S.B. No. 2205         AN ACT   relating to automated motor vehicles.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 545, Transportation Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter J to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER J. OPERATION OF AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLES          Sec. 545.451.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "Automated driving system" means hardware and   software that, when installed on a motor vehicle and engaged, are   collectively capable of performing, without any intervention or   supervision by a human operator:                      (A)  all aspects of the entire dynamic driving   task for the vehicle on a sustained basis; and                      (B)  any fallback maneuvers necessary to respond   to a failure of the system.                (2)  "Automated motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle on   which an automated driving system is installed.                (3)  "Entire dynamic driving task" means the   operational and tactical aspects of operating a vehicle.  The term:                      (A)  includes:                            (i)  operational aspects, including   steering, braking, accelerating, and monitoring the vehicle and the   roadway; and                            (ii)  tactical aspects, including   responding to events, determining when to change lanes, turning,   using signals, and other related actions; and                      (B)  does not include strategic aspects,   including determining destinations or waypoints.                (4)  "Human operator" means a natural person in an   automated motor vehicle who controls the entire dynamic driving   task.                (5)  "Owner" has the meaning assigned by Section   502.001.          Sec. 545.452.  SUBCHAPTER AND DEPARTMENT GOVERN   EXCLUSIVELY. (a)  Unless otherwise provided by this subchapter,   the following are governed exclusively by this subchapter:                (1)  automated motor vehicles, including any   commercial use or operation of automated motor vehicles; and                (2)  automated driving systems.          (b)  A political subdivision of this state or a state agency   may not impose a franchise or other regulation related to the   operation of an automated motor vehicle or automated driving   system.          Sec. 545.453.  OPERATOR OF AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE.   (a)  When an automated driving system installed on a motor vehicle   is engaged:                (1)  the owner of the automated driving system is   considered the operator of the automated motor vehicle solely for   the purpose of assessing compliance with applicable traffic or   motor vehicle laws, regardless of whether the person is physically   present in the vehicle while the vehicle is operating; and                (2)  the automated driving system is considered to be   licensed to operate the vehicle.          (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, a licensed human   operator is not required to operate a motor vehicle if an automated   driving system installed on the vehicle is engaged.          Sec. 545.454.  AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION. (a)  An   automated motor vehicle may operate in this state with the   automated driving system engaged, regardless of whether a human   operator is physically present in the vehicle.          (b)  An automated motor vehicle may not operate on a highway   in this state with the automated driving system engaged unless the   vehicle is:                (1)  capable of operating in compliance with applicable   traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state, subject to this   subchapter;                (2)  equipped with a recording device, as defined by   Section 547.615(a), installed by the manufacturer of the automated   motor vehicle or automated driving system;                (3)  equipped with an automated driving system in   compliance with applicable federal law and federal motor vehicle   safety standards;                (4)  registered and titled in accordance with the laws   of this state; and                (5)  covered by motor vehicle liability coverage or   self-insurance in an amount equal to the amount of coverage that is   required under the laws of this state.          Sec. 545.455.  DUTIES FOLLOWING ACCIDENT INVOLVING   AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE. In the event of an accident involving an   automated motor vehicle, the automated motor vehicle or any human   operator of the automated motor vehicle shall comply with Chapter   550.          Sec. 545.456.  VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION. An owner as defined   by Section 502.001(31) may identify the vehicle to the department   as an automated motor vehicle or an automated driving system.          SECTION 2.  (a)  In this section, "a request to intervene"   means notification by a vehicle to the human operator that the   operator should promptly begin or resume performance of the entire   dynamic driving task.          (b)  For purposes of Subchapter J, Chapter 545,   Transportation Code, as added by this Act, a motor vehicle equipped   with hardware and software capable of engaging in the entire   dynamic driving task with the expectation that a human operator   will respond appropriately to a request to intervene is subject to   Sections 545.452(b) and 545.454, Transportation Code, as added by   this Act.          (c)  Nothing in Subchapter J, Chapter 545, Transportation   Code, as added by this Act, shall be construed to affect, alter, or   amend the right to operate a motor vehicle equipped with hardware   and software capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task   with the expectation that a human operator will respond   appropriately to a request to intervene.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2205 passed the Senate on   April 27, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2205 passed the House on   May 21, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 137, Nays 1, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor