MS HB1003: Mississippi Fully Autonomous Vehicle Enabling (MS FAVE) Act of 2023; establish to regulate operation of autonomous vehicle on public roads.

In one paragraph

Mississippi's MS FAVE Act of 2023 lets fully autonomous vehicles run on public roads without a human driver if the system is engaged and the vehicle will reach a minimal risk condition if it fails, can obey traffic laws, and bears any federally required certification label. Operators must first file a law enforcement interaction plan and proof of insurance with the Department of Public Safety. The engaged system counts as the licensed driver; vehicles are registered and titled as autonomous; on-demand AV networks may operate; and state agencies and local governments cannot ban AVs or add AV-specific taxes, fees or rules. Effective July 1, 2023.

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

What it means for business

AV companies can run driverless vehicles and on-demand AV networks in Mississippi after filing a law enforcement interaction plan and proof of insurance with the Department of Public Safety; local AV-specific rules and taxes are preempted.

Key provisions

1. 1Fully autonomous vehicles may operate on public roads without a human driver when the automated driving system is engaged, achieves a minimal risk condition if it fails, can comply with traffic and safety laws, and carries any federally required certification label
2. 2Before driverless operation, a law enforcement interaction plan must be filed with the Department of Public Safety, which may issue a cease-and-desist letter if none is filed (Code § 63-35-7; extended to July 1, 2029 by SB 2269 of 2026)
3. 3Proof of financial responsibility (insurance or self-insurance) must be filed with the Department of Public Safety before driverless operation
4. 4When engaged, the automated driving system is the driver or operator for traffic laws and is considered licensed; after a crash the vehicle must remain on scene as required, and the owner must report the crash
5. 5On-demand autonomous vehicle networks may operate under the laws for transportation network companies, taxis and other for-hire passenger transport, minus provisions that only make sense for human drivers
6. 6Vehicles must be registered and titled as fully autonomous; vehicles built to be driven only by the system are exempt from equipment rules that only serve a human driver; autonomous commercial motor vehicles may operate under the commercial vehicle laws, minus human-driver-only provisions
7. 7Fully autonomous vehicles are governed exclusively by the act; no state agency or local government may ban them or impose AV-specific taxes, fees or performance standards
8. 8Approved by the Governor March 28, 2023 (Chapter 443); effective July 1, 2023

Latest legislative action

Mar 28, 2023. Approved by Governor (Chapter 443)

Sponsors (showing 5 of 18)

Roll call votes

Amendments (2)

• Senate Committee Amendment No 1 Not adopted
• Senate Amendment No 1 to Committee Amendment No 1 Adopted

Related and companion bills

• Mississippi SB2569Transportation; allow and regulate autonomous vehicles.