The bill amends Alaska's vehicle regulations to establish guidelines for the operation of autonomous vehicles. It mandates that any autonomous vehicle registered in the state must comply with federal standards for motor vehicles on public highways. The bill specifies that such vehicles cannot be used for interstate commerce unless they are for personal, noncommercial use or have a human safety operator present who can monitor and intervene in the vehicle's operation. Additionally, the human safety operator must meet both federal and state requirements for operating vehicles.

In the event of an accident involving an autonomous vehicle, the bill presumes the human safety operator liable for any injuries or damages unless it can be proven that the vehicle's software, hardware, or modifications caused the incident. Liability for damages is structured to first recover from the human safety operator, followed by the modifier, programmer, and manufacturer of the vehicle. The bill also defines key terms related to autonomous technology and driving automation, clarifying what constitutes an autonomous vehicle and the various levels of driving automation. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
HB0217A, AM HB 217, introduced 05/02/2025: