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KY HB135: AN ACT relating to autonomous vehicles.

Vetoed Kentucky · 2023 session

Last verified May 1, 2026 · official bill text

HB135 · where it stands

This bill did not become law (vetoed) · last action Apr 10, 2023.

What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Signed / enacted
Signed into law; it may or may not be in effect yet.
In effect
The effective date has passed.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

Establishes a regulatory framework for fully autonomous vehicles on Kentucky highways, including insurance, registration, and law enforcement interaction requirements.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

If you operate fully autonomous vehicles, you must comply with new registration and insurance requirements immediately.

What this means

This bill creates a framework for the operation of fully autonomous vehicles on public highways in Kentucky. It mandates insurance, registration, and a law enforcement interaction plan, and designates the Transportation Cabinet as the sole regulatory authority.

Key provisions

  1. Create various sections of KRS Chapter 186 to establish a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles.
  2. Require submission of a law enforcement interaction plan to the Transportation Cabinet.
  3. Establish the Transportation Cabinet as the sole regulatory authority.
  4. Prohibit local governments from enacting conflicting regulations (amend KRS 65.873).
  5. Consider the automated driving system as the operator of the vehicle (amend KRS 186.410).
  6. Exempt fully autonomous vehicles from certain equipment requirements (create a new section of KRS Chapter 189).
  7. Establish responsibility for accident reports and law enforcement notification (amend KRS 189.635).
  8. Define terms related to motor carriers (amend KRS 281.010).
  9. Clarify regulations for human drivers do not apply to autonomous vehicles (amend KRS 281.630).
  10. Require only the lead vehicle in a truck platoon to have a human driver (amend KRS 281.764).

Compliance checklist

  • Submit a law enforcement interaction plan Who: Operators of autonomous vehicles Deadline: Not specified Penalty: Operational restrictions
  • Ensure insurance coverage equivalent to personal/commercial vehicles Who: Operators of autonomous vehicles Deadline: Not specified Penalty: Operational restrictions
  • Register and title autonomous vehicles Who: Operators of autonomous vehicles Deadline: Not specified Penalty: Operational restrictions

Latest legislative action

Apr 10, 2023. Vetoed

Full analysis

HB135 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for fully autonomous vehicles in Kentucky. It requires these vehicles to be titled, registered, and insured, with proof of insurance or self-insurance matching current levels for personal and commercial vehicles. The bill mandates the submission of a law enforcement interaction plan to the Transportation Cabinet, which is designated as the sole agency responsible for administering statutes and regulations regarding these vehicles. Local governments are prohibited from enacting conflicting regulations, as per the amendment to KRS 65.873. The bill amends KRS 186.410 to consider the automated driving system as the vehicle's operator when engaged. It exempts fully autonomous vehicles designed to be operated exclusively by an automated driving system from certain equipment requirements applicable to human-driven vehicles, as outlined in a new section of KRS Chapter 189. Additionally, the bill amends KRS 189.635 to establish responsibility for accident reports and law enforcement notification after accidents involving fully autonomous vehicles. It also amends KRS 281.010 to define terms related to the operation of these vehicles as motor carriers and amends KRS 281.630 to clarify that regulations applying only to human drivers do not apply to fully autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, it requires only the lead vehicle in a truck platoon to have a human driver, as per the amendment to KRS 281.764.

Sponsors

NameRoleDistrict
R Sponsor HD-080
R Sponsor HD-071
R Sponsor HD-052

Roll call votes (showing 3 of 4)

H House: Third Reading RCS# 374 Mar 30, 2023

59 yea40 nay1 otherPassed

S Senate: Third Reading W/sfa2 RSN# 2767 Mar 30, 2023

21 yea16 nayPassed

H House: Suspend the Rules RCS# 197 Mar 9, 2023

92 yea0 nay8 otherPassed

Amendments (6)

  • House Committee Substitute Not adopted
  • House Committee Substitute Not adopted
  • House Floor Amendment Not adopted
  • House Floor Amendment Not adopted
  • Senate Floor Amendment Not adopted
  • Senate Floor Amendment Not adopted

Topics and industries

Related topics

AI in InsuranceAutonomous Vehicles

Affected industries

TransportationTechnology

This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error

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