NY State Senate Bill 2017-S2234A

Senate Bill S2234A

2017-2018 Legislative Session

Directs a study and report on the testing and operation of autonomous vehicles on public highways

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Transportation Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Mar 09, 2018	print number 2234a
Mar 09, 2018	amend and recommit to transportation
Jan 03, 2018	referred to transportation
Jan 12, 2017	referred to transportation

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2017-S2234 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Transportation
Versions Introduced in 2019-2020 Legislative Session:: S1159

2017-S2234 - Summary

Directs a study and report on the testing and operation of autonomous vehicles on public highways and directs the commissioner of the department of transportation to take action to support such testing and operation.

2017-S2234 - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S2234             Revised 01/12/17

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to direct a study and report on the testing and operation of
autonomous vehicles on public highways

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

This bill would require the Department of Transportation to study and
report on the operation of autonomous vehicles by January 1, 2020, to
explore various strategies for implementing and regulating autonomous
vehicles.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1 - Establishes the autonomous vehicle committee.

Section 2 - Requires a report on findings and for government agencies
to enact and/or amend laws to undertake steps to support the testing
and operation of autonomous vehicle technology.

Section 3 - Effective Date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Experts predict that autonomous vehicles will be on the roads in five
to ten years. If implemented correctly, this technology can transform
our lives for the better. For example, travel costs could be reduced
by up to eighty percent; traffic safety can be enhanced as human error
accounts for ninety percent of traffic accidents, and autonomous
vehicles are expected to sharply reduce traffic accidents;
furthermore, economic productivity can be enhanced as commute times
are reduced. The research and development of autonomous technology has
the potential to spur economic development and job creation through
scientific and technological advancement.

Although a few states have successfully developed policies that allow
for testing and prepare for widespread driverless car use, many
experts in the field do not believe the policies are keeping pace with
technology. Clearly forward thinking policy changes grounded in
research are needed to ensure a successful rollout of autonomous
vehicles.

This bill begins this process in two ways. First, it requires the
department of transportation and Department of Motor Vehicles to
inventory and update current driving regulations to support the
testing and operation of autonomous vehicles. Second, the bill
authorizes a study to begin answering key questions about autonomous
vehicle technology implementation.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New Bill

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

TBD

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.

2017-S2234 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   2234
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 12, 2017
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  JACOBS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
 
 AN ACT to direct a study and report on  the  testing  and  operation  of
   autonomous vehicles on public highways
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Autonomous vehicle committee. (a) There is  hereby  created
 the  autonomous  vehicle committee which shall guide the enactment of an
 autonomous vehicle study to assess  the  future  of  autonomous  vehicle
 technology.  For purposes of this act, "autonomous vehicle" shall mean a
 motor vehicle that has the capability to drive the vehicle  without  the
 active control or monitoring of a human operator.
   (b)  The  autonomous vehicle committee shall consist of at least eight
 members:
   (1) The executive deputy commissioner of the department of motor vehi-
 cles, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair;
   (2) A representative of the autonomous vehicle industry who  shall  be
 appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
   (3)  A representative of highway user groups who shall be appointed by
 the governor;
   (4) A representative of regional transportation agencies who shall  be
 appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
   (5)  The chair of the assembly transportation committee, or his or her
 designee;
   (6) The chair of the senate transportation committee, or  his  or  her
 designee;
   (7)  A representative of the civic community who shall be appointed by
 the governor;
   (8) A representative of transit advocates who shall  be  appointed  by
 the governor; and
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD04699-01-7

 S. 2234                             2
 
   (9) Any other stakeholders identified by the department of motor vehi-
 cles.
   (c)  The  autonomous  vehicle committee shall study how to support the
 testing and operation of autonomous  vehicles  on  public  highways.  It
 shall take all of the following into consideration:
   (1)  The measures necessary to successfully implement autonomous vehi-
 cles, including any legislative changes.
   (2) Difficulties and liabilities that could arise by  allowing  auton-
 omous vehicles on public highways.
   (3)  How autonomous vehicle technology can promote research and devel-
 opment in this state.
   (4) Any other issue the committee deems relevant.
   § 2. Report. (a) On or before January 1,  2020,  the  committee  shall
 report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legisla-
 ture.  Such  report  shall  include recommendations and such legislative
 proposals as shall be deemed necessary.
   (b) Prior to the completion of such report, the  commissioner  of  the
 department  of  transportation  and the executive deputy commissioner of
 the department of motor vehicles are authorized  and  directed  to  take
 such  actions  as  are necessary to support the testing and operation of
 autonomous vehicles on public highways.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

2017-S2234A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Transportation
Law Section:: Transportation
Versions Introduced in 2019-2020 Legislative Session:: S1159

2017-S2234A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2017-S2234A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S2234A

SPONSOR: JACOBS
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to direct a study and report on the testing and
operation of autonomous vehicles on public highways

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would require the Department of Transportation to study and
report on the operation of autonomous vehicles by January 1, 2021, to
explore various strategies for implementing and regulating autonomous
vehicles.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 - Establishes the autonomous vehicle committee.

