehicle".
Present law defines "driver" to mean every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a
vehicle.
Proposed law adds that the definition of "driver" includes every person who drives or is in actual
physical control of an autonomous vehicle.
Present law defines "motor vehicle" as every vehicle which is self-propelled, and every vehicle
which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon
rails, but excluding a motorized bicycle, and including a low-speed vehicle.
Proposed law adds that the definition of "motor vehicle" shall include an autonomous vehicle.
Present law defines "operator" as every person, other than a chauffeur, who drives or is in actual
physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway or who is exercising control over or steering a
vehicle being towed by a motor vehicle.
Proposed law adds that for purposes of an autonomous vehicle, "operator" shall also mean the person
who is seated in the driver's seat, or if there is no person in the driver's seat, the person who causes
the autonomous technology to engage.
Present law defines "vehicle" as every device by which persons or things may be transported upon
a public highway or bridge, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon
stationary rails or tracks.
Proposed law provides that the definition of vehicle includes an autonomous vehicle.
Proposed law provides that an autonomous vehicle may be operated on highways in this state for
testing purposes by employees, contractors, or other persons designated by manufacturers of
autonomous technology or autonomous vehicles after the manufacturer of the autonomous technology or autonomous vehicle has submitted to the commissioner acceptable proof of insurance
or self-insurance in the amount of $5 million.
Proposed law provides that an employee, contractor, or other persons designated by the manufacturer
of autonomous technology, may operate an autonomous vehicle on the highways of this state for the
purpose of testing the vehicle or the autonomous technology, if that person meets certain
requirements.
Proposed law provides that an autonomous vehicle may not be tested or operated on the highways
of this state unless the vehicle meets certain requirements.
Proposed law provides that an autonomous vehicle cannot be registered in this state unless the
autonomous vehicle meets all federal standards and regulations that are applicable to a motor
vehicle.
Proposed law provides that the manufacturer of a vehicle that has been converted by a third party
into an autonomous vehicle is not liable for damages to any person injured due to a defect caused
by the conversion of the vehicle or by any equipment installed to facilitate the conversion of the
motor unless the defect that caused the injury was present in the vehicle as originally manufactured.
Proposed law provides that the Dept. of Transportation and Development and the Dept. of Public
Safety and Corrections, public safety services, or both, may adopt rules and regulations in accordance
with the Administrative Procedures Act as necessary to implement the provisions of proposed law.
Present law provides that the House Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on the
Judiciary, Section B, shall exercise oversight for rules and regulations to be promulgated by the
Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections, and all the agencies of the department related to public safety
(except the office of motor vehicles).
Proposed law provides that the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways and public
works shall exercise oversight for rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Dept. of Public
Safety and Corrections, and all the agencies of the department related to public safety pursuant to
proposed law.
DRIVER'S LICENSE LAW
Present law defines "motor vehicle" as and to include automobiles, trucks, truck-tractors, trailers,
semitrailers, and motorcycles propelled by steam, gasoline, electricity, or any other source of energy
other than muscular power, except farm implements temporarily operated or moved on a highway
or vehicles operated only on rails or tracks constructed therefor.
Proposed law adds "autonomous vehicles" to the included list in the definition of "motor vehicle".
MOTOR VEHICLE SAF ETY RESPONSIBILITY LAW Present law defines "motor vehicle" to mean every self-propelled vehicle (except traction engines,
road rollers, farm tractors, tractor cranes, power shovels, and well drillers) and every vehicle which
is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires but not operated upon rails.
Proposed law adds autonomous vehicles to the definition of "motor vehicle".
Present law defines "operator" to mean every person who is in actual physical control of a motor
vehicle.
Proposed law adds that for purposes of an autonomous vehicle, "operator" also shall mean the person
who is seated in the driver's seat, or if there is no person in the driver's seat, the person who causes
the autonomous technology to engage.
(Amends R.S. 32:1(16), (40), (44), and (92), 401(20), and 851(5) and (8); Adds R.S. 32:1(1.2), (1.3),
and 400.1 - 400.6)