HARRISBURG — A House-passed bill to speed development of highly automated vehicles (HAV) in Pennsylvania was approved Tuesday by a Senate committee on a party-line vote.
The Transportation Committee voted 8-5 in favor of an amended House Bill 2398 to change the Motor Vehicle Code to allow an HAV to be tested under an automated driving system without a human in the driver’s seat. It would change a current requirement that a licensed human driver drive or be in actual physical control of an HAV even when it’s being tested.
Supporters described this bill as the product of countless hours of work and revisions by stakeholders in recent months. HB2398 goes to the Senate floor.
The legislation reflects an effort by a Pittsburgh-based coalition of vehicle tech companies, research firms, universities and PennDOT to make Pennsylvania a center for developing autonomous vehicles and build on its reputation as a research leader in this field.
The bill will help Pennsylvania compete with other states that have already changed their HAV laws, said bill sponsor House Majority Whip Donna Oberlander, R-Clarion.
Senate Transportation Minority Chairman Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna, said he voted against the bill because it doesn’t provide that Pennsylvania workers, including union workers, will have jobs maintaining and operating HAVs in the years ahead.
“This does not guarantee Pennsylvania workers a seat at the table,” said Mr. Flynn, adding there is no place for Teamsters union representatives among stakeholders.
Senate Transportation Majority Chairman Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria, successfully introduced an amendment that addresses a number of issues including procedures when an HAV is in an accident, including the role of first responders; and responsibilities of an HAV certificate holder in an accident, including having a minimum $1 million in insurance coverage.
The amendment would preempt ordinances, policies and rules of a local government regarding HAVs but would require a certificate holder to give written notice to a municipality of plans to operate an HAV within its boundaries at least 10 days in advance.
First Published: October 18, 2022, 6:18 p.m.
Updated: October 19, 2022, 12:02 p.m.
