HF 2375 (LSB 6558YH (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE 2375

BY  GOSA

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to conventional human drivers physically present in certain driverless-capable vehicles, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.515, subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   A driverless-capable vehicle may operate on the public highways of this state without a conventional human driver physically present in the vehicle, unless required under section 321.515A, if the vehicle meets all of the following conditions:
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  321.515A  Conventional human driver —— when required.
   A driverless-capable vehicle operating for commercial purposes, and not for personal use, shall not operate on the public highways of this state without a conventional human driver physically present in the vehicle. The conventional human driver must have the ability to monitor the vehicle’s operation and, if necessary, intervene by taking over the operation of the vehicle manually, including but not limited to by stopping and shutting off the vehicle. A conventional human driver required under this section shall hold a driver’s license and any endorsement that would otherwise be required for the operation of the vehicle, and shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws regulating automated and conventional vehicles.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, a driverless-capable vehicle is authorized to operate on the public highways of Iowa without a conventional human driver physically present in the vehicle if the vehicle meets all of the specified system and safety requirements.
   This bill requires a conventional human driver to be physically present in a driverless-capable vehicle if the vehicle is operating for commercial purposes and not personal use.
   Under the bill, a conventional human driver physically present in a vehicle operating in accordance with the bill must have the ability to monitor the driverless-capable vehicle’s operation and, if necessary, intervene by taking over the operation of the vehicle manually, including but not limited to by stopping and shutting off the vehicle.
   In addition, the bill requires such a conventional human driver to hold a driver’s license and any endorsement that would otherwise be required for the operation of the vehicle, and to comply with all applicable federal and state laws regulating automated and conventional vehicles. Under current law, special driver’s licenses and driver’s license types are required for the operation of different types of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and commercial motor vehicles (CMV). In particular, a person generally must hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate a CMV. A vehicle is considered a CMV based on the vehicle’s weight, design, and use. While transporting certain passengers or loads, different types of special CDL endorsements are required.
   By operation of law, a person who operates a motor vehicle that requires a driver’s license commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $260 if the person does not hold a driver’s license valid for the vehicle’s operation (Code section 805.8A(4)).