HB 311 and SB 932 – Relating to Autonomous Vehicles

On Thursday, April 4, HB 311 by Representative Jason Fischer (R-Jacksonville) was heard in the House State Affairs Committee and was reported favorably with 20 yeas and 1 nay. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

HB 311 will now move to the House floor.

Also on Thursday, April 4, SB 932 by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) was heard in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development and was reported favorably with 8 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

These bills authorize the use of vehicles in autonomous mode in the state. The autonomous technology would be considered the human operator of the motor vehicle and provides that various provisions of law regarding motor vehicles such as rendering aid in the event of a crash do not apply to vehicles in autonomous mode if the vehicle owner, or person on behalf of the owner, promptly contacts law enforcement. The bill also specifies that statutory provisions relating to unattended motor vehicles, wireless communication devices, and television receivers do not apply to autonomous vehicles (AVs) operating with the automated driving system engaged. The bills also remove the requirement for a person to possess a valid driver license to operate a fully autonomous vehicle.

SB 932 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AIF supports modernizing state law to accommodate new technologies that open the door for safe, reliable modes of autonomous vehicles in a competitive marketplace with clear, limited government regulations. The transportation system and its continued growth and viability is critically important to businesses across the state.

SB 1044 – Relating to the Department of Transportation

On Thursday, April 4, SB 1044 by Senator Ben Albritton (R-Bartow) was heard in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development and was reported favorably with 8 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

This bill addresses various issues relating to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Specifically, the bill:

• Requires the FDOT secretary to be a licensed professional engineer, or to hold an advanced degree in a related discipline with 5 years of relevant experience, or have ten years of relevant experience.
• Prohibits a contractor who has not satisfactorily completed two projects, each in excess of $25 million, from bidding on FDOT contracts in excess of $50 million.
• Prohibits a local government from adopting standards and specifications for aggregates and materials that are contrary to the FDOT’s standards or specifications.

SB 1044 will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AIF supports legislation that positively reforms FDOT to provide high-quality transportation infrastructure to Floridians and businesses operating on our roadways.