Public Safety Commission adopts multiple rule changes, including automated-vehicle first-responder requirements
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Summary
The commission adopted nine previously published rules (items 1—6, with a ministerial correction to item 7) and new 37 TAC b7 39 rules implementing Senate Bill 2807 for automated motor vehicles; the department declined to change first-responder contact and QR-code display requirements despite industry and municipal comments.
The Public Safety Commission voted to adopt two sets of administrative rule actions at its December meeting.
First, the commission approved adoption of nine previously published rules (agenda items 1—6) affecting programs including license-to-carry endorsements, ignition interlock, vehicle inspection and metal recycling provisions. Chief Wayne Miller (Regulatory Services) recommended adoption with one ministerial correction to item 7— a statutory cross-reference the department accepted following public comment; Commissioner Blair moved adoption, Commissioner Ford seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.
Second, the commission adopted new 37 Texas Administrative Code b7 39.1—6 to implement Senate Bill 2807 governing automated motor vehicles operating without a human driver for commercial transport. Chief Brian Rippy (Texas Highway Patrol) summarized industry comments from Volvo Autonomous Solutions, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, Waymo, Tesla and Zoox, and local-government comments from the City of Austin. Those commenters sought changes such as allowing QR codes instead of prominently displayed telephone numbers, excluding certain test fleets from display requirements, and more prescriptive first-responder plan detail. DPS disagreed with those recommendations, saying quick access to a fleet support specialist via prominently displayed telephone contact is necessary for first responders and that a single named point of contact is required to ensure accountability.
"First responders require quick and immediate access to fleet support specialists to make real time decisions as far as public safety," Rippy said. The commission adopted the rules as proposed; Commissioner Blair moved and Commissioner Hord seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote.
What changed: The department made one ministerial correction to item 7— updating a statutory citation in the metal recycling rules in response to public comment. Otherwise, the proposed rule language remained as published despite multiple industry and municipal suggestions.
Next steps: The department will implement the adopted rules and publish them under the Texas Administrative Code; staff indicated they would continue outreach to first-responder agencies about plan access and operational details.