AUTOMATED VEHICLES S.B. 169 (S-2):
FLOOR SUMMARY
Senate Bill 169 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:
-- Prohibit the operation of a vehicle in automated mode except as provided in the bill.
-- Allow the operation of an automated vehicle for research or testing purposes.
-- Except when an automated vehicle was subject to researching, testing, or demonstration, on a closed course, require a human operator to be present in an automated vehicle to monitor its performance and intervene, if necessary.
-- Require a registered automated vehicle to 1) have a means to engage and disengage the automated technology, 2) clearly indicate to an occupant when it was operating in automatic mode, and 3) alert its operator of an automated technology failure affecting safe operation of the vehicle.
-- Grant manufacturers of automated vehicles, and upfitters recognized by the Secretary of State, immunity from civil liability for damages arising out of third-person modification of automated vehicles and automated technology.
-- Prescribe misdemeanor and civil penalties for unlawfully operating an automated vehicle.
-- Require the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Secretary of State, and industry experts, by February 1, 2016, to recommend to the Legislature legislative or regulatory action for the safe testing and operation of automated vehicles.
-- Refer to an automated vehicle and an automated technology upfitter in provisions regarding the operation of a vehicle for the purpose of testing a subcomponent system.
MCL 257.244 et al. Legislative Analyst: Glenn Steffens
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill should have no fiscal impact on either the Department of State or the Department of Transportation. Any costs for the Secretary of State associated with determining that an upfitter was a recognized subcomponent producer, or any costs to the Secretary of State or the Department of Transportation for reporting, should be absorbed within the Department's current annual budget.
The bill would have a minor, likely, negligible, fiscal impact on State and local criminal justice costs associated with individuals' operating automated vehicles in a manner that did not comply with the proposed regulations. Any increase in fine revenue would benefit public libraries.
Date Completed: 3-6-13 Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
Dan O'Connor
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.