Florida Senate - 2018                              CS for SB 712
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Transportation; and Senator Brandes
       
       
       
       
       
       596-02448-18                                           2018712c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to autonomous vehicles; amending s.
    3         316.003, F.S.; defining, revising, and deleting terms;
    4         amending ss. 316.062, 316.063, 316.065, and 316.1975,
    5         F.S.; providing applicability; amending s. 316.303,
    6         F.S.; exempting an autonomous vehicle being operated
    7         in autonomous mode from a certain prohibition on the
    8         operation of a motor vehicle if the vehicle is
    9         actively displaying certain content that is visible
   10         from the driver’s seat while the vehicle is in motion;
   11         revising construction; amending s. 316.305, F.S.;
   12         exempting a motor vehicle operator who is operating an
   13         autonomous vehicle from a specified provision;
   14         amending s. 316.85, F.S.; providing that a licensed
   15         human operator is not required to operate a fully
   16         autonomous vehicle; authorizing a fully autonomous
   17         vehicle to operate in this state regardless of whether
   18         a licensed human operator is physically present in the
   19         vehicle; requiring the automated driving system to be
   20         deemed to be the operator of an autonomous vehicle
   21         operating in autonomous mode, regardless of whether a
   22         person is physically present in the vehicle while the
   23         vehicle is operating in autonomous mode; providing
   24         construction; authorizing the Florida Turnpike
   25         Enterprise to fund, construct, and operate test
   26         facilities for the advancement of autonomous,
   27         connected, and innovative transportation technology
   28         solutions for specified purposes; amending s. 319.145,
   29         F.S.; revising requirements for autonomous vehicles
   30         registered in this state; specifying requirements for
   31         autonomous vehicles that are not fully autonomous and
   32         vehicles that are fully autonomous; creating s.
   33         322.015, F.S.; providing applicability; creating s.
   34         324.033, F.S.; providing insurance requirements for
   35         all fully autonomous vehicles; authorizing the owner
   36         or operator of an autonomous vehicle used for certain
   37         purposes to prove financial responsibility by
   38         furnishing satisfactory evidence of having certain
   39         automobile insurance; amending s. 339.175, F.S.;
   40         requiring a long-range transportation plan to consider
   41         infrastructure and technological improvements
   42         necessary to accommodate advances in vehicle
   43         technology, such as automated driving systems;
   44         amending s. 339.64, F.S.; requiring the Department of
   45         Transportation to coordinate with certain partners and
   46         industry representatives to consider infrastructure
   47         and technological improvements necessary to
   48         accommodate advances in vehicle technology, such as
   49         automated driving systems, in Strategic Intermodal
   50         System facilities; conforming a provision to changes
   51         made by the act; amending s. 339.83, F.S.; authorizing
   52         the Secretary of Transportation to enroll the state in
   53         any federal pilot program or project for the
   54         collection and study of data for the review of
   55         automated driving systems; amending s. 627.0653, F.S.;
   56         authorizing the Office of Insurance Regulation to
   57         approve a certain premium discount for the liability,
   58         personal injury protection, and collision coverages of
   59         a motor vehicle insurance policy if the insured
   60         vehicle is equipped with an automated driving system;
   61         amending s. 627.748, F.S.; deleting an obsolete
   62         provision; beginning on a specified date, providing
   63         that specified insurance requirements apply to all
   64         autonomous vehicles used by a transportation network
   65         company (TNC) during prearranged rides while the
   66         vehicles are being driven by an automated driving
   67         system; providing an effective date.
   68          
   69  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   70  
   71         Section 1. Subsection (2) of section 316.003, Florida
   72  Statutes, is amended to read:
   73         316.003 Definitions.—The following words and phrases, when
   74  used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively
   75  ascribed to them in this section, except where the context
   76  otherwise requires:
   77         (2) AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEM.—The hardware and software
   78  that are collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic
   79  driving task of an autonomous vehicle on a sustained basis,
   80  regardless of whether it is limited to a specific operational
   81  design domain, as specified in SAE International Standard J3016
   82  (Revised September 2016). The term “autonomous vehicle” means
   83         AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE.—any vehicle equipped with an automated
   84  driving system designed to function at a level of driving
   85  automation of Level 3, 4, or 5, as specified in SAE
   86  International Standard J3016 (Revised September 2016). The term
   87  “fully autonomous vehicle” means a vehicle equipped with an
   88  automated driving system designed to function at a level of
   89  driving automation of Level 4 or 5, as specified in SAE
   90  International Standard J3016 (Revised September 2016) autonomous
   91  technology. The term “autonomous technology” means technology
   92  installed on a motor vehicle that has the capability to drive
   93  the vehicle on which the technology is installed without the
   94  active control or monitoring by a human operator. The term
   95  excludes a motor vehicle enabled with active safety systems or
   96  driver assistance systems, including, without limitation, a
   97  system to provide electronic blind spot assistance, crash
   98  avoidance, emergency braking, parking assistance, adaptive
   99  cruise control, lane keep assistance, lane departure warning, or
  100  traffic jam and queuing assistant, unless any such system alone
  101  or in combination with other systems enables the vehicle on
  102  which the technology is installed to drive without active
  103  control or monitoring by a human operator.
  104         Section 2. Subsection (5) is added to section 316.062,
  105  Florida Statutes, to read:
  106         316.062 Duty to give information and render aid.—
  107         (5) This section does not apply to a fully autonomous
  108  vehicle operating in autonomous mode in the event of a crash
  109  involving the vehicle if the vehicle owner, or a person on
  110  behalf of the vehicle owner, promptly contacts a law enforcement
  111  agency to report the crash or if the autonomous vehicle has the
  112  capability of alerting a law enforcement agency to the crash.
  113         Section 3. Subsection (4) is added to section 316.063,
  114  Florida Statutes, to read:
  115         316.063 Duty upon damaging unattended vehicle or other
  116  property.—
  117         (4) This section does not apply to a fully autonomous
  118  vehicle operating in autonomous mode in the event of a crash
  119  involving the vehicle if the vehicle owner, or a person on
  120  behalf of the vehicle owner, promptly contacts a law enforcement
  121  agency to report the crash or if the autonomous vehicle has the
  122  capability of alerting a law enforcement agency to the crash.
  123         Section 4. Subsection (5) is added to section 316.065,
  124  Florida Statutes, to read:
  125         316.065 Crashes; reports; penalties.—
  126         (5) Subsection (1) does not apply to a fully autonomous
  127  vehicle operating in autonomous mode in the event of a crash
  128  involving the vehicle if the vehicle owner, or a person on
  129  behalf of the vehicle owner, promptly contacts a law enforcement
  130  agency to report the crash or if the autonomous vehicle has the
  131  capability of alerting a law enforcement agency to the crash.
  132         Section 5. Subsection (3) is added to section 316.1975,
  133  Florida Statutes, to read:
  134         316.1975 Unattended motor vehicle.—
  135         (3) This section does not apply to a fully autonomous
  136  vehicle operating in autonomous mode.
  137         Section 6. Section 316.303, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  138  read:
  139         316.303 Television receivers.—
  140         (1) No motor vehicle may be operated on the highways of
  141  this state if the vehicle is actively displaying moving
  142  television broadcast or pre-recorded video entertainment content
  143  that is visible from the driver’s seat while the vehicle is in
  144  motion, unless the vehicle is an autonomous vehicle equipped
  145  with autonomous technology, as defined in s. 316.003(2), and is
  146  being operated in autonomous mode, as provided in s. 316.85(2).
  147         (2) This section does not prohibit the use of television
  148  type receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or law
  149  enforcement purposes, provided such use is approved by the
  150  department.
  151         (3) This section does not prohibit the use of an electronic
  152  display used in conjunction with a vehicle navigation system; an
  153  electronic display used by an operator of an autonomous vehicle
  154  a vehicle equipped with autonomous technology, as defined in s.
  155  316.003(2) s. 316.003; or an electronic display used by an
  156  operator of a vehicle equipped and operating with driver
  157  assistive truck platooning technology, as defined in s. 316.003.
