Bill > H1829

This bill aims to promote the safe integration of autonomous vehicles into the transportation system of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Defining terms related to autonomous vehicles, such as "automated driving system," "autonomous vehicle," and "level three vehicle." 2. Establishing a policy to allow autonomous vehicles on public roads, subject to regulations that ensure public safety, adequate funding of transportation infrastructure, and compliance with state and federal laws. 3. Authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to promulgate rules for the testing and deployment of level three and autonomous vehicles, including requirements for data collection and sharing. 4. Requiring certification from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles for manufacturers and operators to test or deploy level three and autonomous vehicles. 5. Setting speed limits and restrictions for autonomous vehicles, including allowing municipalities to further limit autonomous vehicles in certain areas. 6. Imposing a road usage charge on autonomous vehicles, with various adjustments to the base rate based on factors such as passenger count, off-peak travel, and vehicle weight. 7. Allocating the revenue from the road usage charge to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. The bill aims to balance the integration of autonomous vehicles with the need to protect public safety, ensure equitable access to the benefits, and maintain the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H1829