Rep. Matt McPherson advances bill to update autonomous-vehicle definitions; committee moves bill forward

Representative Matt McPherson presented a narrowed first substitute to HB 581 that, he said, is intended primarily to update state code to match federal definitions for level 3, 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles and to send requests for information (RFIs) through UDOT to gather technical and vendor input.

"All this bill does now is it updates some of our definitions when it comes to level 3, level 4, and level 5 autonomous vehicles," McPherson told the committee, saying the change was largely future-looking because most of the technology is not yet deployed on Utah roads. He said the RFIs will inform what infrastructure, liability and safety requirements the state should consider and will help craft future legislation.

Committee members focused on the fiscal note and whether the bill would create a funded grant account for GOEO. The fiscal note included about $2 million; several members asked whether that figure made the bill a vehicle for new executive-branch spending. McPherson said that was not his intent and that a second substitute the sponsor plans to take to the floor will remove language that would create a fund or account for GOEO. "It was never intended under the language of this for GOEO to actually receive funding for this per specific account," he said, adding that GOEO could use existing funding structures if it pursues incentives under the agency's current authority.

Industry representatives and lobbyists offered comment. Mekhi Johnson, representing the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, said the group appreciated the sponsor's intent but urged continued work on definitions and coordination with related bills. Crystal Young, who said she represents Century Financial and other clients, told lawmakers that the bill's focus on research, charging infrastructure, testing and operations aligns with industry needs and noted transparency and reporting steps in the current substitute.

After discussion — and with the sponsor agreeing to pursue language that removes the funded-account language from the bill — Representative Okerlund moved to pass HB 581 out favorably. The chair later reported the bill passed the committee (the chair said it "passes 7 to 2," noting Representatives Dominguez and Thurston voted no). The sponsor said he would bring a second substitute on the floor to clarify funding and reporting guardrails.

The committee's action advances the bill to the next legislative step; McPherson said the RFIs and updated definitions are the immediate goals and that more substantive regulatory and safety policy would follow based on vendor input and interim work.