CHAPTER 498
An Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to convene a work group to identify and review issues presented by the operation of autonomous driving systems in the Commonwealth and develop draft legislation governing the operation of such systems.
[H 2627]
Approved March 24, 2025
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. 1. That the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, shall convene a work group to identify operational, technical, and legal issues presented by the operation of autonomous driving systems in the Commonwealth for the purpose of developing draft legislation addressing governance of such systems in the Commonwealth. The work group shall consist of representatives from the Department of Transportation, the Department of State Police, and the Department of Motor Vehicles; five members of the House of Delegates, selected by the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation; three members of the Senate, selected by the Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation; and any other stakeholders deemed necessary by the Secretary of Transportation. In identifying the issues presented by the operation of autonomous driving systems in the Commonwealth, the work group shall examine and take into consideration developments in the regulation of autonomous driving systems at the federal level and in other states, as well as recommendations by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials relating to such systems. The Department of Transportation, Department of State Police, and Department of Motor Vehicles shall provide necessary staff support and resources to facilitate the work group's activities. The work group shall complete its meetings no later than September 1, 2026, and shall issue a report of its findings relating to the identified operational, technical, and legal issues to the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2026. Such report shall include an executive summary and any draft legislation recommended by the work group. Such report shall be submitted for publication as a House or Senate document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.