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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation and regulation of certain automated motor |
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vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Section 545.452, Transportation |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 545.452. EXCLUSIVE REGULATION OF AUTOMATED MOTOR |
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VEHICLES AND AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS [SUBCHAPTER AND DEPARTMENT |
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GOVERN EXCLUSIVELY]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 545.452(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Unless otherwise provided by this subchapter, automated |
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motor vehicles, including any commercial use or operation of |
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automated motor vehicles, and automated driving systems [the |
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following] are governed exclusively by: |
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(1) this subchapter; and |
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(2) Section 547.618 [: |
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[(1) automated motor vehicles, including any |
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commercial use or operation of automated motor vehicles; and |
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[(2) automated driving systems]. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter K, Chapter 547, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 547.618 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 547.618. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR DEDICATED AUTONOMOUS |
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VEHICLE. (a) In this section, "dedicated autonomous vehicle" |
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means an automated motor vehicle, as defined by Section 545.451, |
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that is incapable of operation by a human operator present in the |
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vehicle. |
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(b) Notwithstanding any other law and to the extent allowed |
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by federal law, a dedicated autonomous vehicle is exempt from: |
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(1) the provisions of Section 547.3215 related to |
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associated equipment; |
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(2) Sections 547.602 and 547.603; and |
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(3) Section 547.604, unless the vehicle is equipped |
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with an internal combustion engine. |
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(c) If a vehicle safety inspection is required under this |
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code for the operation of a dedicated autonomous vehicle, the |
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inspection may not include any equipment: |
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(1) the requirements from which the vehicle is exempt |
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under Subsection (b); or |
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(2) the inspection of which is not required under |
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Section 548.051. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |