Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the operation of driverless-capable vehicles, including associated civil and criminal liability, and making penalties applicable
Sponsored by the Senate Transportation Committee
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 21, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 21, 2026
- Done: Senate committeeFebruary 18, 2026
- Stopped: Passes the SenateDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Vehicles carrying dangerous materials must now have a human driver behind the wheel instead of relying only on automated systems. The bill also makes vehicle owners responsible for any injuries, deaths, or property damage caused by their self-driving cars. Additionally, if someone modifies an automated driving system without permission, they can be held liable for any resulting damage.1
Read the official explanation
Under current law, a driverless-capable vehicle equipped with an automated driving system and meeting certain requirements is authorized to operate on highways while performing all real-time operational and tactical functions (dynamic driving task) regardless of whether a conventional human driver is present in the vehicle.519 and all applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws. This bill prohibits a driverless-capable vehicle transporting hazardous material from operating without a conventional human driver. secretary of transportation to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and which has been so designated.482. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. Under current law, an automated driving system that is capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task must be designed to operate within the system’s operational design domain in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations that govern the performance of the dynamic driving task, unless an exemption has been granted to the vehicle by the department of transportation. The bill rephrases this provision to require the system to operate within the system’s operational design domain rather than be designed to operate in that manner. The bill imputes liability to the owner of a driverless-capable vehicle for personal injury, death, or property damage that results in connection with the operation of the vehicle and for violations of traffic or motor vehicle safety laws and regulations. A person who modifies an automated driving system of a driverless-capable vehicle without the manufacturer’s consent is liable for any damage related to the operation of the vehicle, unless the owner of the vehicle directed the person to modify the system, in which case the owner is liable.
Why it matters. Companies operating driverless-capable vehicles that transport hazardous materials would be required to have a human driver present in the vehicle. Owners of these vehicles would be held liable for personal injury, death, or property damage caused by the vehicle's operation or any violations of traffic and motor vehicle safety laws. Individuals who modify an automated driving system without the manufacturer's consent would also be liable for any resulting damage.2
Senate subcommittee
Named January 21, 2026 (as SSB 3052). On February 5, 2026 it recommended amendment and passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 16, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
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91st General Assembly