By: Canales (Senate Sponsor - Alvarado) H.B. No. 3026
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 10, 2021;
  May 10, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Transportation; May 19, 2021, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 19, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the operation and regulation of certain automated motor
  vehicles.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 545.452, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 545.452.  EXCLUSIVE REGULATION OF AUTOMATED MOTOR
  VEHICLES AND AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS [SUBCHAPTER AND DEPARTMENT
  GOVERN EXCLUSIVELY].
         SECTION 2.  Section 545.452(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Unless otherwise provided by this subchapter, automated
  motor vehicles, including any commercial use or operation of
  automated motor vehicles, and automated driving systems [the
  following] are governed exclusively by:
               (1)  this subchapter; and
               (2)  Section 547.618 [:
               [(1)  automated motor vehicles, including any
  commercial use or operation of automated motor vehicles; and
               [(2)  automated driving systems].
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter K, Chapter 547, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 547.618 to read as follows:
         Sec. 547.618.  EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN AUTOMATED
  MOTOR VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "automated motor vehicle" and
  "automated driving system" have the meanings assigned by Section
  545.451.
         (b)  An automated motor vehicle that is designed to be
  operated exclusively by the automated driving system for all trips
  is not subject to motor vehicle equipment laws or regulations of
  this state that:
               (1)  relate to or support motor vehicle operation by a
  human driver; and
               (2)  are not relevant for an automated driving system.
         (c)  If a vehicle safety inspection is required under this
  code for the operation of a vehicle described by Subsection (b), the
  vehicle shall automatically be considered to pass the inspection
  with respect to any equipment:
               (1)  the requirements from which the vehicle is exempt
  under Subsection (b); or
               (2)  the inspection of which is not required under
  Section 548.051.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
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