87R7348 BEE-F
By: Canales H.B. No. 3026
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation and regulation of certain automated motor
vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 545.452, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 545.452. EXCLUSIVE REGULATION OF AUTOMATED MOTOR
VEHICLES AND AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS [SUBCHAPTER AND DEPARTMENT
GOVERN EXCLUSIVELY].
SECTION 2. Section 545.452(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Unless otherwise provided by this subchapter, automated
motor vehicles, including any commercial use or operation of
automated motor vehicles, and automated driving systems [the
following] are governed exclusively by:
(1) this subchapter; and
(2) Section 547.618 [:
[(1) automated motor vehicles, including any
commercial use or operation of automated motor vehicles; and
[(2) automated driving systems].
SECTION 3. Subchapter K, Chapter 547, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 547.618 to read as follows:
Sec. 547.618. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR DEDICATED AUTONOMOUS
VEHICLE. (a) In this section, "dedicated autonomous vehicle"
means an automated motor vehicle, as defined by Section 545.451,
that is incapable of operation by a human operator present in the
vehicle.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law and to the extent allowed
by federal law, a dedicated autonomous vehicle is exempt from:
(1) the provisions of Section 547.3215 related to
associated equipment;
(2) Sections 547.602 and 547.603; and
(3) Section 547.604, unless the vehicle is equipped
with an internal combustion engine.
(c) If a vehicle safety inspection is required under this
code for the operation of a dedicated autonomous vehicle, the
inspection may not include any equipment:
(1) the requirements from which the vehicle is exempt
under Subsection (b); or
(2) the inspection of which is not required under
Section 548.051.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.