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DoorDash says small delivery robots would operate mainly in bike lanes; Senate panel advances personal delivery-device bill with technical amendments
Summary
The committee adopted amendments and reported House Bill 606, which updates statutes for personal delivery devices; DoorDash testimony said devices would operate primarily in bike lanes and on road shoulders, occasionally using sidewalks to reach residences, and carriers will carry insurance.
Representative introduced House Bill 606 to modernize existing statute for personal delivery devices and insert safety requirements including camera systems.
Brent Westcott, DoorDash, told the committee that the devices would operate “primarily in bike lanes and on road shoulders where there's room for DOT to be able to operate,” with only minimal sidewalk use to reach residences or merchants. He also told senators that the companies would carry insurance and that incidents would be handled like any other traffic accident.
The committee reviewed a set of technical amendments (amendment set 29-31) and adopted them; the sponsor offered an amendment establishing an effective date. After no recorded opposition, the committee reported House Bill 606 favorably with amendments.
Why it matters: The bill updates older language to accommodate emerging delivery technologies, adds safety features such as triple 360-degree cameras in the statutory language, and sets an implementation timeline so departments and local jurisdictions can anticipate where these devices may run.
Committee action: House Bill 606 was reported favorably with amendments; witnesses from the industry remained available to provide technical information to staff and senators.
