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AI Summary
Establishes a regulatory framework for fully autonomous vehicles on Kentucky highways, including insurance, registration, and law enforcement interaction requirements.
Business Impact
If you operate fully autonomous vehicles, you must comply with new registration and insurance requirements immediately.
What do these statuses mean? ▼
Introduced
— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee
— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed
— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted
— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed
— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown
— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
Topics How we classify →
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
- Create various sections of KRS Chapter 186 to establish a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles.
- Require submission of a law enforcement interaction plan to the Transportation Cabinet.
- Establish the Transportation Cabinet as the sole regulatory authority.
- Prohibit local governments from enacting conflicting regulations (amend KRS 65.873).
- Consider the automated driving system as the operator of the vehicle (amend KRS 186.410).
- Exempt fully autonomous vehicles from certain equipment requirements (create a new section of KRS Chapter 189).
- Establish responsibility for accident reports and law enforcement notification (amend KRS 189.635).
- Define terms related to motor carriers (amend KRS 281.010).
- Clarify regulations for human drivers do not apply to autonomous vehicles (amend KRS 281.630).
- Require only the lead vehicle in a truck platoon to have a human driver (amend KRS 281.764).
Latest Legislative Action
Vetoed
Bill Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| David Meade R | Sponsor | HD-080 |
| Josh Bray R | Sponsor | HD-071 |
| Ken Upchurch R | Sponsor | HD-052 |
Roll Call Votes (showing 3 of 4)
H ·
House: Third Reading RCS# 374 ·
Mar 30, 2023
59 Yea
40 Nay
1 Other
Passed ✓
S ·
Senate: Third Reading W/sfa2 RSN# 2767 ·
Mar 30, 2023
21 Yea
16 Nay
Passed ✓
H ·
House: Suspend the Rules RCS# 197 ·
Mar 9, 2023
92 Yea
0 Nay
8 Other
Passed ✓
Amendments (6)
House Committee Substitute
Pending
—
House Committee Substitute
Pending
—
House Floor Amendment
Pending
—
House Floor Amendment
Pending
—
Senate Floor Amendment
Pending
—
Senate Floor Amendment
Pending
—
Compliance Checklist
Submit a law enforcement interaction plan
Who: Operators of autonomous vehicles
Deadline: Not specified
Penalty: Operational restrictions
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
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
Who: Operators of autonomous vehicles
Deadline: Not specified
Penalty: Operational restrictions
Full Legal 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.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View HB135 on official legislature website →
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