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AI Summary
This bill regulates the operation and testing of autonomous vehicles on public highways in New York, ensuring safety and compliance with federal standards. A human operator must be present during testing.
Business Impact
If you operate autonomous vehicles in New York, you must ensure compliance with safety regulations or face penalties.
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
The bill S4912-A aims to establish a regulatory framework for the testing and operation of autonomous vehicles in New York. It outlines safety requirements, liability protections for manufacturers, mandates insurance for testing, and requires a human operator during testing. This legislation is crucial for companies involved in the development and deployment of autonomous technology.
Key Provisions
- Defines 'autonomous technology' and 'autonomous vehicle'.
- Requires compliance with federal standards for autonomous vehicles.
- Mandates safety features for autonomous vehicles, including alerts for technology failures.
- Allows operation of autonomous vehicles by licensed individuals in autonomous mode.
- Requires testing entities to obtain significant insurance coverage.
- Provides liability protections for manufacturers against defects from third-party conversions.
- Requires a human operator to be present during testing.
- Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to study and report on autonomous vehicles by February 12, 2016.
Latest Legislative Action
PRINT NUMBER 4912A
Bill Sponsors
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| Greg Ball R | Sponsor | SD-040 |
| John Sampson D | Sponsor | SD-019 |
| Kathleen Marchione R | Sponsor | SD-043 |
Compliance Checklist
Ensure all autonomous vehicles comply with federal standards and safety requirements.
Who: Manufacturers and operators of autonomous vehicles.
Penalty: Potential legal liability and inability to operate.
Who: Manufacturers and operators of autonomous vehicles.
Penalty: Potential legal liability and inability to operate.
Obtain a minimum of $5 million in insurance before testing autonomous vehicles.
Who: Entities conducting testing of autonomous vehicles.
Deadline: Prior to commencement of testing.
Penalty: Inability to legally test vehicles on public highways.
Who: Entities conducting testing of autonomous vehicles.
Deadline: Prior to commencement of testing.
Penalty: Inability to legally test vehicles on public highways.
Related & Companion Bills
Full Legal Analysis
Bill S4912-A introduces comprehensive regulations for the operation and testing of autonomous vehicles in New York. It requires that all autonomous vehicles comply with federal standards and outlines specific safety features that must be present, such as accessible controls for engaging and disengaging autonomous technology and alerts for technology failures. Manufacturers are provided liability protections for vehicles converted to autonomous systems by third parties, limiting their responsibility for defects arising from such conversions. The bill also mandates that entities testing autonomous vehicles must secure a minimum of $5 million in insurance before commencing operations. A human operator must be present in the vehicle during testing to monitor and potentially resume control. Additionally, the commissioner of motor vehicles is required to study and report on the operation and testing of autonomous vehicles by February 12, 2016. This legislation aligns with similar initiatives in other states that seek to promote the safe integration of autonomous vehicles into public transportation systems.
Official Source
Official Bill Text
View S4912 on official legislature website →
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