  158         (4) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic
  159  infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in
  160  chapter 318.
  161         Section 7. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
  162  316.305, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  163         316.305 Wireless communications devices; prohibition.—
  164         (3)
  165         (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a motor vehicle
  166  operator who is:
  167         1. Performing official duties as an operator of an
  168  authorized emergency vehicle as defined in s. 322.01, a law
  169  enforcement or fire service professional, or an emergency
  170  medical services professional.
  171         2. Reporting an emergency or criminal or suspicious
  172  activity to law enforcement authorities.
  173         3. Receiving messages that are:
  174         a. Related to the operation or navigation of the motor
  175  vehicle;
  176         b. Safety-related information, including emergency,
  177  traffic, or weather alerts;
  178         c. Data used primarily by the motor vehicle; or
  179         d. Radio broadcasts.
  180         4. Using a device or system for navigation purposes.
  181         5. Conducting wireless interpersonal communication that
  182  does not require manual entry of multiple letters, numbers, or
  183  symbols, except to activate, deactivate, or initiate a feature
  184  or function.
  185         6. Conducting wireless interpersonal communication that
  186  does not require reading text messages, except to activate,
  187  deactivate, or initiate a feature or function.
  188         7. Operating an autonomous vehicle, as defined in s.
  189  316.003(2) s. 316.003, in autonomous mode.
  190         Section 8. Section 316.85, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  191  read:
  192         316.85 Autonomous vehicles; operation; compliance with
  193  traffic and motor vehicle laws.—
  194         (1) Notwithstanding any other law, a licensed human
  195  operator is not required to operate a fully autonomous vehicle A
  196  person who possesses a valid driver license may operate an
  197  autonomous vehicle in autonomous mode on roads in this state if
  198  the vehicle is equipped with autonomous technology, as defined
  199  in s. 316.003(2) s. 316.003.
  200         (2) A fully autonomous vehicle may operate in this state
  201  regardless of whether a licensed human operator is physically
  202  present in the vehicle.
  203         (3)(a) For purposes of this chapter, unless the context
  204  otherwise requires, the automated driving system a person shall
  205  be deemed to be the operator of an autonomous vehicle operating
  206  in autonomous mode when the person causes the vehicle’s
  207  autonomous technology to engage, regardless of whether a the
  208  person is physically present in the vehicle while the vehicle is
  209  operating in autonomous mode.
  210         (b) Unless otherwise provided by law, applicable traffic or
  211  motor vehicle laws of this state may not be construed to:
  212         1. Prohibit the automated driving system from being deemed
  213  the operator of an autonomous vehicle operating in autonomous
  214  mode.
  215         2. Require a licensed human operator to operate a fully
  216  autonomous vehicle.
  217         (4) The Florida Turnpike Enterprise may fund, construct,
  218  and operate test facilities for the advancement of autonomous,
  219  connected, and innovative transportation technology solutions
  220  for the purposes of improving safety and decreasing congestion
  221  for the travelling public and to otherwise advance the
  222  enterprise’s objectives under chapter 338.
  223         Section 9. Section 319.145, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  224  read:
  225         319.145 Autonomous vehicles.—
  226         (1) An autonomous vehicle registered in this state must
  227  meet all of the following requirements:
  228         (a) Have been certified by the vehicle manufacturer as
  229  meeting continue to meet applicable federal standards and
  230  regulations for such motor vehicle at the time of its
  231  manufacture.
  232         (b) Be capable of being operated in compliance with the
  233  applicable traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state, whether
  234  or not the vehicle is operating in autonomous mode.
  235         (c) Have a means, inside the vehicle, to visually indicate
  236  when the vehicle is operating in autonomous mode.
  237         (2) If the autonomous vehicle is not fully autonomous, the
  238  vehicle must:
  239         (a) have a system to safely alert a licensed human the
  240  operator physically present in the vehicle if an automated
  241  driving system autonomous technology failure is detected while
  242  the automated driving system autonomous technology is engaged.
