This bill amends section 316.85 of the Florida Statutes to prohibit the use of autonomous vehicles for the delivery of commercial goods directly to residences or businesses unless a licensed human operator is physically present in the vehicle. This new requirement is established in a newly added subsection (6) of the statute. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2031, or five years after the commencement of such deliveries, whichever is later. The report will evaluate the use of autonomous vehicle technology, its impacts on public safety, and employment in the transportation sector.

The report must include a summary of disengagements of autonomous vehicle technology, related vehicle crashes, and recommendations regarding the necessity of the human operator requirement. In preparing the report, the department is required to consult with various entities, including the Florida Highway Patrol, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, and independent experts. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.