THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1008

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to autonomous transportation.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that nearly every major automaker worldwide is working diligently toward deploying autonomous vehicles or vehicles that drive with little or no human intervention.  Autonomous vehicles benefit society by reducing crashes and related injuries and deaths, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, easing traffic congestion, and providing transportation for those unable to drive.

     The legislature further finds that twenty-nine states and Washington D.C. have enacted legislation related to autonomous vehicles and governors in eleven states, including Hawaii, have issued executive orders related to autonomous vehicles.  H.C.R. No. 220, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, Regular Session of 2019, requested the attorney general to convene an autonomous vehicle legal preparation task force to prepare Hawaii for the legal and regulatory implications of transitioning to autonomous vehicles.  The attorney general's final report found that, "autonomous vehicles have the potential to improve the safety of the transportation system, reduce energy consumption, and enhance overall quality of life."

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to establish a permanent autonomous transportation task force within the department of transportation to prepare the State for the inevitable adoption and use of autonomous vehicles and to make recommendations to the legislature to assist with the transition.

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

     "§286-    Autonomous transportation task force.  (a)  There is established within the department of transportation the autonomous transportation task force to prepare Hawaii for the inevitable transition to a future in which all vehicles are autonomous.  The task force shall:

     (1)  Examine the ongoing implications of transitioning to an all autonomous future;

     (2)  Examine the impact on public infrastructure needs in an all autonomous future;

     (3)  Make recommendations to assist with the transition as autonomous transportation becomes a growing percentage of daily commutes; and

     (4)  Make recommendations relating to legal and insurance regulations of autonomous vehicles as autonomous transportation becomes a growing percentage of daily commutes.

     (b)  The task force, at the invitation of the director of transportation who shall serve as chair, shall be composed of the following individuals or their designees:

     (1)  The attorney general, or the attorney general's designee;

     (2)  The chair of the senate committee on transportation or designee;

     (3)  The chair of the house committee on transportation or designee;

     (4)  The mayor of the city and county of Honolulu, or the mayor's designee;

     (5)  The mayor of the county of Hawaii, or the mayor's designee;

     (6)  The mayor of the county of Maui, or the mayor's designee;

     (7)  The mayor of the county of Kauai, or the mayor's designee; and

     (8)  The Hawaii insurance commissioner, or the commissioner's designee.

     (c)  The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the governor and the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each new regular legislative session.  The task force report shall include the following:

     (1)  Updated analysis on what a fully autonomous transportation future looks like and what that means for public infrastructure needs and any legal and insurance implications;

     (2)  Updated information on the growth of autonomous transportation to date and near term expectations;

     (3)  Updated information on laws across United States jurisdictions relating to the planning and the regulation of autonomous vehicles; and

     (4)  Recommendations and guidance to assist lawmakers, policymakers, and stakeholders to prepare for the transition to autonomous vehicles."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Autonomous Transportation Task Force; Establishment; Department of Transportation

 

Description:

Establishes the permanent autonomous transportation task force, to be placed in the department of transportation.

 

 

 

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