Section 2 - Requires a report on findings and for government agencies to
enact and/or amend laws to undertake steps to support the testing and
operation of autonomous vehicle technology.

Section 3 - Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Experts predict that autonomous vehicles will be on the roads in five to
ten years. If implemented correctly, this technology can transform our
lives for the better. For example, travel costs could be reduced by up
to eighty percent; traffic safety can be enhanced as human error
accounts for ninety percent of traffic accidents, and autonomous vehi-
cles are expected to sharply reduce traffic accidents; furthermore,
economic productivity can be enhanced as commute times are reduced. The
research and development of autonomous technology has the potential to
spur economic development and job creation through scientific and tech-
nological advancement.

Although a few states have successfully developed policies that allow
for testing and prepare for widespread driverless car use, many experts
in the field do not believe the policies are keeping pace with technolo-
gy. Clearly forward thinking policy changes grounded in research are
needed to ensure a successful rollout of autonomous vehicles.

This bill begins this process in two ways. First, it requires the
department of transportation and Department of Motor Vehicles to inven-
tory and update current driving regulations to support the testing and
operation of autonomous vehicles. Second, the bill authorizes a study to
begin answering key questions about autonomous vehicle technology imple-
mentation.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2017-S2234A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  2234--A
 
                        2017-2018 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             January 12, 2017
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  JACOBS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation  --  recom-
   mitted  to  the  Committee on Transportation in accordance with Senate
   Rule  6,  sec.  8  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
   reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

 AN  ACT  to  direct  a  study and report on the testing and operation of
   autonomous vehicles on public highways
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Autonomous vehicle committee. (a) There is hereby created
 the autonomous vehicle committee which shall guide the enactment  of  an
 autonomous  vehicle  study  to  assess  the future of autonomous vehicle
 technology. For purposes of this act, "autonomous vehicle" shall mean  a
 motor  vehicle  that has the capability to drive the vehicle without the
 active control or monitoring of a human operator.
   (b) The autonomous vehicle committee shall consist of at  least  eight
 members:
   (1) The executive deputy commissioner of the department of motor vehi-
 cles, or his or her designee, who shall serve as chair;
   (2)  A  representative of the autonomous vehicle industry who shall be
 appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
   (3) A representative of highway user groups who shall be appointed  by
 the governor;
   (4)  A representative of regional transportation agencies who shall be
 appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
   (5) The chair of the assembly transportation committee, or his or  her
 designee;
   (6)  The  chair  of the senate transportation committee, or his or her
 designee;
   (7) A representative of the civic community who shall be appointed  by
 the governor;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD04699-02-8

 S. 2234--A                          2
 
   (8)  A  representative  of transit advocates who shall be appointed by
 the governor; and
   (9) Any other stakeholders identified by the department of motor vehi-
 cles.
   (c)  The  autonomous  vehicle committee shall study how to support the
 testing and operation of autonomous  vehicles  on  public  highways.  It
 shall take all of the following into consideration:
   (1)  The measures necessary to successfully implement autonomous vehi-
 cles, including any legislative changes.
   (2) Difficulties and liabilities that could arise by  allowing  auton-
 omous vehicles on public highways.
   (3)  How autonomous vehicle technology can promote research and devel-
 opment in this state.
   (4) Any other issue the committee deems relevant.
   § 2. Report. (a) On or before January 1,  2021,  the  committee  shall
 report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legisla-
 ture.  Such  report  shall  include recommendations and such legislative
 proposals as shall be deemed necessary.
   (b) Prior to the completion of such report, the  commissioner  of  the
 department  of  transportation  and the executive deputy commissioner of
 the department of motor vehicles are authorized  and  directed  to  take
 such  actions  as  are necessary to support the testing and operation of
 autonomous vehicles on public highways.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.