Bill

SB 2205

85(R) - 2017

Senate Transportation

House Transportation

Read Bill & Check Bill Status

Senate Transportation

House Transportation

Highways

Transportation & Infrastructure

Vote Recommendation

Yes

Neutral
Neutral
Positive
Positive
Positive

Author(s)

Kelly Hancock

Co-Author(s)

Paul Bettencourt

Royce West

Sponsor(s)

Charlie Geren

Bill Caption

Relating to automated motor vehicles.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 2205 would require the Department of Public Safety to govern the operation of automated motor vehicles and prohibit political subdivisions and state agencies from regulating the operation of such vehicles. This bill would also clarify the application of laws by considering the owner of an automated motor vehicle to be its operator for the purposes of enforcing traffic laws, regardless of whether the owner is present in the vehicle during operation.

This bill would prohibit the operation of an automated motor vehicle on public highways unless the vehicle is registered and titled under existing law; the driving system is capable of following state and federal laws; the vehicle is equipped with a recording device system; and the vehicle is covered by liability coverage or appropriate self-insurance. SB 2205 would also stipulate that the vehicle and the operator must comply with existing law related to accident and accident reports.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill supports the principles of limited government, individual liberty, and personal responsibility by clarifying the legal code regarding automated motor vehicles, prohibiting local regulation, and establishing that such vehicles are to have traffic laws applied consistently with standard motor vehicles, except for a few reasonable special requirements. For these reasons, we support SB 2205.

Organizations Supporting

AT&T Texas

City of Arlington

Organizations Opposed