  243  When an alert is given, the system must:
  244         1. require the licensed human operator to take control of
  245  the autonomous vehicle; or
  246         2. If the operator does not, or is not able to, take
  247  control of the autonomous vehicle, be capable of bringing the
  248  vehicle to a complete stop.
  249         (b) Have a means, inside the vehicle, to visually indicate
  250  when the vehicle is operating in autonomous mode.
  251         (c) Be capable of being operated in compliance with the
  252  applicable traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state.
  253         (3) If the vehicle is a fully autonomous vehicle, the
  254  automated driving system must be capable of bringing the vehicle
  255  to a complete stop if a failure of the system occurs.
  256         (4)(2) Federal regulations promulgated by the National
  257  Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall supersede this
  258  section when found to be in conflict with this section.
  259         Section 10. Section 322.015, Florida Statutes, is created
  260  to read:
  261         322.015 Exemption.—The requirements of this chapter do not
  262  apply when a fully autonomous vehicle is operated in autonomous
  263  mode without a licensed human operator physically present in the
  264  vehicle.
  265         Section 11. Section 324.033, Florida Statutes, is created
  266  to read:
  267         324.033 Manner of proving financial responsibility;
  268  autonomous vehicles.—
  269         (1) All fully autonomous vehicles must have uninsured and
  270  underinsured vehicle coverage as required by s. 627.727,
  271  personal injury protection coverage as required by s. 627.736,
  272  and liability coverage in the amount of at least $500,000 for
  273  combined bodily injury liability and property damage liability
  274  or at least:
  275         (a) One hundred thousand for bodily injury to, or the death
  276  of, one person in any one accident;
  277         (b) Subject to such limits for one person, $300,000 for
  278  bodily injury to, or the death of, two or more persons in any
  279  one accident; and
  280         (c) Fifty thousand for damage to, or destruction of, the
  281  property of others in any one accident.
  282         (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the owner or operator
  283  of an autonomous vehicle, as defined in s. 316.003(2), used
  284  commercially for the pickup or delivery of passengers or goods
  285  or for providing other services for compensation, except in the
  286  circumstance of a digital network connecting a user to a driver
  287  or an autonomous vehicle, may prove financial responsibility by
  288  furnishing satisfactory evidence of having automobile insurance
  289  that provides all of the following:
  290         (a) Primary automobile liability coverage of at least $2
  291  million for death, bodily injury, and property damage.
  292         (b) Personal injury protection benefits that meet the
  293  minimum coverage required under ss. 627.730-627.7405.
  294         (c) Uninsured and underinsured vehicle coverage as required
  295  by s. 627.727.
  296         Section 12. Paragraph (c) of subsection (7) of section
  297  339.175, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  298         339.175 Metropolitan planning organization.—
  299         (7) LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN.—Each M.P.O. must
  300  develop a long-range transportation plan that addresses at least
  301  a 20-year planning horizon. The plan must include both long
  302  range and short-range strategies and must comply with all other
  303  state and federal requirements. The prevailing principles to be
  304  considered in the long-range transportation plan are: preserving
  305  the existing transportation infrastructure; enhancing Florida’s
  306  economic competitiveness; and improving travel choices to ensure
  307  mobility. The long-range transportation plan must be consistent,
  308  to the maximum extent feasible, with future land use elements
  309  and the goals, objectives, and policies of the approved local
  310  government comprehensive plans of the units of local government
  311  located within the jurisdiction of the M.P.O. Each M.P.O. is
  312  encouraged to consider strategies that integrate transportation
  313  and land use planning to provide for sustainable development and
  314  reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The approved long-range
  315  transportation plan must be considered by local governments in
  316  the development of the transportation elements in local
  317  government comprehensive plans and any amendments thereto. The
  318  long-range transportation plan must, at a minimum:
  319         (c) Assess capital investment and other measures necessary
  320  to:
  321         1. Ensure the preservation of the existing metropolitan
  322  transportation system including requirements for the operation,
  323  resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of major roadways
  324  and requirements for the operation, maintenance, modernization,
  325  and rehabilitation of public transportation facilities; and
  326         2. Make the most efficient use of existing transportation
  327  facilities to relieve vehicular congestion, improve safety, and
  328  maximize the mobility of people and goods. Such efforts must
  329  include, but are not limited to, consideration of infrastructure
  330  and technological improvements necessary to accommodate advances
  331  in vehicle technology, such as automated driving systems
  332  autonomous technology and other developments.
