HB1183

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1183
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AUTONOMOUS MOTOR VEHICLES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a modern and obvious innovation that should be explored in Hawaii is autonomous, or "driverless", motor vehicles, which can potentially save lives and reduce commuting times. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has predicted that seventy-five per cent of vehicles will be "driverless" by 2040. It would therefore benefit our state to prepare for inevitable technological advances and authorize, for testing purposes, the operation of autonomous vehicles. Thus far, California, Florida, and Nevada have all approved driverless vehicle testing on their roads, and Georgia is considering it as well. Outside of the United States, Japan conducted its first test of driverless vehicles on a public road in 2013, with the United Kingdom scheduled to do the same in 2015.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize, for testing purposes, the operation of autonomous vehicles in this state.

SECTION 2. Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part . AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

§286-A Authorization. The director shall authorize, no later than January 1, 2018, the development of an autonomous vehicle testing program, to be administered by the department of transportation.

§286-B Application and approval process. The department shall establish, no later than January 1, 2019, an application and approval process by which autonomous vehicle manufacturers and other interested parties may seek to test autonomous

vehicles in the State. Prior to granting any approval for testing, the department shall require, at a minimum, satisfactory evidence of the following:

(a) The applicant's safety record;

(b) The applicant's insured or bonded status;

(d) The ease with which the autonomous vehicle's operator can activate and deactivate the autonomous technology.

§286-C Fees. The department may assess any fees necessary to cover the costs of application processing and program administration.

§286-D Rules. The department shall adopt rules under chapter 91 to implement this part.

§286-E Penalties. The department shall establish administrative penalties for noncompliance with the requirements of this part or with rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91.

§286-F Reports to the legislature. (a) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, and beginning with the regular session of 2020, the director shall submit a report to the legislature that addresses the following:

(1) The feasibility and safety implications of authorizing

the operation of autonomous vehicles beyond the

testing phase;

(2) The adoption or amendment of relevant administrative rules issued pursuant to this part;

(3) Any additional legislative action that may be required for the safe testing and operation of autonomous vehicles; and

(4) Detailed information on the autonomous vehicle manufacturers and other interested parties who submitted applications pursuant to section 286-B during the preceding twelve-month period."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the establishment of the autonomous vehicle testing program and any associated costs.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________