WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection, chaired by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), today announced a hearing for Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled, “Hearing on Self-Driving Vehicle Legislation."
In 2015, there were 35,092 traffic fatalities and approximately 2.44 million people injured on U.S. roadways. Early estimates lead us to believe that traffic fatalities in 2016 have increased by 6 percent to 40,200. If these estimates hold true, it will be the first time in almost a decade that more than 40,000 people have died in traffic accidents in a single year. There is more of a need than ever before to explore the safety potential of this technology as it can considerably decrease traffic-related fatalities, increase accessibility for those living in rural communities, and improve mobility. Next week’s hearing is an important step, as federal leadership on self-driving car safety will prevent a patchwork of state regulations and ensure that safe cars can continue to drive across the country without having to stop at the state line.
* Discussion Draft, “LEAD’R Act" - Establish federal and state roles in which the federal government is responsible for oversight of the design, construction, mechanical systems, software systems, or communications systems of highly automated vehicles and highly automated vehicle equipment. States or political subdivisions continue to regulate registration, licensing, [liability], driving education and training, insurance, or traffic laws.
* Discussion Draft, “PAVE Act" - Expands the number of vehicles the Secretary of Transportation is permitted to exempt from a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) from 2,500 to 100,000.
* Discussion Draft, “ROAD Act" - Expands the number of years that a manufacturer can maintain a FMVSS exemption (and request a renewal for an exemption) from 2 years to 5 years.
* Discussion Draft, “EXEMPT Act" - Authorizes vehicle manufacturers to obtain a FMVSS exemption in order to promote the public adoption and acceptance or facilitate meaningful commercial deployment of a new vehicle technology, and to promote transportation access for the disability community, that would provide an overall safety level at least equal to the overall safety level of nonexempt vehicles.
* Discussion Draft, “MORE Act" - Extends the authority created in the FAST Act to test vehicles not in compliance with FMVSS to equipment manufacturers, suppliers, universities, and new market entrants.
* Discussion Draft, “INFORM Act" - Directs the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to notify the appropriate state authority when a highly automated vehicle is exempted from FMVSS.
* Discussion Draft, “Disability Mobility Advisory Council Act" - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Federal Advisory Committee to undertake information gathering activities, develop technical advice, and present recommendations to the Secretary regarding advancing mobility access for the disabled community with respect to the deployment of highly automated vehicles.
* Discussion Draft, “Improving Mobility Access for Underserved Populations and Senior Advisory Council Act" - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Federal Advisory Committee to undertake information gathering activities, develop technical advice, and present recommendations to the Secretary on how to advance mobility access for seniors and populations underserved by traditional public transportation services with respect to the testing and deployment of highly automated vehicles.
* Discussion Draft, “Automated Driving System Cybersecurity Advisory Council Act" - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Federal Advisory Committee to undertake information gathering activities, develop technical advice, and present recommendations to the Secretary regarding cybersecurity for the testing, deployment, and updating of automated driving systems with respect to supply chain risk management, interactions with ISACs and ISAOs, and a framework for identifying and implementing recalls.
* Discussion Draft, “SHARES Act" - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Federal Advisory Committee within the NHTSA to develop a framework that allows for the sharing of relevant, situational information among highly automated vehicle manufacturers in a manner that does not risk the public dissemination or sharing of confidential business information.
* Discussion Draft, “HAV Prompt Act" - Establishes that the Secretary may not institute a pre-market approval or pre-certification process for highly automated vehicles.
* Discussion Draft, “GUARD Act" - Requires that certain information submitted to NHTSA by highly automated vehicle manufacturers or highly automated vehicle equipment manufacturers be treated as confidential business information.
* Discussion Draft, “MEMO Act" - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and NHTSA to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the agencies’ oversight of highly automated vehicle privacy and cybersecurity.
* Discussion Draft, “DECAL Act" - Directs manufacturers to include a description of the level of driving automation for any highly automated vehicle on the Monroney label.
“These discussion drafts are a significant step towards introduction of meaningful legislation that will ensure consumer safety and provide clarity for federal and state governments on their role in regulating self-driving vehicles," said Chairman Latta. “Overtime, this technology has demonstrated its potential to transform the transportation industry and save thousands of lives, and this hearing provides an opportunity to start this critically important discussion here in the House. Next week, members will explore how this legislation can increase safety, improve access and mobility, and grow our understanding of self-driving cars."
The Majority Memorandum, witness list, and witness testimony for the hearing will be available HERE as they are posted.