  333  
  334  In the development of its long-range transportation plan, each
  335  M.P.O. must provide the public, affected public agencies,
  336  representatives of transportation agency employees, freight
  337  shippers, providers of freight transportation services, private
  338  providers of transportation, representatives of users of public
  339  transit, and other interested parties with a reasonable
  340  opportunity to comment on the long-range transportation plan.
  341  The long-range transportation plan must be approved by the
  342  M.P.O.
  343         Section 13. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) and paragraph
  344  (a) of subsection (4) of section 339.64, Florida Statutes, are
  345  amended to read:
  346         339.64 Strategic Intermodal System Plan.—
  347         (3)
  348         (c) The department shall coordinate with federal, regional,
  349  and local partners, as well as industry representatives, to
  350  consider infrastructure and technological improvements necessary
  351  to accommodate advances in vehicle technology, such as automated
  352  driving systems autonomous technology and other developments, in
  353  Strategic Intermodal System facilities.
  354         (4) The Strategic Intermodal System Plan shall include the
  355  following:
  356         (a) A needs assessment that must include, but is not
  357  limited to, consideration of infrastructure and technological
  358  improvements necessary to accommodate advances in vehicle
  359  technology, such as automated driving systems autonomous
  360  technology and other developments.
  361         Section 14. Section 339.83, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  362  read:
  363         339.83 Enrollment in federal pilot programs.—The Secretary
  364  of Transportation may enroll the State of Florida in any federal
  365  pilot program or project for the collection and study of data
  366  for the review of federal or state roadway safety,
  367  infrastructure sustainability, congestion mitigation,
  368  transportation system efficiency, automated driving systems
  369  autonomous vehicle technology, or capacity challenges.
  370         Section 15. Subsection (6) of section 627.0653, Florida
  371  Statutes, is amended to read:
  372         627.0653 Insurance discounts for specified motor vehicle
  373  equipment.—
  374         (6) The Office of Insurance Regulation may approve a
  375  premium discount to any rates, rating schedules, or rating
  376  manuals for the liability, personal injury protection, and
  377  collision coverages of a motor vehicle insurance policy filed
  378  with the office if the insured vehicle is equipped with an
  379  automated driving system autonomous driving technology or
  380  electronic vehicle collision avoidance technology that is
  381  factory installed or a retrofitted system and that complies with
  382  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards.
  383         Section 16. Subsection (7) of section 627.748, Florida
  384  Statutes, is amended to read:
  385         627.748 Transportation network companies.—
  386         (7) TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY AND TNC DRIVER INSURANCE
  387  REQUIREMENTS.—
  388         (a) Beginning July 1, 2017, A TNC driver or a TNC on behalf
  389  of the TNC driver shall maintain primary automobile insurance
  390  that:
  391         1. Recognizes that the TNC driver is a TNC driver or
  392  otherwise uses a vehicle to transport riders for compensation;
  393  and
  394         2. Covers the TNC driver while the TNC driver is logged on
  395  to the digital network of the TNC or while the TNC driver is
  396  engaged in a prearranged ride.
  397         (b) The following automobile insurance requirements apply
  398  while a participating TNC driver is logged on to the digital
  399  network but is not engaged in a prearranged ride:
  400         1. Automobile insurance that provides:
  401         a. A primary automobile liability coverage of at least
  402  $50,000 for death and bodily injury per person, $100,000 for
  403  death and bodily injury per incident, and $25,000 for property
  404  damage;
  405         b. Personal injury protection benefits that meet the
  406  minimum coverage amounts required under ss. 627.730-627.7405;
  407  and
  408         c. Uninsured and underinsured vehicle coverage as required
  409  by s. 627.727.
