STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6014--B
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 16, 2019
___________
Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- reported
favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report,
ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining
its place in the order of third reading -- recommitted to the Commit-
tee on Transportation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 --
committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
recommitted to said committee
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; congestion and emissions
6 mitigation; improved livable land use, and better road usage. 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13 vehicle technology in New York, which will expire and be deemed repealed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, 2021. 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 for a future where automated vehi-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11841-04-0
S. 6014--B 2
1 cle technology plays a role in shaping our roadways, economy, education
2 system, and society.
3 To this end, it is in the public interest to establish an automated
4 vehicle task force to study, evaluate and develop recommendations relat-
5 ing to specific actionable measures that address how automated vehicle
6 technology will transform the state's roadways, economy, education
7 system, and society.
8 § 2. Automated vehicle task force. The New York task force on auto-
9 mated vehicle technology is hereby established to study and assess the
10 future of automated vehicle technology. For purposes of this act, "auto-
11 mated vehicle" shall mean a motor vehicle that has the capability to
12 drive the vehicle without the active control or monitoring of a human
13 operator including any automation level at or above SAE J3016 level 3.
14 Such task force shall consist of seventeen members with demonstrated
15 expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force. The members
16 of the task force shall be appointed as follows:
17 (a) five members shall be appointed by the governor, such members'
18 expertise shall encompass, but not be limited to, the areas of transpor-
19 tation, research and development, education, education for or assisting
20 people with disabilities; one of these members shall be the commissioner
21 of the department of motor vehicles and shall serve as chairperson of
22 the task force; and one member shall be the commissioner of the depart-
23 ment of transportation and shall serve as vice chair;
24 (b) two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the
25 senate;
26 (c) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
27 (d) one member shall be appointed by the senate minority leader;
28 (e) one member shall be appointed by the assembly minority leader;
29 (f) one member shall be appointed by the chancellor of the state
30 university of New York; such member shall be a member of a research
31 faculty of an engineering department at a state university of New York
32 campus;
33 (g) one member shall be appointed by the commission on independent
34 colleges and universities from a New York private university research
35 faculty of an engineering department;
36 (h) two members shall be appointed by the alliance of automobile
37 manufacturers and shall be representatives of two differing original
38 equipment manufacturers;
39 (i) one member shall be appointed by the president of AFL-CIO; and
40 (j) one member shall be appointed by the New York state business coun-
41 cil.
42 § 3. All appointments shall be made no later than the thirtieth day
43 after the effective date of this section. Vacancies in the membership of
44 the task force shall be filled in the same manner provided for by the
45 original appointments. The task force shall organize as soon as practi-
46 cable following the appointment of its members. The chairperson shall
47 appoint a secretary who shall not be a member of the task force. The
48 members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their
49 services.
50 § 4. The task force shall study, evaluate and develop recommendations
51 relating to specific actionable measures that address how automated
52 vehicle technology will transform the state's roadways, economy, educa-
53 tion system and society. The automated vehicle task force shall study
54 how to support the safe testing, deployment and operation of automated
55 vehicle technology on public highways. It shall take all of the follow-
56 ing into consideration: (a) the measures necessary to successfully
S. 6014--B 3
1 implement automated vehicles, including necessary legislative and regu-
2 latory or administrative changes; (b) the difficulties and liabilities
3 that could arise by allowing automated vehicles on public highways and
4 proper mechanisms to manage risks and ensure adequate risk coverage; (c)
5 how automated vehicle technology can promote research and development in
6 this state; (d) potential considerations and resource needs for law
7 enforcement; (e) potential infrastructure changes needed and capital
8 planning considerations; and (f) any other issue the committee deems
9 relevant.
10 § 5. The task force shall be entitled to request and receive, and
11 shall utilize such facilities, resources and data of any court, depart-
12 ment, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any
13 political subdivision thereof as it may reasonably request to properly
14 carry out its powers and duties.
15 § 6. In carrying out its functions, the task force shall hold five
16 public hearings around the state to foster discussions in accordance
17 with article seven of the public officers law, and formal public hear-
18 ings to solicit input and recommendations from statewide and regional
19 stakeholder interests.
20 § 7. The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to
21 the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of
22 the assembly on or before April first, two thousand twenty-two.
23 § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
24 deemed repealed 2 years after such date.
