This bill proposes several updates to the current statutes regarding autonomous vehicles in Arizona. 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.

The bill also amends existing regulations to ensure that autonomous vehicles comply with state and federal laws while removing the requirement for a human driver to operate fully autonomous vehicles. It establishes that the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety are the only state agencies authorized to implement and enforce these regulations, ensuring that any procedures or rules are not unduly burdensome. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the legal framework surrounding autonomous vehicles while enhancing safety measures and operational guidelines.

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