S.B. No. 2205
AN ACT
relating to automated motor vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 545, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. OPERATION OF AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLES
Sec. 545.451. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Automated driving system" means hardware and
software that, when installed on a motor vehicle and engaged, are
collectively capable of performing, without any intervention or
supervision by a human operator:
(A) all aspects of the entire dynamic driving
task for the vehicle on a sustained basis; and
(B) any fallback maneuvers necessary to respond
to a failure of the system.
(2) "Automated motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle on
which an automated driving system is installed.
(3) "Entire dynamic driving task" means the
operational and tactical aspects of operating a vehicle. The term:
(A) includes:
(i) operational aspects, including
steering, braking, accelerating, and monitoring the vehicle and the
roadway; and
(ii) tactical aspects, including
responding to events, determining when to change lanes, turning,
using signals, and other related actions; and
(B) does not include strategic aspects,
including determining destinations or waypoints.
(4) "Human operator" means a natural person in an
automated motor vehicle who controls the entire dynamic driving
task.
(5) "Owner" has the meaning assigned by Section
502.001.
Sec. 545.452. SUBCHAPTER AND DEPARTMENT GOVERN
EXCLUSIVELY. (a) Unless otherwise provided by this subchapter,
the following are governed exclusively by this subchapter:
(1) automated motor vehicles, including any
commercial use or operation of automated motor vehicles; and
(2) automated driving systems.
(b) A political subdivision of this state or a state agency
may not impose a franchise or other regulation related to the
operation of an automated motor vehicle or automated driving
system.
Sec. 545.453. OPERATOR OF AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE.
(a) When an automated driving system installed on a motor vehicle
is engaged:
(1) the owner of the automated driving system is
considered the operator of the automated motor vehicle solely for
the purpose of assessing compliance with applicable traffic or
motor vehicle laws, regardless of whether the person is physically
present in the vehicle while the vehicle is operating; and
(2) the automated driving system is considered to be
licensed to operate the vehicle.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a licensed human
operator is not required to operate a motor vehicle if an automated
driving system installed on the vehicle is engaged.
Sec. 545.454. AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION. (a) An
automated motor vehicle may operate in this state with the
automated driving system engaged, regardless of whether a human
operator is physically present in the vehicle.
(b) An automated motor vehicle may not operate on a highway
in this state with the automated driving system engaged unless the
vehicle is:
(1) capable of operating in compliance with applicable
traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state, subject to this
subchapter;
(2) equipped with a recording device, as defined by
Section 547.615(a), installed by the manufacturer of the automated
motor vehicle or automated driving system;
(3) equipped with an automated driving system in
compliance with applicable federal law and federal motor vehicle
safety standards;
(4) registered and titled in accordance with the laws
of this state; and
(5) covered by motor vehicle liability coverage or
self-insurance in an amount equal to the amount of coverage that is
required under the laws of this state.
Sec. 545.455. DUTIES FOLLOWING ACCIDENT INVOLVING
AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE. In the event of an accident involving an
automated motor vehicle, the automated motor vehicle or any human
operator of the automated motor vehicle shall comply with Chapter
550.
Sec. 545.456. VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION. An owner as defined
by Section 502.001(31) may identify the vehicle to the department
as an automated motor vehicle or an automated driving system.
SECTION 2. (a) In this section, "a request to intervene"
means notification by a vehicle to the human operator that the
operator should promptly begin or resume performance of the entire
dynamic driving task.
(b) For purposes of Subchapter J, Chapter 545,
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, a motor vehicle equipped
with hardware and software capable of engaging in the entire
dynamic driving task with the expectation that a human operator
will respond appropriately to a request to intervene is subject to
Sections 545.452(b) and 545.454, Transportation Code, as added by
this Act.
(c) Nothing in Subchapter J, Chapter 545, Transportation
Code, as added by this Act, shall be construed to affect, alter, or
amend the right to operate a motor vehicle equipped with hardware
and software capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task
with the expectation that a human operator will respond
appropriately to a request to intervene.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2205 passed the Senate on
April 27, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2205 passed the House on
May 21, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 1, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor