This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding autonomous vehicles. It introduces new definitions for "autonomous vehicle" and "human safety operator," while also modifying the existing definition of "on-demand autonomous vehicle network" to remove references to "fully" autonomous vehicles. The bill repeals section 28-9705 and adds new provisions that restrict the transportation of passengers and goods by autonomous vehicles unless a human safety operator is present to monitor and intervene if necessary. Additionally, it clarifies that counties, cities, or towns cannot impose taxes or fees on autonomous vehicles or their operators, while also ensuring that the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety are the only agencies authorized to enforce these regulations.

The bill also removes specific requirements for fully autonomous vehicles to operate without a human driver, such as submitting a law enforcement interaction plan and a written statement to the Department of Transportation. It maintains that traffic laws cannot prohibit the operation of autonomous vehicles if they comply with the chapter's regulations. Furthermore, it allows the Department to request information from vehicle owners if there are concerns about the vehicle's mechanical safety, streamlining the process for addressing potential safety issues. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the legal framework surrounding autonomous vehicles while ensuring safety and compliance with state laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 28-9701, 28-9702, 28-9703, 28-9704, 28-9705, 28-9706, 28-9707, 28-9708, 28-8421, 28-8423, 28-8424