SB395

• Cannizzaro, Nicole voted Yea on this bill despite $5,000 in contributions from Tesla. submit correction

Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to adopt regulations authorizing the operation of autonomous vehicles on highways within this State. (NRS 482A.100) Under existing law, an “autonomous vehicle” is a motor vehicle that is equipped with an automated driving system which is designed to function at certain levels of driving automation, including, without limitation, fully autonomous vehicles. (NRS 482A.030) Existing law generally prohibits the testing or operation of an autonomous vehicle on a highway within this State unless a human operator is present in the vehicle and is capable of taking over immediate manual control of the vehicle under certain circumstances. (NRS 482A.070) However, such a human operator is not required for the testing or operation of a fully autonomous vehicle on a highway within this State if the vehicle is capable of achieving a minimal risk condition upon a failure of its automated driving system. (NRS 482A.070, 482A.080) Existing law authorizes the Department to impose an administrative fine, not to exceed $2,500, for a violation of any provision of existing law governing the testing or operation of autonomous vehicles on a highway within this State. (NRS 482A.220) Section 1 of this bill: (1) prohibits an autonomous vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or combined gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds from being tested or operated on a highway within this State unless a human operator who holds a commercial d