NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A525
SPONSOR: Gibbs TITLE OF BILL:
An act establishing the New York task force on automated vehicle tech-
nology; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expira-
tion thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation will establish an automated vehicle technology task
force to study and provide recommendations that will support the safe-
testing, deployment and operation of automated vehicle technology on
public highways.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: provides the intent of the Legislature to create a taskforce
that will study and provide recommendations to support the safe-testing
and deployment of automated vehicle technology on NYS roads. Section 2:
creates the criteria to establish a seventeen-member automated vehicle
task force.Section 3: establishes the timeline for appointments and
organizational structure.Section 4: sets forth criteria for which the
task force shall take into consideration; establishes public hearings
for broader stakeholder and community input.Section 5: effective date
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
N/A
JUSTIFICATION:
According to federal statistics, over 37,000 lives were lost in automo-
bile accidents on our nation's roads and highways last year. The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) research indi-
cates that nearly 94% of these accidents are a result of human error
mostly caused by driver distraction.For over a decade, automobile
manufacturers and high-tech start-up companies have researched and
developed advanced safety features that are aimed to prevent driver
related accidents. Many of these safety feature, such as adaptive
cruise control, emergency braking, rear-view cameras, and lane assist
are considered automated vehicle technologies and are becoming standard-
ized in most newly manufactured cars on the road today. While studies
show -that automated vehicle technology plays a significant role in
reducing the number of automobile accidents, automated vehicle technolo-
gy has the real potential to solve mobility challenges for individuals
with certain handicaps, the elderly, the visually impaired and people
with disabilities. The opportunity to reduce accidents and to revolu-
tionize mobility for our society is also driving colleges and universi-
ties to invest significant resources into the research and development
of automated vehicle technologies. In addition to the safety and social
benefits, the research and development of autonomous technology also has
the unlimited potential to create real economic development opportu-
nities and job creation. In 2017, New York state adopted its first auto-
mated driving pilot program to allow companies to test its automated
vehicle technology on public roads. The program was extended in the
2019-20 FY budget until April 1, 2021.The fact of the matter is that
this technology is already here and, in many respects, our laws and
regulations are not keeping up with this technology. As a legislative
body, we must begin to examine our policies to determine the best path
forward to allow for the safe and responsible deployment of automated
vehicles in our state.This bill will begin the process of updating our
policies by establishing a task force of industry experts and community
stakeholders to examine our laws and regulations and provide recommenda-
tions to be considered that supports the safe deployment of automated
cars in the near future.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A7980 2019/2020, A4280 2021 A9485 2022
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
525
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GIBBS -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Transportation
AN ACT establishing the New York task force on automated vehicle tech-
nology; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expi-
ration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that automated
2 vehicle technology offers widely anticipated and revolutionary potential
3 for the transportation sector. Among the unprecedented opportunities
4 offered by this technology are inclusive mobility options to benefit
5 disadvantaged, disabled and elderly residents; as congestion and emis-
6 sions mitigation; improved livable land use, and basic road. Further,
7 the legislature has amended section 2 of part FF of chapter 55 of the
8 laws of 2017, relating to motor vehicles equipped with autonomous vehi-
9 cle technology, as amended by section 2 of part H of chapter 58 of the
10 laws of 2018, as amended by section 1 of part M of chapter 58 of the
11 laws of 2019, to allow for a two-year testing program for automobile
12 manufacturers and technology leaders to test and demonstrate automated
13 vehicle technology in New York, which will expire and be deemed repealed
14 April 1, 2023. Consequently, the legislature finds that there is a
15 pressing need for policymakers to study automated vehicle technology and
16 formulate comprehensive laws and regulations to ensure the state is
17 prepared for the safe deployment of automobiles equipped with this tech-
18 nology and to help prepare the state's role in a future where automated
19 vehicle technology plays in shaping our roadways, economy, education
20 system, and society.
21 To this end, it is in the public interest to establish an automated
22 vehicle task force that shall study, evaluate and develop recommenda-
23 tions relating to specific actionable measures that address how auto-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01928-01-3
A. 525 2
1 mated vehicle technology will transform the state's roadways, economy,
2 education system, and society.
3 § 2. Automated vehicle task force. The New York task force on auto-
4 mated vehicle technology is hereby established to study and assess the
5 future of automated vehicle technology. For purposes of this act,
6 "automated vehicle" shall mean a motor vehicle that has the capability
7 to drive the vehicle without the active control or monitoring of a human
8 operator. Such task force shall consist of seventeen members with demon-
9 strated expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force. The
10 members of the task force shall be appointed as follows:
11 (a) five members shall be appointed by the governor, such member's
12 expertise shall encompass, but not be limited to, the topic areas of
13 transportation, research and development, education, people with disa-
14 bilities; one of such member shall be the commissioner of the department
15 of motor vehicles and shall serve as chairperson of the task force; and
16 one member shall be the commissioner of the department of transportation
17 and shall serve as vice chair;
18 (b) two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the
19 senate;
20 (c) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
21 (d) one member shall be appointed by the senate minority leader;
22 (e) one member shall be appointed by the assembly minority leader;
23 (f) one member shall be appointed by the chancellor of the state
24 university of New York; such member shall be a member of a research
25 faculty of an engineering department at a state university of New York
26 campus;
27 (g) one member shall be appointed by the commission on independent
28 colleges and universities from a New York private university research
29 faculty of an engineering department;
30 (h) two such appointees shall be representatives of differing original
31 equipment manufacturers;
32 (i) one member shall be appointed by the president of AFL-CIO; and
33 (j) one member shall be appointed by the New York state business coun-
34 cil.
35 § 3. All appointments shall be made no later than the thirtieth day
36 after the effective date of this section. Vacancies in the membership of
37 the task force shall be filled in the same manner provided for by the
38 original appointments. The task force shall organize as soon as practi-
39 cable following the appointment of its members. The chairperson shall
40 appoint a secretary who shall not be a member of the task force. The
41 members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their
42 services.
43 § 4. The task force shall study, evaluate and develop recommendations
44 relating to specific actionable measures that address how automated
45 vehicle technology will transform the state's roadways, economy, educa-
46 tion system and society. The automated vehicle task force shall study
47 how to support the safe testing, deployment and operation of automated
48 vehicle technology on public highways. It shall take all of the follow-
49 ing into consideration: (a) the measures necessary to successfully
50 implement automated vehicles, including any legislative changes; (b) the
51 difficulties and liabilities that could arise by allowing automated
52 vehicles on public highways; (c) how automated vehicle technology can
53 promote research and development in this state; and (d) any other issue
54 the committee deems relevant.
55 § 5. The task force shall be entitled to request and receive, and
56 shall utilize such facilities, resources and data of any court, depart-
A. 525 3
1 ment, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any
2 political subdivision thereof as it may reasonably request to properly
3 carry out its powers and duties.
4 § 6. In carrying out its functions, the task force shall hold five
5 public hearings around the state to foster discussions among, and
6 conduct formal public hearings with requisite public notice to solicit
7 input and recommendations from statewide and regional stakeholder inter-
8 ests.
9 § 7. The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to
10 the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of
11 the assembly on or before April first, two thousand twenty-four.
12 § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
13 deemed repealed 2 years after such date.
