Vetoed by Governor Andy Beshear

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes a legal framework for autonomous vehicles.

Highlights:

• Establishes that a person may operate a fully autonomous vehicle on the highways of this state without a human driver or operator provided that an automated driving system is employed and engaged at the moment and the vehicle meets the following criteria (Sec. 2): 

• If a failure of the autonomous driving program shall occur than minimum risk condition will occur for the passenger;and

• The vehicle is fully capable of operating with respect to local and state traffic and motor safety laws;and 

• The vehicle shall meet the required motor vehicle standards as set forth by the NHTSA.

• Establishes that prior to the engagement of an autonomous driving system on the highways of the state, the driver must submit a law enforcement interaction plan to Kentucky state police that includes information on how to communicate with a fleet specialists, remove the vehicle safely from the roadway, how to recognize if the autonomous system is engaged, and any other info deemed necessary (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that before operating a driverless vehicle a person must establish that they have proof of financial responsibility satisfactory to the Transportation Cabinet that the fully autonomous vehicle has single limits liability coverage (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the vehicle has proof to the above and is insured (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes that this fully autonomous vehicle will be fully titled and registered in the state (Sec. 4). 

• Establishes that a person may operate a motor vehicle with an autonomous driving system or program if the system is capable of sending a warning that it cannot perform a specific maneuver or task (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that nothing in the chapter prohibits a vehicle from operation if it is equipped with controls that allow a human from controlling all parts of the dynamic driving task (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that the body governing this task is the transportation cabinet of the Kentucky state police (Sec. 7).  

• Exempts autonomous vehicles from state agency rules or regulations regaridng taxes, fees, standards, or other requirements that are specific to autonomous vehicles (Sec. 7). 

• Establishes that the transportation cabinet may enforce this act but may impose no other regulations on autonomous vehicles (Sec. 7).

• Establishes that this act is designed to provide a comprehensive scheme of legislation that governs the standards of fully autonomous vehicles and driving systems and no other agencies may make regulations contradicting this act (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes a legal framework for autonomous vehicles.

Highlights:

• Establishes that a person may operate a fully autonomous vehicle on the highways of this state without a human driver or operator provided that an automated driving system is employed and engaged at the moment and the vehicle meets the following criteria (Sec. 2): 

• If a failure of the autonomous driving program shall occur than minimum risk condition will occur for the passenger;and

• The vehicle is fully capable of operating with respect to local and state traffic and motor safety laws;and 

• The vehicle shall meet the required motor vehicle standards as set forth by the NHTSA.

• Establishes that prior to the engagement of an autonomous driving system on the highways of the state, the driver must submit a law enforcement interaction plan to Kentucky state police that includes information on how to communicate with a fleet specialists, remove the vehicle safely from the roadway, how to recognize if the autonomous system is engaged, and any other info deemed necessary (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that before operating a driverless vehicle a person must establish that they have proof of financial responsibility satisfactory to the Transportation Cabinet that the fully autonomous vehicle has single limits liability coverage (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the vehicle has proof to the above and is insured (Sec. 3). 

• Establishes that this fully autonomous vehicle will be fully titled and registered in the state (Sec. 4). 

• Establishes that a person may operate a motor vehicle with an autonomous driving system or program if the system is capable of sending a warning that it cannot perform a specific maneuver or task (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that nothing in the chapter prohibits a vehicle from operation if it is equipped with controls that allow a human from controlling all parts of the dynamic driving task (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that the body governing this task is the transportation cabinet of the Kentucky state police (Sec. 7).  

• Exempts autonomous vehicles from state agency rules or regulations regaridng taxes, fees, standards, or other requirements that are specific to autonomous vehicles (Sec. 7). 

• Establishes that the transportation cabinet may enforce this act but may impose no other regulations on autonomous vehicles (Sec. 7).

• Establishes that this act is designed to provide a comprehensive scheme of legislation that governs the standards of fully autonomous vehicles and driving systems and no other agencies may make regulations contradicting this act (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text