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Senate panel advances bill to allow limited autonomous commercial vehicle pilots in Arkansas
Summary
The Senate Transportation committee advanced House Bill 15‑61, which would let companies run limited level‑4 autonomous vehicle pilots in Arkansas after submitting operational and safety plans to the state highway department; retail and rail stakeholders urged safety guardrails and collaboration.
The Senate Transportation, Technology & Legislative Affairs committee voted to advance House Bill 15‑61, a sponsor said, to allow companies to operate limited pilot programs testing driver‑assisted and driverless (level‑4) commercial autonomous vehicles on Arkansas streets and highways.
Senator Pitch, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee the measure is narrowly focused on pilots. “I stress the word pilot program,” he said, describing requirements that companies submit an operational and safety plan to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (RDOT/Highway Department) and noting that a company approved under the pilot could operate up to three autonomous vehicles at one time. Pitch argued the bill would help…
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