S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4280
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 1, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of  A.  RODRIGUEZ,  HUNTER, LUPARDO -- read once and
   referred to the Committee on Transportation
 
 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:
 
   Section 1. Legislative findings. The Legislature finds that  automated
 vehicle technology offers widely anticipated and revolutionary potential
 for  the  transportation  sector.  Among the unprecedented opportunities
 offered by this technology are inclusive  mobility  options  to  benefit
 disadvantaged,  disabled  and elderly residents; as congestion and emis-
 sions mitigation; improved livable land use, and  basic  road.  Further,
 the  legislature  has  amended section 2 of part FF of chapter 55 of the
 laws of 2017, relating to motor vehicles equipped with autonomous  vehi-
 cle  technology,  as amended by section 2 of part H of chapter 58 of the
 laws of 2018, as amended by section 1 of part M of  chapter  58  of  the
 laws  of  2019,  to  allow for a two-year testing program for automobile
 manufacturers and technology leaders to test and  demonstrate  automated
 vehicle technology in New York, which will expire and be deemed repealed
 April  1,  2021.    Consequently,  the legislature finds that there is a
 pressing need for policymakers to study automated vehicle technology and
 formulate comprehensive laws and regulations  to  ensure  the  state  is
 prepared for the safe deployment of automobiles equipped with this tech-
 nology  and to help prepare the state's role in a future where automated
 vehicle technology plays in shaping  our  roadways,  economy,  education
 system, and society.
   To  this  end,  it is in the public interest to establish an automated
 vehicle task force that shall study, evaluate  and  develop  recommenda-
 tions  relating  to  specific actionable measures that address how auto-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD05669-01-1
              

 A. 4280                             2
 
 mated vehicle technology will transform the state's  roadways,  economy,
 education system, and society.
   §  2.  Automated  vehicle task force. The New York task force on auto-
 mated vehicle technology is hereby established to study and  assess  the
 future  of  automated  vehicle  technology.    For purposes of this act,
 "automated vehicle" shall mean a motor vehicle that has  the  capability
 to drive the vehicle without the active control or monitoring of a human
 operator. Such task force shall consist of seventeen members with demon-
 strated  expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force. The
 members of the task force shall be appointed as follows:
   (a) five members shall be appointed by  the  governor,  such  member's
 expertise  shall  encompass,  but  not be limited to, the topic areas of
 transportation, research and development, education, people  with  disa-
 bilities; one of such member shall be the commissioner of the department
 of  motor vehicles and shall serve as chairperson of the task force; and
 one member shall be the commissioner of the department of transportation
 and shall serve as vice chair;
   (b) two members shall be appointed by the temporary president  of  the
 senate;
   (c) two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
   (d) one member shall be appointed by the senate minority leader;
   (e) one member shall be appointed by the assembly minority leader;
   (f)  one  member  shall  be  appointed  by the chancellor of the state
 university of New York; such member shall be  a  member  of  a  research
 faculty  of  an engineering department at a state university of New York
 campus;
   (g) one member shall be appointed by  the  commission  on  independent
 colleges  and  universities  from a New York private university research
 faculty of an engineering department;
   (h) two such appointees shall be representatives of differing original
 equipment manufacturers;
   (i) one member shall be appointed by the president of AFL-CIO; and
   (j) one member shall be appointed by the New York state business coun-
 cil.
   § 3. All appointments shall be made no later than  the  thirtieth  day
 after the effective date of this section. Vacancies in the membership of
 the  task  force  shall be filled in the same manner provided for by the
 original appointments. The task force shall organize as soon as  practi-
 cable  following  the  appointment of its members. The chairperson shall
 appoint a secretary who shall not be a member of  the  task  force.  The
 members  of  the  task  force  shall  receive  no compensation for their
 services.
   § 4. The task force shall study, evaluate and develop  recommendations
 relating  to  specific  actionable  measures  that address how automated
 vehicle technology will transform the state's roadways, economy,  educa-
 tion  system  and  society. The automated vehicle task force shall study
 how to support the safe testing, deployment and operation  of  automated
 vehicle  technology on public highways. It shall take all of the follow-
 ing into consideration:  (a)  the  measures  necessary  to  successfully
 implement automated vehicles, including any legislative changes; (b) the
 difficulties  and  liabilities  that  could  arise by allowing automated
 vehicles on public highways; (c) how automated  vehicle  technology  can
 promote  research and development in this state; and (d) any other issue
 the committee deems relevant.
   § 5. The task force shall be entitled  to  request  and  receive,  and
 shall  utilize such facilities, resources and data of any court, depart-

 A. 4280                             3
 
 ment, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or  any
 political  subdivision  thereof as it may reasonably request to properly
 carry out its powers and duties.
   §  6.  In  carrying  out its functions, the task force shall hold five
 public hearings around  the  state  to  foster  discussions  among,  and
 conduct  formal  public hearings with requisite public notice to solicit
 input and recommendations from statewide and regional stakeholder inter-
 ests.
   § 7. The task force shall report its findings and  recommendations  to
 the  governor,  the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of
 the assembly on or before April first, two thousand twenty-one.
   § 8. This act shall take effect immediately and shall  expire  and  be
 deemed repealed 2 years after such date.