SB 932 – Relating to Autonomous Vehicles 

On Thursday, April 18, SB 932 by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) was heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorably with 20 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 floor.

AIF supports modernizing state law to accommodate for self-driving technologies that open the door for safe, reliable modes of AVs in a competitive marketplace with clear, limited government regulations.

SB 1044 – Relating to the Department of Transportation

On Thursday, April 18, SB 1044 by Senator Ben Albritton (R-Bartow) was heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorably with 20 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:

• Revises the FDOT’s authorization for innovative highway projects to include innovative transportation projects demonstrating techniques of bridge design. 
• Prohibits a local government from adopting standards and specifications for aggregate materials that are contrary to the FDOT’s standards or specifications. 
• 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.
  
  

SB 1044 will now move to the Senate floor.

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