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Committee hears bills to regulate autonomous vehicles; industry and local governments want more clarity; motion to table passes
Summary
Senate Bill 67 would create a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles on Montana highways; industry groups, MDT, unions and local governments testified that the bill’s definitions and agency authorities need more work.
Senator Denley Loge introduced Senate Bill 67 as an effort to provide rulemaking authority and definitions for use of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on Montana state public highways. "If somebody wanted to come in with a fully autonomous vehicle in Montana, no driver, not even a steering wheel, we'd have no... regulations that said they can't," Loge said, and he framed the bill as an attempt to create safety guidelines that reflect Montana’s unique conditions (weather, livestock on highways).
Multiple industry stakeholders testified they appreciated being included in interim discussions but said the bill needs further work. Josh Fisher of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and other industry witnesses objected to current definitions in section 3, saying the draft does not align with SAE levels and conflates automated driver-assistance systems with automated driving systems. Fisher said that “automated vehicles and driver assistance systems are not the same thing, and should not be conflated.” Renee Gibson of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association said she was registered as informational and urged amendments so that driverless, ADS-equipped vehicles have a clear pathway to operate without a human operator.
The Montana Department of Transportation representative, Larry Flynn, said MDT had concerns focused on commercial autonomous vehicles and recommended a clear definition for commercial AVs, split rulemaking authority between agencies, and a later effective date so stakeholders and MDT could complete rulemaking. The Teamsters and the Montana Auto Dealers Association registered opposition, citing safety and operational concerns. The League of Cities and Towns raised uncertainty about municipal authority over local streets under the bill.
Committee members asked repeatedly about the bill’s level definitions, the difference between construction and ownership/operation, whether commercial vehicles should be treated differently, and whether requiring a driver’s license for occupants of fully driverless vehicles would be feasible. Sponsor Loge said the bill’s principal purpose is to gather stakeholders and create consistent definitions and that he would work on amendments.
After testimony and questions, Senator Usher moved to table SB 67 so the sponsor could convene additional stakeholder meetings. The committee took a roll-call vote on the motion to table; the motion passed 9 to 4.
