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Committee rejects standalone autonomous-vehicle study after stakeholders say broader work is already underway
Summary
Senate committee issued a do-not-pass recommendation on House Bill 1614, which would have authorized a state study of autonomous vehicles. Senators and witnesses said a multi‑agency federally funded study led by Upper Great Plains Transportation and involving DOT and Highway Patrol is already in progress and will report this fall.
The Senate Transportation Committee voted to recommend a do-not-pass on House Bill 1614, a bill that proposed a state-led study of autonomous-vehicle policy and infrastructure readiness.
Senator Klein and several other members cited ongoing federal and regional efforts that include North Dakota participation. Committee members, and a representative of the Upper Great Plains transportation group referenced in testimony, said the federally funded study is in its second year and will publish reports this fall, including a September presentation in Grand Forks.
Senators and witnesses argued duplicating or diverting state resources would be inefficient. Senator Romo noted that the ongoing study will produce findings and allow the Legislature to act in the next session if needed. On that basis the committee adopted a do-not-pass recommendation for HB 1614.
Why it matters: Autonomous-vehicle deployment raises questions about infrastructure, commercial trucking operations, safety, and regulation. The committee concluded stakeholders and federal partners are already producing material that will inform future state actions.
Next steps: HB 1614 is recommended do not pass; legislators may review the findings from the regional/federal study when they become public in coming months.
