HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2238
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The director of transportation, in consultation with the insurance commissioner and the examiner of drivers of each county, shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 providing for the operation of autonomous motor vehicles on highways within the State.

     (b)  The rules adopted pursuant to subsection (a) shall establish:

     (1)  Requirements for autonomous motor vehicles before any autonomous motor vehicle may be operated on a state highway, including minimum safety requirements;

     (2)  Requirements for mandatory insurance coverage before any autonomous motor vehicle may be operated on a state highway;

     (3)  A program for the testing of autonomous motor vehicles, including restrictions on testing in certain areas;

     (4)  A special driver's license endorsement for the operation of autonomous motor vehicles; and

     (5)  Other requirements as the director deems necessary.

     (c)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Artificial intelligence" means the use of computers and related equipment to enable a machine to duplicate or mimic the behavior of human beings.

     "Autonomous motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle that uses artificial intelligence, sensors, and global positioning system coordinates to drive itself without the active intervention of a human operator.

     "Sensors" include cameras, lasers, and radars.

     SECTION 2.  Section 286-102, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  A person operating the following category or combination of categories of motor vehicles shall be examined as provided in section 286-108 and duly licensed by the examiner of drivers:

     (1)  Mopeds;

     (2)  Motorcycles and motor scooters;

     (3)  Passenger cars of any gross vehicle weight rating, buses designed to transport fifteen or fewer occupants, and trucks and vans having a gross vehicle weight rating of fifteen thousand pounds or less; [and]

     (4)  All of the motor vehicles in category (3) and any vehicle that is not a commercial motor vehicle[.]; and

(5) Autonomous motor vehicles as provided in rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91.

     A school bus or van operator shall be properly licensed to operate the category of vehicles that the operator operates as a school bus or van and shall comply with the standards of the department of transportation as provided by rules adopted pursuant to section 286-181."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Autonomous Motor Vehicles; Operation and Licensing

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of a driver's license for operation of autonomous motor vehicles.  Requires the DOT to adopt rules for the operation of autonomous motor vehicles.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.