SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5828
As of February 3, 2022
Title: An act relating to implementing recommendations of the autonomous vehicle work group.
Brief Description: Implementing recommendations of the autonomous vehicle work group.
Sponsors: Senators Nguyen, Dhingra, Nobles, Rivers and Wagoner.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/03/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Revises the type of information required to be provided to the Department of Licensing in the autonomous vehicle self certification testing pilot program (program).
  • Removes the requirement to report moving violations in the program.
  • Removes the requirement in the program to provide advance notice of testing to applicable law enforcement agencies. 
  • Revises the information submitted by self-certifying entities subject to public access to include nonconfidential business information in the program.  
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)
Background:

In 2020, legislation was enacted creating the Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Self-Certification Testing Pilot Program within the Department of Licensing (DOL).  The program becomes effective October 1, 2022.  The following requirements apply to self-certifying entities under the program:

  • the entity must provide contact information, information on testing locations, vehicle identification numbers, proof of insurance, and information on any collisions and moving violations involving AVs on public roads;
  • the entity operating AVs on public roads must obtain an umbrella liability insurance policy that covers a minimum of $5 million per occurrence for damages by reason of bodily injury or death or property damage caused by an AV; and
  • the entity must provide advance notice to all law enforcement agencies that there will be testing of AVs on public roads in the agency's jurisdiction over a specified period of time.   
Summary of Bill:

The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute):

The information required to be provided by a self-certifying entity is revised to include the zip codes, rather than the local jurisdictions, where testing is planned, and the number count of the AVs being tested.

 

Self-certifying entities testing AVs on public roadways must annually report collisions involving AVs.  The requirement to report moving violations is removed.

 

Self-certifying entities testing AVs on public roadways must provide to DOL a law enforcement interaction plan, which includes information on how to interact with the vehicle in emergency and traffic enforcement situations, and the expected period of time during which testing will occur.  The requirement to provide written notice in advance of testing to local and state law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over any of the public roadways on which testing will occur is removed. 

 

The law enforcement interaction plan must be provided in advance of testing, include contact information where law enforcement agencies can communicate with the self-certifying entity, and provide the physical description of the AVs being tested, including make, model, color, and license plate number.

 

The information to which DOL must provide public access regarding self-certifying entities is revised to include nonconfidential business information.  
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.