  410         2. The coverage requirements of this paragraph may be
  411  satisfied by any of the following:
  412         a. Automobile insurance maintained by the TNC driver;
  413         b. Automobile insurance maintained by the TNC; or
  414         c. A combination of sub-subparagraphs a. and b.
  415         (c) The following automobile insurance requirements apply
  416  while a TNC driver is engaged in a prearranged ride:
  417         1. Automobile insurance that provides:
  418         a. A primary automobile liability coverage of at least $1
  419  million for death, bodily injury, and property damage;
  420         b. Personal injury protection benefits that meet the
  421  minimum coverage amounts required of a limousine under ss.
  422  627.730-627.7405; and
  423         c. Uninsured and underinsured vehicle coverage as required
  424  by s. 627.727.
  425         2. The coverage requirements of this paragraph may be
  426  satisfied by any of the following:
  427         a. Automobile insurance maintained by the TNC driver;
  428         b. Automobile insurance maintained by the TNC; or
  429         c. A combination of sub-subparagraphs a. and b.
  430         (d) Beginning July 1, 2018, the following insurance
  431  requirements apply to all autonomous vehicles, as defined in s.
  432  316.003(2), used by a TNC during prearranged rides while the
  433  vehicles are being driven by an automated driving system:
  434         1. Primary automobile liability coverage of at least $1
  435  million for death, bodily injury, and property damage;
  436         2. Personal injury protection benefits that meet the
  437  minimum coverage amounts required of a limousine under ss.
  438  627.730-627.7405; and
  439         3. Uninsured and underinsured vehicle coverage as required
  440  by s. 627.727.
  441         (e)(d) If the TNC driver’s insurance under paragraph (b) or
  442  paragraph (c) has lapsed or does not provide the required
  443  coverage, the insurance maintained by the TNC must provide the
  444  coverage required under this subsection, beginning with the
  445  first dollar of a claim, and have the duty to defend such claim.
  446         (f)(e) Coverage under an automobile insurance policy
  447  maintained by the TNC must not be dependent on a personal
  448  automobile insurer first denying a claim, and a personal
  449  automobile insurance policy is not required to first deny a
  450  claim.
  451         (g)(f) Insurance required under this subsection must be
  452  provided by an insurer authorized to do business in this state
  453  which is a member of the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association
  454  or an eligible surplus lines insurer that has a superior,
  455  excellent, exceptional, or equivalent financial strength rating
  456  by a rating agency acceptable to the Office of Insurance
  457  Regulation of the Financial Services Commission.
  458         (h)(g) Insurance satisfying the requirements under this
  459  subsection is deemed to satisfy the financial responsibility
  460  requirement for a motor vehicle under chapter 324 and the
  461  security required under s. 627.733 for any period when the TNC
  462  driver is logged onto the digital network or engaged in a
  463  prearranged ride.
  464         (i)(h) A TNC driver shall carry proof of coverage
  465  satisfying paragraphs (b) and (c) with him or her at all times
  466  during his or her use of a TNC vehicle in connection with a
  467  digital network. In the event of an accident, a TNC driver shall
  468  provide this insurance coverage information to any party
  469  directly involved in the accident or the party’s designated
  470  representative, automobile insurers, and investigating police
  471  officers. Proof of financial responsibility may be presented
  472  through an electronic device, such as a digital phone
  473  application, under s. 316.646. Upon request, a TNC driver shall
  474  also disclose to any party directly involved in the accident or
  475  the party’s designated representative, automobile insurers, and
  476  investigating police officers whether he or she was logged on to
  477  a digital network or was engaged in a prearranged ride at the
  478  time of the accident.
  479         (j)(i) If a TNC’s insurer makes a payment for a claim
  480  covered under comprehensive coverage or collision coverage, the
  481  TNC shall cause its insurer to issue the payment directly to the
  482  business repairing the vehicle or jointly to the owner of the
  483  vehicle and the primary lienholder on the covered vehicle.
  484         Section 17. This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.