S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
S. 6993 A. 7744
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y
May 21, 2021
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IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered print-
ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transporta-
tion
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. McMAHON -- read once and referred
to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend part FF of chapter 55 of the laws of 2017 relating to
motor vehicles equipped with autonomous vehicle technology, in
relation to demonstrations and tests conducted by the University at
Buffalo
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision a of section 1 of part FF of chapter 55 of the
laws of 2017, relating to motor vehicles equipped with autonomous vehi-
cle technology, as amended by section 1 of part H of chapter 58 of the
laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
a. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1226 of the vehicle and
traffic law, the New York state commissioner of motor vehicles may
approve demonstrations and tests consisting of the operation of a motor
vehicle equipped with autonomous vehicle technology while such motor
vehicle is engaged in the use of such technology on public highways
within this state for the purposes of demonstrating and assessing the
current development of autonomous vehicle technology and to begin iden-
tifying potential impacts of such technology on safety, traffic control,
traffic enforcement, emergency services, and such other areas as may be
identified by such commissioner. Provided, however, that such demon-
strations and tests NOT CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO shall
only take place under the direct supervision of the New York state
police, in a form and manner prescribed by the superintendent of the New
York state police. Additionally, a law enforcement interaction plan
shall be included as part of the demonstration and test application that
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07803-03-1
S. 6993 2 A. 7744
includes information for law enforcement and first responders regarding
how to interact with such a vehicle in emergency and traffic enforcement
situations. Such demonstrations and tests shall take place in a manner
and form prescribed by the commissioner of motor vehicles including, but
not limited to: a requirement that a natural person holding a valid
license for the operation of the motor vehicle's class be present within
such vehicle for the duration of the time it is operated on public high-
ways; a requirement that the motor vehicle utilized in such demon-
strations and tests complies with all applicable federal motor vehicle
safety standards and New York state motor vehicle inspection standards;
and a requirement that the motor vehicle utilized in such demonstrations
and tests has in place, at a minimum, financial security in the amount
of five million dollars. PROVIDED FURTHER THAT DEMONSTRATIONS AND TESTS
CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO SHALL ONLY TAKE PLACE UNDER THE
SUPERVISION OF THE ERIE COUNTY SHERIFF, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO CAMPUS
POLICE, AND/OR TOWN OF AMHERST POLICE, WITH SUPERVISION, FUTURE TESTING
ZONES AUTHORIZED AND MINIMUM FINANCIAL SECURITY LEVELS SUBJECT TO THE
CONSENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TOWN OF AMHERST. Nothing
in this act shall authorize the motor vehicle utilized in such demon-
strations and tests to operate in violation of article 22 or title 7 of
the vehicle and traffic law, excluding section 1226 of such law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that
the amendments to subdivision a of section 1 of part FF of chapter 55 of
the laws of 2017 made by section one of this act shall not affect the
repeal of such subdivision and shall be deemed to repeal therewith.