Bill Summaries: H814 (2021)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: Nov 10 2021 - View summary

    AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE OPERATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD OCCUPANTLESS VEHICLES. SL 2021-179. Enacted Nov. 10, 2021. Effective Dec. 1, 2021.


  • Summary date: Nov 2 2021 - View summary

    Senate amendment amends the 2nd edition as follows.
    Revises proposed GS 20-121.2 (Operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle on certain roadways; regulations; equipment requirements) as follows. Requires neighborhood occupantless vehicles (rather than their operators) to turn off the roadway to a controlled stop to allow faster moving vehicles to pass as previously described. Modifies the terminology used in subsection (b), setting out equipment exemptions, to refer to fully autonomous vehicles (rather than neighborhood occupantless vehicles) designed to be operated exclusively and at all times by an automated driving system.
    Changes the act's effective date from October 1, 2021, to December 1, 2021.


  • Summary date: Sep 21 2021 - View summary

    Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
    Amends GS 20-121.2 (Operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle on certain roadways; regulations; equipment requirements) as follows. Deletes the definition given for operator, making the statute subject to the definition applicable throughout GS Chapter 20, defining operator as a person in actual physical control of a vehicle which is in motion or which has the engine running (was defined in the statute as a person that enables or controls, or is responsible for enabling or controlling, with or without remote support, the operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle). Amends the exemption from State law or regulations requiring the installation, maintenance, or inspection of vehicle equipment that relates to or supports motor vehicle operation by a human driver, but is not necessary for operation by an automated driving system alone, so that it applies to a neighborhood occupantless vehicle (was, a fully autonomous vehicle) that is designed to be operated exclusively and at all times by an automated driving system.


  • Summary date: May 4 2021 - View summary

    Amends GS 20-4.01 (motor vehicle related definitions) to define “neighborhood occupantless vehicle,” as a low-speed fully autonomous vehicle designed to be operated without an occupant and used for cargo. Amends Article 3 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes (Motor Vehicle Act of 1937 – motor vehicle regulations) to add GS 20-121 authorizing the operation of neighborhood occupantless vehicle on streets and highways with a speed limit of 45MPH or less and requiring neighborhood occupantless vehicles to operate on the far right of the roadway when not turning left and to pull off the roadway when there are five or more cars behind it that cannot safely pass on highways with two lanes. Also defines “operator” for purposes of neighborhood occupantless vehicles and exempts fully autonomous vehicles designed to be operated exclusively and at all times by an automated driving system from regulations requiring installation, maintenance, or inspection of equipment necessary for vehicles with human drivers, but not necessary for autonomous vehicles. Effective October 1, 2021.