New Hampshire SB 216: establishing an autonomous vehicle advisory commission, establishing an autonomous vehicle testing pilot program, and providing requirements for automated vehicle deployment.

Bill Text

SB 216-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

03/14/2019 0827s

2May2019... 1604h

2019 SESSION

 19-0861

 11/03

SENATE BILL 216-FN

AN ACT establishing an autonomous vehicle advisory commission, establishing an autonomous vehicle testing pilot program, and providing requirements for automated vehicle deployment.

SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19; Sen. Hennessey, Dist 5; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Sen. Cavanaugh, Dist 16; Sen. Giuda, Dist 2; Rep. Conley, Straf. 13; Rep. Somssich, Rock. 27

COMMITTEE: Transportation

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill establishes an autonomous vehicle advisory commission and an automated vehicle testing pilot program.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

 Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/14/2019 0827s

2May2019... 1604h 19-0861

 11/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

AN ACT establishing an autonomous vehicle advisory commission, establishing an autonomous vehicle testing pilot program, and providing requirements for automated vehicle deployment.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 1 New Paragraph; New Hampshire Transportation Council; Duties. Amend RSA 238-A:3 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:

 IV. Solicit input from representatives of:

 (a) Disability communities.

 (b) Elder communities.

 (c) The trucking industry.

 (d) Attorneys with expertise in transportation liability.

 2 New Subparagraphs; New Hampshire Transportation Council; Membership. Amend RSA 238-A:4, I by inserting after subparagraph (i) the following new subparagraphs:

 (j) The director of the office of strategic initiatives, or designee.

 (k) The commissioner of the department of insurance, or designee.

 3 New Chapter; Autonomous Vehicle Advisory Commission. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 240 the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 241

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE ADVISORY COMMISSION

 241:1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study autonomous vehicles.

 241:2 Membership and Compensation.

 I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:

 (a) The commissioner of the department of safety, or designee.

 (b) The commissioner of the department of transportation, or designee.

 (c) The commissioner of the department of information technology, or designee.

 (d) The director of the department of safety, division of motor vehicles, or designee.

 (e) The director of the department of safety, division of fire standards and training and emergency medical services, or designee.

 (f) Two members of the house of representatives, including one member from the majority party and one member from the minority party, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

 (g) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

 II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

 241:3 Duties. The commission shall:

 I. Advise relevant state agencies and the general court on autonomous vehicle administration.

 II. Develop training curriculum for law enforcement and first responders.

 III. Review National Transportation Safety Board reports on automated vehicle incidents and action recommendations.

 IV. Propose modifications to the automated vehicle testing and development pilot program established in RSA 242 when necessary.

 V. Maintain up-to-date information on automated vehicle technology, statutes, and regulations, and exchange information regarding unique challenges posed by roads in New Hampshire through interaction with the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.

 241:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the commissioner of the department of safety. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section. The commission shall meet as often as necessary to accomplish its goals, provided that at least 3 meetings per year shall be open to the public. Meetings may be held by conference call. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

 241:5 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, the state library, and the New Hampshire transportation council on or bef