South Carolina General Assembly126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 3129
Indicates Matter StrickenIndicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
Amended April 10, 2025 H. 3129 Introduced by Rep. Rutherford S. Printed 4/10/25--H. [SEC 4/14/2025 8:55 AM] Read the first time January 14, 2025 ________
Amended
April 10, 2025
H. 3129
Introduced by Rep. Rutherford
S. Printed 4/10/25--H. [SEC 4/14/2025 8:55 AM]
Read the first time January 14, 2025
________
A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 2, TITLE 56 SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS AND TO PROVIDE PROVISIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF PERSONAL DELIVERY DEVICES. Amend Title To Conform Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: Article 5 Personal Delivery Devices Section 56-2-5000. As contained in this article: (1) "Personal delivery device" means an electrically powered device intended for transporting cargo that is equipped with automated driving technology that enables device operation with or without the remote support and supervision of a human and that does not exceed: (a) a weight of one hundred fifty pounds, excluding cargo; (b) a length of thirty-six inches; and (c) a width of thirty inches. (2) "Agent" means a director, officer, employee, or other person authorized to act on behalf of a business entity. (3) "Business entity" means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other legal entity authorized to conduct business under the laws of this State. (4) "Operator" means an agent who is at least sixteen years old and is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and operating a personal delivery device. (5) "Pedestrian area" means a sidewalk, crosswalk, school crosswalk, school crossing zone, or safety zone. Section 56-2-5010. (A) A business entity may operate a personal delivery device in a pedestrian area, sidewalk, or crosswalk in this State, with the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian, subject to the requirements and restrictions contained in this article. Except as authorized in this article, a person shall not operate a personal delivery device in a pedestrian area, sidewalk, or crosswalk, State or local road in this State. (B) Operation of a personal delivery device must: (1) be monitored by an operator who is able to exercise remote control over the navigation and operation of the personal delivery device; (2) not be operated in a pedestrian area at a speed greater than eight miles an hour under normal operation, or a speed no greater than ten miles an hour for emergency purposes; and (3) not be operated on a State or local road except as necessary to cross a State or local road at a designated crosswalk. (C) The personal delivery device shall: (1) obey all traffic- and pedestrian-control devices and signs; (2) yield the right of way to all human pedestrians; (3) not unreasonably interfere with any vehicle or pedestrian; and (4) not transport materials regulated under the federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. (D) A personal delivery device shall be equipped with: (1) a marker that clearly states the name and contact information of the owner; (2) a braking system that enables the device to come to a controlled stop; and (3) when operated at night, lights on the front and rear that are visible and recognizable under normal atmospheric conditions from at least five hundred feet on all sides of the personal delivery device. Section 56-2-5020. For the purpose of assuring the safety of persons using highways and sidewalks, a local government having jurisdiction over public streets, sidewalks, alleys, bridges, and other ways of public passage may, by ordinance, regulate the time and place of the operation of a personal delivery device, but shall not prohibit its use. Section 56-2-5030. A business entity that operates a personal delivery device shall maintain an insurance policy that includes general liability coverage of not less than five hundred thousand dollars per claim for damages arising from its operation. SECTION 2. The provisions contained in SECTION 1 of this act are repealed three years after their enactment. SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. ----XX----
A bill
TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 2, TITLE 56 SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS AND TO PROVIDE PROVISIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF PERSONAL DELIVERY DEVICES.
Amend Title To Conform
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:
Article 5
Personal Delivery Devices
Section 56-2-5000. As contained in this article:
(1) "Personal delivery device" means an electrically powered device intended for transporting cargo that is equipped with automated driving technology that enables device operation with or without the remote support and supervision of a human and that does not exceed: (a) a weight of one hundred fifty pounds, excluding cargo; (b) a length of thirty-six inches; and (c) a width of thirty inches.
(2) "Agent" means a director, officer, employee, or other person authorized to act on behalf of a business entity.
(3) "Business entity" means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other legal entity authorized to conduct business under the laws of this State.
(4) "Operator" means an agent who is at least sixteen years old and is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and operating a personal delivery device.
(5) "Pedestrian area" means a sidewalk, crosswalk, school crosswalk, school crossing zone, or safety zone.
Section 56-2-5010. (A) A business entity may operate a personal delivery device in a pedestrian area, sidewalk, or crosswalk in this State, with the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian, subject to the requirements and restrictions contained in this article. Except as authorized in this article, a person shall not operate a personal delivery device in a pedestrian area, sidewalk, or crosswalk, State or local road in this State.
(B) Operation of a personal delivery device must:
(1) be monitored by an operator who is able to exercise remote control over the navigation and operation of the personal delivery device;
(2) not be operated in a pedestrian area at a speed greater than eight miles an hour under normal operation, or a speed no greater than ten miles an hour for emergency purposes; and
(3) not be operated on a State or local road except as necessary to cross a State or local road at a designated crosswalk.
(C) The personal delivery device shall:
(1) obey all traffic- and pedestrian-control devices and signs;
(2) yield the right of way to all human pedestrians;
(3) not unreasonably interfere with any vehicle or pedestrian; and
(4) not transport materials regulated under the federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.
(D) A personal delivery device shall be equipped with:
(1) a marker that clearly states the name and contact information of the owner;
(2) a braking system that enables the device to come to a controlled stop; and
(3) when operated at night, lights on the front and rear that are visible and recognizable under normal atmospheric conditions from at least five hundred feet on all sides of the personal delivery device.
Section 56-2-5020. For the purpose of assuring the safety of persons using highways and sidewalks, a local government having jurisdiction over public streets, sidewalks, alleys, bridges, and other ways of public passage may, by ordinance, regulate the time and place of the operation of a personal delivery device, but shall not prohibit its use.
Section 56-2-5030. A business entity that operates a personal delivery device shall maintain an insurance policy that includes general liability coverage of not less than five hundred thousand dollars per claim for damages arising from its operation.
SECTION 2. The provisions contained in SECTION 1 of this act are repealed three years after their enactment.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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